• Download the update from here.

The rest of the steps I posted before here. But just incase you are lazy, here you go:

• Rename the file to update.zip.
• Copy the update.zip file onto your microSD card.
• With your Nexus One off, hold down the trackball and press the power button.You’ll be booted into a white screen with three Android robots on skateboards.
• Select “Bootloader.”
• On the next screen, select “Recovery.”
• Your phone will reboot, giving you a picture of the Android robot and an exclamation point inside a triangle.
• Now press the power button and volume up button at the same time. It could take a couple of tries.
• Now (using the trackball this time) choose “Apply sdcard:update.zip”

After the installation is complete, you will still have to download and install Flash 10.1 to get things going, just click on any “get latest flash” link in the browser and you are set. or just search for it in the market place.

Enjoy

The device feels snappier all around especially in the browser. The inclusion of Flash is awesome, it make mobile browsing much more tolerable. Also the battery life seemed to have improved, I played around with the device for a while a definitely notice a better battery life……. I think. will let you know after a full day use.

Another great feature is the WiFi hotspot. you can transfer your device into a wireless hotspot (think MiFi). this is a great feature indeed making me carry one less device, or maybe just an extra battery.

Also I have notice the first glimpse of Arabic support, I see separated Arabic letters instead of the usual block in both the browser and in the messages. This means that the next major update 3.0 perhaps will include full Arabic support.

Yesterday, Google had its developers event and it showed-off a ton of new stuff (Google TV). But what I was waiting for was the 2.2 version of Android AKA Froyo.

It has a lot of great new features and new API’s. But what was amusing was watching the video and seeing Google’s Vice president of engineering taking a swipe at Apple every chance he gets. He even used Apple’s 1984 Campaign against them (3 minute mark first video)

The Keynote has a lot of info and demos and I recommend watching it if you have an Android device, planing to get one or you just want to see Steve Jobs have a taste of his own medicine.

5 part video.

Microsoft showed the world their new Mobile OS yesterday in Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress. Dubbed “Windows Phone 7 Series” the OS looks awesome from the hands-on and the demo videos that we have seen so far. They show off everything yet as it is still in development (will be released by the end of the year) but from what I’ve seen so far I’m definitely onboard.

With Windows Phone 7 Series Microsoft started from scratch that’s why every thing looks new, amazing and fresh. Windows Mobile 6.5 elements are nowhere to be seen, which is a blessing. The new OS blends The ZUNE HD’s UI with the Android OS’s functionality and integration.

Not to forget also that the ZUNE Service integration is there and works perfectly. and that was the only reason I didn’t buy a ZUNE HD, I wanted the service implemented in a phone and didn’t want to carry a dedicated MP3 player with me, even though the ZUNE HD is an amazing device. It is also integrated with XBOX LIVE, that should be fun.

They really are reminding us that they are still a major player in the smartphone business.

Yesterday we passed by Info Connect at the International Fair Ground to see what’s new. We weren’t expecting much from there except for some new DSL prices but we still had to wonder around checking stuff out before ManU/Arsenal – Egypt/Ghana games.

To our amazement we found a cleaning solution in an Tech/IT expo.

we ended up buying 3 of this AMAZING Kleaner :/

Also when walking around we noticed an unreleased Android mobile device on display in a protected glass case.

Yes it is the SonyEricsson’s upcoming X10. it will be the company’s first android device that should be available as early as next month.

Zidaneoo was also looking for a new laptop. So, we had a quick look around and saw an i7 and an i5 HP laptops that had a very good price. cant remember the exact pricing and specs. but I should have the up soon.

We took our time there wich made us miss both game’s kick-off. and when we got to Showtime’s booth i saw this.

Of course they were watching the Egypt game.

And when it was time to leave, it was raining and we were greeted with a lightnings show.

So, not much to say about the Expo. With the exception of semi-good ADSL prices.

I’ve been waiting for this app for a while now it it just got released recently. It can replace your current Android home screen with over flow of information making the Android’s home screen much more informative than it already is (using the notification bar).

This app is highly recommended and its free (ad supported) and only available for Android OS.

