Jan
I recently purchased ans subsequently returned Google’s Nexus One. I’ve been trying to figure out an easy way to get back to T-Mobile and my company’s corporate mobile plan (while maintaining 3G data). I unfortunately was not able to make the Nexus One work for mobile life style. The Nexus One is a good device, it is not able to top the superiority of the iPhone.
What I liked about Android
Integration with Google Voice is absolutely amazing. I’m looking forward to the day where I can free myself from the wireless carrier and only rely on Google Voice.
Google Maps and Turn by Turn direction are absolutely on spot. A rock star feature.
Google Latitude integration with Google Maps , real time updates… I know this feature is not really useful. However, when I’m the road I enjoy taking a look at where my friends are. Especially, given a lot of my friends are mobile like me.
Voice to text input is a nice start, still has a bit of polishing to become useful
What I did not like
These 3 showstoppers ultimately ended up making be box up my Nexus One and send it back to HTC taking the $45 restocking fee hit:
Showstopper # 1
No ability to use User Certificates to provision Exchange Email ActiveSync in the native email client (had to purchase a $20 app that did not integrate with native address book , calendar)
This functionality is one of the top issues to be addressed by the Android community.
Showstopper #2
Capability to integrate multiple Google Calendar accounts into the native calendar. I use multiple Google Calendars accounts, well only two accounts. I have a personal account and an account for work. My work policy does not allow you to share detailed event levels with anyone outside of the domain. This means I must have the ability to configure 2 Google Calendar accounts to view both my personal and work events. I was shocked that Google wouldn’t get this right, given it’s Google technology. Not to try to make this an iPhone can, the Android can’t , but using CalDAV with the iPhone I’m able to view and use both my Google Calendar accounts.
Showstopper # 3
Capability to integrate and sync my digital media via iTunes. I manage my digital life via iTunes. I do not want to carry around multiple devices. I must have the ability to sync my device with my music, videos, and podcasts via iTunes. I experimented with DoubleTwist an app that was advertised to allow iTunes syncing. I was able to sync my music but not able to sync video or iTunes. It lacked the robustness I’ve come to expect with using any generation of iPod , or iPhone.
I found the touch screen sensitivity to be a major annoyance. Several times in the text messaging application I would have to pound on the text input field to get the keyboard to display.
I’m not sure if this was a specific issue with the Nexus One. I’ve read there are several issues with the 3G radio in the Google Support forums. I found myself to drop to EDGE coverage on T-Mobile pretty much anytime I was indoors. I only experienced 3G coverage outdoors. I’ve never been a big fan boy of AT&T but this is the first time in writing I’d say that I feel more confident that AT&T has been indoor 3G coverage than T-Mobile. This may be in large part to how much effort AT&T has spent over the last year migrating 3G spectrum to the 850 MHz frequency.
So I’ve got the new 2.1 iPhone 3G firmware installed and immediately there is a noticeable difference in the 3G reception in my condo. Pre 2.1 I would be very lucky to get more than 1 bar of 3G signal strength in my condo. With the new firmware I’m now getting full bars. I think to throw some “lip stick on the pig” Apple also changed the 3G signal strength logo , it’s no longer in a white box, now just pretty letters. There is also noticeable improvement in the speed of navigation between SMS messages, contacts, and your e-mail.