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Android tablet to iPad...

Kronie

Kronie

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 4, 2008
929
2
So I use both Apple and Android about equally. My computers have always been Mac's but my smartphones have been Android. I have owned and used iPhones but I like Androids open file structure to Apple closed one.

I recently bought a Asus Transformer Prime. Which I really liked. It was a very smooth running tablet. Quad core and nicely built. I ultimately returned it to see what Apple was coming out with. Now a have a preorder for "the new ipad" LOL.

My concern with Android was that the tablet apps just sucked and the phone apps were stretched and looked like crap. Plus android is getting too fragmented. My biggest gripe with Apple is that can't stand their closed file structure. No way to root the tablet. Cant access files easily.

Has anybody made the switch from an Adroid tablet to an Apple one? And if so do you get over its closed system? I imagine I am going to love everything else about the tablet....That's delivered on the 16th!!
 
Closed systems are more stable and consumer friendly. Open systems are more customizable and more powerful (in theory). If you're invested in iOS, the iPad is the end-all-be-all device along with the rest of your Apple gear. If you aren't invested in the closed system, investing in the open system is kinda silly (even though I did). The apps are all out-of-whack on the Android universe and even though ICS is supposed to unify the Android devices, only about 15-18% of Android users are on ICS. It's going to be at least 3-4 years until Android sorts itself out from what it looks like. Don't get me wrong though, the Transformer Prime rocks hardware-wise and it's slick but I get more done on Apple gear because it just seems to be geared towards getting stuff done instead of techno-lust. Sigh, I miss the days Windows Mobile was king lol :p.
 
To be honest, I never even notice the fact that it is a "closed system." I guess I really have no need for anything like a file system on my phone. I used to jailbreak my phone, but iOS has gotten to the point where I just don't feel the need to do it anymore.

With a jailbroken iPad, you have pretty much all the freedom you could want, I would think.
 
iFile is quite nice and by JBing, you open up the entire system. However, not all versions of iOS are unthethered JB now. It is an option for power users however.
 
Here's a list of iPad'esque features I cannot do without and no competitor has it integrated and working as greatly as an iPad:

1) ONE SINGLE APP STORE with many, many quality apps.

2) FaceTime

3) iOS messaging

4) Airplay

4b) iCloud/itunes Match/iCloud pictures

5) Battery Life

6) Very simple UI - springboard icon layout is perfect: for me, I don't care to customize my icons or layout like on an android device

7) No malware/spyware

8) Accessory support is beyond phenomenal. Android accessories is abysmal

9) Ease of returning to apple store if I have problems. I can't do that with any asus, hp, dell, especially SAMSUNG products: I have to send back to manufacturer.

10) User experience NEVER fades with time. It's just as great and smooth as day 1. Even with new updates, I can be assured if I am to never upgrade again, the user experiences will remain the same thru time.
 
I completely get where you are getting from. I started out with and android, it was my first smartphone. It did not meet my expectation right from the start, but I did not want to go to a closed operating system as you put it. I work in a tech industry and a lot of the guys I work with love the android because you and root it and bla bla bla. Well I rooted it and configured it and changed it all kinds of different ways and at the end of the day the iPhone I got my wife was running circles around my android in its over all. Her iPhone did everything my android did, but better and more. Then one day we were on a trip and after using the GPS for 6 hrs on my android in a car with AC the screen cracked while it was siting in its holder for no reason at all. Something inside of it over heated and cracked the entire screen. The next day I got a iPhone and found out how much better apple had become since I bought their first macbook and hated it. Now everything I use is apple and their software has let me do more creative things then I ever thought. If android ever catches up I will take another look. In my opinion Android can have all the sweet new hardware from Samsun it wants, but the software will still suck compared to apple.
 
I've said it in the past and I'll say it again.

Tablets are about apps, apps, apps and apps.

If there are no quality apps and games then a tablet is nothing but an overpriced browsing device, which is something you can use a laptop for.

Until the Android market is sorted out I won't consider any tablet that isn't an iPad. I'm not an Apple fan but they have the best tablet on the market and its fantastic.
 
I have a original iPad, a Motorola Xoom, and soon a iPad 3rd Gen. A lot of what you are saying both Android and iOS offer, just on different software. It's quite obvious you wont get Apple software on a Android device, to say its missing it is being a bit asinine.

