I also think you'll be surprised at the popularity of the Hero (I should come clean and admit to having one on order).

I agree that the Android GUI does look a bit dated but the HTC Sense Sense UI is really cool and hopefully the base Android OS will gain something similar in the future.

I honestly think that Android will easily overtake apple for the number of phones sold in the next couple of years and that this will drive the development of more and better applications, which in turn will drive greater adoption etc.

The main advantage in my view is the fact that phones can be produced by different manufacturers using different hardware. Lets face it companies like Nokia, Sony and Samsung have been producing phones with superior hardware (in most areas) to the iPhone for a few years. For example a Sony Android with 4" screen, 1Ghz processor and 8MP camera is rumoured for release around October (Xperia X3 aka Rachael).

Of course Apple won't hang around either and the iPhone is already a great device, but then I can't get a 12 month contract, with £35 a month, and pay just £27 for an unlocked iPhone. I can with a Hero, and value for money is important to lots of us. Of course Apple will retain the snob appeal. I feel it's a bit like Windows vs Mac OS all over again.

Either way, choice can only be a good thing and I hope both OS go on to better things so I can decide again at the end of my sweet 12 month contract.

im assuming thats what tmob are calling the g2 on their site then?

Android is very very new, and from experience using it its not quite there yet IMHO. This isnt a bad things, iphone OS is in its 3rd release, winmo is nearly at 6.5 and blackberry at 5.0 (well very soon anyway)

agreed maybe the android isnt dated but its ONE htc device that isnt on winmo.

Anyway my point mainly was that there were no handsets that will really get the consumer rushing, when was the last time you saw a queue out of a t-mobile store?

The htc hero which is available on t mobile is frightfully dated compared to the iPhone? Somehow I don't think so buddy! Flash support, multiouch, 5mp camera, multi tasking which the iPhone can only dream of and the openess of the android ui, I really don't think it's frightfully dated compared to the iPhone.

Can I say fanboy?

I don't think O2 do a bad job to be honest, there a solid network, the deals with Cloud and BT Openzone wifi for iPhone users is great, and the network is pretty good considering.

I work for a communications firm that works with all the networks in the UK and we are often asked to supply iphones which normally come from italy via a distributors

there are a few downsides to this though, firmware updates seem to wipe apn details, they dont come with a uk charger and I suspect the warranty situation would be awkward as well, trying to get support for a foreign iphone in the uk

I know, rumours are just that. But he has been right befor, so watch this space.

T-Mobile are saying they'll get the iPhone, but with no hard dates.

I've had passionate discussions with friends who suggest that the iPhone isn't all that. I don't argue that point, but instead point out that the primary driver for Apple's success in this is that there isn't a better alternative that does what customers want/need. The moment that happens, the competitive winds will shift. So far it hasn't happened.