More of the apps on Android are free to begin with. I have well over 150 apps installed and I probably paid for maybe 5 of them, when I first got the phone. There's also plenty of forums and torrents full of pirated Android apps, so it's the same difference really.
Anyway....
Tom Tom
Ebay
Met Weather
Natwest
Sky Sports Score Centre
Rightmove
I need something for my Word, excel docs.
I need an RDP App
I need a GPS based tracker for running, or cycling etc. I use Motion X currently
Jailbreak apps I use -
iblacklist - A call manager that enables me to divert certain calls at certain times to any number. Allows my phone to send a text to numbers that I chose with a custom text. Basically filters my calls in many ways.
ilocalis - Enables me to control my phone remotely. I can block the phone. Instruct it to ring or text me. I can get the number of any new sim inserted. I can wipe the data remotely. I can also log it's position.
Lockscreen - Customisable lock screen. Displays my diary, the weather. My emails, calls and sms.
.
Pittsey what network are you with and are happy to change if necessary?
I would say the best choices right now:
Nexus One
HTC Desire
Samsung Galaxy S
Regarding your app list:
Tom Tom - you can get Tom Tom for Android, but it's not necessary as Android comes prebuilt with the Google Navigation app, which is amazing (SatNav in Street View mode is mindblowing)
Ebay - there's a great eBay app for Android, I use it all the time. The notifications on it work flawlessly. I have won many an item using it. You can also set price range notifications with it, meaning if you want something but want to wait until it's available cheaper, you can set a price range with keywords and when a matching auction happens, it'll notify you.
Met Weather - there's loads of Weather apps for Android. I'm not up on which is the most popular, but I'm positive you'll find something that works for you.
Natwest - Right now there's an app that accesses the mobile site, but there is a proper app in development from what I understand.
Sky Sports - pretty sure this is available
Rightmove -
this guy was making it, but Rightmove blocked him from using their data.. Speculation that they could have some kinda deal with Apple, but more likely scenario IMO is that they are building it themselves and feel the customers would be more likely to trust an official app rather than a third party one. I expect to hear more about this soon.
Word/Excel - there's loads. Documents To Go seems to be a popular choice, or QuickOffice which I believe comes preloaded on Desire.
RDP - as in Remote Desktop? There appears to multiple options including this one.
Remote Desktop Client for Android
GPS Tracker - again, many options. Google themself make one called "My Tracks" and there are many other third party apps too.
All those jailbreak options are available with Android without having to hack/root it.There are all sorts of diversion, remote access/wiping apps, and loads of lockscreen customisers too.
Customisation is easy with Android. The app BetterCut allows you to change icons of any app, there's loads of free icon packs in the Market.
Blumpkin I have no idea what you are on about. Android is the most customizable OS out there even without root access. What's irritating about people saying that?
Android 2.2 beats the living shit out of iOS 4. Pittsey if you get a Nexus One you will be able to run Android 2.2 straight away. Desire, you could root it (basically the same as jailbreaking an iPhone) and flash a custom 2.2 OS straight away....official update for that is likely to come within 6 weeks. Galaxy S I'm not sure of the update schedule but probably same kinda timeframe as the Desire.