Why I am Considering Android ATM

July 12, 2010 | By WenWP

It comes a time in a man’s life when he has to make a hard decision, and it seems mine is coming soon. This weekend had brought some new thoughts in me regarding switching to Android, and I think I should tell you why a power user like me would do such a thing.

When I bought the HD2 I thought Windows Mobile could not get any better. On my fast, slim, and awesome device, I thought I would be happy owning it till Windows Phone 7 is released, but now I find I am not. Friday night I finally read about the upcoming T-mobile Vibrant which most of you know it as the Samsung Galaxy S. I was browsing one of my favorite sites (Tmonews) and I read about an upcoming Android phone for T-mobile. Usually I just ignore stories like that, but it said “Super AMOLED” and I had to read it. To make a long story short, I fell in love with the spec sheet and that is where my Windows Phones problems came in.

When I read the spec sheet, it brought up why I hated some aspects of Windows Phone. I also got some memory of how happy I was with the Droid Incredible, and here are the reasons that annoy me about WM.

1. App store is stupid and has very little applications, not enough freeware

2. Constant update is required to keep device speedy, and bug free

3. No good new devices

4. Heavy work required to getting it working perfect

That is a short list, but trusts me; it is long in my mind. Now here is why I like Android.

1. App Store is bumming with freeware

2. Changeable system like WM has (Keyboard, Browser, Home screen)

3. New devices on many carriers (Samsung Galaxy S)

4. No work required to love your phone

5. Smooth even with crap load of apps active

6. Fast in many ways

Now this does not mean there are not many reasons why I love Windows Phone. But currently it seems I am very bored with the OS. It was fun having Sense on all my devices since the Touch Pro1, but after years everything gets stale, and all other UI’s are stale to me. Now if I do buy an Android device, I will also keep my HD2 (even though it’s annoying me now by having problems with earbuds I plug in) and still do videos, and reviews with it. I will return when WP7 is out, but not a moment before.

People might say “Why don’t you just get an iPhone and end it there”. I said I want a new feeling, not a completely new and dumb phone that I cannot even use to call people. The iPhone is not bad, but restrictions are not things a man wants to deal with. It’s not like APPLE is the CIA and they most have a restriction for just about everything. The reason Android is good is because it’s the best of both world in many devices.

*Let the criticism begin, I am sure I’ll get my head cut off in the comments

About Wen M

Working for WMPU is awesome. Love to write personal articles, and I do it very often. I am the reviewing editor (self appointed), so you will see alot of reviews and giveaways from me. I own quite a few devices not just Windows Phone but Android and others. I live in Minnesota, USA and love traveling to other places.

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Tagged Android 2.1, change, GalaxyS, htc, samsung, Upgrade

djguapo

Numbers 1, 3, 4 (especially 4), 5 and 6 will all apply to WP7 once it is out.

http://intensedebate.com/people/martinschmidler martinschmidler

I guess he's aware of that. "I will return when WP7 is out, but not a moment before."

vangrieg

When people talk about "switching" platforms it does sound almost like getting a divorce and re-marrying.

It's just about getting another phone, so it's reasonable to look at Android at the moment, why not? I'm glad you like it, I myself am not this lucky. For me it's ugly half-baked beta quality stuff, with even uglier third party software.

So as far as I'm concerned there's no place for criticism. Just make sure you don't flood the site with Android propaganda, there's more than enough already.

Tom

Ugly? Lets just be honest, I don't think you can really call android ugly when you look at the base menus of WM. It all comes down to the fact that WP7 has betrayed us all!
toml

You must be kidding!

You're using WM but talk about Android as "half-baked beta quality stuff, with even uglier third party software"? Are you stupid?

There's nothing more "half-baked beta quality stuff, with even uglier third party software" than WM! Nothing!

Android is like WM but a thousand times more polished, high-quality with great third party software that a WM user can only dream of.

Seriously…

http://intensedebate.com/people/mriso74 Matteo Riso

That's true: Android is spinning fast and Google is helping developers big time. It's a fact that some FAMOUS app has been dropped on WM but still goes on for Android.

chinch

you lost me at Samsung Galaxy. ROTFLMAO what tripe. Extra credit fail for their specs straight from late 2009. Woop-de-frikin-do.

If any android phone today makes an HD2 user lust for it… the all i can say is that person has a very, very, very SHORT ATTENTION SPAN and lust for new stuff with no need for said smartphones.

