I’ve just ordered a new iPod touch!

I’ve been rockin’ the first generation iPod touch since it came out in 2007, now. It’s been through a lot including multiple drops onto hard floor and it’s survived them all. The only problem I’ve had is the home button breaking but I got round that with a jailbreak app. But although it’s still a fully functional device, it’s time to upgrade. I’m happy to announce that I’m getting the Apple iPod touch 4th Generation. I said to myself about 6 weeks ago that I don’t need another iPod touch as I now have an Android phone which does (nearly) everything the iPod does but some features are lacking from the Android OS and I prefer the entertainment apps on iOS.

So, that should arrive next week and of course I’ll post a review when I’ve had a chance to play with it, but I’m excited!

Why I don’t use my Mac

So back in December I got a Mac mini to replace my year old Dell Inspiron. I had always wanted to use Mac OS X as my primary operating system as I had been told it works really well and is good for productive things.

The first time I used the Mac, my mind was (nearly) instantly changed. I find with Windows there’s always a quicker way to do things and I don’t find the dock works well for mutli tasking between different windows. I thought that I could get used to it so I used Synergy to connect it to my PC and share the keyboard, this worked well, and I found myself getting used to OS X after a short amount of time. I then went on a break and when I came back I found myself again using solely the PC, I’d chosen subconsciously that I prefer the experience of Windows 7, and when I think about it, I do.

I think managing my open applications is the key reason why I don’t use my Mac, I find Windows to give me a quicker way to navigate between different windows compared to the dock and Exposé in OS X.

Don’t worry, Apple fans, I haven’t completely abandoned my Mac. I use it now for a little podcasting machine connected to a (soon to be replaced and upgraded) 17″ monitor for watching podcasts when I’m in the other side of my room. For this, it works well. The addition of Boxee is great and now the problems with window management don’t really matter. I occasionally use GarageBand on it when I need some background music for a video but that’s a rare occasion.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below. I’m willing to try OS X again if they update window management in OS X 10.7 but I think for now my Mac is a great little computer for podcasting (and as a backup machine for my PC).

A month with the HTC Wildfire

I’ve had Android on my HTC Wildfire for a month now and I’ve had time to play about with it and discover the apps.

I find it a more complete experience than the BlackBerry OS and iOS, both which I have used in the past for extended periods of time. The addition of widgets and the ability to customise your home screens with HTC Sense UI is fantastic and really useful for me. Unlike the BlackBerry OS and iOS I am able to make the phone work how I want it to. For example, on my main home screen I have my most used apps, a clock, my Remember the Milk list, and also a link to Vlingo which I use sometimes for launching the different apps and sending a text message quickly.

The market is a relatively poor experience compared to iOS App Store, although better than the BlackBerry App World. It can be a pain to find some apps and finding new apps is virtually impossible, as you can only see the top apps. The iOS App Store gives featured apps which I think is good as it allows you to see apps that Apple themselves are recommending.

Once you find the apps, they’re good. They’re not as “polished” as iOS apps, but they work well and some of the developers have really interesting ideas. I really like DoggCatcher (which fellow contributor Eric Sandine at TechVi recommend I get) as it allows you to automatically download podcasts from RSS feeds which the iTunes app on iOS doesn’t allow. Locale is another interesting app, although expensive, it allows you to set different things to happen when different actions are made. For example, I have my volume turn down at night, but only when I am home, and also have my WiFi come on when I get home and go off (to save battery) when I leave the house.

The customisation options on Android are immense, you can change virtually any part of the Android operating system. I love how I can make my phone suited to how I use it, and not just have it how it’s come as default.

As for the hardware, I recommend spending more if you can afford it. The limited resolution of 320×240 and 3.2″ screen means that images, web sites and  aren’t as crisp aren’t as clear as they could be and the slow CPU means it can lag behind when typing fast, although it was annoying at first, I’ve learned to live with it and the hardware is great for my use and budget.

I really do recommend you try out an Android phone, unless you’re not prepared to spend time learning the OS and getting used to it. If you’re prepared to spend a few weeks to do this, go ahead! The HTC Wildfire is a good choice if you’re on a budget but if you can afford to spend more on a HTC Desire or a higher end phone with a faster CPU, higher resolution and bigger screen, do that, but if you’re on a budget and understand the HTC Wildfire isn’t perfect, the HTC Wildfire is a good phone.

If you’ve got any questions about Android or the HTC Wildfire, drop a comment and I’ll do my best to help!

A week with Android: First impressions

I’ve had an Android phone for over a week now, and my impressions are so far (mostly) positive.

The first time I picked up my HTC Wildfire I was impressed by how customisable the phone is. The widgets are an excellent way to make your phone perfect for you. For example, on my main home screen I have my mostly use apps, a clock and my Remember the Milk to do list.

HTC Wildfire Device

The apps are also fairly good, although in my opinion they are not as well ‘polished’ as the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad apps, although the limitations that Apple have on the App Store mean that some of the Android apps are really powerful. For example, one of my favourite apps ‘Locale‘ means I can set my phone to do certain things at certain times/locations. I have my phone turn the volume down at night time and fully turn it off when I plug my phone into charge, turn my WiFi off when I leave my house (because here in the UK public WiFi spots are a rarity, so the battery life saved is worth having to turn it on using the widget if I do find a hotspot) and have my phone silent when I go to certain places. This may sound simple but it’s so useful, I often used to forget about my phone at night and it would make a sound in the night when I get an email or IM, waking me up. With this I don’t need to even think about it.

Android isn’t perfect, though. It does work a little clunkily and some things aren’t as straight forward as an iPhone, but I would rather have a learning curve to use a new interface than stick with iOS. I used my iPod touch the other day and it felt dated and the interface didn’t feel functional. Sure, it’s easy to work out how to use and it works, but why can’t I have my todo list on my home screen or have my apps multitask for real instead of just ‘pausing’ the apps (except for the music apps)? I don’t know.

But for now, Android is on top for me and I really love it. If you’ve got any questions about my experience with Android, hit me up in the comments and I’ll get back to you for sure.

Moving to Android!

My mobile phone situation has been crappy over the last year. About a year ago I took possession of a BlackBerry Pearl 8110 for web access as my current phone at the time, the LG KP500 had a crappy web browser. Last month, the KP500 broke and I got a Nokia E71 to cover the duties of that phone. A few weeks after getting that the BlackBerry also broke so to replace that I used a Samsung D900. I’m still in the contract of the KP500 with 2 months to go with Virgin mobile and the D900 is more than annoying me so I’ve decided I’m going to pay off the Virgin Media contract and get a HTC Wildfire from T-Mobile.

The Wildfire is a great looking phone and is packed with high end features like 3.5G, GPS and WiFi and is insanely affordable. The only drawback is the screen resolution. It’s the lowest screen resolution of any mainstream Android device but I guess that’s going to be when you’re getting such a great value device.

T-Mobile UK are out of stock at the mo’ so when they’re back in I’ll take a look at the market and let you know my first thoughts on the blog!

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