Anybody here have an Android phone to go with an iPad and a Mac?

[saintforlife]

Like the subject says, does anyone here use an Android device as their smartphone, but have an iPad and a Mac for their other computing devices? If so, do you feel that you miss out on anything being in a mixed ecosystem like that? Do you wish you'd be better off having an iPhone to round out the ecosystems?

But if you have an Android phone, but use Apple devices elsewhere, what makes to do that? What about the Android phone makes you want a different OS just for your phone?

 

[Lloydbm41]

I am currently using a 2014 Moto X (Pure Edition, so no carrier branding or bloatware), along with my iPad Air 2 and my iMac. No, I have zero issues. I can plug my phone right up to my computer and transfer any file on to my phone or off it to my Mac. Or I can use Pushbullet, to do it wirelessly. I also have an iPhone 6, and love it, but quite frankly, it is too limiting for my needs.

I also use an external NAS on my Mac for Plex and have all of my videos play to my Amazon Fire TV. Occasionally I also use a Chromecast or my Roku 3, and very rarely my ATV3.

Basically, I am OS agnostic and choose the tool that fits best for my needs at the time.

 

[mrex]

win8.1/osx, oneplus one, air2/Note... no issues at all. well i couldnt get icloud working on my win laptop so i ditched it. not a huge problem though, i prefer Drive and WD NAS. Same as above, my android tv box works well with my air2 and i can control it by my ipad too (google remote app from appstore (usa)). no needs for atv, or iphone either. would i like to have an ecosystem? no way, where would be choices then?

 

[MRU]

Like the subject says, does anyone here use an Android device as their smartphone, but have an iPad and a Mac for their other computing devices? If so, do you feel that you miss out on anything being in a mixed ecosystem like that? Do you wish you'd be better off having an iPhone to round out the ecosystems?

But if you have an Android phone, but use Apple devices elsewhere, what makes to do that? What about the Android phone makes you want a different OS just for your phone?

Surely that statement and premise of the thread is an oxymoron.

You can not miss out by having access to more stores / ecosystems over having access to one; which does not 'round out' the ecosystem but 'limits' you to it.

 

[apolloa]

I have had Mac computers for a few years now but have had iPads and Android phones and Android tablets. And as said above you gain a lot and lose nothing. You also have an open mind on platform discussions, something some on here never have.

Sure you can have seenmless this and that, but I don't use my computer for phone calls and text messages, its for email. I have never once felt I was losing out because I choose to have Apple and Android, I have onle ever felt I have gained because of it.

 

[nj-morris]

Not an android phone, but I have a BlackBerry Z10 to go with my iPad. Hate it. I got an iPod Touch as well, because I wanted something that worked, but I will likely be replacing both of them with an iPhone 6 Plus or 6S Plus in October.

 

[jamezr]

Surely that statement and premise of the thread is an oxymoron.

You can not miss out by having access to more stores / ecosystems over having access to one; which does not 'round out' the ecosystem but 'limits' you to it.

LOL.......very well said MRU. Since we have access to more choices and more apps there is no missing out. quite to opposite.

 

[iSheep5S]

Mac, android phone and tablet, although my tablet is rarely used. Also Windows.

The only thing i sync is photos, calendar and notes. Google photos, google calendar which syncs somehow with Samsung calendar... and google keep.

Apple may not share their apps but google does.

 

[SurferMan]

Been using Macs and Android for years, no problem synching, and prefer that combo better then iPhones. Even wife switched to an S5 which I never thought would happen lol. Apple eco means nothing to me, got rid of iPads and Apple TV long ago, have an Android tablet and home theatre/media streaming that destroys Apple TV for everything. But I love my Macs.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Same here. Have been using an iPhone, an Android phone, iPad, Android Tablet, Mac and PCs at the same time for quite a while. No problems, on the contrary.

 

[JackieInCo]

Retina Mini, 6+, 5S, Note 4, Note Edge, Nexus 7, 15"MBP, Mac Mini

I use the Android phones just as much as my iPhones. The funny thing is with the Android phones, I rarely use them for music although I have all my iTunes music in Google Music.

