Android Or Iphone?

[Deeral]

I have to get a new phone soon.although I'm a long-time Mac user, I'm wondering if Android might not be better for me.I would like to sync the phone with my Mac but Andriod seems to have a wider range of phones - some considerably cheaper.What do you think - please state your reasons.

[mausplan]

The Iphone because , (a) it has the most extensive range of apps. ( synching is a snap and as a long time Mac user you know Mac software is stable and © the versatility of the Iphone > I have stopped taking my laptop when I travel now, I use the camera to scan , there are various printing options, I can view any attachment in emails , search the net , my music is on it now instead of the IPod and I sometimes view movies and read ebooks and play games , all which I add /delete or sync through ITunes.

I use a slip on extra battery back (XPCL) for long trips which doubles the battery life. This is like a clamshell, in black, looks part of the phone and adds little bulk.

[roadrunerboi]

iPhone because, IMHO, one can modify the phone according to your lifestyle... especially after jailbreaking.

But then again, the flipside is that Android... you dont have to jailbreak, or do you?

Oh well... iPhone!

[Phil Conners]

There has already been so many discussions about iphone vs Android, do we really need one more. Search is your friend. Go to the "Mobile internet and devices" subforum" and type [iphone android] in the search field and hit search.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Phil Conners

[Raptor7]

I have both the iPhone4 (recently upgraded from an iPhone3GS) and a secondary phone which is an Android-based Samsung GalaxyS (more for educational purposes to learn more about Android/Google systems, for fun purposes like live animated applications and AMOLED display and for pure "personal" calls and contacts)......

However, if I had to choose only one, there would be no contest....iPhone4...

for the iPhone4, there is a whole iTunes universe of apps, music (plus all permutations of remixes and compilations), videos, TV shows, podcasts, movies, books, audio books, finance portfolios, maps, work applications, reference guides.......in addition, iPhone has seamless interplay with my iPod Shuffle (for the gym), iPad (for work when Im not at my regular office desk), Mac Air laptop (but iPad is eclipsing use of this laptop) and even my HP laptop at my home office ...

by comparison, the Android Market pales in comparison to the ITunes Store .....(Samsung Galaxy S is a beautiful and fantastic firmware phone (and even looks suspiciously like an iPhone 3GS) but content is really lacking....

[roadrunerboi]

I have both the iPhone4 (recently upgraded from an iPhone3GS) and a secondary phone which is an Android-based Samsung GalaxyS (more for educational purposes to learn more about Android/Google systems, for fun purposes like live animated applications and AMOLED display and for pure "personal" calls and contacts)......

However, if I had to choose only one, there would be no contest....iPhone4...

for the iPhone4, there is a whole iTunes universe of apps, music (plus all permutations of remixes and compilations), videos, TV shows, podcasts, movies, books, audio books, finance portfolios, maps, work applications, reference guides.......in addition, iPhone has seamless interplay with my iPod Shuffle (for the gym), iPad (for work when Im not at my regular office desk), Mac Air laptop (but iPad is eclipsing use of this laptop) and even my HP laptop at my home office ...

by comparison, the Android Market pales in comparison to the ITunes Store .....(Samsung Galaxy S is a beautiful and fantastic firmware phone (and even looks suspiciously like an iPhone 3GS) but content is really lacking....

Thanks Raptor7.

I was thinking about getting a Android for fun as well...

[Deeral]

I have both the iPhone4 (recently upgraded from an iPhone3GS) and a secondary phone which is an Android-based Samsung GalaxyS (more for educational purposes to learn more about Android/Google systems, for fun purposes like live animated applications and AMOLED display and for pure "personal" calls and contacts)......

However, if I had to choose only one, there would be no contest....iPhone4...

for the iPhone4, there is a whole iTunes universe of apps, music (plus all permutations of remixes and compilations), videos, TV shows, podcasts, movies, books, audio books, finance portfolios, maps, work applications, reference guides.......in addition, iPhone has seamless interplay with my iPod Shuffle (for the gym), iPad (for work when Im not at my regular office desk), Mac Air laptop (but iPad is eclipsing use of this laptop) and even my HP laptop at my home office ...

by comparison, the Android Market pales in comparison to the ITunes Store .....(Samsung Galaxy S is a beautiful and fantastic firmware phone (and even looks suspiciously like an iPhone 3GS) but content is really lacking....

