Differences between iPhone 4 and 5s?

[richwoodrocket]

If you're referring to the swoosh sound when sending a mail, you can select 'None' in 'Sent Mail' under the sounds settings. However, if you're talking about the messages app then no, you can't turn it off. If I remember correctly though the messages app doesn't have the swoosh sound.

Um, yes it does. You only hear it if you have the phone not on silent though. I found that if you go to settings notification center messages alert sound and set to none the sound in the app will be gone, but you also won't get a sound outside of the app.

 

[heycal]

Mute it.

What do you mean?

Another speed dial option is to press and hold the Home button and say "call Bob".

Good in a pinch I guess, thanks.

If you're referring to the swoosh sound when sending an email, you can select 'None' in 'Sent Mail' under the sounds settings. However, if you're talking about the messages app then no, you can't turn it off. If I remember correctly though the messages app doesn't have the swoosh sound.

I'm talking about the messaging app. I want it to silence that annoying and pointless sound it makes when I sent a text message. The only way I can figure out how to silence so far would be to turn off all sound related to the messaging, and of course I don't want to do that. I want no sounds when I send (why would anybody?), yet I do want a sound when a text comes in.

 

[I7guy]

I don't really care "if quite a few people don't use it". Quite a few people don't text or make calls, and those are pretty important features to others. To me, a practical and usuable DND that can allow a few select callers to get through to me while I am sleeping is a highly important feature, and more important to me than, say, having a camera.

So basically it sounds like if I want to continue using an iphone, I must choose between the DND feature and the speed dial workaround known as favorities?

Wow… that is a major bummer. There's a lot to like about iphone, but its things like this that may drive me nuts and send me back to Android if I can't find adequate solutions.





Maybe it's psychological, but the software update I just did seems to make the keyboard a bit bolder and easier to see.

The whole DND/speed dial thing is clearly an area of improvement for apple. My old Storm 2 did this better than apple's latest operating system. (Might be a patent issue, who knows)

However as one poster noted: pressing the home button to say: "call bob" is the fastest speed dial in a quiet environment. Probably won't work well on a noisy NYC street.

Apple should clearly add an option to DND that allows for specific callers to get through. And although there are a bunch of option in DND none of them really help in this regard.

 

[C DM]

I don't really care "if quite a few people don't use it". Quite a few people don't text or make calls, and those are pretty important features to others. To me, a practical and usuable DND that can allow a few select callers to get through to me while I am sleeping is a highly important feature, and more important to me than, say, having a camera.

So basically it sounds like if I want to continue using an iphone, I must choose between the DND feature and the speed dial workaround known as favorities?

Wow… that is a major bummer. There's a lot to like about iphone, but its things like this that may drive me nuts and send me back to Android if I can't find adequate solutions.





Maybe it's psychological, but the software update I just did seems to make the keyboard a bit bolder and easier to see.

Thats all fine and great. I simply explained how it is, why it might be that way (although that's less important), what a potential workaround might be, and that overall it should be better (but until it might be that's how it is).

 

[heycal]

Is this a correct summary of things I've learned so far about the iphone?

1) There is no way to turn to off the pointless and annoying sound of sent text messages without silencing the whole thing?

2) There is no easy and practical way to have speed dial?

3) there is no way to allow specific callers who might be among the favorites/speed dial contacts get through to me while on DND without letting ALL my favorites do so?

4) generally speaking, things that can I do in one or two steps on an android will now take me three or four steps?

Please tell me I'm wrong, folks. There's no way people really live like this in 2014, is there?

 

[C DM]

Is this a correct summary of things I've learned so far about the iphone?

1) There is no way to turn to off the pointless and annoying sound of sent text messages without silencing the whole thing?

2) There is no easy and practical way to have speed dial?

3) there is no way to allow specific callers who might be among the favorites/speed dial contacts get through to me while on DND without letting ALL my favorites do so?

4) generally speaking, things that can I do in one or two steps on an android will now take me three or four steps?

