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16 Jul 2010
2.
Google Nexus One
Google's Nexus One brought the Android operating system to mainstream
consciousness. The device's specification not only surpassed its contemporaries
at launch, but for once the public saw a viable competitor to Apple's iPhone.
The handset is a great package. You get cutting edge hardware coupled to an operating system that is far better than Windows Mobile and far more customisable than the iPhone.
The Nexus One was the first Android smartphone to have Android 2.1 and an Amoled screen. While the hardware specification has since been surpassed, its software remains ahead of the pack. Free of mobile operator constraints, the Nexus One has often been the first device to receive updates to the Android operating system.
Google's insistence on selling the Nexus One directly to customers resulted in mediocre sales. Until Vodafone offered the device, the only way to get hold of one in the UK was by having it shipped from the US, incurring import duties.
The Nexus One will always be the smartphone which showed the world what Android was capable of. It spurred investment in Android from other handset manufacturers and application developers, and above all showed the world there was an alternative to the iPhone.
1.
HTC Desire
HTC makes a wide variety of handsets, so it's no surprise for the
company to have more than one entry in our list.
The Desire is often compared to the Nexus One, which HTC also manufactures, but features a number of extras that the Google-branded handset does not. For starters, there's HTC's Sense user environment, which adds a glossier front-end to many of the firm's devices, and makes life just that little bit easier for the user.
It also features a much more practical optical joystick below the screen, rather than the mini trackball favoured by the Nexus.
In most other respects, the Desire is very similar to the Nexus, with an impressive 3.7in 800 x 480 multi-touch display, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, 3G/HSPA network capability, GPS, and version 2.1 of the Android platform.
With its 1GHz processor, the Desire is also a very responsive device to use, and at 135g it feels lighter than you would expect for a handset of this size. Overall, this has to be one of the best high-end smartphones on the market right now.
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Do you agree?
HTC Desire and Font / Text size...Zoom solution
I have taken delilvery of my first smartphone was assured that the text size could be adjusted throughout the phone. It can not. HTC have stated this to me in e mails , and do not seem prepared to address the failing. Google searches do not reveal an app. T mobile my provider are not aware of an app.to change or zoom on text to make it bigger. A google search seems to show that there is great demand for a solution
Posted by: closefx 22 Jul 2010
Samsung Galaxy S is better
I think the Samsung Galaxy S is the best packaged device in the whole lot. Better processor with more memory and better graphics than the entire lot. It is thin, light weight, Wi-fi - N capability, swype and the great screen. Only drawback is the non availability of Flash for the camera. It also shoots HD video at full 30fps - unlike most of the other phones.
Posted by: Ravindra 20 Jul 2010
HTC Desire
The HTC Desire is far and away a better piece of kit than an iPhone. I have had mine since the UK launch, had to have my first one replaced after a day due to a fault but that can happen. The music player and sound quality are excellent (even with the supplied earphones). I have used iPods, iPhones, Creatives and Sony music players and the desire is as good as any of them and in the case of the creative it is definitle better. As a phone it is excellent, the choice of apps is brilliant, ease of use and readability of the screen are very, very good. All in all a super piece of kit and I for one prefer it so much more than any of the apple phones. The android OS is a treat to use as well. I would most definitley recommend any android phone, but especially the HTC Desire, simply put "It is fantastic"
Posted by: Philip 20 Jul 2010
Correction
Err, think you will find that Androids Sence is based on Windows Mobile TouchFlo 3D, which in turn is based on Touch Flo cube, again WM, the HTC HD2 if modded to windows mobile 6.5.5 with Sence 2.5 easily outstrips anything on the market today, its fast, its snappy, its stable and easy to use with advanced features not to far hidden. The only area WM 6.5.5 with Sence 2.5 lacks is androids/Apples market places. There is now an almost working android for the HD2 and its lacking anything new, but the choice is still there if you like the market places.
Posted by: Darren 19 Jul 2010
Why there's no SE X10?
It's another great smartphone which will give iPhone a run for the money...
Posted by: Rod M. Arapan 19 Jul 2010
You forgot the Sony X10
8.1 MP Camera, 1Ghz Processor, 4" Screen. Although Android 1.6 is a bit out of date, it's due for an upgrade in a month or so.
Posted by: Kevin Daly 19 Jul 2010
Why there's no SE X10?
It's another great smartphone which will give iPhone a run for the money...
Posted by: Rod M. Arapan 19 Jul 2010
Surprised but was how I would have made the list.
I was surprised I'm use to seeing Evo 4G taking the prize everytime hehe, but yeah having the Desire I can definitely agree with this. I saw someone complaining about the audio quality, I've never had issues with that, and I listen to music on it every day. It's a great choice, and will be even better with FroYo.
Posted by: Kim-Leo 19 Jul 2010
Surely HTC could have given the Desire better audio!!!!
Had a Desire for about 48 hours before I returned it for a refund. The audio quality through the headphone jack is horrible!! If you only want to use this device as a phone then the fact that it won't play music properly might not bother you, but I'm not sure why anybody would want to fork out the kind of money that they're asking for the Desire when it falls so far short in this respect. It's supposed to be more than just a phone after all.
Posted by: matt 16 Jul 2010