HTC Sensation 4G Unboxing

You know you've made it when HTC and the other big guys send you their latest and greatest to unbox and show off to your reader. That, unfortunately, isn't me. But Android devotees like PhoneDog has been good enough to share their experience with us mere mortals.

Here is their detailed and well put together unboxing and hands-on.



This is definitely the Android phone to get. Until the Galaxy S II comes State side, T-Mobile definitely has a winner on its hand. It'll be available June 12th.

Sprint Might be Winner If ATT Occupation of T-Mobile

If you didn't already know by now, ATT made a surprised bid to gobble up T-Mobile for $39 billion. And after a couple for bloggers, tech pundits, and myself to digest all the information, here is where many stand.

Regulators will have to look at this very carefully. Competitors will make demands. Politicians will chime in with their usual buffoon-ish manners. Consumer advocates will have their day that is like going to be ignored.

Right now, the meat is fresh and bloody and everyone will wait a piece of this in the morning. Dozens of blog posts and online newspaper articles have already been written about this.

And Sprint had already had its say. But let me offer this opinion about the deal with respect to Sprint.

Earlier, as I sat thinking about this, I said to myself that if ATT takes away from me the better deals and options that T-Mobile now has, regardless of whether I am taking advantage of it or not, I'll head on over to Sprint.

So there. If ATT does bungle this deal by alienating current T-Mobile customers like myself who have been happy with things the way they are, we will head on over to the no. 3 mobile provider who offers WiMax and competitive plans/options.

In the end, Sprint may benefit to some extent. Sprint has to continue to be aggressive and now may be a great time for it to launch an offensive campaign for the hearts and minds of confused (betrayed) T-Mobile subscribers.

However, keep in mind that no one knows just how this deal, when and not if it will go through, is going to look like when it is finally wrapped up. Though I am not hopeful, one such as myself hopes that T-Mobile will have a better influence on ATT and not all the bad things and worst case scenarios will come to pass.

More important than regulators, it will be the bloggers with legions of readers who can shape how this deal takes place. And we will work hard to make sure that if politicians allow themselves to be bought and a bigger badder ATT is looking out to screw more users, we will point to other options as best as we can.

T-Mobile Has Been Quiet With High End Android

T-Mobile just revived the Sidekick brand with Android as the basis. But since G2, there have not been any high end Android device that enticed me to sign up. I am eagerly waiting for the LG Optimus 2X. Due to my lack of familiarity with LG's track record in mobile and providing timely Android update, I am still waiting to see if HTC has something coming to T-Mobile.

Why T-Mobile? Well, it was the first US wireless network to introduce the first ever Android device, the G1. I was one of the first to rush to the website to order it. So you'll have to forgive me if I'm partial to T-Mobile.

This is what I hope to see from our favorite wireless provider here at On Android. I like to see the following three Android devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S II - this is the next upgrade from the Galaxy update.  It is a natural fit.  As one of the two networks without Apple's iPhone, I see Samsung and T-Mobile as a perfect fit to highlight non-Apple phones and devices, particularly Android.  And having it run on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network would be a plus.
• Because of Verizon's size and Google's eagerness to act as a check-and-balance to the Apple-ATT alliance, most people think Verizon And Droid when they think about Android.  Well, now that Verizon has the iPhone, I like to see Motorola bring the devices that are branded "Droid" to T-Mobile.  Yeah, give me a dual-core Droid-like device, and I'll sign up right this second.  Don't give me that Cliq or the Charm is the best Motorola can bring to the game here.  The Defy is okay but it's so 2009.  Give me Droid X2 or Droid 3 GSM version any day.  
• HTC - we need you.  The G2, while is a HTC-made phone, it is not branded so.  Regardless, HTC has been kind of MIA in my opinion.  Heck, give me the ChaCha which looks like the original Android prototypes.  Oh, but just don't call it the ChaCha on T-Mobile.  There's talk and rumblings about a high end device coming.  I hope so.  The G2 just isn't it.  

