Hello Nexus One

I really, really hated using an iPhone. So much so that I begged and pleaded, and will be getting my hands on a Google Nexus One shortly. Details to follow shortly :-)

 

Major plus in its favour is that it gets its Android updates straight from Google. So no lengthy delays in OS updates, and I avoid the deadly Android fragmentation. Now that is a good thing.

 

I may still end up buying an HTC Desire, which is the non-Google version of the Nexus. But I'll avoid that for as long as I can, and buy a device on contract when I have to return this one.

The iPhone - I feel dirty using it

I've been using a friend's iPhone 3G for almost two weeks now, after having sold my Motorola Milestone. Many thanks to that friend, because I was contemplating getting an iPhone 4. Thank god I borrowed this 3G. Never mind the fact that I'd drop signal all over the place (which means I'd have to take note of how I hold the phone), especially given how superlative my current MNO's cell coverage is (it sucks), but this thing misses some basic things.

 

• No widgets on the home screen
• No ability to with one press set WiFi on/off, Bluetooth on/off, etc
• No ability to set the phone to vibrate when I'm in a meeting
• A clunky way to forward SMS'
• No way to replace the rather rubbish standard SMS app

 

Nope, not impressed. And yes, I was using iOS4.

Huawei E5830 / E5

I was using an Option Icon 401 USB modem, on my Macbook Pro. It worked pretty well, but then the wonderful mobility guys I work with at Internet Solutions decided to start bringing in the Huawei E5830 aka E5. This is one of the new classes of 3G connectivity devices; it takes a SIM card, and presents itself as a WiFi hotspot.

I was initially quite sceptical, but after using it for about two weeks, am a firm believer! These things are great; it has a digital display to tell you what is going on, it is battery powered so no cords and it seems quite stable. Definately a winner!

Goodbye Milestone, hello opportunity!

So if you remember, I bought a Motorola Milestone from Expansys, and after quite a lot of irritation, decided it was time to go. So I put it on Bidorbuy, Gumtree and Vottle, and managed to sell it for R3500. So, a R1000 hit for a phone that I had used for six months, and managed to learn about Android and what I didn't want in a phone. Not bad school fees.

 

In the meantime, I've borrowed a friend's Apple iPhone 3G, and lets see how that goes!

MacBook Pro Core i7

Apple announced new MacBook Pro's that would use Intel Core i7 processors; great I thought, quad-core processors here we come!

Afraid not; these new machines have dual-core processors. Fail, Apple, fail, when other manufacturers released this stuff two years ago. Fail.

Disappointing, I wanted to upgrade this year. Guess I'll wait for the next cycle, which should be in six months time.

The iPad (TM)

The Apple iPad is a cool device; its got a gorgeous big screen, its super fast/responsive, and it meets a need in the market; it must, they've sold over a million in 28 days.

But, I am holding out on buying one, for several reasons;

1. Never buy a first generation device


2. I want a forward facing camera for Skype, and it looks like one will appear


3. I want it to multi-task


4. Micro-sim's are hardly ubiquitous, although it looks like Vodacom will offer them; if you're adventurous, you could certainly hack one

Not sure what I'll use it for, but I won't lie that I want one, but not right now

Blackberry Curve 8520

I have played around with Blackberry handsets, before, namely the Bold 9000. My opinion at the time was that while it was a good device, it wouldn't be my primary device. And I stick by that assertion.

As a second (or backup) device however, its unbeatable. As a result, I've enjoyed the stability, responsiveness and absolute solid call quality of the device so much, that when I had to return my loan device, I needed a replacement. The Curve 8520 is being flogged by all the operators in South Africa, so I took the plunge and bought one. Its great! Same structure and featureset as its bigger and more expensive brother, but without a GPS, a feature I can live without.

A nice device! And even nicer when you hack OS 5 onto it.