Android in Decline?

[Smellmet]

Whereas my experience started with a Samsung Galaxy S2 on Android 2.3 "Gingerbread", and Android 4.1.2 "Jelly Bean".

The experiences of lack of any meaningful security, and very poor availability of updates, made me wish I had spent on an iPhone. Though the hardware of the phone was pretty impressive for the time.

Yes, I am well aware that Android isn't as bad as it used to be in these directions. But my iPhone 6S lasted until a few months ago with update after update available. (Adding: Was still working fine when I upgraded.)

I started on the S3 and my experience of the OS was that it was... just ok, I found the phone to be slow and laggy after a few months. The S5 that replaced it seemed better for a little longer but succumbed to the same frustrating freezes and lag that plagued the previous handset. I replaced it with an S7 Edge and that was as fluid and slick on the day I got rid of it as it was on day one, and the OS was much nicer to look at and to use in general.

Updates? Honestly couldn't really give a toss. As long as the phone works fine then I'm happy to continue using it.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I'm sure you all know my posts around here, being a huge Nexus / Pixel phone fan since the beginning over a decade ago.

But my last Google phone the Pixel 4 XL annoyed me with the poor battery life, the dim mediocre screen tech, and a few other misc. things that made me feel Google cheapen the phone. So I made the crazy switch to an iPhone and picked up a 12 Pro Max. And I've typically ragged on the iPhone made fun of them. But...I have to say hardware wise it's a beast, with outstanding battery life this is a 2 or maybe 3 day phone. The display tech is state-of-the-art. Vibration haptics fantastic. Speakers are great. And when you turn off animations or whatever those two settings are, it really makes the phone feel faster and quicker.

Bottom line, I'm shocked to say this but I really like the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It's just iOS that is annoying and I wish had more features like Android. Stuff that should absolutely be baked into stock iOS but isn't is frustrating.

I guess my point, there is no perfect smartphone.

 

[LordVic]

Similar, been mostly an android user over the years.

Switched to iPhone 12 Mini this year.

hardware is unmatched

But iOS is a serious let down from Android itself. If I could get Apple's hardware prowress with Android? i'd jump on that instantly.

there are things in IOS that feel like they're fresh out of 2010 feature phones. Notifications and handling for examples is really not good.

Also, while it's gotten bettter with default apps, some of the default app handlers still can't be replaced/overridden with alternative Apps

For example: I will not use Reddit's own app. it's terrible. Yet if I click on any link in an email, chat app, website etc. iOS will ONLY allow the Reddit's app to launch. You cannot replace this handler with another app (such as Apollo). Resulting in forcing iOS users to either use the official app or have two or more apps just to use the ones they like.

if I chose NEVER to install Reddit's own app and use another reddit app, I shoulve have ever capability of iOS understanding that and setting Apollo as default handler instead. Every single OS except iOS can do this.


As someone who uses Windows, Linux, (Formerly MacOS), iOS, Android, and have played with many other OS's for ***** and giggles. iOS still feels like it's a few years out of date with just usability around certain places.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Similar, been mostly an android user over the years.

Switched to iPhone 12 Mini this year.

hardware is unmatched

But iOS is a serious let down from Android itself. If I could get Apple's hardware prowress with Android? i'd jump on that instantly.

there are things in IOS that feel like they're fresh out of 2010 feature phones. Notifications and handling for examples is really not good.

Also, while it's gotten bettter with default apps, some of the default app handlers still can't be replaced/overridden with alternative Apps

For example: I will not use Reddit's own app. it's terrible. Yet if I click on any link in an email, chat app, website etc. iOS will ONLY allow the Reddit's app to launch. You cannot replace this handler with another app (such as Apollo). Resulting in forcing iOS users to either use the official app or have two or more apps just to use the ones they like.

if I chose NEVER to install Reddit's own app and use another reddit app, I shoulve have ever capability of iOS understanding that and setting Apollo as default handler instead. Every single OS except iOS can do this.


As someone who uses Windows, Linux, (Formerly MacOS), iOS, Android, and have played with many other OS's for ***** and giggles. iOS still feels like it's a few years out of date with just usability around certain places.

