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Google Rebrands Switcher App to Lure iPhone Users to Android
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Good to see the new app. But not sure many will be switching to Android from iPhone.
android is terrible lol. I’m sorry. Used it for a decade. I’d give up having a phone before I owned another lagdroid
I always feel like I need to wash my hands after holding one 😂🙈 and single me actually doesn’t date guys with androids lol. They immediately go to friends zone because clearly you make bad decisions.
I always feel like I need to wash my hands after holding one 😂🙈 and single me actually doesn’t date guys with androids lol. They immediately go to friends zone because clearly you make bad decisions.
You can buy a flagship with a large screen, storage, battery and refresh rate for $300 or less. You can install any apps you want, you don't have to pay $100 every year to develop something for the ecosystem. You can install a terminal, VSCode and other real developer apps, which you can't do even on the iPad Pro. You have split-screen regardless of the screen size. You don't have to force update every year and enjoy new bugs like with iOS, apps don't throw out the old version of Android from support and have backward compatibility for many versions back, up to the oldest apps long removed from the App Store / Google Play. And you can use any browser and listen to youtube in the background without premium, and the operating system does not force you to use slower swipes instead of simple virtual buttons, it is configurable.
The pixel call assist is really cool, I hope Apple adds that to iOS one day:
Discover How Google Pixel Call Assist Works - Google Store
Learn how Google Pixel Call Assist features like Call Screening, Clear Calling, or Hold for Me help you shortcut through automated phone systems.
store.google.com
For me, reasons I’m considering a switch are
- too many bugs in the Apple ecosystem in recent times (problems with Photos for example)
- I prefer the cameras of some Android mobile phones (Sony Xperia in particular)
- Support for AptX and LDAC Bluetooth codecs
- I feel locked in (in a golden cage maybe, but still)
Edit 2: I also already use Sony WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 instead of AirPods Max and Pros, both because I prefer their sound quality (and possibility to EQ) and their microphone quality in calls. And I can use them for the corporate laptop as well.
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Are you sure you didn’t get your phones mixed up? Apple takes so much control away that I’m not even able to download an app I spent real money on because its "too old".
Meanwhile I’m still de-googling my life… GMail is going to be a difficult one but I’ll be glad to be gone.
Nah. Been a Mac user for the past 30 years. Why would I switch? Just for the sake of switching? Makes no sense.
You can't handle a small sarcastic joke.
Android gives the illusion of control. In the end there are still only a few large companies that control everything. If you truly want control, install Linux on a phone
Fair, but I really don't care about Folds. And if you really try you can also fold an iPhone (joke, guys).
That is not a fact, it’s an opinion. Learn the difference.
If something that significant happened in my world, I think I might even carry two phones for as long as necessary. Using the Android one solely for the insulin pump (or whatever precipitated the need).
I used to do that when I had an IOS personal phone and a work Android.
More choices, cheaper prices, more deals. You can buy Samsung Galaxy 24 for $500 and get a Samsung Tablet and Earbuds for free.
More choice is better. Sure. But a cheaper device isn't always a better choice, otherwise we would all be using Chinese knockoff devices. Which all run (outdated) Android versions with no updates. Also free stuff usually means low quality stuff that becomes e-waste in less than 6 months. No thank you.
And sure you can buy "high end" of midclass android devices. But you can also choose to buy a 3 year old iPhone. For the same price. That 3 year old iPhone will still have around 3-4 years of major version updates and 5-6 years of minor updates. Those android phones will almost all be running 2-3 major versions behind or won't have major updates. Which harms compatibility with new apps.
And to be honest, I've thought of buying a Fairphone as a 2nd phone. But their stance on not adding a 3.5mm jack to it honestly defeats any interest I have in the device.
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I have more reasons: Android has more languages, reads Finnish and other languages clearly etc and can distinguish between different languages and Android has more languages in general.
Huawei used to be #1 phone in Europe, before Google was banned. Everyone I knew had Huawei phones and I had too and it got more updates than my Sony Xperia.