My hope is that T-Mobile will have a very active second quarter in Android.  After the Optimus 2X, maybe that'll be when we'll see a couple more high end devices for loyal T-Mobile fans. And yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing Sony's Play in here somewhere too.

Mobile Payment Is Coming In A Big Way

The mainstream media has not caught on to it yet and I've talked about it here from time to time. But be prepared to be bombarded with tons of media reports, blogs, tweets, and e-mails about it in the coming weeks or months.

At week at the Mobile World Congress, near field communication, NFC, was being talked about as if it is the next holy grail of mobile. And to a follower of mobile happenings like myself, this is a big thing. In as few words as possible, NFC allows payments be made through mobile devices.

Think of this as what you can already do at Starbucks. You can order and pay through the app. Well, this will happen in a much much better way. There are a couple of devices on the market with NFC capability, specifically, Google's Nexus S. But as with some technology, being first doesn't mean much.

However, it is largely expected that Apple's next iOS hardware updates, including the next iPhone, will support mobile payment. And I expect an explosion of next generation Android devices to support this as well.

I really recommend reading up on it because just about everyone from your bank, credit card, wireless providers, and hardware companies will be getting in on this lucrative new business. Oh, and retailers would love this as well.

Also, there are also security concerns you'll need to be aware of.

So get ready media and ad blitz coming our way. I'll be devoting much much more attention than I have in the past. I started talking about almost two years ago, pointing the ease that the Japanese users have been able to enjoy with paying through their cell phones for years.

It'll be our turn soon.

Nexus S Now or LG Optimus X2 In 3-4 Month?

I have to say the the Nexus S is the best Android device. Not even the Galaxy which is it is based on comes close. Nor does any of the Droid variants. Why? Because the Nexus S is a Google phone. That's why. But it is based on tech that I consider to be a bit dated. And the question I ask myself is if I should go with the LG Optimus X2 powered by Nvidia's next generation Tegra 2 chip but I'll have to way anywhere from 3-4 months.

The latest on the street is that the Optimus will be coming to T-Mobile USA, which is the carrier I have. And in case you are not aware of this, so is the Nexus S. I'm still hanging in there with my G1. I know. It's very very old but I've been able to stay on top of things because I've had it rooted a while back and have been updating it with the various customized ROM. HTC, Google, and T-Mobile had long given up the G1 for dead. Shame on them.

So, if you're in a similar situation as I am, you have to wonder if it's worth updating today or waiting a bit. Go with tech that is more than a year old but still future proof or really hit it out of the park with Tegra 2, which in my mind is the future of anything Android, smartphone, tablet, or netbook (I'm of the mind that Chrome OS and Android will eventually merge).

And you have to also consider this. The Nexus S has an integrated near field communication (NFC) chip - further future proofing it for mobile payment. On the other hand, the Optimus 2X doesn't appear to have it.

And if mobile payment isn't for you, here is what may be a dealbreaker: Nexus S is Google's baby. The LG Optimus 2X is LG and whichever carrier's baby. Google treats its own differently than other hardware makers and their carrier partners will treat their own devices.

Google is more likely to work harder to push out Android updates while carriers and device makers really don't care all that much once the mobile user has signed the contract and made the purchase. Sure, carriers will make token updates here and there but from what I'm reading online, correct me if I'm wrong, most folks, stupid enough (that's me), savy enough, or brave enough, will have to go out into the wild wild Android rooting world to get the latest Android updates that device makers and carriers are slow to dish out if at all.

So, what to do? What would you do? What will you do?

Chrome OS And Android To Merge

It has always puzzled me that Google would first introduce the Android and the Chrome OS a few months later, setting up a competition between groups within Google to see which OS prevails.  Now, the creator of Gmail, who no longer has an relations with Google, believed the two OS will merge into one.  And I agree.

In one way or another, Google is not going to have a dual OS strategy.  It is simply too messy.  Not even Microsoft with years of experiences seem comfortable with this.  Nor is Apple doing this.  As a matter of fact, the conventional thinking is that Apple will merge iOS with OS X years down the line.

