I've had every iPhone that came out- love everything Apple- but playing with the EVO 4G, Droid X, and Atrix 4G have me thinking that this is the year to switch. I want more customization- a larger screen- widgets- flexibility. I've played with Android's interface, and while not as simple as the iPhone, it's still incredibly easy and is a breath of fresh air IMO. Can't wait for the EVO 3D. It WILL be MINE.
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Trying the Atrix
- Thread starter mltaylor
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This is why I had to give up my droidx and go back to the iOS platform. My company was shutting off access to non-iOS, non-blackberry devices because they did not support the same type of security.
This was a huge bone of contention for me. I came from a Nexus one and was spoiled because google gave Nexus 1 owners the update first. I waited an extended period of time for Froyo on the DX and when they finally came out with it, the update was extremely buggy. I had to wait another 2+ months for the bug fix.
I'll not buy another motorola android device again, if I ever go back to android it will be with a google branded phone, but to be honest, I'll probably not do that.
I'm too immersed in the apple ecosystem, itunes, aperture for my images. life is so much easier for me when I use the iPhone because I use mostly apple gear and its extremely integrated.
The only thing I want changed with the iPhone is a larger screen. I love the polish of iOS.
atrix is fragile
heres my little atrix story....
last week my brother decides to jump ship and sell his iphone4 and get the atrix, yesterday he dropped it from his waist (he said it practically rolled down his leg so it didn't fall hard) and the screen shattered...he said he has dropped his iphone4 way worse and the screen, or back, never shattered. My kids throw my phone on the floor from time to time (infants) so i know how tough my iphone4 is
honestly other than that he says he likes the phone but im not interested in changing over to android
heres my little atrix story....
last week my brother decides to jump ship and sell his iphone4 and get the atrix, yesterday he dropped it from his waist (he said it practically rolled down his leg so it didn't fall hard) and the screen shattered...he said he has dropped his iphone4 way worse and the screen, or back, never shattered. My kids throw my phone on the floor from time to time (infants) so i know how tough my iphone4 is
honestly other than that he says he likes the phone but im not interested in changing over to android
Ultimately, after two days I switched back. Battery life (like mentioned earlier) was terrible. At work I can use my iPhone for email, sms, mms, Netflix (lunch time), MLB app streaming video, and countless other things. At the end of a work day, about nine hours, I still have 50% give or take. Atrix shut off around 1 and I get off at 5.
I did set up email and download a few apps that day but I didn't stream video like the iPhone.
Upgrade the battery (or make the phone use less power) and I'd use the Atrix. It is a sweet phone but I gotta make it through a work day
I did set up email and download a few apps that day but I didn't stream video like the iPhone.
Upgrade the battery (or make the phone use less power) and I'd use the Atrix. It is a sweet phone but I gotta make it through a work day
Maybe try again in a year hopefully better battery,more apps, etc.
My only comlaint is the build of the droid if you squeeze it to hard it creeks
I like Android but switched to iPhone 4
There are a lot of great things about Android but the it is still unfinished. It does not have the polish that IOS has. It lacks unified sync with all formats. Everything is promised in updates but they never quite happen as told. I was always fixing something that was left out. I do like the notification system and the widgets. Battery life no matter what was less than my iP4 and was a constant struggle. I was using task managers,killing apps, changing sync. IMO to much work to keep up with when it should be right. I think having carriers in charge of your updates is the worst way to do it. I had two generations of HTC phones both using Sense UI. Galaxy S. as well. If I had another Android phone it would be a Nexus just because it gets updated more and by Google. My IP4 is easier to deal with on a daily basis. It is not perfect. AirPlay is awesome. I have 2 ATV's and 4 AE units in my home so streaming audio and video is great through my home. I also like going to the Apple store for service as it was a nightmare going back to the carriers for anything.
There are a lot of great things about Android but the it is still unfinished. It does not have the polish that IOS has. It lacks unified sync with all formats. Everything is promised in updates but they never quite happen as told. I was always fixing something that was left out. I do like the notification system and the widgets. Battery life no matter what was less than my iP4 and was a constant struggle. I was using task managers,killing apps, changing sync. IMO to much work to keep up with when it should be right. I think having carriers in charge of your updates is the worst way to do it. I had two generations of HTC phones both using Sense UI. Galaxy S. as well. If I had another Android phone it would be a Nexus just because it gets updated more and by Google. My IP4 is easier to deal with on a daily basis. It is not perfect. AirPlay is awesome. I have 2 ATV's and 4 AE units in my home so streaming audio and video is great through my home. I also like going to the Apple store for service as it was a nightmare going back to the carriers for anything.
The screen is glass.
Just like many people point out on the iPhone 4, it is scratch resistant, not unbreakable.
It all depends on how it lands/hits another surface.
My wife's iPhone screen shattered from a simple 6 inch drop.
Caught the corner just right and shattered the whole screen.
I've thrown my iPhone across rooms without a mark on it. (thrown for one of the many reasons I know longer use one)
Lucky I guess.
My Atrix gets nearly two days between charges under my normal usage.
