New Phone (Android)

Ever since the first Android phones came out back in October 2008, I've been keeping an eye on their progress. I didn't care for the original HTC Hero, but the newest phones based on Android 2.1/2.2 look very impressive. Now that my iPhone 3G contract is up, I decided I'd get one. Since I'm on AT&T and wanted to stay with that provider, I went with the Samsung Captivate and a screen protector for it. My friend/co-worker, Michael Hutchinson, recently bought a Samsung Vibrant (he's on T-Mobile) and has been very happy with it. Another friend/co-worker, Gonzalo has also been happy with his switch to the Captivate on AT&T, so I expect that I'll be pleased as well.

One of the reasons I decided to get an Android phone is that the Mono team is working on MonoDroid, a port of Mono to Android phones. While I'm not on the team working on the port, I am interested as a potential Android developer in using MonoDroid to write some of my own applications for Android phones.

10 years ago, when I first started working for Helix Code on the GNOME desktop for Linux to help make Linux usable for average Joes, I never expected that I'd ever have a phone that ran Linux! Especially a Linux-based phone that is taking the smart-phone market by storm! These are very exciting times for me, and I'm sure for the Google folks working on the Android project!

After I get my feet wet for a week or so with using my new Captivate phone, I'll try to write up a review of what I think, so stay tuned!