Mobile OSs Android is better - How I fell in love with Android and how you can too (blog post)

[srkmish]

Not ironic at all. As others have mentioned, I'd guess that nearly all posters in this subforum use Apple products. I actually find this to be the best place to discuss non-iOS devices, especially as they relate to iOS/OS X because everyone here likely has had an iPhone at some point or has familiarity with using non-iOS devices with a Mac.

I personally have a lot of Apple gear, use an Android phone, a Chrome OS laptop and am keeping my eye out for a quality Windows 8 convertible tablet (waiting to see more use of the Haswell processor before deciding).

+1. I came here as a apple user but was surprised to see such a great forum for alternative os'. In fact, its better as people posting here have multiple perspective having owned more than 1 os. In some android only forums, they have such anti apple agenda it makes me cringe. I see a lot of intellectual discussion here and find it the "best" place to discuss non os products as well.

 

[srkmish]

The GS4 is made from plastic but it's built very well. Just because you don't like the feel of a certain material doesn't mean a product suffers from low build quality.

The testament to a product's build quality is not dictated by the build materials alone.

How many GS4's bend in pockets, or blemish from basic handling?

I would say plenty. The following thread with over 50 members experiencing internal screen damage has me worried about getting a S4.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287882

 

[Technarchy]

I would say plenty. The following thread with over 50 members experiencing internal screen damage has me worried about getting a S4.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287882

I'm aware of that thread, which would lead one to conclude that Samsung and Apple have the exact same build quality even if one is plastic and one is aluminum, which in turn negates the notation that metal and glass is somehow indicative of a higher standard.

 

[Explicitic]

I would say plenty. The following thread with over 50 members experiencing internal screen damage has me worried about getting a S4.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287882

With any sort of electronic device, there will always be a few with defects. Samsung has sold over 20 million S4 devices at this point. That means even if 100 people had that problem, it's a 0.000005% failure rate. This is especially true with hard drives. You will always have those few hundred or thousand failures but it's still a very low rate.

 

[Wrathwitch]

People here do love an "Android vs iOS" discussion so what do people think of this blog post by Paul Stamatio?

http://paulstamatiou.com/android-is-better

He does have some valid points and the intents system is one of my must loved Android features but not all of those will be enough to make everyone switch.

What do you think on the piece?

Great article!

It really makes me feel down about Android handset manufacturers not making smaller devices though. I plan on downsizing in the future and I don't want to buy a "entry level" phone. I want a smaller Android phone (4.5" and below) with flagship specs! Oh.. yeah and it has to be available in Canada! I have yet to own a phone that beats my iPhone camera and BT noise cancellation for hands free in a car though. That would be icing on the cake.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Public Service Announcement

Android just got a ton better with this app:

Gesture up to go home from anywhere, any app, any time. Very reliable.

Just like Zephyr on Jailbroken iOS, except without the need to root, and is cheaper. You just have to be on 4.1 and higher. Free 7 day trial, 99 cents after that.

Seriously, this app rocks. Credit to member GreenTwo for finding it:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matthewma.swipehomebuttonfree&hl=en

This app essentially makes any Android phone (4.1+) a near fully gesture-based phone. I have swipe up to go home, swipe left to pull down my notification bar, and swipe right to go to recent apps.

It also helps with large screen devices. No longer do you have to reach to pull down your notification menu. Sweet candy.

I just bought the app. I can now gesture up-down to shut the screen off and put the device to lock/sleep. You just have to bind one of the gestures to this app (or anything similar): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock&hl=en

SO AWESOME.

 

[Sensamic]

Public Service Announcement

Android just got a ton better with this app:

Gesture up to go home from anywhere, any app, any time. Very reliable.

Just like Zephyr on Jailbroken iOS, except without the need to root, and is cheaper. You just have to be on 4.1 and higher. Free 7 day trial, 99 cents after that.

Seriously, this app rocks. Credit to member GreenTwo for finding it:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matthewma.swipehomebuttonfree&hl=en

This app essentially makes any Android phone (4.1+) a near fully gesture-based phone. I have swipe up to go home, swipe left to pull down my notification bar, and swipe right to go to recent apps.

It also helps with large screen devices. No longer do you have to reach to pull down your notification menu. Sweet candy.

I just bought the app. I can now gesture up-down to shut the screen off and put the device to lock/sleep. You just have to bind one of the gestures to this app (or anything similar): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock&hl=en

SO AWESOME.

Thanks for the advice! Awesome app indeed!