Right now, Chrome OS has the making of what the future of computing will look like.  Everything will be in the cloud and we will trust that connection to cloud data will be robust enough for us to put all our eggs there.  But I don't see that happen in the short-term.  Sure, we have already begin to save a lot of data on Android and Gmail on desktops and laptops on Google servers but we still do a lot of work that require local storage.

I am very interested in the opportunities that Chrome OS has to offer but I don't want my next netbook to be a dumb terminal.  Nor do I want that for my future Android device, whether it's tablet of smartphone.  But as a solo project, Chrome OS will not survive as we have come to know it.

This is how it'll play out.  Google will try to sell Chrome OS as an alternative to Windows in the netbook arena.  It might find some success but eventually, Android will gain a lot of Chrome OS' features and a couple of years later, Google will announcement that it has successfully merged to two but, in reality, Chrome OS will exist only as key components of Android.  

And folks, that ain't a bad thing.  

More at Techcrunch.

Android 2.2 Not Ready For Tablet Primetime Says Google

I don't want to get into a pissing contest with Steve Jobs about what is the perfect screen for the tablet. iPads have done will but Android's day under the tablet sky will come.

Right now there are a few unsanctioned Android tablets on the market if you're willing to chance it. Yeah, I thought so. So then therefor Samsung's Tab which will cost close to $1K unsubsidized, $400-600 depending on carrier subsidy.

But even then, Google has publicly said that Android 2.2 is not optimized for tablet use and we'll have to wait for Android 3.0 at the end of the year.

What's clear though is that Android tablets will flood the market early 2011. And if you thought waiting until then is hard, just wait until we have to chose between different versions, screen sizes, and which works best for us.

Tablet: Android Today, Chrome OS in 2011

I like to say go ahead and get the Samsung Tab or any other Android-based tablets if you can't wait. Why wait?

Well, Google has indicate that the latest version of Android 2.2 isn't tablet-friendly. And in fact, Samsung has said that some apps may not look good because they are not optimized for tablet use.

So what are we to do? A few year ago, being younger and more adventurous, I think I would get it no matter what warnings may come my way. Today, it's a little different.

But if I were to get one today, I would want to make sure that it is future-proof. By that, I mean the following two things.

First, I want to make sure that any tablet I get are free from carrier meddling. By that, I mean no crapware and I would not be at the mercy of the carrier for upgrades. Let face it, they are dar more interested in us buying new gears and signing multiple-year contracts than extending the life of our mobile gadgets, and that includes tablets.

Second, I want to make sure it is compatible with Android 3.0, which should be more suitable for tablet deployment. More importantly, I want to be sure the tablet is also Chrome OS ready. Google doesn't want to come out and say it but we get the feeling that Google believes the future of mobile should be Chrome OS and webapps, movin further away from Android and apps.

Ultimately, the best thing that can happen is for Google to launch and showcase what they think the ultimate tablet should be based on their philosophy much like they did with Nexus One. In fact, the tablet would be the perfect device for Google to try and get away from carriers.

We will know more in the next few weeks what the four major carriers in the US has planned for the Samsung Tab. We should learn more how upgradable it is and what upgrade path Samsung and Google plotted out.

Internet Withdrawal

Yesterday, I altered my T-Mobile wireless data plan: now, I am without data on my G1, iPhone, or my upcoming Sony Equinox. I have done away with wireless data completely. Why?

I find that I am too connected. At work, home, Stabucks, and bookstores. Not to mentioned between stops at intersections and anywhere that doesn't readily offer free wireless broadband. However, today, it was different. This afternoon, I went to a supermarket deli area for continuing work on my iPhone development. There was no Internet access there. But that was fine as I was able to get considerable amount if work done.

But then I went to my cousin's house for dinner. While he has wifi access, I didn't want to ask (he would have seen it as begging since he detests anything Apple), I held off on it.

It was problematic, not because I could not check my emails or tweet my about my withdrawal but I had a few missed calls that went directly to my Google Voice voicemail. The only solution was to call the missing numbers back but a couple of them I wanted to screen possible voice messages first.

