Thoughts on Android and Virgin Mobile (Part One)
After several years of holding out, about 4 months ago me and the wife jumped on the smart-phone bandwagon and purchased a couple of Android-powered LG Optimus Vs through the Virgin Mobile network.
Up to that point, we’d been using old fashioned Motorola flip-phones through Verizon and a iPod touch to check email when we were away from home at a hot-spot. Needless to say, if you’ve ever been a Verizon wireless customer you know the service coverage is excellent, but like with most contract providers, the cost to own a smart-phone with a sufficient amount of minutes and bandwidth can be pricey. Hence, we chose Virgin: $25/month for 300 anytime minutes (no unlimited nights or weekends) but unlimited data and texting (NB. They’ve raised the price on this plan to $35/month for new customers).
Virign uses the Sprint network for cell and data coverage. There’s really no sense in sugarcoating it: if you live in an old building with thick walls, or outside a metro region, the service sucks. It doesn’t matter what their coverage map says, it’s at best an approximation. Sure, I might be sitting in my living room, near a window, with no tree coverage to speak of, not a cloud in the sky and still feel the hurt of absolutely no signal whatsoever. Yet, while rifling through Icelandic yogurt containers in the dairy section at the back of the Whole Foods I’m provided with spectacular five bar coverage. How is this possible?
Anyway, when those times arrive, when I’m lingering at some godforsaken Yankee Candle Company and can use my perfect reception to maximize the Virgin Mobile service and Android to fullest, I’ve been met with a mixed bag of pleasures and disappointments.
Android (we’re running 2.2, by the way) is a nice OS. The startup time on my device is faster than on my old Motorola. After booting, the apps I use most (Android’s web browser, Opera Mobile, Gmail, Email, Google Reader) load quickly. The OS is simple to use, and the learning curve was virtually nil (though we had some iOS experience with our iPod touch, and the concepts between the two are virtually the same).
Far and away the coolest Android feature is the Swype-powered keyboard that makes typing with a touch screen much more efficient than with the iPod touch (this may have improved with newer iOS versions, not sure), or any other smart-phone/mobile touch screen I’ve used up to this point.
The voice-to-text feature is also noteworthy, though it requires a network connection to function. The accuracy is quite good, even for somewhat obscure terms or place names. When I first tried it, I thought I’d be using it for everything, but that hasn’t been the case. That’s not to say it’s a novelty, it’s not, but I find it difficult to use when composing a text or email. Maybe users who frequently use voice-to-text programs on their desktops would be more comfortable here.
Criticisms to follow in part two. Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.