A lot of what you point out is imo typical fanboy fodder, maybe I fell for it, but I corrected you on a few things you listed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but after using both platforms on a daily basis I'd like to think I can maintain more of a balance than you have.

They are both very good, capable platforms, to say Android sucks because it doesn't have this Apple feature is a bit short sighted.

That said, I'm looking forward to getting my new iPad Friday. My Xoom will be going to either my other half or one of the minions.. I mean kids..

Anti-Lucifer said:
Here's a list of iPad'esque features I cannot do without and no competitor has it integrated and working as greatly as an iPad:

1) ONE SINGLE APP STORE with many, many quality apps. Google Marketplace has many quality apps some exactly the same as the App Store but *wait for it* cheaper! Amazon has a nice store too, their app is a bit clunky at times though.

2) FaceTime Google Talk supports video chat very similar to FaceTime, best part is anyone can use it even from a web browser and you can use it over 3G/4G. Skype is also available for video conferencing over wifi and 3G/4G

3) iOS messaging Google Talk is basically their version of iOS Messenging, it works well so long as your contacts are on Google. There are many chat apps such as beejive etc

4) Airplay Many Android devices use DLNA to stream to TV's Playstations and other media devices, not just single branded Apple devices. I actually would rather have DLNA than Airplay that pigeon holes you to 1 type device

4b) iCloud/itunes Match/iCloud pictures Google Music stores in a cloud, Amazon stores your apps in a cloud, Google backs up your app data in their cloud as well as your calendars contacts etc.

5) Battery Life I have had no issues with my Xoom's battery life, its just as good as my original iPad. I've never had it die on me when I needed it, and I regularly forget to charge the thing.

6) Very simple UI - springboard icon layout is perfect: for me, I don't care to customize my icons or layout like on an android device

7) No malware/spyware This is pure fiction, I have never had a single issue with either of these on Android. Both phone and tablet wise. Be smart, don't DL from unsupported app stores and read the reviews and you'll be ok. People don't use this thing called common sense too often nowadays.

8) Accessory support is beyond phenomenal. Android accessories is abysmal I found both to be about the same, I can find quality accessories for my Xoom just as I can my iPad, the only difference is the Android stuff tends to be cheaper.. hmm

9) Ease of returning to apple store if I have problems. I can't do that with any asus, hp, dell, especially SAMSUNG products: I have to send back to manufacturer.

10) User experience NEVER fades with time. It's just as great and smooth as day 1. Even with new updates, I can be assured if I am to never upgrade again, the user experiences will remain the same thru time. My Xooms user experience never faded with time, its just as user friendly and powerful as the day I bought it.
Click to expand...
 
I liked a lot of functions on my previously-owned Iconia A500. However, I don't know if it's just me, but when I use that and play w/ my friend's iPad 2. The iPad 2 always seems to be smoother. Also, when iOS gets updated, all devices can benefit from that update. It was an agony waiting for my Iconia to be updated to ICS, and it still wasn't when I sold it to get an iPad 3. I can't blame that on all Androids Tablet, of course, as it could be just Acer and not other manufacturers. I guess this quote is somewhat true: "People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware."
 
tanboom said:
Well...its going to be changed after windows 8 tablet comes out!
Click to expand...

We'll see. Windows 8 will have it's own problems relating to the millions or different hardware configurations that tablets will feature and that given that manufacturers are pretty terrible with driver updates I wouldn't count on Windows 8 being the saviour.

It will be another Android but with desktop headaches such as scandisk, registry and hardware driver issues which are problems the iPad does not have.
 
Eh....I deal with the same thing. You should really have both. I like Android for phone just a tad bit better for file management, BUT as a tablet ironically I dislike Android. For some reason, tablets kind of suck being free. Maybe because I"M more into apps like HBO GO, Netflix, Remote control, etc. I don't listen to music on tablets (I like to move it move it) and for a $500 device I do NOT want support dropped within a year *looks at my Vibrant*. iPads locked in structure works better with tabs for some reason but I can't explain it.

----------
e²Studios said:
I have a original iPad, a Motorola Xoom, and soon a iPad 3rd Gen. A lot of what you are saying both Android and iOS offer, just on different software. It's quite obvious you wont get Apple software on a Android device, to say its missing it is being a bit asinine.

A lot of what you point out is imo typical fanboy fodder, maybe I fell for it, but I corrected you on a few things you listed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but after using both platforms on a daily basis I'd like to think I can maintain more of a balance than you have.

