Savies: clarification?
I *think* what some people think as "savies" aren't really savies. For example, here are the reasons I like Android (none of them are terribly high-tech, you'll notice)
1. File transfer via cable uses standard MSC protocols which can be used on any current OS. This means I can plug my android device into any computer and there's no special software that enforces gatekeeping. There's no limit to how many computers I can connect my device to. Apple keeps upping the quantity of computers you can have an iTunes account on, but to me, it's not reasonable to install iTunes everywhere I want to transfer files.
2. I use Linux. Yes, I know that's a cardinal "ease of usability" sin, but hey, at least it's not Windows, right? ;D It's a nightmare to install iTunes in Linux. This is primarily because iTunes isn't open-source software, and thusly can not be compiled to run in Linux. Apple isn't interested in writing iTunes for Linux, so a vast chunk of the computing world doesn't get the joy of iTunes at all.
3. I've found iTunes to be more of a pain than a joy
for me. I loved my iPod Touch, for example, but iTunes had the habit of resizing all the pictures I added to it. That's okay for most people, but for me, it's more important to be able to zoom in to actual pixel resolution, to show people the fine-detail of my sculptures, designs, and charts. There simply was no way of seeing the level of detail I wanted on the device. Yes, I could have cut up the photo into smaller chunks, but that's more time than I really wanted to spend on adding things to my device. I know the reasoning for this shrinking is to keep the interface smooth, and handling high-res images will detroy performance on any processor that wasn't built for it. Smoothness was not as high a priority as being able to read the fine print on my design specs, however.
4. There are some things that Apple doesn't want you to do with their devices. Yes, there's the flash content problem, but I don't care as much about that as I do being able to share my internet connection wirelessly with other computers. It's a great advantage to me to be able to share the 15GB data plan of my 3G network with my girlfriend, people at the table, and the random group of strangers trying to find a free network just to get directions on their laptop. I like to share, and it pleases me to help people. Despite features like this having been out for over a year now, Apple still does not allow it. Sure, you can jailbreak your Apple product and do it with a 3rd party app, but I hate relying on hacks to get me where I'm going, and the possibility of bricking my device with a freshly voided warranty keeps me up at night.
5. I like to customise. I like turning on my device and instantly having certain information available without having to scroll through my 40 something apps to find it. In fact, I don't even want to have to open an app. I'm THAT lazy.
It should just be there when I turn on the screen. This is what I've come to love with Android on my phone, for example. I have the time where my family lives in Denver, CO., along side the local time in London, so I know if it's too late/early to call them. I also have my top 6 most commonly used application icons there, and a button for Vlingo that I can touch, speak into the phone commands like: "Find best Vegan Restaurant in Wimbledon" and see google come up with the results, without having to type that into the on-screen keyboard. I can also voice commands like: "Message Sarah: I'll be a bit late for lunch. Meet me at Clapham Junction, and we'll decide if it's worth going now or later. Bring money, I can't foot the bill this time. See you soon!" This sends that entire message to my contact Sarah (asking which number to send it to, if there's more than one), and all I have to do is turn off my phone and wait for a reply. There's a lot of innovation happening here, and a lot of high-tech toys. Nearly all of them are software based so far, and Google does an excellent job of adding new features. The main problem people have with it boils down to waiting for various networks to update their own custom flavors of the interface. The Nexus One is supposed to change that, with updates directly from Google, which are automatic, free and riding the bleeding edge of the latest in software/hardware interaction. To me, that's worth a look.
My only guess regarding why "savies" (Android fans?) are "hating the iPad2" is for exactly the same reasons that some Apple fans hate Android: It's not what they want, and they are too myopic to see that anyone may want something else. This is a silly perspective to foster...
That's not a good reason to "hate" it, in my opinion. I don't want one, but then again, I don't necessarily want an android tablet either.
Neither of them does anything I need them to. For "techie" stuff I'd much rather use a netbook, running a full version of my favorite OS (maybe some VMs with other OSs, just for fun). It's already got the keyboard, all my regular programs, if I need more battery life than my 8hour battery gets, I take a spare along. If I need a tablet, I plug my Wacom tablet into the standard USB ports on the side. That's even got 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, and industry grade precision for artists. Better yet, I didn't even once have to put my hand/finger over what I'm looking at, having the entire screen available for my applications/windows, etc. No amount of touch-screen wizzardry is going to replace my hotkeys for convenience. I think it, and my hands have already done it, I didn't have to hunt for that stray icon, or search through endless ladders of dialogue for that function.
I apologise for those of us "Android fans" that make broad statements without any support. My intention here is not to blast the iPad2 (it's going to be a really cool device that I think a LOT of people will find useful, and I look forward to seeing it around). Nor to speak up the latest Android-based competitor (probably the Xoom, at the moment). But to help answer some of you who were curious about what "savies" might like about Android over Apple's products (from one whose job includes playing with both). There is no "better" anymore. There's just "better for you".
My thought is, if you can't come up with reasons why you hate something, don't hate it... in fact, don't hate anyway, it's extremely bad for you.
Cheers to my Apple and Android using friends who came
in peace to speak theirs. Shame on all of you who troll these user forums to cause trouble!
