Related
I just bought a Touch Diamond -very nice phone with a couple exceptions.
Touchflo 3d is nice but Im finding it doesnt have much depth - it needs more functions. And the loudspeaker is not very good - not loud, not clear.
Anyways, its my first windows mobile phone and had a couple questions about what WM6.1 can do. Im using Vista btw.
1. Email - Im downloading ALL my email and its fairly big. Can I force it to save only to internal storage?
2. Music - How do you get the album photo to come up while playing through Touchflo music - the picture does come up if i just play in windows media player.
3. Is it possible to add/remove multiple contacts from the People Menu ie Favourite contact
4. Most important - connectivity. Is it possible to access the phone wirelessly from PC via router? The phone connects to the router wirelessly fine and I can use the internet. But what I want to be able to do is either access the internal storage or sync up with outlook without using the usb cable.
5. What kind of BASIC phone functions does it have?
Eg. Call timer during call
Stop it going to that call history page after a call - i want it to go straight back to home.
Theres more functions it seems to be missing....
6. How do you make it so it FULLY shuts down a program when u hit the top right close button? I dont want to have to keep re-hitting the top right button to open task manager and full close it that way.
7. Lastly, is there any secret tips that a newbie wouldnt know about eg. codes to get to secret menus etc?
1. I don't think so, but I don't download email, so somebody who does may be able to help.
2. Strange problem, probably to do with the version of ID3 tags each uses. But again I have no idea how to solve it
3. No idea with no device in hand
4. Microsoft, being twats, reoved sync via Wi-Fi with the upgrade to WM2003. So, sorry mate, no way that I know
5. My dialer on my other PPC has call timer I think, but the diamond's may not, a new dialer with it included may solve the problem.
Other stuff missing?
6. Get a proper x button, like WKTask, or Wisbar, or something similar. Its also probably possible to change the settings to make it close by tapping X. I also think that with the HTC program, you can close by tap and hold, or, from today, click where the x should be, and a menu comes up enabling you to close them individually.
7. Secret codes? Not that I know of.
Hope the small things I have known here do help
Rory
Yeah, 6 is definitely something that can be done in the standard Windows Mobile settings (unless they've removed the setting in 6.1, in which case a registry edit might do it).
I guess when the phone has been out for a while, a lot of registry tweaks and utils will show up around here to adress all kinds of small and big issues.
i was gona go for a diamond but look at htc touch pro. everything diamond plus hardware keyboard and memory expansion slot (minus front camera).
Found how to fully close the progam in one go - went to task manager - button - and chose "End Programs by tapping X"
Under this option is "End programs by tapping and holding X" which is the default.
I tried it and it does work but I dont like it. Coz u cant really tell how long to hold it. If u keep holding, the program actually just stays open until u release. And I guess if u release too early it wont fully close.
Anyways - thats not a huge issue - wireless sync is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone found a way to get around it?
Best you can do with WIFI is put the UNC name of your pc into the browser and bring up the shares.
If you want to sync wirelessly, you'll have to do it via bluetooth. You should be able to get a bluetooth dongle for your pc for about 20 bucks though.
OH YEAH!!!!!!!! Going through Opera to browse my PC directory - You little beauty!!!
Now, how do I set up a name for the diamond so I can see it on my PC. Is there a setting you have to enable? I browse for "PCs" and it doesnt find the diamond - just my other PCs
to begin with, i want to tell you all how glad i am to have found and be a part of this community which taught and showed me a lot of things on how to configure and set up a decent working version of Windows Mobile. this is my first winmob phone, after having a dozen java/symbian/s60 operated phones.
i chose the HTC over the iPhone mainly because of the huge possibilities of tweaking, but for an inexperienced (WinMobile) user like me, to kick it off in the right way might prove to be harder than at first expected. so i decided to create this topic not only to ask for your help but hopefully to lay down some basic guidelines for all users new to this forum and to WinMob.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
my ROM version is 1.37.401.3 and my Radio version is 1.00.25.03 - that's how i bought it from store.
1. i installed the advanced confing utility but some options there don't work for me (e.g. Show SIM contacts - disable[doesn't work] or X button - close app [same]). why is that ?
2. is it in anyway possible to modify my start menu app list cause it laggs for about 2-3 seconds before opening the huge list i have there
3. what does the Radio version mean ? from what i've read on these forums, i'm thinking it has to do more than with the basic radio app, right ? what exactly does the higher version (.05) improve ?
