New Phone. Windows Mobile vs Google Android

[Spoff]

Help!!

I was quite happy repacing my current phone with another that makes calls and texts.

Then I read this review about Free Caddie that is a range finder for a phone with Windows Mobile.

Seems perfect.

But, I really like the HTC Magic that runs Google Android which I am told is much better than Windows mobile but try as I like I can't find anywhere to search Android Apps.

Anyone using this Android opporating system? Is there any range finder apps out there?

Or should I stick with the HTC HD instead of the magic?

[bangs head against wall]

 

[slugger]

I've been doing a lot of reading about this yesterday and today and still can't make my mind up either.

Freecaddie only runs on windows devices and the iphone (there's a beta up and running anyway). I also read somewhere earlier that Freecaddie have stopped trying to develop the software for Blackberry devices as they were just running into too many problems.

The main problem, that i can gather, with windows mobile is that a lot of the features are too fiddly for using exclusively with touch screen mobiles. There's a new version 6.5 about to come out that has addressed these issues as best they can. Version 7 of the software is in development and that is meant to fix all of these known problems as far as using the back end of the OS through touch screen goes. I think that as long as you aren't planning on doing much apart from phoning and texting and other regular phone tasks, then this isn't going to be a problem as the manufacturers own UI (user interface) that sits on top of the windows UI takes care of most every day tasks.

After learning all of this, i am still undecided.

Best site i've come across that explains everything is http://www.gsmarena.com/reviews.php3

 

[haplesshacker]

I can't speak for the Google phone but I've had WM phones for the last 7 years or so. The latest being the HTC Touch Diamond.

Pros

Syncs seamlesly with MS Outlook. Therefore all my contacts etc are never lost if I loose my phone. When the new phone arrives just sync it up and voila.

Loads of what Apple have coined as 'apps'. I have shopping lists, expenses, sudoku, a great version of the old BBC Elite game. This years F1 calender, results, grid positions etc. All as freeware (free). Freecaddie obviously, radio, internet, Word and Excel mobile, ability to view Powerpoint presentations, and the ability to take notes in MS Onenote mobile which sync straight into my laptop full edition of Onenote.

The usual pic viewer, and music player with iphone(ish) layout. The UI (Touchflo 3D)is very good and I believe has been sped up a bit for the newer phones. Instant weather updates, push e-mail, texts etc. Oh and Googkle maps with directions if you get lost!

Cons.
My phone was one, if not the first, with the Touchflo UI, and it can be a bit slow if you don't close down open programmes often. Though this is very easy to do on th main screen.

Battery life when using GPS is heavy, but Freecaddie has a great way of getting around that as a user choice.

It's also quite a good idea to do a soft reset (you don't lose anything!) occasionally.

Other than that, I'm a convert and have been for a number of years.

Apple just made the touch screen phone accesable and desirable. I'd been using them for years before iphones came along!!

 

[Spoff]

I *think* I am going to go with the Magic and Google Android.

There are a few GPS range finder apps that will do the job I think, and a turn-by-turn sat nav too.

 

[slugger]

I'm scouring the net to see if i can get one for the LG Arena or Viewty Smart... if i can't i'm going to wait until the end of the month and see what new windows mobile devices come out from LG as they've announced that they are about to release a few.