Why should I drop WinMo for Android?

[izzyforreal]

I posted this on the Android Forums and I did not get an answer. Hopefully someone here can help.

Hey, here's the deal. I'm currently on WinMo 6.5 and like it. I'm using a Touch Pro2 on Sprint and I'm pretty happy with it, but the T-Mobile HD2 and the upcoming Sprint Evo both have my interest. Can anyone OBJECTIVELY tell me why I should go with the Evo over the HD2 considering the following issues I have?

1. I must have voice dialing over BT. (Like MSVC) I've heard that this doesn't work on Android.
2. I must have PPTP and IPSEC VPN capability.
3. To go with the VPN, I must have a good RDP client, preferably with zoom capability.
4. I'd LIKE to have a check register program to sync with MS Money or Quicken.
5. I'd like a FREE turn-by-turn navigation program. Tell me why there's so much fuss over Google Maps? I get spoken turn-by-turn directions from Sprint Navigation.
6. Is there a Bing client for Android? I really like speaking my search into Bing. Is there something like this for Android?
7. Exchange synchronization is a MUST. Will I get all my e-mail folders, plus contacts and calendar?
8. I use my TP2 as a wi-fi router for free on the Sprint network. Is this capability available in Android?

That's about it. These are my requirements. I'm not looking for flames or fanboys, but real, objective answers. Thanks very much.

[gTen]

I'll answer the quick questions first then edit with rest..to note android is based on linux

1. I must have voice dialing over BT. (Like MSVC) I've heard that this doesn't work on Android.

Idk from what I heard no but some are claiming its possible...

2. I must have PPTP and IPSEC VPN capability.

Yes.

3. To go with the VPN, I must have a good RDP client, preferably with zoom capability.

yes,

4. I'd LIKE to have a check register program to sync with MS Money or Quicken.

yes but not free

5. I'd like a FREE turn-by-turn navigation program. Tell me why there's so much fuss over Google Maps? I get spoken turn-by-turn directions from Sprint Navigation.

Yes but using Google maps

6. Is there a Bing client for Android? I really like speaking my search into Bing. Is there something like this for Android?

You can search Google by voice..bing maybe possible but Google is already built in

7. Exchange synchronization is a MUST. Will I get all my e-mail folders, plus contacts and calendar?

It has it but it is not very good from what I heard, I use SyncML so I wouldn't know

8. I use my TP2 as a wi-fi router for free on the Sprint network. Is this capability available in Android?

sprint is including one for free with EVO

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by the way you can try android on your touchpro now and see if it meets your needs..some things like BT may not work I don't know how much fuze got working but as far as application support you can test now.

[Yibrushn]

You don't need to be convinced you just need to do basic research about the platform.

[x10guy]

Probably the reason why you didn't get an answer is because you answered your own question in your opening statement:

"I'm using a Touch Pro2 on Sprint and I'm pretty happy with it..."

If you are happy with it and it works for you why even bother with the question? In the end the only one who needs to convince you is yourself. If your TP2 does everything you need, end of discussion.

[snowplow54]

Originally Posted by x10guy

Probably the reason why you didn't get an answer is because you answered your own question in your opening statement:

"I'm using a Touch Pro2 on Sprint and I'm pretty happy with it..."

If you are happy with it and it works for you why even bother with the question? In the end the only one who needs to convince you is yourself. If your TP2 does everything you need, end of discussion.

I think he's referring to his next phone. Sure it does everything he needs it to do, but maybe one of these phones do it better.

OP, i think everyone else answered your questions pretty well. But I would like add a couple things. First, the big fuss isn't over Google maps, its over the Google navigation app that comes with android 2.1 which offers free voice turn by turn directions. Which doesn't mean a whole lot to you if you use and enjoy Sprint Nav. but options are never a bad thing. Also I would suggest Android over WM because WM as we know it is dieing. Sure, Microsoft says they're still going to support it, but It is being left for dead when it comes to the Dev. community. many software companies, like Skype and Mozilla, are already abandoning the OS and more are sure to follow. So my suggestion is to hang onto your TP2, and wait to see what the EVO has to offer. who knows what new things are going to come out for Android in that time span.

[x10guy]

That's true. The Android platform is really growing in leaps and bounds. It's still a little rough around the edges but updates and new programs seem to come out alot faster than ... say Winmo. If a feature doesn't exist now, it may be just a matter of time when it will.

It might be a good to look at the Evo once the dust settles a bit. It's going to be a frenzy once it's released.

[sumo911]

I have the Sprint Navigation app on my hero...and im pretty sure it will be included in the Evo as well. Im sure going to miss CorePlayer though...and being able to just throw whatever file I want at it and have it work...as opposed to having to convert videos to .mp4 for playback on Android's crappy video player(s)! But at least I'll have a 'real' version of Pandora to fill the void! Eh, you win some, you loose some. Such is life. And such will be the migration from WM to Android.

[gTen]

Originally Posted by sumo911

I have the Sprint Navigation app on my hero...and im pretty sure it will be included in the Evo as well. Im sure going to miss CorePlayer though...and being able to just throw whatever file I want at it and have it work...as opposed to having to convert videos to .mp4 for playback on Android's crappy video player(s)! But at least I'll have a 'real' version of Pandora to fill the void! Eh, you win some, you loose some. Such is life. And such will be the migration from WM to Android.

Have you tried this?

http://www.xda-developers.com/androi...-video-player/

[sikclown]

I have to be honest.. I have been a windows mobile user since Mobile 5. I had the i930 on Nextel, then Treo 700wx, then the Mogul, then the Touch Pro, then the TP2. I now have the Hero but also have the TP2 on another line. I have been using The Hero since November and recently started using the TP2 again (after the 6.5 upgrade) and I have to say I am ruined.. I kind of hate my TP2 now. The Hero is just faster.. even when it lags. Windows Mobile (in my opinion after years of use) just eats and leaks memory to the point of snail speed. With my Hero I don't have to soft reset it 3 or 4 times a day because it is unbearably slow. Having said all that.. I don't use Exchange so I can't answer that side of it but the EVO will be able to do everything you want to do and if not then there will be an App for that. A friend has the HD2 and says it flies and he loves it (he works for Microsoft) but the EVO will demolish it.. especially if you live in a 4G area. Why do I say that? Because buying a Windows Mobile phone now with Windows 7 series lingering out there is just a bad move.. 6.5 is already outdated.

[brownhornet]

Honestly for me pretty much everything about android is better than winmo. I came from a tp2 and I have a nexus and a hero and i'd never even dream about going back. From the speed to the reliability... my hero and nexus have both been running for about a month without a restart and arent lagging... no way in hell would that have happened with my tp2. The android marketplace is wayyyy better than what MS offers and its growing by the day. And the best part is a large portion of the good apps are FREE.

The google integration is just lovely though... from being able to sync everything without having to go through exchange. Also love the google voice integration... which by default asks which number youd like to use when you make a call. IMO winmo is a thing of the past... for me at least.