4. the ROM version - correct me if i'm wrong .. are there official ROM versions from HTC that can be downloaded from their site that work regardless of the tweakings done to the phone? and how are user made ROMs better ? is there anything consistently better than my current version in terms of battery life and performance ?
5. i've read the manual and it says that the win media player supports .avi files yet mine doesn't open one. anything special i need to know of ?
6. what programs can i install apart from those i've found here? say yahoo messenger, if i don't want to use win messenger. and if that's possible, are there appz especially made for winmobile cause i doubt it that an ordinary PC .exe will work the same
7. is there any way to use the camera from the front of the phone for photos?
8. is there no other possibility of turning the phone ON from sleep mode other than the power button ? if not, where's the timer that sets how many seconds pass before entering sleep mode?
9. if i got it right, tomtom7 is a gps navigation program, right? does it work stand-alone? i mean, no external receiver? and does it connect to the internet while in usage ? what about google maps?
10. any other useful programs to recommend other than the ones found within this section of the forum ? i've read about users using Total Comander.. where can i find that ? or is it the normal PC program ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
i know these are a lot of questions but honestly these were the first things that popped in my mind after using this phone for nearly 5 days now i'll be grateful for whatever answers, advice and solutions you'll be kind enough to provide.
8. Take out the stylus - wakes it up. Just got mine today and found this out by accident. After all - why read the manual??
9. TomTom 6 is the version I bought for my Trinity, and it works just fine on my Diamond. I just chose Com Port 4 for 'other bluetooth receiver' and it works without the need for an external bluetooth GPS receiver. Curiously it turns bluetooth on while TT is running - then turns it off when stopping TT. Does it really need to connect to itself via bluetooth? Any readers got an idea?
domnu' iliescu,
a. go to:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Diamond
and learn a few basics and in special a few therms some "slang"
b. go to:
http://modmydiamond.info/index.php and learn how to hardspl and flash a new ROM.
the "cooked" ROMs are by far better than the original one (the one u have for example). is like buying a car and using a kit to tune it, make it the way you like it. you tweak the motor and you''l get less consumption (more memory and longer battery life), more speed (faster and smoother diamond) and so on. escuse my car analogy but the thing i love even more than my diamond is my car (i wonder, is it really in this order?).
now, my answers to yr question. i might be wrong on some of the answers but there are enough ppl here hapy to correct me..lol
1. there is a high probability that flashing a new ROM will change that (see a.)
2. for sure flashing will solve it.
3. in simple words, the radio is the function that allows you to make calls, use bluetooth or yr gps. connectivity. see my a. for more info.
4. see the beginning of my replay namely, point b.
5. don't know why, again maybe a new ROM will solve this (strange ..)
6. live it to later. there is somewhere here a post regarding applications and programs supported by diamond. first flash new ROM and new radio, get familiar with the device and forget about applications. there are a few "must have" but again, l a t e r .
7. the camera is for video calls. why do u need to used when u have a better (much better) one dedicated to taking pictures?
8. pull out the stylus is my favorite.
regarding "the timer":
- go to settings/system/power/backlight for adjusting the backlight and go to settings/system/power/advanced for what u call "sleep mode". btw, it is in diamond's manual!
9. the diamond has an internal GPS. no need for external (see yr manual again). you can choose between lots of navigation programs. tomtom, igo8 and google maps (never used google maps, maybe somebody else is going to help you). i am using igo8.
10. total commander is somewhere as a cab file in the thread of one of the many ROMs here. i'll look for it or i'll upload mine somewhere.
important!!
read diamond's manual, keep reading in the forum, ask only after you are certain that the answer is not somewhere here (use search function) and read again some more! "invatzatzi! invatzatzi! invatzatzi!
good luck! Noroc!
On point 8, has anyone managed to wake the phone up/bring the screen light back on without pressing the power button or removing the stylus? Pushing the central button or even the home button would be better.
iliescu902 said:
1. i installed the advanced confing utility but some options there don't work for me (e.g. Show SIM contacts - disable[doesn't work] or X button - close app [same]). why is that ?
You should install diamond tweak, you'll find it on the forum, for easyier twaeking, it got 40 tweaks incl, and you can easy just disable or enable there.
if you hide sim contacs, it will be reset to show again after a soft reset i think.
