How does Android handle contacts?

[Inspector Jihad]

I don't use outlook or any other such program...would it sync with gmail? I've always had dumb-phones but I think I might move up to a smartphone this time and was looking at the moto droid and the droid eris and just wondering how they handle contacts.

 

[destrekor]

It syncs naturally with Google Contacts (which are the Gmail contacts) as well as Facebook contacts should you also enable it. Also merges ones that are the same/very similar.

 

[Spoooon]

I don't use outlook or any other such program...would it sync with gmail? I've always had dumb-phones but I think I might move up to a smartphone this time and was looking at the moto droid and the droid eris and just wondering how they handle contacts.

If I remember correctly (with my DROID at any rate), you have the option somewhere to sync all of your contacts (everyone you've ever emailed basically) or only those with phone numbers from your gmail contact list.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

ok cool...thats good. i needed a phone where i could have everything stored centrally so i don't ever worry about losing contacts or anything.

i'm deciding on either the droid or the eris...still gotta play with them a bit more at the verizon store. the droid has turn-by-turn GPS with voice, but the eris doesn't, correct?

 

[destrekor]

ok cool...thats good. i needed a phone where i could have everything stored centrally so i don't ever worry about losing contacts or anything.

i'm deciding on either the droid or the eris...still gotta play with them a bit more at the verizon store. the droid has turn-by-turn GPS with voice, but the eris doesn't, correct?

As of this moment, correct.

But the HTC Droid Eris will be receiving an update to Android 2.0/2.1, which includes the turn-by-turn navigation.

Ultimately, choosing an Android device is not going to be a matter of Android 2.0 versus Not, but rather, of internal hardware, form factor, and UI preferences. Droid Eris has the HTC Sense UI, so that's something to look at. But it also has no physical keyboard (a Pro or Con, depends on the person), and has "lesser" internals in comparison to the Droid. If you don't feel the need to pay for the hardware and would rather save some money, get the Eris and wait for the update.
But like I said, it's all about preferences now, because sometime in the near future all Android phones should be pretty equal in terms of native OS software and capabilities.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i gotta play with them more i guess. i heard some things about the eris being sluggish, which would be a deal breaker for me. i don't know how i feel about not having a physical keyboard. i should try to type up some texts on the eris when i'm go to test it out and see how it compares to doing the same with the droid.