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

[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.

[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!

[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 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]

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.

[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

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by 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.

They wanted to but it turned out that Apple, Inc. already owns the patent on that idea.

[innerSpaceman]

Ironically, it's largely because I want to switch carriers (again) that I'm considering switching phones.

I've liked T-Mobile, but their policy of customers having to maintain a separate deposit account in order to have access to directory assistance really pisses me off.


Of course, I'm quickly running out of carriers that haven't really pissed me off. The biggest reason I haven't gone iPhone yet is AT&T.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I've liked T-Mobile, but their policy of customers having to maintain a separate deposit account in order to have access to directory assistance really pisses me off.

1-800-GOOG-411 is free.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

1-800-GOOG-411 is free.

See ISM? Google is your friend! Trust them! (but do note, it only works for business listings not residential)


Ps... What the fudge? A separate deposit account for directory assistance? What is up with that? I've been with T-Mobile since the year dot and that's a new one on me. I almost never use their directory service because the fee is outrageous (they charge like $0.75/call) but a separate account? That sounds fishy.