Yes I did try another cell phone.  Here are some pictures:

Sprint and Motorola are taking wireless innovation to a new level with Sprint’s first 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA^® Tegra™ 2 processor smartphone on the Sprint 4G Network, Motorola PHOTON™ 4G.

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• Sprint’s 4G network
• Webtop application, allowing users to access and create content from a larger screen while connected to a Motorola accessory dock
• International GSM capabilities
• 4.3-inch qHD display
• Dual cameras
• Kickstand for hands free viewing.

I loved this phone, yes I did return it.  So why did I give it back?

Pros:

• Easy to use and hold phone – very important if you spend your day reading email and talking
• Fast, fast, fast – this phone can handle the demands that I think most users expect
• OK battery life
• Easy to connect to email and documents
• Sprint’s voice coverage in my area is getting better
• Android 2.3 – more polished and reliable then previous versions
• Monthly pricing is better then Verizon
• Integrated Google Voice – if you have not checked out Google Voice, you need to now!

Cons:

• Technical support at Sprint is equivalent to asking my 2 year old niece for help
• The more you use Android the slower it gets.  In my opinion Android cannot get out of it’s own way and just work.  Apple does a better job
• Sprint 4G is elusive and just adequate – Verizon runs circles around Sprint’s 4G
• Radio in phone would go from one to off and from 3G to 4G to nothing – this happens when the phone is brought out of sleep **I have seen this issue with my Verizon Thunderbolt as well
• Not enough to make me switch
• Cannot switch between Google Voice number and main cell number without patience and technical support from someone/somewhere

I used the phone for 27days and then returned it.  I was sorry to see it go but it’s just not worth the extra time and investment.  Android is almost there and if phone carriers would get out of the manufacturers way, the public would have access to some cool, productive, and user friendly smart phones.

Have you seen what Google has been up to.  Check out http://www.google.com/chromebook/

Personally I like it. With that said I do not believe the masses are ready for it. Its only business ready if you buy into the cloud and can break your use of Microsoft products. I think many want to but cannot.

Good:

• Battery life
• Light
• Fast boot and shut down

Not so good:

• Small hard drive space – means all files go on the web
• Not enough ports
• Not so friendly keyboard/mouse
• You cannot download and install a program – this is the biggest hurdle for most

Take a look at this article on the security issue.

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/news/2240039222/Chromebook-security-in-question-due-to-flawed-Google-Chrome-extensions

Conclusion:

It’s a great second PC or one for traveling. Those early adopters and cloud ready spirits will be pleased with this. Others may soon find the shortcomings outweigh the benefits and move back to a traditional PC. In 3-5 years I think this will be a mainstream choice and one I see many home owners or frequent travelers who have access to a full desktop will pick.

Apparently, any Android phone (hate to knock on Android) that is running anything before 2.3.3 (read, just about every phone out there at this point) is transmitting Google login credentials in plain text. Not a problem if you’re using the cell network, or an encrypted wifi hotspot. But if you’re on an unencrypted hotspot such as a coffee shop, then someone could be stealing your Google Login credentials.

The way Android works too, is that as soon as it gets the new wifi connection, it’ll initiate a sync which will transmit the login details to Google’s servers. But if someone is smart, they can trap those credentials and impersonate you to Google’s servers.

The cure? Don’t use unencrypted Wifi networks.

Here is an article on the subject which did a good job of illustrating the issue and solution. http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20063792-12.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20