New smartphone

wishicouldmakeitbetter

Hi, hope someone can help. :hello:

I am looking for a smartphone to replace my my old (not very smart) phone and my sony X series MP3 player.

I would like to be able to play books from audible and download from BBC iplayer.
Can I do this on any of the current phones?
I believe that it is not possible to download from iplayer on to HTC desire or samsung galaxy but am I right?

Thanks in advance for your help as I have spent days trying to find answers.:(
G

DUTR

It is the Apps that perform the functions that you require, that you need to search for, the idea of smartphones is that you install the things you need/want to suit your own tastes.

grumbler

wishicouldmakeitbetter wrote: »

I believe that it is not possible to download from iplayer on to HTC desire or samsung galaxy but am I right?

You are wrong.
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC iPlayer apps, coming soon to Android ...

I think it's available already, but in fact you don't need it to download directly (I think).

wishicouldmakeitbetter

Thank you for your prompt reply.

As far as I know iplayer programs cannot be downloaded on Android or iphones but wanted to know if there was a legal app that would do this on Android or windows phone. At the moment I download in mobile format, save to my PC and then drag and drop across to sony MP3. Would an app enable me to do similar?

I cannot play books downloaded from audible on my sony and would assume that a legal app is available for this.
Has anyone tried either of these?

Had narrowed choice to HTC Desire HD or Samsung Galaxy S but any other ideas?

Thanks G

PS I think I've waffled a bit and may come across as a bit picky but I feel that this is an expensive investment (c. £30 a month!!) and would like to get it as right as I can.

lucylucky

Galaxy S seems to have a great screen.

I have the desire and no you cannot download TV programmes from the iplayer app.

If you can you could buy a phone outright which would keep your monthly costs down.

(I pay £10 a month)

wishicouldmakeitbetter

Thanks Grumbler.
:T
I had spotted this but it is not clear that downloading (or sideloading) will be allowed. :think: Streaming only available via 3 UK or vodaphone and I have c**p reception for these networks at work and home. Also available to stream over WiFi but not always in WiFi area when out and about and pretty useless at home as I can watch iplayer through Wii or on PC/laptop.

G

DUTR

wishicouldmakeitbetter wrote: »

Thanks Grumbler.
:T
I had spotted this but it is not clear that downloading (or sideloading) will be allowed. :think: Streaming only available via 3 UK or vodaphone and I have c**p reception for these networks at work and home. Also available to stream over WiFi but not always in WiFi area when out and about and pretty useless at home as I can watch iplayer through Wii or on PC/laptop.

G

Not sure if handywi is available for android, but that app as well as logging onto wifi, allows streaming via gprs 3g edge etc , I'm on O2 and it works fine, there is an app for android as my mate has it on his desire :j

jenniewb

Not sure if it helps but YouTube play alot of BBC programmes and I think some phones can get youtube.

PixelPound

The iplayer for most phones only allows downloading over wifi, I have a Nokia and if I try access over mobile 3G it won't allow it (I'm on O2), but will when connected to a WiFi.

For phone hardware, it all depends on what you want. Most smartphones now come with inbuild music players and 3.5mm headphone socket.

The phones you have listed are Android phones, so I'll limit my reply to these. The Galaxy S and Desire HD both have larger screens, is screen size important? The HTC Desire and the HTC Desire Z also have a 1GHz processor (important if you want to run several apps at once) but have a smaller 3.7 inch screen. The plus side is that they can be found free on £20 contracts (the difference between the two is that the Z has a physical pop out keyboard). I don't know your usage patterns, so don't know if a lower tariff is what you want.

If you are looking at £30 contacts and looking at Galaxy S, have you considered the Google Nexus S? Its made by Samsung and seen by some as an "upgrade" to the galaxy S. It has the same processor and screen (though slightly curved to fit the face better!?) but adds a flash for the camera, although it loses the memory card slot (though it does have 16GB memory onboard, so depends if you really need more than that). The nexus was brought out some six months or so after the galaxy and critics have been disappointed on the lack of upgrades in its components. However if they are both on the same contract, then you may like the addition of a flash for the camera.

I am looking to upgrade to an android phone (my contract is up this month), so have been similarly looking for last few months. I am waiting though as the new dual-core phones have been announced and will be coming out in a month or two, including the Galaxy S II that's dual core (so two 1.2GHz processors) with a superior SuperAMOLED screen, 32GB memory, and an 8gb camera with flash; the LG Optimus 3D that has two cameras for stereo and a glasses-free screen to view 3D films.

However, if dual-core goodness isn't what you want (and the fact these may well be free only on higher tariffs), there will undoubtably be the knock on effect of lowering the cost of existing 1GHz phones tariffs. So you may well be able to get that Desire HD or Galaxy S on a £20pm contract then. The question, is can you wait until March or April :rotfl:

flyingscotno1

wishicouldmakeitbetter wrote: »

Thanks Grumbler.
:T
I had spotted this but it is not clear that downloading (or sideloading) will be allowed. :think: Streaming only available via 3 UK or vodaphone and I have c**p reception for these networks at work and home. Also available to stream over WiFi but not always in WiFi area when out and about and pretty useless at home as I can watch iplayer through Wii or on PC/laptop.

G

As long as your browser is set to 'desktop' and not mobile version that loads mobile websites and not the full websites is actually ignores this when on a full website.

I've watched stuff on T-Mobile fine so presume that sorts that.

Exhortation

Contrary to one of the above posts, the Desire Z only has an 800Mhz processor not a 1Ghz one.

Audible do a free app so you can use their products on Android phones.