Could Apple really lose the race?

[Flux.Capacitor]

Why do I need to test an Android phone extensively?
As I said, the iPhone is not "blah" for me, it meets all my needs and then some
And it works well in my current work flow with my MBA and iPad

If it does everything I want and more and I am perfectly satisfied and happy with it (including screen size), why should I test an Android device?

I have, by the way, tested an S3 and a Nexus
They were fine and had a lot to offer
But I saw no compelling reason to change at all
They are nice phones for some people who are looking for that feature set
I am not

I am not one who is looking for a larger screen
I don't stream movies to my phone or play games

I don't care to spend my time tweaking this or that
And I don't want any widgets, themes or other stuff

Yes, I get called a fanboy, idiot, blind loyalist, iSheep because I don't want the things others want
Frankly, none of that bothers me in the least
I get the device I want because of my reasons, not anyone else's, and not Apple's... mine

So far, Apple's devices meet my needs better than anything else on the market
As long as that is the case, I will continue to buy their products
When that changes, I will change
But not until then

I feel the same exact way. For me, the iPhone is exactly what I'm looking for. Aside from the reasons you stated, not needing to "tweak" or "root" the device:

- I actually prefer to be in a "walled garden". It keeps me from worrying whether I will install a malware app.
- My iPhone works very well with my other iDevices; ATV, MBP, iPad etc.
- I usually have first pick of any Apps that are developed, they are always available for iOS.

some people need/want all the extra stuff you get with Android. I have nothing against it, but there's nothing there that I would need or want at this point.

 

[dgree03]

I feel the same exact way. For me, the iPhone is exactly what I'm looking for. Aside from the reasons you stated, not needing to "tweak" or "root" the device:

- I actually prefer to be in a "walled garden". It keeps me from worrying whether I will install a malware app.
- My iPhone works very well with my other iDevices; ATV, MBP, iPad etc.
- I usually have first pick of any Apps that are developed, they are always available for iOS.

some people need/want all the extra stuff you get with Android. I have nothing against it, but there's nothing there that I would need or want at this point.

I respect your opinion, but the other side of me thinks "Why are you OK with spending $199 for less features"

I can get a Galaxy S3 or and iPhone 4s for $199. To me, feature for feature, Galaxy S3 is the best bang for my buck.

It sometimes seems that people are OK with mediocrity from Apple, I am not!

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I respect your opinion, but the other side of me thinks "Why are you OK with spending $199 for less features"

I can get a Galaxy S3 or and iPhone 4s for $199. To me, feature for feature, Galaxy S3 is the best bang for my buck.

It sometimes seems that people are OK with mediocrity from Apple, I am not!

It's called fear of the unknown.

 

[Rennir]

I respect your opinion, but the other side of me thinks "Why are you OK with spending $199 for less features"

I can get a Galaxy S3 or and iPhone 4s for $199. To me, feature for feature, Galaxy S3 is the best bang for my buck.

It sometimes seems that people are OK with mediocrity from Apple, I am not!

To be fair, not all features are created equal and therefore if people don't need the extra features that the GS3 offers, then they'd go with the iPhone. It's also important how the features are implemented, how easy they are to use, how well the phone integrates with the rest of your technology, etc. There's so many factors to consider that there is no "feature for feature" bottom line.

 

[MacDawg]

It's called fear of the unknown.

What a ridiculous statement
What do I have to be afraid of?

Some people prefer the iPhone and have no need for the features Android users value so highly

I prefer the smaller screen
I prefer iOS

Its called choice, and I make mine freely knowing both sides of the equation

 

[dgree03]

What a ridiculous statement
What do I have to be afraid of?

Some people prefer the iPhone and have no need for the features Android users value so highly

I prefer the smaller screen
I prefer iOS

Its called choice, and I make mine freely knowing both sides of the equation

So you won't be buying the new iPhone (Rumored 4in screen)

 

[MacDawg]

So you won't be buying the new iPhone (Rumored 4in screen)

I haven't decided since I have the 4s and I will not be eligible for a full upgrade
But the screen is still "smaller"

I have no need for a 4.5 or bigger screen
I like the ability to use my phone with one hand and do so often

Would I buy an iPhone if it went to 4.5?
Probably, if there wasn't a smaller option
I would still prefer iOS over Android

It isn't just about screen size
It is the whole user experience and work flow

 

[Calidude]

What a ridiculous statement
What do I have to be afraid of?