I doubt Samsung tablets will be obsolete within less than 6 months, same goes for the EarPods, but it's a special Black Friday offer anyway.
Samsung keeps their devices pretty up to date nowadays.
Samsung to match Google's 7 years of OS updates promise among upper mid-range smartphone market with Galaxy S24 FE
Samsung has finally brought its OS update commitment to its upper mid-range smartphone segment. Unfortunately, the promise only starts with the Galaxy S24 FE and does not apply to older Galaxy S FE smartphones like the Galaxy S23 FE.
www.notebookcheck.net
Samsung promised S24 series will be supported for 7 years and 2 years of security updates.
It doesn't come with a free antivirus and a firewall??
Google today revamped its Switch to Android app for the iPhone and iPad, introducing a streamlined interface, a new icon, and changing the name to Android Switch as part of a rebranding effort to lure new iPhone users.
The app is designed to make it easy for iPhone users to swap over to an Android-based device like a Google Pixel. It can transfer contacts, calendar events, photos, and videos, and it includes reminders to turn off iMessage to swap to RCS/SMS.
Google has also changed some of the wording on its Switch to Android website to reflect the new app name. The Switch to Android site walks through some of the common concerns that iPhone users might have about switching platforms, such as texting, sharing files, making video calls, and transitioning accessories.
With RCS, Google says Android users can text iPhone users with no issues, and the company recommends Google Meet as an alternative to FaceTime. There's no Android to iPhone replacement for AirDrop, but Google says that Quick Share can be used to share files with Android, ChromeOS, and Windows PC devices.
Aside from design updates and a new look for the app, the basic functionality of the Android Switch app appears to be the same as before.
Article Link: Google Rebrands Switcher App to Lure iPhone Users to Android
- Brand new phones at way lower prices (they used to be bad, now they're perfectly usable and good enough for most people even at $150. I mean, I love iPhones but I know I'm just spoiled and I totally don't need them)
- Much more choice, if a brand takes a path you don't like, you have many more to pick
- ...so basically you choose specs, price and features, not one single manufacturer
- Some cool features get on Android first. This is also a consequence of having more brands fighting to deliver as quick as possible
- Much, much, muuuch less software constraints. Even for, ahem... installing legal apps, it's very good
- Much more customization
- Not trying to lock your whole digital life into a closed environment where everything costs much more than average and in many cases delivers poorly
Guess you know the reason not to but... come on, many reasons to switch are pretty appealing to me.
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I use both ecosystems (Samsung - private, Iphone - business) and both have their advantages, just Android have much more, although Apple is catching up:
Apple cons vs Android:
Carplay: impossible to fast forward music with the search bar. (Samsung music: works)
Carplay: No pinch to zoom on maps, carplay doesn't support two finger gestures (Android does on all maps)
Default apps cannot be changed (Android: any mapping app or browser can be set as default)
Several accidental calls by touching a call in the recent list. (on Samsung call is initiated by sliding to the right)
No back button: sometimes there is a back arrow, sometimes just have to tap anywhere on the screen...on go back to home.
Apple Music does not play flac lossless audio, Samsung Music does.
Iphone: Two different incoming call screen _ one with slider, another with red and green buttons. Why??
My recent call list was 3 days on the iphone and 6 months on Samsung (this was finally corrected in ios 18)
No numbers on the keyboard, except I set it to Vietnamese (?!?) Samsung/Google keyboard: this is switchable
itunes needed to copy anthing else than photos to a computer. Android phones work as a Flash drive, no sw needed, anything can be copied.
Apple is left behind in hw development by years.
+Android has several small improvements in usability over IOS.
Apple pros vs Android:
voice typing works slightly better in my language.
Carplay interface looks slightly nicer than Android Auto.
