Android was pretty crappy when it first came out. It did get much better over time. This is just my opinion, but I think until recently, like the past year and a half, there were no android phones worth buying. The OS is finally getting smooth and the hardware is finally worth the price.
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How did Android ever reach out to the masses?
- Thread starter Raggsokk
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Some people I know have switched because they got bored with iPhones, saw that in many cases it doesn't "just work".
If you look at the crash logs you'll find that iOS apps and functions crash a heck of a lot. iOS just doesn't tell you something has crashed. Android of course will tell you that the app has stopped working.
![app-crashes1.png]()
Performing simple tasks on iOS can be a chore compared to Android with needless extra steps. Want a ringtone on your iPhone? You either have to buy it and hope it's the right 30 seconds you wanted, or go to your Computer, trim down the song, convert it to .m4r and then drag it into iTunes and sync. Android? Drop an audio file into your "Ringtones" folder. On iOS the apps often have no consistency, sometimes the back button is on the bottom, sometimes it's on the top, same for the other buttons.
On Android the back button is always on the bottom right where you need it, no matter what app you're in. iOS apps are often gimped in their features compared to the Android versions, on Dropbox you can can only upload Pictures and Videos in the app, on Android you can upload any file you want. When I had my iPhone I wanted to make edits to a .txt file in my Dropbox, it wouldn't let me. When I got my Android phone it let me do it no problem, (This was months ago when the iPhone 5 launched so let me know if this has changed in an update).
In another app If I get an option to upload a picture, I can upload from any service on Android, iPhone? You can only take a new photo or use one from the Camera Roll.
Don't get me wrong I've used every iPhone except the 3GS and loved them all, but when Android finally matured enough to interest me (Jellybean update) I gave it a chance by buying a Nexus 7 and loved it so much I bought a Nexus 4)
If you look at the crash logs you'll find that iOS apps and functions crash a heck of a lot. iOS just doesn't tell you something has crashed. Android of course will tell you that the app has stopped working.
Performing simple tasks on iOS can be a chore compared to Android with needless extra steps. Want a ringtone on your iPhone? You either have to buy it and hope it's the right 30 seconds you wanted, or go to your Computer, trim down the song, convert it to .m4r and then drag it into iTunes and sync. Android? Drop an audio file into your "Ringtones" folder. On iOS the apps often have no consistency, sometimes the back button is on the bottom, sometimes it's on the top, same for the other buttons.
On Android the back button is always on the bottom right where you need it, no matter what app you're in. iOS apps are often gimped in their features compared to the Android versions, on Dropbox you can can only upload Pictures and Videos in the app, on Android you can upload any file you want. When I had my iPhone I wanted to make edits to a .txt file in my Dropbox, it wouldn't let me. When I got my Android phone it let me do it no problem, (This was months ago when the iPhone 5 launched so let me know if this has changed in an update).
In another app If I get an option to upload a picture, I can upload from any service on Android, iPhone? You can only take a new photo or use one from the Camera Roll.
Don't get me wrong I've used every iPhone except the 3GS and loved them all, but when Android finally matured enough to interest me (Jellybean update) I gave it a chance by buying a Nexus 7 and loved it so much I bought a Nexus 4)
I did not know that. Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Some people I know have switched because they got bored with iPhones, saw that in many cases it doesn't "just work".
If you look at the crash logs you'll find that iOS apps and functions crash a heck of a lot. iOS just doesn't tell you something has crashed. Android of course will tell you that the app has stopped working.
![app-crashes1.png]()
Performing simple tasks on iOS can be a chore compared to Android with needless extra steps. Want a ringtone on your iPhone? You either have to buy it and hope it's the right 30 seconds you wanted, or go to your Computer, trim down the song, convert it to .m4r and then drag it into iTunes and sync. Android? Drop an audio file into your "Ringtones" folder. On iOS the apps often have no consistency, sometimes the back button is on the bottom, sometimes it's on the top, same for the other buttons.
On Android the back button is always on the bottom right where you need it, no matter what app you're in. iOS apps are often gimped in their features compared to the Android versions, on Dropbox you can can only upload Pictures and Videos in the app, on Android you can upload any file you want. When I had my iPhone I wanted to make edits to a .txt file in my Dropbox, it wouldn't let me. When I got my Android phone it let me do it no problem, (This was months ago when the iPhone 5 launched so let me know if this has changed in an update).
In another app If I get an option to upload a picture, I can upload from any service on Android, iPhone? You can only take a new photo or use one from the Camera Roll.
Don't get me wrong I've used every iPhone except the 3GS and loved them all, but when Android finally matured enough to interest me (Jellybean update) I gave it a chance by buying a Nexus 7 and loved it so much I bought a Nexus 4)
Don't forget about the dedicated menu button too. I posted this recently:
I thought it should be fairly obvious after seeing the app disappear back to home screen with no dialogue
Low cost for new tech
Android is really popular now because of the low cost of the phones. They can be bought cheaper on prepaid services than an iPhone. I think it really took off when the prices dropped low enough for lower income people to buy a touch screen phones with apps. A touch screen phone with apps and some data is much cooler than flip phones. They don't care if they have ics or jellybean as long as their phone has a touch screen, can play music, and play angry birds.