I completely agree I absolutely love the hardware on this iPhone 12 Pro Max I like the new squared off design with a completely flat display I think every phone should be shaped like that, I think curved edge screens suck.

But iOS needs to mature and add features, and it should have added lots of stuff years ago, but still hasn't.

And I agree iOS sometimes feels like something stuck from the year 2010 and hasn’t changed much since then.

But then going back to the hardware on this new 12 Pro Max, it truly has top-notch best build quality and the components are fantastic. But the OS needs some big updating already.

 

[cuzo]

I completely agree I absolutely love the hardware on this iPhone 12 Pro Max I like the new squared off design with a completely flat display I think every phone should be shaped like that, I think curved edge screens suck.

But iOS needs to mature and add features, and it should have added lots of stuff years ago, but still hasn't.

And I agree iOS sometimes feels like something stuck from the year 2010 and hasn’t changed much since then.

But then going back to the hardware on this new 12 Pro Max, it truly has top-notch best build quality and the components are fantastic. But the OS needs some big updating already.

Just today I had to reboot my 11 pro max so i could connect my airpods to them, it just wouldn't connect without rebooting the system.

IOS is simply put terrible but it does the basics well, I still can type better on IOS than Android but the Software just garbage to be blunt. I barely use the phone for the most parts, even the screen is terrible compared to Samsung S series. My last Samsung phone was a S10e or maybe a Note 10 small I can't remember but I could browse on the phone all day.

Even sites like this are miles better on Android, it loads all the forums better because it has more memory to use.

IOS doesn't even want to make me use Safari or Chrome, I literally find a app to do anything on.

I feel like IOS is more suitable for the young professional on the go, but alot of us aren't that type of person... myself I'm just a guy who does the basics and use a phone mostly for browsing and so forth.

Also it seems like IOS is a SPAMMERS dream, I can't stop these spam calls and everything is $$$ for IOS. On Android they have a few free apps to stop spam and they do them well.

Don't get me started on Fast Charging, still Apple doesn't go pass 7.5 watts with the exception of their horrible magsafe or whatever it is and that dumb wallet crap that will fall off once if rubs with your pants.

But the hardware is awesome, top notch but that's really it the whole Software experience IMO is bad and needs work.

I'm just too cheap and tired of dealing with scammers trying to sell stuff on swappa, don't want to deal with these guys who try to rob the cheat the system to save a few bucks...

but I want to go back and try on android again and I will eventually when the money is available to play with.

Pixel 5 and a smartwatch for certain. That's my goal.

I'm beginning to see Facetime isn't even that big anymore, not a big selling point like it was in the past, Microsoft Teams and Zoom are killing the game right now.

 

[One2Grift]

windows mobile os much better in that era . lol . A lot of inventory apps enterprise that era and some still use till now .

Funny!
Then: iOS vs Android…..vs Windows
Now: iOS vs Android.

In this instance the marketplace very much worked. The weak, inferior product was culled from the herd.

 

[matrix07]

Pixels used to be known for their cameras, but iPhone and other phones caught up, Google hasn’t really improved much with the cameras since the Pixel 2 or 3. Google has stopped trying to compete with Apple by going to a non-flagship processor. Their marketing also seems to have died down.

Correct me If I'm wrong but Pixel doesn't seem to sell much at all, even the previous models that revolutionized the camera? I can understand why Google lost their interest.

 

[Lvivske]

Software I prefer stock Android #1 far more than iOS. Vanilla Android is just so smooth and stable and great usability. Where iOS feels like something stuck from a decade ago very outdated.

Hardware I'll take an iPhone Max. Apple builds the best quality phones with great components.

Best phone would be the iPhone 13 Pro Max running stock Android 12.

My take;

Apple builds great phones, but has a crap OS. Where Google builds mediocre phones, but has the best OS.

Agreed, stock android is exactly what you said. iOS feels and looks clunky, and in terms of features has been very dated.

I'm one of those weirdos who has a mac, an ipad, and Android google pixel phone.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I completely agree I absolutely love the hardware on this iPhone 12 Pro Max I like the new squared off design with a completely flat display I think every phone should be shaped like that, I think curved edge screens suck.