Some people prefer the iPhone and have no need for the features Android users value so highly

I prefer the smaller screen
I prefer iOS

Its called choice, and I make mine freely knowing both sides of the equation

I'm a huge iOS basher, and even I can respect somebody's decision to be in a walled garden. There's no need for you to go Android if you are fully content with iPhone.

The people who say there's nothing wrong with iPhone however...

 

[Geckotek]

I respect your opinion, but the other side of me thinks "Why are you OK with spending $199 for less features"

I can get a Galaxy S3 or and iPhone 4s for $199. To me, feature for feature, Galaxy S3 is the best bang for my buck.

It sometimes seems that people are OK with mediocrity from Apple, I am not!

See, and I would call the S3 mediocrity. It all depends on what measuring stick you're using. You find certain things more important that I do and there are things I find more important. This is why we are drawn to different phones. Your mediocrity is my thoughtfully designed device that works well for my needs.

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I'm a huge iOS basher, and even I can respect somebody's decision to be in a walled garden. There's no need for you to go Android if you are fully content with iPhone.

The people who say there's nothing wrong with iPhone however...

 

[MacDawg]

I'm a huge iOS basher, and even I can respect somebody's decision to be in a walled garden. There's no need for you to go Android if you are fully content with iPhone.

The people who say there's nothing wrong with iPhone however...

I can understand why there are people who prefer Android over the iPhone
There are many, many reasons someone would make that choice
Screen size, tweaks, themes, widgets, customization, etc.

I don't think that means there is something "wrong" with the iPhone
I think that means they are different, and have different target audiences, etc.

The iPhone and iOS are both evolving products and will continue to improve with new features and implementations
So will Android

Choice is good, and I am glad to have the choice
If there was no iPhone, I would probably use a Nexus
But I wouldn't be near as happy with it as I am my iPhone

 

[dgree03]

See, and I would call the S3 mediocrity. It all depends on what measuring stick you're using. You find certain things more important that I do and there are things I find more important. This is why we are drawn to different phones. Your mediocrity is my thoughtfully designed device that works well for my needs.

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That works if you can name things that iPhone 4S/iOS 5 can do that the Galaxy S3/ICS cant? I can tell you from very recent experience... nothing.

 

[Geckotek]

The people who say there's nothing wrong with iPhone however...

I don't think that means there is something "wrong" with the iPhone

I think you could point out something "wrong" with any device. None of them are perfect. But I think it would be interesting to measure the amount of bugs and such found in each device. In my experience, Apple has required fewer resets and such compared to other devices I've used and tested.

That being said, you use the phone that fits your needs/wants the most closely.

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That works if you can name things that iPhone 4S/iOS 5 can do that the Galaxy S3/ICS cant? I can tell you from very recent experience... nothing.

No, it's works if you say that there are things the iPhone can do more intuitively or less buggy, which I can say for a fact, there are.

But you also completely ignored the point of my post, which is that different things are important to different people.

 

[dgree03]

I can understand why there are people who prefer Android over the iPhone
There are many, many reasons someone would make that choice
Screen size, tweaks, themes, widgets, customization, etc.

I don't think that means there is something "wrong" with the iPhone
I think that means they are different, and have different target audiences, etc.

The iPhone and iOS are both evolving products and will continue to improve with new features and implementations
So will Android

Choice is good, and I am glad to have the choice
If there was no iPhone, I would probably use a Nexus
But I wouldn't be near as happy with it as I am my iPhone

I just can't wrap my head around why it takes apple so long to move the iPhone forward? Why is it consistently lagging in features compared to Android? I like iOS, I owned a 4S up until 2 weeks ago and I still own an iPad 3... but it bothers the hell out of me that they spoon feed. Why why why...

 

[Calidude]

Choice is good, and I am glad to have the choice
If there was no iPhone, I would probably use a Nexus
But I wouldn't be near as happy with it as I am my iPhone

That's where I agree with iPhone users, as I used to be one.

You can't say you're pro-choice if you don't respect somebody's choice to stay in a walled garden.

On the other hand, I do get upset with iPhone users who say things like:

"We don't need the choice to turn calls into notifications that show up at the top of your screen when you are using your phone so as to not interrupt you! Apple does it the right way by taking your your ENTIRE screen with a calling screen when using the phone!"

