The T-Mobile G1 (Google/Android) Phone.

[innerSpaceman]

Hahaha, I have a Razr and have been completely happy with it for many, many years. Yes, one of the reasons I got one was because everyone else had one and I could expect support from everyone I knew.

I don't intend to upgrade to a smart phone anytime real soon, but I will eventually. I'd like to access the net, and a bigger screen would be better for that ... but I'm loathe to give up the tiny size of the Razr - which is a major factor for me in a portable device that I must carry around in a pocket.


But nearly everyone I know has switched from the Razr to the iPhone, so the flow of friendly information is moving in that direction.



As for a platform that allows for tons of applications ... I respond that those I will actually need on the go are extremely limited. I'll want a phone, a music player, internet access and that's it. I'm not going to be doing any major computing with my portable device while I'm out in the world ... i.e., having a good time.


Frankly, the only reason I want the internet is so I can tweet, and maybe check the LoT once in a while.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I don't intend to upgrade to a smart phone anytime real soon, but I will eventually.

I agree with that. While part of me yearns to jump on the bleeding-edge tecno bandwagon that is the Android, I expect I'll end up waiting to see how things shake out.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

As for a platform that allows for tons of applications ... I respond that those I will actually need on the go are extremely limited.

The point is not that you as an individual will run tons of programs but rather that the ONE application you really want, be it a boiler control program, a real time inventory monitoring system, Russian tax table look-ups, Mongolian steamship timetables, or whatever... will be available to you.



For example, let's say I want to create the "Theme Park Oracle". It uses the phones GPS signal to determine not only which park I am at but which attraction as well. As I expience the park it automatically notes when I enetered a queue and when I left it. Once there are enough people using the application, anyone can pull up the front end a see in real time what the lines are like all over the park. With perhaps little gold stars marking where their friends are in real time. Is that an application that Apple would approve? Perhaps, perhaps not.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

For example, let's say I want to create the "Theme Park Oracle". It uses the phones GPS signal to determine not only which park I am at but which attraction as well. As I expience the park it automatically notes when I enetered a queue and when I left it. Once there are enough people using the application, anyone can pull up the front end a see in real time what the lines are like all over the park. With perhaps little gold stars marking where their friends are in real time. Is that an application that Apple would approve? Perhaps, perhaps not.

I assume you will be writing this app?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

I assume you will be writing this app?

From what I understand, Geobased advertising is one of the things Google is pushing with the Android. So in theory, as you sit down on the tram your Android phone pops up with an ad for "Theme Park Oracle":

Look at all those people in front of you.

Would you like to know how to avoid them?

I can tell you.

Your friend: T.P.O.

[Moonliner]

The official release happens in about 5-min.

You can catch it live here if you are interested.

Reading the various blogs I'm afraid this phone from this carrier will not be the one for me.

[innerSpaceman]

Good points. I, too, will wait for a shake-out.


But I rely on my personally experienced anectodals, rather than what's up in the wider 'net world. There may be many complaints about the iPhone out there ... but everyone I know who uses it, loves it to death.


I don't know that I'll ever have that personal experience base with the Android. Heheh, but go ahead and get one, Moonie, and post your thoughts right here!

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I don't know that I'll ever have that personal experience base with the Android. Heheh, but go ahead and get one, Moonie, and post your thoughts right here!

I'll tell you what, I'll bet you dinner at Steakhouse 55 that by the next time I make it out to DLR you will know more people with an Android based phone than you do those with an iPhone.

[Alex]

Any phone that requires me to change service provider is probably not going to get any of my money.

I am too institutionally lazy to go to that much trouble (and anything beyond: I want this phone extend my contract and give it to me for free/cheap is that much trouble) for a piece of technology that has had the worst cost-to-benefit ratio of anything I've ever used.

I might be interested in Android, but so long as it is t-mobile I won't even be looking in detail. Same with the iPhone and AT&T.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex

Any phone that requires me to change service provider is probably not going to get any of my money.

I am too institutionally lazy to go to that much trouble (and anything beyond: I want this phone extend my contract and give it to me for free/cheap is that much trouble) for a piece of technology that has had the worst cost-to-benefit ratio of anything I've ever used.

I might be interested in Android, but so long as it is t-mobile I won't even be looking in detail. Same with the iPhone and AT&T.

T-Mobile is just the first out the gate with the Android. I believe all the major carriers (including at&t) are planning to release an Android phone some time in '09

[Alex]

I'm assuming Google will be implementing voice recognition software so they can listen in to all phone conversations and deliver contextual ads spoken at a whisper in the background of your call.