Yep. If anyone is trying to transition from iOS to Android, and wants a browser comparable to Safari, the answer is Samsung Internet.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2017 - A year leaving the Apple walled garden
- Thread starter convergent
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
HAHA. It was the worst browsing experience I ever had on a phone. In fact it is probably the #1 reason I left the S7 Edge back to an iphone
Different strokes, I guess? Everyone's experience is different, but mine with Samsung Internet has been fantastic. Maybe they've done more recent to improve it. Others seem to have a positive experience using it as well.
I agree that Samsung Internet is a pretty great browser and many report using it as a good transition from Safari. I don't believe you have to have a Samsung device to use it, but not positive.
Back to the original comment about Chrome not being good because of lack of ad blocking. Well frankly, Google's whole business is ads, so probably never will be best for ad blocking. I don't really use Chrome anywhere. Firefox is my daily driver for cross platform, and its latest version caught it up to Chrome (if not passed) on speed, which was its only fault in the past. On the Note 8, I use Firefox primarily, then Samsung Internet, then Edge. It just depends on what I'm doing. I can continue back and forth on my Surface Pro with Firefox. I can save bookmarks for later. It all works very seamlessly.
Thanks. I'll try these. Being conditioned the Apple way, I really prefer all my things in one basket. This had me conceptually replacing all Apple with all Google or all MS. Dangerous way to live, I know, but redundant app clutter on my devices gives me agita.
It doesn't have to be redundant... you can delete Chrome if you don't use it I'm pretty sure. The idea of being out of the "garden" is to use the best puzzle piece for each part of the puzzle and not being locked in to one vendor.
I just came back from Russia yesterday. The go to App there is whatsapp. Almost everyone has it, from grand mas to teens.
It's the same for Finland, and I guess it more or less applies to the rest of Europe as well.
Yup, also most people have low end samsung phones. high end phones retail for $400 more than in the US.
Firefox Quantum is surprisingly good and substantially improved. The "Firefox Beta" Android app is Quantum, the regular "Firefox" app is still the "old" version. It works perfectly fine with the uBlock Origin extension (same as the one for the desktop browser) that I have come to really appreciate for ad blocking.
The "all things in one basket" approach is pretty tempting, but it kind of voids the bigger advantages of using a Windows/Linux/Android device: choice and freedom. It does require a bit more effort initially, but I feel it's worth it.
I still love the iPad line and have not yet found comparable Android tablets that offer the same build quality and longevity (also in terms of support). The best seems to be the Galaxy Tab series, but I'm not that keen on Samsung's customized Android version and would prefer something more vanilla.
checking in after a week of making some changes;
AppleTV 4k - I had too many problems with getting it going. I got it working but day-to-day has still shown issues. The remote is less responsive than the regular ATV4 for one as well as random picture issues. My TV has Android built in and I have an Xbox. I set up all my apps on the Xbox and everything is working great. 4k on there is working fine with the same AVR equipment. Boot time is longer but overall no loss here.
WiFi - as mentioned, made the move to Google Wifi. Everything is working fine after a month of use. Airports sold.
Watch - I picked up a Garmin 935. There's an adjustment to the lower quality screen and app quality over AW but I am on day 7 with still 70% battery! Plus it looks like a real watch. The Garmin Connect app is working fine, gives you many of the same metrics and then some. The issues I've noticed are GC and HealthKit do not get along well. There is a pathway to HealthKit but the data is often late or not getting written. Most notifications are working other than SMS / iMessage. Still figuring that one out. However I have gained a ton of features and capabilities with the Garmin. I think I am sticking with this.
Smarthome - experimenting with a Google Home vs HomeKit / ATV combo. I was having an issue with HomeKit where I shared the home with other household members but the Home app was locking up since iOS11. With Google Home, the set up was not as easy but now they can just issue voice commands to the GHome. It's working very well. One issue I am experiencing is Chromecasting is not working between GHome and Android TV. Seems to be an issue with Android / Chromecast versions. Going to keep experimenting here.
Media - made a switch from Apple Music to Google Music this week to test. Initial thoughts are I am liking the GM playlists better. The GM app for iOS does both Airplay and Chromecast! Bonus! Plus Youtube Red. The app works very well with controlling playback via the Garmin watch. I also have it integrated with my Sonos system and the Google Home. So overall, I would say this is a big feature improvement over using Apple Music and value proposition. Long term, I am debating if I want to buy content from Amazon vs Google for better cross-platform.
So far so good with my testing the waters. There was definitely more steps needed to set things up and a little less intuitive / 'Apple-ly' feelings but I've gained more features and abilities. We'll give it a few weeks before making in any other changes.
AppleTV 4k - I had too many problems with getting it going. I got it working but day-to-day has still shown issues. The remote is less responsive than the regular ATV4 for one as well as random picture issues. My TV has Android built in and I have an Xbox. I set up all my apps on the Xbox and everything is working great. 4k on there is working fine with the same AVR equipment. Boot time is longer but overall no loss here.
