With the iPhone, began a revolution for the smartphone era. With the iPhone 3G being my first ever smart phone, I had come to be used to the simplicity of the streamlined iPhone Os. Like the many other iPhone users out there, I too had come to be an Apple fanboy. I had come to be fulfilled, off to any other options, and with the arrival of the first Android phone, I had taken my side in the war between Apple and Google.
As someone who has always loved technology, and after months of arguing with my colleague Tristan Thomas about which operating theory is better, I've decided to break down my barriers, and ditch my iPhone for a month in order to try the new "iPhone Killer," Sprint's Htc Evo 4G.
It's been one day so far, and here are my thoughts thus far:
Speed
The Evo 4G and it's 1Ghz Snapdragon processor is certainly fast. In fact, I look send to seeing how Apple's new 1Ghz A4 chip feels in comparison on the new iPhone 4.
Browser
As a competitor to the iPhone, I think Google has done a great job of improving their browser from when they initially launched. Although I prefer Apple's Safari browser, the implementation of Adobe Flash is genuinely an improvement that I think Apple should reconsider.
Marketplace and Applications
Unfortunately, the marketplace is a bit more confusing than the App Store in terms of seeing what you want.
The applications are what you would expect of a competitor. However, in the gaming department, they are lacking. The only issue that I've seen with applications in the Android Os is that, after an exertion at downloading one of their games, it required that I pressed "Up" for it to work. The only qoute with that is, I don't have a corporal keyboard, and that concerns me.
Display
The Evo 4G's 4.3" screen is one of the most gorgeous screens that I have yet to see on such a small device. It's resolution is sharp, clear, vibrant, and the most large screen to date. It may even make for a great exchange for my Hdtv! Not really, but with this new benchmark placed for mobile devices, it's quite possible that may one day be the case.
Size
Because of the Evo 4G's screen size, the device itself is too large. I find issue typing on the keyboard, and even putting the device to sleep with my index finger because there are no other buttons other than the one at the top to wake the phone from sleep. It also does not feel as comfortable as my iPhone in my pocket.
Software Keyboard
Quite frankly, it sucks. I understand that adjustments need to be made, and that these things take time to get used to, however it did not take long for me to get used to the iPhone's keyboard when first introduced. Cut, copy, and paste, isn't genuinely as easy as I had hoped it to be. Neither was challenging the cursor between letters, numbers, etc. Where we have the small magnifying glass for that, Android does not. With Android's touch to slide for numbers and accents, and pressing of a button to take off the keyboard, it's genuinely something that I'm not going to be seeing send to these next few weeks.
Battery
Though I have not yet put the battery to test, it seems to be just as good as my iPhone 3G's based on how swiftly it drained with all of the usage.
Overall
The Evo 4G and Android certainly peaks my interest, and I'm glad that I've decided to try it out. So far, I feel Apple's iPhone interface is certainly more streamlined, but Android is going in the right direction. There are certainly some new features that I favor, such as widgets, complete integration with Google, stored notifications, and Flash. However, what I don't like is the inability to make calls and use data simultaneously, though that's merely a Cdma network fault. I am also involved with application compatibility as aforementioned, as well as being able to understand my phone by the end of the 30 day duration.
Forgive me if I came off a small biased. Possibly my perspective will convert with extended use of the Evo.
I'll be pre-ordering the iPhone 4 June 15th, expect another record in 30 days. In it, my decision will be made on whether or not to keep this phone after trying out the new iPhone 4 for about 15 days, halfway through my 30 days of having the Evo 4G.
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