iPhone 13 Google Apps on the iPhone 13

[Mark Stone]

Has anyone else besides me noticed how well Google apps run on the iPhone 13, or iPhones in general? I use Google Maps, Earth, Email, Calendar, Keep (their notes app) and Photos and my perception is that they work better on iPhones than they do even on Android. It might be because Apple processors are faster. Dunno. This was true on my previous Eye Phones, too.

I like them more than I like iOS apps, but that's probably just because I'm used to the UI and am too lazy to switch over. But they definitely work more seamlessly and are faster than on my wife's Galaxy S21, or the Androids I've used in the past.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I've never used any google apps nor do I want to. Apple's native apps work perfectly fine for me and I trust Apple with my data to a higher degree than other big tech companies especially Google or Meta..

 

[Fred Zed]

Has anyone else besides me noticed how well Google apps run on the iPhone 13, or iPhones in general? I use Google Maps, Earth, Email, Calendar, Keep (their notes app) and Photos and my perception is that they work better on iPhones than they do even on Android. It might be because Apple processors are faster. Dunno. This was true on my previous Eye Phones, too.

I like them more than I like iOS apps, but that's probably just because I'm used to the UI and am too lazy to switch over. But they definitely work more seamlessly and are faster than on my wife's Galaxy S21, or the Androids I've used in the past.

I unfortunately use Google Maps primarily to share my location with other Android users. Until recently perhaps IOS 15 it never worked properly even with full background access and precise location granted. But now it does.I think before it got sandboxed pronto.

 

[Mark Stone]

Another positive about Google apps is that they work across all (most?) platforms. For example, on the Google Keep app (their notes app) if I write a note on my iPhone, it is instantly on both my PC and my Samsung Galaxy tablet. On the Apple "Notes" app, it can be accessed on the PC but it's kind of a pain, but cannot be seen on the Tablet at all.

 

[shook187]

I've never used any google apps nor do I want to. Apple's native apps work perfectly fine for me and I trust Apple with my data to a higher degree than other big tech companies especially Google or Meta..

Google apps are incredible, unfortunately people like you will never know about it. Apple or Google all tech companies deal with your data about the same.

 

[eyoungren]

Has anyone else besides me noticed how well Google apps run on the iPhone 13, or iPhones in general? I use Google Maps, Earth, Email, Calendar, Keep (their notes app) and Photos and my perception is that they work better on iPhones than they do even on Android. It might be because Apple processors are faster. Dunno. This was true on my previous Eye Phones, too.

I like them more than I like iOS apps, but that's probably just because I'm used to the UI and am too lazy to switch over. But they definitely work more seamlessly and are faster than on my wife's Galaxy S21, or the Androids I've used in the past.

Google and I have a long history. It was one of the few alternatives for me in 2012 when I wanted to keep my iPhone 5 synced up with my PowerBook G4. Apple's services require you to be either current or semi-current with their hardware. Because of Google I was able to sync email and contacts through Entourage 2004/2008 with my 5. It's this experience and other alternatives that have made me not want to engage in Apple's service ecosystem. With the exception of iMessage, I don't use any of their services on my iPhone(s).

It's interesting though. In 2020 I switched to a Google Pixel 3a XL. It's a good phone and Android is much improved. But I was disappointed with how Google apps worked on Android. And this was Google's own phone! Still have that phone (it's a good phone) but I switched back to iPhone in 2021.

Here's something you may not know either. Google One works on iPhone. There's an app in the app store for it.

 

[eyoungren]

I've never used any google apps nor do I want to. Apple's native apps work perfectly fine for me and I trust Apple with my data to a higher degree than other big tech companies especially Google or Meta..

I use Google's apps and services. I don't trust them either, so I give them the minimum amount of information I can and lock them out of collecting the rest.

But I don't trust Apple either and I don't want all my eggs in one basket. Too many people around here complain that they are locked into the Apple ecosystem. I refuse to be a part of that.

Oh yeah. I use Yahoo too. I've had an email account with them since 1999. Most people will trust Google before they trust Yahoo, so there you go.

 

[ian87w]

Another positive about Google apps is that they work across all (most?) platforms. For example, on the Google Keep app (their notes app) if I write a note on my iPhone, it is instantly on both my PC and my Samsung Galaxy tablet. On the Apple "Notes" app, it can be accessed on the PC but it's kind of a pain, but cannot be seen on the Tablet at all.

