HTC Hero, Iphone 3g or Iphone3gs?

[editor]

Oh yessssss! It looks like it will be possible to sync Bonsai with the Palm Pre. That's me 100% sold then!
http://www.natarasoftware.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6840

 

[UnderOpenSky]

That is part of the problem. Gesture-packing, all-swiping, finger pointing interfaces may be all the rage, but the big child-like buttons seriously restrict the functionality available on each screen.

I wish someone would invent a screen that supported both types of input, because at times a stylus does the job a whole load better.

Like this you mean?

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Did you ever try Bonsai on the Palm? Or Note Studio?

I can't tell you how much I'm missing Bonsai - it's a simple but hugely powerful task/to-do/outliner app which has a great desktop companion app.

I've also learnt that I don't particularly want some of my data to only be 'in the cloud.' I liked having everything syncing directly to my desktop without the need for a web connection (although a web back up would have been nice) and so I'm now stuck with using the Palm desktop app with no way of accessing the data on my phone.

I tried Evernote and was unimpressed with the clunkiness of it all, and the same goes for Remember The Milk and all the other cloud based ones I've tried.

I can't believe that no one has managed to even come up with a chuffin' calendar app that betters that five year old TMP calendar on the Palm.

Yep as you may remember I've long been a sceptic over this cloud stuff. I tried the Evernote app on the iPhone and while useful the bloody thing kept crashing. I love the iPhone but must admit I do miss Agendus...

 

[editor]

Like this you mean?

That phone has a resistive touchscreen, which means you've got to prod it like fuck with your fingers. Phones like the Android/iPhone/Pre have a capacitive screen which is far more responsive to yer digits but rubbish with a stylus.

I'd like something that's good with both.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

That phone has a resistive touchscreen, which means you've got to prod it like fuck with your fingers. Phones like the Android/iPhone/Pre have a capacitive screen which is far more responsive to yer digits but rubbish with a stylus.

I'd like something that's good with both.

The reason is its a throwback, a stylus is a pain the arse, the only reason its got one is to support legacy apps. I used it only a handful of times since I've got the phone.

It will be a sad day for me when resistive touch vanishes, at least until they can make a waterproof phone with capacitive touch, but I know I'm in a tiny majority.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Is it possible to have a screen that is both resistive and capacitive?

 

[editor]

Is it possible to have a screen that is both resistive and capacitive?

They'd have to call it a caparesistive or a resistactive screen. I love being able to swish'n'swipe on my phone, but at times being able to use a stylus would be a real bonus.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

They'd have to call it a caparesistive or a resistactive screen.

 

[hendo]

if you already have a tidy itunes library, the fact that the iphone is also the best ipod they've made (I've used most of them) may seal the deal for you.

The ipod element of the iphone has been a total revelation for me, it's so easy to use and such a refreshing change from all the other mp3 players I've struggled with.

 

[editor]

Here's an excellent article listing the pros and cons of twelve current and soon-come smartphones.

Here's their first three entries to give you a flavour:

1. Nokia N97

Nokia's new flagship communicator-style model is right at the top of the tree, with a 3.5-inch screen, 5 megapixel and slide-out keyboard. Wi-Fi and HSDPA rounds off the nicely-finished package.
Pros: As well as 'DVD-quality' video recording and the good camera, the N97 has been designed to be good for business as well as leisure with 32GB of memory and microSD card slot.
Cons: Symbian is still a relatively sluggish OS and the processor isn't supremely powered either - needs to be a little better.
Availability: Now
Get it if: You want a workhorse smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard that has enviable multimedia prowess, too.
Read our Nokia N97 review

2. Palm Pre

The first to use the new Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processor, the Pre is a superb new contender, and a real return to form by Palm. Now that O2 has the exclusive in Europe, Palm is set to be placed exactly where it wants – alongside the iPhone in stores.
Pros: A powerful business device with multitasking and contact synchronisation over the web. webOS is slick and fast.
Cons: Only 8GB of memory, some won't like the smallish slide out keyboard at the bottom of the handset.
Availability: Late autumn
Get it if: You think you'll get on well with webOS and you want a powerful business communicator that isn't a BlackBerry.
Read our Palm Pre review