I've bought apps on both systems and for the most part, apps are identical on either system. I'll probably always have phones from either Android or Apple.

 

[sracer]

Like the subject says, does anyone here use an Android device as their smartphone, but have an iPad and a Mac for their other computing devices? If so, do you feel that you miss out on anything being in a mixed ecosystem like that? Do you wish you'd be better off having an iPhone to round out the ecosystems?

But if you have an Android phone, but use Apple devices elsewhere, what makes to do that? What about the Android phone makes you want a different OS just for your phone?

I have a Sharp Aquos Crystal phone and use an iPad, iPod, iMac, and Macbook Air. Am I missing out by not having an iPhone? Nope. I've owned iPhones in the past and have found that for how I use my phone the premium paid for an iPhone is not financially worth it.

I don't do cell contracts so dishing out $749 for a 64GB iPhone 6 is too much for a phone.

 

[ozaz]

I was all in on Apple for a few years, but it didn't feel right for me. More satisfied now with my cross-platform setup:

- Windows PCs (desktop software needs + prefer Windows multitasking)
- Android Phone (large hardware choice, price point choice, widgets, app drawer)
- iPad (best tablet apps, 4:3 ratio)

Cross platform is easy because of the high quality of cross platform apps and services out there which don't seem to be significantly bettered by staying single platform. For example, on each platform I easily make use of various Google and Microsoft services, Dropbox, Whatsapp, Pushbullett, 1Password, Feedly, Pocket, and Deezer. The cross platform nature of Sonos is also a factor reducing my desire to be all Apple (lesser draw of Airplay).

 

[Robisan]

Macbook Pro, Moto X 2014 and Nexus 7 2013. Don't use the Apple ecosystem or iTunes. Google sync of contacts and calendar works fine on all three. Play Music and Dropbox for access to and/or moving files. Really no problems, works fine. Love my Moto X and Nexus 7. OSX is mediocre and Apple software is horrid (a 12 year old version of MS Works is more functional than Pages and Numbers), but the retina display is beautiful and until Windows fixes scaling on high-res screens (one thing Apple gets right) I'll stick with MBPr.

 

[MRU]

Macbook Pro, Moto X 2014 and Nexus 7 2013. Don't use the Apple ecosystem or iTunes. Google sync of contacts and calendar works fine on all three. Play Music and Dropbox for access to and/or moving files. Really no problems, works fine. Love my Moto X and Nexus 7. OSX is mediocre and Apple software is horrid (a 12 year old version of MS Works is more functional than Pages and Numbers), but the retina display is beautiful and until Windows fixes scaling on high-res screens (one thing Apple gets right) I'll stick with MBPr.

Actually iWork 09 is more functional and arguably a better product than the current iWork suite.

MS Office 2016 thankfully is shaping up to be a great revision however with finally decent cross platform compatibility.

Yep Windows & moreover 3rd party apps on windows are still lagging way behind in HiDPi support. It's the reason I ended up getting rid of my Surface Pro 2 despite liking the hardware.

 

[tbayrgs]

Surely that statement and premise of the thread is an oxymoron.

You can not miss out by having access to more stores / ecosystems over having access to one; which does not 'round out' the ecosystem but 'limits' you to it.

While I certainly don't disagree with your comment MRU, I think the OP's choice of words weren't optimal for his intention. He can certainly correct me if I'm making an incorrect assumption, but I believe he was talking about missing out on certain advantages present by staying within the Apple ecosystem, things like syncing of iMessage across all Apple devices, handoff and continuity, Family sharing, etc. The same can be said about Android and Google services. For instance, while I have access to Google Now on my iOS devices, it's a neutered version, far less functional and useful. The consistency of the experience when using an Android phone and tablet is far better vs. a mix of iOS/Android.

Of course using multiple platforms affords one whatever's available across all of them yet you can actually lose some function by doing so, if you value those aspects specific only to that respective platform.

