Tired of carrying my HTC Touch Pro and an ipod touch... upgrade advice?

[aazer]

I'm really struggling between the EVO and the iphone 4.
My HTC Touch Pro looked shiny when I bought it a year and a half ago, and now it feels obsolete. I can barely use it for more that texting/phone, far less than the device promised. In the time I've had it, there was one update which mostly just fixed bugs. And in my other pocket I have a first generation ipod touch that feels superior in every way, except the phone part...
I have no confidence in HTC's ability to support it's products and improve them over time, Apple does do this, my ipod touch is better than when I bought it four years ago. But the EVO runs android and it looks like that is something that is going to develop over time. Will the device be able to rely on android in that way? I'm already seeing people suggest that HTC will lag behind android updates because they'll fail to update their android skins in a timely manner... Can the EVO run on just android if that UI experience turns out to be better than what HTC can offer?
My other primary concern is itunes syncing. I have dozens of 'smart playlists' that I've pretty carefully designed to change and improve with my listening habits, and all of my podcasts sync through itunes. Also, I've been using 'itunes U' to listen to full courses and my itunes is set up so that every time I sync my finished lectures are replaced with the next in the series.... So, I'm sure many of you have seen the EVO "tutorial" showing you how to load music onto the device, literally just dumping files onto the devices hard drive, that is effing laughable. Is there a reasonable way to sync and listen to music on the EVO?

Other concerns:
Apple is a tyrant, and I'd like to support another company if there's a viable alternative, but HTC doesn't seem committed to a long term consumer relationship: once you've bought their device, they're out.
I want an ipod quality experience. If the only way to stop carrying around two devices is to go with the iphone, then I'll have to.
I don't want my device to be obsolete before my contract is up, I know the iphone can provide that, can the EVO with android?

Please advise.

 

[ap3604]

Apple is a tyrant, and I'd like to support another company if there's a viable alternative, but HTC doesn't seem committed to a long term consumer relationship: once you've bought their device, they're out.
I want an ipod quality experience. If the only way to stop carrying around two devices is to go with the iphone, then I'll have to.
I don't want my device to be obsolete before my contract is up, I know the iphone can provide that, can the EVO with android?

If you want a controlling company that only has one product and will focus 100% on that device and making a profit from it (even if it screws the customer who bought it): go with Apple.

If you want the best smartphone in the game today: go with the EVO

If you need a phone that will stay on top of the mountain for a 2-yr contract: Become Amish and stay away from technology, because any phone you get is gonna be obsolete in less than 2 years

 

[aazer]

haha, it's almost as if you didn't read my post at all... i mean, my original post offered more evidence for the EVO's superiority than your one liner... and no, in fact not all technology is obsolete after two years, you should check out this post i read on the android forums where this dude mentions how his first gen ipod touch is still about the best mp3 player on the market after four years... i mean, really, are you entirely new to discourse!?
haha, i'm sorry, i'm sorry. i shouldn't be so cruel, but really, if you're not actually going to add anything to a conversation...

 

[coolguy949]

I too came from a HTC Touch Pro and I feel like I can breathe now. It feels great to have a phone that can be as "cool" as my iPhone-carrying pals and has so many cool abilities. However, the latest batch of build issues, although not affecting me, make me feel like I'm behind the times again and am now vulnerable to the "I told you so's" of my friends when iPhone 4 arrives soon. I was really hoping I could shut them up with this. OK, now being serious again...

I've never owned an iPhone but do have experience jailbreaking and unlocking them for friends. I think it's a great device but Android feels like it excites the "geek" in me more than the locked down "iOS".

As far as music goes, the one thing I would keep in mind about Android is the lack of an EQ. As a result, the EVO is not able to be a true iPhone/iPod replacement for portable listening (in my opinion). In the car and at home I can adjust the EQ on the head unit/receiver to fit my preference. With headphones (wired or stereo BT) this is not possible. I still use headphones regularly and thankfully I don't really notice it anymore. Just letting you know. As an audiophile I thought this would be a huge problem for me.

From a geek perspective there isn't anything better on the market in my opinion. Just make sure you read the threads on here and see if this phone is truly for you. I think iPhone users will have the most trouble in the transition. WinMo guys like me feel right at home mostly because of communities like this fueling the coolness of the phone. This community feels like the earlier days of WinMo when it truly was leading edge.

