Moving on from iOS

[HouseLannister]

Blackberry had a huge install base and a good ecosystem and still died because they couldn't deliver decent hardware. They tried to pivot to Android, but got even further lost in "what even is a blackberry?"

Palm/webOS tried to move from handhelds to phones and just couldn't find their place. They probably should have gone the e-ink tablet route, but instead they became a TV OS. Weird, but it works for them.

Microsoft had multiple failed attempts and the most money to throw around at making itself a big player and just gave up. Bill Gates said it was his greatest failure. They bought Nokia to try to make a bigger play and Nokia was doing some cool stuff with cameras at the time that could have made them successful. But Microsoft just didn't win the minds of developers. Not sure where they went wrong.

We hear things about Tizen and HarmonyOS, but I don't know if they will ever be competitive mobile operating systems available globally.

For a third player to enter now, it would have to be a huge investment in money, time, and talent. A crazy hypothetical: DoJ forces Google to sell Chrome (and therefore ChromeOS). OpenAI buys it and begins work on a mobile OS that is still probably largely Android. Five years with no return on investment and nVidia buys OpenAI and then launches a line of mobile phones that combine best-in-class processing with AI. They fail miserably because nVidia can’t make energy-efficient chips. But they did launch a phone. Maybe it was designed by Jony Ive. It will never happen, but it is fun to imagine.

 

[JtheLemur]

This year is the year of Linux on the desktop! Surely!

 

[OUsooner08]

Been an iOS user, developer (years past), tester, reviewer, etc…. Have used a MBP and an iPad. AW user also.

With the dissatisfaction I have been experiencing over the past few years, I have sold my last iPhone and am selling my AWU. Gifted my MBP. Keeping my iPad Pro 11 (M4). Still the best, IMO, tablet for me. Consumption 😂.

What got me there …
I took a hard look at my workstream and personal use and found that Windows, Linux, and Android fit my use case far better.
I use a Pixel 9 Pro Fold for work. Gives me a phone and tablet all in one. I accomplish more and with less effort than my 15 ProMax.
For work laptop I use Windows and Linux.

Personal use is a bit different. I do contract work (ERP) on a part time basis and my last MacOS customer has retired. My other customers use Windows. Not adding new customers as I will retire in a very few years.
For a personal phone I am currently using a Galaxy S25Plus. My personal laptop is a Galaxy Book. My watch, when I wear one, is a Garmin Epix.

Then add in AI. It has its use cases and for the most part has replaced Google Assistant (using Gemini and Grok). Apple really dropped the ball here.

End of the day, Apple no longer fits my needs. If anyone has any questions on transitioning out of the Apple ecosystem, ask. I’ll still be around as a couple of things here (photos) still are very interesting.

This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

All jokes aside why do people need to announce they are switching and their reasons for it? You really think your work flow and reasons are going to “move the needle” on others switching.

I’ve switched back and forth several times, even used both platforms at the same time between work and personal devices. Never felt the need to explain why…

No one has questions for you on “how to switch.” It’s not even hard to do.

 

[circatee]

Some valid points by @OUsooner08

 

[HouseLannister]

This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

You do realize you’re in the Android subforum? No need for you to raise your voice from the peanut gallery. I found the original poster’s opinions valid and appreciate his contributions. If you didn’t, kindly move on.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

You do realize you’re in the Android subforum? No need for you to raise your voice from the peanut gallery. I found the original poster’s opinions valid and appreciate his contributions. If you didn’t, kindly move on.

I did too, especially for someone who was new to Android and basically asked for help.

 

[FatLouie]

Let me think...I have used CPM, IBM PC DOS, MS DOS, GW DOS, Minix, Unix, Linux, OS/2, BeOS, Win 3.1 to Win 7, Windows NT, Novell Netware, MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, and a few flavors of Android. A couple of others in there but they were for 'big iron'.

BeOS was a fun OS to play with, but it got killed by management decisions. OS/2 was a favorite, very capable and had a ton of possibilities, but IBM killed it for various reasons. Most of us know what happened to Novell and their nasty little lawsuit. Minix was my stepping stone into programming, wish I still had the original tan colored hardback for Minix.

 

[klasma]

HarmonyOS

…is an Android derivative, by the way, and can run existing Android apps. So not really a new thing.

