Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hankster

macrumors 68020
Jan 30, 2008
2,475
440
Washington DC
Myself and a core group of my buddies are all "gadget guys". We all are the demographic that apple used to covet. 18-40 year old guys who are creative types with enough disposable income to have the hottest new thing. Sometime around the 4s apple list the race to be the most cutting edge phone. Android is leaps and bounds better for guys like us. It just does more. Anytime I get bored I can find a cool little feature to enable on my phone, and it really has become nearly as capable as my macbook air.

Apple is no longer designing phones for us. They are making phones for everyone. A few years ago paying $30 per month for data on your phone was a crazy concept reserved only for the affluent.

The only problem is that gadget guys are the tastemakers of the world. Our ambivalence to iOS will eventually catch up with them.

It is hard to feel excited about that new Iphone when the dorky guy in the office is playing games on his 5.7 inch phone with a ps3 controller. Then plugging it into his Sony car stereo with full mirroring, all the while torrenting the last season of game of thrones.

So IMO the 5s is enough to move some units, but apple has lost the gadget guys who brought them envouge in the first place, and that is a big issue since all my iphone wielding friends get green with envy when they see the crazy stuff I'm doing with my note 2.

I am in the exact same boat. 36 here and I majored in IT. I am a gadget nut and to be honest Apple has really let me down in terms of their ability to compete and innovate. It's clear other companies are giving consumers what they want, Apple needs to do the same instead. Both my wife and I want larger screens now, but we'll wait for the iPhone 6.

To the OP: I know exactly how you feel. These days I cannot tell someone outright that the iPhone is the best smartphone out there. It's simply not depending on the user's needs.
 

HelloMikee

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
987
478
San Diego
I'm wondering, you can't send a picture as a text or an email with andriod? That sucks. I'm considering a switch to andriod but I never realized that.

No you can, but if it's a text, it downgrades the quality because it converts it to an MMS message. Also for some reason it downgraded in email as well.

On my iPhone I can send large HQ photos which I do a lot for my design work and photography.

I know there are apps on android/iOS that allow you to send images via messaging systems but the problem is, people I know with iPhones don't use it because they have iMessage.
 

brinycbri

macrumors 6502a
Mar 13, 2007
514
0
"Gadget guys are the taste makers for the world"

Hahahahahahahaha

Anna Wintour is dying as we speak
 

PhoneI

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2008
1,629
619
Myself and a core group of my buddies are all "gadget guys". We all are the demographic that apple used to covet. 18-40 year old guys who are creative types with enough disposable income to have the hottest new thing. Sometime around the 4s apple list the race to be the most cutting edge phone. Android is leaps and bounds better for guys like us. It just does more. Anytime I get bored I can find a cool little feature to enable on my phone, and it really has become nearly as capable as my macbook air.

Apple is no longer designing phones for us. They are making phones for everyone. A few years ago paying $30 per month for data on your phone was a crazy concept reserved only for the affluent.

The only problem is that gadget guys are the tastemakers of the world. Our ambivalence to iOS will eventually catch up with them.

It is hard to feel excited about that new Iphone when the dorky guy in the office is playing games on his 5.7 inch phone with a ps3 controller. Then plugging it into his Sony car stereo with full mirroring, all the while torrenting the last season of game of thrones.

So IMO the 5s is enough to move some units, but apple has lost the gadget guys who brought them envouge in the first place, and that is a big issue since all my iphone wielding friends get green with envy when they see the crazy stuff I'm doing with my note 2.

Am I the only one not wanting a 5.7 inch screen? I have an iPad mini for that.
 

Tsuchiya

macrumors 68020
Jun 7, 2008
2,310
372
Apple is doing what they have always done, but people seem to forget yearly. They do just enough to maintain their position. Incremental upgrades, a new feature to show off. For them it works and consumers lap it up. They'll change if they need to. For now the 5S and 5C will most likely sell in huge volumes so this trend of theirs is unlikely to change anytime soon.


LOL at dude saying hes a musician, yet uses android ...:rolleyes:
ANy musician worth their beans would know that the iOS is a killer mobile music solution..