Please tell me I'm wrong, folks. There's no way people really live like this in 2014, is there?

Yup, that's how it is. Although as I mentioned you can do speed dial pretty was with a third party app for that (and that can even leave Favorites separately for you to use just for DND purposes).

 

[heycal]

If so, my working theory after 24 hours with this iphone is that you get so addicted to the few things it does very well and beautifully, that you grin and bear everything else it does so poorly, or not at all? Is that it?

Like a heroin addict who will live in the gutter and forsake all else in life because nothing is better than that feeling of being high?

I'm wondering if I should get out soon, before I too become so addicted to how nice the text looks on the screen and how well the Facebook app works and how it all links so seamlessly to my Mac Air that I too become like "who cares if you can't do 101 other basic and important things with the phone, look at how nice that text font is and it's beautiful form factor!!"

 

[C DM]

If so, my working theory after 24 hours with this iphone is that you get so addicted to the few things it does very well and beautifully, that you grin and bear everything else it does so poorly, or not at all? Is that it?

Like a heroin addict who will live in the gutter and forsake all else in life because nothing is better than that feeling of being high?

I'm wondering if I should get out soon, before I too become so addicted to how nice the text looks on the screen and how well the Facebook app works and how it all links so seamlessly to my Mac Air that I too become like "who cares if you can't do 101 other basic and important things with the phone, look at how nice that text font is and it's beautiful form factor!!"

Feel free to get out. No need to justify anything to anyone but yourself. If it doesn't work for you then it doesn't work for you. It works just fine for a lot of people. They find apps that do things they need, have other ways of doing things they might need, or often don't care about or notice various things that some others might care about. Then there are those that certainly want more, and either jailbreak to get it if they can and want to or decide to go with a different phone.

But, at the same time what's the pointlessness of calling people heroin addicts when things don't work they way they you think they should? Clearly everyone only wants and cares about the same things, because there's just one type of car that everyone buys, and all other cars are inferior and people must be crack addicts to buy any other types of cars.

 

[I7guy]

If so, my working theory after 24 hours with this iphone is that you get so addicted to the few things it does very well and beautifully, that you grin and bear everything else it does so poorly, or not at all? Is that it?

Like a heroin addict who will live in the gutter and forsake all else in life because nothing is better than that feeling of being high?

I'm wondering if I should get out soon, before I too become so addicted to how nice the text looks on the screen and how well the Facebook app works and how it all links so seamlessly to my Mac Air that I too become like "who cares if you can't do 101 other basic and important things with the phone, look at how nice that text font is and it's beautiful form factor!!"

If your raison d'etre for the iphone is DND management, this is not the device for you. (As I said, my S2 circa 2009 did a better job) However, if you want a device that handles everyday things with aplomb, although in the apple way, then this is the device for you.

Frankly, my phone is open 24x7, I never use DND, except when I nap.

 

[iKaushal]

4 has the best industrial design amongst all

5s has the best internals amongst all

 

[afsnyder]

I do not recommend starting using an iPhone with a 4 running iOS 7 if it has been used extensively during its 4 years since it's likely it slowed down a lot. A lot of people with 4's are itching for an upgrade because of how slow their phone is compared to the newer phones that instantly do tasks. (iPhone 5/5c/5s)

 

[heycal]

Feel free to get out. :

Your welcome to get out of the discussion if its not to your liking.

I do not recommend starting using an iPhone with a 4 running iOS 7 if it has been used extensively during its 4 years since it's likely it slowed down a lot. A lot of people with 4's are itching for an upgrade because of how slow their phone is compared to the newer phones that instantly do tasks. (iPhone 5/5c/5s)

That part doesn't bother me. I realize the 4 will be slower, so don't hold speed against it. I realize everything I'm doing would be faster with a newer model.

