Why I sent my Google Phone back

[Tim Barlow]

I am a Google fan, albeit one still very firmly ensconced in the Windows/PC corner. I try pretty much every product they offer, and love most of them. This despite some of the obvious limitations of their non-search products.

That’s why I had high hopes for the G1 Google phone. Even though I am not a significant user of GMail I thought I could probably live with that. At the end of the day it’s the possibilities of browsing and web apps that tempted me most.

However after a bit of initial excitement at the Google maps GPS technology, the ability to access AdWords and the great keyboard, disappointment started to kick in. Web browsing is just not as easy as with the iPhone as the touch screen technology is just not quite as slick.

Would you expect the Google phone to work with Google Docs? I certainly would and couldn’t believe that it wasn’t possible to edit Docs. Likewise Google Sites appears to be read only. Bang goes my ability to use my Google phone to take meeting notes that my team can access immediately.

Maybe I could have lived with my disappointment in the technology and accepted that it is just a beta product and will no doubt improve over time, but what finally sealed the fate of the phone was the reception.

T-mobile just doesn’t have as good a network as others – the phone didn’t work in the office, at home or anywhere I stayed over Christmas (admittedly I like it in the sticks!).

Frankly I don’t want to have to make every phone call between home and work, so the G1 was returned to base.

What I haven’t sussed yet is the alternative! Thoughts?

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

Hi Tim,

There's a really good article in Stuff magazine this month that kind of showcases 4 or 5 of the main smartphone type phones.

Their conclusion was that the iPhone was still the one to beat but me being of the Blackberry persuasion I hear the bold is something to behold and has some great reviews. I have my blackberry connected to a google calendar which updates through iGoogle twice a day and it does my tasks also. Blackberry email as well is just well.... Blackberry

The Nokia N95 got some good feedback as did the N96 which was the follow on. There is now in the pipeline an N97 and there seemed to be suggestions that this would come closest to being an iPhone beater but I think it's still a few months away.

I've heard mixed reviews myself about the G1 and alot of what you said i've heard before. How much of it's to do with T-Mobile I dont know but they're far from the best carrier and these smartphones do have to rely on them to some degree.

Ultimately I think it comes down to what are must haves for you. For media capability and surfing the Iphone has no challenger but if it's productivity with email etc Blackberry is up there. Time will also tell for the Nokia entry as well

 

[Tim Barlow]

I have just read the Stuff article which is no doubt helping me form an opinion.

Gut instinct tells me that I am going to have to wait for the N97 (Yes I used to have a Psion 3 and loved it!). My wish list:

• Wifi
• Be able to work as tethered modem
• hard keyboard
• excellent web browser
• passable phone
• easy word processing and e-mail
• multi point touch screen

(Just bought myself a Samsung NC10 netbook/laptop. Very impressed by the capability for the money. (Slick, diddy laptop for £300 - amazing really).)

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

So jealous of the NC10 Tim. This was also reviewed in the most recent Stuff magazine and came out top out of all the netbooks so good choice I know Brian on the forums was also looking at this so I think it may be jumping up my wishlist

I could maybe be persuaded by the N97 as well but i'll wait to see what some of the reviews are like first before I part with my Blackberry

 

[Brian McIntosh]

I'm still considering buying a NC10. I need to take my camera and a couple of cables into the shop to see if it will do what I want it to do. Fingers crossed.