Even better if you do the trick to turn off the screen like you said. I have the screen off icon on my homescreen.

No need to use the physical home button of my SGS3 ever again!!

 

[onthecouchagain]

Thanks for the advice! Awesome app indeed!

Even better if you do the trick to turn off the screen like you said. I have the screen off icon on my homescreen.

No need to use the physical home button of my SGS3 ever again!!

Credit goes to member Greentwo. He's the one that turned me onto the app in another thread.

Gesturing on the One feels so good. Up-down to turn off the device is awesome.

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The only thing I see it having trouble with is the pull down notification action.

For whatever reason, I often have to gesture twice to get the notification to pull down. I'm wondering if it's because the pull down notification action isn't a "button." It's actually a gesture itself (swipe from top to pull down the menu).

So in other words, it's a gesture of a gesture, which may be causing problems? I'm not sure.

Everything else, however, works splendidly and reliable. Gesture up for home; gesture right for recent apps, gesture up-down to sleep the device. I love it.

Might have to reconsider the gesture left for the notification pull down, though. Hm.

 

[blairh]

People here do love an "Android vs iOS" discussion so what do people think of this blog post by Paul Stamatio?

http://paulstamatiou.com/android-is-better

He does have some valid points and the intents system is one of my must loved Android features but not all of those will be enough to make everyone switch.

What do you think on the piece?

I like his site. He seems pretty bright.

If the iPhone had a 5" screen and a notification light I'd consider going back. I'd also like to see an official Google Music app on iOS at some point. The 3rd party ones aren't as good as the official Android one.

 

[Shanghaichica]

+1. I came here as a apple user but was surprised to see such a great forum for alternative os'. In fact, its better as people posting here have multiple perspective having owned more than 1 os. In some android only forums, they have such anti apple agenda it makes me cringe. I see a lot of intellectual discussion here and find it the "best" place to discuss non os products as well.

I agree with this. Although I came here as a user of both Apple and Android devices I find this a better place to discuss both platforms. Some of the Android supporters I have come across elsewhere are just ridiculous in terms of their Apple hatred. Some of the stuff they say has no basis in fact at all. Now I've also seen some Apple fanboys who were pretty lame as well but I felt sorry for them because I think they really believe in what they are saying.

 

[Stuntman06]

Serious question, do you buy your phone to look at it or to use it? I'm really at a loss because I don't understand this fascination with the exterior of a device you'll most likely cover with plastic anyway. It seems so superficial to me.

I actually understand the fascination with the exterior of a device. It makes a good first impression. The first time I got a chance to really use an iPhone 4, I was impressed with its appearance. I know enough about phones that appearances alone isn't going to sell me. I think for many people, appearances do make an impact.

 

[ceva321]

I loved the article..I agree with the author 100%

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Serious question, do you buy your phone to look at it or to use it? I'm really at a loss because I don't understand this fascination with the exterior of a device you'll most likely cover with plastic anyway. It seems so superficial to me.

Good questing. ..I bought my GNote2 be cause it is the best phone I have ever used (yes I do own an iphone too).

Most iphone users cover their phones with ugly bulky plastic cases.

 

[MindsEye]

Very good read i was actually surprised at how quickly i fell in love with Android. Being exclusively on iOS, i thought i was in for quite a culture shock but it literally took me a few hours to get settled. Outside of the Appstore and iMessages, i was never fully engrossed in the apple ecosystem (itunes, ibooks, airplay etc.) and the vast majority of my apps i use either had android versions or a suitable equivalent. For the time being i see myself sticking with android for my phone usage and iOS when it comes to tablets.

On the subject of design, i cant deny that it weighs in on my purchasing decision but its far from the determining factor. If it looks good, durable and well thought out i.e button/slot placement are the things i tend to look out for. I always buy some form of case for my devices so the material is mostly irrelevant.

 

[Technarchy]

Paul Stamatio?

Who?

 

[FrankB1191]

Does the Android music player still suck? I had several Android devices, and going back to an album/artist list meant going back to the very first one on the list, and not the spot I was at. When I tried my first Apple device, I was sold when I going back didn't mean scrolling through 200 albums.

 

[JH-]

If the iPhone had a 5" screen and a notification light I'd consider going back. I'd also like to see an official Google Music app on iOS at some point. The 3rd party ones aren't as good as the official Android one.

I'm still stuck on a 4S for those reasons. No newer iPhone has offered anything I want to entice me to upgrade. I tried android and really wanted to like it. The S4 just had too many annoyances in everyday operation for me to stick with it.