And truly, there was discomfort. It was not so bad that I was going mad but it was like a really bad itch that I couldn't get rid of.

When I finally arrived home, within the range of my wifi network, the chime of mail beeped from my iDevices and I instantly fired up the mail app as soon as I put my car into park on the driveway.

You know what it felt like? Like I was coming up for air after holding my breath for along time underwater.

Okay, you might think me pathetic or exaggerating this ordeal. Okay, perhaps a bit. But the feeling of disconnect certainly was there.

Hoe long can I last with this experiment? I don't know. I am very good at adapting. And the reason I wanted to do this was I was afraid the constant connectivity was preventing from stopping now and then to "smell the flowers". I saw my nephew appreciate his new Wii. Had I had Internet access, I might have missed much of it.

I think this is for the best. Should a greater need require that I have wireless Internet access at all time, I can always get it back.

I'll continue to update my wireless-less experiment as well as my iPhone development experience. Hopefully, both endeavors will turn out well and fruitful.

Note: I was offered an option to being back my data at a considerable discount. But even with this enticement, I will try to hold out longer. Not only that, I was even offered for free a brand new Android device for being such a long and loyal customer. Yeah, I passed on that too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Android: Open But For Who?

Android has been billed as open. Based on Linux, it is open-source. Okay. But when we like to compare Android to the iOS ecosystem, we like to say it open. Apple's iPhone and iTunes definitely is not.

But what is this definition of open? And for who?

I have to root my G1 to install the tethering app. Without performing some hairy digital surgery, there was no way to install and use the app. And T-Mobile was not about to provide me with the keys to the kingdom, willingly or otherwise.

And of course, the marketplace is open for most apps and most developers. There is hardly any policing (hence, the increasing regularity of trojan horse apps). There is of course a great number of virtues in this. For developers.

What about for consumers?

When the sales guys at Verizon, ATT, Sprint, or T-Mobile tooted the Android phones as open compared to the iPhone, are we the consumers suppose to know they mean for the developers and not for the consumers to do with the phones as we wish? That certain functions are locked out but the device OS and SDK remains open for developers to create any app they want. And even if can find and download those apps, we, as Android users can't use them.

In that case, isn't the iPhone just as open? As an Android user, I like to feel like I can rely on the strengths of the platform. Mostly, the Google apps and less curating involved. I think that alone is enough to entice users.

Open it is not but Android does offer a plethora of devices. Choices.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

T-Mobile's G2 Is Fast? How Fast?

I put in a double meaning for "fast" here. T-Mobile's G2, basically the replacement for the G1, is pretty fast compared to the Galaxy S (Vibrant and Captivate for ATT) and Droid 2. The following graph is a benchmark of a GLBenchmark.

It is just behind Droid 2 but ahead of the Galaxy. And this despite being handicapped at 800Mhz. However, it does sport a newer more efficient CPU from Qualcomm.

Like TmoNews says, it's the performance that matters most.

Now for the other meaning of fast? How about pre-order on Friday (it's already Friday except the West Coast of the United States). Apparently, Best Buy is going ahead with the pre-order. Looks like we'll see the G2 in our hands in early October.

More at Tmo-News.  It's getting exciting.  Looks like Christmas is coming early for some of us!

No Bing For Me, Or Other Non-Verizon Users

I like trying new things, especially new apps and mobile tech. So when I learned that Bing will be available today, I waited patiently for it. When it didn't appear in the Marketplace, I started to dig around.

It turned out that Bing is only available for Verizon Wireless customers with Android phones. Hen this fact hit me: the Marketplace isn't equal for all.

In fact, Microsoft acknowleged the desire to bring Bing to all Android devices, the Marketplace filtered out non-VW queries.

The implications of this is pretty big. It means that developers can be locked out of some carriers depending on whatever deals are agreed upon.

Some apps may be denied because of carrier-specific feature. Others may be if a carrier signs deal with a developer. Today, it is Bing, Microsoft has a search deal with VW. But what about tomorrow? It may be the next hottest game.