WiFi - as mentioned, made the move to Google Wifi. Everything is working fine after a month of use. Airports sold.
Watch - I picked up a Garmin 935. There's an adjustment to the lower quality screen and app quality over AW but I am on day 7 with still 70% battery! Plus it looks like a real watch. The Garmin Connect app is working fine, gives you many of the same metrics and then some. The issues I've noticed are GC and HealthKit do not get along well. There is a pathway to HealthKit but the data is often late or not getting written. Most notifications are working other than SMS / iMessage. Still figuring that one out. However I have gained a ton of features and capabilities with the Garmin. I think I am sticking with this.
Smarthome - experimenting with a Google Home vs HomeKit / ATV combo. I was having an issue with HomeKit where I shared the home with other household members but the Home app was locking up since iOS11. With Google Home, the set up was not as easy but now they can just issue voice commands to the GHome. It's working very well. One issue I am experiencing is Chromecasting is not working between GHome and Android TV. Seems to be an issue with Android / Chromecast versions. Going to keep experimenting here.
Media - made a switch from Apple Music to Google Music this week to test. Initial thoughts are I am liking the GM playlists better. The GM app for iOS does both Airplay and Chromecast! Bonus! Plus Youtube Red. The app works very well with controlling playback via the Garmin watch. I also have it integrated with my Sonos system and the Google Home. So overall, I would say this is a big feature improvement over using Apple Music and value proposition. Long term, I am debating if I want to buy content from Amazon vs Google for better cross-platform.
So far so good with my testing the waters. There was definitely more steps needed to set things up and a little less intuitive / 'Apple-ly' feelings but I've gained more features and abilities. We'll give it a few weeks before making in any other changes.
Last edited:
I’m actually doing this at the moment. I’ve just sold my Apple Watch, airpods, iPhone X is currently on eBay. I’ll keep my kids for the kids and I’ve still got a MBP I barely use but no point selling it just yet.
There’s a few reasons but the main issue is really the competition has caught up and in most ways now surpasses Apple. Around the iPhone 5 era I don’t think you could get a better phone but today you can’t really get a bad phone.
The constant price increase for incremental updates don’t sit too well with me either.
I don’t know why I really dislike the HomePod. I’m sonos user myself but I really don’t see the point the point in a $350 speaker that only plays Apple Music. Seems ridiculous to me.
Plus I can see these smart screens becoming popular this year with Google assistant some of these I think it could be a quite interesting product.
We all know how bad Siri is so Apple is going to struggle with these smart speakers / smart displays really take off in a massive way.
Hopefully I won’t regret getting rid of my Apple products but it’s good to have a choice rather than buying everything Apple.
There’s a few reasons but the main issue is really the competition has caught up and in most ways now surpasses Apple. Around the iPhone 5 era I don’t think you could get a better phone but today you can’t really get a bad phone.
The constant price increase for incremental updates don’t sit too well with me either.
I don’t know why I really dislike the HomePod. I’m sonos user myself but I really don’t see the point the point in a $350 speaker that only plays Apple Music. Seems ridiculous to me.
Plus I can see these smart screens becoming popular this year with Google assistant some of these I think it could be a quite interesting product.
We all know how bad Siri is so Apple is going to struggle with these smart speakers / smart displays really take off in a massive way.
Hopefully I won’t regret getting rid of my Apple products but it’s good to have a choice rather than buying everything Apple.
Welcome to the ex-Apple Addicts meeting! jk. Though, I would've probably kept those AirPods. Love mine.
I agree with your points. The smart home and media integration is where I am seeing a major advantage on the non-Apple side. I'm all Sonos as well. If HomePod ends up being Apple Music only, that would be the ultimate they've jumped the shark indicator for me.
For phones, I still enjoy the X but the Pixel 2 is no slouch. I run that on the side with Project Fi and it's a great alternative. I do however always feel sense of relief when I go back to the X.
It's been a challenge to shake the feeling of reduced privacy but for a few weeks, I figured I would go all in. Google Assistant is leaps and bounds ahead of Siri. Trialing all these new alternatives, the technology simply delights. Using tech is fun again.
I agree with your points. The smart home and media integration is where I am seeing a major advantage on the non-Apple side. I'm all Sonos as well. If HomePod ends up being Apple Music only, that would be the ultimate they've jumped the shark indicator for me.
For phones, I still enjoy the X but the Pixel 2 is no slouch. I run that on the side with Project Fi and it's a great alternative. I do however always feel sense of relief when I go back to the X.
It's been a challenge to shake the feeling of reduced privacy but for a few weeks, I figured I would go all in. Google Assistant is leaps and bounds ahead of Siri. Trialing all these new alternatives, the technology simply delights. Using tech is fun again.
Do people normally get rid of their kids when they switch ecosystems?
Haha. That was meant to say I'll keep my iPad for my kids.
