The Fairest Fight: Samsung i8910 HD vs Google Nexus One

interesting,
not sure of the nexus edging it in the maps and navigation part. seemed fairly even there.

I love the idea of the I8910 but the fisher price style front end (TouchWiz; even the name sounds like a kids toy) really put me off.

I'll echo the sentiment from the phones show chat, get google software in nokia hardware then we'll see whats what.

Off topic but I feel the need to say it I'm enjoying the n900 enormously. 😊

Nexus One is actually metal and plastic, the bezel around the screen wrapping round the back of the device is metal not plastic.

The Nexus One is actually the same price in the UK (before shipping) as it is in the USA, you do have the option of paying extra for a UK charger, but you don't need to as the one in the box works fine with an adaptor. (or you can use a Nokia microSD charger)
Yes you do end up paying VAT which makes it dearer in the UK, US prices never include Sales Tax as every state is different.

The screen on my Nexus One is perfectly calibrated.

The Nexus One is getting Flash 10.1 (rumoured to be the first device to get it) in an update http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlWOocHwcLo

You also pay extra import duty on top of VAT when you ship an item in from outside EU. It puts the price of the Nexus up to about �450 including the shipping.

Noted, Nick, now that the N1 has cooled down a little, I can feel the metal - it's tricky when there are no temperature differentials though 8-)

Comparing phones purely on specification is of limited use, or we could all choose our phones using a special edition of Top Trumps.

As for the effect of touching the screens and the residue left behind, this is as much a characteristic of the user as the screen. Some have more dry skin than others.

>>Comparing phones purely on specification is of limited use, or we could all choose our phones using a special edition of Top Trumps.

Exactly. Which is why I add all sorts of insightful comments. Hopefully.

>>As for the effect of touching the screens and the residue left behind, this is as much a characteristic of the user as the screen. Some have more dry skin than others.

Exactly. Again. People with dry skin won't be able to use these phones AT ALL. I have dry skin in the mornings (e.g. after bath/shower) and many screen taps don't work. Later in the day, when my skin's greasier, capacitive screens work a treat.

Not something people usually consider, but hey.... 8-)

If you go by the built in browsers, then yes, Android is superior.

But if you include Opera Mobile 10, then Symbian wins that one by a distance. 100/100 on Acid3 tests is damn impressive for a mobile browser!

Biggles wrote:If you go by the built in browsers, then yes, Android is superior.

But if you include Opera Mobile 10, then Symbian wins that one by a distance. 100/100 on Acid3 tests is damn impressive for a mobile browser!

Opera Mobile 10 for Android is on its way.

slitchfield wrote:>>Comparing phones purely on specification is of limited use, or we could all choose our phones using a special edition of Top Trumps.

Exactly. Which is why I add all sorts of insightful comments. Hopefully.

>>As for the effect of touching the screens and the residue left behind, this is as much a characteristic of the user as the screen. Some have more dry skin than others.

Exactly. Again. People with dry skin won't be able to use these phones AT ALL. I have dry skin in the mornings (e.g. after bath/shower) and many screen taps don't work. Later in the day, when my skin's greasier, capacitive screens work a treat.

Not something people usually consider, but hey.... 8-)

What I should have said, I don't get that much smearing even with prolonged use. And it does work.

Nice words for the Nexus One from Steve Litchfield! I have recently switched to a Nexus One to tide me over until (or if) Nokia sorts out things with Symbian and Maemo. The camera isn't as nice, but the web browser, navigation, and e-mail software are better and enough to convince me to give Android 2.1 a try.

Unregistered wrote:Opera Mobile 10 for Android is on its way.

True and I look forward to that because it's good for mobile internet all round.

But for end users, that day isn't here yet so my point remains valid.

Biggles wrote:True and I look forward to that because it's good for mobile internet all round.

But for end users, that day isn't here yet so my point remains valid.

Not really. Because Opera is let down badly, very badly by flash support.

Have to disagree about the navigation and firmware points...

The i8910 has Route66 AND Google Maps, so the Nexus One "win" of Google Maps is not really a win at all.

Samsung have confirmed more than once that they are continuing to provide software updates for the i8910. Indeed a fairly big update (including improved web browser and full kinetic scrolling) is due this month.

Android has several navigation apps available. However, if you are in the USA, you get Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation for free with Android 2.1. That's better than what they make available for other platforms.

stuclark wrote:Have to disagree about the navigation and firmware points...