Was this meant to be a joke :confused:
 

LIVEFRMNYC

macrumors G3
Oct 27, 2009
8,878
10,987
Myself and a core group of my buddies are all "gadget guys". We all are the demographic that apple used to covet. 18-40 year old guys who are creative types with enough disposable income to have the hottest new thing. Sometime around the 4s apple list the race to be the most cutting edge phone. Android is leaps and bounds better for guys like us. It just does more. Anytime I get bored I can find a cool little feature to enable on my phone, and it really has become nearly as capable as my macbook air.

Apple is no longer designing phones for us. They are making phones for everyone. A few years ago paying $30 per month for data on your phone was a crazy concept reserved only for the affluent.

The only problem is that gadget guys are the tastemakers of the world. Our ambivalence to iOS will eventually catch up with them.

It is hard to feel excited about that new Iphone when the dorky guy in the office is playing games on his 5.7 inch phone with a ps3 controller. Then plugging it into his Sony car stereo with full mirroring, all the while torrenting the last season of game of thrones.

So IMO the 5s is enough to move some units, but apple has lost the gadget guys who brought them envouge in the first place, and that is a big issue since all my iphone wielding friends get green with envy when they see the crazy stuff I'm doing with my note 2.

I would agree 100% with this if it was next year talking about the iPhone 6 and very little was changed. The 5S was never expected to be a huge jump from the 5. I personally think it's a decent update. Now for myself, I will judge Apple's decision making for better or worst when they announce the iPhone 6.
 

flyguy206

macrumors 6502a
Aug 5, 2008
583
0
The iPhone is no longer the popular phone that it once was. Most people switching it andorid are doing it because the iPhone does not have the cool factor anymore

----------

Myself and a core group of my buddies are all "gadget guys". We all are the demographic that apple used to covet. 18-40 year old guys who are creative types with enough disposable income to have the hottest new thing. Sometime around the 4s apple list the race to be the most cutting edge phone. Android is leaps and bounds better for guys like us. It just does more. Anytime I get bored I can find a cool little feature to enable on my phone, and it really has become nearly as capable as my macbook air.

Apple is no longer designing phones for us. They are making phones for everyone. A few years ago paying $30 per month for data on your phone was a crazy concept reserved only for the affluent.

The only problem is that gadget guys are the tastemakers of the world. Our ambivalence to iOS will eventually catch up with them.

It is hard to feel excited about that new Iphone when the dorky guy in the office is playing games on his 5.7 inch phone with a ps3 controller. Then plugging it into his Sony car stereo with full mirroring, all the while torrenting the last season of game of thrones.

So IMO the 5s is enough to move some units, but apple has lost the gadget guys who brought them envouge in the first place, and that is a big issue since all my iphone wielding friends get green with envy when they see the crazy stuff I'm doing with my note 2.


Most people I know that are into tech have both iPhone and android. And not one of them will say that one is better then the other.
 

BSben

macrumors 65816
May 16, 2012
1,140
625
UK
In the short term it might seem to some people as if Apple is behind the competition, but I think Apple are playing a very good game here. They are creating something solid and reliable, and don't buy into the hype of others.
I think in the long run Apple will do very well with this attitude.
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
i see these posts often. and as a gadget geek myself, let me ask OP a question: what is it you think the iphone is missing?

mostly I have heard 'screen size', which to me is asthetic. someone may want a 6-inch phone. i don't. so when you say they aren't innovating, then what are you asking? what are you thinking that the iphone should have?

personally, i think the front facing camera is a crime, it should be at least as good as the iphone4's camera at this point. but that's not innovation, that's just preference.

is it because the body looks the same? we need to change the appearance every few months to be 'innovative'? i think the iphone 4 was amazing looking, and prefer it over the 5. but, again, preference.

here is something i would like. make a 'documents' gallery, like we currently have a photo gallery. let me keep PDF's, docs, pages files, whatever, there. and then let me access them at will by any other app. i don't need a file system, i just need to be able to edit something in my dropbox.

is THAT innovation? i doubt it. that's just applying one idea to another file type.

let Siri work better between commands. Siri, what time is the football game tonight? 'Redskins and Eagles play at 7.' Please email that to my dad. "what would you like to say to your dad?" connect those two so she knows i mean 'that' is the search she just did.

not sure that is innovation either.

so, rambling message aside, i ask again. what innovations are you searching for? what has been inovated elsewhere that you are looking for?

ps. controller API's are in iOS7, so i suspect that will show up soon.