Good luck!

 

[keatre]

I came from Touch Pro as well. The Evo is by far the best phone I've had to date. There is a small learning curve if you're completely new to Android, but it's very simple.

In response to a previous poster, he is correct, after 2 years, your PHONE will be obsolete more than likely. Your Touch Pro still works as a phone, it's just not as smooth and fast as the current gen of phones. In two years, the same will be true with the Evo or iPhone4. Both will have replacements, either being the Evo3, or the iPhone6. The phone will still function and work great, but your expectations will have risen, as well as the current technology being used (large web pages allowed because the new mobiles coming out will be able to support them).

Anyways, tl;dr - Get the Evo. You're on an Evo forum, of course I'm gonna tell you to get it. It does more, and is nerd-ier to play with.

If you want plain and simple, but works fantastically well - go iPhone.

EDIT: I own and use both an Evo and an iPhone 3G.

 

[reemas]

aazer, i have some similar concerns as you. i'm an iPhone 3GS user right now, but I've ordered an EVO. I know have 30 days to decide and thats enough time.

one thing that really saddens me is that, little things make all the difference. for example, the Apple OS is much more responsive and snappier than the Android devices I have messed with. So on that basis alone, if someone said 1 mhz or 1ghz or 25 ghz, i don't really care, i just care that it "feels faster."

second, i'm part time pro photographer. and the mega pixel war is a joke. i have seen AND taken images with 3 MP cameras that look superior in my gallery to some taken with much much higher MP cameras.

HTC is bombing the phone with numbers and throwing money at it (like the NY Yankees) to make a phone appear great on paper. but like any team sport, the cohesiveness of the unit is where it really counts. so I'm pretty bummed that HTC claims the EVO records in 720p. I mean it does, but i can show you some 360p videos that look much better.

anyway, i am getting an EVO, so don't attack me for liking apple. i am leaving the iphone and AT&Ts junk network for Sprint.

I just wish that HTC, Sprint, Google, and everyone else, would get on board and start making a bit more quality over quanitity.

 

[IXDoubleDXI]

I've had other HTC devices in the past, 8525 (I think) and 3125 on Cingular and a Touch Pro on Sprint. All were literally garbage when compared to the iPhone (1st gen). I've had a Hero since December and have been very happy with it. I picked up an Evo last week and wouldn't think of switching to an iPhone on AT&T....if it came to Sprint for some bizarre reason, there's a possibility. I've been contemplating getting rid of my iPod Touch (2nd gen), but i'm not sure about it now, not sure if the Evo's battery can keep up. It's totally user preference, clearly, so i'd recommend testing each out first. I would stay away from AT&T basing it on price and lack of signal and customer service. But that's just me.

 

[pwnst*r]

If you love Apple's music player and how intuitive it is, get the iphone. The Evo is a great smartphone, but I own both, so I'm not biased. IF the iphone went to Verizon, I'd probably go that route though permanently and just have one phone.

 

[aazer]

thanks folks. att service has been a concern too. my girlfriend has an iphone 3gs and it's crisp and fast but i've had to let her make calls on more than one occasion with sprint phone... and as bad as my touch pro is, google maps never stops working when i need it. (i actually had an iphone 3g for a weekend before returning it because i had absolutely no service in my last apartment)
i really want to get rid of my ipod, i'm looking into doubletwist. i guess i'm willing to sacrifice some of the ease of use with an ipod if it means better service
i think i'll give it the 30 day trial, and since i'm already sprint customer, maybe i can wheel and deal them in the midst of the impending iphone flight!

 

[reemas]

att service has been a concern too.

i guess i'm willing to sacrifice some of the ease of use with an ipod if it means better service.

pretty much my thoughts exactly.

 

[ryohei47]

If you're scares of obsolete phones,the evo is as good as it gets
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G

 

[neoshi]

Hmm, I'm more inclined to believe that phones become obsolete in one year, sometimes six months.

 

[ceothachosen1]

thanks folks. att service has been a concern too. my girlfriend has an iphone 3gs and it's crisp and fast but i've had to let her make calls on more than one occasion with sprint phone... and as bad as my touch pro is, google maps never stops working when i need it. (i actually had an iphone 3g for a weekend before returning it because i had absolutely no service in my last apartment)
i really want to get rid of my ipod, i'm looking into doubletwist. i guess i'm willing to sacrifice some of the ease of use with an ipod if it means better service
i think i'll give it the 30 day trial, and since i'm already sprint customer, maybe i can wheel and deal them in the midst of the impending iphone flight!

