The first Android handset to be released in the US was the G1, which has been available on T-Mobile for over a year now. Android has been available for a year prior to that (so that's two years now). We've been waiting for the rush of Android handsets for at least a year, and that's finally coming to light.

I don't think anyone said it needed games, but they're sure a great time-waster. I'll get off your lawn, now.

I much prefer the look of the US Hero. I can't imagine putting that goofy UK version in a pocket.

Hey, is that an HTC in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?

I'm posting this as a third party, but I was the one that recommended my friend check out the Hero, so I'm relaying the findings.

As you know, many AT&T users in major metros are having some pretty severe service issues - my friend is one of that group. As a gadget geek like many here, he left Verizon shortly after the iPhone was released since there was no light at the tunnel of disappointing handset releases with Verizon. He had been a happy iPhone user up until shortly after the 3GS launch. Prior to that, he'd had a few issues, but nothing like he's been experiencing as of late.

He tried a Pre for a week on Sprint and was impressed with the quality of service and the OS. WebOS is a really nice OS, but still young and lacking many apps (I have no doubt that this will improve.) The killer for him was battery life.

Today, he walked into the Sprint store, and after almost an hour of test driving the latched-down phone, bought one. Almost an hour later, he called and said he was taking it back. Surprised, I asked why. He said that once outside in direct sunlight, the phone was almost unusable since you could hardly see the screen, even at 100% brightness.

Gripe #2: OS lag. Not as noticeable when swiping through screens and launching apps/browsing, but once you use the dialer it becomes apparent. He said that using the dialer was so bad, that he input several digits twice because he had thought they didn't register. I'm not sure if this phone was running cupcake or donut, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it was cupcake (there are supposedly speed improvements in donut.)

Gripe #3: No proximity sensor or other mechanism for disabling the touchscreen while on a call. How can a company make a touchscreen phone and not include some kind of provision for this?! While on a call, he accidentally ended it with an accidental touch of his cheek. After ~30 seconds, the screen is shut off (and hopefully there's a way to do it manually). Still an inconvenience.

This was especially disappointing for me because I think Android is shaping up to be a very nice OS, but it's still waiting for the right hardware.

http://www.moonviews.com/archives/2009/03/newly_restored_picture_of_the.html

And a little bit more background on the LOIRP here: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-111408a.html

I thought it was funny seeing all the tapes in the kitchen of an old McDonalds, with the tape drive in the lobby.

Did the elevator move?

It's not like there's a shortage of well-trained IT-related folks around Boise. I don't see why you'd be happy that a company that was once Nampa's largest employer is now gone.