I'm thinking of analogies to describe my feelings about the phone so far, and here are a couple:

It's a like a 1968 Maserati, beautiful to look and a pleasure to drive on certain roads with wonderful performance -- but then you're like "where are the power windows? You're saying I can't raise the seat any higher? What's with this lap-belt only seat belt? And you're saying I can't lower the convertible top unless I pull over by the side of the road and turn off the engine??" So, many, many drawbacks come along with gorgeous machine that corners so well...

If the iphone were a woman, I'd liken it one who was very beautiful and great in bed, but is a bit of moron with some majorly annoying habits…

----------

If your raison d'etre for the iphone is DND management, this is not the device for you. (As I said, my S2 circa 2009 did a better job) However, if you want a device that handles everyday things with aplomb, although in the apple way, then this is the device for you.

It handles SOME everyday things with aplomb, yes. Very awkward in other ways. It's just going to be a question of how the advantages and drawbacks match up against android and the relative importance of each of those advantages and drawbacks.

 

[I7guy]

Only you can make the determination of how it stacks up against android.

 

[C DM]

Your welcome to get out of the discussion if its not to your liking.



That part doesn't bother me. I realize the 4 will be slower, so don't hold speed against it. I realize everything I'm doing would be faster with a newer model.

I'm thinking of analogies to describe my feelings about the phone so far, and here are a couple:

It's a like a 1968 Maserati, beautiful to look and a pleasure to drive on certain roads with wonderful performance -- but then you're like "where are the power windows? You're saying I can't raise the seat any higher? What's with this lap-belt only seat belt? And you're saying I can't lower the convertible top unless I pull over by the side of the road and turn off the engine??" So, many, many drawbacks come along with gorgeous machine that corners so well...

If the iphone were a woman, I'd liken it one who was very beautiful and great in bed, but is a bit of moron with some majorly annoying habits…

----------



It handles SOME everyday things with aplomb, yes. Very awkward in other ways. It's just going to be a question of how the advantages and drawbacks match up against android and the relative importance of each of those advantages and drawbacks.

It doesn't make much for a discussion when you just call out pretty much everyone here and especially those who are actually trying to help out drug addicts and basically putting them down. Analogies are fun to make but don't really end up accomplishing anything especially when they end up being insulting.

 

[heycal]

It doesn't make much for a discussion when you just call out pretty much everyone here and especially those who are actually trying to help out drug addicts and basically putting them down. Analogies are fun to make but don't really end up accomplishing anything especially when they end up being insulting.

Yes, you've whined repeatedly about my tone here, and seem very touchy about any criticisms of the iphone. You really don't seem too happy participating in this conversation, so I think this thread is really not for you. (Not to mention an analogy that compares the iphone to a Maserati or a beautiful woman ain't exactly the height of 'insult').

Others are here not as sensitive, and can withstand criticisms about the iphone just fine, just as one can dump on my Androids all they like and I will not be offended in the least, and will probably agree with many of their critiques.

----------

Only you can make the determination of how it stacks up against android.

Yeah. It's gonna be a hell of a battle between these phones I suspect...

 

[C DM]

Yes, you've whined repeatedly about my tone here, and seem very touchy about any criticisms of the iphone. You really don't seem too happy participating in this conversation, so I think this thread is really not for you. (Not to mention an analogy that compares the iphone to a Maserati or a beautiful woman ain't exactly the height of 'insult').

Others are here not as sensitive, and can withstand criticisms about the iphone just fine, just as one can dump on my Androids all they like and I will not be offended in the least, and will probably agree with many of their critiques.

How about stick to criticizing the phone rather than those who use it? That make actually make sense. You do realize there's a difference between the two, yet seem to act like there isn't and that you didn't do the former when you obviously did (and the car reference had nothing to do with that).

As for criticizing the phone itself, no issues with it whatsoever. But given your posts it sounds like you didn't really come here for help as much as you came here to bash the phone (and unfortunately the people who use it).

