iOS to Android adopters, what's involved?

Huliodude · Apr 1, 2013

I've been thinking about leaving my trusty iPhone and try out an Android device.

I came from Blackberry and I've owned a 3GS, 4, and now a 5. I'd love a bigger screen, and better signal reception. My iPhone 4 got a much better cell signal than the 5, including wifi signal. I swapped it out with another 5 at the Apple store, and got the same results. My wife's 4S gets better wifi signal all around the house than me as well.

I want to make the move as painless as possible, and have some questions for anyone who's already done it.

1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

3. I do not use iCloud for anything. How do I get my contacts and calendar from my i5 to an Android device?

4. I love iOS's super simple tasks app (Reminders) that's built-in. Does Android have an equivalent, or do I have to download some super complicated tasker?

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

6. I have visual voicemail with the Rogers network on my i5. Does that work on an Android phone as well?

7. I've bought a ton of books in iBooks. Can I transfer these over?

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

I would love to hear from people who've switched over and dealt with some of these issues.

Thanks!

miamialley · Apr 1, 2013

Huliodude said:
I've been thinking about leaving my trusty iPhone and try out an Android device.

I came from Blackberry and I've owned a 3GS, 4, and now a 5. I'd love a bigger screen, and better signal reception. My iPhone 4 got a much better cell signal than the 5, including wifi signal. I swapped it out with another 5 at the Apple store, and got the same results. My wife's 4S gets better wifi signal all around the house than me as well.

I want to make the move as painless as possible, and have some questions for anyone who's already done it.

1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

3. I do not use iCloud for anything. How do I get my contacts and calendar from my i5 to an Android device?

4. I love iOS's super simple tasks app (Reminders) that's built-in. Does Android have an equivalent, or do I have to download some super complicated tasker?

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

6. I have visual voicemail with the Rogers network on my i5. Does that work on an Android phone as well?

7. I've bought a ton of books in iBooks. Can I transfer these over?

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

I would love to hear from people who've switched over and dealt with some of these issues.

Thanks!

I'm in the same boat and am preparing to go to Galaxy S4 from a series of iPhones. I can answer a couple of these and am interested in hearing the other answers.

1. Idk.
2. Skype. (used by devices on both ends, not FaceTime)
3. I suggest using some service to sync contacts at least for backup if nothing else. Save the calendars on your computer and upload the file to Google Calendar.
4. Idk.
5. I know service providers have such services for a monthly fee, as far as I know. I'd like to details about this also.
6. This is also dependent upon the carrier. I know AT&T has its own visual voicemail app for the Galaxy. I'm not sure if this requires an additional fee...I hope not.
7. As far as I know, they absolutely cannot be read on any non-Apple device.
8. Idk.

Explicitic · Apr 1, 2013

1. Google Play Music. Download Google Music Manager onto your computer and at the first launch you get a setup menu that asks what music you want to sync. You can select iTunes and it will automatically upload all your music from iTunes to the cloud and from there you can stream it with the Play Music app on Android. Just note that music will be streamed at a max of 320kbps, this includes lossless. (GPM only gives 20000 free songs, without the ability to buy extra storage, at least for now).

2. Skype...

3. 'My Contacts Backup' app should work fine for contacts.
For calendar - http://smallbusiness.chron.com/export-iphone-calendar-items-import-gmail-30346.html

4. Astrid - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timsu.astrid ????

5. There are thousands of them. Most 'antivirus' apps have them built-in as well, if you are that paranoid. This one seems to work fine - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fsp.android.phonetracker

6. It depends on whether your carrier supports visual voicemail on Android...

7. Not that I know of.

8. Music, yes. I don't know about anything else.

onthecouchagain · Apr 1, 2013

Cerberus for finding/wiping your phone. Totally worth the money.

The iGentleman · Apr 1, 2013

Huliodude said:
1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

Google Music can do this and it is rather painless for you.

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

If you are doing it today, there are several 3rd party apps such as Skype. If you are talking about in the near future, the best choice will be Babel, which is much better than Facetime.

tbayrgs · Apr 1, 2013

Huliodude said:
1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

Drag and drop your music from your computer to your USB connected Android device. You can then use your music playback app of choice--as others have mentioned, Google Music app works just fine. You can also upload your library to the Google Music cloud (free for 20,000 songs I believe) and stream them to your device anytime using the same Google Music app.

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

Skype is likely best current option.

3. I do not use iCloud for anything. How do I get my contacts and calendar from my i5 to an Android device?

Easiest would be to upload to a Google account. Once you sign into that account on your Android device, they'll automatically be synced.

4. I love iOS's super simple tasks app (Reminders) that's built-in. Does Android have an equivalent, or do I have to download some super complicated tasker?