But iOS needs to mature and add features, and it should have added lots of stuff years ago, but still hasn't.

And I agree iOS sometimes feels like something stuck from the year 2010 and hasn’t changed much since then.

But then going back to the hardware on this new 12 Pro Max, it truly has top-notch best build quality and the components are fantastic. But the OS needs some big updating already.

Interesting. The last time I tried Android I felt like it was lacking in many areas (no podcasts, no reminders) but this was a few years ago. What features do you think iOS needs to add? I agree some of the design feels like it hasn't changed (those square app icons are getting a little stale), but what does Android have over it?

Hardware-wise, yeah, Apple is unmatched. Looking forward to the Google Pixel 6 because Google phones are the only Android phone I would really consider getting and it seems like they might be going for something really premium this time.

It used to be that Android phones had things that iPhones didn't have that I might've wanted (SD card, headphone jack, removable battery), now they don't have those things either so the two are more alike than ever before, just depends on build quality and implementation (for example I hate those over-saturated Samsung AMOLED displays with cartoonishly bright reds, I don't get how anyone thinks that looks good--when Apple finally embraced OLED it was obviously superior to me).

 

[alien3dx]

Funny!
Then: iOS vs Android…..vs Windows
Now: iOS vs Android.

In this instance the marketplace very much worked. The weak, inferior product was culled from the herd.

yeah, don't forget those day blackberry. overprice which i cannot afford also. that's time i think i use android 2 and nokia

 

[Shanghaichica]

Interesting. The last time I tried Android I felt like it was lacking in many areas (no podcasts, no reminders) but this was a few years ago. What features do you think iOS needs to add? I agree some of the design feels like it hasn't changed (those square app icons are getting a little stale), but what does Android have over it?

Hardware-wise, yeah, Apple is unmatched. Looking forward to the Google Pixel 6 because Google phones are the only Android phone I would really consider getting and it seems like they might be going for something really premium this time.

It used to be that Android phones had things that iPhones didn't have that I might've wanted (SD card, headphone jack, removable battery), now they don't have those things either so the two are more alike than ever before, just depends on build quality and implementation (for example I hate those over-saturated Samsung AMOLED displays with cartoonishly bright reds, I don't get how anyone thinks that looks good--when Apple finally embraced OLED it was obviously superior to me).

There have always been podcast apps on android. When I used android from 2012-2014 I used pocket casts. The app still exists today and is also available on iOS. There are many other apps too. Google have launched their own podcast app. This was a few years ago.

As for reminders. You can set them using the google assistant. Even back in 2014. I could use the google assistant to set reminders.

Android is a customisers dream you can change the entire look of your Home Screen and Lock Screen including icons. You can do similar things on iOS but it’s more clunky and not as easy and involves shortcuts and takes quite a while. On android it can be done in seconds.

iOS is catching up to android. It’s not there yet but it has added a lot of features over the past few years. I think the main ones for me would be split screen apps, live text. Not what they showed at WWDC but where you can get a live transcription of any audio playing on your phone. Also allowing apps to stay open in the back ground for longer. Always on display. A dex like feature.

On the hardware side I’d like a better zoom lens, Apple Pencil support, reverse wireless charging and an in display finger print sensor.

 

[nickdalzell1]

If there's one particular complaint I have with Android (or rather, its apps) it's Google's short attention span on apps lifecycle. Soon as you get used to their apps, they go and kill it and offer a less feature-rich alternative that does the same thing:

Google Notebook > Google Keep
Google Hangouts > Allo/Duo/Messages (this one was rough!)
Google Play Music > YouTube Music (the last straw)

The list goes much farther back, but I can't count on YouTube Music lasting long either, much less any Google product whatsoever, that I just decided to buy all my music, keep things on my device, cut all ties to 'the cloud' and use Samsung apps whenever possible. This is still a major shortcoming with Google/Android, especially for those on stock.