Link

Nokia just announced today that most of Nokia owner can download the new map/nav application for free on their devices.

So that puts it on par with android devices. Except we don’t have good Google maps coverage here in the middle east. Hope Nokia’s offering is much better.

Link

BGR has an insider that confirms that the new iPhone OS (iPhone OS 4.0) will have multitasking capability (among other tweaks).

• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
• “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

If that’s true, this takes the iphone to a whole new level. One of my main complaints was multitasking, so this will make me fall in love with the iphone again.

Now we just hope that there will be some hardware upgrades.

Link

I know I just got my Nexus One, but WMC is next month and the rumor mill is going crazy. It looks like Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Mobile 7 might be the long awaited Zune Phone AKA Project Pink. Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft) did confirm in an interview last month that the new Windows Mobile 7 will have integrated Zune functionality, but didn’t give any further details.

What’s exiting about this is not only the software, but also the hardware.The rumored device (LG Apollo) Specs are just insane:

• Launching: August/September 2010
• CPU: Qualcomm QSD8650; 1.3GHz
• CDMA + GSM (aka a World Phone)
• EvDO + HSDPA
• Device Size: 115 x 57.5 x 11.2 mm
• Memory (RAM/ROM): 1GB/1GB
• External Storage: MicroSD (up to 32GB)
• Screen Size/Type: 3.8-inch capacitive AMOLED “Multitouch Supported”
• Screen Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 px
• Camera: 10-megapixel with flash and autofocus; HD 720p video@ 30fps
• Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV), MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) H.264, DVR-MS4
• Audio Support: Windows Media Audio (WMA), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC), FairPlay DRM, MP3
• Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
• Talk Time: Up to 7.5 hours
• Standby Time: 288 hours
• Internet Use: 4.5 hours (3G), 6.5 hours (WiFi)
• Video Playback: 10 hours
• Audio Playback: 30 hours

I guess we will have to wait till next month to find out.

Image above is concept art by Adam Huffman.

More info here

link

But now they are back with a real and working app that also costs $1000.  BarMax CA is a legitimate application which helps law students prepare for the BAR exam. Its price is allegedly justified because companies with the same styled programs sell it for between $3000-$4000. If you find yourself obliged to buy the app you can find it here.

link

Today I went and got my Nexus One form DHL. The device has a very solid build as you might expect from HTC slightly thinner than the iPhone but has a larger 3.7” screen. The device is multi-touch capable but Google is not supporting the feature nobody knows exactly why , but there are other apps that do. The 1Ghz processor does wonders for the device, but will test it more extensively for the review that should be up by Sunday.

More pics and visual size comparisons to other devices after the break.

Fingerprints of the customs guy :/

Number 1 : RIM’s breakthru into the Kuwaiti market with their Blackberry’s. Its hard to have a conversation with an owner of these devices without being interrupted by furiously rapid texting or beeps emerging from the phone. Do they realize they can have the same data plan with any smartphone and use any social networking/chatting program to the same effect?

Click below for the rest of 2009′s lets forget list.

Number 2 : Swarovski covered cars, especially for the guys. I may understand a girl (maybe not even a grown lady) doing this, but when a guy goes and takes his SUV and bling bling’s it all out with the glittery type crystals, thats just uncalled for. Of course at the same time, in a similair parallel universe to where they live in, they continue the “lets-chrome-the sh*t-out-of-my-car” attitude as well. Some people need to be told that we dont live in a rap video.

Number 3 : This one is more complex, and needs dividing into different parts. Its a mix between the spikey, blow dried hair, and the i-wanna-be-david-beckham look. This follows of course the max-the-crap-out-my-scalp-with-gel fad a few years back. Male hairstyles have gotten out of head, use any mall restroom and you will find all the pushing and shoving around the mirror areas with people puffing up their hair and putting subtle touches. There is nothing subtle about your hairstyles.

Of course the bulk of it has come from a single culprit. Able to twist the minds of our youth into the biggest and loudest as well as the weirdest hairstyles…. the discovery of the hair dryer!