There is no native Google services app but there are likely hundreds of good options. A search on Google or any number of Android forums should yield options for you.

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

As Onthecouchagain mentioned, Cerberus supposedly works well.

6. I have visual voicemail with the Rogers network on my i5. Does that work on an Android phone as well?

Not sure if it's available in Canada but Google Voice would cover this and more--actually can have your voicemail messages transcribed and texted to you if you choose. Otherwise, check the Google Play store to see if Rogers offers it--AT&T has an app for it here in the States. Downside is you have to use a third party option as it's not integrated into the Phone app as it is on iOS.

7. I've bought a ton of books in iBooks. Can I transfer these over?

Not legally.

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

Music yes. Video, no, due to Apple's DRM (as with iBooks). You can listen to podcasts using any number of third party apps--I don't listen to many but use doubleTwist when needed.

rak007 · Apr 1, 2013

The OP here is asking all questions that i too would have incase i shifted from iOS to Android. Will keep a watch on this thread.
I and my wife have already shifted from iMessage to Whatsapp inspite of we both having iPhones so in future if i change the phone we don't have any issues.
Similarly for FaceTime we are exploring whether to go with skype or other things like tango etc.

MRU · Apr 2, 2013

.

1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

yes just copy them over either by dragging and dropping from iTunes into the music folder on your android device

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

skype

3. I do not use iCloud for anything. How do I get my contacts and calendar from my i5 to an Android device?

dependant on the handset its software may allow contacts syncing. HTC has a setup that allows you to recover data from your iPhone 5 backup so all your contacts, messages and photos move across to your new device. Alternatively create a gmail account and sync your contacts to that.

4. I love iOS's super simple tasks app (Reminders) that's built-in. Does Android have an equivalent, or do I have to download some super complicated tasker?

most phones have a task application, and if not there are plenty of free ones on the play store

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

idk

6. I have visual voicemail with the Rogers network on my i5. Does that work on an Android phone as well?

idk

7. I've bought a ton of books in iBooks. Can I transfer these over?

yes, you will need to download a book reader and like music drag and drop to a folder on your device. However you will have to use a freeware program to remove the DRM. Google is your friend here

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

yes music, yes books if you remove the DRM as above, but movies no...
music should work on the android device without issues without any intervention however, and if your in a country that supports it, check out google music.

AppleDApp · Apr 2, 2013

Huliodude said:
5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?
Thanks!

Prey anti-theft should do it for you.

Any ideas for a good podcast app?

mattopotamus · Apr 2, 2013

The iGentleman said:
Google Music can do this and it is rather painless for you.

If you are doing it today, there are several 3rd party apps such as Skype. If you are talking about in the near future, the best choice will be Babel, which is much better than Facetime.

What is that? Is that google's facetime version w/ KLP?

chagla · Apr 2, 2013

Huliodude said:
I've been thinking about leaving my trusty iPhone and try out an Android device.
...

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

I would love to hear from people who've switched over and dealt with some of these issues.

Thanks!

Files and apps are separate on Android. YOu can use any computer without any special software to drag and drop files. Basically your Android phone works like a usb flash drive, meaning you have all these GBs to use as you see fit.

Most have already provided good answers to your other questions. with regards to # 8, I would recommend using amazon for mp3s and movies. stop using iTunes. although you can buy from google play as well. the benefit from buying amazon/google is that you can easily switch device (motorola <=> htc <=> samsung) or even platform (android <=> ios) and STILL use your purchased content with minimal effort. it gets a little sketchy with iTunes and apple DRM restrictions.

once you're on Android, try these apps. here r some really goood android apps, i think they will come handy. enjoy new android experience.

All are available on Google Play store. Swype keyboard can be downloaded from its website. all are free apps.

gesture search - hand gesture universal search. indexes everything on phone, contacts, apps, music.

airdroid - perform 90% of tasks using wifi. no wire needed! transfer files, send/receive messages, app management etc. any computer through Opera, Chrome, Firefox or IE etc.

mysms - send/receive sms through a website even when the phone is not within reach. the only requirement is the phone must be on and have signal. really handy in offfice or school environment. it will also backup and sync your messages.

SWYPE keyboard - type really fast with one finger without lifting. point browser to : http://beta.swype.com/

jdlindsey7 · Apr 2, 2013

AppleDApp said:
Prey anti-theft should do it for you.

Any ideas for a good podcast app?

Doubletwist is the most reliable and easy to use android podcast app for me.

jamojamo · Apr 2, 2013

mattopotamus said:
What is that? Is that google's facetime version w/ KLP?

I am sure it's not this one:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.m123.babel.android&hl=en

Dontazemebro · Apr 2, 2013

mattopotamus said:
What is that? Is that google's facetime version w/ KLP?