Issues I have with Apple also involve app longevity, but in a different sense. Apple's software and apps running on it have to be so new to work. On my Galaxy Note 10.1 from 2012, and my HTC Thunderbolt from 2011, the original, pre-installed Kindle app will still buy, download and read books. But an iPhone 3G won't even open the last supported Kindle app because it demands a later OS (yes, you can install the 'last supported version' from App Store but now it won't connect). This is only one example, there are tons more.

I don't like being 'forced' to give up what I like and what I get used to in order to keep using what I need. My needs are simple, and I'm stubborn in if I like something the last thing I want is the software version of 'coming into my home and rearranging my furniture'. I am very opposed to change especially when it makes the experience feel like work or frustrating to use. So I keep my apps un-updated, disabled all updates (even going so far as to using a VPN on mobile data that blocks update checks, and router blocks on Wi-Fi to block the same). One of my favorite things is Android lacking updates. After iOS 7 ruined iOS for me I don't want to have it happen again. Even my Galaxy S20 FE is quite skeuomorphic because 1, the theme store is akin to a custom ROM for theming, going far deeper than a simple icon or launcher replacement. 2, older apps from Android 2.3 still run on Android 11. Many of my favorite apps come from the era of 2.3 and CyanogenMod 7.1, one of the best custom ROMs of that time. That choice, that level of respect for geeks like myself and not dumbing down for 'the masses' is why I still have an addiction to Samsung. Every device I have that's branded Samsung Galaxy, from my Note 10.1 (2012) my S4 Mini (2013) to my most current phone, the S20 FE 5G (2020) all work and work nicely. They all have long battery life, reliably make, receive calls and texts, have voice control that beats Siri entirely, play my music, can be remote controls (via wifi or IR) have expandable storage, run whatever age app I like, don't force me to update anything, the list goes on. I also like how my S20 lacks a notch and has almost no bezel.

The best part is, if my S20 gets broken, or I forget to charge the battery one day, or if I just want to use a smaller phone, I can just pick up my S4 Mini and go about my day. Pick a tablet, any tablet--Tab 2 7, Note 8.0, the works. I have no need for updates and all those apps and services work perfectly fine.

Also I've noticed that updated apps can slow down devices because of the increased demand for RAM, CPU and so on. Even though Android's older versions dating back to 5.0 Lollipop can run current versions of most apps, the experience is horrid. I have a Galaxy S5 that can't handle most modern app versions (was using it for Walmart, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Kroger apps, none work well). Meanwhile my Note 10.1 with narry an update to any app preinstalled and running no apps later than 2012 runs perfectly fine. Slowdowns are often caused by this incessant addiction to hitting the 'update' button.

 

[Hastings101]

IMO both Apple's software and Android have gotten pretty stale. I think this year's WWDC is a nice showcase of that (poor iPadOS 15).

Samsung is probably doing the most "innovation" out of everyone in regards to Android (is there anyone left still making Android phones/tablets besides questionable Chinese firms + Google?), but that's not saying much. Seems like the industry has pretty much stabilized and matured across the board to the point where we're looking at tiny improvements over years like with desktop operating systems.

 

[macintoshmac]

Agreed, stock android is exactly what you said. iOS feels and looks clunky, and in terms of features has been very dated.

I'm one of those weirdos who has a mac, an ipad, and Android google pixel phone.

A MacBook Air, an iPhone and a Xiaomi A2 (stock Android). Guess I’m a weirdo too that way! ?

A2 is my business line with a few chat apps and other apps such as news and Medium and such (for reading). The iPhone serves as a personal line with apps for everything else, such as banking, shopping, productivity, writing, etc.

I don’t trust Android with stuff where I need security such as banking apps. I always feel you never know which rogue code is running in background looking for just that content. On iOS I am (maybe falsely) sure that my keystrokes aren’t being logged by some rogue code.

Also not a fan of Google’s user-second approach to privacy. All privacy options would be off by default and you’d have to find them and make sure that tracking and collection is off.

But, about stock Android in general, I’d say it’s plenty fast and fluid on the right hardware. Looks crisp enough. Aspects change with each iteration. On iOS I sense a deliberate lackadaisical approach to releasing features. But the typing and keyboard experience on iOS is far superior to Android.

