Why should I drop WinMo for Android?

Originally Posted by kabuk1

I have some questions about the 'big switch' too... I'm trading one of my TP2s for a friend's Hero tomorrow so I can learn about Android. I'm really comfortable with WinMo, and I'm considering getting an Evo when they come out but I know precisely ZIP about Android, hence this trade. There are some things I'm curious about with Android, mainly its hackability. As an open source platform, I don't anticipate having much trouble getting it to do what I want it to do, but I still have some questions.

Are there dialer skins available for android?

Do you have to get all your apps from the marketplace or are there 'free-range' apps out there like with WinMo?

Is it as customizable as WinMo?

Aaargh I'm edgy about this, I guess I'll find out tomorrow...

1- yes

2- both

3- yes

[elephant007]

Originally Posted by kabuk1

Are there dialer skins available for android?

Yes there are dialer skins available, I know there is for the Moment and pretty sure for the Hero too

Originally Posted by kabuk1

Do you have to get all your apps from the marketplace or are there 'free-range' apps out there like with WinMo?

There are free apps on Market and floating around the internet. You'll need a third party app to install apps you download from the internet though, like AppInstaller[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by kabuk1

Is it as customizable as WinMo?

Yes you can change your wallpaper(s) ha ha

[Carla]

I think you will be very pleasantly surprised, once I got my first Android phone I TRIED going back to my TP2, numerous times did I try. I would activate it, and by the end of the day I was frustrated and wanted my Hero or Moment back ASAP.

Dialer Skins, as far as the Hero, yes. I know you can make your own, I haven't had time to go into theming yet, but I don't assume it is too hard. Probably just a matter of reading a lot and some trial and error

Second one is a no, you can get apps a lot of places. They install much like winmo apps, put them on SD Card, I have a folder I create called My Apps and just install the APK from there, you may need to be rooted for some apps though.

I feel it is, even more so IMO. It is different customizing it, but I feel it is.

I think you will be very happy. I will give you an XDA link, just PM me, with a VERY easy way to root, and also County has a great Tips thread in the Hero section. I would recommend after you root and everything, partition your SD Card so you can install apps to it and you will be good to go! If you have any questions throw them in there

customizable?? lets see....

custom ROM's (check)

design all homescreens with a unlimited number of widgets (check)

custom taskbar (check)

custom bootscreens (check)

custom dialers (check)

interchangeable interfaces (check)

alternate virtual keyboards (check)

custom icons for apps (check)

different screen to screen animations (check) ....ps. do that winmo!! haha

thats to name a few....

[kabuk1]

Thanks guys... I'm reading up on android & watching some Hero videos, and I have to say I'm getting really excited & impatient for tomorrow to hurry up & get here so I can play with my new toy, lol... I found out there's a moon phase widget, that right there is enough to win me over.

Ah, new gadgets... and the nerdiness begins anew.

I feel like I'm stocking up for a natural disaster or something. By dipping my toes in the android waters I'm preparing myself for the impending death of WinMo. The death of Palm OS hit me pretty hard, and I'd rather have an easy transition this time around.

[gTen]

Originally Posted by kabuk1

I have some questions about the 'big switch' too... I'm trading one of my TP2s for a friend's Hero tomorrow so I can learn about Android. I'm really comfortable with WinMo, and I'm considering getting an Evo when they come out but I know precisely ZIP about Android, hence this trade. There are some things I'm curious about with Android, mainly its hackability. As an open source platform, I don't anticipate having much trouble getting it to do what I want it to do, but I still have some questions.

Are there dialer skins available for android?

I think so

Do you have to get all your apps from the marketplace or are there 'free-range' apps out there like with WinMo?

you don't have to use the market place you can load apps from anywhere

Is it as customizable as WinMo?

It is more customizable then winmo because android is open source..so if you wanted to you can dld the source code to android and ticker all you want.

Just how much of a learning curve is there?

Its pretty straight forward and if its HTC it comes with Sense UI

[Cicatrize]

Originally Posted by kabuk1

Thanks guys... I'm reading up on android & watching some Hero videos, and I have to say I'm getting really excited & impatient for tomorrow to hurry up & get here so I can play with my new toy, lol... I found out there's a moon phase widget, that right there is enough to win me over.

Ah, new gadgets... and the nerdiness begins anew.

I feel like I'm stocking up for a natural disaster or something. By dipping my toes in the android waters I'm preparing myself for the impending death of WinMo. The death of Palm OS hit me pretty hard, and I'd rather have an easy transition this time around.

My girlfriend has the Hero. While it's an awesome device, I wouldn't necessarily suggest trading a TP2 for it straight up. Seems like they're getting the better end of the deal on that one.

That being said, if you can wait for the Evo, do it. Android has a very small learning curve coming from WM, and you'll fall in love with it the first day you use it. If you want to get a "preview" of Android and how it works, you can do so on your TP2 here:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=115443

Granted, some key things are missing right now (like sound, GPS), but at least you can get a good feel for it.

[p-slim]

Getting the hero is not a bad idea in my mind. Trust me there is not much more the tp2 can do. Now just don't base everything off that one experience. Remember the hero is running 1.6 and has significantly less specs then the evo or nexus. Since I'm sure you'll probably be getting the evo or at least the N1 the hero is a good place to learn android.

[brownhornet]

I got rid of my tp2 for a hero and dont regret it at all. Funny part is the girl that has the tp2 now hates it and has tried to get the hero back more than once.

[orangekid]

Don't forget about Live Wallpapers