Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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

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

Yes.

yes,

yes but not free

Yes but using Google maps

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

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

sprint is including one for free with EVO

----------------------

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Have you tried this?

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

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

as far as the exchange goes it will do everything except for the calander if im not mistaken

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

It does calendar, contacts, and email perfect. It struggles on task and notes.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

All the questions have been pretty much answered, but to see why GMaps 4.0 is better than anything else out there, just look at this page and you'll see why:

http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/

Yes, GMaps 4.0 has voice search, and you'll notice that the navigation itself is much more like a real GPS than Sprint Navigation is, not to mention it has satellite view. Street View when coming close to your destination is also a real plus.

I don't use my phone for many of those things you listed, so I can't comment on them, but for overall smartphone basics, Android just does it better. My gf has the Hero and I have the TP2, and I'm jealous sometimes, even though she's still only running Android 1.6. It's simply faster, easier, prettier, and super customizable right out of the box.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Yes Google maps is leaps and bounds better then sprint navigation, its not even fair to compare them. Also Google maps just go an update which added more features.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Yeah, it's not really a fair comparison. To me, Sprint Navigation just feels like Bing nav with voice directions and "3D" visuals. It's really not even that good of a nav program, and they charge $10/mo for it, which is ridiculous. GMaps 4.0 does a better job with nav than most standalone units I've seen, and it's free. lol

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

sprint nav is free when you have a data plan

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Yes, but it still has a cost otherwise. GMaps 4.0 is always free.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I cant us eskype on android thats gonna be a tough sell for me =(

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

what is eskype? There are many programs that access skype like nimbuzz for instance but i'm not familiar with eskype.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

One thing came up in the above posts that I want to clarify, since I'm on the verge of moving over to the Android (although, I may wait a little to see what other phones are released on Sprint in the fall, which is quite a while away. That is, aside from what is indicated on Phone Arena).

Is Voice Dial available or not on an Android phone (or is that exclusive to WinMo)?
- This is actually pretty important to me, while I'm driving. Since I'm in California, there are VERY strict laws on using a hands free device, so I can't afford to look down at my phone to select the appropriate contact to call. On my Touch Pro, all I have to do is hold down the call button on my bluetooth, wait for the beep and tell say exactly who I want to call and to which number (e.g. Call Dad on cell/home/work). It'll confirm the person/specific number I want to call, I say "Yes" to accept and it automatically dials. I don't know if this is specifically a WinMo function, but if it is, I'd need to know if there are APPS that will work in the same manner. I'm assuming there are, since there is the voice-to-text function that will be available on the EVO 4G.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Yes Voice Dialer is built into Android.... All the Voice functions IMHO work better than anything I have used on my TP2.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I'm assuming the evo and the nexus will work the same, with my nexus the voice options are superior in all aspects. Voice dialing, music, navigation, I can pretty much just press the voice button and tell it whatever I want. I can press that button and say the name of a song and YouTube will open up. I can even write a text or email all with my voice.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I'm in the same boat here. Looking to jump ship from my Touch Pro to the EVO.

I think the key question is if the voice functions are accessible through a Bluetooth headset. This and the video player thing are my main hangups.

Another question for you Andriod users. How easy will it be to browse my windows/SAMBA network over wifi while I'm at home? Also, is there solid FTP support?

Thanks!

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

There's solid FTP support. I'm not to sure what you man by browse your samba network but they have solid remote access. I left my Bluetooth at home, I will try tonight. What is the video player thing?

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Like I told you earlier, bro. SO glad someone I know, made the jump before me! Makes the decision that much easier. Thanks again.

The more I'm learning about Android, the more I can't wait to get rid of my Touch Pro!...LOL

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I looked for your post and didn't find it regardless let me see if I can answer some questions for you

1. Voice dialing over bluetooth: If the phone the capability to do voice dial then you'll be able to do it with bluetooth. I don't think this has anything to do with whether the phone has Android or not. You'll have a better chance of this working with Android 2.1+

2. VPN is possible, I only know of programs that work with rooted phones though

3. RDP is also possible, some of these programs would have to be purchased though, you can Google most apps you're looking for by adding Android to the app you're looking for, e.g. "Android RDP"

4. PageOnce is a good finance tool, it's not a check registry though... Mint another alternative to keep your finances straight (associated with Quicken some how) They have an iPhone app so I'm sure a Android app is soon to follow

5. Sprint had SprintNavigation, free turn by turn navigation which is rebanded Telenav

6. Got Bing? http://download.cnet.com/Bing-for-Mo...-75000013.html

7. Depending on what carrier and phone you get, some have built-in exchange capable apps like Moxie Mail, you can also find workmail.apk floating around the internet... these apps sync contacts, calendars and tasks as well as push email

8. WiFi router is possible with rooted phones, Android WiFi Tether

Hope those are objective enough for you and just to let you know I switched to Android and don't regret it one bit!

edit: through some research I found out that Mint.com was purchased by Intuit in September of 09, that's how they are associated :)

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I have music and videos on my home network on various windows machines and a QNAP NAS209. I would like to be able to browse those files and play music and watch movies through my home wifi.