Better than my iPhone ever did.
You do have to condition the battery. First few days it would run down pretty quick, but a couple of deep charging cycles later and it is much better.
The only thing I've "replaced" on the software side is the MotoBlur Launcher with Launcher Pro.
Motorola really borked that one. It's a battery eating pig.
Launcher Pro really improves battery life and is much more responsive.
The google privacy issue!
IMO Android is more disturbing than a few quirks. Because it is inseparable from Google there may be serious privacy concerns.
For example, Robert Steele, an ex intel officer suggests Google was funded by the intel community.(http://www.infowars.com/articles/bb/google_cia_seed_money_launched_google.htm).
Then there are many other claims like Google supposedly storing chat from Google Talk (http://www.myid.com/Google-privacy-personal-information-protection-guide). But that's one example. The issues go on and on (See sites like insidegoogle).
Is it just coincidence that Google is on the cutting edge of developing applications designed to get people to "store their lives" on it's servers? Maybe. Maybe not.
For those who think this is a non-issue for them or naively use the "If you have nothing to hide" argument, the security guru Bruce Schneier shows why this is a fallacy in his essay, "The Eternal Value of Privacy" (http://www.schneier.com/essay-114.html).
But do your own research on Google privacy. It would be interesting to see how people think Android will (or will not) comprise privacy.
IMO Android is more disturbing than a few quirks. Because it is inseparable from Google there may be serious privacy concerns.
For example, Robert Steele, an ex intel officer suggests Google was funded by the intel community.(http://www.infowars.com/articles/bb/google_cia_seed_money_launched_google.htm).
Then there are many other claims like Google supposedly storing chat from Google Talk (http://www.myid.com/Google-privacy-personal-information-protection-guide). But that's one example. The issues go on and on (See sites like insidegoogle).
Is it just coincidence that Google is on the cutting edge of developing applications designed to get people to "store their lives" on it's servers? Maybe. Maybe not.
For those who think this is a non-issue for them or naively use the "If you have nothing to hide" argument, the security guru Bruce Schneier shows why this is a fallacy in his essay, "The Eternal Value of Privacy" (http://www.schneier.com/essay-114.html).
But do your own research on Google privacy. It would be interesting to see how people think Android will (or will not) comprise privacy.
I would like to add two things to this discussion.
1. Android is not iOS and iOS is not android. Do not pick up one up thinking it will be like the Iphone. You will be sadly mistaken. There are some things android does better and somethings it does worst. I would say look to see what features are important to you before you make the switch.
2. AT&T is not a good place to get an Android from. The company treats the android as if it is just some alternative rip off of Iphones that will soon be crushed by Iphones. I believe and i think everyone here can agree that android although it may not be iOS is the best competition out there for apple. It is already pushing apple to be much more aggressive with its research and OS.
Iphones require Itunes.
Yeah its true google does store that stuff. Why i can only guess. Good is one of those companies that experiments with so much stuff it starts to burn out the over all company.
1. Android is not iOS and iOS is not android. Do not pick up one up thinking it will be like the Iphone. You will be sadly mistaken. There are some things android does better and somethings it does worst. I would say look to see what features are important to you before you make the switch.
2. AT&T is not a good place to get an Android from. The company treats the android as if it is just some alternative rip off of Iphones that will soon be crushed by Iphones. I believe and i think everyone here can agree that android although it may not be iOS is the best competition out there for apple. It is already pushing apple to be much more aggressive with its research and OS.
Iphones require Itunes.
Yeah its true google does store that stuff. Why i can only guess. Good is one of those companies that experiments with so much stuff it starts to burn out the over all company.
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There has never been 100% privacy, only degrees of privacy. But Apple isn't actively seeking very personal information like our medical records and such.
IMO Google crossed the line a long time ago with its search engine tactics. Now they want you to keep your life in one centralized database--Google's. Given Google's track record, why in the world would anyone want Google attached to the hip?! Perfect example is Molly Wood's article at CNET "Google Buzz: Privacy Nightmare" (http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-10451428-256.html).
Is the value of privacy lost on people today due to reality television, social networking, and whatever else? Guess I'm old school.
IMO Google crossed the line a long time ago with its search engine tactics. Now they want you to keep your life in one centralized database--Google's. Given Google's track record, why in the world would anyone want Google attached to the hip?! Perfect example is Molly Wood's article at CNET "Google Buzz: Privacy Nightmare" (http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-10451428-256.html).
Is the value of privacy lost on people today due to reality television, social networking, and whatever else? Guess I'm old school.
Google is no different than Apple or Microsoft.
But saying Android is inseparable from Google is a bit misleading.
You are not required to have anything more than a gmail account to use Android. And that is only to setup Android Market access so you can install apps. Speaking of which, you are not even required to do that as you can always side load apps via ADB.
You are not forced to use that account for email on the phone, you can access email from another provider and Google will not be able to access any of that content.
With Windows Phone 7, you are required to have a Windows Live account, but again, you are not required to use it for anything other than Marketplace access.
Same applies to iOS and Apple devices. You need an iTunes account to download apps.