 

[I7guy]

Yes, you've whined repeatedly about my tone here, and seem very touchy about any criticisms of the iphone. You really don't seem too happy participating in this conversation, so I think this thread is really not for you. (Not to mention an analogy that compares the iphone to a Maserati or a beautiful woman ain't exactly the height of 'insult').

Others are here not as sensitive, and can withstand criticisms about the iphone just fine, just as one can dump on my Androids all they like and I will not be offended in the least, and will probably agree with many of their critiques.

----------



Yeah. It's gonna be a hell of a battle between these phones I suspect...

It's a fun "battle". With multiple iPhone 4 and one iPhone 5s in the domicile I have a very good frame of reference. apple is to be congratulated for a consistent user experience. There are a couple of years of incremental improvements that don't really detract for the basic ecosystem aspect of the iPhone. For example if you don't like iOS, the apple concept of control, the App Store etc, then Touch ID, hd video recording, and a blazing fast phone won't make a difference.

 

[heycal]

How about stick to criticizing the phone rather than those who use it? That make actually make sense. You do realize there's a difference between the two, yet seem to act like there isn't and that you didn't do the former when you obviously did (and the car reference had nothing to do with that).

As for criticizing the phone itself, no issues with it whatsoever. But given your posts it sounds like you didn't really come here for help as much as you came here to bash the phone (and unfortunately the people who use it).

Still hanging around in this thread, I see. Odd...

It's a fun "battle". With multiple iPhone 4 and one iPhone 5s in the domicile I have a very good frame of reference. apple is to be congratulated for a consistent user experience. There are a couple of years of incremental improvements that don't really detract for the basic ecosystem aspect of the iPhone. For example if you don't like iOS, the apple concept of control, the App Store etc, then Touch ID, hd video recording, and a blazing fast phone won't make a difference.

Probably correct. The 5S's improvements don't sound like game changers to me. Unless the iphone 6 copies some features from android -- a better DND feature, a more customizable lock/home screen, an effective notification light, the ability to turn off annoying things like a 'sent text' swish, and so on and so forth -- I don't think I'll like the 6 all that much more than the 4, aside from the bigger screen.

That said, the 4 and thus presumably all the iphones have some very attractive and alluring aspects to them (see the Maserati and beautiful woman analogies above). So even without making some much needed changes, so they will still be in the game.

Oddly, perhaps the hardest thing I'm having trouble adapting to after a couple of days of use is the lack of 'back' button on many screens. I'm so used to that from my old PCs, my android phones, and even my Mac Air. I often find myself in a position of wanting to go back one step, or even two steps back, and there being no simple or obvious way to do it, and I'll often just hit that physical button on the bottom and start from scratch. Rather annoying.

 

[Serban]

Seem you need an android phone or WP8. I think iOS is not for you. If you like premium build like iphones, thanks to HTC you have 2 alternatives now.
The M7 and M8.

 

[jca24]

Still hanging around in this thread, I see. Odd...



Probably correct. The 5S's improvements don't sound like game changers to me. Unless the iphone 6 copies some features from android -- a better DND feature, a more customizable lock/home screen, an effective notification light, the ability to turn off annoying things like a 'sent text' swish, and so on and so forth -- I don't think I'll like the 6 all that much more than the 4, aside from the bigger screen.

That said, the 4 and thus presumably all the iphones have some very attractive and alluring aspects to them (see the Maserati and beautiful woman analogies above). So even without making some much needed changes, so they will still be in the game.

Oddly, perhaps the hardest thing I'm having trouble adapting to after a couple of days of use is the lack of 'back' button on many screens. I'm so used to that from my old PCs, my android phones, and even my Mac Air. I often find myself in a position of wanting to go back one step, or even two steps back, and there being no simple or obvious way to do it, and I'll often just hit that physical button on the bottom and start from scratch. Rather annoying.

Ok, you have slammed the iPhone on some very minor annoyances to YOU. I have been an iPhone user since day1 and have not ever heard these complaints from anyone else. Sounds like you have made up your mind, go back to your android!! You will be much happier there!!

