2019 - where's the benefit for Apple products/ecosystem anymore?

[trinec]

Hey,

after 15ys Apple only I need to upgrade my ecosystem or to leave it completely. Tell me YOUR fav benefits of Apple integrations within the ecosystem.

iMessage & SMS integration:
All messages are synced over all devices, no need to have additional apps installed, no switching between SMS and iMessages. Writing on travel from iPhone, when working on Mac, on the couch from iPad, in business meetings decent from Watch with the possibilty to answer. Even there's no matter to think about the app you have to use to reach somebody. Just write - it'll reach them.
I have several 2FA services with SMS, no need to worry about "l" (small L), "I" (upper i), just copy/paste from Messages app - or with newer versions it's mostly automatically added.

--Leaving Apple:
Messages on Android is even great and provides a webinterface to read/wrtie messages. It's not that smooth like Apple but you can use additional apps like Notifi or Zorin connect, KDEConnect or GConnect to make it as smooth.

Facetime / Calling:
No worries about missing calls - it doesn't matter if phone is in silent mode or not. In silent mode my calls are getting displayed on every device I currently use, I can answer the call on my Mac without looking for my Phone which won't interrupt me as I would need to look for it. My focus can still remain on my work.
When it's not on silent mode it still won't ring all time for any notification when Watch is active. Even it doesn't matter if it's a regular cell call or Facetime video/audio - just call.

--Leaving Apple:
In fact I only found till yet solutions to notify about incoming calls but no smooth way to answer them. Only in Dex mode (Desktop mode of Samsung) it seems to be possibility.

Unlock Watch:
I love to "Unlock with Watch" - typing my password is pain so I love to just press any key on the keyboard and to have a desktop present. It's really a great feature.

--Leaving Apple:
Only some solutions with Proximity that aren't that secure like the native Way. So I would avoid to use this feature.

Apple Pay:
I love to pay with Apple Watch. Since several years I can leave my pocket home - just going out with Watch and have everything I need to.

--Leaving Apple:
GPay works even the same way and is supported by my bank. So no worry here.



So this are my key features and I think there are two possibilities to switch:
- Linux and Android as a workstation with a still dedicated mobile phone and sync like Apple's ecosystem. Take a look on KDEConnect, GConnect or Zorin.
- Use a mobile phone as a Desktop system, like Dex on Samsung or EasyProjection on Huawei.

 

[Huntn]

I like the integration of Mac and my iOS devices. I much prefer the MacOS to Windows and use both regularly. And I love the Apple TV remote voice control when putting in long passwords. Apple Pay works wonderfully. My complaint is that Macs are overpriced, but I am willing to pay the price.

May I ask, why are you abandoning Apple?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I make it a point to go out and actually use Apple alternatives because a lot of people come to me for tech advice.

My conclusion? They don't work anywhere near as well as Apple's services. The reason why I even take time to post this is because, I've actually used some of the things you've posted about and ... a lot of them simply are terrible excuses for the services they provide.

One thing I REALLY like is when I go to my bank website or PayPal or a website that sends me a 2 factor authentication text --- Safari will automatically put it in the box for me (no copy/paste needed - just a click).

If I'm in the restroom reading a really interesting article on my iPhone, finish my business (sorry for details), and walk to my MacBook ... ONE CLICK on my MacBook and I can bring up the article I was reading on my iPhone - same if it was a Notability page, Apple Note, etc... (Apple Handoff).

I have not used Messages on Android. Can you send a 60MB Word/PDF document? I left android when Google Voice was starting its decline - I was a beta tester for Google Voice - when they went public they took away half of its features. Now, I have people complaining to me about GV all the time.

I've actually used Google Pay and Apple Pay... the support and reliability of Apple Pay is ... miles ahead. I don't blame Google Pay for this --- I blame most places of business - my guess is Apple Pay is used more.

I love trying out new technology. There is a reason why people pay the Apple Premium. For some, they'd rather not and they settle with less (though in their minds, if they haven't tried Apple, they are blissfully unaware and happy - which is totally fine with me). It just surprises me the number of people who are anti-apple ... who haven't even tried it. One MUST try both fields of grass before settling.

 

[Suture]

I use both Android and iOS for mobile phones and Windows, *nix, and MacOS for computers. I'm fine with any combination, but I just prefer iOS and MacOS for the integrated capabilities. I use the hell out of many of the default apps and prefer them for their ease of use and synchronization. While I know there are more full-featured 3rd party options available, I don't need the power user stuff. I can get my things done quickly enough. We're mostly iOS and MacOS here in my household, so it just works for us.

 

[Strider64]

After being a PC person for over 40+ years I love Apple Product Ecosystem as I have had more productivity in the last 5 years than I did when I was a PC person. I'm not knocking the PC or Windows, but rather saying I personally have found myself with Apple. I know I'm paying a little more and not getting the fastest components with Apple products, but for what I do it's fast enough for me. I'm not a speed junkie or overclocker (never have been even when I was a PC Person), so it doesn't bother me if someone is flying by me in that category as I have learn over the years it's content that matters not the computer.

 

[Tech198]

everything seems to STILL work better with all Apple. It's ironic the same company who makes the hardware knows how it all should play nice together, then 3rd party products from other manufactures..

i.e I'm still battering over some deletion issues with QNAP from copying from my Mac due to support.. (presumably limited SAMBA support)..No idea... but that's my guess

At least that's what i've read in the part. Apple's' got a snaky way to keep you coming back for more..

 

[ssledoux]

I’ll admit that I’ve never been immersed in another system like I am with Apple. They just didn’t have all the options when I was still using Windows. That being said, I use Windows in my work environment, and, praise the Lord, we are switching completely over to Mac during the summer.

I just can’t imagine any other platform to be as stable and easy to use as Apple’s.