As for the rest of the data Google collects, you have a choice in what they collect.
Mindless idiots who want instant gratification will always click the accept button on those privacy statements.
Some of us actually read them and make an informed decision as to what I will and will not allow Google to see.
What I let them see is all my junk mail that gets dumped into my unused gmail account.
My real email account is safe from their eyes.
Remember, Google can't touch any of your personal info without your consent.
Read before you click.
Source?
Automatically opting people in was a Google eff up of epic proportions, but it was resolved pretty quick.
And again, you can always turn it off.
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The UI on the Atrix is still laggy, and the battery isn't half bad.
You think a dual core CPU would fix the lag, but it doesn't. The big screen is fantastic, it's beyond incredible, but I own an iPhone 4, and I can't stand using anything that lags even the slightest bit.
Hopefully the iPhone 5 gets a 4" or 4.3" screen. That would be soo amazing!!!!0
The UI on the Atrix is still laggy, and the battery isn't half bad.
You think a dual core CPU would fix the lag, but it doesn't. The big screen is fantastic, it's beyond incredible, but I own an iPhone 4, and I can't stand using anything that lags even the slightest bit.
Hopefully the iPhone 5 gets a 4" or 4.3" screen. That would be soo amazing!!!!0
If this is true, then Android could turn out to be an interesting option. Open source is appealing. Even more appealing is the lack of proprietary cables!!! But looking over the Atrix in the store it seemed like one would have to completely change the UI or go through constant hurdles to avoid using Google services. Is it difficult to get Google out of your face on the Atrix?
Lol. I don't know. Is it easy to get Itunes out of your face when you use an iPhone?
Like anything, it depends on what you want to do with the phone. You don't even need a google account to use some of the android phones. Many of them let you create and store contact information on the phone itself without using google's cloud and without having to hook the phone up to a computer for activation.
Some applications will not function or won't function fully without a google account on the device. Calendar, gmail (duh), limited maps functionality, etc.
You can disable your google account from an android phone at any time, or even add multiple accounts to one phone.
IOS, not so much.
Next time you hear someone whine about how Android does this or that, realize that in 90% of the cases, Google lets you opt in or opt out.
Good to know about the opt-in but how can you not add multiple accounts to the IOS? I have several email accounts on my phone unless you mean something else?
Widgets aren't that good!!!
Another thing I noticed when playing around on Android is that the widgets freeze a lot. To me they just aren't worth it. I guess it is a cool option but they use battery and data when not always needed and they just freeze up. To unfreeze them I delete them and re add. Maybe I'm just a novice and I am missing something.
Another thing I noticed when playing around on Android is that the widgets freeze a lot. To me they just aren't worth it. I guess it is a cool option but they use battery and data when not always needed and they just freeze up. To unfreeze them I delete them and re add. Maybe I'm just a novice and I am missing something.
I thought about the Atrix, however I do not like Gmail, and I do not want Google to tell me I have to have a Gmail account in order to use the phone.
I also do not like the fact that I have to buy a $200 phone and get an outdated application like Blockbuster who is basically out of business.
Android need to lock the OS, and dump all the Apps that come bundled with these phones, also they need to improve their Music App, it is a far cry from the way iTunes works.
One of the main reasons I stay with the iPhone is it doesn't have all that junk loaded, they come out with updates often, but I do not have to load them, also it works seamlessly with iTunes, all my apps and music are easy to access and manage, besides that I do not like having to be forced to hide applications that do not belong on my phone, all the apps that come with the iPhone are Apple's apps, except the Nike + which is hidden as a default, but I use it often, and I do not see the same apps available on Android.
I also do not like the fact that I have to buy a $200 phone and get an outdated application like Blockbuster who is basically out of business.
Android need to lock the OS, and dump all the Apps that come bundled with these phones, also they need to improve their Music App, it is a far cry from the way iTunes works.
One of the main reasons I stay with the iPhone is it doesn't have all that junk loaded, they come out with updates often, but I do not have to load them, also it works seamlessly with iTunes, all my apps and music are easy to access and manage, besides that I do not like having to be forced to hide applications that do not belong on my phone, all the apps that come with the iPhone are Apple's apps, except the Nike + which is hidden as a default, but I use it often, and I do not see the same apps available on Android.
I've never seen that happen, but then I don't own every Android device, and I haven't tried every widget
So you need to be very specific about which device, what launcher, which widget(s).
Thanks!
I've never seen that happen, but then I don't own every Android device, and I haven't tried every widget
So you need to be very specific about which device, what launcher, which widget(s).
Thanks!
Weather channel widget is the one that sticks out in my mind that was a problem. It was the only widget I had on the home screen though. The others were espn scorecenter and things of that sort.
Both of those widgets are dependent upon external data feeds.
They will "freeze" while they are updating.
The Weather Channel widget also uses location services by default.
It will hang if you can't get a GPS fix.
That same issue is present in the app version on the iPhone.
The app will launch, but you will not see anything until the connection is established and the data is updated.
Yea I know they are searching for data. But they never get it. I have to delete the widget and re add it for it to work again.