4. the ROM version - correct me if i'm wrong .. are there official ROM versions from HTC that can be downloaded from their site that work regardless of the tweakings done to the phone? and how are user made ROMs better ? is there anything consistently better than my current version in terms of battery life and performance ?
Yes there is a new rom out, 1.93, you can download it from htc.com, htc e club, register there, and then register your product when you are logged on, and you should be able to install it.
5. i've read the manual and it says that the win media player supports .avi files yet mine doesn't open one. anything special i need to know of ?
Install TCPMP/core player, .avi, .mpeg etc. works there, best player for movies imo.
7. is there any way to use the camera from the front of the phone for photos?
Yes there is, when you use camera, go on settings and press the icon with 2 cameras on, and it will switch to the camera on the front
10. any other useful programs to recommend other than the ones found within this section of the forum ? i've read about users using Total Comander.. where can i find that ? or is it the normal PC program ?
NoData, tcpmp, S2P(music player), diamond TF3D config, diamond tweaks is some of those i find very good to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope it helps
Can anyone educate me as to whether Android is a viable option on the vogue, and if there is a usable build (flashable or running off of SD)?
I have switched (possibly temporarily) from blackberry to a Vogue, and have flashed OEM WM 6.1 and most recently egzthunder1's WM 6.5 rom. I'm trying to get the device as usable without a stylus as possible, and WM 6.5 is pretty close to that goal, but there are still some reliability problems. Just little constant annoyances (can't seem to get an LED to flash to let me know I have unread SMS or eMail, touchscreen is not as sensitive to finger presses as iPhone / iPod touch or Dell Axim X50v, GUI is still clumsy and clunky in some apps), and some bugs (device freezing up, touchscreen becoming less responsive from time to time, SMS notifications not triggering alerts, etc).
So is Android available, and if so, is it just a novelty or is it a legitimate option for actual day to day use on a Vogue?
Thanks!
Dailey use.. but it's not in the upgrade forum. you have to check the general forum.
To get android installed as a complete windows mobile replacement check here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=593786
It's starting to become a viable option.
Note that bluetooth is still a work in progress, but otherwise most everything else works.
The only reasons I still use Windows Mobile are:
1) Longer battery life: For some reason android currently lasts about a day or two, when the phone is on standby. For Windows Mobile I can get it to last about 5-6.
2) Tethering: There are some issues with tethering (needing to run custom programs on the laptop, etc).
3) No-internet GPS (TomTom, etc)
Things I liked about Android:
1) Responsive touch screen
2) Easier to receive/dismiss an SMS
3) Easier to send an SMS
4) GMail integration
5) Lots of applications, and easy to install
6) Faster/Better web browser (Better than Opera Mobile, SkyFire, IE, etc)
If you want to give it a try, you can use my version. It's a slightly older version of android (not the best there is to offer), but it works decently well. Google Maps Navigation doesn't work, but it should soon.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58383/android.exe
The exe is a self-extracting zip file. Double-click and it will ask
where you want to extract it.
You'll need to extract that zip file to your phone's memory card.
Extract it so that the android folder is at the base of the memory
card (or extract it to your desktop and then copy the android folder
over).
Then in Windows Mobile, you go to Start > Programs > File Explorer.
1. Navigate to the Secure Digital Card folder.
2. Go to the 'android' folder on the SD card.
3. Run Haret.exe. Then click Run.
It will reboot into android. You can always use the reset button on
the bottom to get back into Windows Mobile.
The buttons in Android are as follows:
1. Top button (short press): Wakes the phone up from sleep. It also
brings up/closes the android menu. The android menu is like the File
menu in windows mobile, it's used to enter URLs in the browser, or
adjust settings in other screens.
2. Top button (long press): Brings the keyboard up manually.
3. Top button (long press when android menu is up): Rotates the
screen between horizontal and vertical mode.
4. Side button (short press): The camera button on the side is the
'back' button.
5. Side button (long press): Brings you back to the main screen.
Your application will stay where it's at (internet will stay open).
6. End Call Button: Ends call. Turns off the screen when you're on
the Home Screen.
Do this to port your contacts from Windows Mobile to Android (need a GMail account):
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138636&topic=14299
oisact said:
Can anyone educate me as to whether Android is a viable option on the vogue, and if there is a usable build (flashable or running off of SD)?
