Cutting the Apple cord

[Ink Asylum]

Well, I'm done with Apple. I'm having some intractable issues with iTunes that weren't even fixed with a fresh install of Windows, so I'm done trying to deal with it.

As a result I'm getting rid of not just iTunes but my iPhone as well. As such, I suddenly need to replace a number of products/services. Any recommendations for the following?

Phone:

• Something Android, no keyboard needed
• Will be used to play music/podcasts
• I don't mind getting a contract to subsidize the phone
• Service provider for NYC area

Programs:

• Music player
• Podcast search/download/playing
• Syncing music/podcasts to phone

[Dukefrukem]

Winamp Music Player.

I also have it so whatever (and wherever) I download from Amazon MP3 gets automatically uploaded into Google Music and visa versa.

Oh and Galaxy Nexus dude. Galaxy Nexus.

[muddi900]

For podcasts I prefer Zune and beyondpod for android.

[Ink Asylum]

Originally Posted by Dukefrukem

Oh and Galaxy Nexus dude. Galaxy Nexus.

My brother has the latest one of those and it's nice. A bit expensive for the newest version, I'll probably get the last one.

[J Arcane]

The newest version has ICS. ICS is good. You want ICS.

[MagGnome]

Is WinAmp really that good? I used it years ago, but back then the features were pretty sparse.

[Suave Peanut]

AmazonWireless has the Galaxy Nexus for (I think) $99 or $199 right now.

[shunoshi]

If you decide to go Sprint, the Evo4G is a great phone. I've had zero issues with it.

I can't really give a recommendation for a music player. I just use WMP since it gets the job done and doesn't require any additional installations. /shrug I may give Winamp a try though (I haven't used it since v2.5 when I used to make skins for it). Looks like they have a wireless android syncing thingie.

[Dualonymous]

If you need something cheaper you could go with a thunderbolt, rooted running liquid smooth. it gets about 1.5 days battery life on average (mine gets about 2.5) and the specs arent bad since it is free with 2 year contract on verizon here.

[LordDon]

I went with MediaMonkey at the suggestion of some fine folks on this site a while back. I've enjoyed it quite a bit.

[MagGnome]

I really didn't care for Media Monkey. I used it for a few months and it felt unpolished.

Maybe it's better now. *shrug*

[Jackel]

Originally Posted by dualshotty23

If you need something cheaper you could go with a thunderbolt, rooted running liquid smooth. it gets about 1.5 days battery life on average (mine gets about 2.5) and the specs arent bad since it is free with 2 year contract on verizon here.

And HTC has stated that the Thunderbolt will get ICS.

[Dualonymous]

Originally Posted by LordDon

I went with MediaMonkey at the suggestion of some fine folks on this site a while back. I've enjoyed it quite a bit.

I am using media monkey, it is pretty good.

[Ink Asylum]

What is ICS?

[J Arcane]

Originally Posted by Ink Asylum

What is ICS?

Ice Cream Sandwich. Android 4.0.

[Dualonymous]

ICS stands for Ice Cream Sandwich which is android 4.0, the newest version. they name all new versions dessert names. the next will be jelly bean.

You happy you cut the apple cord J?

[Gorvi]

If you go with Sprint and want an HTC skip the 4G and get the EVO 3D. The 4G won't be getting ICS (it's almost 2 years old now). I'm a bit biased, I've owned the EVO 3D since last June and loved it, but it's a damn nice phone. If you use a lot of date having it unlimited is damn nice.

[Dualonymous]

+1 for unlimited. although right now verizon has double the data for same cost so 4gb for 30 a month. while it doesnt compare to unlimited it is better than the 30 for 2gb.

[Zero]

I also love my Evo 3D. HTC did let the release of ICS for it slip back to late '12 though.

Originally Posted by dualshotty23

+1 for unlimited. although right now verizon has double the data for same cost so 4gb for 30 a month. while it doesnt compare to unlimited it is better than the 30 for 2gb.

Is that for the duration of the contract?

[J Arcane]

Originally Posted by dualshotty23

ICS stands for Ice Cream Sandwich which is android 4.0, the newest version. they name all new versions dessert names. the next will be jelly bean.

You happy you cut the apple cord J?

Yes and no.

I'm happy in the sense that Apple so pissed me off the way they handled my account theft that it makes me actively angry to see an App Store link now, and this effect has lessened since finding an alternative.

I'm also happy that Ice Cream Sandwich is actually pretty darn good version on the Android OS, and that while the gaming options aren't as good, I've managed to find enough goodies to fill that void.

I'm not happy that my goddamn tablet itself is a piece of shit. Now, some of this I suspect is because I bought it refurbished, but another part of this is because the Transformer Prime is class-action lawsuit levels of poor design. Basically anything wireless works for crap. The GPS is terrible and can hardly find signal even outdoors, the wifi can hardly get full bars even standing next to my 3G hotspot and frequently just fails entirely, and the Bluetooth has gotten so bad it can't even maintain a steady signal in the distance between the headphones on my head and the shopping bag at the end of my arm.

I'm going to be sending the TP back later this week, and ordering a brand new model. I'm worried though that I'll just end up with another bum tablet unless I order from the new shipment Amazon has coming in, which is still 1-3 weeks out and I can't go without hardware for that long.

There's a new model of TP coming in Q2, the 700, that's supposed to fix the antenna issues by not hiding them behind a sheet of aluminum, as well as upgrading the screen to full 1080P, but I can't wait that long without a tablet/laptop.

I'd get something else, but, well, nothing else has ICS or the keyboard dock functionality that I bought the TP for, and I've already got a TP keyboard dock coming in the mail any day now.