Some Questions About Android

[Twitch22]

Hi Everyone!

I've been an iPhone user since Day 1. Right now, I have a 16GB 3G on a month-to-month contract with AT&T. (Rollover with Unlimited data plan, no cap.)

I've grown disenchanted with Apple recently due to their Draconian policies concerning iTunes, apps, etc. So, I'm looking to switch over to an Android phone. Since I live & work in Baltimore (Sprint has 4G coverage here), an Evo seems perfect for me. Got a couple of questions about the Android platform, though:

- Can you still synch and backup your phone's data on a PC/Laptop?
- Where exactly do you purchase/get apps from? (Remember, I'm used to iTunes)
- Since the last 3 years of my life has been on the iPhone platform (Contacts, calenders, texts, EVERYTHING!!) is switching platforms too much of a hassel?

Other pluses for going with Sprint are cheaper plan costs and that very fast (and apperently battery draining!) 4G network. The only real reason for me NOT switching is it's a lot easier effort-wise to just go and get an iPhone 4.

What would you do? Thanks for any opinions & suggestions!

Twitch

 

[JD50]

Hi Everyone!

I've been an iPhone user since Day 1. Right now, I have a 16GB 3G on a month-to-month contract with AT&T. (Rollover with Unlimited data plan, no cap.)

I've grown disenchanted with Apple recently due to their Draconian policies concerning iTunes, apps, etc. So, I'm looking to switch over to an Android phone. Since I live & work in Baltimore (Sprint has 4G coverage here), an Evo seems perfect for me. Got a couple of questions about the Android platform, though:

- Can you still synch and backup your phone's data on a PC/Laptop?

Yes

- Where exactly do you purchase/get apps from? (Remember, I'm used to iTunes)

The android market that you access from your phone.

- Since the last 3 years of my life has been on the iPhone platform (Contacts, calenders, texts, EVERYTHING!!) is switching platforms too much of a hassel?

I have no idea, that's really up to you. Does apple have a way of exporting your contacts and calendars? It's pretty trivial to import stuff like that into gmail.

Other pluses for going with Sprint are cheaper plan costs and that very fast (and apperently battery draining!) 4G network. The only real reason for me NOT switching is it's a lot easier effort-wise to just go and get an iPhone 4.

What would you do? Thanks for any opinions & suggestions!

Twitch

Answers in bold. Yes I would switch but probably for different reasons than you. I'm a big Linux/Open Source guy so the more open the better, if there was a better open source smart phone out there (other than the N900) I'd switch from Android to that.

Someone that's actually made the switch can probably provide better advice.

 

[homercles337]

I was a WinMo user for 6 years before switching to Android last week. So long as you can sync with gmail from iPhone (a quick google confirmed this to be true), setting up an Android phone is slick. Just login and sync. All contacts, calendars, etc are added to your Android phone.

 

[superccs]

Being new to smart phones, I found the Nexus to be the most simplest and effective tool for doing anything I have used. Its like a little computer that has access to anything on the internet, not like a phone that the they own and you just get to use... its like almost unlocked on its own.

There are tons of free apps, gadgets and most are really cheap.

The apps provide very good functionality and Android updates (froyo 2.2)are very feature rich as well.

In summary the Android platform and the phones that run them are very effective.

 

[boomhower]

As long as you are willing to turn your life over to google it is pretty painless. Contacts, mail, calender, etc. all sync with the cloud in the background. I have never had a need to desktop sync to I couldn't tell you. Being able to switch phones and having everything on your phone in a matter of seconds before you even pay for it is priceless.

 

[Twitch22]

Hey guys, thanks so much for the helpful info!

I didn't realize that going Android means using G-Mail, etc. on the cloud. I just stopped paying Apple $99 for MobileMe, at least Google's cloud-based services "come" with your phone!

Heading to Best Buy this weekend for a nice, shiny-new Evo!!

Twitch

 

[boomhower]

Hey guys, thanks so much for the helpful info!

I didn't realize that going Android means using G-Mail, etc. on the cloud. I just stopped paying Apple $99 for MobileMe, at least Google's cloud-based services "come" with your phone!

Heading to Best Buy this weekend for a nice, shiny-new Evo!!

Twitch

You don't have to use gmail and the other google services, but it just makes sense too since that is the way it was designed. If you want you can use yahoo, MS exchange or other service. You will have to set up a google account when you start up for the first time but the only thing you have to use google for is the market.

 

[shortylickens]

I'm not new to smart phones and I found my Droid to be ridiculously simple considering how powerful it is. Was pleasantly surprised. Google really does know what they are doing.

BUT, I would like to see what its like for an iPhone user to make the transition. If you are used to one way of doing things, a major change might be annoying.

 

[sjwaste]

You can also import contacts from a VCF pretty easily. Not sure if iTunes will let you export or not, but if it will export to VCF, copy that file to your Android phone's SD card, go to people, menu, import/export. Easy as that. That's how I migrated from my Palm Centro.