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Phones Convert to android and loving it?
- Thread starter Delighted
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Thats because iOS is far different. You can download any app on an iPhone running 4.0.1 as you can with one running 5.1 Try downloading the newest version of Google Maps with navigation on an Android phone still running Froyo, good luck with that, aint happening. I could name another few dozen apps many people use that you can't get unless you at least have Gingerbread. So the point is, updates are pretty important for Android phones. Google wouldn't spend so much time creating several each year if they weren't.
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I simply don't care. I take the good with the bad. My ip4 is on 5.0.1 instead of the latest version because I want to keep my jb. My Android phone is on the latest version of Gingerbread and I am waiting for Samsung to release 4.0.4 ICS. Do I wish I could have that official release now? Hell yeah. But I also knew when I bought my Android I would have to wait for it. Does this make Android some how worse that iOS or the hardware somehow less functional than Apple's. No, it doesn't.
In fact there are many features on Android I wish iOS had in the iPhone. But I will have to wait and aee if those come in iOS6. As I said, I take the good with the bad. All software and hardware have it. Just pick what is right for you and let others do the same. I am sure they can make informed decisions without your constant Google/Android negativity.
Rodimus Prime
macrumors G4
On huge critical difference that FUD spreaders like you complete forget about.
That is the fact the core Apps in Android do not require an OS update to increase functionallity. Also the OS updates for Android do not tend to be required for basic features.
iOS basic functionality increase with iOS updates
MMS,
Voice commands,
Wanna multitasking,
Siri with a BS software block,
email app update
Mobile safari improvements
Map update.
On that list the only thing that should even be tied to the OS in an update is the multitasking everything else is a weak.
That is just a small list. Almost all of that list Android phones get updated and improvements with out an OS update.
not really, there are ton's of app's especially Games on iOS that will tell you to update/or needs X build to download (mainly with newer games coming out all the time or updated versions of previous games). Happened a ton on my 3GS when I never wanted to update it to iOS4 before kinks were worked out with iOS4 and jailbreak as well and then still waited awhile to update b/c I didn't feel like jb'ing again and redoing all my settings and app's. So there were app's and games I wanted but couldn't download.
I agree that Android updates have lacked for awhile but they are getting better, I know AT&T and Samsung are working together to get builds out sooner from this point on, so hopefully in the next year or so it'll be more consistent/quicker. For those that want to though you can always wait till a stable version of the ROM (ICS) is out before the official release. But then I know there are those that don't want to bother rooting and flashing rom's (even though it's easy as pie on this phone and some other top tier phones) just like there are those that are totally against jailbreaking lol.
I think they will find new ones, but they may be waiting for a more major release to use one. Also, as things are rebuilt, or new features are added, there will be new exploits.
onthecouchagain
macrumors 604
Just received my galaxy nexus and this device is phenomenal. The screen... I was apprehensive about the size, but now I'm in love with it.
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I jumped off the iPhone bandwagon for about 9 months with an HTC Evo and went back.
Things I miss:
Native Google Navigation
Things I don't miss:
Android Market
Battery Life
Waiting for Android updates
Laggy scrolling
Things I miss:
Native Google Navigation
Things I don't miss:
Android Market
Battery Life
Waiting for Android updates
Laggy scrolling
The Google navigation really is phenominal! I really am amazed it is free and included.
I don't have laggy scrolling and I am lucky enough to have a phone that can install a 2250mA battery replacement that is the same size as the oem battery, giving me 3 additional hours, without the need for a new back plate. This puts my SGS2 Skyrocket in league with the ip4/4s. And it only cost me $11. Of course, this gives me an additional battery and another 6 hours of use without the need for a plug and charging. So I can get around 14-16 hours of heavy use, without a charger.
I do wish the ICS update would come quicker! And i agree with your assessment of Google Play (Android app store). It doesn't compare to Apple's, but it is good enough for me to find the apps I want.
Invincibilizer
macrumors 6502a
Reaching an amount of people is pointless.
People on Android have OS that works and it doesn't have to be updated while Apple reminds users constantly with a pop up in iTunes saying that a new update is available. Heck I still have a notification in settings app for a month asking me to update to 5.1. Point is, latest OS doesn't matter with Android. With iOS is different since apps won't be able to run on a lower OS.
