[tsk1979]

Not really. There are 2 kinds of routing available
For LG Optimus, you get NDRIVE maps.
These maps are offline, and I have seen that route calculation takes less than a few seconds in Delhi.
then you have google maps which require GPRS access. I think routing there is actually done via online service.

That said, most Car GPS systems you see run 300-500MHz old gen processors(Tom Tom/Mio/Garmin etc.,) and in the west with complex freeway system and local streets, they manage just fine.

From a GPS point of view, LG does make sense, because you get N-Drive for free.Of course, if you want map updates after 3 months, you would require to pay.
I am not very clear whether the software has a hard switch which would make it stop working after trial period, or maybe only I won't get updated maps after 1 year.

I am not aware if Samsung bundles any mapping app with the phone. On any phone you can buy Sygic maps with mapmyindia database for 1900rs (E-download)

[arunkk]

Originally Posted by pulsar56

Just adding a correction to your point!

My HTC desire came with factory loaded 2.2 Froyo.
IIRC, HTC had released the froyo update for the desire long back.

Oh my mistake. I saw it like that in a recently read review. With factory loaded Froyo HTC desire is a good option. Only things lacking in it is a Divx/Xvid playback and low internal memory for apps. Good enough for a normal user.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

From a GPS point of view, LG does make sense, because you get N-Drive for free.Of course, if you want map updates after 3 months, you would require to pay.
I am not very clear whether the software has a hard switch which would make it stop working after trial period, or maybe only I won't get updated maps after 1 year.

I am not aware if Samsung bundles any mapping app with the phone. On any phone you can buy Sygic maps with mapmyindia database for 1900rs (E-download)

I think Nokia makes a better sense just for GPS as it comes with OVI maps with lifetime free navigation with free map updates too. Only thing is there is no android offering.

[pulsar56]

Originally Posted by arunkk

Oh my mistake. I saw it like that in a recently read review. With factory loaded Froyo HTC desire is a good option. Only things lacking in it is a Divx/Xvid playback and low internal memory for apps.

I have installed Rock Player and the phone is able to play the .avi files and I also have gmote server installed through I am able to stream the video files from my laptop to the phone on wi-fi.
The only problem is playing the files on phone through gmote is still in beta and it doesn't play .mkv files.

Completely agree with you on the internal memory part though!

[DCEite]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I am not aware if Samsung bundles any mapping app with the phone. On any phone you can buy Sygic maps with mapmyindia database for 1900rs (E-download)

Coverage for aura android
Sygic - Shop

Does not mention India.

[arunkk]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Coverage for aura android
Sygic - Shop

Does not mention India.

It is offered by mapmyindia. Check this out
Sygic GPS Mobile Navigation Maps For Android Mobile Phones

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Coverage for aura android
Sygic - Shop

Does not mention India.

Originally Posted by arunkk

It is offered by mapmyindia. Check this out
Sygic GPS Mobile Navigation Maps For Android Mobile Phones

Arun has answered your question. However, I am not sure if for 1900 map updates are included.
BTW, I am actively mapping for OSM, and am waiting when OSM routing software become mature enough. Chennai OSM mapping currently rivals all commercial products, and with mapquest endorsing OSM, things are looking better and better for OSM.
Very soon, companies offering paid map updates may be history.

[navin]

Originally Posted by erohit

HTC desire Z is good phone and meets your requirement.

You can also have a look at Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro

The Experia Pro will only be available in August 2011. I dont think my wife will wait that long.

How does the Desire Z compare to the Milestone 2, Nokia E7, or the Samsung Omniapro/Armani (Windows 6.5) / HTC 7 Pro (Windows 7).

The E7 and 7 Pro have screens that tilt a bit for better readability (like the N97 mini).

What is the end user experiece of Android vs Windows for a user who is NOT going to go beyond Voice, SMS and Camera?

[surd_biker]

Originally Posted by navin

What is the end user experiece of Android vs Windows for a user who is NOT going to go beyond Voice, SMS and Camera?

IMHO you don't need a smartphone if these are your main requirements. A normal phone with a good 5MP camera + QWERTY keyboard would suffice.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by navin

What is the end user experiece of Android vs Windows for a user who is NOT going to go beyond Voice, SMS and Camera?