I have switched (possibly temporarily) from blackberry to a Vogue, and have flashed OEM WM 6.1 and most recently egzthunder1's WM 6.5 rom. I'm trying to get the device as usable without a stylus as possible, and WM 6.5 is pretty close to that goal, but there are still some reliability problems. Just little constant annoyances (can't seem to get an LED to flash to let me know I have unread SMS or eMail, touchscreen is not as sensitive to finger presses as iPhone / iPod touch or Dell Axim X50v, GUI is still clumsy and clunky in some apps), and some bugs (device freezing up, touchscreen becoming less responsive from time to time, SMS notifications not triggering alerts, etc).
So is Android available, and if so, is it just a novelty or is it a legitimate option for actual day to day use on a Vogue?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you happen to see the article posted yesterday on the XDA home page?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=619877
There are plenty of android builds available for the vogue. No flashing required. Simply copy the files onto the root of your SD card.
If you use the 1.5 based build in the thread that I linked bluetooth works fine.
We're working on it for donut (1.6) as well.. As google changes the way things are handled in every release it often takes a while to get them sorted out.
The Tattoo that is posted on the man xda page looks real good ... i'm about to get a second vogue just to play with it.
Thanks everyone. I was able to give this version a try off of SD:
[note]I Can't embed links to URLs link back to this very forum, which is kind of silly[/note]
SenseTattoo 1.0.
But for the life of me I couldn't flash it. I really liked it, and I think it might be the deciding factor for me to switch over to the Vogue as my main phone. The main downside was large delays, which I assume was from loading data from the SD card instead of NAND.
I'm reverting back to WM 6.5 so I can at least run Android off the SD card again.
Is there information comparing Hero to Tattoo? I searched but couldn't find anything. Are there UI differences, functional differences, or is it just skins?
oisact said:
Thanks everyone. I was able to give this version a try off of SD:
[note]I Can't embed links to URLs link back to this very forum, which is kind of silly[/note]
SenseTattoo 1.0.
But for the life of me I couldn't flash it. I really liked it, and I think it might be the deciding factor for me to switch over to the Vogue as my main phone. The main downside was large delays, which I assume was from loading data from the SD card instead of NAND.
I'm reverting back to WM 6.5 so I can at least run Android off the SD card again.
Is there information comparing Hero to Tattoo? I searched but couldn't find anything. Are there UI differences, functional differences, or is it just skins?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing is simple. If it works from SD, then you put the data.img (distro should come with one or look around for one), system.whatever, and rootfs.gz files in the BASE directory of the SD card. Then you create 3 blank files, systemtonand, rootfstonand, and datatonand. Then flash the *.nbh file. When it reboots, it will program the phone.
mssmison said:
If you use the 1.5 based build in the thread that I linked bluetooth works fine.
We're working on it for donut (1.6) as well.. As google changes the way things are handled in every release it often takes a while to get them sorted out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for phone calls as well as playing music?
masalma said:
for phone calls as well as playing music?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.. Again though can we please put the android threads back in the general thread.
oisact said:
Can anyone educate me as to whether Android is a viable option on the vogue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree about the comments that say Android is very close to being an everyday ROM. Depending on what you are willing to put up with it could even be considered an everyday ROM at this point BUT....
After running Android 1.6 for several weeks (daily use) I have gone back to NFSFAN's final 6.5 ROM and I have to say WOW!! it feels 100% more “native” on the Vogue. Stuff just works. period. So if oisact is looking for something that is modern, works well and eliminates most (not all) of the stylus use then I would highly recommend NFSFAN's work.
There will be far more "little constant annoyances" with Android at this stage then with a good Windows Mobile ROM. Again I refer you to our friend NFSFAN
Also, part of the stylus issue on the Vogue I believe is simply due to screen size. I often whipped out my stylus under Android as well. Although it is good that more and more of these ROMs are becoming less and less stylus centric. Windows Mobile (particularly some of the 3rd party apps) has to get up to speed in this area.
The Fish
thefish123 said:
I agree about the comments that say Android is very close to being an everyday ROM. Depending on what you are willing to put up with it could even be considered an everyday ROM at this point BUT....
After running Android 1.6 for several weeks (daily use) I have gone back to NFSFAN's final 6.5 ROM and I have to say WOW!! it feels 100% more “native” on the Vogue. Stuff just works. period. So if oisact is looking for something that is modern, works well and eliminates most (not all) of the stylus use then I would highly recommend NFSFAN's work.
