Phone Dilema

[lostcarpark]

I managed to snap the connector off my phone charger. I'm now trying to decide whether to buy a new charger or upgrade the phone (which is a bit knackered anyway).

I'd really like the Google Nexus 1, but I don't expect any network to offer it here for at least another 6 months. So... should I struggle on with my creaky old E61i, or go for an upgrade now?

If I upgrade, what to? I'm tempted by Android phones, but the only one Vodafone Ireland offer is the HTC Tattoo. I've read some good things about it, but it's very much the baby of the Android family, with smallish screen, no multi-touch, less processor and memory than its siblings the Hero and the Magic Dream (better known as the G1).

Any advice welcome.

Comments

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

Don't get a tattoo!!! Seriously, if you want an android phone, either swallow the pain and get an android, or move to meteor and get the HTC Hero. It's not as good as the Nexus, but is pretty cool all the same and will be getting the android 2.1 upgrade. Also, if you move to meteor, it'll only cost you EU50...

[nodis.livejournal.com]

You may be able to get a G1 in the UK. The unlocking is 20 quit and I've had no trouble with O2 to get it running here. [I still prefer the G1 to the Nexus, as the keyboard is just a must for me]

[spodlife]

My colleague loves his Hero too.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

And I just see I made a typo above. I meant "swallow the pain and get a nexus" instead of get an android. Aw well, never post while being an imbecile.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Well, I popped into the local Vodafone shop, and the staff there were useless and unhelpful (why do I sound surprised). Had no information on the Tattoo other than what it said on the card, and had no idea whether Vodafone were intending to carry any other Android models.

I popped into a generic phone repair shop and got a new charger for my Nokia to keep me going for a while.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

There should be about 80 new android phones on the market this year -- most not in Ireland, of course, but still... If you can hang on 'til Spring, you should see some good phones available then.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

I agree the keyboard is a big plus. I love the keyboard on my E61i, it's just that'd I've gone off almost everything else about Symbian.

If I were to acquire a T-mobile G1, how would I go about unlocking it?

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

I meant to ask what, specifically, is the issue with the Tattoo? Sure the screen is a bit small, the touch screen less responsive, the processor slower, the memory smaller and it's not proper GPS, but apart from that, what's wrong with it?

It does seem to get a lot of good reviews online.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

It's just very underpowered compared to other phones that are *already* available -- i.e. the Hero on Meteor. According to rumour, it is so underpowered that it will never be upgraded to version 2.1 of the android OS, whereas the hero just about manages with it.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Do you know will the G1 be upgradable to 2.1? I see something on the web saying HTC won't support it past 1.5.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

I think it very, very unlikely the G1 will be upgradeable to 2.1. Sorry!

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Damn! Phones with buttons are so out of fashion. I've read some qute funny-if-they-weren't-tragic reports from blind people trying to use the iPhone with accessibility add-ons. Not pretty.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

The Android OS has an excellent phone with buttons called the Motorola Milestone. I think it's available in some European countries already. Just not Ireland :-( In the US, the same phone was a massive seller, although over there, it's called the Droid.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Well, looks like I might have a G1 on the way. Let's hope I don't regret it. If it works, it's not much more than the Hero from Meteor. Just need to unlock from T-Mobile.

Looks like Android 2.1 is possible on the G1.

Funny, the Droid is the subject of one of my favourite episodes of XKCD. A so need that app.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

Well, good luck with the new phone!

[nodis.livejournal.com]

http://www.unlock-tmobileg1.com/EN/index.php