Imagine if T-Mobile has an exclusive lock on any new EA games for a period if time. Or if ATT decides it wants to lock out some content because another part of its empire is having some licensing dispute with the content owners.

I am just not sure Google in trying to vie for mobile dominance should allow carriers so much control. Sure, Bing is a Google search competitor and wouldn't mind seeing as little of Microsoft on the mobile platform it fathered (or mothered), this app store policy may backfire some day when it is an app that all Android users want but find that they must be on a specific carrier in order to use it.

- Posted using Blogpress

The Chips Inside Android

I never thought we would be getting into discussions about CPUs on the mobile devices like the way we did in the PC realm. AMD versus Intel. Ghz versus Ghz or quad-core versus octo-core. But I decided to dig a bit into the CPUs that run the Android devices on the market.

Why would I hope up this can of worms? Because I'm interested in the G2, T-Mobile's next generation Android device and the first to support the upgraded HSPA+ network.

So this will be brief.

Are the Days of Unlimited Wireless Internet Over?

Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell.

How will this play out?

More at Onxo.

What I Learned At T-Mobile Store: Vibrant And HSPA+

I went to the T-Mobile store today to check out the Samsung Vibrant.  I'm still kind of on the fence about it.  But while I was there I thought I'd share a few things the employees there shared with me regarding HSPA+ and what T-Mobile has planned for it.

Right now, the HSPA+ network is still being built out and my neighborhood just got upgraded in the last month (which of course means nothing to you).  T-Mobile hopes to capitalize on the new network by offering data cards first for laptops where they can charge more for it.

Currently, there are no HSPA+ ready mobile devices.  As you probably know, the Vibrant isn't HSPA+ ready and the T-Mobile folks at the store aren't sure when the devices will be out to support it.  Well, as disappointed as I was, I really appreciate the  honesty.

Then I came across this Boy Genius Report post updating T-Mobile's HSPA+ plan for the rest of the year:

• New "4G-like speed" network will cover 185 million users by the end of the year.
• webConnect Rocket USB stick will get a broader roll out soon.
• Dell Inspiron Mini 10 will be available in store so you can use it with the webConnect.  I'm not sure why this is a big deal.  Can't you use it with other laptops or netbooks?
• Provided a list of cities that are currently HSPA+ ready.

As for myself, I really liked what I saw in the Vibrant and features and capabilities that I had the opportunity to play with.  I also asked the folks there about the battery life.  Now, they're there to make a sale so you'll have to take what they say with a grain of salt.  But they charge the Vibrant's battery overnight and it gets used and abused through the business hours by customers and it never needed an afternoon nap or anything like that.

If true, I'm impressed given what every is saying about Sprint's HTC EVO.  Oh, and the Vibrant took great pics and videos for a handset.  And playing "Avatar" on the 4" screen was absolutely incredible.  

I'm on a budget so I'm not going to go back in there until later in August at the very earliest.  Plus, I'm considering experiment going without wireless for a few months just to see how I adjust to a "normal" life.  But from ten to fifteen minutes I spent with the Vibrant, you can't go wrong with it.

Also, if you go on the Web to read reviews and hand-ons, you'll notice a lot of folks company about the lack of an LED flash for the camera and a frontal facing camera for video conferencing.  First, the vid chat.  There is no official Android protocol from Google for this feature.  Only Facetime from Apple works well from my experience.  Fring does not come close.  Vid chat is not going to take off for another year or two anyway.

But I can see the deal breaker being the lack of LED flash for the camera.  I don't understand the omission.  Other than that, the Vibrant lives up to its name.

More at BGR on the HSPA+ update.

Android App Market - Users Will Pay For Quality Apps

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a post compared to other mobile users, Android users are downloading apps but not really buy them, meaning that Android users like free apps rather than paid ones.

I did not react well to it but then I took a look at the guy in the mirror and shut up. I’ve yet to buy one single app for my G1 while I’ve spent quite a bit for my iOS devices. Why?