3. Samsung i7500 Galaxy

Set to be the first non-HTC Android phone on the streets, this 11.9mm thick Samsung handset has it all – including an OLED screen like the one in the Omnia HD. There's also a 5 megapixel camera, too. Could this be the handset to send Android mainstream? What's more, it's also on O2. What a superb roster of handsets the network is building up for the autumn/winter season.
Pros: The OLED screen will be a winner as will the camera (which has a LED flash and auto focus) and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack to boot.
Cons: Smaller screen than the N97, same as the HTC Magic. The 8GB memory could be better.
Availability: August
Get it if: You want an Android handset that's not made by HTC - this is a serious alternative.
10 things to like about the Samsing i7500

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone...to-choose-the-right-smartphone-for-you-614070

 

[kropotkin]

Thanks for that editor.
Still not totally convinced by anything, although the iphone 3gs is probably at the front.

The restrictiveness would really piss me off though- as would the poor battery life...

Suprised you didn't quote from the next page

10. Apple iPhone 3GS

Where to start? Firstly, if you don't need the compass or voice control, consider getting the iPhone 3G. It's a heap cheaper and can do most of what the 3GS can. Having said that, the 3GS is as good as it gets (and you do get the 3 megapixel stills and video camera as well).

Pros: The genre-defining handset builds on the 3G with the video and voice functions. Do you need them?

Cons: There are actually plenty. You'll lay down a minimum of £87 for the 3GS before you start on a 24 month contract. 3GS is better performing than the 3G full stop, but whether it's worth the extra is up to you.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You want the very best there is. Consider the 3G if you don't want to pay for the handset or won't use the extra features.

 

[Callum91]

God , don't provoke him! *runs*

 

[editor]

Errr.... I've already said that the iPhone is the best smartphone currently available but it's certainly not the perfect phone for everyone.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Thanks for that editor.
Still not totally convinced by anything, although the iphone 3gs is probably at the front.

The restrictiveness would really piss me off though- as would the poor battery life...

Suprised you didn't quote from the next page

Go on, get it, you know you want to!

 

[Sunray]

Yeah, its consumer who wants movies, music and games and perhaps some productivity thrown in for good measure but I'd not be using its business features no matter what Apple told me.

If your like the Ed here who wants to do real work on it forget it.

Actually Ed I've been speculating that your requirements are possibly beyond what most smart phones will give you. Those Ultra portable Sonys or Lenovo X300 might be more suitable.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Ive whinged about the battery life but I wouldn't let that put you off; they all have pretty pants battery life to be honest and there are battery packs and chargers. And it's not THAT bad.

I really really would not get an old 3G at this point though, that's the only thing. I keep hearing about new poorly publicised hardware improvements eg the memory means there's actually about four or five times as much _free_ now.

 

[Sunray]

Methanol power packs can't come fast enough.

 

[editor]

Actually Ed I've been speculating that your requirements are possibly beyond what most smart phones will give you.

To be honest, just an updated Treo 650 with a decent browser and slightly bigger screen would be perfect. It aready had full document support, good keyboard, tons of useful productivity apps, ample storage and a decent (removable) battery. The Treo (and the Centro) served me very well and it was only the browser and lack of Wi-Fi/3G that let me down.

I could certainly live without 99% of the apps on the AppStore or the G1's catalogue.

 

[kropotkin]

I use my tx for everything

* Diary is incredible, and synced with my google calendar
* Mp3s
* I have a hacked SD driver so i have a 16 gig sd card in it
* I have it set up to automatically trigger GPRS connections through my phone via authenticated bluetooth so I can use the web when I'm not near wifi
* I read the papers and books on it via plucker
* mp3s via PocketTunes
* Videos via TCMP (without having to recode anything- natively plays 700meg divxs etc)
* MochaVNC can SSH into my server at home and let me control it
* Loads of important medical stuff like textbooks, pharmacy references etc
* A 2005 entire wikipedia text dump for pub quiz cheating and bullshit-calling purposes
* TomTom with full European maps and a bluetooth GPS receiver
* Handwriting note taking into .bmp files

other stuff.

