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!

Perfect Android IM app: Nimbuzz

This post was written on 19th August 2010, but scheduled to be published on 20th in order to prevent blog overload for readers!

Up until an hour ago, I hadn’t found an IM app for my HTC Wildfire that gave me a good experience without being slow. Now, I have.

Nimbuzz is a free application with no advertising which allows you to connect to all of the major IM services including Google Talk (with Google Apps support), MSN Messenger (AKA Windows Live Messenger), AIM and even Skype. The app is fast and easy to use compared to the alternatives (IM+, eBuddy, Meebo) and also looks good and makes use of the screen. The big deal is that I can make Skypeout calls on my Android phone without getting a phone on the UK network 3 or the Verizon Wireless network in the US. Although it isn’t the official app, it works really well (although I don’t have Skypein so I haven’t tried this aspect of it).

The app isn’t perfect, though. I have two Google Talk accounts, one for TechVi and one for my personal account and I can only use one at once, although I have contacted Nimbuzz to see if this a feature they’re planning to add in the future.

The problem with it is small, however, and I really recommend if you’re looking for IM on your Android phone you try it out, it’s a really great app which I prefer to the competition!

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!

Review: Ping!Chat for iOS and Android

Ping!Chat is a free “IM” client for iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS. It’s a really great way to communicate with friends and family when you’re on the move and don’t want to sign into your main IM client for fear of being bombarded with IMs. I love the way it’s easy to just share a photo, video or audio clip because it’s really quick.

Is this replacing text messaging for me, yet?

No, it’s not because it often takes a few hours for a message to come through, which when I contacted Ping!Chat on Twitter they ignored my tweet, leading me to believe that they do know about this problem, although they didn’t reply so the message may have just been missed by them.

I also find that the app is very slow on my HTC Wildfire running Android 2.1 which is annoying. The keyboard often gets behind what I am typing which is a really frustrating experience. This doesn’t happen with other apps that use the keyboard.

Do I recommend the app?

At the moment, if you want a fast response, equivalent to texting, no. But if you have a fast phone (like a Nexus One, or similar) and don’t care if message takes a couple hours to get to get through,  yes I do recommend it. It’s got a good interface that looks nice, although the apps are annoying (but they did put on Twitter that these are being fixed).

Are you going to continue using the app?

I am, but it’s not replacing texting yet. I like the ability to quickly send photos to users on different platforms without sending an email, which is a killer feature.

If you are from Ping!Chat and reading this, drop me an email using the contact button if you want to know more of my issues, but in my opinion the service isn’t right for day-to-day use yet.

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.