Thanks Raptor7.

I was thinking about getting a Android for fun as well...

Some things that attract me to Android are that

1 - I'm not limited to one piece of hardware

2- the cost - Android seems a lot cheaper.

3 - I'm not impressed with sheer numbers of apps - It really is getting the ones I am likely to use. I use primarily for phone and short internet/email/

I have Windows and Mac at home and itunes but I don't see myself using the phone for music - I use my i-pod connected to sound systems mostly.

however I'm engaging on a project across S. E. Asia - Malaysia/Indonesia - that will involve me in making (video) podcasts, and I'm wondering if given the range of phone systems one comes out as preferable.

Edited September 1, 2010 by Deeral

[Digitalbanana]

The lack of physical keyboard has never enticed me to an Iphone. Plus I have all the apps I need.

[floridaguy]

If you are doing video blogs, you definately go with the iPhone 4. It has HD 720 video capture. Check out this short video, shot entirely on iPhone 4. Pretty amazing. Also, their is a distinct disadvantage for Android apps, in that they are not regulated or checked by Google. There are plenty of stories out now of apps for the Android that track and collect data and do other nasty things, without your knowledge or permission. Try a google search for it. As bad as Apple may be on controlling the apps that are on iTunes store, at least you know they went through a check and are not going to steal your data.

I love my iPhone, and I have played around with the Galaxy S, and while the Android phone is great, I still prefer the many more options available to the iPhone.

[Phil Conners]

"If you are doing video blogs, you definately go with the iPhone 4. It has HD 720 video capture."

So does most Android 2.2 devices.

"Also, their is a distinct disadvantage for Android apps, in that they are not regulated or checked by Google."

I find it a distant ADvantage. I don't need Steve Jobs to tell me if I'm allowed to watch porn on my phone or not.

"There are plenty of stories out now of apps for the Android that track and collect data and do other nasty things, without your knowledge or permission"

Any device used on the internet let the servers track and collect data. There has been one case where it was suspected that the app was sending data home; the app was pulled and it was subsequently dismissed (there were no collection going on).

Look at the sales figures. Android overtook Iphone already a couple of month ago. Soon it will be a thing of the past.

Edited September 1, 2010 by Phil Conners

[Deeral]

I'm hoping we will have a semi-pro camera with us so that isn't hugely important and I've got a still camera that will do top qual vids.

The aopps thing - I tend to agree above as I like the idea of "free-ware" and am not too convinced that Jobs is any better motivated towards security than anyone else.

I'm also increasing concerned about putting all my eggs in the Mac basket. I hated Gill Bates for the same reason and Mac seem to be going down the same path...they're even attracting hackers and viruses!

i looked at some Android phones - LG and Samsung this arvo and the fact they are a quarter of the price appeals - especially as I still see the phone primarily as ......a phone.......

[Phil Conners]

LG is a new player on the Android scene. Samsung sure makes some nice phones. Check also HTC and Motorola, though Moto doesn't seem to be popular here.

[Deeral]

the LG I saw was very light and small - a plus for me.I saw a HTC - that looked quite small too - I'm going to check again on Friday

[Phil Conners]

"One HTC". I think they have 4 or 5 Android phones on the Thai market, with screens up to around 4".

[anothertorres]

i don't have the wherewithal the list out pros and cons, the internet is full of them. but, if you want an opinion, it's Android. put the iphone next to the android and just compare them yourself. android makes the iphone look dated. but, if you want the simplicity that Apple has always provided (the one mouse button technology), the iphone is for you.

Android is for those who want to fuc_k with their phone. iPhone is for those who want someone else to fuc_k with their phone and then give it to them when they are finished. however, both phones make and take phone calls, surf the internet, play music (and synch to iTunes on a Mac!), SMS, MMS, BPI, MTV, BBC, etc... go and put them side by side and see what you like!

[Crushdepth]

Android has a massive app store now, and most are free. The days if iPhones having an app advantage are gone.

