[Merged] General Discussion - Android OS vs. iPhone OS

[err404]

For me, it's the customization. Live wallpapers and widgets... come on, Steve, I'm waiting.

Live wallpapers don't interest me in the slightest. Widgets are cool, but not a big deal. I do like Androids notification history and the WiFi hotspot has me clambering for an iPhone 4 JB.

get two lines and buy a new iphone every year, double win, sometimes new and not android.

That's exactly the plan I'm on. The fiancee has a 3GS now so she gets the new one next year.

 

[err404]

Actually, it's been difficult for me to get much quality time with Android. Most of the people I knew with them, now have iPhones. I wish more people around here had them because I love gadgets.

 

[rizzuh]

i've been using the iphone since it came out (now using 3gs with an iphone 4 that just went off backorder), but i also just bought a nexus one to try it out and see how i like it. if i end up liking the nexus one/android better, i'm gonna sell my iphone 4 to offset the cost. if not, i'll return the nexus one and keep the iphone 4.

after a couple of days using android 2.2 on my nexus one, i'd have to say that in my opinion android is currently a couple notches above iOS. the notification system is such a pleasant experience compared to iOS' intrusive popups and pretty much everything on android is modular. meaning that you can easily customize/replace many parts of the UI (custom keyboards, launchers, etc). unless your phone is locked down by a carrier, you have the ability to install any 3rd party app you want, which is really nice. apps have a lot more access to the OS and I love how all my google accounts are so easily integrated into everything. the built in wifi hotspot and usb tethering are independent of the carrier, so that's also a really nice feature.

however, with all that said, i am currently leaning towards keeping the iphone 4 (pending on how badly the signal/proximity issues affect me when it arrives and seeing how i feel after using android for a bit longer). why? one single reason - apple's app store. at this point, i'm simply too used to and attached to the apps we have available on the app store. the polish, utility and the games can't be beat right now. while the android market has alternatives to pretty much every app I use on the iphone, sometimes it's hard finding apps with the same quality and polish. the games in the android market are also currently lacking.

maybe sometime in the future when the android market has matured more, i'll be able to switch platforms without any doubts, but in the meantime i'm probably sticking with the iphone.

 

[Godzirra!]

I made the switch from the motodroid just because I wanted better control of my media. I got sick of carrying an iPod and phone. I can't wait for windows phone 7 cause I think zune is hands down the best media player. I don't care about apps because I never end up using them.

 

[murdercitydevil]

I switched from a G1 on T-Mo to an iPhone on AT&T. It wasn't so much a switch from Android to iOS that made my decision, more like the fact that I hated my G1 and its awful OS and the iPhone 4 was the only other phone on the market that I actually felt excited about. No regrets whatsoever.

 

[Apple...]

Live wallpapers don't interest me in the slightest. Widgets are cool, but not a big deal. I do like Androids notification history and the WiFi hotspot has me clambering for an iPhone 4 JB.

Really? To me, live wallpapers look so cool, but again, that's all based on personal opinion. I agree, I love widgets, as well as Android's notifications and Wi-Fi hotspot. I'm hoping these features will be added to iOS soon, but with Apple, you never know when.

Actually, it's been difficult for me to get much quality time with Android. Most of the people I knew with them, now have iPhones. I wish more people around here had them because I love gadgets.

I plan on buying an unlocked Android phone soon (Droid X, maybe?). No matter how biased, I enjoy playing with any (and every) gadget.

i've been using the iphone since it came out (now using 3gs with an iphone 4 that just went off backorder), but i also just bought a nexus one to try it out and see how i like it. if i end up liking the nexus one/android better, i'm gonna sell my iphone 4 to offset the cost. if not, i'll return the nexus one and keep the iphone 4.

after a couple of days using android 2.2 on my nexus one, i'd have to say that in my opinion android is currently a couple notches above iOS. the notification system is such a pleasant experience compared to iOS' intrusive popups and pretty much everything on android is modular. meaning that you can easily customize/replace many parts of the UI (custom keyboards, launchers, etc). unless your phone is locked down by a carrier, you have the ability to install any 3rd party app you want, which is really nice. apps have a lot more access to the OS and I love how all my google accounts are so easily integrated into everything. the built in wifi hotspot and usb tethering are independent of the carrier, so that's also a really nice feature.

however, with all that said, i am currently leaning towards keeping the iphone 4 (pending on how badly the signal/proximity issues affect me when it arrives and seeing how i feel after using android for a bit longer). why? one single reason - apple's app store. at this point, i'm simply too used to and attached to the apps we have available on the app store. the polish, utility and the games can't be beat right now. while the android market has alternatives to pretty much every app I use on the iphone, sometimes it's hard finding apps with the same quality and polish. the games in the android market are also currently lacking.

maybe sometime in the future when the android market has matured more, i'll be able to switch platforms without any doubts, but in the meantime i'm probably sticking with the iphone.