That’s the beauty of…. the cloud ?
Google excels at this, with the assumption that every services must be accessible through the browser.

 

[sracer]

Has anyone else besides me noticed how well Google apps run on the iPhone 13, or iPhones in general? I use Google Maps, Earth, Email, Calendar, Keep (their notes app) and Photos and my perception is that they work better on iPhones than they do even on Android. It might be because Apple processors are faster. Dunno. This was true on my previous Eye Phones, too.

I like them more than I like iOS apps, but that's probably just because I'm used to the UI and am too lazy to switch over. But they definitely work more seamlessly and are faster than on my wife's Galaxy S21, or the Androids I've used in the past.

Yes, I've noticed that too. I initially gravitated toward Google apps because of their cross-platform nature. I dislike being locked-in to (hardware/software/services) ecosystems so having the ability to bounce around between different hardware platforms allows me the freedom to explore and experiment with minimal impact to my workflows.

It allows me to move between my Galaxy Tab S6 and iPad Mini 5... between my dual-iMac desktop configuration and my ThinkPads and chromebooks, and just recently, to replace my Galaxy A20 smartphone with a 2020 iPhone SE.

As for why they run so well on iOS, in part it may be the processor power, another part may be that iOS is less-desktop in its subsystems and overall design compared to Android. It could be that Google knows that they have an uphill battle for get iOS users to use alternatives to the baked-in defaults provided by Apple so they put more effort into it.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Google apps are incredible, unfortunately people like you will never know about it. Apple or Google all tech companies deal with your data about the same.

I do know about it, I choose not to use them. It hasn't caused me any issue yet so if you like using them more power to you. I also said in my post I know Apple collects data from me too, I just feel more comfortable with them having the data than Google.. Personal choice is a wonderful thing

 

[AlixSPQR]

I mix them. I use Google Maps, Google Photos, and Gmail daily. But I use Google's calendar and contacts in the iOS-equivalent apps. But I'd rather use Notes than Keep, the check boxes are more versatile in the former IMO. The best of both worlds, for me. I've heard complaints about Google a thousand times, but I am personally not annoyed.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Gmail badges stopped working on the last update or so it seems

 

[winxmac]

3rd party apps seem to be more optimized on iOS/iPadOS in general compared to android...

 

[Mark Stone]

3rd party apps seem to be more optimized on iOS/iPadOS in general compared to android...

Agreed . . . .

 

[RinkDinkus]

Google always comes back to me as a solid ecosystem. Sure the Apple stuff looks and feels premium but there’s just some allure to Google stuff that just makes it more fun and more approachable. I’m also just more of a fan of apps that get updated sort of regularly instead of once an iOS update comes out ?‍♂️

Google being that cross platform glue to hold my life together is really ?
….except our Nest minis, those irritate us in our house hahaha

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Google always comes back to me as a solid ecosystem. Sure the Apple stuff looks and feels premium but there’s just some allure to Google stuff that just makes it more fun and more approachable. I’m also just more of a fan of apps that get updated sort of regularly instead of once an iOS update comes out ?‍♂️

Google being that cross platform glue to hold my life together is really ?
….except our Nest minis, those irritate us in our house hahaha

Exactly. OS agnostic apps are nice and not constantly needing an Apple device to 2FA when I want to web access my iCloud mail. Apple, I’m trying to check my iCloud in the web browser for a reason so odds are good i don’t have access to one of my devices to authenticate.

Agreed, having updated apps is awesome. Sadly, Apple has walled off their garden so much for the sake of privacy it actually hinders workflow between the rest of the world and MacOS is the minority. Similar things can be said for Microsoft/Windows but it holds a much larger share. Google is there to fill the gap and honestly feels like they value and implement user feedback insanely better than Apple or Microsoft.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Google always comes back to me as a solid ecosystem. Sure the Apple stuff looks and feels premium but there’s just some allure to Google stuff that just makes it more fun and more approachable. I’m also just more of a fan of apps that get updated sort of regularly instead of once an iOS update comes out ?‍♂️

Google being that cross platform glue to hold my life together is really ?
….except our Nest minis, those irritate us in our house hahaha

Not sure what you're talking about, iOS apps get updated even without major iOS releases...

 

[RinkDinkus]

Not sure what you're talking about, iOS apps get updated even without major iOS releases...

