Questions about Android

[mckinleytabor]

Greetings,

I

 

[Phases]

Nice post. I wish I could help you..

Look forward to hearing form someone with some answers.

The only thoughts I can offer are:

Yes, I believe Google to be more coordinated than MS. That's just my.. assumption.

As for Google's mobile approach.. Google's interest is the web. Google survives only because of the web. Mobile web is moving forward, no one is going argue that. So, it would also be assumable that Google has an interest, and a plan, to address all things mobile <----> web related.

 

[Rob]

Email & Calendar?
These seem like basic functionalities of a Smart Phone that Google would undoubtedly include by default, and/or a least offer, via application download in the Android Market. I can't imagine you would have any issues here.

Contacts & Push?
Anybody's guess here. The amazing thing about Android is that its open source so, if something doesn't exist that is already being done on other phones, chances are Android could support it. Will a developer take the initiative to develop it? Who knows. This is really wait and see

The Bottom Line
If you were a consumer I would say go ahead and get an Android device because with the possibilities inherent in Android, all these things that you want/need are bound to pop up if they don't exist from the getgo.

But, since you're a consulting firm considering adopting android for business reasons, I would dissuade you from being an "early adopter". I'm the biggest Android enthusiast there is, but from a business standpoint, I wouldn't want to risk making the switch to an unproven platform that you know virtually nothing about in a real world setting. The result from investing money into a system that ends of being buggy and WORSE than your original will not make very many people happy.

There will be plenty more Android Phone's coming out in early 2009. I would recommend following the launch of the HTC Dream closely and pay attention to the Android Market and Android Applications and see how people are reviewing them in regards to Enterprise Solutions.

Come early 2009 when you have a new budget and solid reviews and information about Android in a business setting you'll have a lot more hardware AND software to choose from.

I know my answers were vague, and there isn't much of a way around it. That's why I think you should inherently take a "wait and see" approach for your business.

Hope this helps

 

[popsmusix]

Will we be able to put Android on any phone? I would love to have android on my Blackberry. Especially the BB9500 when it comes out.

 

[Rob]

Doubtful pops... BlackBerry has their own Operating System and they aren't likely to offer support for a competing platform.

 

[popsmusix]

Oh well, looks like I'll have to have more than one phone. At least for a while.

 

[Cryptic79]

I've been wondering the last few days how Google will incorporate advertising. Are we going to have to deal with Google ad banners everywhere in the phone?

 

[eRockx]

I'd really like to have a synchronization program with Outlook. I guess I could start using Google Calendar, but I'm used to sync'ing my Palm Treo with Outlook and would prefer not to have to switch processes because of a new phone.

Anyone heard about a synchronization program for Outlook or Eudora?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Huey Freeman]

I'd really like to have a synchronization program with Outlook. I guess I could start using Google Calendar, but I'm used to sync'ing my Palm Treo with Outlook and would prefer not to have to switch processes because of a new phone.

Anyone heard about a synchronization program for Outlook or Eudora?

Thanks,
Eric

Thats my concern as well, but about my 500+ contacts.. re-entering those would be less than ideal.

 

[ats1960]

Anyone know if the Android will sync directly with Google Calendar and/or iCal? Is there a smooth sync between iCal and Google calendar if there is no direct sync with the phone?

 

[Huey Freeman]

Anyone know if the Android will sync directly with Google Calendar and/or iCal? Is there a smooth sync between iCal and Google calendar if there is no direct sync with the phone?

Google calendar is a for sure.. havent heard anything about iCal. Theres is a pretty easy way to sync contacts from ur mac to gmail but I cant remember the name of the program off the top of my head.

 

[sleebus.jones]

I thought there was an import feature in gmail to suck contacts in from outlook? Maybe I should look closer.