Google has rolled out a version that supports AT&T along with Rogers (and other Canadian?) frequencies. Does not look like there is a single phone that will support all frequencies.

google.com/phone

I am in the market for a new phone, but I really want a phone that fully supports IMAP (I messed with an early release of Android and was not really happy).

Has Google improved IMAP handeling in 2.1 or have things stayed about the same?

Thanks,
Dan

Mini review - migration from Nokia N97
 

Hi,

After almost 6 months with my N97, and more than 14 years with Nokia (apart from a while in the mid 90s when Nokia did not have a decent tri-band phone for US travel), I took the plunge and ordered the Nexus One.

I was looking for a N1/N97 review before I ordered, and could not find one that suited my interests, so...

My main reason to move has been my ongoing frustration with S60, and it's downward spiral. I have an N95 8GB for my work phone, and after three years, it's still going! That was, for me, the last great Nokia.

My N97 freezes, claims no memory (just after a reboot), needs rebooting and has a browser that just exits on many websites. The email is OK. WiFi is good, when I can get connected. The radio is crap (not that the N95 is much better). I'm starting to hate the keyboard, and look back at my E61 with fond memories (except it was dog slow).

Anyway, after spending more cash on the Nexus One than on my three previous Nokias, I have one.

My initial view is that the Nexus One is still "in development", but much more stable than the initial N97 firmware that I got with the phone six months ago. (Two updates since then). It's clearly trying to be a media player, phone and tablet all in one, and depending on the applications that you load, it could hit your niche.

I believe the Nexus One is really a phone you can give to a techie, but it'll be one or two more generations of models before I'd let a novice near it. The "ubuntu" like packaging of good applications is still some time away.

What I really like is the ability to download new applications and software to the phone. The downside is that there is quite some crap out there, some of it is paid for, some free, and some has real-time advertising (this I don't like).

Download and install from the android market place of applications is really easy. Installing from PC not as easy. I know that there are many "root" modifications, but I'm not heading there yet. Weeding out the crap is going to take time.

Development of my own applications looks to be possible now - I've a "hello world" working. This was a pipe dream on Nokia.

I like the way it sticks to my WiFi network at home, and changes to 3G when away from home. I've tested SIP/VoiP calls over 3G and they are fine. The N97 was never this smooth in changeover.

The two part unlock of screensaver (power button and then swipe finger) is awkward, but I'll get used to it.

The homescreen works much better than the N97 widgets, and is very configurable. It's a little less clear on the Nexus One what the current connectivity is (WiFi, 3G, EDGE, Mobile Network, ...) than on the N97. I'm sure there's an application that will do this for me, I just have to find it.

I'm still adjusting to the touch screen, since the Nokia was not really that great either. I've never had (nor used much) an iPhone or iTouch, so the Nexus One is quite a revelation. Multi-touch more so.

The default email client is OK - works with our server. I'm looking for a better one.

What's not working, and to be honest I did expect it, is Google Wave and Skype. There are some alternatives for these, and I'm looking into them.

I'm also having problems with codecs, and playing what I think are standard MPEG TV podcasts. I'm sure I'll sort this out in the end.

I find it weird that many applications never exit - you can kill them of course, but they appear to live on forever, and even come back from the dead.

I'm not so keen on not being able to tell what information is being "shipped back to base" by the phone to Google, or by the applications to their developers. At some point I'll wireshark the phone for a few hours, and see what moves.

Is it better than the N97 - yes.

Will it be cheaper to run (I have unlimited data on my home network) - yes (WiFi is easier to use and connect to).

Is it easier to use - Not until I get a set of apps/widgets that suit the way I use the phone.

Do I recommend it over the N97 - yes for a techie or skilled user, no for a "normal" business user who has a BB right now, or for someone who just needs a phone.

Aidan

PS - Can I suggest a sticky for Android applications that we find useful? There appears to be an iPhone one :)

Dan...K-9 Mail works flawlessly with an IMAP account. It is an excellent Mail client and I use it heavily.

I have heard about K-9, but I do not have any experience with the program, does it integrate with the built-in mail application or does it run alone?

Do you get new mail notifications in the home screen or do you actually have to check the program to see if any mail came in?

Lastly, does the program start-up with the device or does one have to manually launch the program once the device has started up?

I apologize for my numerous questions, but before I devote some serious change to acquiring this device, I want to ensure that I am getting something worthwhile.

Dan

Having been a "Blackberry Girl" since they first came out, having had most models including the last (disasterous) Storm, I took the plunge and bought a Nexus whilst I was over in the US in January. Absolutely love it - does everything I want a more.
Was a slight learning curve having come from a BB but now pretty used to it.
Agree with above re connecting to home wifi / 3g /2g is no problem. Screen is GREAT easy to type emails / texts etc (I prefer panaramic for the keypad) Camera is pretty good - much better (faster) than the BB Storm.

Only 2 things which not so keen on - with the BB you can delete email either just from phone or from phone and server (each email individually) with the Nexus you set it in the settings to either keep on server or delete from server - so you cant decide for each email individually.
Also if you turn the phone off completely the alarm doesnt work (BBs automatically turn themselves back on when the alarm goes off)

Re emails - you get an icon on the top for incoming mail / text / update notification. you just swipe your finger down and it shows how many mails etc and just tap and it takes you to it.

Battery life is pretty good - I keep the screen brightness to minimum (if in the sun I turn it up).

Whats wrong with a Windows phone? Oh well...now there's the Evo 4G...I think this is a lot better than the Nexus One.

People turn phones off? With the N1 you can turn off all sounds except alarms and media with a single swipe from the lock screen. That should keep you from being annoyed by calls in the middle of the night. I think there are some apps out there that will let you set an "off" time window too. Only difference from the BB would be you are still using power to keep the network connections alive.

I happen to disagree - and for one important reason - Flyertalk is about travel, and the EVO is just not a travel friendly phone. With my Nexus One, I can head abroad, pop a prepaid sim in the phone, and make calls.

That doesn't mean the EVO is a bad phone, it just isn't all that convenient for international travel.

Agreed....this is the issue with CDMA and WiMAX it is not easy to switch carriers when overseas.

Dan

I had a Dash... compared to Android or Blackberry, the UI was cumbersome and non-intuitive. There were also more frequent crashes.

Actually, on the BB you can choose whether to do a complete power off (alarm will NOT wake it) or a mode where an alarm will wake it.