They are both very good, capable platforms, to say Android sucks because it doesn't have this Apple feature is a bit short sighted.

That said, I'm looking forward to getting my new iPad Friday. My Xoom will be going to either my other half or one of the minions.. I mean kids..
Click to expand...

This has to be one of the best responses I've seen in a while. KUdos.
 
e²Studios said:
1) ONE SINGLE APP STORE with many, many quality apps. Google Marketplace has many quality apps some exactly the same as the App Store but *wait for it* cheaper! Amazon has a nice store too, their app is a bit clunky at times though.
Some are very good, but alot of the tablet apps are just stretched phone apps with tiny text and buttons. This is where Android Tablets fall flat on there face.

2) FaceTime
Google Talk supports video chat very similar to FaceTime, best part is anyone can use it even from a web browser and you can use it over 3G/4G. Skype is also available for video conferencing over wifi and 3G/4G
FaceTime on a mobile device compared to GoogleTalk or Google+, FaceTime is most stable by far. FaceTime is limited to Wifi so it does lack flexibility.

3) iMessage
Google Talk is basically their version of iOS Messenging, it works well so long as your contacts are on Google. There are many chat apps such as beejive etc
iMessage is not just a chat app it is integrated into the text messaging of the iPhone. It has allowed users to fight the scam that is text message charges. If there is ever a multiplatform version it would be huge.

4) Airplay
Many Android devices use DLNA to stream to TV's Playstations and other media devices, not just single branded Apple devices. I actually would rather have DLNA than Airplay that pigeon holes you to 1 type device
DLNA is a pain to setup and the performance can be spotty. Comparing it to AirPlay is silly. A crappy beta vs a refined product. I know because I use both.

4b) iCloud/itunes Match/iCloud pictures
Google Music stores in a cloud, Amazon stores your apps in a cloud, Google backs up your app data in their cloud as well as your calendars contacts etc.
This is too subjective. I prefer iCloud specially the picture and video syncing. But Google Services integration and sync in Android is pretty amazing.


7) No malware/spyware
This is pure fiction, I have never had a single issue with either of these on Android. Both phone and tablet wise. Be smart, don't DL from unsupported app stores and read the reviews and you'll be ok. People don't use this thing called common sense too often nowadays. I guess google was writing fiction when they released that scanning service bouncer to fight the problem. Google spends time and effort all the time to create software to fight things that don't exist.

8) Accessory support is beyond phenomenal. Android accessories is abysmal I found both to be about the same, I can find quality accessories for my Xoom just as I can my iPad, the only difference is the Android stuff tends to be cheaper.. hmm
Not so much. You may have some good cases and such but they pale in comparison to the selection of iPad accessories. One of the most popular accessories is the smart cover which I have heard Xoom buyers request.


10) User experience NEVER fades with time. It's just as great and smooth as day 1. Even with new updates, I can be assured if I am to never upgrade again, the user experiences will remain the same thru time.
My Xooms user experience never faded with time, its just as user friendly and powerful as the day I bought it.
Except you are lucky and got the ice cream sandwich update. Others not so much. One my Ipad I get the update the day it's released from Apple.
Click to expand...

Google has great integrated turn by turn directions, and an impressive service list. I think they make a comparedable phone product. There tablet product is not up to snuff. I have used lots of android tablets and owned some. Nothing comes close to the iPad. How do you compete with a product that has such strong developer support for software and accessories. Android Tablets best apps are the ones google makes for it.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B176 Safari/7534.48.3)

You won't be able to jailbreak this one just yet. There is no jailbreak for iOS 5.1 for A5 or A5X devices.

As for you files system. If you're looking for something like Astro, well, you're going to have to wait for a Jailbreak and install iFile as mentioned above. If you want a file system that you can organize like you can with your Mac then you'll want Goodreader. You can use it as your file system. I recommend this app as the first one downloaded for iOS user.
 
Kronie said:
So I use both Apple and Android about equally. My computers have always been Mac's but my smartphones have been Android. I have owned and used iPhones but I like Androids open file structure to Apple closed one.

I recently bought a Asus Transformer Prime. Which I really liked. It was a very smooth running tablet. Quad core and nicely built. I ultimately returned it to see what Apple was coming out with. Now a have a preorder for "the new ipad" LOL.