I've copied a response I made in another thread explaining why right now I prefer Android. And this isn't a 'why Android is better than iOS' response because it was nothing of the sort.

What else is there about Android that keeps you there other than screen size? Just curiosity.
Customization, flexibility, and notifications.

1). I prefer the notification system of Android, hands down. Not only can you customize what's in view, I can swipe aside any individual notifications I don't need or clear them all, control whatever audio I'm listening to, so much more function and flexibility. Pair it with the LED and it's awesome. I'm contemplating trying a Moto X so I can try out Active Notifications which seem to take it to any even better level.

2). Customization options are nearly endless. To give some perspective, on iOS I can choose my wallpaper and arrange my app icons almost anyway I like. On Android, I can do so much more. For instance, to start, I've setup my lockscreen with a custom unlock widget that allows me to directly launch any of 18 different apps.

Once unlocked, using Nova Prime launcher, I have 5 different home screens (can have more or less, whatever one prefers) arranged with a collection of app icons, folders, and widgets. I can have app icons anywhere I like (i.e. only along the bottom, for instance) vs. them automatically snapping to the next free position on the screen as done in iOS. I also have a dock that scrolls independently from the home screens--I like having 3 sets of 5 icons in my dock. Again, beauty of Android is I can have more or less, almost whatever I want. I don't use a ton of widgets but I like having one with my calendar quickly viewable (and editable) and another with my Twitter feed. Lastly, I have a custom theme that changes the appearance of all of my icons.

I also run a couple of other apps that, in conjunction with the gesture options provided by Nova Prime, let me navigate around my phone without ever having to touch my home button, multitasking button, or app drawer, all via simple gestures.

3). In addition to the flexibility of customization, I can setup whatever app I want to serve as the default app for functions. I can choose what browser opens when I touch a web address, what app to open when I select a photo, what app opens when I touch an address, etc. Also, when I choose to share something, I can select any appropriate app vs. the few that iOS may allow. And while I never had problems using iTunes to coordinate syncing of data and media, I prefer having the flexibility to use something as simple as drag and drop or an app like AirDroid to quickly do it wirelessly.

Oh, and another example of flexibility. Similar to the trusted Bluetooth device element of the Moto X, I was able to set up my HTC One to not require my lockscreen security (pin number) if it's connected to my Pebble smartwatch.

I'm sure I could come up with a ton more but this alone illustrates why I prefer Android, right now. As I mentioned, there are still elements of iOS that I like--the consistency between OS and apps, the simplicity of certain elements, the backup functionality and integration with other Apple devices. However, it's just not enough to compensate for everything that cannot be done.

Again, this is all just my preference and I can certainly understand someone seeing it differently and preferring iOS.

I don't think any of this is as exotic as being able to play games on my phone with a PS3 controller, just how I like to set up my phone for everyday use. Without Jailbreaking, I can't do any of this on an iPhone.

And I'm a heavy user of Apple products, used an iPhone from the original through the 5. I don't consider myself a niche consumer and if Apple can lose me as an iPhone consumer, it can certainly lose many more.
 

mellofello

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
1,258
556
And a collective meh comes from the internet. I preordered every single other iphone, but even if I hadn't moved over to android I would have stuck with my iphone 5 this time. Perhaps this is a first world problem, and phones have just gotten so good that it is hardly worth it to habitually upgrade all the time. I just feel like if you are going to come out with 2 lines of iphone one should be premium, and one should be ultra premium. The iphone is a aspirational device in developing markets, I bet the 5s will outsell the 5c, even in the lower income demographics.
 

marksman

macrumors 603
Jun 4, 2007
5,764
5
Lol. I was inline on launch day for the original iPhone. I was there about eight hours. Was very few gadget guys there.

Your read on apple's customer base is fundamentally wrong.

