A disappointed Nokia customer, looking at android alternatives...Xperia Pro?

[DarkThinker]

To give you a brief background about me, I have had a Nokia E71 since it was released about 3 years ago. I have been very happy with it, however, it's getting long in the tooth and I would like have a bigger display for web browsing (and some pinch and zoom) the perfect phone that would meet all my needs really would be the Nokia N900. I just love that thing, the keypad, the operating system the multitasking capability. The reason being is that I'm a Linux guy and I desire a Linux OS with a QWERTY keypad and would love to have some root+terminal fun. I have always had a qwerty phone and I can't give that up.

However the problem with the N900 choice lies in that I'm with AT&T and the N900 is not compatible with the AT&T 3G band, though I really wanted the N900, I decided I will be patient and not pull the trigger on an N900 and will wait for the N9. But thanks to Microsoft's mole in Nokia Mr. Elop I have had to kiss the idea goodbye. I have been a Nokia customer since 2003, some of the Nokia phones I have recently owned besides the E71 are the 6800 and the E61. All good QWERTY phones. But now, with Microsoft's hands in Nokia I'm out, I will not buy a single Nokia device unless it's a decent Meego Linux based one like the N9 we Nokia customers were expecting and it looks like it's a pipe dream now to get a Meego N9

Which brings me to the Xperia Pro. On paper the Xperia Pro looks like it's the best fit option, it will meet most of my needs. As of late it has been very difficult for me to find decent touch + QWERTY android phones that would work with AT&T, it just doesn't seem there are many options out there besides some simple Motorola ones that I didn't like their keypads and layout.

Anyone have experience with Xperia phones? Any other alternatives I should be looking at as well?

How much should I expect to pay for an Xperia Pro?
Anyone know of any news about AT&T carrying the Pro in the future?

Cliffs:
- Really wanted to replace the Nokia E71 with a Linux powered Nokia N900
- 3G incompatibility removes N900 as an option
- Elop canceled Nokia N9
- Considering Xperia Pro, thoughts on Xperia from Android users? And any other alternatives.

Thanks

 

[foghorn67]

Wait, so you are disappointed because Nokia is ditching a dead OS in favor of one that works smoothly? Blind hate always comes back at you.

Anyway, most Android devices don't offer the "openness" you seek from a Linux inspired OS.
Most devices have a locked bootloader, some tougher than others. Some allow you to switch ROM's with source built ROM's so you can get the latest OS after the devs have a go at it, some don't.

For application development, it's hard to beat Android if you already familiar with Linux app development. It's a natural progression.

For the Sony products, I would read up on the XDA Developer's site. Within a few moments, you can gather if that device is worth it you.

As for Android as an OS, it does things WM7 can't. However, WM7 from the ground up addresses several things that Android has only done partially. For example, HW graphic acceleration support.

It appears you are ditching a beloved brand because they went with a company you hate. And immediately going for one with the same principles and practices. Also they are in fact, partners with Microsoft on several products.

And btw, Intel hasn't decided to kill Meego themselves. If they do pick it up, would that annoy you since they are too a MS partner?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Wait, so you are disappointed because Nokia is ditching a dead OS in favor of one that works smoothly? Blind hate always comes back at you.

Anyway, most Android devices don't offer the "openness" you seek from a Linux inspired OS.
Most devices have a locked bootloader, some tougher than others. Some allow you to switch ROM's with source built ROM's so you can get the latest OS after the devs have a go at it, some don't.

For application development, it's hard to beat Android if you already familiar with Linux app development. It's a natural progression.

For the Sony products, I would read up on the XDA Developer's site. Within a few moments, you can gather if that device is worth it you.

As for Android as an OS, it does things WM7 can't. However, WM7 from the ground up addresses several things that Android has only done partially. For example, HW graphic acceleration support.

It appears you are ditching a beloved brand because they went with a company you hate. And immediately going for one with the same principles and practices. Also they are in fact, partners with Microsoft on several products.

And btw, Intel hasn't decided to kill Meego themselves. If they do pick it up, would that annoy you since they are too a MS partner?

Are we really going to do this?

Most phones have unlocked bootloaders. Only the more recent motorola phones are locked, and they have annouced they are looking into ways to syngergize with dev teams.

Android is getting Hw acceleration with honeycomb, specifically Ice Cream for phones.

To the Op, just do your research and get a phone. Many of the recent ones are pretty similar, and if you dislike it you can always hack it. The Xperia looks like a fine phone.

 

[DarkThinker]

Wait, so you are disappointed because Nokia is ditching a dead OS in favor of one that works smoothly? Blind hate always comes back at you.

Ermm Where's the hate? It's just a matter of lack of openness. Nokia was going in a direction of being more open and that's what the N900 was all about to me, giving customers more freedom and I was all for that and now Elop changed that direction and accordingly I'm not for that at all, does that qualify as hate??

And to me, it's not a dead OS. Nokia had something of great potential in their hands and the Nokia N900 will forever be proof of that. I think the blame lies with the management of the company not the software itself.

Anyway, most Android devices don't offer the "openness" you seek from a Linux inspired OS.

Most devices have a locked bootloader, some tougher than others. Some allow you to switch ROM's with source built ROM's so you can get the latest OS after the devs have a go at it, some don't.

Precisely why Maemo and the N900 were my first choice and not Android.