Three of the biggest things I like about Android: widgets, extensive customization, and a really good notification system. Once Apple adds these features to iOS, I probably won't care much afterwards.

I switched from a G1 on T-Mo to an iPhone on AT&T. It wasn't so much a switch from Android to iOS that made my decision, more like the fact that I hated my G1 and its awful OS and the iPhone 4 was the only other phone on the market that I actually felt excited about. No regrets whatsoever.

Good for you.

*Anyone else care to post? I'm looking for some iPhone to Android switchers - I haven't seen any in this thread lately. I would really enjoy hearing their opinions/ views. Thanks.*

 

[SeniorGato1]

Had all 3 iphones and now I have the Google Nexus One.

I use my ipad for the apps, and the nexus one for free native tethering, voice recognition & free navigation.

 

[techiegirl]

The android phone's voice navigation cannot be beat. It's even better than the one in my car.

I use my ipad for the apps, and the nexus one for free native tethering, voice recognition & free navigation.

 

[wreckshop]

3. The OS is laggy when zooming and swiping and unorganized. You have to swipe through a bunch of home screens or search through a big list of applications (half of which is pre-installed crapware)

If you had to do that youre either an idiot or never used an android phone long enough to figure out that you can customize the homescreens with shortcuts from "the big list of applications." Furthermore, you can put folders on each desktop and put shortcuts in the folders, all of which reduces homescreen srolling in search of apps, which is an apple thing.

 

[anonymous6237]

My opinion of Android was largely biased by my experience on an underpowered handset but I'll give it a go:

I was using a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G after my iPhone 2G died. I'd wanted to give Android a shot. That was back in November. My experience was underwhelming. I appreciate what Android is trying to accomplish and the most recent handsets have made huge strides.

The OS overall still needs polish for my taste. What I love about my iPhone and iOS is the ease of use and the user experience. All the animations are smooth and everything just flows together really nicely (It's hard to describe good UI with words). Android still in many ways felt like a Beta release on my phone. Even after rooting and some serious tweaking I could never get the phone to feel like I wanted to. In the end I made the switch to AT&T and iPhone 4 and I couldn't be happier...well maybe when the Jailbreak is finally released

In the long run I hope Android continues to improve as fast as it has. Part of me hopes it overtakes the iPhone. Competition breeds improvement on both sides and that excites me.

 

[Apple...]

Had all 3 iphones and now I have the Google Nexus One.

I use my ipad for the apps, and the nexus one for free native tethering, voice recognition & free navigation.

Whatever works.

The android phone's voice navigation cannot be beat. It's even better than the one in my car.

No kidding. I really wish Apple would step up their game on voice recognition/ free navigation... I'm waiting, Steve. Which iOS release will it be?

If you had to do that youre either an idiot or never used an android phone long enough to figure out that you can customize the homescreens with shortcuts from "the big list of applications." Furthermore, you can put folders on each desktop and put shortcuts in the folders, all of which reduces homescreen srolling in search of apps, which is an apple thing.

I'm hoping that 'Apple thing' will get taken care of in a major UI overhaul. iOS needs it. Badly.

My opinion of Android was largely biased by my experience on an underpowered handset but I'll give it a go:

I was using a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G after my iPhone 2G died. I'd wanted to give Android a shot. That was back in November. My experience was underwhelming. I appreciate what Android is trying to accomplish and the most recent handsets have made huge strides.

The OS overall still needs polish for my taste. What I love about my iPhone and iOS is the ease of use and the user experience. All the animations are smooth and everything just flows together really nicely (It's hard to describe good UI with words). Android still in many ways felt like a Beta release on my phone. Even after rooting and some serious tweaking I could never get the phone to feel like I wanted to. In the end I made the switch to AT&T and iPhone 4 and I couldn't be happier...well maybe when the Jailbreak is finally released

In the long run I hope Android continues to improve as fast as it has. Part of me hopes it overtakes the iPhone. Competition breeds improvement on both sides and that excites me.

Or, Android could be the hound that doesn't quite pass iPhone, but is always nipping at Apple's heels. Always. Whether it's what you or I described, I'm sure it will keep Apple in check. Competition is heathy (I'd feel quite bad if Android didn't exist)... I'll give you that.

P.S. Jailbreak! Jailbreak!