The i8910 has Route66 AND Google Maps, so the Nexus One "win" of Google Maps is not really a win at all.

.

Google Maps is not a win against Route 66 or any nav software, Google maps is completely lame as a nav app because of its need for connectivity.

I don't know what it is about Android, but somehow it's just dull. It's a catchup on the iPhone interface, after the Lord Mayors show. If it wants to really catch the imagination then it needs to be a step change, a game changer, something spectacularly different instead of just more of the same. Still way ahead of the current S60 interface that Nokia/Samsung/SE use on Symbian phones, but not special enough to stand out like iPhone did when it appeared.

Steve stop sending viruses to my email every time I make a negative comment.
Get a clue from Endadget, Gizmodo and BGR comments and don't be such a thinned skin fanboy.
You deleted my post because I spoke the truth.

Admin note: Actually I (Rafe) deleted your post because it was discourteous and insulting. The above, thanks to the first line, would also fall into the 'to delete' category. We welcome all contributions and points of view, but please be polite when making them. If you have any questions or feedback on this you are welcome to email me personally.

@josesxi

I am glad he deleted your post, sure it made some valid points, but you can make your point without being insulting.

@josexsi

Don't kid yourself, cowboy. Engadget and Gizmodo would ban you.

"Google Maps is not a win against Route 66 or any nav software, Google maps is completely lame as a nav app because of its need for connectivity."

I disagree. Yes, it is a disadvantage needing connectivity, but it is included (i.e. free). If I want to download another app, I can do so. Route 66, Ovi Maps, etc. require subscriptions. I tried Google Maps Navigation on my way home the other day and it worked as well as Garmin XT and Ovi Maps did on my N97. Actually, it was a little better, since it recognized that I was on the ramp to the lower level of the GW Bridge in NYC, while Garmin XT and Ovi Maps would always assume I was on the upper level, no matter which way I went.

Kudos Steve! Great job!

I'm really enjoying all the insights that you share about these new Android phones and I am even quite impressed with how non-partisan you have been.

It's observations like this that keep me coming back for more.

You are starting to make all them other 'fanboys' look bad by continuing to produce articles such as this.

You and Tim make an awesome tandem, please, keep up the great work!

don't know but the Nexus One does look more beautiful than the OmniaHD

[QUOTE=KPO'M;454717]"Google Maps is not a win against Route 66 or any nav software, Google maps is completely lame as a nav app because of its need for connectivity."

I disagree. Yes, it is a disadvantage needing connectivity, but it is included (i.e. free). If I want to download another app, I can do so. Route 66, Ovi Maps, etc. require subscriptions. I tried Google Maps Navigation on my way home the other day and it worked as well as Garmin XT and Ovi Maps did on my N97. Actually, it was a little better, since it recognized that I was on the ramp to the lower level of the GW Bridge in NYC, while Garmin XT and Ovi Maps would always assume I was on the upper level, no matter which way I went.[/QUOTE]

That's great. However, even though I have only visited NYC three times in my life, I am 100% that if I was driving around the George Washington bridge of anywhere in that area I could fairly well navigate by looking out of the window. Information like which level I am and which ramp would all be plain obvious using nothing more than the basic biological equipment that I was born with. Look up, there's a roof, so I must be on the lower level.

If I had left NYC and was heading out to Buffalo and had come off the 90 I would be in real need of some navigation assistance. Unfortunately in this area I have no signal and no data connectivity so Google Maps is useless. Looks like I need another nav app or my AAA atlas. Google = Fail. I don't understand why google did that, it's completely stupid and unacceptable. I expect it to change within 12 months.

Hello All -- I'm a long time AAS reader, but infrequent commentator

I'm after a new device. Without too much "it depends on your use case, etc", what's better, the N900 or Nexus One?

I'm in the UK.

Thanks

[QUOTE=KPO'M;454717]"Google Maps is not a win against Route 66 or any nav software, Google maps is completely lame as a nav app because of its need for connectivity."

I disagree. Yes, it is a disadvantage needing connectivity, but it is included (i.e. free). If I want to download another app, I can do so. Route 66, Ovi Maps, etc. require subscriptions. I tried Google Maps Navigation on my way home the other day and it worked as well as Garmin XT and Ovi Maps did on my N97. Actually, it was a little better, since it recognized that I was on the ramp to the lower level of the GW Bridge in NYC, while Garmin XT and Ovi Maps would always assume I was on the upper level, no matter which way I went.[/QUOTE]

I totally disagree, especially when roaming - international data charges make Google maps a ludicrously expensive proposition.