Number 4 : Our beautiful ladies were determined not be outdone by this bold move from the masculine side, so they introduced the alien hijab. I have heard they place yoghurt cups inside to hold the position, my conscience doest want to believe that. They would have made Dan Aykroyd and Co. in Coneheads proud. Behold the masterpieces to come.

Number 5 : Facebook. When your boss at work is a 50 year old man with no tech/social networking background and adds you as a friend to Facebook, then something is acutely wrong. I dont see you or talk to you outside of work, why would i want to be your buddy on facebook?  The social networking scene in Kuwait has boomed in 2009 along with the hair styles.

Just read the live coverage of the Google event that was held today. The Nexus one is available from today for $530 unlocked

Specs are:

Custom engraving for two-line.

Five megapixel camera with LED flash.

Stereo bluetooth.

3.5mm headphone jack.

Active noise suppression — one on the bottom and another on the back for noise reduction.

Compass.

GPS.

accelerometer.

Light and proximity sensor.

3.7-inch AMOLED display.

1GHz Snapdragon.

Multi-color notification LED under the trackball.

Its available in US, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong only.

You can place your order here

History is made in the USA with the inauguration of the first black president, for the first time in a while, many Americans are optimistic. Is it too much pressure on one person to heal the world? Check the rest of the entry below.

After Mad Cows disease, Bird Flu, etc. Swine Flu creates panic and horror around the world for billions of people. Was it blown out of proportion?

The near demise of Dubai, a horror story in its own. It may have been barely saved, but will this be a lesson, or will they continue to push the envelope in 2010?

The less ups, and more downs of the Kuwaiti Parliament, hopes and projects being shattered on a regular basis.

Is he black or is he white? Michael Jackson left behind a legacy with his death in 2009.

Mohammed Al-Juwaihel’s antics taking sleaze to an all time low, did the Kuwaiti people really need someone so outspoken and sleazy to reunite the population?

The smartphone wars. iPhone taking on all comers. Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile to name a few, all taking large steps and closing the ever-so-small gap between each other. 2010 will continue to be a battle for phones.

elwehbi reminded us also of the Mishref sewage disaster.  So much money put into the project,  yet so much negligence.  So many people hurt yet few actually gained from it. The question is, at what price?

Buy it from here.

If you want to feel the ultimate carbon fiber wrapped around your body all day at the office, you have the Authentic Ferrari F360 Challenge Carbon FIber Office Chair.

If you have $8,000 dollars you dont know what to spend on, buy it from here.

Want to use your iPhone/iPod touch to control your TV, stereo, cable box, DVD, etc..?

Download the free app from the iTunes App Store and buy this hardware from here.

Want Android 2.1? Even weirder Carbon Fiber stuff? More than an iPhone case? Want to drive real fast but safe? Then read below.

Curious about Android 2.1? Free turn by turn Navigation on google maps? Are the Motorolla Droid and HTC Hero that great? Check the leak of Android 2.1 (unreleased) in the video below.

Here is the link.

Dont like carbon fiber, but love your iPhone? How about this case with phone screen protection, place for 6 credit cards and opening for charging point.

If you want this, you can buy it from here.

You want some more carbon fiber? You want to sit on but cant afford the office chair above?

Then this toilet seat is suited for you. Buy it from here.

Wanna drive your fast car real fast around a Grand Prix track but don’t want to be reckless on the streets?

Then join the Gulf Run. Check them out here.

Links :

www.malcolmfontier.com , www.carbonfibergear.com , www.geeky-gadgets.com , www.thinkflood.com , www.htcheroblog.com , www.thegulfrun.com

For more including iPOD docks, more cars, USB’s and more phones continue reading after the break.

We have heard this over and over. “This phone is the iPhone killer”, yet whenever the phones eventually get released there is always something that doesnt put it into the same class, either its the app store or the simplicity of the iPhone that still keeps it as uncomparable to others. But Motorolla and Verizon are hyping up their “Droid” phone and directly attacking Apple’s iPhone in their ads. The phone will run Android 2.0 and Boy Genius is allegedly the only person to actually get his hands on one.