 

[macintoshmac]

If there's one particular complaint I have with Android (or rather, its apps) it's Google's short attention span on apps lifecycle. Soon as you get used to their apps, they go and kill it and offer a less feature-rich alternative that does the same thing:

Google Notebook > Google Keep
Google Hangouts > Allo/Duo/Messages (this one was rough!)
Google Play Music > YouTube Music (the last straw)

The list goes much farther back, but I can't count on YouTube Music lasting long either, much less any Google product whatsoever, that I just decided to buy all my music, keep things on my device, cut all ties to 'the cloud' and use Samsung apps whenever possible. This is still a major shortcoming with Google/Android, especially for those on stock.

Issues I have with Apple also involve app longevity, but in a different sense. Apple's software and apps running on it have to be so new to work. On my Galaxy Note 10.1 from 2012, and my HTC Thunderbolt from 2011, the original, pre-installed Kindle app will still buy, download and read books. But an iPhone 3G won't even open the last supported Kindle app because it demands a later OS (yes, you can install the 'last supported version' from App Store but now it won't connect). This is only one example, there are tons more.

I don't like being 'forced' to give up what I like and what I get used to in order to keep using what I need. My needs are simple, and I'm stubborn in if I like something the last thing I want is the software version of 'coming into my home and rearranging my furniture'. I am very opposed to change especially when it makes the experience feel like work or frustrating to use. So I keep my apps un-updated, disabled all updates (even going so far as to using a VPN on mobile data that blocks update checks, and router blocks on Wi-Fi to block the same). One of my favorite things is Android lacking updates. After iOS 7 ruined iOS for me I don't want to have it happen again. Even my Galaxy S20 FE is quite skeuomorphic because 1, the theme store is akin to a custom ROM for theming, going far deeper than a simple icon or launcher replacement. 2, older apps from Android 2.3 still run on Android 11. Many of my favorite apps come from the era of 2.3 and CyanogenMod 7.1, one of the best custom ROMs of that time. That choice, that level of respect for geeks like myself and not dumbing down for 'the masses' is why I still have an addiction to Samsung. Every device I have that's branded Samsung Galaxy, from my Note 10.1 (2012) my S4 Mini (2013) to my most current phone, the S20 FE 5G (2020) all work and work nicely. They all have long battery life, reliably make, receive calls and texts, have voice control that beats Siri entirely, play my music, can be remote controls (via wifi or IR) have expandable storage, run whatever age app I like, don't force me to update anything, the list goes on. I also like how my S20 lacks a notch and has almost no bezel.

The best part is, if my S20 gets broken, or I forget to charge the battery one day, or if I just want to use a smaller phone, I can just pick up my S4 Mini and go about my day. Pick a tablet, any tablet--Tab 2 7, Note 8.0, the works. I have no need for updates and all those apps and services work perfectly fine.

Also I've noticed that updated apps can slow down devices because of the increased demand for RAM, CPU and so on. Even though Android's older versions dating back to 5.0 Lollipop can run current versions of most apps, the experience is horrid. I have a Galaxy S5 that can't handle most modern app versions (was using it for Walmart, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Kroger apps, none work well). Meanwhile my Note 10.1 with narry an update to any app preinstalled and running no apps later than 2012 runs perfectly fine. Slowdowns are often caused by this incessant addiction to hitting the 'update' button.

I am wondering if this is a generally sarcastic post, but there is one truth to it. Apps would certainly have run faster on Apple phones today had they not decided to merge the “for iPhone” and “for iPad” apps into one. And they did it with shareholder interest in mind. I can’t imagine they couldn’t have built-in intelligence for App Store to download only the app meant for an iPhone on the iPhone and an iPad on the iPad using the backend without the customer having to choose. But they decided to make universal apps, increasing the size of apps manifold. And no one talks about it.

 

[alien3dx]

A MacBook Air, an iPhone and a Xiaomi A2 (stock Android). Guess I’m a weirdo too that way! ?

A2 is my business line with a few chat apps and other apps such as news and Medium and such (for reading). The iPhone serves as a personal line with apps for everything else, such as banking, shopping, productivity, writing, etc.