ICS is more of a luxury with a new UI rather than iOS updates that are necessary for the user.
I had the Galaxy Nexus for a couple months but I hardly ever used it. I kept switching back to the 4S where I ended up selling the Galaxy Nexus. I love the hardware specs on Android phones but the OS experience was not as good as iOS.
1) The keyboard on iOS is perfection. I have yet to find another android phone that really rivals the iPhone. I've used the iPhone since it first released so this maybe I'm just really used to the keyboard where adjusting to the android keyboard was difficult. I kept making minor spelling mistakes.
2) Majority of the time, if you wanted to do a certain task/action, the iPhone just did it better. I'm not saying Android is a hard to use phone but when you did the same tasks, the iPhone had a simpler and better way of doing things.
3) APPS. I know the android market is constantly growing but man do their apps suck. They look horrible and the experience is garbage. Even apps that are identical on both platforms, the iOS version is better. I know google wants to be the market as open as possible but they need to do guidelines like Apple's app store. Their current guidelines are optional. But restricting market place apps, they can definitely make the apps better. Quality over quantity.
If I could have things my way, I would probably want a HTC One X with iOS. That would be the dream set up for me. 3.5" is getting a bit tiny. Actually, a 4" screen on the iPhone would make me happy.
1) The keyboard on iOS is perfection. I have yet to find another android phone that really rivals the iPhone. I've used the iPhone since it first released so this maybe I'm just really used to the keyboard where adjusting to the android keyboard was difficult. I kept making minor spelling mistakes.
2) Majority of the time, if you wanted to do a certain task/action, the iPhone just did it better. I'm not saying Android is a hard to use phone but when you did the same tasks, the iPhone had a simpler and better way of doing things.
3) APPS. I know the android market is constantly growing but man do their apps suck. They look horrible and the experience is garbage. Even apps that are identical on both platforms, the iOS version is better. I know google wants to be the market as open as possible but they need to do guidelines like Apple's app store. Their current guidelines are optional. But restricting market place apps, they can definitely make the apps better. Quality over quantity.
If I could have things my way, I would probably want a HTC One X with iOS. That would be the dream set up for me. 3.5" is getting a bit tiny. Actually, a 4" screen on the iPhone would make me happy.
kdarling
Contributor
Not sure what you're trying to say. A 4.0.1 iPhone cannot make use of 5.1 voice dictation APIs, for example.
If you mean that newer apps will fall back on using older code, that's true all over. Developers for both Android and iOS usually write code that's backwards compatible, in order to hit as many potential buyers as possible.
In both cases, an app is marked with the minimum OS level it requires, so the respective app store knows if the app should appear for a particular device.
I must have good luck. I just took an old Motorola Droid running Froyo from my drawer, and used the Market to update its Google Maps to the full latest ver 6.5 with navigation, 3D buildings, walking directions, compass nav mode, etc.
A few dozen? Sure, we'd love to see that list. Are they all 3D games or ?
Most Android OS updates nowadays are about speed and looks. They're not that important for adding basic functionality, because Android already has that and/or is so extensible through non-OS third party code.
I have devices running everything from Froyo to ICS, and haven't felt any great need for updates on the older ones, since they run all my favorite apps. (Netflix, Currents, eBay, USAToday, Pulse, Optimum, etc. and of course many popular games for my daughter.) I think Netflix was the last major phone app that I needed an upgrade for (and that was just to Froyo).
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I totally agree with this statement.to a certain point. Honestly I can't believe more unlimited data users aren't jumping ship to Android phones to capitalize on the double your data special. I nabbed 10GB LTE for $41 with corporate discount. I ended up getting the galaxy nexus which us actually a pretty awesome phone. ICS is nice and smooth. I feel iOS is so much better on a tablet than on a phone. If.the iPhone 5 cones out with a bigger screen I will definitely come back,
Rodimus Prime
macrumors G4
I would disagree with that. Not in which one works better but more because you would dealing with two different eco systems. Apple stuff does not play nice with anything but other Apple stuff.