Seems like there has yet to be a good solid video player app developed for android that can play most formats. I have a huge library of movies and TV shows in xvid format and from what I can tell I won't be able to watch those without transcoding. That's what the "video player" comment was referring to.

I'm not worried about it though. With the speed Andriod is growing and the boost the EVO will give it, I'm sure all these issues will be solved in no time.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

im just not ready to give up my SERO plan, its just to lovely. I would have had a hero but if sprint wants us to transform over to Android they better bring Android over to SERO, thats the only thing holding me back

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I'll switch for the EVO if I have to. I've been paying a $42 (after ins, taxes, fees) a month for three years now on SERO, and that's a long time to be taking advantage of such a nice plan. I know that sooner or later, I'll have to pay just like everyone else, and it's a good thing I have Sprint, who offers so much for so much less than the competition, even at regular prices.

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/5.0.3521/1114; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

$69.99 with a discount comes out to be $300 or so more a year than SERO. Get an EVO then in a year sell it and get the latest. So get a new phone every year and a plan that works with all phones and put 3 days work worth of money towards something you use everyday and count on it working.
Or wait for the devs to keep porting over every new android update to an out dated device. Your choice.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

wow, gotta thank almost everyone for their insight. i've always used winmo since the i930 on nextel, & i never had a chance 2 really play with an android operated device, but judging by these post it will do everything i pretty much use winmo 6.5 for but better. dont mind parting with it my sero plan is my only hesitation.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Is there a tethering program that works on android while cabled to a laptop USB port?
I have WMWiFiRouter for my TP2, but never use it because of battery life. I would rather keep the battery from draining quickly by using the cable to charge the device.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

PDA net is in the marketplace and it does just that, free USB tethering. Also if you root your phone you can get free wifi tethering

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

android is way better trust me

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Same . I have a Touch pro with the screen going out. Today it won't even turn on. The screen that is. Anyways , I just hope that android is easy to get accustomed to. I had my first winmo phone with the TP and I want a similar experience but better. Lol , not that I'm demanding or anything.

I hope the store is better then the MS app store. Cuz it is piss poor on Winmo. And I its just as customizable .

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

I think this should be moved to General Android Discussion

As far as bluetooth dialing, I don't have a bluetooth headset so I don't know for sure, I believe if the phone does have voice dial (if you don't remove it when you root your phone) it will support bluetooth voice dial... especially with Android 2.1 on a phone

You are able to browse files on a Windows based network, most modern networks will support this, I used Google and found this for you http://www.androlib.com/android.appl...cover-pij.aspx its called aFile. Android can do most of the things that everyone is requesting here, the only problems Android usually runs into is when it's interfacing with a windows based software such as Outlook. There are tools available to sync with Outlook (not talking exchange) BUT it goes through Google first.

A lot of people complain about having to use a Google account, it's like this though, Google was the main supporter of the Open Handset Alliance so that's why they have thing go through them, don't hear much a fuss about iPhone users having to give their info to Apple do you? Or do they? I don't know, I'm not here to get into the politics of the whole thing... I do know one thing though, for those of you hesitant to jump off the sinking rubber life raft you call WinMo and land on a more stable and useful platform, you really don't know the goodness you're missing.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

The original topic of this thread is why the user asking wy they should take the EVO over the HD2..then it got changed into a general discussion on android...overall it still belongs here...



If its not google you end up sharing your info with Palm or with Applie or with M$...I mean people make their own info available publicly in facebook and twitter...and your not forced to get a google account...but a lot of the features just require it.

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

oh, I didn't realize that because of it's current title, I think it would be better served in general discussion though, just my opinion though

either way it's a good discussion and you're right though about giving out information... people give more personal information on FaceSpace, MyBook, Twilog and Blogitter

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

Re: Why should I drop WinMo for Android?
 

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?

Just how much of a learning curve is there?

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