No difference. Infact you don't even need a smartphone. All you need is a phone with a keypad and a good camera
Unfortunately, nobody makes non smartphones with advanced cameras.
Regarding the phones you asked for, its best if you wife goes ahead and tries all at a shop and then buys the one with the best keyboard.

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Not really. There are 2 kinds of routing available
For LG Optimus, you get NDRIVE maps.
These maps are offline, and I have seen that route calculation takes less than a few seconds in Delhi.
then you have google maps which require GPRS access. I think routing there is actually done via online service.

That said, most Car GPS systems you see run 300-500MHz old gen processors(Tom Tom/Mio/Garmin etc.,) and in the west with complex freeway system and local streets, they manage just fine.

From a GPS point of view, LG does make sense, because you get N-Drive for free.Of course, if you want map updates after 3 months, you would require to pay.
I am not very clear whether the software has a hard switch which would make it stop working after trial period, or maybe only I won't get updated maps after 1 year.

I am not aware if Samsung bundles any mapping app with the phone. On any phone you can buy Sygic maps with mapmyindia database for 1900rs (E-download)

Originally Posted by arunkk

It is offered by mapmyindia. Check this out
Sygic GPS Mobile Navigation Maps For Android Mobile Phones

I have been using the Symbian version of Sygic on my E71 for the last few weeks. It's simply amazing. I have also tried Garmin and N Drive on the E71, but nothing comes close to Sygic in terms of UI and ease of use.

Not really a fan of Google Maps (which comes bundled in all Android handsets that I've seen). I feel a GPS app should be independent of GPRS/radio signal so one can use it in remote areas also.

I'm sure there are forums out there to provide links on using Sygic on Android beyond the 3 months bundled usage!

[sanagg1]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

I was earlier contemplating Optimus P500 but the 600 Mhz processor and the 3 MP cam seem to be downers.

I dont want to cross 15k in budget, but preferably, it should be around 12k odd.
So is Samsung Ace good enough? 800 Mhz processor and 5 MP cam?
How's the UI of Samsung vs. that of LG? Battery life?

If you are not very sold on 5MP camera please don't bother about MP of cameras. Sometimes they have very contrasting results. Have on hand feel of both cameras if you are serious about this.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Samsung is 15K and LG Optimus One P500 is 12K
So you decide is it worth for you to pay 3000 more for 2 more MP and a processor faster by 200MHZ
Be aware that even though its an 800MHz Processor, it cannot run flash.
So play with both and then decide what you want.

+1
and it is bang on in your budget of 12K
Again processor clock speed (600 vs 800 Mhz) will not solely determine the performance of phone. RAM plays a very very important part .
Moreover I read somewhere that processor can be overclocked, so keep all this in mind while deciding.

One thing for sure LG P500 battery and build quality ROCKS.

Cheers

[CaliAtenza]

Now the question is..is the Defy worth it over the Galaxy Ace?

[scrooze]

Having purchased and used Galaxy Ace some points :

1) Has a bigger screen 3.5 (Screen size makes a huge difference in price)
2) 800Mhz processer does its Job very weel not lag till now.
3) Very small ROM memory of 278MB.
4) Already have seen 3-4 movies and again the output was very good.
5) Sound output quality is also very good.
6) Iphone 4 copy and people can mistake it for Iphone4 :-)

Biggest point in favour of P500 is that LG have confirmed that it will get andorid 2.3 update. Samsung still to give any updates on further updates.

[f1fan]

Originally Posted by scrooze

Having purchased and used Galaxy Ace some points :

1) Has a bigger screen 3.5 (Screen size makes a huge difference in price)
2) 800Mhz processer does its Job very weel not lag till now.
3) Very small ROM memory of 278MB.
4) Already have seen 3-4 movies and again the output was very good.
5) Sound output quality is also very good.
6) Iphone 4 copy and people can mistake it for Iphone4 :-)

Biggest point in favour of P500 is that LG have confirmed that it will get andorid 2.3 update. Samsung still to give any updates on further updates.

So what do you suggest?
I am planning on buying either of the two i.e. LG Optimus 1 or Samsung Galaxy ace this weekend.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

V. 7 CyanogenMod, the community version of android (the OS) is released. Here is the changelog.

https://github.com/CyanogenMod/andro...CHANGELOG.mkdn