I think the two platforms are going after different types of users and it isn’t to say that we Android folks are cheap. This is evident in that I do buy apps from the iTunes app store, just not from Marketplace. There are a couple of reasons.

T-Mobile Needs To Allows Folks To Upgrade Early

A strange thing just happened. It's business as usual over at T-Mobile USA. I just tried to see if I can upgrade a month early. See my contract ends next month but I'm trying to see if I can get the Samsung Vibrant, T-Mobile's version of the Galaxy S. No go.

Meanwhile, ATT and Verizon Wireless are allow users whose contracts are up between now and the end of December to upgrade early. As the number 4 mobile provider in the US, T-Mobile needs to be more flexible.

As Android fans, things don't get better than the last few months with tons of high-end HTC devices coming to the market. Motorola is getting a second wind with Droid X and Droid 2. But Samsung is covering the whole market from top to bottom with its flagship Galaxy S.

So with plenty of Android competitions, not to mention Apple's iPhone 4 juggernaut, T-Mobile needs to do all it can to stay competitive. As the originator of the Android platform with the HTC G1, I like to see them do more. Since the G1, all the Android attention has been on Verizon. And for my fellow Android users who are with Verizon, I'm sure things are pretty good there.

But since then, I can't get T-Mobile has really gone the extra mile. What's going for it is the new HPSA+ network that it is trying to complete. Now, all T-Mobile needs are more power users like myself with a lot more high end Android phones.

It also helps if T-Mobile is more flexible with the two-year contract deadlines and upgrades. Especially someone who has been with them for six years. Just saying...

For now, I'll wait. Either way, I'll be getting an Android device or tablet this year. Maybe not necessarily with T-Mobile. At the end of the day, I'm first and forth-most a mobile fan.

Free Android Devices From T-Mobile and HSPA+ Deployed To More Cities

Below is a repost from Onxo where I discussed the great news of HSPA+ now more widely available to T-Mobile's customers.  And just in time as well.

On June 19th, T-Mobile will give free phones to customers who signed up for qualified plans.  And these are not the run-of-the-mill handsets.  These T-Mobile's top Android devices that are part of the mix.  So if you're looking for a great Android device, T-Mobile has something for you.  Here is a list of what'll be part of this deal on Saturday:

• HTC - myTouch 3G Slide - keyboard is rather decent in my tests
• HTC - HD 2 - pretty nice but runs an aged Windows Mobile
• Garminfone - just released and T-Mobile is making sure this is part of the Father's Day deal.
• MOT - Cliq XT - not the best Android phone but it'll be free!
• There are other Android but since they're kind of old, I don't think it's worth mentioning.

Now, the repost about the HSPA+ network T-Mobile has implemented:

Full disclosure.  I am partial to T-Mobile USA. And Sprint PCS was my first mobile service provider back in the, well, dark ages of cellular service.  It's it's difficult for me to pit the two against each other but since I'm with T-Mobile now, I'm going to plug them a bit here.  And there's good reason.

And T-Mobile has announced its next generation 3G service, HSPA+ for 25 metropolitan areas including major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, and Atlanta.  I've waited and waited and its finally here for my city.  By the end of June, HSPA+ service will cover 75 million users.  Devices that work includes 15 handsets and a dedicated USB modem, the webConnect Rocket.

Between now and then, T-Mobile hope to blanket over 185 million users with the service.  Furthermore, T-Mobile doesn't seem to imply it has issues its bigger rival, ATT, has.  Recently, ATT announced pretty anemic wireless plans that ration wireless Internet access.

T-Mobile, as well as Sprint, do not have any such plans.  In fact, T-Mobile is considering metered speed rather than rationed access.  Personally, with my two-year contract up and despite my love for the iPhone 4, I am not sure I'm going to migrate over to ATT just to use the latest and greatest mobile device from Apple.

More impressive is that T-Mobile seems to imply they've got plenty of bandwidth to go around.  I've advocated Apple bring the iPhone over to T-Mobile in the past and, recently, this seems more plausible.

