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MarkB786

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 20, 2016
755
1,304
USA
... I am still totally happy with it. The Android interface and the Note 8 features are great and I cannot see myself going back to iOS any time soon. When I get on my kids' or wife's iPhone or iPad, it just feels clumsy and has no flow.I find myself defaulting to the intuitive Android gestures. Have now sold my 10.5 ipad pro and bought a 128 GB Tab S3. It too is great (so far). There is confirmed life outside of the Apple ecosystem. I do not miss iCloud or iMessage at all.
 

raqball

macrumors 68020
Sep 11, 2016
2,323
9,573
... I am still totally happy with it. The Android interface and the Note 8 features are great and I cannot see myself going back to iOS any time soon. When I get on my kids' or wife's iPhone or iPad, it just feels clumsy and has no flow.I find myself defaulting to the intuitive Android gestures. Have now sold my 10.5 ipad pro and bought a 128 GB Tab S3. It too is great (so far). There is confirmed life outside of the Apple ecosystem. I do not miss iCloud or iMessage at all.

If you want Apple style continuity between the Tab S3 and the Note try Pushbullet.. I use it on all my devices and it's free. It will do SMS, sending links to the other devices, pushing notifications and copy and paste, if you want those features. There is a paid version that offers more features but I've never needed them. Oh and the free version is ad free as well.

https://www.pushbullet.com/
 
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MarkB786

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 20, 2016
755
1,304
USA
If you want Apple style continuity between the Tab S3 and the Note try Pushbullet.. I use it on all my devices and it's free. It will do SMS, sending links to the other devices, pushing notifications and copy and paste, if you want those features. There is a paid version that offers more features but I've never needed them. Oh and the free version is ad free as well.

https://www.pushbullet.com/

Thanks for the hint. Tried using Samsung Flow, but it is not too reliable yet.
 

SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,513
4,753
Land of Smiles
Thanks for the hint. Tried using Samsung Flow, but it is not too reliable yet.
I find using Cortana/Onedrive/WhatsApp/Line across all platforms gives me sufficient notifications and access for my needs, Samsung flow just duplicated some aspects and as for unlocking my laptop from my phone is just because you can than any real practical advantage IMO same for answering calls on my laptop if I used IOS :rolleyes:

MS continue to improve cross platform use which is great for consumers
 

raqball

macrumors 68020
Sep 11, 2016
2,323
9,573
I find using Cortana/Onedrive/WhatsApp/Line across all platforms gives me sufficient notifications and access for my needs, Samsung flow just duplicated some aspects and as for unlocking my laptop from my phone is just because you can than any real practical advantage IMO same for answering calls on my laptop if I used IOS :rolleyes:

MS continue to improve cross platform use which is great for consumers

I mainly use Pushbullet to respond to SMS while on computer.. I'm lazy and don't want to pick up the phone. LOL. I also find the full sized KB on computers quicker and with less fat finger typing errors that I get on phones.

I do push links from PC to phone every so often but my main use of Pushbullet is for SMS. I get instant notification on PC when an SMS cones in and I can respond right from it.
 
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SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,513
4,753
Land of Smiles
I mainly use Pushbullet to respond to SMS while on computer.. I'm lazy and don't want to pick up the phone. LOL. I also find the full sized KB on computers quicker and with less fat finger typing errors that I get on phones.

I do push links from PC to phone every so often but my main use of Pushbullet is for SMS. I get instant notification on PC when an SMS cones in and I can respond right from it.
Agreed real SMS notifications are fine but responding is a little clunky at the moment via Cortana

Most of my SMS tend to be transaction or advert notifications so no response required main conversations tend to be via WhatsApp or Line where the desktop Apps excel over the phone apps in ease of typing and attachments etc etc as you note :)
 
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USAFA2008

Suspended
Dec 1, 2017
213
96
Is the Note 8 still doing great? I am looking to replace my iPhone 7 Plus but don't know if I want to go to the Note 8 or X. In the past I used an S7 edge which I liked.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
My pushbullet experience was rocky. I didn't have any problem for a while but suddenly it started acting up. Never really got it working again :(
 

MarkB786

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 20, 2016
755
1,304
USA
Is the Note 8 still doing great? I am looking to replace my iPhone 7 Plus but don't know if I want to go to the Note 8 or X. In the past I used an S7 edge which I liked.