My evo replaced my touch pro 2 and my ipod touch. the only complaint i have so far is battery life but i may be doing sum thing wrong. Im a big itunes user there is an ap called isyncr which is working great for me that allows you to put ur playlists and podcasts on the evo i like it better then doubletwist.

 

[RoboMonkey]

aazer, i have some similar concerns as you. i'm an iPhone 3GS user right now, but I've ordered an EVO. I know have 30 days to decide and thats enough time.

one thing that really saddens me is that, little things make all the difference. for example, the Apple OS is much more responsive and snappier than the Android devices I have messed with. So on that basis alone, if someone said 1 mhz or 1ghz or 25 ghz, i don't really care, i just care that it "feels faster."

second, i'm part time pro photographer. and the mega pixel war is a joke. i have seen AND taken images with 3 MP cameras that look superior in my gallery to some taken with much much higher MP cameras.

HTC is bombing the phone with numbers and throwing money at it (like the NY Yankees) to make a phone appear great on paper. but like any team sport, the cohesiveness of the unit is where it really counts. so I'm pretty bummed that HTC claims the EVO records in 720p. I mean it does, but i can show you some 360p videos that look much better.

anyway, i am getting an EVO, so don't attack me for liking apple. i am leaving the iphone and AT&Ts junk network for Sprint.

I just wish that HTC, Sprint, Google, and everyone else, would get on board and start making a bit more quality over quanitity.

Sony phones FTW

 

[twospirits]

As far as music goes, the one thing I would keep in mind about Android is the lack of an EQ. As a result, the EVO is not able to be a true iPhone/iPod replacement for portable listening (in my opinion). In the car and at home I can adjust the EQ on the head unit/receiver to fit my preference. With headphones (wired or stereo BT) this is not possible. I still use headphones regularly and thankfully I don't really notice it anymore. Just letting you know. As an audiophile I thought this would be a huge problem for me.

There are a few Equalizer apps in the Market, three of them from the same developer. one free, one Silver (about $5 and one Platinum about $29).

Expensive the last one, but surely looks like the best one.

TS

 

[thekarens]

Seriously? You came to an Evo forum to ask for suggestions on which phone to get?

 

[aazer]

Seriously? You came to an Evo forum to ask for suggestions on which phone to get?

yeah, i did. and i've gotten some pretty good feedback too... i mean, your post excluded.
but let's all hear what you have to say, explain to me why an HTC EVO forum isn't a good resource for information about the HTC EVO. go on, seriously.

 

[neoshi]

because there's going to be obvious bias towards the device.. it's like going to a car forum and asking them if the car is any good.. of course they're going to tell you yes. people who spend time on a forum for a specific product are usually see that product in a favorable light.

 

[QuickDraw]

I would not go with an Apple iPhone. Take it from someone who was in that scenario and just left it. Consider how Apple, when they first came out with their first/new iPhone. Price for the iPhone was over $600, and within about 45 days (maybe a little more, maybe a little less), they screwed their loyal early adopters and lowered the price to around $200. They also just recently anounced that they will NO LONGER SUPPORT that iPhone model. If you want to go with a company that acts like that, then by all means go ahead. I'm totally bailing out of that company and all their fricking hype.

 

[droalex]

I'm using my evo as my primary music player, gets the job done. Only thing I miss somewhat are my smart playlist.

 

[Rigmaster]

I replaced my phone with the Evo and use it as a communications/travel device primarily. I still use my iPod Touch 2G as my primary entertainment device because I have so much on it (music and apps) that I'm not going to take the time to convert for Evo. Really, the iPT2G is so pocketable that I only bring it out when I want pure entertainment via music or apps.

Evo does come through on entertainment when it comes to video chat, messaging, YouTube, instant web anywhere, GPS, and SprintTV though.

Evo's a worthy upgrade and it can do everything you want, but I don't use mine for everything - just what it excels at. Kinda like if I could swindle a Porsche Cayenne S Turbo, I'd probably never take it off road. Might take advantage of the speed and handling for an SUV, but just can't see it being a good off-road option even though it can go off road.