So while Sprint has EVO, Verizon has Droid, and ATT has iPhone 4, T-Mobile has HSPA+ with devices like myTouch, Garminfone, and the upcoming Galaxy S from Samsung, T-Mobile's stars could be aligned for once:  strong lineup and the network to back it up.

More at Engadget, TmoNews,

Note:  HSPA+.  This is T-Mobile's "4G-like" 3G service with a theoretical upload of 21Mbps.  In reality, it's not even close but for the moment, users could care less as T-Mobile was a late comer to the 3G wireless services.  However, with this deployment, it has really surpassed Verizon Wireless as well as ATT and rival Sprint's WiMax, a true 4G wireless connection.

Another note:  On June 19th, T-Mobile will be offering phones to users who sign up for qualified plans.  A lot of these phones are Android-based.  This is one of the best deals I've seen.

Last note:  For more on the Father's Day deal, you can head over to T-Mobile or Tmonews has the scoop.

WiMax In Los Angeles?

Being in LA is a good thing at times.  We're close to Hollywood, sunshine, beaches, and hotties all around.  But when it comes to tech, we're almost always the last to get it. High speed bandwidth like DSL and cable in the 90s.  We can pretty much forget about fiber optics.  That seems to be the came for wireless connection as well.

I went to Radio Shack today to play with the EVO and also order an iPhone 4 for my cousin.  In talking to the fellows who work there, they noticed my extreme interest in the EVO.  But I complained about having to pay for the 4G surcharge when we have no idea when I'll see WiMax being supported in my neighborhood.

So he said he understood which is why he's waiting as well.  He'll be jumping ship to Sprint from Verizon.  But he expects it soon. According to him, West LA already has WiMax coverage (I didn't know that) and my area is currently being tested.

He thinks it'll happen end of summer.

Anyway, I thought I pass that along in case anyone in LA is wondering about WiMax.

As for my impression with EVO, there was no working one to play with. But I did like the size.  I am not sure I like the plastic nature of the device.  While I don't like Droid's keyboard, I do like the toughness it conveys.

Galaxy S will be out for T-Mobile in July and I play on giving it a good look through because another Galaxy version will be available for Sprint that supports WiMax later this year.

I'm still waiting to see what the iPhone 4 has to offer when I pick it up for my cousin on the 24th.  I like to stay with T-Mobile and I'll be rooting for the Galaxy big time.  But that depends on when HPSA+ is available.  I imagine it'll happen around the same time as when WiMax becomes available for Los Angeles.  I'll pit Sprint's 4G versus T-Mobile's supercharged 3G network to decide then.

Meanwhile, my G1 is hanging in there.

Mobile Advice: Update G1 to Android 2.1; You Won't Regret It

A friend dropped her iPhone into a lake recently, and being the gentleman, I lent her my iPhone since it'll hold her over until the next iPhone launch.  Yes, I also recommended the Nexus One and EVO to her.

But I don't use my G1 much because Android 1.6 was so dated compared to 2.1 and what we now know about Froyo, the latest Android build.

So, following the wiki instructions from Cyanogenmod, I was able to upgrade the G1 to Android 2.1 with Cyanogenmod 5.0.7.  It was a quick and simply process and these folks really know their game.

One thing I do recommend you do:  Follow the freaking instructions letter for letter!  Yeah, there was a part where you're asked to do a backup.  Do the backup.  It really saved me because I skipped a couple of steps and confirmations earlier in the process.  It was really a prep that you need to before flashing Android 2.1.

Now, how does it run?  It seems to run smoother than Android 1.6 despite being a more sophisticated OS.  I especially like the live wallpaper feature but I quickly turned it off (downloaded the Matrix version) since I didn't really need it.

There is an widget that I don't know if it came with Nexus One that allows quick access to turning on and off any features that might be a battery drain.  Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and the ability to have three preset screen brightness.

If you're adventurous, give it a go.  Definitely recommend it.  And honestly, if I can do it, 99.99% of you can as well.