Android has to be the most half-baked WORK IN PROGRESS system to date. Unless you do nothing worthwhile with your phone that is.
quietman

I agree with the author 100% , I loved the HD2 and am running cooked rom to get what I wanted on it. But I recently got a Desire ( I evualate phones at work ) and using it side by side the Desire is easier and simplier that the HD2. Usability is probably the biggest , even thought the HD2's screen is bigger its easier to multi-touch on the desire , the bogged on capacitive ability is crap. Trying to reply to emails or text is a excercise in frustration. I'm still running and carrying both at the moment because I cant part with the HD2 yet. Here in Australis they dont have a Android phone yet with specs like the HD2 , if they did I would pull the pin and fully switch. Yes I'm watching the HD2 Android project intently , and once a few stable ROMS have been created I will try the HD2 with it.
I have long been a WM proponent , making the devices the smartphones of choice at my last employer ect. Windows Mobile 7 is too much of a Iphone clone. Android was the middle ground between WM6.5X and Iphones , now with WM7 it's become the defacto non-sheep's smartphone of choice.
Adam

The spec sheet for the Vibrant has definitely caught my attention, but I can't get over that it runs Android. Being a power user, I'm very much looking forward to the OS update experience being FIRMLY in the grasp of the OS maker.
Beyond that, Google itself still admits the OS code released as "beta quality," and so early adopters are stuck with that since they have to wait on their OEM and carrier to handle updates.

Now, my wife has the myTouch, and has had some good experience with it. I can see her being incredibly happy with the Vibrant, given that she doesn't need/want regular updates. We've talked about the phone a little, but I still think the OS is missing the polish it needs to be a truly great experience.

Tom

Again lets be honest folks. In my 5 years with WM I don't remember getting any major OS updates without having to buy a completely new phone. I did go from 6 to 6.1, once but that was 6 months after 6.1 was officially released and that only brought silly things like threaded text messages as one of it's biggest features. I love my Zune but if adding that to WP7 means I can't use my phone as a USB storage drive(for copy-write protection reasons , like the iPhone) then I'm jumping to an OS that can!!

http://intensedebate.com/people/mriso74 Matteo Riso

Moreover, Google is widely known for releasing their product as "beta" for long, long time. "Beta" in Google's jargon doesn't mean "crappy" or "unfinished" or "untested" or anything else, but that means "working, still subject to fixes in real time".
Android's fast evolution is even too fast for OEMs: SonyEricsson has released what I think it could have been a great device, the X10, but they made two errors. 1) no multitouch-capable display; 2) Android 1.6 while 2.1 Eclair was the default for all the other competitors. And SonyEricsson only announced an update to 2.1 for the end of this year, when all the other brands (HTC and Samsung above all) will ship their update to 2.2 Froyo.
Windows Mobile stucks too much on an official build and the only way to get updates is to flash cooked ROMs from XDA (and voiding the warranty).

Mark

How could you complain about Windows Phone 7 when you haven't use it yet?

Translation: "I haven't use it but it must suck!"

http://intensedebate.com/people/WMPerson Wen(WM)

Do you mean me? I said I will be back for Windows Phone 7, because that is what I am waiting for, and ANdroid is more like an interval for me.

Fdo35

That makes sense, WM is (as of the announcement of Windows Embedded Handheld) now only meant for industrial and highly technical work (not consumers). WP7 is meant for consumers, which explains why you will/would return to it.

But personally, I like Android a lot, but I have trouble staying interested for more than a couple hours, while WP7 can keep my interest for months at a time.

Mort

> But personally, I like Android a lot, but I have trouble staying interested for more than a couple hours, while WP7 can keep my interest for months at a time.

Probably because the gras is always greener on the other side. Android is there and working, so it's boring. But you can still dream about WP7.
Let's see how interesting WP7 is a few months after it's been released. So far, it looks more like a confusing, ugly iPhone clone to me, but I might be wrong.

Jason

you can't try it out on a real device unless you're a dev. But you can try it out in the emulator. Please don't say it looks like an iPhone clone. It looks absolutely nothing like it. The only things you can say that WP7 shares with the iPhone is that it isn't open. WP7 is locked down enough so OEMs can't screw it up and we'll have a single unified (and curated) app store.

Besides the new UI the thing I'm looking forward to the most with the new WP7 devices is how much control Microsoft is asserting over OEMs. They won't be able to cripple the device or load it with bloatware. They have to meet a high minimum spec so that the OS will always be smooth on any device. This will also make it easier for devs to make apps for the platform.