 

[klasma]

This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

All jokes aside why do people need to announce they are switching and their reasons for it? You really think your work flow and reasons are going to “move the needle” on others switching.

This is the “Alternatives to iOS” subforum, in case you missed it. They are announcing their arrival, not their departure.

 

[RSB96]

I think we have to be critical and the people who are between the two systems think we should be critical and see the good and bad things that both systems have.

None is perfect (nothing and no one is in this life). But I think that iOS in the last 2/3 years in favor of trying to put many more functionalities, has neglected the care and stability of the system. I see the AI career completely lost by Apple and I find it difficult for it to go back seeing the latest presented by Google in its I/O event.

I've been a fan of Apple since... that I remember, I've always grown up with the brand and now that I'm approaching 30 years old I'm disappointed and in part it makes me angry to see that Apple has lost what made it special. Seeing that it is becoming "one more". It has not innovated in anything for a long time and in what he has intended to do it has not worked out well (car, CarPlay Ultra, Vision Pro, Apple Intelligence).

I also think that his arrogance (something he has always had, this is so), has generated a loss of confidence in the brand after the Apple Intelligence disaster. Promising functions that were barely developed and then admitting that they didn't even work... it seems to me something very serious on the part of Apple, just like the AirPower at the time.

Google shows "demos", but does not say that it will be released with Android 16, it only gives us a brushstroke of what is to come, without saying more. Apple sold us things that we could enjoy with iOS 18... and it hasn't been like that and we don't even know if we can enjoy it with iOS 19.

It is impossible to deny that iOS and Apple have fallen behind in AI and were very arrogant (the interview when the managers laughed when they were asked if they saw it difficult to reach the competition in AI, denoting that what they had prepared was much superior and... it was not like that) and at least, from my perspective, the only thing they have achieved is to break trust with the brand's fan.

I don't have many expectations in the WWDC, what I want is that they focus on bugs, system stability and that they put the batteries with the AI at once.

 

[dk001]

This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

All jokes aside why do people need to announce they are switching and their reasons for it? You really think your work flow and reasons are going to “move the needle” on others switching.

I’ve switched back and forth several times, even used both platforms at the same time between work and personal devices. Never felt the need to explain why…

No one has questions for you on “how to switch.” It’s not even hard to do.

Opinions differ. Offering help if needed. I have had a few ask.

 

[dk001]

Let me think...I have used CPM, IBM PC DOS, MS DOS, GW DOS, Minix, Unix, Linux, OS/2, BeOS, Win 3.1 to Win 7, Windows NT, Novell Netware, MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, and a few flavors of Android. A couple of others in there but they were for 'big iron'.

BeOS was a fun OS to play with, but it got killed by management decisions. OS/2 was a favorite, very capable and had a ton of possibilities, but IBM killed it for various reasons. Most of us know what happened to Novell and their nasty little lawsuit. Minix was my stepping stone into programming, wish I still had the original tan colored hardback for Minix.

BeOS. I was so sad to see that die ☹️

 

[SweetLou122]

This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

All jokes aside why do people need to announce they are switching and their reasons for it? You really think your work flow and reasons are going to “move the needle” on others switching.

I’ve switched back and forth several times, even used both platforms at the same time between work and personal devices. Never felt the need to explain why…

No one has questions for you on “how to switch.” It’s not even hard to do.

Some people like to compare their experiences with those of others, and sometimes even ask questions related to those experiences (on a forum no less)

All jokes aside, why bother not only opening up a thread you are not interested in, but then commenting on that very thread?

 

[iHorseHead]

I get the switch from iOS to android but don’t think I could ever lose macOS for windows.

That’s just me though.

Then you haven't used Windows for awhile. I for example, love Windows 11. It's so cool. Window management is so cool, fluent and fast.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Then you haven't used Windows for awhile. I for example, love Windows 11. It's so cool. Window management is so cool, fluent and fast.

Yeah and after shutting off copilot everywhere, I mostly agree. I was even able to go back to MS Office after downgrading to get rid of copilot there too.

Windows also needs to **** about Onedrive all the time.