Android is really popular now because of the low cost of the phones. They can be bought cheaper on prepaid services than an iPhone. I think it really took off when the prices dropped low enough for lower income people to buy a touch screen phones with apps. A touch screen phone with apps and some data is much cooler than flip phones. They don't care if they have ics or jellybean as long as their phone has a touch screen, can play music, and play angry birds.
Android has also cheap phones which are not outdated.
Huwaei, zte, xtreamer releasing cheap phones with 4.0.
some people don't care if their phones i up to date or not they just want it to work the way it is. but they also pay for it in the end if they think they bought a premium phone.
Huwaei, zte, xtreamer releasing cheap phones with 4.0.
some people don't care if their phones i up to date or not they just want it to work the way it is. but they also pay for it in the end if they think they bought a premium phone.
I don't get the whole price thing. Sure a lot of android phones are cheaper on prepaid plans than iPhones but the majority of people in the U.S still sign a two year contract and upgrade every two years. And on a two year contract the price points are the same.
Free
$49 (Apple doesn't have a phone in this tier)
$99
$199
$299.
So no, I don't think it's the price.
Free
$49 (Apple doesn't have a phone in this tier)
$99
$199
$299.
So no, I don't think it's the price.
Many people do like Touchwiz though im not one of them when using it as a launcher. And more people than you think do want to do more on their phones and ill just point out the 7 million who have jailbroken their phones in only 1 week of it being out with an estimated 23 million who are using Cydia. And that figure(23 mil) was PRIOR to the newest Jailbreak.
You have to remember, just because it isnt for you or your relatives surely doesnt mean it isnt for many others.
Personally, i wont go back to an iPhone with the way it is now with Android going forward so much faster and imo going beyond what iOS does and the iPhone having the same face since 2007. But, many are loyal and for some reason think it is some sort of prestige to keep using them.
Everybody has their own reasons for using what they do.
And my GS3 wasnt any cheaper than the iP5 is. Android phones do have them go on sale often and Apple just doesnt do that much at all with any of their products. I mean you can get a iP4 for $99, or maybe $49 now but who wants a two year old phone with older tech on a two year contract?
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Yea anytime an app goes back to the home screen without you pressing the home button, it crashed.
Of course both OSs are pretty reliable in my experience, with Android I've gone to maybe seeing a crash every 2 weeks from seeing an app crash maybe once a week on my iPhone.
Android has a few things:
1. Cheap, cheap, cheap
There are so many cheap Android phones on the market. Not everyone can afford a data plan, 2 year contract, etc.
2. Choice
There are Androids with landscape keyboards (i.e. Droid 1), portrait keyboards (Dell Venue Pro), small screens, big screens, super big batteries (Droid RAZR Maxx), etc.
3. Custom ROMs, rooting, sideloading apps
You can easily install any app you want on Android given you have the .apk file. There is no DRM system like Apple's App Store. It is very easy (relative to iPhone) to root and install custom ROMs. Geek galore.
1. Cheap, cheap, cheap
There are so many cheap Android phones on the market. Not everyone can afford a data plan, 2 year contract, etc.
2. Choice
There are Androids with landscape keyboards (i.e. Droid 1), portrait keyboards (Dell Venue Pro), small screens, big screens, super big batteries (Droid RAZR Maxx), etc.
3. Custom ROMs, rooting, sideloading apps
You can easily install any app you want on Android given you have the .apk file. There is no DRM system like Apple's App Store. It is very easy (relative to iPhone) to root and install custom ROMs. Geek galore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf5-Prx19ZM
That is the only reason ^, marketing.
Samsung played it very smart and it paid off big time. Prior to that add if you asked someone on the street what the S3 was they would have had no idea.
That is the only reason ^, marketing.
Samsung played it very smart and it paid off big time. Prior to that add if you asked someone on the street what the S3 was they would have had no idea.
I think the main reason, at least here in Europe, is the price. I know plenty of people who dislike Android but they don't have the money to buy an iPhone or a Windows phone.
As some of you already said, people just want a good looking touchscreen device that can play some music and videos and take some decent picture. Samsung's line starts at as little as 99 euros, for an Android 2.3 device. With some euros more you can get an Xperia.
The cheapest W8 phone is 3 times more expensive than the cheapest Samsung and the cheapst iPhone is 430 euros.
As some of you already said, people just want a good looking touchscreen device that can play some music and videos and take some decent picture. Samsung's line starts at as little as 99 euros, for an Android 2.3 device. With some euros more you can get an Xperia.
The cheapest W8 phone is 3 times more expensive than the cheapest Samsung and the cheapst iPhone is 430 euros.