Tom

Sorry dude but there is nothing saying that carriers won't be able to load their own crappy programs on WP7. HTC has already talked about making their own tiles and hubs. The only restriction is not being allowed to skin the OS.

Surur

Not true. There is actually many restrictions.

“Microsoft will also control the user experience, with OEMs having very limited ability to customize the device, beyond installing their own live tiles and changing the operator logo. Devices may still come with OEM applications pre-installed, but to a maximum of 6, taking a total of 60 MB, and no trialware.”

http://wmpoweruser.com/leaked-windows-phone-7-architecture-guide-reveal-more-os-info/
Tom

Interesting. I just did a count(on my new EVO) of carrier installed apps and there are 7. Unfortunately only having one less, wouldn't make them any less annoying. The other few that HTC has installed are things like PDF viewer and Youtube. Will we have to install all those basic programs ourselves if HTC wants to add 6 of their own or will those not count as OEM/Carrier add-ons?

Peter

Seems like you guys post more Android news here than Windows Phone recently. Why you don't move to your android fan blog and let someone else do you job here!?!?!

http://intensedebate.com/people/WMPerson Wen(WM)

Good idea,
Ill consider

KennyB123

PLEASE consider. Let Rush take over.
John

Wen(WM) Please consider and go to Android fanboy blog or somethingt. We really dont want someone like you here with these kind of post which most of it is not even valuable.

So please do yourself and us a favor and go and don't post here anymore. Thanks!

Tom

I'm surprised you guys are shocked by posts like this. WP7 has taken away everything that we WM fanboys really loved about WM. You can stick with your current hardware as long as possible(Anything other then the HD2 is crap) but eventually you will want something faster/better and will be forced to make the decision of loosing everything you love or embrace a different version of it.

http://intensedebate.com/profiles/brianchau brianchau

I have tried the Android phone HTC Nexus One briefly but found it hard to connect the phone to my PC. Need to install SDK first, then the usb driver. And the switching and closing of app in the phone is a many-steps process. It all seems very hard for these trivial tasks. For now I still prefer WM6.5 and will hang on to it for as long as I can.

Mort

> And the switching and closing of app in the phone is a many-steps process.

Just because you're porting Windows habits to a totally different system. Well, or almost. The idea of WM was the same as Android: you don't "close" but "leave" apps, and when you open them again, they continue where you left, even if the system had to close them when resources are required. This is the reason for the loathed "smart minimize", btw. Only difference, with Android, it actually works as desired, because there's way better task and resource management and simple APIs to save and restore the current state.
When it comes to task management (in the meaning of simple switching between open apps, there's no need to kill tasks in Android), both WM and Android are a bit poor by default (last 6 started apps with pressing Home long and task list in settings in Android, awkward task manager in WM6.5) but there are good tools for both.

http://intensedebate.com/profiles/brianchau brianchau

On WM, I can set the close button behaviour as "minimize" or "exit". If it is set as "minimize", then clicking the task bar at the top will display the list of apps stll running. I can either click on that app to bring it to foreground or click the close to exit the app. Note that I am using HTC phone with their Sense UI. Perphaps Sense UI for Android will add similar capabilities to Android. I haven't tried that yet.

http://intensedebate.com/people/mriso74 Matteo Riso

You should really try the HTC desire of the Samsung Galaxy S. Their UIs are by far the better I have ever seen. The SenseUI for Android is A LOT better then the Sense for WM.

Michael

android is really good when using for browsing the Internet, but other than that it cannot compare with WM. android, iphone, wp7 are more or less on the same group that you cannot have full control of the device. eg. you cannot make screen capture unless you root your device, you cannot remap the key as you desire to do something that you frequently use. But WM is different, it's up to you that you can customise or "change" your device as what you like, but with the security concern dominates, all of this control and feature will become history, that means no matter in what version wp7 will evolve, some of the great features of WM will never come on wp7
http://twitter.com/chmun77 @chmun77

On my experience is that, you may have a state-of-the-art Android phone this month, but when just 2 months down the road, your phone will considered as an "obsolete" model once Android has a newer OS version on the new phone models. And then you will keep your finger cross that the OEM phone maker is going to allow you to update to the newer OS. Who knows if you will need to wait for a year in order to do that? (Just like my HTC Hero). Just hate fragmentation.