But it isn't like Apple isn't guilty most of these same things. I had to up my storage to 2TB for iCloud and it is MO MONEY. If Onedrive actually let me encrypt my data, I might actually use it more. At least Apple does that.

And ads. With Windows 11 Pro, and disabling most notifications, I get zero ads. With iOS, I get so many ads in settings asking me to use my offers on Music (which I already have), workouts, etc.,

So I guess I am saying I agree with you, iHorseHead, but mostly because both are getting worse anyway, so I might as well use the one that also allows me to game.

 

[HouseLannister]

Yeah and after shutting off copilot everywhere, I mostly agree.

First thing to do after installing Windows is https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat

 

[eltoslightfoot]

First thing to do after installing Windows is https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat

YES! (As well as after updates...because, Microsoft.)

 

[iHorseHead]

YES! (As well as after updates...because, Microsoft.)

Yesterday there was an article that Microsoft will start debloating Windows.
After losing to some Linux distros and gaming performance. They also cancelled their Xbox handheld console.

EXCLUSIVE: Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined (for now)

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

www.windowscentral.com

They know they've screwed up.

 

[macbookj0e]

Then you haven't used Windows for awhile. I for example, love Windows 11. It's so cool. Window management is so cool, fluent and fast.

I use it every day for work and it’s a painful experience to put it mildly.

 

[iHorseHead]

I use it every day for work and it’s a painful experience to put it mildly.

How's it painful? I love my work computer. I wouldn't trade it for a Mac tbh. And my personal computer is a Mac.
Windows 11 (at least the Enterprise version) is so amazing. How's it painful? What's painful about it? It has even much better dual monitor support. I use 4 displays at work. Everything just works and it often has better support than any Apple computers, more drivers etc and the resolution is way better.
On a Mac we've tried scripts and everything, nothing works. Windows just works.

I'm not here to bash Apple but macOS has a lot of improvements to do.

 

[macbookj0e]

How's it painful? I love my work computer. I wouldn't trade it for a Mac tbh. And my personal computer is a Mac.
Windows 11 (at least the Enterprise version) is so amazing. How's it painful? What's painful about it? It has even much better dual monitor support. I use 4 displays at work. Everything just works and it often has better support than any Apple computers, more drivers etc and the resolution is way better.
On a Mac we've tried scripts and everything, nothing works. Windows just works.

I'm not here to bash Apple but macOS has a lot of improvements to do.

Wow that’s the total opposite experience that I’ve had. I’m not here to bash windows either just writing based on my experiences.

I’ve had many macs all of which worked as designed with literally zero software or hardware issues. Maybe I’ve just been really lucky.

My Windows machines have had plentiful problems on literally every device, hardware failures (screens, network cards etc) and not to mention the software. For example blue/black screens, update problems, WiFi dropouts and constant temporary freezing windows to name the first few that come to my mind.

If you’re happy then all power to you but in isolation my windows experience has been poor for decades and only made worse when compared to macOS.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Yesterday there was an article that Microsoft will start debloating Windows.
After losing to some Linux distros and gaming performance. They also cancelled their Xbox handheld console.

EXCLUSIVE: Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined (for now)

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

www.windowscentral.com

They know they've screwed up.

Do you happen to know where that article is? I would love to read it.

 

[iHorseHead]

Do you happen to know where that article is? I would love to read it.

Native Xbox Handheld delayed to fix Windows performance first per Windows Central

Friend of the site Jez Corden has reported today that Xbox's native handheld device, which he had reported on before, has been delayed to focus on Windows

xboxera.com

 

[carrrrrlos]

In the same boat. I’ve had Apple devices since the Quadra. And currently myself and my fam curse Apple more than praise it - and I no longer find myself encouraging others to jump into the Apple ecosystem. Alexa is our assistant, Spotify is our music, and none of us use Apple ‘Intelligence’ as our go to AI. Photos is really the only reason we have been hanging on, but am struggling to find a better option out there and would happily switch to not have to continue to pay apple for more expensive cloud storage when there are other options out there. I’m not quite ready to depart from my MBP for work, but we’re all considering android and tossing apple tv out the window.

 

[Vegastouch]

Month 3 of doing the same. The best is when you get to the point where you not only realize that there are better options out there, but you start to realize how evil of a company they are.

I realized that years ago lol