Opinion: Apple needs to modernize its antiquated annual app update routine

Much is made of Apple’s swift software update schedule, but the annual iOS update encompasses core app updates as well as system tweaks, whereas Google pushes out core app updates year-round. We delve into the differences, ask why Apple does things this way, and discuss whether Google’s approach...

www.digitaltrends.com

Apple should provide standalone updates for native iOS apps - 9to5Mac

Apple sometimes fails to deliver bug fixes as quickly as possible. The company should offer standalone updates for native iOS apps.

9to5mac.com

It doesn’t look like they update them that much without the iOS updates.

Sure, they have the ability to change things in the background (like when spatial audio came to Apple Music, you didn’t need to update the iOS/iPadOS to get the feature, they just turned it on), but real things like that Safari bug that leaked user data? That would have been absolutely stellar to have a quick fix in the safari app as an update instead of waiting for them to bundle a whole iOS/iPadOS update.

 

[Mark Stone]

Not sure what you're talking about, iOS apps get updated even without major iOS releases...

Not in my experience. We regularly get updates to all the apps except iOS stuff - unless its done in the background? (which may be the case --)

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Not in my experience. We regularly get updates to all the apps except iOS stuff - unless its done in the background? (which may be the case --)

Opinion: Apple needs to modernize its antiquated annual app update routine

Much is made of Apple’s swift software update schedule, but the annual iOS update encompasses core app updates as well as system tweaks, whereas Google pushes out core app updates year-round. We delve into the differences, ask why Apple does things this way, and discuss whether Google’s approach...

www.digitaltrends.com

Apple should provide standalone updates for native iOS apps - 9to5Mac

Apple sometimes fails to deliver bug fixes as quickly as possible. The company should offer standalone updates for native iOS apps.

9to5mac.com

It doesn’t look like they update them that much without the iOS updates.

Sure, they have the ability to change things in the background (like when spatial audio came to Apple Music, you didn’t need to update the iOS/iPadOS to get the feature, they just turned it on), but real things like that Safari bug that leaked user data? That would have been absolutely stellar to have a quick fix in the safari app as an update instead of waiting for them to bundle a whole iOS/iPadOS update.

You guys are correct about apps like Safari, Mail, FaceTime, etc only getting changes through official releases or server side. Apps like Apple Store, Apple Support get updates like normal apps.. I misread your posts...My apologies

 

[mpavilion]

I've never used any google apps nor do I want to. Apple's native apps work perfectly fine for me and I trust Apple with my data to a higher degree than other big tech companies especially Google or Meta..

I never understand why ppl respond like this to posts like the OP. If you’ve not in a position to have noticed what the OP asked about, why chime in?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I never understand why ppl respond like this to posts like the OP. If you’ve not in a position to have noticed what the OP asked about, why chime in?

Because it's a public forum and I can respond to anything I'd like. Why did you feel a need to chime in? You didn't offer any insight on what the OP's asked about either.. At least I commented on the topic

 

[mpavilion]

Because it's a public forum and I can respond to anything I'd like. Why did you feel a need to chime in? You didn't offer any insight on what the OP's asked about either.. At least I commented on the topic

My insight is that I use Google apps on the iPhone and agree they are better than the same apps on Android.

 

[Tagbert]

Opinion: Apple needs to modernize its antiquated annual app update routine

Much is made of Apple’s swift software update schedule, but the annual iOS update encompasses core app updates as well as system tweaks, whereas Google pushes out core app updates year-round. We delve into the differences, ask why Apple does things this way, and discuss whether Google’s approach...

www.digitaltrends.com

Apple should provide standalone updates for native iOS apps - 9to5Mac

Apple sometimes fails to deliver bug fixes as quickly as possible. The company should offer standalone updates for native iOS apps.

9to5mac.com

It doesn’t look like they update them that much without the iOS updates.

Sure, they have the ability to change things in the background (like when spatial audio came to Apple Music, you didn’t need to update the iOS/iPadOS to get the feature, they just turned it on), but real things like that Safari bug that leaked user data? That would have been absolutely stellar to have a quick fix in the safari app as an update instead of waiting for them to bundle a whole iOS/iPadOS update.

Sometimes those iOS updates really are just Safari or other security fixes. It doesn’t matter if they call it an iOS update or a Safari update as long as it comes out. It’s not like they hold it back for the annual new version release in Sept.