Google Babel really has nothing to do with KLP. It's Google's new unified messaging service. Think of all of Google's services like Talk, Google+ Messenger, Gmail and Google Voice. In their current state, they can't communicate between each other and to make matters worse, they all offer a variety of features that aren't available thru each service.

Now imagine with Babel, you can get picture messaging with Google talk or Google voice becomes more group chat friendly like Google+. Although the best thing is that Google is testing this service in multiple platforms. These include Android, iOS, Chrome, Google+ and Gmail. This would mean that Google is not only unifying messaging services, but a plethora of platforms and devices.

Google Babel features

-Access the same conversation list from anywhere
-A new, conversation-based UI
-Advanced group conversations
-Ability to send pictures
-Improved notifications across devices

mattopotamus · Apr 2, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
Google Babel really has nothing to do with KLP. It's Google's new unified messaging service. Think of all of Google's services like Talk, Google+ Messenger, Gmail and Google Voice. In their current state, they can't communicate between each other and to make matters worse, they all offer a variety of features that aren't available thru each service.

Now imagine with Babel, you can get picture messaging with Google talk or Google voice becomes more group chat friendly like Google+. Although the best thing is that Google is testing this service in multiple platforms. These include Android, iOS, Chrome, Google+ and Gmail. This would mean that Google is not only unifying messaging services, but a plethora of platforms and devices.

Google Babel features

-Access the same conversation list from anywhere
-A new, conversation-based UI
-Advanced group conversations
-Ability to send pictures
-Improved notifications across devices

Thank God b.c video chat alternatives are pretty awful when you are use to facetime. It still will be kind of ugly for people on IOS since you cannot change default apps

jrswizzle · Apr 2, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
Google Babel really has nothing to do with KLP. It's Google's new unified messaging service. Think of all of Google's services like Talk, Google+ Messenger, Gmail and Google Voice. In their current state, they can't communicate between each other and to make matters worse, they all offer a variety of features that aren't available thru each service.

Now imagine with Babel, you can get picture messaging with Google talk or Google voice becomes more group chat friendly like Google+. Although the best thing is that Google is testing this service in multiple platforms. These include Android, iOS, Chrome, Google+ and Gmail. This would mean that Google is not only unifying messaging services, but a plethora of platforms and devices.

Google Babel features

-Access the same conversation list from anywhere
-A new, conversation-based UI
-Advanced group conversations
-Ability to send pictures
-Improved notifications across devices

This is something I am really looking forward to......messaging is one of my pet peeves with Android currently....clunky and fragmented.

sixteen12 · Apr 2, 2013

1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

Few options, iSyncr (i found worked very well), AirDroid, doubletwist, SnapPea

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

Skype or Google Talk (though this is being phased into Google+ Messenger Hangouts)

3. I do not use iCloud for anything. How do I get my contacts and calendar from my i5 to an Android device?

Add them to google mail contacts...google will show you how.

4. I love iOS's super simple tasks app (Reminders) that's built-in. Does Android have an equivalent, or do I have to download some super complicated tasker?

Nope, there are good 3rd party apps that do this.

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

Again a bunch of 3rd party options

6. I have visual voicemail with the Rogers network on my i5. Does that work on an Android phone as well?

Not really, there are options but none worked well on Rogers for me. Switch to their $7/month light voicemail and caller id option...might save you money

7. I've bought a ton of books in iBooks. Can I transfer these over?
I'm not 100% on that but I think you can just remove the epubs from itunes and then put them in a 3rd party app

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?
yup, its how I roll, though I barely use android anymore
SnapPea is a good backup service and its free, i suggest looking into it.

Tinmania · Apr 2, 2013

mattopotamus said:
Thank God b.c video chat alternatives are pretty awful when you are use to facetime. It still will be kind of ugly for people on IOS since you cannot change default apps

Why would not being a default app matter for this kind of application?

If I want to make a video call with someone I would open the app, just as I do on iOS. Yes it is the phone app but, personally, I find having facetime co-mingled with the phone app on iOS a drawback. Too many times I have accidentally triggered a facetime call instead of voice call.

What links would you follow that open a facetime call? Or send a message? I have never encountered one. It's the auto-opening of Safari and Maps that I see the biggest issue with not being able to set default apps on iOS.

Michael

dkersten · Apr 2, 2013

Huliodude said:
I've been thinking about leaving my trusty iPhone and try out an Android device.

I would love to hear from people who've switched over and dealt with some of these issues.

Thanks!

1. Music I've purchased from iTunes, how do I get it on an Android phone? I have many MP3's that I believe I can just copy on to the Android phone, but what about the songs that are in MP4 or whatever lossless format Apple uses? Can I just copy them over too, or do they need to be converted somehow?