But at least many android phones can be rooted and the user ends up with more freedom than he started with....etc

At lease that option is still there for many people.

For application development, it's hard to beat Android if you already familiar with Linux app development. It's a natural progression.

For the Sony products, I would read up on the XDA Developer's site. Within a few moments, you can gather if that device is worth it you.

As for Android as an OS, it does things WM7 can't. However, WM7 from the ground up addresses several things that Android has only done partially. For example, HW graphic acceleration support.

I appreciate the information, will look into that. But the Android market place and the diversity of Apps is one of the strong points for Android as an alternative for me.

It appears you are ditching a beloved brand because they went with a company you hate. And immediately going for one with the same principles and practices. Also they are in fact, partners with Microsoft on several products.

And btw, Intel hasn't decided to kill Meego themselves. If they do pick it up, would that annoy you since they are too a MS partner?

I have always enjoyed Nokia's outstanding hardware and was mostly OK with the software (though most was a bit outdated) But with the Addition of the WP7 I will have much much less reason to enjoy Nokia phones, is that too hard to grasp?

And to keep this short, from my POV some software freedom is better than no software freedom.

For me Linux on Nokia represents practically full freedom as has been the example with the Nokia N900, Android on most devices represents some freedom and Microsoft with all it's products represents to me the no software freedom option.

Why would I go with WP7 over Android? I know open source software like Android very well enough to not blindly throw myself into the arms of Microsoft and the promises of closed software.

And yes, it shouldn't look strange and it isn't wrong when an open source advocate like myself feels uncomfortable with observing a Microsoft executive killing his favorite company's plans to heavily utilize a Linux based operating system on it's flagship smartphones, not saying they don't have the right to do that, but should I be in front row cheering?

 

[gsaldivar]

Wait, so you are disappointed because Nokia is ditching a dead OS in favor of one that works smoothly? Blind hate always comes back at you.

Just because the OP prefers Meego doesn't mean he blindly hates anything... Reading comprehension always comes back at you. :sneaky:

 

[JJChicken]

OP, the samsung galaxy phones are the best on the market when it comes to android. Also, consider Apple because they make some excellent phones which are reasonably priced (given their quality).

I would wait a few months because alot of new phones are coming out now.

 

[BigDaddyD]

consider Apple because they make some excellent phones which are reasonably priced (given their quality).

Did Apple come out with a new phone, or were you being sarcastic?

 

[shortylickens]

I love Nokia too and I had an E71 for a week. I liked it OK but it wasnt nearly as useful as Android. Just go ahead and make the switch. Most phones should be alright and if you are nervous about spending lots of money just go with a dirt cheap used phone at Tmobile and make sure you cancel before the trial period is up.

 

[foghorn67]

Just because the OP prefers Meego doesn't mean he blindly hates anything... Reading comprehension always comes back at you. :sneaky:

No. It was the part where he said, "Microsoft hands in Nokia, I'm out..."

Reading comprehension.

 

[JJChicken]

Did Apple come out with a new phone, or were you being sarcastic?

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...bile-device-of-2011-at-mobile-world-congress/

Any objective person will tell you iPhone is definately one of the best phones on the market.

I think in the future, Apple might have some issues as the other manufacturers have caught pretty fast. I don't think Apple is going to bump up their screen size (since their apps are made for a pre-defined screen size I think), and I definately think 4.3" screens are the way to go (even if the resolution isn't higher than iPhone).

 

[gsaldivar]

uncomfortable with observing a Microsoft executive killing his favorite company's plans to heavily utilize a Linux based operating system on it's flagship smartphones, not saying they don't have the right to do that, but should I be in front row cheering?

To be fair, Nokia's board of directors voted on and approved Elop's actions, and they would be within their rights to replace him anytime they don't like the job he is doing. So I don't really buy the "trojan horse" theory that is going around.

The WP7 partnership is a stopgap, nothing more. Nokia needs a way to keep the cash flowing. If WP7 phones are selling better than Symbian phones - then so be it. Maybe tomorrow they will shift back towards Meego? Anything is possible, right?

 

[DarkThinker]

To be fair, Nokia's board of directors voted on and approved Elop's actions, and they would be within their rights to replace him anytime they don't like the job he is doing. So I don't really buy the "trojan horse" theory that is going around.

Well, as I said it has all been done fair and square, but it doesn't mean I have to be suppotive of that

The WP7 partnership is a stopgap, nothing more. Nokia needs a way to keep the cash flowing. If WP7 phones are selling better than Symbian phones - then so be it. Maybe tomorrow they will shift back towards Meego? Anything is possible, right?

That is a reasonable opinion on the matter, but personally, I believe WP7 will be more than just a stopgap solution. I think Microsoft will give Nokia with WP7 the same treatment it gave PC OEMs with Windows. I believe Microsoft will attempt to dominate their lineup and twist their arms with incentives to make sure Linux doesn't prevail at Nokia. Maybe legally maybe illegaly but I believe Microsoft is there to stay until I see Meego take to the flagship products it will be hard for me to believe anything but that.

And I hope I'm completely wrong with my assessment.

 

[DarkThinker]

No. It was the part where he said, "Microsoft hands in Nokia, I'm out..."

Reading comprehension.

Yes Microsoft's hands in Nokia implies no more Meego flagship products (i.e N9) for now, which means I'm out for now.

When they bring MeeGo back I'll be back, what's wrong with that logic?