Ovi Maps - definitely subscription, but Route 66 is only subscription after the first year for safety cameras, traffic, weather, etc.

Google Maps is okay to a point, but the reliance on data is damn awkward - you could easily find yourself without signal and therefore screwed if you were reliant upon the satnav.

I mentioned the GW Bridge because the on and off-ramps are on opposite sides if you are on the upper vs. lower levels. If it can't tell which ramp you are on, it will tell you to keep left for the FDR instead of right, for instance. Anyway, the larger point is this. It is included in the box, along with turn-by-turn navigation. If you want an app with downloadable maps, it costs extra. By contrast, Symbian offers downloadable maps in the box, but turn-by-turn navigation costs extra.

For many people, Free Google maps with turn-by-turn navigation and optional paid map applications with downloadable maps is better than free downloadable maps with paid turn-by-turn navigation.

clonmult wrote:I totally disagree, especially when roaming - international data charges make Google maps a ludicrously expensive proposition.

Ovi Maps - definitely subscription, but Route 66 is only subscription after the first year for safety cameras, traffic, weather, etc.

Google Maps is okay to a point, but the reliance on data is damn awkward - you could easily find yourself without signal and therefore screwed if you were reliant upon the satnav.

I have an unlimited data plan (which is basically all that is sold in the US), and when I'm overseas I use local SIM cards to get flat-rate data. It's a moot point since Google Maps Navigation is only for the US for now. It might change when Nexus One is released elsewhere.

Anyway there are apps like CoPilot available for Android. I'm not familiar with Route 66. If it is indeed include with the Samsung then it is a good deal.

[QUOTE=KPO'M;454763]I have an unlimited data plan (which is basically all that is sold in the US), and when I'm overseas I use local SIM cards to get flat-rate data. It's a moot point since Google Maps Navigation is only for the US for now. It might change when Nexus One is released elsewhere.

Anyway there are apps like CoPilot available for Android. I'm not familiar with Route 66. If it is indeed include with the Samsung then it is a good deal.[/QUOTE]

I use a dedicated sat nav. It has turn by turn out of the box, full and detailed maps and cost very little. The phone is then free of nav duties and the dedicated unit is better than any phone app I've seen. By a long distance.

It's good news that a great many people benefit from free turn by turn as supplied with GM on the Nexus one. Unfortunately for those people, there will be times when they have got no map and they will hate google for being so incredibly lame.

Unregistered wrote:I use a dedicated sat nav. It has turn by turn out of the box, full and detailed maps and cost very little. The phone is then free of nav duties and the dedicated unit is better than any phone app I've seen. By a long distance.

It's good news that a great many people benefit from free turn by turn as supplied with GM on the Nexus one. Unfortunately for those people, there will be times when they have got no map and they will hate google for being so incredibly lame.

You haven't used much in the way of satnav then, have you?

I've had a few satnavs over the years, as well as a few different apps. TomTom, either on WM or Symbian is practically identical in every way to the dedicated units. I never particularly liked Route 66, nor do I really like Ovi Maps. Sygic McGuider is a cracking application, and makes for a fine sat nav - easily as good as, if not better, than a dedicated unit.

I don't see what a dedicated unit can offer over a phone other than potentially having a larger screen.

clonmult wrote:You haven't used much in the way of satnav then, have you?

Yes, I've used just about all of them.

clonmult wrote:
I've had a few satnavs over the years, as well as a few different apps. TomTom, either on WM or Symbian is practically identical in every way to the dedicated units.

LOL! That's the joke of the year. Well, the joke of this thread at least.
Not once have I ever seen a dedicated TomTom take a call whilst navigating a town centre, and sticking an info screen up over the map. Of course I could disable the network but then.....

clonmult wrote:

I don't see what a dedicated unit can offer over a phone other than potentially having a larger screen.

Have you driven any of the latest cars with built-in GPS screens.

LOL. They free your phone up so it can do its day job for a start. But aside from that, the whole of the internals can be dedicated to satnav, that includes the antenna which is can be larger and more effective. I have tested many and the dedicated get better signals in sheltered locations and can do it without A-GPS.

I can see how a phone could lower the cost of connected GPS to feed realtime traffic and other information to the SatNav app to help the driver much in the way that the more expensive commercial/haulage/premium ones do. But I would still want a seperate phone for phone functions.