OP, I detect a bit of concern (or maybe even paranoia) about programs on your PC. The Android world is no haven of safety in that regard. An app is a program, it's different word for the same thing. There have been many outcries about some Droid apps that access and transmit back to the developers' home base information that's wholly irrelevant to the app's function. Your location (determined by the GPS function or cell tower location for phones) as an example, your browsing history or data from your address book are others. Don't think that sticking to apps from big name companies is any solace, because Google (the "owner" and developer of the Android system) is as guilty as anyone. The best protection is to be judicious about what you install, and delete what you find unncessary. Your words - remnants, tentacles- suggest a concern (whether for the PC or Droid worlds) that I'd suggest you just learn to live with these things and move on. They exist, they can't be avoided, and so long as you have a good anti-virus program on your PC, you can be reasonably confident that their presence will be of no real consequence. I know some will disagree, but I think having concern about things you can't really change is a waste of time.

Android Samsung Mesmirize (Fascinate on other carriers) I love it! Got the wife one first as her old phone was dying and even though she is not the most techy (that's my job) she had it all figured out before I even got mine the following week. It looks as sleek as the iPhone, but has several advantages in my book. 1) Has an microSD slot. Comes with a free 16gig card. If I need more, instead of having to buy a new phone, aka iPhone, I can just swap out to the next size of card. 2) Although battery life is great, it is a removable battery, so if you do use it a lot and have battery life issues, you can swap out a spare. I will give the iPhone credit for the front camera, but that only works in wi-fi zones right now, so I don't consider that a deal breaker. Any app you can find for the iPhone, you can find for the Android. Wish I had the Evo, as it has HDMI out, but the coverage in my area for the carrier is not good. I was thinking about the iPhone for a while, but where I live (Iowa) AT&T's 3G coverage only exists in 4 cities, everywhere else is practically dial-up speeds when surfing. That prompted me to stay with USCellular as they switched to 3G to almost the entire state last May. For me, speed and coverage was the biggest factors. If the iPhone would have been available on USCellular last year, I might have changed my mind. Best feature right now is my desk cradle. I have it beside my bed, and have replaced the alarm clock with it. I can wake up and see the current weather as well as the time. Just my 2 cents worth,

Apps that I use on my Iphone are Noaa weather radar for severe weather, facebook where my friends, charities, news and organizations groups are my favorite places to go. I also use it for GPS quite often because we have kids that do sports or events that make me look up maps. My car is located via GPS and I can see where we are in relation to our destination. A couple months ago I downloaded a Florida Keys app so in any spare time I can read up on our summer vacation destination. I use 'siri' quite often. She's my phones attitude too. At this point she knows my name and keeps us entertained with her answers. Its pretty easy to use the voice text, and the voice answers that come over the vehicle microphone. The only problem I have with my phone is the same problem I found was using it when driving. Just like eating, or personal care, I have to remind myself to take care of business before or after driving. I will have a conversation on my, I guess it's called Bluetooth which connects to my phone when enter the car. We have a long Highway by the house, which isn't crowded. The microphone above my head makes for easy talking. I feel relieved to know my high school girls are able to call or text me if they need to 'check in'. The car syncs up with the Iphones music but I'll use the USB port in my car, which seems to save energy and charges the phone when I'm not using it too. I have to say there are plenty more apps I use daily and I feel a little lost when I leave it at home. I do put it away while I visit with other people though. Hope that gives you some more thoughts about smart phones. Even my dh has recently changed to a heavy duty smart phone. It's a Casio Commando, with a double heavy duty case made for a farmer! We have a free app called Live360 that GPS's all our phones. I see where he is farming when I need to get out there. (or where my girls are if I'm concerned about their whereabouts) Whew! that's just the tip of the iceberg!

I'm getting the new iPhone4S. My bosses and I work closely together and I do a lot of videos and picture taking that I send directly to him. We need to be in sync so I want us all to have them to save time. Having all the features I need on one piece of equipment is heaven. Apple gives great classes. I think you take 2 for the iPhone. It wouldn't matter to me if we got a Droid or the iPhone. I like to keep up with the technology and use it full force. Ravencajun's advice I would take without hesitation as I have followed her advice on the tech sites here. Buy what she buys and you can't go wrong. She has done her homework.