La Casa del Spera is going Android!

The Nexus One in my hand…

I ordered a Nexus One on the T-Mobile network here in Chicago. It arrived today and I have ported my number over from AT&T.  Its sitting on my kitchen counter right now, charging.  I initially had it synching mail and contacts from my Exchange account (it doesn’t do native Exchange Calendar sync out of the box…I have NO idea why…); but of course, its synching my iTechGear Google Docs account.

The Exchange Calendar sync issue has really got me bothered.  The new job uses Exchange 2007 and Outlook 2003 on the desktop.  With a simple relay rule out of Outlook, anything that hits my work mail account also hits my personal Exchange account, and Poof!  I’m all synchronized on my device. (The office uses BES, but they haven’t given me a Blackberry yet.)

However, this thing with the Nexus One missing Exchange Calendar sync is really causing me some grief. I’m not exactly certain what the best course of action is.  I have a few options:

1. Manually copy all relative appointments to Google Docs
2. Dump Exchange and completely switch to Google Docs
3. Attempt to set up a sync between Exchange & Google Docs on the PC
4. Purchase Exchange Touchdown for Android and use it to sync Exchange items on the device

I’m not certain what I am going to do yet, as I’ve had the address connected to my Exchange account for about 10 years and everyone and their BROTHER has that address.  Other Android devices (like other HTC Android devices) as well as the Motorola CLIQ can sync Exchange Calendar, so I’m not certain what the issue is (unless Google is just trying to force this internal debate with you, which I wouldn’t put past them; but I digress…)

I’ll be addressing this issue in my review, so stay tuned…

Initial Device Impressions (and the Full 360)
The Nexus One is Google’s attempt at a direct iPhone competitor. Period. Don’t let anyone or anything tell you otherwise. This IS the reason why Apple is chasing after HTC (and will eventually engage Google…somehow in all that mess.

The device has the same form factor as the iPhone and is relatively the same size and weight; but is more PDA focused than media focused. It has a good heft and feel to it, and is comfortable to hold. The trackball has got a definite Blackberry feel to it, and even lights up when system events trigger it. The back cover has a rubberized feel to it, unlike it’s Apple counterpart, and gives you a sturdier grip on the device.

Size Comparison – The Samsung Propel Pro, the Nexus One, iPod Touch, and Samsung Epix

The screen is…interesting.  First and foremost, it is a fingerprint nightmare.  While Apple’s iPhone has much the same problem, I don’t remember having this much trouble reading its screen (or that of my iPod Touch) as I seem to be having with my N1.  As far as the color depth issue that’s been reported with the device, I haven’t seen it as yet. Given that my focus is more business applications than gaming or multimedia, I’m not sure how the issue will impact me, if at all.

However, I am having glare issues with the device. The AMOLED screen washes out in direct sunlight and is difficult to read. The many fingerprint smudges don’t help much either.  When the screen is clean and free of glare, its really nice.  The light sensor in the device dims the brightness of the screen in response to ambient light; and yeah… it doesn’t help much either. In fact, I’m beginning to think that its half of the problem.

Left side from the bottom up: Epix, Propel Pro, iPod Touch & Nexus One

The device itself is rather thin.  While not nearly as thin as the iPod Touch, it is comparable to the iPhone.  Its not nearly as thick as the Propel Pro, due to its slide-out keyboard.  You should also note that the device’s volume rocker is on the left side.

Bottom from the bottom up: Epix, Propel Pro, iPod Touch & Nexus One

The bottom of each device.  The Nexus One has the micro USB port and three charging ports for the available desktop dock. The black hole next to the single dock charging port on the right is the device microphone.

Right side from the bottom up: Epix, Propel Pro, iPod Touch & Nexus One

The device’s right side is devoid of any buttons.  Of note, there is NO hardware camera button.  Many HTC devices, like the Tilt, have a camera button on the right side.  The Motorola CLIQ has a hardware camera button on the right side.  This is definitely a missing feature on the N1.  Trying to take a picture while holding the device steady and tapping the screen has been a challenge.  I’ll have more on this in my review.

Top from the bottom up: Epix, Propel Pro, iPod Touch & Nexus One

The only other button is the power button on the top of the device. (Yes, the trackball also is a “button” but that’s more multi-function, and will be covered in my review.)  The top also has the device’s 3.5mm speaker jack.

I’m still on my device honeymoon, so while its not all sunshine and daisies, I do like the device; and will likely keep it, barring any major flaws or issues that crop up in the next week or so (you get a 14 day grace period with the device from Google).

Stay tuned!  I hope to have things doped out soon and a review posted to the site in the next couple of weeks!

If you’re interested in the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship product, Office 2010, then you’re only going to have to wait about 60 more days to get your hands on a copy.  Microsoft announced this week that the office suite will be available to volume license holders on 12-May-10, with general availability slated for sometime in June of 2010.

Buy Office 2007, get 2010 for free!

Customers who purchase Office 2007 between 05-Mar-10 through 30-Sep-10 will be able to upgrade to a corresponding version of Office 2010 for free. Buyers of Office Home and Student 2007 will receive a free copy of Office Home and Student 2010, while buyers of Office Standard 2007 and Office Basic 2007 will be eligible for a free copy of Office Home and Business 2010, a new addition to the Office lineup. Purchases of Office Small Business 2007, Office Professional 2007 or Office Ultimate 2007 will be eligible for a free copy of Office Professional 2010.

There is a limit of 25 free upgrades per person, a standard Microsoft practice meant to push businesses with multiple copies to its volume licensing deals.

Microsoft has set up a site that spells out the upgrade program in detail.

I’ve said many times before that I’ve been a computing professional most of my life.  I was managing a local computer retail store at the age of 16 (The Software Station in West Bloomfield, MI for those that are curious… no, Google doesn’t show anything on it, I’ve checked…)  A few years ago when I was writing for Gear Diary, the social networking craze was just getting under way.  I got all sorts of invitations for joining this (now defunct) network or that network. 

(At the time,) I wasn’t interested.  Then came Facebook.

The new Facebook home page…

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In a word, no.  Here’s why…

While dramatic, this 3G map is accurate…

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I was fortunate enough to be on TechVi’s Bottom Line for this afternoon (we taped last night).  Along with Eric Sandine, we discussed Windows 7’s progress three months or so after its initial release – is it better than Vista? Is it ready for the every day end user?  Am I going to regret upgrading from either XP or from Vista.

Why don’t you check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments section below.  I apologize for the choppy video on my part.  I’m not certain if that’s my end of the equation or not; but the audio came through clean and clear…