My concern with Android was that the tablet apps just sucked and the phone apps were stretched and looked like crap. Plus android is getting too fragmented. My biggest gripe with Apple is that can't stand their closed file structure. No way to root the tablet. Cant access files easily.

Has anybody made the switch from an Adroid tablet to an Apple one? And if so do you get over its closed system? I imagine I am going to love everything else about the tablet....That's delivered on the 16th!!
Click to expand...

What are you looking for in a file system? Most people when they buy an iPad want to use it like a traditional computer. But it's something different and I had a lot of reservations when I got my first iPad. Once you get it you can see how it will work for you. I don't miss a traditional file system since I got it.
 
Buildbright said:
What are you looking for in a file system? Most people when they buy an iPad want to use it like a traditional computer. But it's something different and I had a lot of reservations when I got my first iPad. Once you get it you can see how it will work for you. I don't miss a traditional file system since I got it.
Click to expand...

I miss it. Dearly. For example, when I reply to an email and want to attach a document or a picture to the reply. :(
 
ZBoater said:
I miss it. Dearly. For example, when I reply to an email and want to attach a document or a picture to the reply. :(
Click to expand...

I agree they need to streamline that process. But it's not that bad to switch between apps copy and paste in email. It takes a couple extra steps but you are right they can improve that. But native email is the one thing that is improving on all tablets. I think google has the advantage in there experience with gmail. With the push into enterprise one thing all tablets lack is a robust app that compares to Outlook. Outlook is the King of Business Email.
 
e²Studios said:
I have a original iPad, a Motorola Xoom, and soon a iPad 3rd Gen. A lot of what you are saying both Android and iOS offer, just on different software. It's quite obvious you wont get Apple software on a Android device, to say its missing it is being a bit asinine.

A lot of what you point out is imo typical fanboy fodder, maybe I fell for it, but I corrected you on a few things you listed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but after using both platforms on a daily basis I'd like to think I can maintain more of a balance than you have.

They are both very good, capable platforms, to say Android sucks because it doesn't have this Apple feature is a bit short sighted.

That said, I'm looking forward to getting my new iPad Friday. My Xoom will be going to either my other half or one of the minions.. I mean kids..
Click to expand...


You gotta be joking? I came from the android camp and my current smartphone is an SGII from AT&T. It has nothing to do with being a fanboy like you claim. It has everything to do with the list I wrote.

NONE of your rebuttals work, my friend. You want ONE SINGLE APP STORE, not multiple app stores. There are exclusives on the apple app store you can't find anywhere else.

That list of 10 points I wrote and you countered are essentially just stretching hard to justify your own cause for android. When the iPhone 6 hits this summer, I'm ditching the SG2 and moving completely.

Everyone I know is on an iOS device. FaceTime is flawless. iOS messaging is flawless. My SG2 is not a bad device at all (the screen is really nice) but seriously, nothing else on Android is as good as on the apple platform. It has nothing to do with being a fanboy.
 
homeboy said:
I've said it in the past and I'll say it again.

Tablets are about apps, apps, apps and apps.

If there are no quality apps and games then a tablet is nothing but an overpriced browsing device, which is something you can use a laptop for.

Until the Android market is sorted out I won't consider any tablet that isn't an iPad. I'm not an Apple fan but they have the best tablet on the market and its fantastic.
Click to expand...
Well said. Android has a long way to go for tablet app quantity and quality.
 
I still have android devices including a tablet, but I can't stand lot of sh**** quality apps (when compared to iPad/iPhone version) and the fact that I can't ****ing zoom in gmail (at least the version of android that I'm STUCK in).
 
I'm in essentially the same position. I've got a MBP as my main machine and a G-Slate since I've had since launch. My phone is a Galaxy S2 (that's currently dead as a doorknob and awaiting a replacement but that's not the point, I've no plans to replace it with a different model as I do think it's a fantastic device). When I initially ordered the G-Slate I was all excited about the tons of things I could do with but it turned out I only ever really use it for my nook app, browse web pages in bed, and practice writing kanji. The rest of the apps I tried were rather meh for the most part. Either they crashed frequently or weren't in any way optimized for the larger screen. Say what you will about Apple's walled garden, but I've had far fewer problems on my Mac products than I have on any of my Android or Windows devices. In the end, the screen resolution on the new iPad was what finally made me decide to take the plunge. I'm excited to try out all the things I'll have available now. :D
 
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