Andriod/Smart phone me

Rhino

I need to get an Andriod phone. Suggestions on what make/model to get?

Mainly I want it because I've been developing a few andriod apps. One of em I'm going to take commercial. They run fine in VM and have gotten good reviews, think it'd be good to actually use what I'm developing for :P

Around here there is AT&T, Verizon and Tmobile (I'm currently with AT&T on a normal phone, contract has expired though so could switch away without termination fee).

I want something with Andriod 2.2 and probably a real [mechanical] keyboard. Also should be something that is easy to upgrade or can install any software I want. Apparently my friend complains a lot because Apple/AT&T doesn't let him install certain things on his iPhone for whatever reason. I don't want no weird restrictions like that.

In terms of hardware specs, something powerful. Apparently a lot of [android] developers like to hook up a debugger and other development tools from inside there phone. Not that I want to code on some awkward keyboard; but might be useful. A big screen would be nice too.

Suggestions?

Alegis

(It's android, in case andriod brought you fewer than expected search results)

Google has a gallery of existing phones/carrier with some specs, doesn't include incoming models.
http://www.google.com/phone/#manufacturer=all&category=all&carrier=&country=us

I'm not sure what has been announced at this point. Desire Z will have a mechanical keyboard but I'm not sure if they're going to ship that to the US. Although I can say that other androiders here incl myself have easily gotten used to the soft keyboards (partly because there are some great keyboards out there like swype or KBs that allow less accuracy which make it less of a hassle to type).

The t-mobile G2 has been released recently and news of a t-mobile 4g rumours are in the air. You could ask in that thread if you need some thoughts on the G2, I think a few guys have tried one.

dukederek

Also should be something that is easy to upgrade or can install any software I want.

NOT Motorola (unless you kick it old school with an original Droid), they seem to consider it a selling point that it's not possible to load custom OSes onto the phone. Not a problem until you find out that they appear to be pretty slow on OS upgrades too, at this rate I'll not get Froyo on my Milestone before Gingerbread gets released

Darkewolfe

Sounds like you want a Droid 2, assuming you want one of the most recent generation phones.

a5ehren

Based on what you said, your choices are the Droid 2 (Verizon) and the G2 (T-mobile). I personally like HTC better than Motorola, so I'd recommend the G2.

AT&T has a pretty poor Android selection on the high-end - if you're staying with them the iPhone is really the only way worth going.

End

a5ehren wrote: »

Based on what you said, your choices are the Droid 2 (Verizon) and the G2 (T-mobile). I personally like HTC better than Motorola, so I'd recommend the G2.

AT&T has a pretty poor Android selection on the high-end - if you're staying with them the iPhone is really the only way worth going.

I'd echo this advice. Personally, I have a G2 and its nice, and yeah, if you want a keyboard, one of those two. Avoid AT&T.

I'd suggest going in to the stores and trying phones in person, if you're unsure.

Darkewolfe

It also wildly depends on where you live and what your coverage is. You might end up choosing between the phones you prefer based mostly on coverage in your area.

Spudge

Thirding the G2

's a good phone

Deadfall

Spudge wrote: »

Fourthing the G2

's a good phone

blakfeld

I'd go for the Droid 2, I have the old Droid, and I'm a fan. It's pretty solid

BradicusMaximus

Go with the G2, its just a ballin phone. If anyone nags about the processor speed don't listen to them. In fact, punch them in the face.

eternalbl

I've had a Galaxy S for a bit less than a month now and it's pretty sweet. Not all models have a keyboard, but swyping is pretty easy to get used to.

Jimmy King

I haven't played with a G2 yet but I've owned other HTC phones including an old 8125 and my current G1 (to be replaced with a G2 some day in the moderately near future) and would lean towards the G2 based on my experience. I've also seen far fewer people complain about HTC's modified Android UI than Motorola's.

Seattle Thread

The G2 is (almost) stock Froyo--it doesn't have HTC's Sense UI installed, but it does throw a few additional marketplace apps on there (Sky Map, Earth, Finance, etc.). If you're looking to test your own apps out, I would think the G2 is the best way to go.

Plus, that fucking MotoBlur shit that they raped onto the Droid X and Droid 2 is atrocious. It was the one major dealbreaker that prevented me from upgrading my original Droid.

illig

I'd suggest skipping the hardware kbd. They all suck, and as a dev you should focus on the touch. Screen interface anyway since that's common to all android phones while a kbd is not.