 

[blairh]

I'm still stuck on a 4S for those reasons. No newer iPhone has offered anything I want to entice me to upgrade. I tried android and really wanted to like it. The S4 just had too many annoyances in everyday operation for me to stick with it.

Curious as to what those annoyances were for you.

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Does the Android music player still suck? I had several Android devices, and going back to an album/artist list meant going back to the very first one on the list, and not the spot I was at. When I tried my first Apple device, I was sold when I going back didn't mean scrolling through 200 albums.

What exactly do you mean by 'Android Music Player'? IMO the Google Music app is superior to the Music app on iOS.

 

[JH-]

Curious as to what those annoyances were for you.

The bezel at the bottom and sides was too small for me. I have rather small and fat fingers so I kept hitting keys when trying to go back. The small side bezels also led to my palm hitting things when reaching across the screen. I use my left hand for my phone.

I also didn't enjoy the heat it generated while on phone calls or searching the web. Part of my job necessitates being on the phone and I can't have a pocket or ear heater for a phone.

It's a shame because the size of the screen and a lack of bezel was initially what drew me to the GS4. Now that I'm back on a 4S I really miss the notification light, screen size, and overall customization of android. It just fell slightly short in a couple of key areas for me.

 

[FrankB1191]

I'm referring to the default music player that came with all my Android devices, that holds all of my stored albums and artists. I never tried a Google music app, just the stock player included with the devices.

 

[blairh]

The bezel at the bottom and sides was too small for me. I have rather small and fat fingers so I kept hitting keys when trying to go back. The small side bezels also led to my palm hitting things when reaching across the screen. I use my left hand for my phone.

I also didn't enjoy the heat it generated while on phone calls or searching the web. Part of my job necessitates being on the phone and I can't have a pocket or ear heater for a phone.

It's a shame because the size of the screen and a lack of bezel was initially what drew me to the GS4. Now that I'm back on a 4S I really miss the notification light, screen size, and overall customization of android. It just fell slightly short in a couple of key areas for me.

Not sure if you are on AT&T but the Active's physical buttons might help you in this regard. Personally I don't notice my S4 getting any hotter than previous iPhone's I used. If the S4 doesn't work for you you might want to try out other Android phones. There are many good flagships and another model might be the right fit for you. Just a thought.

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I'm referring to the default music player that came with all my Android devices, that holds all of my stored albums and artists. I never tried a Google music app, just the stock player included with the devices.

I'm pretty new to Android so I'm not familiar with any stock Android music player. Usually OEM's all have different Music apps by default. I can vouch for how good the Google Music app is though.

 

[cleanup]

I'm referring to the default music player that came with all my Android devices, that holds all of my stored albums and artists. I never tried a Google music app, just the stock player included with the devices.

I guess it would depend on which phone manufacturer it was; everyone has slightly different music apps (though some of the newer ones are basically just skins of Google Music).

Try the Google Music app and you'll be pleasantly surprised. You can use a little programme called iSyncr to sync iTunes to it if need be.

 

[Dr McKay]

I'm referring to the default music player that came with all my Android devices, that holds all of my stored albums and artists. I never tried a Google music app, just the stock player included with the devices.

Each manufacturer has their own Music App. The only true stock Android music app is the Google Play Music App. I think there might have been a stock app in Android 2.2/2.3 though

 

[FrankB1191]

These were all Samsung tablet and Galaxy Player devices. The only one I have left is the Tab 7, so I'll have to dig it out of a drawer, and try out the Google app.

 

[JH-]

Not sure if you are on AT&T but the Active's physical buttons might help you in this. If the S4 doesn't work for you you might want to try out other Android phones. There are many good flagships and another model might be the right fit for you.

I'm not on AT&T so it would be a stretch to get an active. I also have heard bad reviews about their waterproofing and durability.

I looked at the other flagships and they all had something I didn't like. I think I'm going to wait for the next nexus device to come out. Hopefully with LTE and more storage.

 

[blairh]

I'm not on AT&T so it would be a stretch to get an active. I also have heard bad reviews about their waterproofing and durability.

I looked at the other flagships and they all had something I didn't like. I think I'm going to wait for the next nexus device to come out. Hopefully with LTE and more storage.

I would concede that the Active's water resistance is a complicated issue. Then again I don't think that alone is a reason not to get it. If you aren't on AT&T and don't want to switch carriers then that is a more valid reason.

September and October should bring a fair share of worthy flagships for sure.