Yes, still love it. It's painful for me to go back to my wife's iphone. The interface is much better for quick access, making my daily workflow much better. Not laggy at all, great screen, use the s-pen all the time, and love how I can customize the home screen with live, active widgets. The active Edge is great too. Can't see myself going back to iOS any time soon. In fact, liked it so much that I sold my main iPad and bought the Galaxy Tab 3. Also a great device.

After 10 years of being an Apple fan boy, my post-Apple experience has been very positive.
 
Last edited:

Heebeejeebies

macrumors regular
Nov 9, 2011
244
11
New Jersey
I just recent
Is the Note 8 still doing great? I am looking to replace my iPhone 7 Plus but don't know if I want to go to the Note 8 or X. In the past I used an S7 edge which I liked.

I've been using a Note8 for work for the last 2 weeks. I also have an iPhone 8+ for personal use. I find that I love holding the Note8 because it a a beautiful piece of technology. But I also have multiple iOS devices, so if I need to make sure I can access something quickly, I make sure to use my iPhone.

As far as work is concerned, I've had trouble getting accustomed to not having anything like iCloud for Windows for the Note8. Contacts and calendars from Outlook no longer sync as they used to. I've been trying to migrate everything to a Google account (someone suggested that on these forums), and that has been OK at best. I'm sure there are other, better options, but I have yet to find them.

TLDR; The Note8 is pretty and sleek and I could stare at it for hours but iOS is tough to live without for me.

Also, I didn't think I would use the S Pen as much as I do, but it is one of my favorite things about the Note8.

Keep in mind I haven't really delved deep into the Note8. I'm sure the more I use it, the more I'll be able to find new ways to replace iOS features I've grown accustomed to over the last 10 years.
 

convergent

macrumors 68040
May 6, 2008
3,034
3,083
I just recent


I've been using a Note8 for work for the last 2 weeks. I also have an iPhone 8+ for personal use. I find that I love holding the Note8 because it a a beautiful piece of technology. But I also have multiple iOS devices, so if I need to make sure I can access something quickly, I make sure to use my iPhone.

As far as work is concerned, I've had trouble getting accustomed to not having anything like iCloud for Windows for the Note8. Contacts and calendars from Outlook no longer sync as they used to. I've been trying to migrate everything to a Google account (someone suggested that on these forums), and that has been OK at best. I'm sure there are other, better options, but I have yet to find them.

TLDR; The Note8 is pretty and sleek and I could stare at it for hours but iOS is tough to live without for me.

Also, I didn't think I would use the S Pen as much as I do, but it is one of my favorite things about the Note8.

Keep in mind I haven't really delved deep into the Note8. I'm sure the more I use it, the more I'll be able to find new ways to replace iOS features I've grown accustomed to over the last 10 years.

I'm not sure why you are having challenges with your Outlook stuff being out of sync. You shouldn't have to go through a 3rd party to sync with that. I have the Microsoft launcher installed and Outlook for Android. Not only is everything integrated, it is so seamless. I now use the Note 8 as a desk phone for conference calls with Skype for Business. The link to open it is right on my home page calendar entries from the Launcher. I can push things back and forth via browser to my Surface Pro. I am also running the Google stuff for personal use via the built in email client. I have had the Note 8 for about 3 months and it is so much better than I ever imagined. Apple will have to do something really compelling to have me go back to an iPhone, and frankly the iPhone X is not even close to being that.
 

eyeseeyou

macrumors 68040
Feb 4, 2011
3,390
1,595
If you want an "imessage" like experience as far as apps to use try installing the slash keyboard.
 

cipher29

macrumors regular
Mar 6, 2009
248
306
I'm a month in on my Note 8 and absolutely love it. After using multi-window support, the spen, setting it up for an efficient work workflow etc, I can't imagine now going back to iOS.

