Android rules...because of the apps

I have been meaning to write my thoughts on my 2 months with the G1 but today's post in Gizmodo helps to summarize my thoughts.

Android is an amazing platform in its first try (as compared to some of the hiccups with Windows Mobile in its first and second iteration) but it still has some issues (not least of which is the ability to only associate it with one Google account).

I do love the ability to customize my "desktop" and make the experience my own and I do love the openess of the platform.

There are, however, a few things I dislike ...

• Battery life: can't make it through 1/2 day with WiFi, email sync, MyLocation turned on. Miss the battery life of my BB.
• Contacts: I live by my contact database. I have 1700+ contacts. I have finally let go of Outlook and posted all of them to the Google cloud to enable sync with the G1. When I start the Contact application it takes 10 SECONDS for my contacts to load, then I have to open the keyboard, then it takes another 10 seconds, then I can finally search for a contact.
• There are a series of actions (lets say 5) that I do multiple times a day (call wife, sms wife, look up contact, turn off/on wifi, call boss). I don't want to click 3 times to do them.

The beauty of Android and its open platform is that each of my complaints below has been adressed by an independent developer and the application published to the Android Market.

• The battery life issue is still an issue but Locale lets me make rules such as (if not at office turn off wifi) and Power Manager help me take control.

• The contacts issue needs some serious fixing. I still think Windows Mobile is the best platform for a large contact database (Palm a close second) but in the meantime SpellDial allows me to quickly search for a contact without having to flip open the keyboard

• The repetitive action issue is addressed by AnyCut with which I create one click shortcuts for each of my actions and place them on my destop.

This is the power of an open platform.... to foster innovation by making it open source, and thus making the user happy rather than (as closed platforms like RIM and Apple) hoping/praying that their developers will get around to it someday.

Loving Android...because of the Apps!