 

[Shuri]

Is this a correct summary of things I've learned so far about the iphone?

1) There is no way to turn to off the pointless and annoying sound of sent text messages without silencing the whole thing?

2) There is no easy and practical way to have speed dial?

3) there is no way to allow specific callers who might be among the favorites/speed dial contacts get through to me while on DND without letting ALL my favorites do so?

4) generally speaking, things that can I do in one or two steps on an android will now take me three or four steps?

Please tell me I'm wrong, folks. There's no way people really live like this in 2014, is there?

1) right. I don't know I like it, especially it can be pretty useful, but there should be a way to turn it off.

2) Sorry , but you're asking if there are people who live like this in 2014, because speed dial is missing?
Erm is there anything more dated than this? I mean how inconvenient is this, to remember those numbers, as opposed to just clicking on the name of somebody in the favorites list? The latter is undoubtedly the better solution.

3) There is and I have to admit it's not very convenient but there is: on your Mac or on www.icloud.com you can arrange groups where you put contacts in. These groups can now be excluded from DND with the DND settings menu on your iPhone.

4) It's a thing of different philosophies. There come advantages and disadvantages on both. I know the flaws of iOS and everybody has to decide if they are worth it for themselves.

 

[akdj]

Thanks, I may look into this. But is this really how you iphone guys live -- with no real speed dial, and thus, also a not very functional do not disturb feature?

I can't be the only one who wants an easy way to dial frequent contacts/favorites while also allowing a select 2 or 3 of those frequent contacts/favorites to be able to reach me at any hour, can I?

'Call Bob' suggestion = SIRI, you're personal assistant and she's fast on the new gen phones. You can drill into favorites, call back in three minutes, determine family and friends you want to have access but the DND function is a baby. Part of iOS 7's rewrite and in its infancy. It'll get significantly better as we see continued iOS updates. I've had no issues with DND and I run a pair of companies with a large family living in the area. I'm also a Note 3 owner. There are trade offs. iOS 7 vs ICS/KitKat. Personally visual voicemail and iOS's App Store keep me happy. There TRULY is an 'app for that'. But, my Note would be hard to leave behind. When your daughter gets the 5s try Siri. Try the DND options, favorites and granular control. Personally as an owner of both the 'efx' of the SMS or MMS leaving my phone is preferable to my Note's non existent sound when texting. As well, I'm a fan of the 'obvious' group text in iOS vs Android. That's caught me more than once in the Android environment. Creative applications (motion or still editing, music making and artistry, DJs and musicians...even productivity with iWork and 'fun' with the free iLife suite, as well as Microsoft's Offoce suite) and aggregation with your Mac, iPad and other iOS devices is the compelling & reasonable argument to make the change. Neither are perfect but one or the other is going to better fit you, personally. Me...I like to separate my family and businesses. Hence the two phone system and ZERO challenges with DND. (Family only in faves, everyone else I can 'speeddial' with Siri. IE, hold the home button down and say "call my wife". She'll take care of the rest.