My strategy going forward is to only invest in something that is cross-platform. If I can't use it across nearly any device or platform, I don't want to dig myself into to it anymore. Apple will eventually go the way of Blackberry if they continue to force people into a closed world.

Right now I'm finding a good mix of Microsoft for work and Google services for personal offer me an excellent cross platform experience.

In the last few weeks, I've unglued myself from iMessage, Apple Music and iCloud .. While it was tough for the first couple weeks, I'm now wondering why I never fully did it sooner.
 

Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
... I am still totally happy with it. The Android interface and the Note 8 features are great and I cannot see myself going back to iOS any time soon. When I get on my kids' or wife's iPhone or iPad, it just feels clumsy and has no flow.I find myself defaulting to the intuitive Android gestures. Have now sold my 10.5 ipad pro and bought a 128 GB Tab S3. It too is great (so far). There is confirmed life outside of the Apple ecosystem. I do not miss iCloud or iMessage at all.
Great news, glad you are enjoying it! :)

Absolutely loving my Note8 to, it's a beast, no matter what I throw at it, it takes it without a hitch. The hardware is damn near perfect, I still cannot believe the size and quality of the display, it is just awesome.
 

USAFA2008

Suspended
Dec 1, 2017
213
96
Yes, still love it. It's painful for me to go back to my wife's iphone. The interface is much better for quick access, making my daily workflow much better. Not laggy at all, great screen, use the s-pen all the time, and love how I can customize the home screen with live, active widgets. The active Edge is great too. Can't see myself going back to iOS any time soon. In fact, liked it so much that I sold my main iPad and bought the Galaxy Tab 3. Also a great device.

After 10 years of being an Apple fan boy, my post-Apple experience has been very positive.
That is good to hear! Prior to getting stationed overseas I had an S7 edge and now I am using a 7 Plus and my wife an X. I have used an iPhone since the first one but I do miss certain things about my S7 edge. That is why I am still using my 7 Plus and not an X because I am considering a Note 8 as well.
I just recent


I've been using a Note8 for work for the last 2 weeks. I also have an iPhone 8+ for personal use. I find that I love holding the Note8 because it a a beautiful piece of technology. But I also have multiple iOS devices, so if I need to make sure I can access something quickly, I make sure to use my iPhone.

As far as work is concerned, I've had trouble getting accustomed to not having anything like iCloud for Windows for the Note8. Contacts and calendars from Outlook no longer sync as they used to. I've been trying to migrate everything to a Google account (someone suggested that on these forums), and that has been OK at best. I'm sure there are other, better options, but I have yet to find them.

TLDR; The Note8 is pretty and sleek and I could stare at it for hours but iOS is tough to live without for me.

Also, I didn't think I would use the S Pen as much as I do, but it is one of my favorite things about the Note8.

Keep in mind I haven't really delved deep into the Note8. I'm sure the more I use it, the more I'll be able to find new ways to replace iOS features I've grown accustomed to over the last 10 years.
The Note 8 is beautiful and I miss the split screen like I had on my S7 edge. It was useful when I would use Google Maps and Pandora while driving. Have you been able to resolve the Outlook issue? I used to keep my contacts and calendar in my Hotmail account and sync it to my S7 edge and worked.
I'm not sure why you are having challenges with your Outlook stuff being out of sync. You shouldn't have to go through a 3rd party to sync with that. I have the Microsoft launcher installed and Outlook for Android. Not only is everything integrated, it is so seamless. I now use the Note 8 as a desk phone for conference calls with Skype for Business. The link to open it is right on my home page calendar entries from the Launcher. I can push things back and forth via browser to my Surface Pro. I am also running the Google stuff for personal use via the built in email client. I have had the Note 8 for about 3 months and it is so much better than I ever imagined. Apple will have to do something really compelling to have me go back to an iPhone, and frankly the iPhone X is not even close to being that.
I never had an issue syncing my contacts and calendar from my personal Hotmail account to my S7 edge. It was only recently that I moved my calendar and contacts to Gmail.
It gives you apps to use while messaging like iMessage does or if you’re familiar with slack it’s also similar to slack.
I will check it out when I get to my S7 edge. Thanks for the recommendation!
 

