From Windows Phone 8 to Google Nexus Android
Let me start this by saying I LOVE Windows Phone 8! I find it to be the most superior smartphone operating system. Unfortunately my Windows Phone HTC 8X was accidentally dropped (not by me) onto our concrete garage floor which resulted in a shattered screen. It was time to, reluctantly, look for a new smartphone.
The problem with getting a new smartphone is the cost when you have to get a new phone off contract. Sure it might seem like a deal that the latest and greatest smartphone is $199 or even less but when you have to get it off contract suddenly the price goes up to $700+. I balk at paying that much for a laptop! I had to find another option. There was nothing decent out there for less than $400 off contract whether it be Windows or Android except for the Google Nexus 4 ($249) which was out of stock. Fortunately rumors of the new Nexus 5 phone from Google were running rampant and it's release was imminent (it was released October 31st).
The beauty of a Google Nexus phone is that it's sold directly by Google with the most up to date and pure version of it's operating system (ie. it's not customized by the phone manufacturer) and it's constantly updated. The main problem with many other Android phones is the lack of updating. Android is a free operating system created by Google which any phone manufacturer can customize. Unfortunately when Google updates their core software the manufacturers don't necessarily want to take the time to also update their customized version of Android. With a Nexus phone you don't have to worry about this.
I've already had a lot of experience with Android since my wife has had a Nexus S and currently a Motorola Moto X (which is the next best thing to a Nexus since Google bought Motorola). I also have a Nexus 7 tablet which I use on a daily basis.
I don't know how I'll like moving full time to Android, but at $349 outright it's a steal. Already other bloggers are comparing favorably to the two premier smartphones: iPhone 5S (which is $719!) and Samsung Galaxy S4 ($699). A comparable phone for half the price - I'm willing to give it a serious try, but small part of me is afraid I might like it better than my Windows 8 Phone. Once I receive it I will post a full review of both the phone and the new Android operating system, 4.4 KitKat.
The problem with getting a new smartphone is the cost when you have to get a new phone off contract. Sure it might seem like a deal that the latest and greatest smartphone is $199 or even less but when you have to get it off contract suddenly the price goes up to $700+. I balk at paying that much for a laptop! I had to find another option. There was nothing decent out there for less than $400 off contract whether it be Windows or Android except for the Google Nexus 4 ($249) which was out of stock. Fortunately rumors of the new Nexus 5 phone from Google were running rampant and it's release was imminent (it was released October 31st).
The beauty of a Google Nexus phone is that it's sold directly by Google with the most up to date and pure version of it's operating system (ie. it's not customized by the phone manufacturer) and it's constantly updated. The main problem with many other Android phones is the lack of updating. Android is a free operating system created by Google which any phone manufacturer can customize. Unfortunately when Google updates their core software the manufacturers don't necessarily want to take the time to also update their customized version of Android. With a Nexus phone you don't have to worry about this.
I've already had a lot of experience with Android since my wife has had a Nexus S and currently a Motorola Moto X (which is the next best thing to a Nexus since Google bought Motorola). I also have a Nexus 7 tablet which I use on a daily basis.
I don't know how I'll like moving full time to Android, but at $349 outright it's a steal. Already other bloggers are comparing favorably to the two premier smartphones: iPhone 5S (which is $719!) and Samsung Galaxy S4 ($699). A comparable phone for half the price - I'm willing to give it a serious try, but small part of me is afraid I might like it better than my Windows 8 Phone. Once I receive it I will post a full review of both the phone and the new Android operating system, 4.4 KitKat.