As you mentioned, you're cool with agreeing to the inadequicies of Android but awfully defensive of the IMHO minor 'quibbles' with iOS. Seriously minor when compared with real, true and everyday smartphone usage, security, reliability, usability and incredible access to the latest and biggest...as well as BEST software catalog available in the history of computing, typically available at a fraction of the price we paid for actual software 3,4, 10 years ago! There's a volume toggle to control the noise level (& aggravation caused) of the text send sound. There's mute (I know, it's universal). There's a pleothera of vibration options and granular control of intensity. There's Siri who takes 'speed dial' (I'm almost 45 and the word speed dial to me is reminiscent of fax machines ) to an entirely new, different and efficient level. Forget trying to remember 'digits' for direct dial. Looking at the display. Typing in the digits to get to the name (or letter) until unity is achieved. Hold the only button down, when Siri dings, speak and she'll set your reminders, make your grocery list, launch an app, tell you the nearest Pizza Joint's phone number OR make a call. Instantly and reliably. You're NOT going to get the 'true' Siri experience until you try your daughter's phone. Not the 4. As well, the distance between the 4-->4s was extensive. The change to the 5 significant. And the switch to the A7 with phenomenal performance and 64bit architecture (with the A8 instruction set and new GPU), DDR 3 RAM (w/a 4mb 'on die SoC' buffer), fingerprint scan system second to none and a wicked camera (1080p is truly amazing, still capture is definitely a well refined with an awesome and perfect for sensor size 8mp, f2.2 with 10fps full Rez bursts as long as you hold the shutter down), continued progression of their IPS display technology and implementation..the 5s is AS good as ANY of the flagship Android 2014 handsets. Just as fast. Just as reliable and just as capable. Whether or not it's the right phone for you, that's a question only YOU can answer. Not sure why you're making the change but there's got to be something of intrigue. If these are your only challenges or 'cons' to iOS, I do agree (while strongly disagreeing with your drug dependency analogy, as it's actually a real problem right now and this is an Apple discussion board. Not rehab) with your 'addictive' analogy to an extent. Once you've used an iOS device you'll own one for life. iPad. iPhone. iPod. iMac. RMBP. Air. Mini. MP. Doesn't matter. As a two decade Windows only user that started @15 with an Apple IIe...to the 286 in college and Windows til Vista, I made the change about a decade ago. It started with the iPod. It's now all I use. No longer do I have to have a Win partition. All developers I depend on offer OSx compatible software with the exception of Quickbooks. We have a Win7 laptop for payroll, payable and receivables. When it comes to mobile, the choice is significantly tougher to make. I love both but if I had to choose, I'd stick with iOS. There isn't currently a tablet that comes close to competing with the iPad, unlike the phones' comparisons. Much to do with the development community, Android is severely lacking in tablet optimized apps. THAT to me is the determining factor. I need consistency, fluency and 'up to date' and non conflicting information on each system. That's not doable on Android because of many problems ...not the least of which being the carrier's 'bloat' and the manufacturer's added low level, un'removable' software. iOS has maintained this control with carriers and obviously manufacturing the hardware. You'll not find GarageBand on Android. There isn't a comparison to Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iTunes without wires, iMovie, iPhoto or the thousands of third party, indie software available for a buck or two, or MS's new Office suite. At $10 a month I balled initially. Now, I'm sold. Five iPads. Five computers. A buck a month each and sky drive to boot? Sign. Me. Up! Then Google, as a complete reactionary move, disables editing within Drive and pops out their own native apps destroying the ONE option NO OTHER cloud storage option offered. Editing within the cloud itself, in real time with friends, colleagues or projects the world over. To top it, the apps suck, are almost unusable and completely gimped from their AIO solution they blew up. Unfortunately, in conclusion, Android still suffers fragmentation and carrier crap that isn't an iOS issue. To me, THAT'S the sticking point. And the reason when I buy apps, it's iOS. If good, I'll invest on my Note. Otherwise it's a biz line and used as a credit card taker, sketching tool for rigging points and weight calculations. iPhone is with me everywhere. iPad mini is by new kneeboard for flying and replaces 37 pounds pf manuals, plates and keeps my Jep charts up to date. Calculates my fuel, files my flight plan and allows for ADS-B integration, moving map in 3D with terrain, weather and landscape as well as other aircraft. The Air, my personal favorite. And all three are on the 'same page' when it comes to my notes, calendars, contacts, and messaging/email. I've also found native Google apps to actually be better on my iOS devices than my Androids!

Is this a correct summary of things I've learned so far about the iphone?

1) There is no way to turn to off the pointless and annoying sound of sent text messages without silencing the whole thing?

2) There is no easy and practical way to have speed dial?

3) there is no way to allow specific callers who might be among the favorites/speed dial contacts get through to me while on DND without letting ALL my favorites do so?

