So rather than have it buried in the iPhone 4 thread, I'll post a quick review here.

As I mentioned in the iPhone thread, I bought a Nexus One - www.google.com/phone I got the unsubsidized AT&T model, and swapped my SIM card in. I already had a data plan on my old BlackBerry

For comparison, I switched from a very old BlackBerry 8800 (non-3G, non-WiFi)but my wife has an iPhone 3GS, which I've used plenty often. I also have an iPod touch (2nd gen) that I use regularly, so I'm very familiar with the software and apps. Neither are jailbroken, though.

Compared to the iPhone 3GS, the Nexus One is 6.5% thinner, 3% taller, 3.7% narrower, and 3.7% lighter. But basically, it's close enough to say that in practicality, it's about the same physical size when I held them side by side and hand in hand. Nexus One is a bit more rounded on all edges, and I think it has a little nicer feel than the 3GS, because of a nice slightly rubberized plastic that feels durable but not squeaky smooth like the iPhone.

I will say that I notice the iPhone still has a nicer glass coating... something about it makes sliding on the touch screen just a little bit better. It's not there on my 2nd gen iPod touch or the earlier iPhones... but when the screen is clean, the 3GS is the only touchscreen that doesn't cause my finger to squeak and stick. Again, not a big issue, but it counts for something.

Screen is bigger than the 3GS, but it is more "widescreen" which may or may not be better, depending on what you use it for. While the resolution is much better, and the colors are brighter and more crisp (AMOLED screen) all of the main reviews are right - it's harder to read in sunlight. If you use your phone outside a lot, this could be a problem with the Nexus One.

With iOS now on the 3GS, I'd say the iPhone is slightly smoother in operation, but I haven't tried it when multitasking yet. The Nexus One does noticeably lag for a split second here or there when I have a bunch of apps running, but it's still darn fast.

Media Player functionality still goes to iOS... it was their roots, and they're still the gold standard, so this isn't unexpected. But video and movies still play nicely on the N1 with most of the same functionality, even if the interface isn't quite as slick. My only gripe so far is that the included 'gallery' movie player does not remember your last location in a video. But I have already downloaded a free media player (Meridian) that does, so not a big deal. I'm also not sure what to do about syncing yet... I enjoy listening to a few podcasts, so I'm not sure how to manage those on a non-iPod device. Music and movies are easy enough to drag and drop, though.

With the Nexus One, though, it's *all* about Google features. I've had a Gmail account from near the beginning, and likewise with Google Voice. If you use Google products, this is what makes the Nexus One worthwhile. Calendar and Contacts automatically sync with your account. If you add or change a name or event, it's on the phone in a matter of seconds and vice-versa. Google Voice allows me to send free SMS messages, since I had TXT messaging blocked by AT&T. (Personal peeve - I refuse to pay for TXT messaging). You can also set Google Voice as your voice mail manager... my AT&T voice mail now goes to Google Voice, which is nice because GV will do speech-to-text, so you can read your voice mail if you don't feel like listening to it. Convenient.

Also, you can set the phone to automatically send phone calls from a given person directly to voice mail... very convenient for when my mother calls.

But on the topic of speech-to-text, Android is great. Any field where you type in an entry, you can chose to speak and the phone will input the text. This works AMAZINGLY well. I just say what I want, and up pops the text. Works like a charm in ANY app - from inputting an appointment in Calendar, telling where you want to go in Google Maps or Navigation, setting a Facebook status, or whatever.

Call quality is excellent on the N1. Better than the iPhone... but this is due to the 2nd microphone on the back for noise cancellation.

Last but not least, battery power.... I killed the battery from full to empty in 8 hours... but it was in use nearly non-stop, and a lot of that was with the screen on. I'll probably get more used to Android as time goes on and learn how to manage apps and whatnot, so I feel it won't be an issue. Doesnt' seem any worse than the 3GS, though.
Conveniently, you can check what is using the most battery power if you want to adjust your usage. And if push comes to shove, a spare battery is $24 and easy to swap...

I'll prolly add more stuff as I think of it.

 

I forgot 2 things already, one positive, one negative.

On the N1, the four buttons at the base of the screen are part of the touchscreen... I find them a bit difficult or inconsistent in their use. Sometimes you think you hit it, but you didn't, and occasionally I accidentally touch one and it boots me to the home screen. You can set the phone for "Haptic Feedback" where it'll give a slight vibration to know you registered a button hit. I think I'd have preferred traditional keys, though.

The trackball is a plus... while nothing needs it, it's better for some games than having your fingers on the touch screen. But the best part is that it lights up, and you can set the phone so that the ball lights up as an indicator of a new email or message.
Coming from a BlackBerry, the LED message light is a very nice feature. No need to pick up the phone to know if there's an email or txt waiting, or to have to set a vibrate or tone alert for it. I like this a lot, and I'm disappointed Apple didn't put a simple LED behind the glass for this purpose.

 

Thanks for taking the time to do a review!

 

About google voice...

Is there an app or something for use of GV? I am interested about the text functions because that could save me $10-15 a month by not having it on my plan. What happens when you recieve a text to your GV number? How are you notified? Can you do picture messaging with GV?

 

Thanks for the review but I read mostly not as good as the iPhone every other sentence. Guy that works for me has one hates it and is gonna buy an iPhone. That's review enough for me other than the fact that I now work in the cellular industry have for the last 2 years actually so I get to play with all phones at whim. I'm not impressed at all but hey like the saying goes to each their own. In my eyes a customer that wants a specific Phone is just as good as a customer that wants an iPhone it's all a sale and profit to me.

 

There's a separate Google Voice app. Text messags come in there instead of the "messaging" app. You select your preferred notifier/ringtone/vibrate/whatever for when you get a TXT to your GV number.

When you're in your Contacts (address book) you can chose to send TXT via regular messaging, or via Google Voice. You can chose a default action, or leave it to prompt each time.

I don't TXT much, which is why I don't want to buy a plan or pay 20¢ each incoming and outgoing. I think the only drawback at the moment is that I think Google Voice is slower to notify you of an incoming TXT than normal messaging.

 

Good review! Good idea to separate out. I too was wondering about the GV. Though I don't think I will use it just yet. I have had a gmil account since before it went public! Remember when you had to get an invite and you only got like 1-2 to give out?!?!

 

[QUOTE=Pinky,Jun 25 2010, 01:06 PM] Good review!

 

Do they still charge a fee to call out using your GV number?

 

Just got word that BestBuy is taking pre-orders on the Droid X starting today. I'm gonna head over there now and make a deposit on one. It's gonna be a LONG three weeks waiting for this thing to come in!