As for the free apps on the Market, I do not believe that there are free lunch in this world. Nothing is FREE. Those free apps or games are not even full versions. If you know how, IPhone allows FREE apps to be installed too and those are FULL version.

Perhaps is individual preferences, but I feel that it is more stable in terms of upgrades and apps when comes to iPhone. WM is like hell break loose when all the apps having different hardware requirements. It is a blessing that WP7 is now in a more controlled env for apps. However, WP7 is not even out on the market. So, we can hardly judge how it will performs.
Isaac

I feel changing to Android is to draw back to WM2003, straggling with issues that mean time as been solved on other OS. My HD2 is not perfect, but very stabilized and solid, which is important on daily use. Emailing is perfect, connection to social networks are good, GPS – great, so why to switch to device which looks nice from the outside but inside requires further development. Also, no support and upgrades are possible.

But in the end, switching phone is not reasonable decision is emotion decision, and once you posted this message you have actually decided to make the switch.

Ciao.

http://twitter.com/one_solo @one_solo

But what about software.
One of the things that I like most when I bouth my Qtek S200 was that there was a lot, but a lot of apps a most of them were freeware.
Nowdays, everybody is moving to iOS or Android leaving WM without any new and interesting app. And even with the coming of WMP7 this scenario is not going be better.

Jason

I think that WP7 will buck the trend and bring developers back.

NuShrike

It's funny the hey-day of WM was arounds WM2003 when screens were the size as they are now (~4") with 640×480 res. Full-circle in 5 years to come to another dead-end.
Tom

WM2003? I don't miss worrying about my battery dieing and losing all my installed apps!

http://www.facebook.com/Bugblatter Bug Blatter

Bumming with software…there's an app for that?

(You meant brimming).

I've already said where I stand. WM is a dead-end, WP isn't designed for users like me, so I'll be looking to get Android on my HD2 as soon as it's ready.

I'd hate to get a new phone with a smaller screen.

Jason

How much screen do you need? Anything over four inches and it's more of a small slate than a phone.

http://www.facebook.com/Bugblatter Bug Blatter

Whether you call it a large phone or a small slate, it's the form factor that works best for me. YMMV.

http://intensedebate.com/people/mriso74 Matteo Riso

I'm with you but I am really thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy S (just like Wen (WM) ).
You should also consider the SonyEricsson Xperia X10 (4 inches and 854×480 res. display).

efjay

As always, people are blinded by the 'bling". I dont see the big attraction, my HD2 works, only thing I would like is an update to the latest version of WM so I dont have to stretch to the edge of the screen to close programs. People are always going on about "apps", well the "app' phone is the iphone. Android has hype, people get it and claim "oooh, do you know how many apps there are for it?", once you get past the UI's like Sense its a very plain looking OS and when you call up its applicaiton list guessl what, it looks like an iphone! All the hype about customizing, if WM worked as it should we wouldnt have to hack and tweak to get it working, if you have to "root" your android device to get features or fixes because you otherwise cant get them from the OEM/carrier then that OS itself is no better than WM, only difference is its got a newer coat of paint.

http://intensedebate.com/people/WMPerson Wen(WM)

Like I said. I am bored, I have had Windows Mobile for too long. I have used everything about it… UI, and all.

Jason

No love for the refresh? It seems it would address all of your issues.
KennyB123

Seriously, get off the site so you can be "bumming with software" on a horribly written "AndroidPowerUser.com" site that nobody will read.

hvakrg

I'm currently using a Galaxy S and I like it, but a couple of things annoy me alot, the top two is that there is no way to close the app when you exit it, so a 3rd part task manager is mandatory, and the fact that there are only free apps available in Norway, something that takes away some good apps.
toml

You're right that Android is a lot better, more usable and fun than WM.

But there is no single piece of hardware that comes even close to the HD2. Forget about the Galaxy, the Desire, the Droid… nothing beats the HD2 hardware-wise.

And that's a shame! It's a shame that the absolute best piece of hardware runs such a crappy OS. And it's a shame that even after months, nobody has managed to release competitive hardware with usable software, i.e. Android.

Nevertheless, yes, you should switch to Android. Not even the great HD2 can make WM an experience that's remotely competitive to Android. Android is just that good.

Tom

Um what about the EVO? It's the same phone but with a HDMI out.

toml

Yeah but it's too fat to be useful in my opinion and it's only available on Sprint in the US.