If you want to steal game of thrones on your phone you might need to switch to android. Of course if you pay for hbo you can just watch it like a normal person.
 

Bigdawg4

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2012
110
0
Am I the only one not wanting a 5.7 inch screen? I have an iPad mini for that.

I really want a 5" screen on my iPhone. I stick with apple because it is smooth and easy to use. Im not a tech guy and dont want to JB or tinker with my phone, I just want to pick it up and use it. I tried the SG3 and liked it but not as much as I like my iphone...just my opinion
 

tdar

macrumors 68020
Jun 23, 2003
2,102
2,522
Johns Creek Ga.
And a collective meh comes from the internet. I preordered every single other iphone, but even if I hadn't moved over to android I would have stuck with my iphone 5 this time. Perhaps this is a first world problem, and phones have just gotten so good that it is hardly worth it to habitually upgrade all the time. I just feel like if you are going to come out with 2 lines of iphone one should be premium, and one should be ultra premium. The iphone is a aspirational device in developing markets, I bet the 5s will outsell the 5c, even in the lower income demographics.

WOW! I just can't understand how one person can misread so much of the way things actually work and replace it with the way you might want it to work. Apple catering to techies? In what world?

Yes phones in general have all gotten "Good enough". Please take off your blinders and look around at all of the people STILL using iPhone 3G's and 4's. They find no reason to upgrade. This is the real world here in the US. In developing markets the last thing Apple needs is a ultra premium device. You do know that most people in those markets are poor right? They are the reason that Android has the share it does-CHEAP.

One other point. Say that you and your friends could work with Jony Ive and team on the next iPhone- What innovations would you bring? A larger screen is NOT innovative. So what have you got?
 

iz2sick

macrumors 6502
Oct 19, 2011
288
0
I grow tired of these arguments about the S models being minor upgrades.

WHY? Because it's in the same shell as the model prior? Give me a break. I've said this since the 3GS...

I bet that if every S model had a redesigned shell, there wouldn't be half as much whining. If the 5S components were shoved into a redesigned shell with a bigger screen, even Android fanboys would stop hating.

Is this where we're at now? All these self proclaimed tech geeks only care about bigger screens now? Get out of here with that nonsense. I do love me some big screens like the Galaxy Note, but I'll take higher performance and better camera over it any day of the week. What good is that hulking screen if it gets all choppy after an hour of usage? Note II was better and the III looks to be beastly though so I'll give them that.

It's like the ignorant focus on megapixels. Give me a 4 megapixel camera with a superb lens, aperture, and sensor and I'll take it over a camera with 1,000 megapixels with inferior lens, aperture, and sensor.

64bit processor in a smartphone. Awesome even though it might never be fully utilized. Why? This is a step towards the future and it's starting with the 5S. Put that beast in the iPad with more ram and "WEEEEEEEEE!!!!" Then watch the 64bit apps start rolling out and hand your 5S down to your little brother or sister as it will have new life breathed back into it.

And for us true nerds... better graphics and M7??? Better video games... better gps tracking... and for my snowboarding... better speed run tracking... giggity.
 

hairyguy

macrumors newbie
Aug 1, 2013
9
0
biggest shocker here is no 128gb iphone. the upgrades on the 5s are laughable. and then that's it. nothing else was offered as new. this is the worst keynote i have seen overall for apple. no ipad, iwatch or anything else new.

is there another part to the keynote tomorrow? or was this it for this holiday season?
 
Last edited:

crzdcolombian

macrumors 6502a
Nov 16, 2010
809
161
Am I the only one not wanting a 5.7 inch screen? I have an iPad mini for that.

haha exactly WHERE DO YOU PUT THAT !!! I have keys, a wallet, and something god gave me to knock up a woman in my pants. WHere does someone put a basically 6 inch phone? My girlfriend has a purse where she puts her iPad and carries it every where but where does a guy fit a 6 inch phone. Do you guys rock the baggiest pants ever or one of those dad bags that you wear on your stomachs?

Negatives for me
- why is the base model still 16gb?
- the 5c is basically the 5 with a crappier case.
- 100 bucks for the 5c isn't that cheap especially when they tell you for 100 bucks more you get a phone 40% faster
 

unobtainium

macrumors 68030
Mar 27, 2011
2,650
4,086
Myself and a core group of my buddies are all "gadget guys".

