Droid v BB v IPhone

[Dedworth]

Just following on from the "do you need your laptop in the phils" thread.

A friend is singing the praises of his new HTC Smartphone telling me I must get one. Now I'm kind of due for a new phone I've had my Blackberry for over 2 years and am on a Monthly no notice O2 Simplicity deal.

I've been very pleased with the BB and can't really see any good reason to switch from their phones - its perfect for email and web browsing, Viigo RSS reader etc - I've no interest in Social Networks, Twitter , or uploading/downloading tons of stuff

Am I correct in thinking that Androids and Apples are susceptible to virus's and malware whereas BB's aren't ?

[KeithD]

The Nokia N8 is great as you get a 12MB camera, and HD video built in (saves taking cameras the Phil), along with GPS .... oh ... it makes calls as well

[somebody]

HI dedworth I'm afraid all "smartphones" have there potential banna skins with malware and what not. The blackberry has had issues in the past as have apple n android. Even symbian phones have had issues along with windows smartphones old n new. If your happy with blackberry stick with it like you say it does what you need and with os 6 and the soon to come 6.1 it does a little more.

If your looking to upgrade go and try in the stores different phones on display I know 02 and orange do this near me I have a blackberry torch but I tested the functions I use alongside iphone 4 and droids and the nokia n8 but couldn't wait for the nokia E7 bUt prefer the form of a torch to a E7.

[les_taxi]

I got htc desire and love it,my mate has the hd version and its fantastic.
Never had an issue with malware on phone.

[joebloggs]

I got htc desire and love it,my mate has the hd version and its fantastic.
Never had an issue with malware on phone.

i've got a htc wildfire, my stepson just got a desire hd

no problems with viruses etc, just down load the free version of avg

google maps what a sat nav

also at work were not allowed mobs but i've installed a program that automatically forwards any texts msgs to my gmail account

[Dedworth]

Thanks all - food for thought. HTC Desire S is the one he's got which is the HD version - I guess they're streets ahead of BB for watching vids on

[somebody]

Google maps is good but does some odd things don't you fine Joe? Having said that all the map apps I seen on various smartphones have had issues with incomplete data. For me the best is OVI mapS. Was using bb maps in central manila when on the way back from a trip up was quite impressed ent to test google maps but dosed off as a long day. On google be aware your location and wifi sites is noted and sent off.. So leave location off if that disturbs you. But saying that Apple and Google taking a kicking at the moment about storing location data so hot fixes maybe out soon..

[joebloggs]

Google maps is good but does some odd things don't you fine Joe? ..

yes i do find it odd, even my misses can use it

she manage to use it, to find a hotel in the centre of manchester where she was doing a training course

[somebody]

Of course but had a few driving down fields experiences withh google maps and some of the other mapping apps But as you say they all work most of the time although is google maps download only? On previous nokias I have had downloads which are store to stop using data!

[Englishman2010]

I got htc desire and love it,my mate has the hd version and its fantastic.
Never had an issue with malware on phone.

Me too Les, I love my Desire, it's the second HTC I've had and will be upgrading it to the Desire HD in a couple of months. I took my phone and laptop on my recent trip and didn't even bother switching my lap top on. Everything I needed to do could be done on my phone.

I've asked my phone provider about virus' and malware, they informed me that as an 02 business customer I automatically get full protection. I've been using WAP enabled Nokia's, BB's and HTC's for about 6 years and have never had an issue with anything dodgy.

[somebody]

I doubt u would have many problems englishman the way phones were designed it was rare an issuE could spread but firmware for nokias was released to plug security holes in browsers and sms I know that for fact. but droids did have a major issue with malware apps discovered in march and apple are at present as witnessed on the wifes Ipod touch which when not used was trying to access porn sites and alsorts. How would O2 or any phone company gurantee to protect your phone? Do they filter all your apps and montior what you download or load on via blue tooth or sd card? Do they stop u. "Sideloading" .apks? Do you check the permissons granted to software and does o2 double check? One thing I have learned about phone companies is customer support and account mangers will say anything to keep the customer Smiling. They will let the tech people try n deal with the issues :P

Another point is whatever you decide do the phone companies allow updates created by the makers to patch security issues and do they inform users? Rim on os 6 had an issue with its browser which was a javascript related issue a month or two ago. Many of the UK phone operators have not updated the firmware to patch the problem either by allowing the customer to load if they want or by pushing an update.
Droids don't always have access to the latest os's especially if you purchase and use the Phone companies approved firmware.

That's why many like apple as they control the firmware not the phone company. You can of course update your self a blackberry or droid but then you possibly lose support from your phone provider.
Possible exploits of weakness in the browser are the biggest risks on smartphones it appears..


By the Way I think the Droid Apple and Blackberry Phones are all decent Phones which realy you need to play with and use plus read up loads about to see which one suits you best.

The biggest issue is unless plugged into a charger in the home/office or Car some Phones can have Battery lifes of 6 to 8 hours!! Even less if you really use certain functions!!