I have a Nexus and it walks all over the iPhone as far as I'm concerned. Practically speaking I would say the iPhone is better for the everyday user because the interface is more polished. But if you are IT literate or like to customise your gadgets get an Android 2.2 device. Android is a much more open playground and integrates nicely with Google's services.

[Deeral]

Android has a massive app store now, and most are free. The days if iPhones having an app advantage are gone.

I have a Nexus and it walks all over the iPhone as far as I'm concerned. Practically speaking I would say the iPhone is better for the everyday user because the interface is more polished. But if you are IT literate or like to customise your gadgets get an Android 2.2 device. Android is a much more open playground and integrates nicely with Google's services.

I've met a lot of very enthusiastic Android owners in the last couple of days....

I must admit that I'm getting swayed towards even quite exited about getting an "android" phone. They seem to be flavor of the month and although a Mac person for nearly 15 years, I fell that Android is better suited to my p[ocket - both in size and price and the open-ware concept feels right too.

who makes Nexus?at present I'm looking at the LG GT560 as it's small, a small HTC - model unknown and the Samsung Galaxy

[Tywais]

who makes Nexus?

HTC makes it and is Google branded. The comment below is a comment from Google you might want to consider. I have a HTC Desire and very happy with it. Never really had an interest in the iPhone due to several reasons no need to air here.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Update: Nexus One changes in availability

Earlier this year, we announced that we will be closing the Nexus One web store. This week we received our last shipment of Nexus One phones. Once we sell these devices, the Nexus One will no longer be available online from Google. Customer support will still be available for current Nexus One customers. And Nexus One will continue to be sold by partners including Vodafone in Europe, KT in Korea, and possibly others based on local market conditions.

Source

The death of Nexus?

[mrducky]

Hi

I'm also a Mac user (10 years and counting) and more recently converted from a Palm Treo/Centro. Like you, I was considering an iPhone vs Android, but also vs WebOS (Palm's new OS). While I love my Mac to pieces, I am NOT an iOS fan for several reasons:

a.) Keyboard - You are stuck with a virtual keyboard, when it comes to the iPhone. Not so with Android Phones. There are various versions with physical keyboards like the Motorola Milestone (but its fricking huge) vs soft keyboards like the HTC Desire (which I have). I have always loved physical keyboards since my Treo, so NOT having haptic feedback on the iPhone was a big minus for me whereas on Android, you can switch it on or off (believe me, the feedback makes all the difference). Furthermore, you can customize the HTC keyboard is pretty good. Bear in mind I am comparing this vs a Treo's keyboard.

b.) Monopoly - As many have rightly pointed out, the iOS and apps store is a dictatorship. THEY dictate what and how you can use your phone. This can be a good thing, eg the UI is standardised across most if not all apps due to Apple's strict HCI guidelines, whereas Android's interface can seem very haphazard, depending on the developer. Nonetheless, other things, like what goes in the app store, how you install/sync stuff (via itunes) etc, I do NOT appreciate. I started using Macs to get away from the Microsoft monopoly at the time, but now it seems Apple has a smartphone monopoly.

c.) Removable charger - Not sure about iphone 4, but you can't remove the battery from the 3GS.

d.) Cost - THB 21.9K for a HTC Desire (you can get a VAT refund of 7% too) vs the iphone which costs at least 25K, or more if you are getting the iphone 4. If you want cheaper models there are many decent ones for less too like the HTC Legend.

There are many more reasons why I prefer the Android platform but I think those were the main ones. One point to note. As Phil Conners mentioned, the Android is starting to outsell iphone which is a good thing. Not from the iphone vs android fanboys perspective, but for Android, it means that more apps will be coming up now that developers can actually see how big the market is. Every other week, more apps are being ported from iPhone and more original ones are being developed all the time.

Anyway, that's my 2 satang..... hope this helps in your decision making.

Oh, and one last thing. If you decide to get an Android phone, make sure to get at LEAST a 1 GB processor with 500 + MB of RAM, to make your investment last as those are the min requirements for Android V3.

Thanks

Mr D

[Phatcharanan]

I believe that Qualcomms are coming out with a 1.5 gig Snapdragon soon? That will make the phones fly!!!

