Motorola Milestone – Android 2.0 based phone

Introduction
Recently i imported a new phone from the UK the Motorola Milestone running Android 2.0 mobile phone.
This phone is yet to be released in Australia as i speak about it on 15th December 2009.

This is my first touch screen device, I admit I had to watch some youtube videos and do the tutorial that is built into the phone.

Aside from that it is quick and easy to use, you soon learn how to tap, swipe/ flick, hold down, double tap, hold down and drag down to pull menu downward motion and so forth.

For music you just use Double twist http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt it is similar to itunes.

And to buy music you just use
http://www.amazon.com/MP3-Music-Download/b?ie=UTF8&node=163856011 all music here is DRM free! So it is better than Itunes

I will write a lot more later on as I explore the phone more. Photos are up on http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosh79/
–Donna

First look at Motorola Milestone
The Motorola Milestone is the same as a Droid except 3 things are different.

1. The Milestone has multi- touch feature so no lag with on screen keyboard

2. Milestone comes with 8GB micro sdhc and the Droid comes with 16GB sdhc

3. Milestone will work in Australia and the Droid won’t work in Australia.

Features
1. 3.7-inch 854 x 480 touchscreen

2. Qwerty slide out keyboard

3. Ambient light sensor – The screen is very easy to read in all lights, including whilst out in the sun.

4. 5mp camera with flash (images 2592 x 1936)

5. Record video at (720 x 480)

6. Google maps built in

7. Voice activated search (if you need to look up takeaway food store etc…

8. Memory Card Size Supported (max) 32 GB sdhc

9. Android 2.0.1 OS (if you are used to Linux like i am then you will feel right at home)

Likes
1. Easy to read screen in all form of lights

2. Qwerty slide out keyboard

3. Easy to use interface

4. I’m able to use Google if I can’t find a setting on the phone

5. Android market easy UI- find click on and it installs for you (as for uninstall check google)

6. Comes with face book and Gmail already installed

7. The phone is smaller but longer than my other phone, I hardly notice it in my pocket it is lighter too than my old Nokia N95 8gb phone.

8. You can multi task have multiple applications open at once on this phone.

Dislikes
• On screen QWERTY keyboard – hard to type in getting fingers on one key.

• camera phone hot key on touch screen is faster but taking photo hitting button on side of photo is a lot slower.

• Mine came with UK charger but I did import it from there, so that is more of a USER issue than a dislike: P fixed it with buying an .AU one from here. *UPDATE bought a charger for Australia for $30AUD.

• I don’t have a case for it yet and touch screen gets finger prints on it. Not keen on applying Invisible shield.

• The Camera quality is crappy my old nokia n95 8gb took way better pictures.

• Having to connect phone to computer to take screenshots using DDMS it works but is annoying.

Features I am testing or will be
• Camera I will upload some test photos to my flickr later *update already added pics to flickr

• Music i have tryed but it didn’t sound as good as my Nokia n95 8GB old phone

• I am yet to test video on this device too appart from Youtube works great

Android applications I like so far
• Android market (for searching for new apps free to use, only some apps cost $)

• Connectbot for ssh (free- Android Market)

• Ebuddy for msn,Yahoo,AIM,Gtalk,Myspace,Icq,Facebook & Hyves (free- Android Market)

• Barcode Scanner (free- Android Market) –how it works http://www.androidtapp.com/barcode-scanner/

• Weather Eye (free- Android Market) works well for AU weather and state

• Astrid – Daily task manager

• My Tracks – is an application that enables you to record GPS tracks on googlemaps

Updates from 2.0 to 2.0.1

Change log fixes

* OS stability is improved
* Battery life is improved
* Camera auto focus functionality is improved, and time between shots is reduced
* Enhancements for three-way calling
* Audio for incoming calls improved
* When receiving a call on call waiting, the speakerphone now remains on
* Bluetooth functionality is improved; background echo is eliminated
* Improved Bluetooth phone book transfer of contacts to in-vehicle Bluetooth solutions
* After closing a GPS application, the GPS icon will now automatically be removed from the notification panel
* Users can now receive SMS and MMS messages after an EMS message is received
* SMS and MMS may now be sent to seven-digit addresses
* Google contact merging has been updated to accommodate seven-digit numbers
* Visual Voice Mail notices now arrive instantaneously
* The corporate calendar widgets user interface is updated

More info here
http://androinica.com/2009/12/07/motorola-droid-android-2-0-1-update-is-on-a-roll/

I haven’t updated mine to 2.0.1 as yet though. Update to 2.0.1 i have been informed for Milestone will be available in the coming weeks

–Donna
Reference links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Milestone
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/GB-EN/Consumer-Products-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.Motorola-MILESTONE-GB-EN.alt
http://developer.motorola.com/products/milestone/
http://www.ghacks.net/2009/02/07/connect-bot-ssh-client-for-android-phone/
http://www.android.com/market/
http://www.ebuddy.com/android/
http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/07/21/how-to-take-screenshots-of-your-android-based-phone-from-windows/
http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-videos/verizon-motorola-droid-unboxing-and-hands-on.aspx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosh79 (I will upload test Motorola milestone images)
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/10/30/smartphone-showdown-iphone-3gs-vs-motorola-droid/
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/11/05/smartphone-showdown-iphone-3gs-vs-moto-droid-round-2/