No, nothing comes close to the HD2. Nevertheless, I sold mine for the Desire because of the OS.

I'm not holding my breath, but IF there is a 100% working Android port one day, I will immediately get an HD2 again!

Tom

In all fairness the HD2 is only avaible on T-Mobile. You can't say that 1 more mm is worth giving up 4.3 inches of amazing screen!!! Now, when I use other peoples 3.5 inch screen, I feel cramped.

Jason

Call me crazy, but aren't all your criticisms being addressed with the refresh in the fall?

toml

Yeah, but the refresh in the fall brings new "features", i.e. restrictions, known from the iPhone, that WM users have been mocking for years (for good reason).

So that is no option.

DavidK

Wen, you're lucky if they only cut off your head;)
Agreed that WM is getting 'boring' but I also find Android and it's overall gray theme and feel boring. The OS itse;f is not impressive and the apps work but there aren't apps that are exclusive to Android for the most part. You can get the same ones on other platforms. I think Android is a stop-gap. It's the only thing out there now since 6.5 isn't being developed and we're months from 7 so it looks great because it's that or nothing. You'll be bored of Android and sick of waddling through the fecal matter they call an app store in now time…you can't just let anyone add any app and expect it to be a decent place to find good stuff.
David

Wen let me tell you why I haven't Jumped from WM, these features that I use may not resound with you but Iike:

To sync my Outlook Tasks and Calendar Meetings
I sync my Zune Subscription content flawlessly
I like to have my phone connected to Actyve Sync while i'm still able to make a call
I use my TP2 as my primary Internet Hub via WMWIFI ROUTER – No Need to install extra soft ware on the comptuer. When i'm connected to to the internet i can easly receive a call and pick it up on bluetooth while my phone is plugged to my PC.
I love MyPhone, text and Contacts syncing
I love that i'm able to search by typing directly from my inbox
I love that I can Remap all the buttons on my TP2 with single click, double click and Triple click (THANKS XDA) I have shortcuts to my most useful apps directly from the buttons
I love a little program called ALTAB, allows me to switch between programs with a double click
I LOVE voice command, reads my text, my next meetings, battery level, volume Tracks of whoever is playing, completely hands free when i'm riding my bike it comes in very very handy
OH OH OH i have another one, I work alot with MS Word, and i like that i can automatically sync my word docs when i'm ready to leave the office. which i will review when im in the toilet

Until Android gets something similar to voice command there is nothing they can offer that would make me want to jump.

Tom

Um Android has amazing voice command features. Do everything from play a specific song, search/call contacts too find/navigate too locations, all from one easy button. Look up the program "almost hands free". You can find simple programs to read your text to you. You can tether internet to a computer via wifi or USB, without installing anything on the PC. All smart OSs can receive a call while plugged into a computer. Data/voice has to do with the carrier your on, not the OS. Zune? I just strip the DRM(easy to do) and drag/drop them. You can easily backup all your texts and contacts to gmail. Plus you can easily search your old texts that way, because I don't know if you noticed but the MyPhone website is a pain to navigate when it comes to texts. Yes I miss full MS Office support, though there still programs that can create and edit office docs. It doesn't look like you've done your homework since Android 1.5 came out, a lot has changed! Other then full native Office support Andoird can do everything WM can and more. O yeah, just remember WP7 will take alot of what you have listed, away.

daguila

Let me run to the store and pick up an android phone becuase they can finally do what MS has been doing for a while already….and if i downaload 5 apps i can also do everything that i used to do on my WM phone…except sync my docs through active sync and soon to be over sharepoint.

Tom

Hey smarty WM can't natively do anything that David mentioned . All of those are extra apps or cooked ROMs. Android can sync documents via Google Apps(yes with an extra program) and you don't even have to plug your phone into a computer. Yes WM had a massive 10 year head start on everyone else and could do alot of things before anyone, but they wasted it and betrayed WM loyalist like me, by making a iPhone clone(but with a better ui). I did a massive amount of research before switching and the only thing android doesn't have is complete office support(close with 3rd party apps though). The thing is Android will continue to move forward and improve while WM is dead and WP is a huge step back. Good luck waiting another year for full copy & paste support!!!

daguila

Way to get ppl to comment Wen…

LOL
Toli

"5. Smooth even with crap load of apps active"

Have you tried weather tab in HD2 and Desire? See which one is smoother.

You need to wait for Android 3.0 for that smoothness.