This sounds awkward, doesn't it?? Comitting to the use of Microsoft services when I own a Google-branded phone. Well, here's why I think it's the right move.
Of course, you must maintain your Google account in order to use your phone, market, etc....but MS recently unleashed a slew of updates that make the end-user experience very fluid, IMO.
Because hotmail now supports exchange for contacts, calendar, and email, integration with AOSP android ROMs is nearly as seamless as the gmail equivalents. Once you've set up your exchange account (note that the Sense email app has some problems with this), you're good to go. Contacts, calendar and email entries sync two-ways without issue.
Where MS really shines now is in the desktop experience, particularly if you're using a Windows 7 machine. The new suite of Windows Live applications work very well with the online services. And the new Hotmail interface and functionality is right up there with Gmail. I actually prefer the aesthetics of Hotmail much more now, and I haven't found anything that I can't do with it that I've done with Gmail in the past. Threaded messaging, filters, etc. It's all there. There still isn't the concept of labels, but I never sort email into multiple categories anyway. Could be a deal-breaker for some.
I'm not a MS fanboy or rep. I run Linux at home part of the time, and I've been on Gmail for eons (after coming from Yahoo! Mail). I just can't ignore the tight integration between mobile, cloud, and desktop services that MS is heading toward. They seem like they've jumped ahead of the competition. Perhaps when the Chrome OS is finally released this will change. Wait and see, I guess.
Any other Hotmail users with the Incredible?? How is your experience? I've only made the switch within the last day.
EDIT: Just kidding! Everything was chugging along nicely until I realized you could only sync one exchange calendar. It's a limitation of Android, not Hotmail. But as it is, I need my multiple calendars. Back to Gmail. Fun while it lasted. Will be back to Hotmail if ever Android supports multiple calendars on an exchange client.
Of course, you must maintain your Google account in order to use your phone, market, etc....but MS recently unleashed a slew of updates that make the end-user experience very fluid, IMO.
Because hotmail now supports exchange for contacts, calendar, and email, integration with AOSP android ROMs is nearly as seamless as the gmail equivalents. Once you've set up your exchange account (note that the Sense email app has some problems with this), you're good to go. Contacts, calendar and email entries sync two-ways without issue.
Where MS really shines now is in the desktop experience, particularly if you're using a Windows 7 machine. The new suite of Windows Live applications work very well with the online services. And the new Hotmail interface and functionality is right up there with Gmail. I actually prefer the aesthetics of Hotmail much more now, and I haven't found anything that I can't do with it that I've done with Gmail in the past. Threaded messaging, filters, etc. It's all there. There still isn't the concept of labels, but I never sort email into multiple categories anyway. Could be a deal-breaker for some.
I'm not a MS fanboy or rep. I run Linux at home part of the time, and I've been on Gmail for eons (after coming from Yahoo! Mail). I just can't ignore the tight integration between mobile, cloud, and desktop services that MS is heading toward. They seem like they've jumped ahead of the competition. Perhaps when the Chrome OS is finally released this will change. Wait and see, I guess.
Any other Hotmail users with the Incredible?? How is your experience? I've only made the switch within the last day.
EDIT: Just kidding! Everything was chugging along nicely until I realized you could only sync one exchange calendar. It's a limitation of Android, not Hotmail. But as it is, I need my multiple calendars. Back to Gmail. Fun while it lasted. Will be back to Hotmail if ever Android supports multiple calendars on an exchange client.
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