ozreth

macrumors 65816
Nov 5, 2009
1,418
266
Is the Note 8 still doing great? I am looking to replace my iPhone 7 Plus but don't know if I want to go to the Note 8 or X. In the past I used an S7 edge which I liked.

You may want to wait a month or two for the Galaxy S9, unless you really need the spen.
 

LIVEFRMNYC

macrumors G3
Oct 27, 2009
8,877
10,987
I find using Cortana/Onedrive/WhatsApp/Line across all platforms gives me sufficient notifications and access for my needs, Samsung flow just duplicated some aspects and as for unlocking my laptop from my phone is just because you can than any real practical advantage IMO same for answering calls on my laptop if I used IOS :rolleyes:

MS continue to improve cross platform use which is great for consumers


My issue with OneDrive on iOS and other cloud services, is background uploading in janky at best or just doesn't work at all. I find I have to keep the app open in the foreground to finish uploading, which is a pain if you have a ton of photos on on you took for the day.

On Android, OneDrive is extremely fast. I can delete a picture less than 5 seconds after taking a shot, and it already uploaded to OneDrive.
 
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SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,513
4,753
Land of Smiles
My issue with OneDrive on iOS and other cloud services, is background uploading in janky at best or just doesn't work at all. I find I have to keep the app open in the foreground to finish uploading, which is a pain if you have a ton of photos on on you took for the day.

On Android, OneDrive is extremely fast. I can delete a picture less than 5 seconds after taking a shot, and it already uploaded to OneDrive.
That's a shame and needs improving for your case but the main point is the cross platform aims of MS :)
 
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Heebeejeebies

macrumors regular
Nov 9, 2011
244
11
New Jersey
I'm not sure why you are having challenges with your Outlook stuff being out of sync. You shouldn't have to go through a 3rd party to sync with that. I have the Microsoft launcher installed and Outlook for Android. Not only is everything integrated, it is so seamless. I now use the Note 8 as a desk phone for conference calls with Skype for Business. The link to open it is right on my home page calendar entries from the Launcher. I can push things back and forth via browser to my Surface Pro. I am also running the Google stuff for personal use via the built in email client. I have had the Note 8 for about 3 months and it is so much better than I ever imagined. Apple will have to do something really compelling to have me go back to an iPhone, and frankly the iPhone X is not even close to being that.
The problem with my work account is that it doesn't not support a lot of basic features like calendar or contacts. It's simply a mailbox. At work, we all have Outlook set up to retrieve e-mails from the mailbox, but contacts and calendars are local to Outlook and do not sync with the e-mail server. The nice thing about iCloud for Windows is that it syncs with Outlook on your local computer, not through the mail server. This means that the contacts and calendars sync along with the e-mails.

I tried Microsoft Launcher/Outlook for Android, and as expected, I get the error that calendars and contacts are not supported with my mail account.

I have found a temporary solution:
I created a new Gmail account for work and set up POP3 importing for e-mails for my work e-mail. I've set this Google account up on my Note8.
Luckily, my contacts do not change very often. I've exported from Outlook to CSV and imported into the Google account I set up. This this syncs with my Note8. I plan on doing this once in a while - probably monthly.
I did find a solution for the calendar - CalendarSync+. As its name suggests, it syncs my outlook calendars with my Google Account automatically. It's a little annoying but gets the job done.

Maybe someone else has a better solution?
 
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