The Next Web

Please help me survive: The Android Experiment!

By Ralf Rottmann
November 26, 2009
• Tweet This
• Tip Techmeme
• Submit to Hackernews

Share


Comments

Please help me survive: The Android Experiment!Yes, I admit: Like many friends here at The Next Web, I’m an Apple fanboy.

I’ve been using the iPhone since it saw the light of day. I’ve since migrated from the first generation iPhone to the 3G and from my 3G to the super-speedy 3GS.

Looking back I’ve spent way too much money on the App Store and I cannot resist to regularly check out new apps.

Applicious is my first thing in the morning!

My iPhone serves to keep me connected via Twitter, email, Socialcast, Facebook, FriendFeed, you name it. Of course it also lets me tune into my huge iTunes managed library of mp3 music, whenever I take a break.

On Thursday evening I’ll switch it off. For an entire week.

I’ll hand it over to a friend whom I truly trust and he’ll keep it safe in a secret place. No matter how much I might beg for it, I’ll not get it back. The Android 2.0 powered Motorola Milestone, the EU version of the DROID, will be my cellphone for the next seven days.

Android powered phones have been called “iPhone killers” more than once. And the debate gets emotional far too often. I want clarity.

But I do need your support:

  • Being absolutely new to the world of Linux powered cellphones, what do I need to know?
  • Which must-have-apps do I have to install and which services do I need to subscribe?
  • How do I handle multiple Twitter accounts?
  • Special tips and tricks for iPhone to Android movers?
  • Anything you want me to cover or test for you?

Please help me survive the now official “Android Experiment” and submit anything you think might help in the comments.

I’ll make sure to come back here with an in-depth report of my first week without the iPhone and a summary of everything I’ve learned.


  • Stuart Shields
    I've heard reports that the twitter apps on the android platform are really crap. Can you test this for us?
  • Stuart, I'll make sure to test them all.

    Everybody: If you want me to deep-dive into specific areas, do let me know. I'll do my best to cover whatever might interest you.
  • A Task Manager. Without a doubt the most useful app I had on my Hero before I sent it back
    Twidroid is a good Twitter client but you'll need the pay version for multiple accounts.
    The official Facebook app sucks (chocolate teapot springs to mind) - forget it and use http://touch.facebook.com instead.

    Oh (based on Android 1.5 - I couldn't comment for 2.0) you might want to file your fingertips down, unless they're already like pencils, so you can actually type a sentence without any typos. Because it's pretty much impossible. In my personal experience anyway.

    As I said... I sent my Hero back (and didn't get a new one).
  • Bruce McL
    Barcode Scanner app - see below.
    Androlib.com. You can do research on apps on a big computer, then scan the QR code on the big computer's web page with your Droid camera. That will take you to the download link in the market.
    Astro file manager, Taskpanel, and Taskmanager to help you keep track of how uour phone is working.
    Other than that, have fun.
  • Wow, your story is similar to mine. Check out my post on my journey from Apple to Droid.

    www.pindropsoup.com/2009/11/droided-after-long-...

    I am not sure you are new to Linux powered Cell phones. Isn't the iPhone a Linux based device?

    Enjoy the turn by turn navigation.
  • My must haves:

    Bump - easy contact sharing

    Google apps (gmail / finance / maps / voice) - push email is great, maps are quick, just works well together. Even though I'm in Europe, I use google voice to txt people in the US for free and get voicemails.

    Fring - haven't fully tested VOIP over WIFI, but should come in handy (over 3G I've had some stutters)

    Skype - again, good for international interactions

    NetSentry - data usage monitor if you're not on unlimited data

    Foursquare

    Get Me Home (London) - tube map with real time status updates

    Shazam

    Sports Tracker - maps and monitors runs / bike rides

    Peep - HTC's twitter client; twidroid kept crashing on me.

    These work well for me. The only thing I truly miss from the iPhone is the ability to watch rented movies.
  • I would love to know two things:
    1. How the keyboard feels.
    2. I would love to know how the turn-by-turn navigation works. Can you really search for an event and get directions to the location? How does the navigation work on a small screen?

    Thanks!
  • The droid Keyboard is best described as a missed opportunity. The keyboard is functional and has a tactile press, but the keys are very close to each other with a smooth top. There is no way to feel the difference between keys. This means you have to carefully look at each keypress which is very slow.

    The Navigation though is very good. Completely beats my Nuvi.

    It does a great job at speech rec so you say where you want to go. It offers layers, so you can see traffic or satellite.

    Navigation is a cellular game changer.
blog comments powered by Disqus
 


TwitterCounter