While those details are unconfirmed by Verizon or Motorola, the DroidDoes.com Web site and the TV ad for the campaign highlight that the Droid offers several important features, including multitasking, a replaceable battery and open development — features that the iPhone has been criticized for lacking. The TV ad attacks the iPhone in various ways, saying the following:

• iDon’t have a real keyboard.
• iDon’t run simultaneous apps.
• iDon’t take 5-megapixel pictures.
• iDon’t customize.
• iDon’t run widgets.
• IDon’t allow open development.
• iDon’t take pictures in the dark.
• iDon’t have interchangeable batteries

Source Computerworld

With Windows Mobile revamping and upgrading their system, Android becoming a real player in the market, and the iPhone still untouchable, the smartphone consumer’s smile just gets bigger and bigger.

Check Boy Genius’s screenshots here.

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but is the only reason the Blackberry is so big in Kuwait due to the BBM? I cannot understand how a hardcore business smartphone can be so popular. With the same amount you pay for the Blackberry service you can add the data package from your provider and install all the instant messaging programs you want, and more. The iPhone at least is a multi-media monster. From applications, to games to the iPod itself. But beyond the BBM, what does the Blackberry provide to the non-business oriented Kuwaiti aged 16-35? I understand the users who are using background syncing for up to date analysis of say oil prices for example, or the stock markets, but other than that ? Any answers?

Yesterday 15 minutes into a football game, we noticed a guy come sit down on the sidelines. He was not a friend or known by anyone of us playing, but we thought nothing more of it. After being there for 15 minutes he made his way out. All of a sudden one of our friends left the field running after him, before he got the chance to leave the complex into the street. Everyone was curious what was going on, all of a sudden we hear him shouting and our friend snatches his car keys out of his pocket and lays him with a couple of blows.

Now this guy has about 30 witness who actually saw our friends cars keys come out of his pocket. He even had the nerve to try and say they were his keys. He was taken to a room belonging to the administration there and slapped around a bit until the cops were to come. In the mean time, some people decided to tell our friend to let him go, “he has a kid and wife and he will probably learn his lesson”, they said. 2 of our other friends decided to become inspector gadget and sherlock holmes by taking him to his car, which was conveniently parked about 2 blocks away even though there is a huge, always empty parking lot right in front of the entrance. There they brought in the thief’s wallet which included more than 10 civil ID’s of Kuwaiti’s. He was not a Kuwaiti. He said they are his friends and he uses them to get free healthcare. He also said he took the car keys in order to take 5kd and return the keys back! Yet, his wallet was FULL of money. He was also using a nokia phone which costs no less than 150-180kd. I dont know how the idea to let him go was still being tossed around. You hear about these gangs all the time stealing things from people. The administrator there said he sees this guy 3-4 times a day watching games, so obviously he was doing it for a while and well planned. The 2 “stooge” cops arrived about 30 minutes after the incident and first thing they did was check him for bruises. They realised he had been between more than 30 people who had seen him try to steal a car. Their were no bruises but they missed the torn lip and broken glasses on his face! Also, when he was taken to his car, there was a bush nearby with a whole stack of other wallets. At the end they brought 3 seperate witnesses, took the ID’s and walked with him into the wilderness, my friend had decided not to pursue any more action. But due to the fact he had other people’s things, he will probably be charged by one of those with their missing ID’s. And you can only imagine what else he had stashed in his car. Watch your stuff.

link

UPDATE : Pepsi has apologized for this app since it is degrading to women. link

Project Pink is Microsoft’s secret new phone, their first major phone play since the iPhone. Here are the first pictures of Pink phones, Turtle and Pure.

These phones will be made by Sharp and it will include Zune services and its own app store. No more specifications are mentioned yet but it looks promising.

Hardware design has a definite younger look; Turtle is more Pre-like while Pure seems like a standard slider. Both seems made of plastic and very rounded thanks to lots of soft angles and circular keys.

It seems that Microsoft are still very sloppy when it come to keeping important files .

Ever dropped your cell phone in water? Ever had to replace an iPod because of battery problems? How about spilling liquid on a laptop? These, and many other everyday nuisances occur to us all the time. And we usually end up fully replacing the ‘defected’ object. But wait, I read this article on MSN and it seemed very helpful for alot of these problems. Even stuff like reviving a stuck LCD panel are included. Check out the article right here.