A smartphone will really have to be able to do a lot for me, as I already push my device quite far...


Edited: I'd be really impressed if I could run a torrent app to pull down music, and then add that to the library- can either Android or Iphone do that (if hacked)?

 

[lozenge]

I'd be really impressed if I could run a torrent app to pull down music, and then add that to the library- can either Android or Iphone do that (if hacked)?

Running torrents on a mobile device would soon run foul of any providers TOS/AUP no matter how "unlimited" they claim to be, not to mention being a nightmare for anyone trying to upload from you.

A better option would be to run your torrents on your home server (or a seedbox somewhere) which could be set up to email, SMS (or even call) you when a download completes, and you could then transfer it to your mobile via SCP or whatever.

 

[editor]

If you want a great calendar, the Palm is still the best by fucking miles. Really.
The one on the G1 is shit, the one on the iPhone is shit, Symbian ones are awful and Windows Mobile is a great clunky mess.

There is still nothing that comes close to TMP, Agendus or Datebk on the Palm and it's really pissing me off that I can't find anything - and it's even worse for to-dos and memos on other platforms.

 

[jæd]

There is still nothing that comes close to TMP, Agendus or Datebk on the Palm and it's really pissing me off that I can't find anything - and it's even worse for to-dos and memos on other platforms.

Remember The Milk is quite good as Todo Lists. There's a third-party API and online web interface. Its very handy since the todos can be sync'd from Mac/Ubuntu, even probably Windows clients. Is there not a client for Android...?

 

[editor]

Remember The Milk is quite good as Todo Lists. There's a third-party API and online web interface. Its very handy since the todos can be sync'd from Mac/Ubuntu, even probably Windows clients. Is there not a client for Android...?

You shouldn't need third party bolt ons for things as basic as a calendar, to-dos or memos. I tried Remember The Milk and didn't like it at all.

On my old Palm to-dos and diary events were on the same page - like you'd have in an organiser - and I could search everything; to dos, notes, calendars, address book, app data - the lot!

I can't even search the calendar on my G1! How shit is that?

 

[Kid_Eternity]

I use my tx for everything

* Diary is incredible, and synced with my google calendar
* Mp3s
* I have a hacked SD driver so i have a 16 gig sd card in it
* I have it set up to automatically trigger GPRS connections through my phone via authenticated bluetooth so I can use the web when I'm not near wifi
* I read the papers and books on it via plucker
* mp3s via PocketTunes
* Videos via TCMP (without having to recode anything- natively plays 700meg divxs etc)
* MochaVNC can SSH into my server at home and let me control it
* Loads of important medical stuff like textbooks, pharmacy references etc
* A 2005 entire wikipedia text dump for pub quiz cheating and bullshit-calling purposes
* TomTom with full European maps and a bluetooth GPS receiver
* Handwriting note taking into .bmp files

other stuff.

A smartphone will really have to be able to do a lot for me, as I already push my device quite far...


Edited: I'd be really impressed if I could run a torrent app to pull down music, and then add that to the library- can either Android or Iphone do that (if hacked)?

Ok...I'll reply in italics to each point as honestly as my knowledge allows.

* Diary is incredible, and synced with my google calendar

Calendar on the iPhone is basic but there is apps for syncing with Google cal wirelessly.

* Mp3s

It's the worlds best MP3 player ihmo. Straight forward to use, keeps everything organised etc.

* I have a hacked SD driver so i have a 16 gig sd card in it

16 gig and 32 gig flavours available...