8. Can I continue to use iTunes to buy music, videos, podcasts, etc, but playback on my Android? Is it easy, or a pain in the butt?

As others have mentioned, Google Music is a good free alternative. You can continue to buy music and it will automatically be transferred into the Google Music app. From there you can stream from anywhere with an internet connection or download locally.

Another option is Spotify. I personally use Spotify Premium (like $10 a month?). It can be integrated into your iTunes for music as well. Plus you can stream any song available on Spotify without having to own it in iTunes. You can download playlists as well to play anywhere. Here's some more info:
https://www.spotify.com/us/

2. Is there a decent Facetime equivalent on Android that would allow me to FaceTime with my kids and their iTouch devices? I know Whatsapp will allow me to text with them, not sure about any kind of video conferencing equivalent.

As others have said, Skype will work

5. Is there a Find iPhone app equivalent in Android, in case I want to know where my phone is or wipe it?

Cerberus or Prey work well

mattopotamus · Apr 2, 2013

Tinmania said:
Why would not being a default app matter for this kind of application?

If I want to make a video call with someone I would open the app, just as I do on iOS. Yes it is the phone app but, personally, I find having facetime co-mingled with the phone app on iOS a drawback. Too many times I have accidentally triggered a facetime call instead of voice call.

What links would you follow that open a facetime call? Or send a message? I have never encountered one. It's the auto-opening of Safari and Maps that I see the biggest issue with not being able to set default apps on iOS.

Michael

What I posted made sense in my head. I meant that not being able to change the default app will effect things like a universal text, mms, video, and gchat type service. IOS will always default to the standard apps...or at least I think. If you use a third party app on IOS and go to share a link, does it give you the option to pick that app?

If so, just ignore what I said.

BoostDeuce · Apr 2, 2013

I believe google talk has a video chat feature. I think the phone comes with talk pre installed.

If you switch to android, give it a month or so before you claim it as terrible. Android is a much more advanced operating system than ios and will take some getting used to so you can be good with it. Widgets are the biggest thing I miss about android. I could swipe to my next home screen and have a calendar widget. I could swipe to the next one and turn wifi on/off, turn mobile network on/off, get to my power settings, etc just on the home screen. IOS you have to browse through menus to get to things so simple on android.

Not to mention you can place your icons wherever you want. I hate icons so ios is killing me.

mattopotamus · Apr 2, 2013

BoostDeuce said:
I believe google talk has a video chat feature. I think the phone comes with talk pre installed.

If you switch to android, give it a month or so before you claim it as terrible. Android is a much more advanced operating system than ios and will take some getting used to so you can be good with it. Widgets are the biggest thing I miss about android. I could swipe to my next home screen and have a calendar widget. I could swipe to the next one and turn wifi on/off, turn mobile network on/off, get to my power settings, etc just on the home screen. IOS you have to browse through menus to get to things so simple on android.

Not to mention you can place your icons wherever you want. I hate icons so ios is killing me.

I think you are right, but the google chat options for people on IOS is atrocious. Most of my friends have IOS, so that is why something like Babel would be great. They could download a gchat app, but they work about 50/50 on IOS with push features

The iGentleman · Apr 2, 2013

mattopotamus said:
What is that? Is that google's facetime version w/ KLP?

I wouldn't call it that as it is much more robust and has more functionality than facetime. The way it works is more so similar to an instant messenger, except that it is built to be group friendly, including video chatting. The experience is all very intuitive and straight forward, so basic users can operate it. Also, like GTalk, there are more advanced things, like creating rooms.

Vegastouch · Apr 2, 2013

1. Drag and drop, DoubleTwist, iSyncr (free and $3.99 version) free version only allows 20 songs perday but it does a lot if you pay for it. Doubletwist also has a pay verison.

2. Skype, Tango

3.

4. Not sure what you mean. There are reminders built in if you set them up and there are apps.

5. Yes, there is.....Find My Phone. Many different ones with the same name and also it has Got Ya which takes theifs pic, emails the pic to you as well as GPS location of phone.. Same app as in Apple app store.

6. Yes, if your carrier supports it. T-Mobile does but i dont use it. Never been a fan of it.

7. Dont know, never tried...never bought a book.

8. Yep, any new songs you get in iTunes will automatically get uploaded to Google Music play.

The iGentleman · Apr 2, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
Google Babel really has nothing to do with KLP. It's Google's new unified messaging service. Think of all of Google's services like Talk, Google+ Messenger, Gmail and Google Voice.

Babel services are not a part of Google Voice.

Now imagine with Babel, you can get picture messaging with Google talk or Google voice becomes more group chat friendly like Google+.

This is incorrect. Google Voice text messages will remain Google Voice messages, and are not a part of Babel.

iOS to Android adopters, what's involved?

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