Apple cons vs Android:
Carplay: impossible to fast forward music with the search bar. (Samsung music: works)
Carplay: No pinch to zoom on maps, carplay doesn't support two finger gestures (Android does on all maps)
Default apps cannot be changed (Android: any mapping app or browser can be set as default)
Several accidental calls by touching a call in the recent list. (on Samsung call is initiated by sliding to the right)
No back button: sometimes there is a back arrow, sometimes just have to tap anywhere on the screen...on go back to home.
Apple Music does not play flac lossless audio, Samsung Music does.
Iphone: Two different incoming call screen _ one with slider, another with red and green buttons. Why??
My recent call list was 3 days on the iphone and 6 months on Samsung (this was finally corrected in ios 18)
No numbers on the keyboard, except I set it to Vietnamese (?!?) Samsung/Google keyboard: this is switchable
itunes needed to copy anthing else than photos to a computer. Android phones work as a Flash drive, no sw needed, anything can be copied.
Apple is left behind in hw development by years.
+Android has several small improvements in usability over IOS.
Apple pros vs Android:
voice typing works slightly better in my language.
Carplay interface looks slightly nicer than Android Auto.
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Yes, Mint Chocolate Chip is a terrible, horrible, flavor! And while Strawberry is OK, a high quality vanilla custard or French Vanilla is what deserves the world’s love! 😂
Are you sure that’s not just the ‘sunk cost’ fallacy talking? 🤣 Kidding! Maybe. I do understand what you mean by not noticing the crease, as that is the kind of thing that our minds can be very good at when focused.
But, it is an actual defect and shortcoming in the materials/design, in a product for which they (Google, Samsung, etc) are asking a premium price. I see the appeal of an expanding screen (!), but the other compromises, such as the expanded interior screen being such an odd ratio that watching a video only yields a player slightly larger than a standard Max-size phone. I see that as a major design fail.
I do more reading on my phone than watching video, but that is generally because I prefer using my iPad 13” screen (or even my old 11”).
You can set the settings however you want, google has all your data either way. Especially if you use an app specifically designed to copy all your data.
1. You really can't make a good phone for $150. Meaning for one it's SoC is going to be terrible slow. For two, the quality and support are literally non-existant.
Except when that brand is the primary source of the OS. (Google)
specs price and features: okay, that's true. But I already wrote: so can with Apple.
not one single manufacturer: except it still is all Google that controls Android.
As long as the phone has the features I need, why would I want more features? That would just complicate things and adds unnecessary risk when the feature isn't supported correctly.
Yes, and a lot more malware as well.
Sure, but I don't need that. My phone needs to do the thing I bought it for, and nothing else. There are a lot more people warming up to devices that have a simple ui and takes away stress.
The only "cost" an iPhone has is the device and the apps you buy. You can absolutely use everything for free. Sure if you want more then you have to pay for that. But you ABSOLUTELY do so with Android. Which are full of ads and Google watching your every move to deliver you even more ads.
I doubt Samsung tablets will be obsolete within less than 6 months, same goes for the EarPods, but it's a special Black Friday offer anyway.
Samsung keeps their devices pretty up to date nowadays.
Samsung to match Google's 7 years of OS updates promise among upper mid-range smartphone market with Galaxy S24 FE
Samsung has finally brought its OS update commitment to its upper mid-range smartphone segment. Unfortunately, the promise only starts with the Galaxy S24 FE and does not apply to older Galaxy S FE smartphones like the Galaxy S23 FE.
Samsung promised S24 series will be supported for 7 years and 2 years of security updates.
Security updates for two years? iPhone Xr are still getting major versions up until 18.x. Which you can buy refurbished for less than €200. That is a phone released 6 years ago. No, Samsung can't match Apple.
And the issue is cheaper devices run on slower SoCs / older SoCs which Android loses support for quite quickly with newer releases. Forcing companies to only offer minor updates (security updates) but rarely have more than one major releases. High end androids often have 2 or 3 major releases, even phones as expensive as 2000 euro. iPhones have 5-7 years of full major releases per phone.
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