Rubbish

Rubbish

The G1 is a solid device which suits my usage – heavy email and very heavy internet browsing. For the former it is better than the iPhone and any Nokia bar E71 and Communicator, for the latter it is better than all (including the iPhone). If I were a media freak (pictures, video) it probably would not be for me.

Anyhoow, an eloquent and balanced review of all the current crop of smartphones can be found on Stephen Fry's blog. As an incorrigible iPhone addict he even has a number of kind words to say about the G1 (and I bet he synched contacts in a blink of an eye).

I feel openness in mobile is about a lot more than the code of the OS. Indeed at a basic level all the 'smartphone OSs' are open to one degree or another. I agree that debate is essentially over (unless you want to talk about how far down it will go…) and there is still some importance attached to the level of openness (e.g. open source vs developer accessibility vs device function accessibility; cross platform, RIAs, etc etc).

So is openness now more about software and service availability / access? I think this very often ties in with companies strategy (both manufacturers, platform providers and operators). I do think some companies are more committed to this openness than others. Android is this area, especially in its G! instance and in contrast to its open-soruce-ness, does not measure up here. Thats said I'd probably put Android and Nokia in the same camp as having openness as part of their core strategy, but it will be interesting to see who delivers this to consumers best.

Maybe it is also worth saying that there is theoretical openness and what is actually delivered in to the hands of the consumer. Nokia's Ovi promises it but has yet to truly deliver on it (in terms of links with 3rd parties, APIs etc) – you can see their ideas / intent in something like Share online and Nokia messaging. Yes Android the platform is open, but the G1 implementation is lacking. I do think think it will improve, but the question at the back of my mind is Google's motivation (is it to drive traffic and money to its core strength in search and advertising, if s o what implications does it have?)

I feel openness in mobile is about a lot more than the code of the OS. Indeed at a basic level all the 'smartphone OSs' are open to one degree or another. I agree that debate is essentially over (unless you want to talk about how far down it will go…) and there is still some importance attached to the level of openness (e.g. open source vs developer accessibility vs device function accessibility; cross platform, RIAs, etc etc).

So is openness now more about software and service availability / access? I think this very often ties in with companies strategy (both manufacturers, platform providers and operators). I do think some companies are more committed to this openness than others. Android is this area, especially in its G! instance and in contrast to its open-soruce-ness, does not measure up here. Thats said I'd probably put Android and Nokia in the same camp as having openness as part of their core strategy, but it will be interesting to see who delivers this to consumers best.

Maybe it is also worth saying that there is theoretical openness and what is actually delivered in to the hands of the consumer. Nokia's Ovi promises it but has yet to truly deliver on it (in terms of links with 3rd parties, APIs etc) – you can see their ideas / intent in something like Share online and Nokia messaging. Yes Android the platform is open, but the G1 implementation is lacking. I do think think it will improve, but the question at the back of my mind is Google's motivation (is it to drive traffic and money to its core strength in search and advertising, if s o what implications does it have?)

I like Nokia phones, have always used one for voice since the classic matrix banana phone. I will never use a symbian device ever again, it's crap, give me a Java ME candy bar to talk on and charge every 3 days.

I literally threw my last Windows computer out of a 3rd floor window in Edinburgh in 2002 and you would have to beat me with a stick (or loads of cash) to get me to use Outlook again. I have never found a Nokia that can talk to a Mac computer. I don't like the iPhone because iTunes is rubbish for people who like to do stuff with music, don't even get me started on the device itself.

I will take issue with your comments on gmail, I had one of the first accounts and it has been nothing short of brilliant ever since.

Nobody has made contacts work across all the apps and platforms commonly in use, Soocial and Skydeck might be getting close but you can still find disgruntled users.

James. I am looking forward to the next time I see you, we can talk about music and girls

What do people think of the Storm? To my suprise I quite like it — to play with, not to replace my N95 8GB as an everyday phone.

My eyes are fine BTW

Kisses.

Funny you say that. My technically challenged daughter has the G1 and loves it! Mind you, she probably only uses it for calls, texts, games and music…