Phone is dead

[cheshirenoir]

Ok, my HTC Universal has finally "died", insomuch as it no longer can make phonecalls reliably. (It randomly mutes the speaker)

I'll have one more go at resurrecting it by updating the firmware, but it IS 3½ years old, so it has probably just exceeded it's maximum lifespan.

So my dear peeps, what do I replace it with?

1. Being a phone is NOT the primary need. Being an e-book reader and organiser is the primary need.
2. Although the iFruit is very tempting, the drop in resolution is a limitation.
3. Android would probably be my preferred OS.
4. I am not in a rush.
5. Being able to read mobipocket is a big plus, but I will accept conversion.
6. Being able to read MSReader is a big plus but I will accept conversion.
7. I'd prefer to avoid WinCE.
8. Screen resolution is a big factor, as is screen real estate. Crisp text on a bigger screen FTW.
9. "real" keyboards are nice.

Comments

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

if I was going by your feature list, I'd be thinking about going straight for a Nexus One. If you are going to go Android, just go straight for the best. It doesn't have the physical keyboard, but great screen (and I personally don't care about real keyboard much at all).

Personally, I like the UI and app choice of the iPhone (iPhone app choice is ridiculously better than any other smartphone platform - I've seen numbers like iPhone having 98.4% of the smartphone app market). But if you are happy for a more minimalist app choice (probably more sensible, if less fun) Android is the winner

There is a free/FOSS eBook reader for Android, but it only supports un-DRMed mobipocket, but if you mostly use that format for reading Baen or something, you should be fine.

[thefon.livejournal.com]

Aren't ebooks all going EPUB in future? I don't like reading even on the Universal's nice big screen, I'm waiting for some next-gen e-ink, like kindle or nook.

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

I read a whole lot of ebooks on my Universal...

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

Cool. The Nexus One does look inviting. Wonder how long before it'll be offered in Australia.

[thefon.livejournal.com]

How very strange, I am in exactly the same situation (my HTC Universal has just "died"). I will watch this thread with interest.

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

Looks like the "Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Option" must have expired...
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