There will be far more "little constant annoyances" with Android at this stage then with a good Windows Mobile ROM. Again I refer you to our friend NFSFAN
Also, part of the stylus issue on the Vogue I believe is simply due to screen size. I often whipped out my stylus under Android as well. Although it is good that more and more of these ROMs are becoming less and less stylus centric. Windows Mobile (particularly some of the 3rd party apps) has to get up to speed in this area.
The Fish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try the 1.5 ION build? I have been using it for more than a month now and everything seems to work perfectly.
I have been using it daily and wouldn't ever consider going back to nfsfan winmo rom.
google voice
I'm loving the android builds!
However, I haven't been able to make any calls using the Google voice app. Anyone else, or is it just my setup?
Hi !
I'm new to this forum, and a new user of Android (2.1) / SGS. I recently switched from the iphone 3G, which was ****ed up by ios4 and after swearing I'd never buy another crapple product ever again.
As a linux user / open source fan, I love my SGS so far. I've started messing around with a number of things already, mostly basic customization and application / widget picking, and have landed on a launcherpro+folderorganizer setup. Now enough about my life nobody cares about, I have a few noob questions that are yet unanswered by my initial research, thanks to anyone who will take the time to answer !
1) Regarding plugnplay'ness : when I plugged my SGS to my computer (win7), at first it wasn't recognized. I had to google the error, find some samsung drivers, install them (took a while) before I could access the phone in explorer mode. Is that normal behaviour ? I kinda hoped the phone would be recognized as a "usb key" on any computer without having to install anything.
2) For Android updates : from what I understand, the way of doing them is to install Samsung Kies on a PC and pilot the upgrade from there, correct ? Or is this only for major updates ? Is there a way to auto-update the OS from the phone itself without needing to use Kies ? Are there other things I can only do with Kies (without needing extensive knowledge of Android internals) ?
3) About root : apart from installing android versions that are not yet official, what are the common uses that require root privileges ? I'm familiar with what being root means under linux, but I guess my question would be more like : what are the restrictions on the default user and what do they prevent him to do ?
4) The "lag" : I see everywhere mention of this "lag" problem. I haven't noticed any. Granted, I come from a world where simply opening an application can take anywhere between 15s (iphone 3G+ios4) to 10s (iphone 3G+ios4.1), so maybe I just got used to things being slow ? Or is this happenning only on some specific devices / setups ?
5) The keyboard : is there a way to hand-pick the keyboard layout ? I have my locale set to english because I like the english OS interface better, I have my input language set to french because that's the language I write most in, which results in an azerty keyboard layout which sucks. I'd like to hand-pick the swiss keyboard layout (qwertz with accents), I know it exists because it switches to it if I pick german as input language, anyway to do that ?
6) Android market and security : is there any control from Google over if not the quality, at least the security of apps in the market, or not at all ? Is it my duty as a user to make sure that any app I would download from the market is "safe" ? Is there any justification for installing something such as an anti-virus on android ?
7) MarketS : there are other markets than the "default one" out there. I do not understand their sales pitch. Aren't applications that are in other markets also in the Android Market anyway ? Where is their added value ?
8) Taking notes. On the iphone I loved the iconic notes application. It allows to create a hierarchy of folders and subfolders and write/store notes inthere. I haven't been able to find anything similar yet, the market seems spammed with forks from an "hello world" notes application. Any recommendations ?
9) RSS : I haven't been able to find a good RSS reader as well. By good I mean feed categories, widget, and support for images. Any recommendations for this ?
10) Media files : it seems that the embedded applications that aim at reading media files (images / music / video) auto-scan the folders on the SD card for supported file types and include them. Is there any way to prevent this on some folders ? For instance I used ringdroid to create a few ringtones, but now those appear in my music player, so I'd like to prevent my ringtones folder from being used by the music player.
11) GPS : haven't played with it much yet, but I read here and there it was buggy. Is it a general state or country-specific ? On an unrelated note, are there offline maps navigation applications available ?
Well 11 questions is probably enough to start with. If you take the time to answer, I thank you in advance .