There are a few issues with this post.

#1. You and your group of friends are just one group. I know many techy people who are still 100% Apple in their set-ups and who continue to prefer iOS because of its approach to design and integration.

#2. You overestimate the influence of tech geeks on the general public. In some ways, there is actually a deterrent effect to what you describe: the geeky guy in the office using his PS3 controller to play games on a dinky little 5" screen will repel just as many people as it attracts :p Some people will look at that and say, "Oh, I get it - Android is for dorky dudebros" and continue to enjoy their more stylish iPhone.

Basically, the market is segmenting and that's fine. Your demographic will almost certainly stick with Android (Apple isn't gonna win them back, doesn't care to, and probably is completely unconcerned). Meanwhile, much of the mainstream will stick with iOS - certainly enough for them to continue printing money for the foreseeable future.

Personally, I find Android irritating. I'm OCD and love the tight integration and beauty of iPhone/iOS. But I don't begrudge others their own tastes and preferences and I can see why some prefer Android. I just don't think Apple's position in the market is in danger.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,991
20,174
UK
alot of what the OP is saying is why i switched to android but everybody is different...we all have different usage patterns. Iphone 5S to me was a joke of an upgrade for ME but to others It's might be what they need and thats fine for them.

----------

haha exactly WHERE DO YOU PUT THAT !!! I have keys, a wallet, and something god gave me to knock up a woman in my pants. WHere does someone put a basically 6 inch phone? My girlfriend has a purse where she puts her iPad and carries it every where but where does a guy fit a 6 inch phone. Do you guys rock the baggiest pants ever or one of those dad bags that you wear on your stomachs?

Negatives for me
- why is the base model still 16gb?
- the 5c is basically the 5 with a crappier case.
- 100 bucks for the 5c isn't that cheap especially when they tell you for 100 bucks more you get a phone 40% faster

It fits in the pocket far better than you think it does.
 

Harthag

macrumors 68020
Jun 20, 2009
2,016
2,568
U.S.
I'm also a gadget lover and dual-wield, one iPhone and one android because I always get the itch to switch to one or the other and use a sim adapter. Currently own the iPhone 5 and just sold my GS4. The GS4 was just too big and I got sick of it really quickly. I currently have a Moto X on order, Motorola totally nailed it in terms of ergonomics. If you haven't held one don't knock it. Side by side, it is only a tad larger than the iPhone 5 yet packs a 4.7" screen. So it is possible to have a large screen in a small form factor body that you can use with one hand. Apple needs to do this with the 6.
 

juswest

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2008
175
8
I'm also a gadget lover and dual-wield, one iPhone and one android because I always get the itch to switch to one or the other and use a sim adapter. Currently own the iPhone 5 and just sold my GS4. The GS4 was just too big and I got sick of it really quickly. I currently have a Moto X on order, Motorola totally nailed it in terms of ergonomics. If you haven't held one don't knock it. Side by side, it is only a tad larger than the iPhone 5 yet packs a 4.7" screen. So it is possible to have a large screen in a small form factor body that you can use with one hand. Apple needs to do this with the 6.

The Moto X fits in the hand perfectly. I love mine. I noticed today like you did that it's only slightly bigger than the iPhone. The only minus for the Moto X is the camera, but I don't care about pictures. It's not a horrible camera, but there's certainly better cameras out. The pictures look too muted. Stock android is a better experience than touchwiz. Best battery life I've had is with this Moto X.
 

ThisIsNotMe

Suspended
Aug 11, 2008
1,849
1,063
Never really thought about the usefulness of a fingerprint sensor until I thought about it like this.

It takes 3-4 seconds to home button->slide to unlock->enter in my pass code (longer when I was on alpha numeric.)

I probably unlock my phone ~50 times per day which equates to roughly 200 seconds of unlocking my phone or ~3 minutes per day wasted accessing my phone.

Across an entire year that is ~1,000 minutes or 18 hours I have spent unlocking my phone which is ~$5,400 in lost productivity.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.