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Smartphones
I've been thinking about getting a new phone, because the sync connector on my PDA has become dodgy.
I think xkcd may have just made up my mind for me: http://xkcd.com/662/
Later edit:
(In terms of platform, I wasn't likely to get new top end models like the Droid.)
Current plan is still to use older non-smart phone, and PDA that still syncs so long as you wiggle the USB lead about a bit, because when it finally fails there will be more options.
(Just paying to have the socket replaced is also an option, but it would be nice to have something with wi-fi. And I hardly ever use the internet connectivity on my existing phone, but it's very useful when I do, and a larger screen and better "keyboard" would make it even more useful. I'd like a netbook too, but I'm not sure I can really justify one.)
I don't really want a phone contract, so the availability of a PAYG Android phone is good. On the other hand coverage maps suggest T-Mobile wouldn't be as much use to me as O2.
And the iPhone is so shiny.
And the chances of my actually building anything to run on Android are small, however nice the idea of the open SDK is in principle.
One of the things the PDA does is run Memory Map. A Satmap Active 10 would make a better GPS for outdoor use, but it would cost £500 to buy new copies of maps I already have on to of the cost of the device. But Memory Map have recently announced a dedicated handheld GPS of their own. Until then I was thinking a Windows Mobile phone would be more sensible so I could run MM on that, but availability of a separate rugged device with better battery life makes that less of a consideration.
(O2 have stopped selling the XDA Zest as PAYG, but there are plenty of unlocked ones on eBay.)
For casual use in places with a signal, there's http://www.pocketgamer.org/os-map or http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iOSMaps---An-OS-Map-viewer-for-iPhone---and-it-is-free!-196.php or other options on both iPhone and Android.
I think xkcd may have just made up my mind for me: http://xkcd.com/662/
Later edit:
(In terms of platform, I wasn't likely to get new top end models like the Droid.)
Current plan is still to use older non-smart phone, and PDA that still syncs so long as you wiggle the USB lead about a bit, because when it finally fails there will be more options.
(Just paying to have the socket replaced is also an option, but it would be nice to have something with wi-fi. And I hardly ever use the internet connectivity on my existing phone, but it's very useful when I do, and a larger screen and better "keyboard" would make it even more useful. I'd like a netbook too, but I'm not sure I can really justify one.)
I don't really want a phone contract, so the availability of a PAYG Android phone is good. On the other hand coverage maps suggest T-Mobile wouldn't be as much use to me as O2.
And the iPhone is so shiny.
And the chances of my actually building anything to run on Android are small, however nice the idea of the open SDK is in principle.
One of the things the PDA does is run Memory Map. A Satmap Active 10 would make a better GPS for outdoor use, but it would cost £500 to buy new copies of maps I already have on to of the cost of the device. But Memory Map have recently announced a dedicated handheld GPS of their own. Until then I was thinking a Windows Mobile phone would be more sensible so I could run MM on that, but availability of a separate rugged device with better battery life makes that less of a consideration.
(O2 have stopped selling the XDA Zest as PAYG, but there are plenty of unlocked ones on eBay.)
For casual use in places with a signal, there's http://www.pocketgamer.org/os-map or http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iOSMaps---An-OS-Map-viewer-for-iPhone---and-it-is-free!-196.php or other options on both iPhone and Android.