[drphoto]

As a pro photographer, I've only used Macs. The first computer I encountered back in HS was an Apple II. So it seemed natural that when it was time to get a smartphone I would get the iPhone but, I went w/ an EVO.

Mostly, it was for practical reasons. I'd lost my 'dumb' phone, and my contract was not up, so I could pay the kill fee, or loose my #. Had to keep the # for business reasons.

Sprint has a better plan. I get unlimited data, messaging and all the talk time I can use for at least $20/month less than on AT&T. Plus this thing can act as a wifi hotspot for no upcharge, which might be cool if I need to connect my Powerbook wirelessly.

Reviewers rate the connection speed and phone quality as better. I've not compared but the phone quality is great. Apparantly, Sprint is way ahead in getting actual 4G connection implemented. Remember a 4G phone does not mean you have a 4G connection. We don't have it here, but should be coming soon, as it already in surrounding markets.

Yeah, it's not quite as sexy looking as the iPhone, but it's very similar. A larger display, which I like, but not quite as high as resolution as the iPhone.

I know the iPhone as a huge number of apps, but the EVO does have built in turn by turn GPS, and I was able to download the one app I really wanted.....a golf course GPS.

Music libraries....sure....but, not iTunes. Frankly, I could care less. I don't want to listen to music on any portable device.

Battery life is supposed to be somewhat shorter, but it is swappable, which you can't do on the iPhone. W/ purchase of car charger, they threw in a spare battery.

The verdict? I like it...a lot. Though my hand was somewhat forced, I have to say I'm quite pleased w/ this. It's a very nice piece of kit. Sorry Steve!!

[jparkhur]

Ditto... better plan, screen and abilities beyond the norm.  I am a true apple fan, 15 over the years.  If Sprint had an iPhone..... i may think about it.. but i need a hot spot..

[Crimson]

Good luck. Here's to hoping you don't have to call their customer service.

[Pez]

Hey, if I couldn't own an iPhone I would probably have bought the HTC... ah who am I kidding, I'm with ATT! I've already made every sacrifice to own an iphone, theres no 'if' scenario for me.   

[mchuckp]

Ditto... better plan, screen and abilities beyond the norm.  I am a true apple fan, 15 over the years.  If Sprint had an iPhone..... i may think about it.. but i need a hot spot..

Better screen?  Never used an Evo, just having a hard time believing someone has outdone Apple's Retina display.  That thing is amazing.

[MaxCast]

Way to go, Joe.  I went from a VERY basic phone I always left in my truck to a smart phone.  I was concerned with the new added responsibility of keeping track of my new child (iphone) but all is well.  I carry it with me all the time and I rarely use if for phoning and I don't even text.  Directions, email, internet, sports apps.
I don't know what all the disappointment is with ATT although we just got 3G in my area     I've never had a problem with them and they took care of a couple boo boos on my bill.

[MaxCast]

Better screen?  Never used an Evo, just having a hard time believing someone has outdone Apple's Retina display.  That thing is amazing.

I think he is referring to size.  I thought the itouch had a great screen when I got that last year.  Now it looks like mush compared to the i4.

[wilsynet]

Remote App for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.  Works with iTunes, which is the basis of my music library hosted on the Mac Mini.  A killer app for me.

[skunark]

Last year my very pro-Apple friend switched from the iPhone 3GS to the HTC EVO, he gave it three months and switched to an iPhone 4. Essentially breaking two cell contracts, so I'm sure he will think twice again about switching between carriers.     

He wouldn't admit it, but I guess the reason for the switch is to experience the awesome adobe flash support.  Being an adobe flash developer, I got the impression he didn't want to be left behind and was eager to try it.  His reasoning was to try something new and branch out..  I silently laughed at his excuse but I agree it's good to branch out to the unknown.   I've been trying to get him to use Linux for years to no avail, and had that opportunity to remind him that the Android is a custom linux distro.

He really only had two complaints about the EVO.
* Battery life on the EVO is very poor, about 4-6 hours.  He's a heavy user though and doubt most folks send 3-5k texts a month and watches videos daily on it.
* Difficult to sync his google email, calendar, contacts between his various computers, along with music and videos.  He ended up using doubletwist for the media, but had to rely on the web to access his google stuff.   Perhaps there's a client for the Mac.

After he switched to the iPhone 4, he said he noticed the little things that the Android OS hasn't polished yet, mostly along the lines of app switching and interoperability between the apps.   Three months is long enough to trial a phone with a kickstand, but I was shocked he switched back so soon and not wait out a year.

On a side note, rumors have it that Apple is allowing Microsoft to use iTunes for the windows 7 phones. The remote app i guess is up on their store for $1.99.   Curious what Palm thinks about all of this.

[mgalusha]

* Difficult to sync his google email, calendar, contacts between his various computers, along with music and videos.  He ended up using doubletwist for the media, but had to rely on the web to access his google stuff.