I don’t trust Android with stuff where I need security such as banking apps. I always feel you never know which rogue code is running in background looking for just that content. On iOS I am (maybe falsely) sure that my keystrokes aren’t being logged by some rogue code.

Also not a fan of Google’s user-second approach to privacy. All privacy options would be off by default and you’d have to find them and make sure that tracking and collection is off.

But, about stock Android in general, I’d say it’s plenty fast and fluid on the right hardware. Looks crisp enough. Aspects change with each iteration. On iOS I sense a deliberate lackadaisical approach to releasing features. But the typing and keyboard experience on iOS is far superior to Android.

xiomi here -- to many advert , vivo also the same. Sorry i bit scare of china phone these day. Samsung, Nokia a bit more my trust but nokia have long way to go to find it last star.

 

[nickdalzell1]

IMO both Apple's software and Android have gotten pretty stale. I think this year's WWDC is a nice showcase of that (poor iPadOS 15).

Samsung is probably doing the most "innovation" out of everyone in regards to Android (is there anyone left still making Android phones/tablets besides questionable Chinese firms + Google?), but that's not saying much. Seems like the industry has pretty much stabilized and matured across the board to the point where we're looking at tiny improvements over years like with desktop operating systems.

Samsung tablets fare well because Samsung retained what remnants of 'Tablet UI' are left unlike Google/Cheap Tablets at Walmart.

Tablet UI was one of those times in the Jelly Bean era--bottom nav bar, widgets organized specifically for the screen size/width, and certain elements of apps being tuned differently for a tablet vs. a phone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2012) with full Tablet UI

The only remnants remaining once Google pulled support are some of Samsung's own apps which still format differently for tablets vs. phones (namely Samsung Calendar, Samsung Internet, and Samsung Gallery)

They also have far more features than your boring stock cheap tablets. Google has not made an updated Pixel tablet at all lately.

 

[mi7chy]

IMO both Apple's software and Android have gotten pretty stale. I think this year's WWDC is a nice showcase of that (poor iPadOS 15).

Samsung is probably doing the most "innovation" out of everyone in regards to Android (is there anyone left still making Android phones/tablets besides questionable Chinese firms + Google?), but that's not saying much. Seems like the industry has pretty much stabilized and matured across the board to the point where we're looking at tiny improvements over years like with desktop operating systems.

Have to credit Samsung also for spear heading on the design, hardware and software front. Samsung popularized phablets way back, still the only phone with precision pen, design that's copied by the whole industry, innovated OLED also used in iPhones and software features adopted by Google. That said I still think mobile phones matured and peaked out in 2012 with the Galaxy Note II and it's been incremental since then while Apple is still playing catch up. Hyping up phones is like trying to hype up combustion cars so ho hum.

 

[nickdalzell1]

There were other notable features on phones from 2009 as well. The Palm Pre had wireless charging, sliding keyboard, and get this--full gesture navigation! In fact, the guy who designed it also had a part in the Android 9+ gesture navigation as well as the recent apps view, Matias Duarte. He also had a huge role in Holo UX which was the only decent flat UI design in Android from 3.0-4.4.4. I still miss Holo. Even today, Google can't get their heads around what Material Design is, or what it should look like. There was far more consistency during the Holo era in regards to apps and the whole general UI design.

Today, all phones can add are more cameras, larger displays, and gimmicky features such as Wireless PowerShare. I don't understand the latter--my Galaxy Watch can go two-three days per charge, my phone the same. Can't imagine a situation where that 'feature' would come in handy. Mainly because by the time the watch's battery is low, so would be my phone's battery level. Though I couldn't imagine returning to uber size bezels in the future. My S20 FE has spoiled me.

 

[macintoshmac]

xiomi here -- to many advert , vivo also the same. Sorry i bit scare of china phone these day. Samsung, Nokia a bit more my trust but nokia have long way to go to find it last star.