I would say if you have an Android phone get an Android tablet. If you have an iPhone then go iPad for your tablet.
Have both just causes problems as you would have to buy all your Apps twice and plus the two sides do not play as nicely with each other than those in the same eco system.
I have had the opposite results. Maybe it is my phone or a combination of phone and keyboard I downloaded from Google Play, but on my iPhone I either had to turn off auto-correct or deal with the constant mistakes and altering of words. On my Android phone the phone predicts my words and if I misspell a word, 9 times out of 10 it knows what I wanted and actually does auto-correct 'correctly'!
As for apps, the majoriy of apps I use on iOS are on Android like Zite, Tweetcaster (Tweetbot equivalent), Facebook (the real app, unlike on iOS), Instagram, Tapatalk, Netflix, ebay, Amazon, Crackle, Craigslist, Dropbox, GMail, Kindle, Pandora,Paypal, Poynt, Skype, and all my banks apps. Most iOS games are also ported over.
Just my experience.
Decided to give Android one more try but on a different network other than Sprint. Picked up a Droid Razr Maxx on Verizon. I actually like the stock UI. First Android phone I didn't immediately download a launcher to run over it. Verizon's LTE is insanely fast, way faster than Sprint's 4G and even my cable internet in the house which doesn't say much for Time Warner's internet service. The phone itself is the fastest Android I have had, like zero lag with anything. If the battery life is as good as advertised, it might be a keeper. Just wish it ran ICS. We'll see.
After all your negative posts and now this... 🙄
Amazing what happens when you have a good network to go with a quality phone, eh?
TheBigKing
macrumors 65816
Rodimus Prime
macrumors G4
For your keyboard issues I would recommend you check out SwiftKey. It is well worth the money but they do have a trail one if you are not sure. The trial version works for only a month but has all the features of the paid so you can really try it out and see what you think. SwiftKey gets better the longer you use it because it has more time to learn your typing style and base it corrections and predictions on how you type. It blows iOS keyboard out of the water big time.
Well I have tried Android phones from HTC and Samsung, but never Motorola. Although Sprint is my main carrier, I have also tried Android phones on both AT&T and T-Mobile, never with Verizon. So i thought I would give Android one last chance with a Motorola phone on Verizon. With the Razr and Verizon, I am very impressed with the two biggest things that I didnt like on all my previous Android phones, battery life and speed of the device and network. I also like this stock UI where I couldn't stand Sense and Touch Wiz. As I said, this may be the Android phone I keep. I have yet to find something I don't like with it.
-aggie-
macrumors P6
After all your latest posts slamming anything Android and how wonderful the iPhone and its OS is and you do this???
Like mbell said ics is a major update. Compared to iOS which even on major releases is still like the previous version.
I don't know macs but I'll compare it too windows. Going from ios 4 to iOS 5 is like going from win xp to win xp service pack 2. While going from gingerbread to ics is like going from win xp to win 7.
So you have to deal with a lot of things. Can the hardware support it, optimized to run on different hardware. Or even if the end user wants ICS. My father for example is perfectly content with gingerbread on his razr. He doesn't want to learn how to use his phone again. Us tech geeks are a small percentage of the smartphone customer base.
I think we can all at least somewhat understand why android updates are slow just cause of the amount of different devices. Comparing apples to apples and the iPhone to a Nexus device and updates timeliness is similar between both. Yeah it sucks non nexus devices get updates slower but until a non apple device running iOS is released we really can't compare.
I don't know macs but I'll compare it too windows. Going from ios 4 to iOS 5 is like going from win xp to win xp service pack 2. While going from gingerbread to ics is like going from win xp to win 7.
So you have to deal with a lot of things. Can the hardware support it, optimized to run on different hardware. Or even if the end user wants ICS. My father for example is perfectly content with gingerbread on his razr. He doesn't want to learn how to use his phone again. Us tech geeks are a small percentage of the smartphone customer base.
I think we can all at least somewhat understand why android updates are slow just cause of the amount of different devices. Comparing apples to apples and the iPhone to a Nexus device and updates timeliness is similar between both. Yeah it sucks non nexus devices get updates slower but until a non apple device running iOS is released we really can't compare.