13 replies to this topic

[bydandie]

iPhone

I like the context of the iPhone, if I long-press a link in Safari I get different options depending what the link is (Call a phone number, add a web link to bookmarks etc).  The on-screen keyboard is the same, the ability to press and hold on a key to get different options just takes the throne away from the HTC xT9 Touch Keyboard.

I also like the ability to manage contracts details in a logical manner in the iPhone, WM isn't much different but just seems a wee bit clunkier.

Web-browsing and multimedia support is far better on the iPhone ( Even better than Opera and/Coreplayer due to the integration), as is the handling of WiFi connections.

WM

I like the ability to see my appointments on the home screen on WM and a new email/voicemail/call in the status bar of WM.

Email is just slightly better on WM, if the iPhone allowed me to collapse the subfolders and have an email folder summary screen when you pressed the mail button it'd be perfect for me.

The multi-tasking support is only better because there is some, it's not pretty and encourages more leaks than a bottle of whisky on an oil-tankers bridge!  The iPhone does have multi-tasking, but it's sandboxed (ie Music, Phone and/or one App IIRC)

Symbian

Symbian is a right pain in the but to me, with the only good thing about it the physical build quality and battery life IMHO.

[The Guru]

apemonkeyman said:

So what is Android like WITHOUT the HTC bit?

Comparing like-with-like, if you are offering opinion of Android by mentioning the HTC front end then the HTC TouchFlo should be included in your comparison with WM.

Also allowing for the very good SPB Mobile Shell as well as huge raft of alternatives, I know this would massively complicate the review, but it also puts WM in a good light for being able to be customised with many different options to get a totally different feel with the phone. :cool:

Android out of the box looks to be somewhat lacking compared to the Hero offering but you still have a wide range on Android gadgets that can be added to the page. Alas though I've not yet found any equal to something lie Pocket Breeze, but IMHO it has to come.

Remember Android is still in it's infancy compared to the teen-aged OS3 and middle aged WM. I'm sure that more development and improvements will come with time.

For the moment though if we talk of standard today screens with added functionality via third party applications then WM has to be the winner - at least up to WM6.1. Some of that functionality seems to be reduced if one uses the standard XML driven WM6.5 today screen that MS have developed.

[Marc E]

Corporate E-Mail on android (hero) does not sync tasks so...

-1 for android, so WM as mail winner too

[johnston411]

In a perfect world i'd like a device that's form factor is similar in shape and size to the tg01 but has a slimline detachable keyboard that is set up on some sort of hinge when attached and can be closed like a clamshell. In fact as long as it's thin enough 120mmx60mmx12mm without keyboard and x 15mm with it would be pretty sweet. Not much gap between the touch screen and the edges of the device either and only hardware buttons on edges not the face.

OS wise i'd like something completely open that can be customised how i want when i want but most importantly for what i want.

During work hours i'd have the keyboard attached so i'd want it to switch to a profile that has access to work related widgets on the home screen with notifications of mail, messages and appointments etc clearly visible.

When off work i'd detach the keyboard and would want it to instantly change to a social profile with widgets for music, pictures, cameras etc.

For this to work the OS would have to be open in terms of developers being able to develop whatever they want and distribute it in their own way. This would still leave room for an apps database where people can download and rate applications at their leisure it would just be the developers choice if they want to use it or not.

In terms of which bits of what OS would i like and why it boils down to three basic things for me work, play and the unknown:-

Work - For work i need to be compatible with the people i send stuff to so, although it's possible to do with alternatives, i want WM. I want access and the ability to alter my file structure as i see fit and use my device as mobile storage so i want WM or Android.

Play - I want simple functional access to my media and to be able to distribute personal photos and films quickly and efficiently be it via messaging or social networks etc. All three do this well so i'll have a hybrid of WM, OS3.x and Android.

Unknown - I want to be up to date. I know what i want out of a device today but tomorrow that may change and i want to be safe in the knowledge when new OS level improvements come out that i'll be in a position to access them and install them should i want.

So from that you'd assume i'd say i'd want the iPhones update procedure from what is currently available? Well not really as although it is great to see the improvements regularly being made to the OS tbh most of them should have been there from day one. I still can't fathom why a media device has only recently had bt stereo and still hasn't got avrcp.

Basically i think none of them have got it right and it's purely financial. Supporting a device to last 5 years is a bad idea if people will pay megabucks for a new device after a year why bother supporting at all.

I'm not sure of the complexities of drivers but if a device is set up to boot so that the hardware is functional you should be able to run whatever you want over the top power permitting.

The device should boot to a usable position from the internal rom and then you should have a choice of scenarios to boot into from there. WM does this as it is very customizable but is not streamlined enough for what i am suggesting. A jailbroken iphone is also infinately more customizable but loses speed and stability as a result. I think android is shaping up to offer close to what i am suggesting but it's early days yet.

This could even tie in to the detachable keyboard idea so that when you attach it it boots an office related rom/software and when you remove it it boots something with social/media apps while in both scenarios keeping connectivity.

Currently new OS features are normally only available when ripped from new devices and are largely third party anyway. Luckily we have an active scene of chefs for most devices.

As much as i love having new devices all the time it would be nice to be able to stay up to date without losing your shirt each time.

So to answer the original post, after my OT ramblings, there are parts of all OS's that are very good but i still think if you took the best from all we'd still be lacking.

Personal customization, convergence and longevity through simplified upgrades are key and no-ones hit that particular nail square on the head yet :)