Questions before joining the Android circle

[AshMa]

Hello!

I’m curently on the HTC HD2 (Windows Mobile) and I really do love this device, most of all after spending many, MANY hours, finding all the right apps, making all the right tweaks and flashing the ROM to xda member Kumar’s amazingly slick yet clean ROM. After all this, I am very happy with my device and all the apps I have installed on it (about 85 down from 130 apps).

So why am I here you ask? Because it’s no secret that Windows Mobile 6.5 (currently running a 6.5.x build myself) is going down and that would be fine with me if only developers would continue to support it. Well, Apple is not of interest to me because of the lack of freedom, removable battery and a few other common issues we all know too well. Windows Phone 7, sounds like it’s going to do away with a lot of the things I love on my HD2 and so I’m not sure I’ll want to jump on that train. WebOS, as slick as it seems, doesn’t have enough support from developers and the current hardware offerings are simply not my taste. Which brings me to Android and the HTC EVO 4G. Looks matter to me a lot, when dealing with technology. And yes of course function is even more important and so I’m trying to look into the mind and soul of Android.

My questions for anyone here, kind enough to share some thoughts are these:

1. Can Android 2.1 (EVO) allow the user to sync all MS Outlook 2007/2010 data without having to store that data on Google’s server? I’ve heard of a few apps, but I’m still looking into this as it’s a big deal for my needs.

2. Can Android allow the user to explore the device’s internal and Micro SD card memory, from Windows 7 desktop (much like ActiveSync/WMDC) and also from a file explorer installed on the device?

3. Is there ANY program that can create and view general lists on Android and sync them with a desktop app that can also create and view the same lists (something like ListPro)?

4. Can a high-end Android device like the EVO (or for what’s already out; Nexus One or Incredible) install 75 to 100 apps to internal memory (or even to an SD card) and NOT slow down the device by double digits percentage wise? As I mentioned above, I have about 85 apps installed to my HD2’s 1GB internal memory and I do not notice any slowdown just from having them installed. I’ve heard many iPhone owners say that their device is running slower since they loaded up on what they call a lot of apps (25 to 50).

5. Windows Mobile is known for its slowness, freezing/crashing, most of all on Windows Mobile phones. The HD2 is my first Windows Mobile phone as I have always had Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices in the past. After flashing my HD2, I have next to zero crashes or freezing and when I do, it’s because of an app that doesn’t want to play nice and so I remove it. My point here is that I don’t have slowness or crashing issues now and I’d like image that the same can be said for high-end Android devices loaded up with a lot of apps as well?

6. Along the same lines as number 5, I would very like an honest answer about how often Android owners (who know enough about how to use the device and its apps) are having to reset their phones? How often does your Android device lockup on you and or slowdown significantly?

7. Does rooting an Android device, allow for things like installing apps to the SD card or will this have to wait for Android 2.2?

8. After rooting your Android device, does the device remain very stable or is that part of a trade off?

9. Can Android 2.1 with HTC Sense be customized fully much like HTC Sense on Windows Mobile 6.5? Is there such an app like Co0kies Home Tab for Android HTC Sense devices? I’ve read so much about how ugly many people seem to think Windows Mobile is, but honestly from my view, the colors, UI and icons in Android are not all that beautiful to me. I love HTC Sense and when I see it on the EVO videos, I I’m thinking, I really hope I can change the icons and get rid of some of that grey washed out color look that is used way too often throughout the OS.

Well, I guess that’s about it for now and I am really hoping to hear some of your thoughts on these questions.

Thank you for your time!

Ashton

 

[lekky]

1: yep
2: yep
3: yep, lots and lots!
4: yes, installing apps doesn't cause slowdown.
5: Yep, any crashes that may occur will be due to a badly coded app. They should only crash the app, not the phone.
6: Never locks up, if it slows down you may use a task killer (one-touch kill to instantly speed up). However, the current high end devices are very unlikely to slow down and thus won't need any tasks killing. Android is very good at managing its own memory
7: yes, rooting allwos you to use apps2sd regardless of your android version.
8: Very stable, probably more stable tbh.
9: Just wait, the amount of personalisation in android will blow your mind

 

[Frisco]

1: yep
2: yep
3: yep, lots and lots!
4: yes, installing apps doesn't cause slowdown.
5: Yep, any crashes that may occur will be due to a badly coded app. They should only crash the app, not the phone.
6: Never locks up, if it slows down you may use a task killer (one-touch kill to instantly speed up). However, the current high end devices are very unlikely to slow down and thus won't need any tasks killing. Android is very good at managing its own memory
7: yes, rooting allows you to use apps2sd regardless of your android version.
8: Very stable, probably more stable tbh.
9: Just wait, the amount of personalisation in android will blow your mind

Great job, lekky.

Even without #7.

 

[IOWA]

One thing about coming from an hd2, your either going need an evo 4g, nexus one, or incredible. The hd2 is an amazingly fast phone.
Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[AshMa]

One thing about coming from an hd2, your either going need an evo 4g, nexus one, or incredible. The hd2 is an amazingly fast phone.
Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

Totally agree! I have no interest in any device that has a screen less than 4 inches. I've been using 4 inches or more, since my HP hx4700 Pocket PC back in 2004. The EVO is a major factor in me now considering Android and not just the OS.

 

[AshMa]

1: yep
2: yep
3: yep, lots and lots!
4: yes, installing apps doesn't cause slowdown.
5: Yep, any crashes that may occur will be due to a badly coded app. They should only crash the app, not the phone.
6: Never locks up, if it slows down you may use a task killer (one-touch kill to instantly speed up). However, the current high end devices are very unlikely to slow down and thus won't need any tasks killing. Android is very good at managing its own memory
7: yes, rooting allwos you to use apps2sd regardless of your android version.
8: Very stable, probably more stable tbh.
9: Just wait, the amount of personalisation in android will blow your mind

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my long post and replying. You mentioned yes on #3 but I've searched the web, the Android Market and other forums and it seems that MANY people are still trying to find a ListPro app for Android. ListPro is my killer app and is in my top 3 reasons for staying with the HD2. I've seen a few Android list apps but none have even half the features of ListPro or have a desktop app to sync with. Contacted the developer and they say they have no plans to make an Android version........

Also about mods and tweaks; does anyone know the name of an app like Co0kies Home Tab, that can give me a look, anything like my current HD2 screenshot attached? I love Sense but the EVO's home screen with that verison of Sense, has me feeling like I'm going to miss the look I have now. I'm sorry but I just think what I see of Android home screens, look rather boring but I do undertsand that there is a lot the platform has to offer me in other areas.