cross posted at ThumannResources.com
I’ve been using myBlackberry 8830since November 2007. I got it around the same time lots of my techie friends were getting theiriPhones, but I refused to switch providers as my family has four lines and it was just too much to go through that kind of hassle. I’m sure you understand.
My Blackberry did everything I wanted it to. I was able to communicate through e-mail,Twitterand ultimatelyFacebookas well. But as time went by,browsingbecame an issue. The model I had did not have a built in camera and the multimedia functions of it were just not fulfilling my needs. So much so that when I was in my own home and otherWi-Fi environments, I got in the habit of using myiPod Touchto access all of my social networks and communication needs.
Then came the Droid.
This is an early holiday gift from my husband. (You’re welcome Chris. Now you don’t have to go shopping for me.) After reading and researching theAndroid Marketand checking out the many features of the phone itself, I took a field trip to my provider’s store this past Sunday. Here are the initial features that sold me:
- 3G network
- camera (by the way it’s a 5 megapixels)
- video camera
- 3.7 inch touch screen
- pre-installed apps (like Facebook and YouTube)
- Wi-Fi capable
I turned off my Blackberry forever. It was funny. A few days later my 6-year old asked me if I missed it and I realized that for the last couple of years she’s known me to pretty much always have it with me. But the answer was easy. I didn’t miss it at all.
I walked out of the store, got in my car and just for fun used theGoogle Mapswith Navigation over speakerphone to get home. The voice over the Droid gave me ACCURATE, turn-by-turn directions to get right to my driveway. Not that I won’t still use myGarminGPS, but it’s nice to have an alternative.
One thing that the gentleman at the store explained to me is that I would no longer be able to use Microsoft Outlookto sync my Calendar and Contacts.Bummer. So, when I got inside, I fired up my computer and exported everything out of Outlook and imported everything into my Google Account. This is something I had planned to ultimately do anyway, I guess I just needed a reason. Check this out:
- Google Over the Air updates – no need for a wire to sync your phone – it happens over the air and automatically –Holy Cow!!
- Integrated Google and Facebook contacts – so someone calls me and I see their Facebook picture
- Rotate the Droid and the screen changes to landscape, rotate again it goes back to the portrait orientation
- Android Market
Image Source: http://www.dialaphone.co.uk
I’ve been downloading and using a few of the apps from theAndroid Market. There are about 10,000 apps there. I realize that for you iPhone users, there’s still no comparison, and I’m not writing about the Droid to bring it into the classroom, but because it’s such a great productivity tool for me. So here are the apps that I have downloaded and used so far with thanks toDamian BariexcaandPaula White:
- Twidroid–“twidroid is the industry-standard twitter client for android and among the most used twitter applications across all platforms. it’s available as a free and commercial pro version that supports all twitter features as well as functionality that is customized to the capabilities of android devices.”
- Flashlight–simple white screen allows you to see in dark places
- Mother TED–“Mother TED allows you to watch the latest TED videos based on Themes, Talks and Tags.”
- Where–“WHERE is a bundle of cool GPS apps all wrapped into one. Are you looking for the hottest restaurants, jonesing for your next coffee fix, or need a cheap fill-up? Maybe you want to know the local weather, traffic or headlines? Whatever you are after, WHERE has it.”
It’s not quite yet a week. I have so much to learn. I’ve beenbookmarkingsome great resources and I plan on posting more on the Droid in the near future. If you have one and care to share your experiences or some apps that have been helpful, please do. If you are thinking about getting one, don’t hesitate to ask me about mine.