 

[Goldinboy17]

I've used the MyTouch 3G, G1 and Nexus One over the past year. The G1 being one of my favorites surprisingly. I missed the QWERTY keyboards. Anyways, the Apps weren't always the best. The Android Market has what, 40,000 apps? In my experience, many of the Apps I used required extensions in the forms of more "Apps" being downloaded from the Market. Many of them were unstable, constantly having force-closes. Then again, I probably ran way too many at the same time. Another huge draw back was the poor performance of the Music application Android uses. Amazon MP3 is ok, but you can't purchase/rent any videos or movies.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Or, Android could be the hound that doesn't quite pass iPhone, but is always nipping at Apple's heels

that would mean it's inferior and only idiots would be using it

I plan on buying an unlocked Android phone soon (Droid X, maybe?). No matter how biased, I enjoy playing with any (and every) gadget.

Why? You can only use it on Verizon, maybe Sprint if you are lucky and they activate it for you.

 

[Goldinboy17]

that would mean it's inferior and only idiots would be using it


Why? You can only use it on Verizon, maybe Sprint if you are lucky and they activate it for you.

No? The unlocked version has a SIM card slot that can be used with GSM as well as CDMA carriers. It's much more expensive, but serves the purpose if you want the DROID on AT&T.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

No? The unlocked version has a SIM card slot that can be used with GSM as well as CDMA carriers. It's much more expensive, but serves the purpose if you want the DROID on AT&T.

It's a waste unless you plan on jumping from carrier to carrier. I'd rather have SIM because it's more compatible globally and cheaper while doing so.

 

[insidmal]

Had all 3 iphones and now I have the Google Nexus One.

I use my ipad for the apps, and the nexus one for free native tethering, voice recognition & free navigation.

i have a friend who does the same thing, he tethers n1 to his ipod touch cause he likes the apps on there more

 

[Apple...]

I've used the MyTouch 3G, G1 and Nexus One over the past year. The G1 being one of my favorites surprisingly. I missed the QWERTY keyboards. Anyways, the Apps weren't always the best. The Android Market has what, 40,000 apps? In my experience, many of the Apps I used required extensions in the forms of more "Apps" being downloaded from the Market. Many of them were unstable, constantly having force-closes. Then again, I probably ran way too many at the same time. Another huge draw back was the poor performance of the Music application Android uses. Amazon MP3 is ok, but you can't purchase/rent any videos or movies.

Android Market has about 70,000 apps now. Still, they pale in quantity and quality when compared to Apple's App Store, but hey, it's open. And yes, the stock Android music app isn't that great.

that would mean it's inferior and only idiots would be using it

What? Android or iOS? They're both really good platforms.

Why? You can only use it on Verizon, maybe Sprint if you are lucky and they activate it for you.

I don't want to pay two different phone bills. I just want one to play around with. I could get a Nexus... oh, wait. Google stopped selling them.

i have a friend who does the same thing, he tethers n1 to his ipod touch cause he likes the apps on there more

Whatever works best. I think I'd rather get an iPad instead though.

 

[vegastime]

The android phone's voice navigation cannot be beat. It's even better than the one in my car.

I agree. Love the navigation integration on android. Especially with an address that is in your calendar.

Overall, the iPhone just seems more polished, though.

 

[Apple...]

I agree. Love the navigation integration on android. Especially with an address that is in your calendar.

Overall, the iPhone just seems more polished, though.

True, but I'd still love to see Apple's own voice navigation service.

 

[Goldinboy17]

True, but I'd still love to see Apple's own voice navigation service.

My iPhones own Map service got me lost. Ironically, I was using it to try to get to the closest Apple Store to have it replaced. Darn phone didn't know West from East.

 

[GamecockMac]

Nobody uses pixel density chosen by Apple because it makes no technical sense.

Yet if a company other than Apple had used it in one of their devices first, haters/trolls like you would be touting it as another perceived advantage over the iPhone. Just like the supposed superiority of a Android phone's camera simply because the number in front of the word "megapixel" is bigger.

 

[Apple...]

Yet if a company other than Apple had used it in one of their devices first, haters/trolls like you would be touting it as another perceived advantage over the iPhone. Just like the supposed superiority of a Android phone's camera simply because the number in front of the word "megapixel" is bigger.

+ 1. So true.

 

[pflau]

Don't be FOOLED Android will be the next OS/2 and Palm OS

At one point I was actually thinking about developing for the Palm devices. Good thing I never followed up. I'm doing iOS development and I'm much happier.

It takes an INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF EXPERTISE to develop an OS, development tools, and SDK. Apple is about 10 years ahead of everybody else.

 

[Block]

With how close Apple and Google used to be, I wouldn't be surprised if Google was just a few cycles behind Apple.

 

[MEJHarrison]

I really don't care if Android falls flat on it's face or is the next big thing. I have the phone I want. If others find a phone they like better and it's not an iPhone, I really couldn't care less. Competition is good thing.

I really don't care enough to be FOOLED. And I'm amazed that there are those who apparently are.