That surprises me since android is written by google. I've had my Evo since they first came out and have no problems with gmail/calendar/contacts/tasks, they stay in sync with no issues. Odd. As for media, I can imagine that isn't nearly as good but since I don't use mine for music or video it's a non issue for me. Overall I'm very happy with the phone. Unless I play far too much angry birds or some such I don't have any battery issues.

[mchuckp]

I think he is referring to size.  I thought the itouch had a great screen when I got that last year.  Now it looks like mush compared to the i4.

LOL!  I had the same experience.  I have a 1st gen Touch and has been flawless for me for many years.  I didn't use it for awhile and got used to my iPhone 4 screen.  After picking up my touch again, it was almost laughable how much better the Retina screen is vs the older Touches.

[Gopher]

That surprises me since android is written by google. I've had my Evo since they first came out and have no problems with gmail/calendar/contacts/tasks, they stay in sync with no issues. Odd. As for media, I can imagine that isn't nearly as good but since I don't use mine for music or video it's a non issue for me. Overall I'm very happy with the phone. Unless I play far too much angry birds or some such I don't have any battery issues.

I'm also baffled by this...   He left the Android OS for better Google support/integration...      mmmkay.

I'm still using a rooted/romed HTC Hero (though my wife has an Epic )and have no idea how he drew that conclusion.

[Pez]

As far as the problems w/ Google calendar etc, my wife and I wholly abandoned Google calendars after severe issues with duplicating data. it got to the point where we would have 8-10 appointments for the same damn thing for no reason that we could figure out. Also setting up Gmail on my wife's iPhone 4 was nothing short of maddening (despite the fact that I simply ported over her old iPhone 3gs data, yet Gmail somehow broke due to a known issue with google). I eventually had to use a work around that worked for about 1 month then quit working and I had to fix the problem yet again.

Google, while better than Microsoft is still a huge step down in my opinion from Apple.

[Gopher]

I don't share your history of problems with google, however I can understand and appreciate that it was your actual experience and you have every right to base you opinions at large on them.

Irrespective of how good or bad gmail, google calendar, contacts, etc., is in anyones opinion--what baffles me is that someone would leave the google operating system for better google support...

[skunark]

That surprises me since android is written by google. I've had my Evo since they first came out and have no problems with gmail/calendar/contacts/tasks, they stay in sync with no issues. Odd. As for media, I can imagine that isn't nearly as good but since I don't use mine for music or video it's a non issue for me. Overall I'm very happy with the phone. Unless I play far too much angry birds or some such I don't have any battery issues.

It wasn't issues between google and the droid just between the droid and the Mac, issues on how they synced data (mail, calendars etc) or lack of it.    Problaby along the lines of switching between unix mail and outlook both get the job done but after what can be a very painful transition there are still differences. 

[drphoto]

I would have preferred the iPhone, but was not willing to pay to break existing contract or wait until up. I posted just to say I'm not dissapointed by the EVO. Like Mike, I don't care about portable music, and I have no devices that could use it's capablility as a remote. I would like that hipsamatic retro camera app though. The one for the EVO  is not nearly as slick. And I do think the iPhone interface is nicer and more intuitive.

But the big advantage is the cost of the plan. I'd be paying at least $30/month more for what I get w/ Sprint.

So, I don't feel like the kid who wanted a game console for Xmas, and got socks and underwear. Maybe more like the one who wanted an Xbox, and got a PS3, or viceversa. (dunno there....not a gamer)

Oh....the battery. Yep, that big screen cost power, but the battery is swappable. And, of course if you bring a cord, you can charge it off a computer w/ USB.

I'm looking forward to seeing if the golf GPS app works well. That was one thing I really wanted. Heck a dedicated golf GPS unit cost as much as the phone.

[mgalusha]

I'm looking forward to seeing if the golf GPS app works well. That was one thing I really wanted. Heck a dedicated golf GPS unit cost as much as the phone.

The GPS itself is quite good, I suspect the golf app will be very dependent on how well they mapped the courses. The GPS is good enough to show me where in my house I am when in satellite view on the maps. Cool but a little off putting.

[drphoto]

The more I use this thing, the more I like it. The 'turn by turn' GPS is as good as any stand alone unit. There are workarounds for iTunes music, though that doesn't concern me. The camera and video are not as good, but the savings in the cost of service is substantial. It really is unlimited everything for $80/month. Some people gripe that they charge an extra $10/month for 4G to people who don't have it. I say so what, it's still cheaper than ATT&T or Verizon and they really do have 4G in some markets, which is expanding. Plus it has WiFi hotspot included.

  I originally got this instead the iPhone, because I I was locked into the Sprint plan, but If now, if given the choice.....I think I go w/ this one. Still an Apple fan, and any computer upgrades will remain w/ them. But I like this unit and highly recommend it if you are in the market for a mobile device.