Random Information of the Day : So there was the dotcom bubble, then in Kuwait we had the Sushi bubble and currently we are experiencing the cupcake/cookie bubble. But did you know that our last “bubble” (sushi and sashimi) is in the top 5 list of most foods to contain parasites? Some foods to ponder over here.

You can find in the link below the top 20 most notorious apps which got rejected from the iTunes Apps store.

http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=21124345&GT1=40000

Random Information of the day : “Spotify have released both their iPhone and Android mobile apps, a little over a week after Apple approved it in late August. Premium subscribers to the streaming music service will now be able to access Spotify’s catalog on their iPhone, iPod touch, or any of the Android devices currently available. It looks to have just gone live in Europe where you can now have access to over 6 million songs on your iPhone for roughly $20 a month.” Taken from here and here.

If you like it you can purchase it from Amazon by clcking here.

Also, for charging on the go see what you like from below…

This rechargeable juice pack is like a skin for the iPhone/iPod Touch. You can get it from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Check this out to help you stay connected all day and night. Kensington Dock.

Random Information of the day : AT&T have confirmed that MMS will be available for its subscribers in the US from September 25th.

The application is called Wikitude World Browser.

So what is augmented reality exactly?  According to Wikipedia…

Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with-, or augmented by virtual computer-generated imagery – creating a mixed reality.

Basically it uses real images to overlay computer generated images onto the physical environment. It may sound very confusing, but it is a very simple concept with a great experience for the user. To try and grasp the concept some more you may want to take a look at the video below.

There is a second part of the video you can find here.

So basically in Kuwait i have used it to see such things as al-Fayha, al-shamiya, al-rawdha, Moghul Mahal, Olympia tower, etc. just to name a few. You will get alot of areas in Iraq the more you extend the range of scope. Of course this is the kind of application that will be more useful when you are abroad as it has more points of interest like most GPS/points of interest/augmented reality apps.

It can basically become a travel guide with you when you are out of town trying to find different areas to explore. From regular buildings to museums to restaraunts, you will find it all in this application. Of course you have the option to refine your search and select content overlays. Then you will select which display you want from three : CAM, MAP, LIST. All this on the home screen where it lists your current position according to your network provider if your GPS is turned off.  And then all you do is point, and move around like your using a video camera until you find something you like; then you can select it and see information about it among other things.

Wikitude is currently available for free in the Android Market and should be available any day now for all you iPhone 3GS users through the iTunes App Store.  A great app that is alot of fun to use and at the same time very helpful.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 

*Random information for the day : Disney will buy Marvel for $4 billion dollars, pending share-holder approval. Thats alot of zero’s. link

In a statement to the BBC, Apple said, “The iPhones with broken glass that we have analyzed to date show that in all cases, the glass cracked due to an external force that was applied to the iPhone.”

Check out the rest of the story here.

In other Apple news, AT&T’s stronghold on the iPhone devices in the US may be loosening within a year ;  it seems Apple will make the iPhone available to other carriers within that time frame. Check out the full story here.

The Maemo update also brings an overall more touch-friendly interface and a customizable home screen that can mix app icons with shortcuts and widgets. Nokia also claims full support for Flash, albeit for the older 9.4, and has a new touch-friendly media player as well as similar apps.

In hardware, Nokia makes clear the N900′s role as an effective replacement for the N97 and the company’s answer to the iPhone 3GS. The QWERTY slider design has the same 600MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor as the Apple smartphone and a faster graphics core that, again like Apple, supports OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics features. GPS and Wi-Fi are similarly onboard. However, the N900 brings much more app memory at up to 1GB (256MB actual RAM), full HSPA-based 3G at up to 10Mbps down and 2Mbps up, and a much sharper 800×480, 3.5-inch touchscreen. The 5-megapixel camera and 32GB of storage are also carried over from the N97, but a microSDHC slot lets users add at least another 16GB with today’s cards.