* I have it set up to automatically trigger GPRS connections through my phone via authenticated bluetooth so I can use the web when I'm not near wifi

It's 3G plus there are apps which will alert you to free wifi networks locally.

* I read the papers and books on it via plucker

Tons of news apps, there's always things like Bloglines or Google reader. There's a eBook reader apps too.

* mp3s via PocketTunes

See above comment re best MP3 player in world

* Videos via TCMP (without having to recode anything- natively plays 700meg divxs etc)

Here it gets a little complex, there's free apps for converting videos however there's no simple rip DVD from iTunes...oh yeah and if you're the legit type you can pay for tons of videos etc via the iStore.

* MochaVNC can SSH into my server at home and let me control it

Um, what? Yeah this is a bit beyond my needs so no idea if there's an app which allows this. There er is something called Remote which works with your media set up which is kind heading in that direction I guess...?

* Loads of important medical stuff like textbooks, pharmacy references etc

I believe there are apps, will refer this one to Random One (she's now a Dr and has a 3GS iPhone)...

* A 2005 entire wikipedia text dump for pub quiz cheating and bullshit-calling purposes

I use the excellent wikipanion app which can access Wikipedia in a very iPhone friendly way screen wise.

* TomTom with full European maps and a bluetooth GPS receiver

The excellent TomTom app is coming very soon!

* Handwriting note taking into .bmp files

The keyboard is excellent, I can type faster on it than I can with the Centro. I *think* there is hand recognition apps but never needing it I've never really looked into it...no idea about converting to .bmp files.

Hope my replies are useful.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

You shouldn't need third party bolt ons for things as basic as a calendar, to-dos or memos. I tried Remember The Milk and didn't like it at all.

But you had to do that on the Centro etc, the calendar was crap on that which meant having to buy the excellent Agendus (oh how I wish Apple would let them release a proper version). In fact the default email was so shit I had to buy Chattermail...

I really don't think the issue is whether you have to or not, it's whether you can get the set up you want by the means available.

 

[jæd]

You shouldn't need third party bolt ons for things as basic as a calendar, to-dos or memos. I tried Remember The Milk and didn't like it at all.

On my old Palm to-dos and diary events were on the same page - like you'd have in an organiser - and I could search everything; to dos, notes, calendars, address book, app data - the lot!

I never used a paper Organiser... My life is basically a mass of lists (and checklists) with target dates so things like RTM are very handy for me.

I can't even search the calendar on my G1! How shit is that?

Really...? Even the iPhone can do that...!

 

[Crispy]

There are plenty of VNC apps for iphone, but it sounds like kropotkin has his tx set up real nice, so I wouldn't even try to convince him out of it

 

[jæd]

I really don't think the issue is whether you have to or not, it's whether you can get the set up you want by the means available.

Yes... Agree with this...

Oh, lots of VNC and SSH apps are available in the App Store.

 

[editor]

Really...? Even the iPhone can do that...!

Nope. It's awful and there's no third party apps available to do the job either.

But you had to do that on the Centro etc, the calendar was crap on that which meant having to buy the excellent Agendus (oh how I wish Apple would let them release a proper version). In fact the default email was so shit I had to buy Chattermail...

The big difference is that the calendar/to-do database was integrated on the Palm and directly searchable whether you used the default apps or third party ones. And even third party apps would appear in the results (like NoteStudio data).

The iPhone has some great features, but it simply can't match the simplicity or functionality of Palm's calendar/to-do/notes - and I can't see that changing any time soon because of Apple's ridiculous app rules (that's why Agendus for the iPhone is a pale shadow of the Palm version). I don't even think the Pre's calendar is going to be as good as TMP/Agendus either.

It's really frustrating.

 

[kropotkin]

Thanks Kid_Eternity- very helpful.

Amazed that you can't natively watch divx avis though- so if I download a TV episode or a film as an avi I can't just copy it across?

Crispy- I have made the tx do everything it is capable of, but it has clearly reached its limits. I need a full 3g always-on net connection in my pocket. More than I need water.