You do not find anything, Why :?? Rss channel is on all sides, until you can organize its yourself ... kies works for the exchanges,multimedia mp3, video.. the last Firmware is recognize the kies,but need the driver , firmware changes are another thing, I had the iphone 4 .safari browser ****, really slow and messy Iphone 3gs is more better.I sold that **** 250 pound When The prize is more 400 pound, crap, The iphone 4 his value is U.S. $ 200. If you feel good in Iphone buy one and play with him .. ahh and have problems with sound and audio capture .. And not just for me, the number of comment are no good to Iphone 4. My SgS 9000 Working 100% kies Working Good, Video , No lag , Browser,,Everything. if something is wrong there you need chekin out, My Firmware is JPM, And The Market have everything, Everything Working in my SGS , Regards
Ive been a committed HTC and WM user for a long time now, so latest upgrade i maintained tradition and went HTC HD 7.
At the minute im not sure it was the right one
Lovely fluid interface and fast. But its just not 'easy'..... or something..... I cant put my finger on it. lol
So can some convinced users help me here/ fill me in (and in the process enlighten other newbies).
1/ Battery meter. Only seem to have it when locked. How can i get that into a more prominent place or have it appearing all the time?
2/ No Opera for WM7 Any other browser alternatives out there for us??
3/ Any way for me to get my SPB backups from touch pro 2 onto this thing???
4/ Recommendations for the absolute BEST backup solution
5/ Other advice for porting contacts from another phone
Thats some of my first thoughts- only got the phone yesterday.
In general as well id really welcome recommended app's to help make this powerful piece of kit into a really useful and worthwhile one.
Thanks in advance for any feedback
Quincey113 said:
Ive been a committed HTC and WM user for a long time now, so latest upgrade i maintained tradition and went HTC HD 7.
At the minute im not sure it was the right one
Lovely fluid interface and fast. But its just not 'easy'..... or something..... I cant put my finger on it. lol
So can some convinced users help me here/ fill me in (and in the process enlighten other newbies).
1/ Battery meter. Only seem to have it when locked. How can i get that into a more prominent place or have it appearing all the time?
2/ No Opera for WM7 Any other browser alternatives out there for us??
3/ Any way for me to get my SPB backups from touch pro 2 onto this thing???
4/ Recommendations for the absolute BEST backup solution
5/ Other advice for porting contacts from another phone
Thats some of my first thoughts- only got the phone yesterday.
In general as well id really welcome recommended app's to help make this powerful piece of kit into a really useful and worthwhile one.
Thanks in advance for any feedback
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) you can simply swipe down where the battery meter is ont the tiles page.
2) Windows Phone 7 is a new OS, hence not alot of Apps currently, give it time, according to this quote on WPCentral "With regards to bringing Opera Mobile to the Windows Phone 7 platform, Norem states that the company is continuously evaluating that option." so you never know.
3) Are we talking contacts? you can back them up in PIMBackup, and expert the CSV file (I think) to a google account, and then synch that account with your windows phone 7!
4) ZUNE? when you update your phone, im pretty sure it makes a backup onto your pc/laptop
5) See post 3!
Hope that helps.
1. Just tap the top of the screen, and the battery, wifi, cell connection all pop down. There is currently no way (that I know of) to display it permanently.
2. There are other browsers out there, but they're all built on top of IE. Mango will introduce IE9. IE9 is pretty nice.
3. It's a whole new OS, with very little in common with it's WM predecessors. You couldn't even use Microsoft MyPhone backups.
4. Zune.
5. I would import them into your live (msn, hotmail, live) account over gmail. Personal preference.
Apps:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon.com
Break.com videos
DailyMotion
Espn ScoreCenter
Facebook
Flixter
FM Radio
MSNBC News
The Daily Show
The Onion 7
XDA-Developers
While the app list isn't huge, there's over 15,000 on the marketplace and growing.
If you've not updated your phone to NoDo, do yourself a favor and install Zune. It'll backup your phone prior to updating as well.
I'll contradict Jimbonics above by saying i'd recommend using gmail over hotmail to backup your contacts.
Only reason is i never managed to sync my phone contacts (which were imported from my old sim) to my Hotmail/Live account, which meant when i reflashed the phone i lost them all. One of my friends has a similar problem and is also unable to backup his contacts he has on his phone to hotmail.
Since i added them all to my Gmail account though everything has been fine. I can add new ones on Gmail and they sync up to my phone, or I can add new contacts on my phone and they sync up to gmail. I haven't heard of anyone else (yet?) having problems with Gmail Sync's either.