The N900 should be out by October and will cost around 500 Euros ($715/205KD)

Official Page

For the 2 Apps of the moment continue reading…

With the influx of roadside camera’s, cops, roadside car camera’s, moving car camera’s and radar’s, this just might be the ultimate way to find those speed traps if you dont want to manual input them into your cars GPS. Behold the TRAPSTER!

So how does it work? Basically its a community social network, in which regular people select places where there are speed traps. Whether it be a place a police car parks, or a camera or whatever. Most people will think there is probably many “hoax” points where there are actually no dangers evident. But Trapster have thought of that and your entry has to be verified by a certain amount of people before it gets accepted. In Kuwait every point was either spot on with a camera, and if not, it was a place where a cop car usually parks or a roadside car camera parks. Amazingly simple, its just a brilliant application whatever your platform is. This is also available for Nokia in the Ovi store. Trapster can be found here. 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★½ 

Our next App is for our music lovers. Tunewiki is a social media player. Whether you pay for your songs through iTunes as an iPhone/iPod Touch user, or get them for free as an Android user through Music Online, this app will be very helpful.

While playing your favorite songs, you will get a strip with the lyrics of those songs as it is playing, if it is out of sync, its simple, you just resync them. There are translations in other languages as well for all you intellectual linguists out there. Everything in the program is based on community contribution. Also, there is a tab which when clicked enables you to  view currently playing songs by other Tunewiki users nearby, or anywhere else in the world. Apart from audio, you also have a direct link to YouTube for your favorite music videos. There is also integrated Last.fm radio as well as SHOUTcast Radio within the program. Obviously, at the same time you have the basics of a media player where you can forward songs, skip, shuffle and make your own playlists. For users of the Android platform, there is also a great TuneWiki widget for one of your homescreens.  Great music player for whatever platform you use.  You can find it here. This is also available for Nokia in the Ovi store.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 

Now that I had my Hero for 2 weeks, I can start blabbering about it.

let me start with this, I had very high hopes for the device before it got released. I wanted a device that could do things the iPhone couldn’t do. The android platform didn’t disappoint.

Build:

The build quality of the device is fantastic, is very sturdy and feels solid, its leaps and bounds over the G1, its on-par with the iPhone if not slightly better in my opinion. The whole back acts as a battery cover, you don’t have to slide anything, you just pull it apart. And it has the whole teflon thing going for it too, it prevents the phone from getting any skin oil from your greasy sweaty palms, and it feels great. Other reviewers went as far as calling the iPhone as junk compared to powerful and convenient teflon coating on the HTC Hero.

Design:

HTC went almost with the same basic design as the G1, there is a slight chinny look at the bottom, but the Hero is ten times better looking than the G1. I can actually go ahead and say its one of the best looking smartphones out there. The curved bottom protects the phone if you place it face down on a surface, it prevents the screen and trackball from making contact to the surface.

The device has 7 buttons (including the clickable back-lit trackball which looks really nice) on the front and the volume controls on the left of the device.

Phone Size:

It’s slightly smaller than the iPhone in both height and width, but also slightly thicker. It has some curved edges on the back which makes it fit comfortably in the hand.

HTC Hero: mm 112 x 56.2 x 14.4

iPhone 3G/3GS: mm 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3

As for weight, both the HTC Hero and the iPhone 3GS weigh the same, 135 grams 3 grams heavier than the iPhone 3G.

Camera:

The 5 MP camera is great, coming from iPhone 3G (2MP) and a Blackberry 8900 (3.2MP but pretty good) this camera is leaps and bounds ahead “in well lit scenarios” I say this because HTC are known for not including any type of flash on their devices, so dark/night shots are a no-no here.

Check out Engadget’s photo gallery here.

Operating System/User Interface:

The HTC Hero uses the Android OS with HTC’s own Sense UI running on top of it, HTC likes to call it a user experience rather than user interface and I agree, It implements a number of functionalities rather than it just being eye-candy.