4) generally speaking, things that can I do in one or two steps on an android will now take me three or four steps?

Please tell me I'm wrong, folks. There's no way people really live like this in 2014, is there?

In summary,
1. No. But there's volume control, mute and 'vibrate'
2. We're well beyond speed dial. Siri. You tell her (or him) who's who. She'll listen and comply. From sleep, push home button for about two seconds and say 'Call X' ...it's truly something you'll figure out, become used to and completely forget the 'challenge'. Visual voicemail itself destroys all the minor inconveniences IMHO. As always ymmv.
3. Yes. There is granular control. While DND is engaged you can allow calls for everyone, no one or favorites. You can group favorites into all contacts, coworkers, family, friends, ICE, even SysGrp ICE. From there you can determine their permissions. Try the 5s. You're not seeing a LOT that iOS 7 has to offer simply because of the four year dated hardware
4. A LOT of things that take five or ten steps in Android will take one or two in iOS. Works both ways. It's your decision which tool is best for you. Both are capable and as fast as yesterday's computers ...and they live in our pockets. There's no right or wrong, unless you buy into blackberry
5. iOS has significant resale value. Something I've yet to experience with my even year old Android devices. Typically you'll be able to sell a two year old iPhone for as much as you paid in subsidy, sometimes 50-100% more. IE, I sold my wife's 4s last fall for $375. Bought it for $199. Gave her my 5, bought the 64GB 5s for $24 additional dollars. Just an additional consideration and a good thing to keep in mind
Lastly, check out the App Store. Drill down into it. Deep. You'll find an amazing amount of content.

Good luck
J

 

[heycal]

Sorrry, but can't really penetrate all parts of the post above this one. I need paragraphs and such things. I do appreciate the sentiments I did read though.

But let's be clear about one thing: Siri is a bad workaround for a speed dial. For starters, I only want to talk into my phone when I want to actually talk, not because I'm forced to. Probably slower too. I really don't like the idea of talking at gadgets as a way to control them.

Secondly, favorites is NOT a good workaround for speed-dial if one also wants to use the DND feature effectively, at least as it exists now. If you say it's gotten fancier and more sophisticated with the 5S, that's good to hear. But right now it sucks.

Third, the vibration on the iphone 4 is garbage. Very weak, with no ability to change the volume/intensity of the vibration. But then, my current Lucid LG is pretty lame in this area too. (I long for my old star tac, where you could really jack the vibration volume up way high if you needed to. And best of all, it had a great "vibrate THEN ring" feature for phone calls. Very, very useful.)

As for the iphone in general, it's a very nice phone with amazing aspects to it, along with some serious flaws and weaknesses and stupidities about it -- there's nothing "minor" about having no notification light, a usuable DND feature, the ability to toggle quickly with the volume keys between vibrate/ring/silent, being able to silence the sounds of outgoing texts (sounds that where stupid to put there in the first place), and so on. The android's are not as nice in many regards, but make up for their shortcomings by providing much needed features that iphone does not.

I really don't get why iphone fans often claim that obviously beneficial features are not really needed in a phone, or the lack of them are "minor quibbles". Seems oddly defensive to me. I don't really see Android folks displaying this strange attitude as much.

I'm not sure one is better than the other. Again, I go back to the car analogy: which you would you prefer, a lovely Maserati that can't really do much other than look really nice and perform some key functions very, very well, or a nice Buick that lacks sex appeal but is loaded with wonderful and useful features? Well, they both sound good in their own way to me. (I can just hear the iphone folks saying "why would you care about power windows on a car? Seems a minor thing to me…")

 

[heycal]

Hell, I'd just be happy with a back button the iphone at this point… majorly annoying not having any way to get back one step or two steps on many occasions.

 

[C DM]

It appears to be pretty clear that iOS/iPhone isn't for you, as multiple theses/posts on the subjects have pretty much established fairly well. Doesn't look like anything will change that, as multiple discussions seem to come back to that same eventuality.