You're right, and in the U.S. the iPhone had over 50% market share in sales for the past quarter. But in the rest of the world where off contract prices matter apple is hovering around 20%.
Do you think most average users even buy apps? I'd be surprised if they do.
The reason I ask this is because out of everyone I know, both iOS and Android users, I can only think of two people I know have actually paid for apps.
Out of all the people I know with these devices, I can't think of a single person who hasn't paid for apps but guess what? This observation of mine is as invalid as yours, since I have absolutely no way of knowing if my sample group is representative of the entire population.
I thought it should be fairly obvious after seeing the app disappear back to home screen with no dialogue
Thats why mac/iphone only users think their systems are so amazing, they literally don't KNOW if somethings crashed, they just go back to their desktop or iOS homesceren with no message, on any other system, you get a message telling you what happened.
MAC/iPhone: Crash different. Has been my experience.
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Yes, how do you think Apple got the iPod, and iphone to be a huge success? Same way.
Does no one remember those stupid u2 iPod averts?
Why are you getting so defensive? It isn't a bad thing, like I said it was amazingly Smart on Samsung's part. They put together a perfect add and aired it at the right time.
Apple has been doing a great job of it for a much longer time. No one is gonna be able to see how awesome a device is if companies dont showcase it in an interesting way.
Now if only Samsung could catch up to Apple's customer service
It is hard for the platform backers to see, but majority of people do not buy androids, they buy galaxies or xperias or razrs.
Also when a high end android phone can be had for $0 on a retention contract deal, but they do not budge to lower the iPhone pricing, you know what everyone is going to go for. The galaxy has a bigger screen, runs angry birds and facebook and music, and costs less. Who would want an iPhone? In fact a lot of times i ask myself that question too. I think i need all those apps on my phone, when i end up using 10-20 at most. At this point i would like HTML5 apps to be a real possibility so i can shut this annoying sound in my head for ever
Good points, I think Samsung is starting to gather quite a following with the Galaxy Line. The GS3 is still considered a high end phone and is close to reaching the 1 year mark. Yet it is still priced at $200 on contract from the major carriers and apparently is still selling by large amounts. I believe it might be the first Android Phone that has retained its launch price well after launch and continued to sell very well.
Fair enough. It was more of a question than an argument. Hardly anybody I know is interested in using their phone for any more than casual gaming, Facebook, messaging etc.
Now if only Samsung could catch up to Apple's customer service
You never say never, however I doubt this will ever happen. They would need to build out a large retail presence and while they are beginning to grab a large share of the market all they have put out are essentially popup shops and kiosks. At least in the US that is.
Yet the single biggest reason I see people reluctant to change from iOS to a different mobile OS is because they don't want to buy all their apps again.
It's simple really. All that you've talked about is past history.
Most of us live in the present. The current top of the line Android phones have great performance, speed & reliability.
I use both iOS & Android.
They're both excellent, with the current advantage going to Android 4.2.x for its plethora of excellent features. It has functionality beyond what Apple offers, yet they will eventually catch up.
At the end of the day, only enthusiast get all caught up in the minutiae, while the general public buy their Androids or iPhones and just use them.
On tech forums
Meh, I'm not sure. Its a sound reason to not want to leave. I don't have too much invested in iOS app (less then 150 bucks or so) but I could definitely see that being a deciding factor. Personally I don't care, I probably have 50 or so in Android apps (not cause I buy/use less on Android but they are generally less expensive or free).
For my friends, it's probably the larger screen first and foremost, followed by the desire to "not use Apple products because everyone else is using them".
They are the ones who also don't bother changing many of the default settings on their phones, likely won't update the OS ever, don't even know what imessage is, and use it for basic purposes like calls, email, web-surfing, light-gaming and watching videos. So they would be largely indifferent between an iphone or android phone, but I guess the larger screens of the S3 and Note2 won them over in the end.
Second, and more ironic, some claimed to stop using iphone because it was "too restrictive", yet I don't see them doing anything with their android phones that you can't already do on an iphone anyways. I guess at a time where over half the colleagues in my school were on iphones, it seemed cool to buck the trend and wield a different device.
Pity, because that makes imessaging them from my macbook or ipad just a tad more difficult.
They are the ones who also don't bother changing many of the default settings on their phones, likely won't update the OS ever, don't even know what imessage is, and use it for basic purposes like calls, email, web-surfing, light-gaming and watching videos. So they would be largely indifferent between an iphone or android phone, but I guess the larger screens of the S3 and Note2 won them over in the end.
Second, and more ironic, some claimed to stop using iphone because it was "too restrictive", yet I don't see them doing anything with their android phones that you can't already do on an iphone anyways. I guess at a time where over half the colleagues in my school were on iphones, it seemed cool to buck the trend and wield a different device.
Pity, because that makes imessaging them from my macbook or ipad just a tad more difficult.