The Android -in theory- is the ultimate mobile operating system for 2 main factors, which are:

1) Its backed up by one of the largest companies in the world, yes this is important, just look at Palm. They have a wonderful phone/os, but because of the limited resources, they cant expand/gamble on a large scale. Palm already are putting everything they have (literarly) on the Pre. so if the phone flops, the whole company would go down and that would be the end of it, you just cant see that with the Android. Of course the same can be said about Windows Mobile and the iPhone OS, which brings us to the second point.

2) The Android is an open Operating system, which means that it has everything going for it if it’s competing with the iPhone.

Multitasking:

This is a biggy, I can’t see a phone calling it self a “smartphone” without the ability of doing more than one thing at the same time. Thats what I hated about the iPhone. On the Hero, I can have multiple apps running in the background, thats what’s I think is causing the slight sluggishness other reviewers pointing out. iPhone, what’s your excuse?
you can also download an app task manager app and kill unwanted applications to regain some performance.

Home Screens:

One of the first things that I noticed on the Hero was the home screen, it’s so much more useful than the iphone’s empty home screen, I can see live weather, my upcoming calendar event, and the usual IM/SMS/email numbered notifications on their icons respectively . Plus you can download a number of widgets that boosts the functionality or just use the stock widgets that came with the device.

Notification Bar/Area

Gtalk, SMS, facebook, twitter and email notifications are just one slide away no matter on which of the 7 screens you are on, you can view all of your notifications, as I said IM, email, downloads and even installs all show up here. It’s just great, in any other phone, if I had a few missed calls, a number of unread IM’s, SMS’s and emails, I had to enter each app to check who was the sender. On the Hero, I just slide down the notification bar and I’m shown the sender and a snippet of each message and email. It’s a god send.

Facebook/Twitter/Flickr Integration:

All these services come preloaded on the HTC Hero and are very well integrated. Twitter is fully integrated into the OS, with a full featured application, as for Facebook and Flickr, the integration is more contact centric, as you can link facebook contact to contacts in your contact manager and get a full featured contact card for every contact, complete data is synced like birthdays, events, photo albums and status.

Google Integration:

This is what the phone is about, it is a Google operating system after all, and it is done very well. gtalk, gmail, gcal and contact gets push service. so any changes on any of these services an any internet enabled device, your data gets synced across the board. very nice considering its free unlike Apple mobileme service which is basically the same thing but costs $100/year and it’s not showing any love to any other mobile device.

Android Market:

The Android market is not as deep as Apples App Store (no other mobile store is). you wont find beautiful looking games here because the phones cant support them yet. What you will find is a large amount of really unique and cool apps that are only possible on an Android device, like “Locale” for instance, simply put, you can use this app to set different profiles for different locations either via cell tower or GPS. It also does much more it needs its own review, google it.

You will also find a large amount of widgets, which is what the OS is all about too, bringing even more functionality to the phone.

It also looks like that the market content is filtered by IP address, so here in Kuwait you might only get access to free apps. Will check on that later.

Browser:

The HTC Hero has an edge here, none of its main rivals has a built-in flash support for its browser. iPhone, Windows Mobile, Palm Pre and the RIM phones all do not support flash, natively in WM’s case

Other Stuff:

Battery life is on-par with other smart phones I’ve used like the iphone, iphone 3g, and the HTC Touch HD, I can go a day with a single charge, but not likely.

Internal specs are somewhat dated, it has the same specs as my almost 1 year old touch HD, with a 528MHz Qualcomm CPU, 288MB RAM, 512MB ROM, WIFI B/G, Bluetooth, GPS and a quad-band HSPA cell chip. The heavily skinned OS takes its toll of the CPU and RAM showing slight sluggishness here and there.

Love the dedicated search button, press it when in the Android Market to search for apps, press it when in the contact manager to search for a contact, press it in the SMS app to search SMS’s and press t any where else to search the web.

Conclusion:

The phone is amazing, It’s ALMOST every thing the Hero/Android have to offer. I say almost because of the dated internal specs, the year+ old specs are holding the device slightly back. But for what you are paying (the phone costs 175KD compared to the iPhones 300ish KD) the phone is the number one choice hands down, even if the prices of the iPhone are lowered here in Kuwait, I would still go with the HTC Hero.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