 

[BigRed1]

I have a crappy Android phone (lg l90), a retina iPad and a Mac mini. I hate my phone, but what can you expect for under $100 off contract? I do wish I had an iPhone, but I also understand the draw of Android beyond price. I'm really just waiting at this point for a family member to upgrade from a 5s so I can snag that from them, then I'm going back to all apple all the time.

 

[saintforlife]

While I certainly don't disagree with your comment MRU, I think the OP's choice of words weren't optimal for his intention. He can certainly correct me if I'm making an incorrect assumption, but I believe he was talking about missing out on certain advantages present by staying within the Apple ecosystem, things like syncing of iMessage across all Apple devices, handoff and continuity, Family sharing, etc.

You read my mind correctly. I admit the OP could have been worded better.

 

[ozaz]

You read my mind correctly. I admit the OP could have been worded better.

Out of curiosity, for how long have you had an all Apple set of devices (assuming that's the case)?

I switched away from Apple-all-in a couple of years ago (prior to the release of handoff and continuity) and wonder how big an impact handoff and continuity have had on desire to keep everything Apple? In other words, is the desire to stay all-Apple stronger than two years ago?

 

[daveathall]

I have a MBP and a iPad Mini, they work well (for me) with my Nexus 6.

 

[Razeus]

All my hardware is Apple, but I'm feeling more and more that to go multi-device.

The iPhone just can't do some basic stuff I feel it should be able to do buy now. Plus I'm damn near using all of Google's services anyway with Photos, Maps, and GMail. Siri will always be behind Google Now. So I think a Google phone would be a better device for mobile use. I always feel like I'm walled off.

I'll stick with the iPad since I use if for consuming media, processing photos, and writing. It's great for that.

I'll probably get rid of the iMac and go for a Windows desktop for gaming and photo processing. Don't know. I can always by a console for games.

But I do foresee me changing phones just based on a productivity stand point. We'll see when iOS 9 + 6S Plus launches.

 

[tbayrgs]

Out of curiosity, for how long have you had an all Apple set of devices (assuming that's the case)?

I switched away from Apple-all-in a couple of years ago (prior to the release of handoff and continuity) and wonder how big an impact handoff and continuity have had on desire to keep everything Apple? In other words, is the desire to stay all-Apple stronger than two years ago?

Probably depends on one's work habits, and quite honestly, what your colleagues, friends, and family use. I mentioned the latter because, as an example, it greatly influences my decision to use predominantly Apple devices. I'd estimate at least 90% of my regular contacts also use iPhones (and other Apple gear). Interacting with other Apple users is often seamless (sharing photos via iCloud Photo sharing, AirDrop--yes, I actually use this all the time, FaceTime--I actually use FaceTime Audio a lot as the audio quality is far superior to traditional cell calls).

The latest functionality to really lock up my ties to Apple for now is Family Sharing. My wife and 3 kids all have their own devices (variety of laptops, iPads, and iPhones) and Apple's Family Sharing makes managing accounts far easier. And now Apple Music offering a family subscription that is tied right to Family Sharing, we've now moved to Apple Music from Google Play All Access as Google's limitations (no family sharing and device limits) make using it a no-go.

I like a lot about Android and if it was just me, I could use either OS without reservation. Considering I'm often dealing with many people far less verse in technology, using Apple makes my life quite a bit less complicated.

 

[Razeus]

My best is to keep using Apple hardware, with Google services, and Microsoft software.

 

[JaySoul]

I do. LG G4, iPad 4 and MacBook Pro.

It's not that bad a transition, and there are very few things I miss.

I do miss syncing properly with iTunes and having a full backup.

I used to miss Photos, but now I use Google Photos which is awesome. Google Play Music also does the job well (although mine has gone a bit haywire recently).

Tbh I'm starting to dislike my MacBook more and more. If I didn't need it for music creation/DJing, I'd treat it like an occasional desktop, and go buy a Chromebook. My MacBook is giving me more and more hassles as the year wears on.

 

[LadyX]

S6 Edge, MBPr, iPad Mini 2.

They all work great together