Yes I have heard stories of even Samsung devices coming with Facebook baked in, cannot be removed. It is why I got Android One program Mi A2, it’s got the least bloatware (Feedback app and maybe one more that can’t be removed) but yes I am sure it’s got “code” baked in.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I can uninstall Facebook and the MS Apps from my S20 FE if I wanted to. They came as OTA 'updates' after activation since it's a Straight Talk variant. Straight Talk sideloads OTA a ton of 'useless' apps.

I kinda miss when Samsung included great third party software to avoid the time of setting up a new phone and spending hours on the Play Store. I liked my phones being set up out the gate, with apps I actually use, such as the Samsung apps (I prefer them, they don't depend on the cloud, or change constantly, and offer tons more features over Google's), IMDB, Slacker Radio, Amazon apps, etc. It just saved what would otherwise be hours of reinstalling upon setting up a new phone. I also don't like the Play Store. Changes constantly, kills battery (Play Services drain), and I remember the Android Market which I still feel was superior.

In fact, I was surprised I had to install the Samsung Music player. There was ZERO music player installed on my S20 FE when I got it. I guess everyone is into 'the cloud' and doesn't care about ads or their music suddenly disappearing in a no-signal area or when the service dies in the end (**Cough** Google Play Music **cough** Samsung Milk Music)

 

[macintoshmac]

I can uninstall Facebook and the MS Apps from my S20 FE if I wanted to. They came as OTA 'updates' after activation since it's a Straight Talk variant. Straight Talk sideloads OTA a ton of 'useless' apps.

I kinda miss when Samsung included great third party software to avoid the time of setting up a new phone and spending hours on the Play Store. I liked my phones being set up out the gate, with apps I actually use, such as the Samsung apps (I prefer them, they don't depend on the cloud, or change constantly, and offer tons more features over Google's), IMDB, Slacker Radio, Amazon apps, etc. It just saved what would otherwise be hours of reinstalling upon setting up a new phone. I also don't like the Play Store. Changes constantly, kills battery (Play Services drain), and I remember the Android Market which I still feel was superior.

In fact, I was surprised I had to install the Samsung Music player. There was ZERO music player installed on my S20 FE when I got it. I guess everyone is into 'the cloud' and doesn't care about ads or their music suddenly disappearing in a no-signal area or when the service dies in the end (**Cough** Google Play Music **cough** Samsung Milk Music)

Samsung Milk Music was the naming “courage” Apple couldn’t ever display.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I never grasped why they called it that (or their YouTube clone, Milk Video), but the UI was a wonderful example of how to combine relevant skeuo with flat UI design. That 'dial' interface worked nicely with their round watches, too, using the rotating bezel. Spotify doesn't have nearly that integration, sadly. Milk Music was using Slacker/LivexLive as a front-end so I don't understand why they couldn't have kept it, or made a 'Slacker for Samsung' that brought the dial/rotating bezel back. Milk Music didn't offer anything differently in regards to music stations, as it was just a modified Slacker Radio client, but that interface is something I dearly miss.

When I had an iPhone 3GS, there was some sort of internet radio app that looked very much like a leather-wrapped transistor radio, with a 'dial' for volume (used multi-touch) and a tuning 'knob' that switched between internet stations, shown in an 'LCD display'. Milk Music kinda brought that memory back in a modern fashion, and I loved it. There are many rumors why Samsung killed it, ranging from no ad revenue (it lacked Slacker's ads, usually using that time frame for a bumper 'Samsung Milk Music! Powered by Slacker!'), to the bad name, to Slacker killing its license with Samsung, to Samsung preferring Spotify, but who knows the real reason. Slacker still works, and both apps were free to use, so there should be no reason that Milk Music can't work. I wish my S5 still had the app (it got removed in Android 6.0) so I could play with VPNs attempting to revive it.

 

[mi7chy]

Maybe something contextually lost in direct language translation. Have to get someone fluent in both languages to explain.

 

[MacDividend]

I think Android is in decline, at least for what I want to be the main features in a new phone when I get my next phone. My next phone will be a phone that focuses on privacy. There does seem to be a growing number of people who are caring more about privacy. At least in the circles that I am in. Here is an interesting article that lists the top four phones for privacy, but I am most interested in Purism.