[gavinzac]

]Also, their is a distinct disadvantage for Android apps, in that they are not regulated or checked by Google. There are plenty of stories out now of apps for the Android that track and collect data and do other nasty things, without your knowledge or permission. Try a google search for it. As bad as Apple may be on controlling the apps that are on iTunes store, at least you know they went through a check and are not going to steal your data.

ABsolute FUD.

So far the only convincing argument made for iOS (rather than iPhone, compare like with like. You can't say 'iPhone has HD video, android doesnt...' because android is software) is that its more compatible with other apple products. Duh. If your the type of person that would ever consider buying something from Apple, I guess this is an advantage.

True. the apple market is around longer and has more apps. The funny thing is, if you told an OSX user that Windows is better because it has more applications, they'd scoff and tell you its not the quantity, its the quality - brand loyalty is one of those weird short circuits in our brains that allow cognitive dissonance - believing two completely incompatible things at once. There are 80,000 applications on Android, 250,000 on iTunes (including iPad ones). Does anyone really think that any more than 200 or 300 of either of this markets are even useful?

With that in mind, consider that 70% of applications for Android are free; only 28% are free for iPhone. Why you may ask? Well, Apple users are notorious for frivelous expense on impulse buys with little or no added value. Who wouldn't chance their arm and fleece that market?

[Deeral]

OK - I want Skype on my phone.

so I need a model with a camera at the front.

i presume I can run Skype on Android?

[Phil Conners]

Skype has a client for Android but for political/business reasons it's only made available to Verizon users at this time. Shame on Skype. Anyway, there are a couple of apps that will allow you to use Skype on Android, for example Nimbuzz (free).

[Deeral]

Skype has a client for Android but for political/business reasons it's only made available to Verizon users at this time. Shame on Skype. Anyway, there are a couple of apps that will allow you to use Skype on Android, for example Nimbuzz (free).

mmmm - is it an alternative or does it allow me to run Skype?

I think Skype is a very important app for me.

[Phil Conners]

You can use Nimbuzz as a Skype client.

[Deeral]

What does that mean - their web site is shit....no search function so I can't find any reference to Skype.

[Tywais]

What does that mean - their web site is shit....no search function so I can't find any reference to Skype.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5002646_use-skype-nimbuzz.html

http://www.sociableblog.com/2008/05/13/nimbuzz-launches-mobile-voip-and-im-solution/

Skype planning to come to Android

[livinthailandos]

As for this post I"ve actually had both phones, as for me I still prefer my android phone over my iphone, keep in mind my last iphone was the 3G. My reasons for my HTC Desire Android why I prefer it over iphone

1. It works with linux with no problems. I never managed to get my iphone to work that well.

2. I like the download manager the phone has built in when downloading apps for the android market. ( I mean I can actually see the progress being downloaded

3. No choice for wifi scanner for my iphone, all of the really good wifi scanner's cost money. Not so with android I found a really highly recommended one for free called wifi analyzer. I don't mind paying for a wifi scanner but there's simple no choice with the apple unless you pay for it. unless you jailbrake and install netstumbler or something similiar which the developer never fixed.

4. Forget syncing the phone I'm able to simple drop and drag files onto my phone with any OS including mac osx, windows, linux, yes I know you can do that with the iphone but its not built into the phone right away.

5. Built into the phone for free a choice to use internet over mobile phone connection. Can't say that about my iphone unless you paid for a app called pdanet.

6. I really dislike looking at so many tiny apps on a phone thats why i really like my home screens.

7. NO dealing with Itunes anymore.

If you want more idea about my experience I have on the mobile posting forum of HTC Desire review I posted

To anyone else out there reading its really about choice and up to you, but to me I really felt restricted using a iphone especially since it made it very difficult to use with linux. about apple or android apps does it seriously matter how many 10,000 of thousands of apps a store has. I use at the most only 10 apps. I don't have time to look through 100,000 apps. Beside most websites like gizmodo, engadget, lifehacker have excellent reviews on apps for android, iphone.

[Deeral]

Good points here - and I must concur with most.

this still leaves me with the problem of SKYPE - I am pretty tied into Skype for my work - whilst I could live without it on my phone - I have for 10 years - it would be a huge plus if I could use it on my next one.

[Phil Conners]

How many Skype answers do you want? Your questions have been answered several times. If you still have questions perhaps be more specific.