I just traded my daughter my newly replaced iPhone 6s + for her iPhone 6 that was suffering. When the smoke clears, I'll get the battery replaced to have it around as a family backup. I don't see myself going back to iPhone any time soon.
Nice write up, thanks for sharing. Gotta go with what works best for your particular needs. If that means something other than Apple products, that is ok.
I still have a loose connection into iOS, and non-iOS Apple stuff. Otherwise, do Android and Windows, etc., or N/A...
Tablets - Ipad Air, 128 GB, no cellular. Glorified gaming device. Still works fine, and I still have a backlog, but with the caveat that I refuse to update iOS, so it's still on ios8. It's only a matter of time before ios8 support drops en masse!
I've shifted more iOS gaming here since my Ipod Touch 5 is still on ios7! Much support has dropped off (Plants Vs. Zombies 2 now requires ios8 to get the latest version), its battery life is dying (3.5 years of heavy use), and it's slow overall (again, Plants vs. Zombies 2 here is noticeably slower here vs. Ipad Air).
Router - I forgot Apple makes its own router! IIRC, Airdrop is some glorified Bluetooth protocol. Here I just use some T-Lan brand. 4-port Ethernet and supports wireless
Computer - Dell, Windows 7. I need to be careful NOT to let it download Windows 10 when downloading updates! Otherwise, it still works just fine!
Phone LG G4 on Android 6.0. Only costs $220 for a used unit, and has worked very well thus far! Especially since it's only a fraction of the cost of all the current to 2 year old released phones!
Watch - Citizen brand, "dumb watch". It tells the day of month, but I need wind it past 31 on months that don't go to the 31st. Also doesn't need charging
Music - No music service. I have an Ipod Classic with all my music, and keep some CDs in my car.
Car - no "smart car"
Home Automation - none
TV - I stream stuff on Amazon Prime, YouTube (free version), and whatever's free on the network channels (e.g. Comedy Central, CBS, Fox, NBC) .
Tablets - Ipad Air, 128 GB, no cellular. Glorified gaming device. Still works fine, and I still have a backlog, but with the caveat that I refuse to update iOS, so it's still on ios8. It's only a matter of time before ios8 support drops en masse!
I've shifted more iOS gaming here since my Ipod Touch 5 is still on ios7! Much support has dropped off (Plants Vs. Zombies 2 now requires ios8 to get the latest version), its battery life is dying (3.5 years of heavy use), and it's slow overall (again, Plants vs. Zombies 2 here is noticeably slower here vs. Ipad Air).
Router - I forgot Apple makes its own router! IIRC, Airdrop is some glorified Bluetooth protocol. Here I just use some T-Lan brand. 4-port Ethernet and supports wireless
Computer - Dell, Windows 7. I need to be careful NOT to let it download Windows 10 when downloading updates!
Otherwise, it still works just fine!Phone LG G4 on Android 6.0. Only costs $220 for a used unit, and has worked very well thus far! Especially since it's only a fraction of the cost of all the current to 2 year old released phones!
Watch - Citizen brand, "dumb watch". It tells the day of month, but I need wind it past 31 on months that don't go to the 31st. Also doesn't need charging
Music - No music service. I have an Ipod Classic with all my music, and keep some CDs in my car.
Car - no "smart car"
Home Automation - none
TV - I stream stuff on Amazon Prime, YouTube (free version), and whatever's free on the network channels (e.g. Comedy Central, CBS, Fox, NBC) .
I'm in the same boat. People used to joke that my house looked like the Apple store. I have owned and used almost every product they made since back in the G4 days.
I still have quite a bit of apple stuff. There really is no substitute for the iPad. It is head and shoulders the best tablet for sale. I also really like their laptops still, I tried the surface but found it very unpolished, and didn't care for it.
Still have my Mac mini as my main computer. Very frustrating that I have the money put aside to buy a new one. All I need is a minor bump to a newer processor so I can get 4k 60hz, and I will buy a maxxed out one again.
Things like that are my problem with apple they need to spend so much time dealing with the massive success of the iPhone that they leave products to wither on the vine. Or phone in their replacements with things that don't fit my needs.
That is why I now use exclusively Android phones. I have all the pieces for a powerful gaming PC, and as you said avoid them for my smart home.
I still have quite a bit of apple stuff. There really is no substitute for the iPad. It is head and shoulders the best tablet for sale. I also really like their laptops still, I tried the surface but found it very unpolished, and didn't care for it.
Still have my Mac mini as my main computer. Very frustrating that I have the money put aside to buy a new one. All I need is a minor bump to a newer processor so I can get 4k 60hz, and I will buy a maxxed out one again.
Things like that are my problem with apple they need to spend so much time dealing with the massive success of the iPhone that they leave products to wither on the vine. Or phone in their replacements with things that don't fit my needs.
That is why I now use exclusively Android phones. I have all the pieces for a powerful gaming PC, and as you said avoid them for my smart home.
Every year I leave the walled garden, and eventually return.
Yeah. And I even have a HomePod coming in the mail tomorrow.