Those people may be exercising their choice to be in a walled garden, but to claim that the Apple way is better than an array of choices Apple could offer users is just plain...crazy.

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I just can't wrap my head around why it takes apple so long to move the iPhone forward? Why is it consistently lagging in features compared to Android? I like iOS, I owned a 4S up until 2 weeks ago and I still own an iPad 3... but it bothers the hell out of me that they spoon feed. Why why why...

iPhone is guilty of a LOT of lack of innovation, but Android has some bad points too:

For example: How can a company that has a HUGE framework such as Google Maps not have built-in the ability for an Android user to "find their Android" and wipe it or make it ring, etc?

 

[dgree03]

I think you could point out something "wrong" with any device. None of them are perfect. But I think it would be interesting to measure the amount of bugs and such found in each device. In my experience, Apple has required fewer resets and such compared to other devices I've used and tested.

That being said, you use the phone that fits your needs/wants the most closely.

----------



No, it's works if you say that there are things the iPhone can do more intuitively or less buggy, which I can say for a fact, there are.

What is intuitive about changing setting of an app in the setting.app instead of the app itself?

What is intuitive about not being able to attach pictures to email from the email app(iOS6 fixes this slightly, it is now just limited to pictures)

What is intuitive about have multiple instances of a file because my apps don't talk to each other?

So on, So on....

 

[MacDawg]

I just can't wrap my head around why it takes apple so long to move the iPhone forward? Why is it consistently lagging in features compared to Android? I like iOS, I owned a 4S up until 2 weeks ago and I still own an iPad 3... but it bothers the hell out of me that they spoon feed. Why why why...

I can't think of a single feature Android has that would make me long for it to be on my iPhone

 

[Geckotek]

I just can't wrap my head around why it takes apple so long to move the iPhone forward? Why is it consistently lagging in features compared to Android? I like iOS, I owned a 4S up until 2 weeks ago and I still own an iPad 3... but it bothers the hell out of me that they spoon feed. Why why why...

Well let's list the specific features you're so worried about the iPhone not having. I'm sure we can't explain them all (nobody here works on the iPhone design team) but I'm guessing some of them have some logical explations based on what we know of Apple....such as LTE.

 

[dgree03]

That's where I agree with iPhone users, as I used to be one.

You can't say you're pro-choice if you don't respect somebody's choice to stay in a walled garden.

On the other hand, I do get upset with iPhone users who say things like:

Those people may be exercising their choice to be in a walled garden, but to claim that the Apple way is better than an array of choices Apple could offer users is just plain...dumb.

----------


iPhone is guilty of a LOT of lack of innovation, but Android has some bad points too:

For example: How can a company that has a HUGE framework such as Google Maps not have built-in the ability for an Android user to "find their Android" and wipe it or make it ring, etc?

That is absolutely mind boggling to me also... but on the other hand there are other apps that can do this for you. I would agree, a Google setup would be a lot cleaner.

 

[Geckotek]

What is intuitive about changing setting of an app in the setting.app instead of the app itself?

What is intuitive about not being able to attach pictures to email from the email app(iOS6 fixes this slightly, it is now just limited to pictures)

What is intuitive about have multiple instances of a file because my apps don't talk to each other?

So on, So on....

They are addressing your second question in iOS 6...but I do agree.

Your third question makes no sense to me as I'm able to open the same file in multiple apps.

I could say similar things about Android. What's so intuitive about going to multiple screens just to setup an Exchange account? Why is it so inconsistently applied across all the devices?

 

[dgree03]

I can't think of a single feature Android has that would make me long for it to be on my iPhone

That is because you haven't had it yet.... it is the usual suspects of gripes with iOS.. file system, app integration, etc etc.

 

[MacDawg]

That is because you haven't had it yet.... it is the usual suspects of gripes with iOS.. file system, app integration, etc etc.

Those are your gripes, not mine

 

[Geckotek]

That is because you haven't had it yet.... it is the usual suspects of gripes with iOS.. file system, app integration, etc etc.

App integration is there in iOS 5 and I'm guessing will get better in iOS 6. For example, I can be editing a photo in one program and easily hand it off to another program to do further editing. It's up to the app devs to take advantage of this.

 

[Calidude]

I can't think of a single feature Android has that would make me long for it to be on my iPhone

It's not so much features as it is potential, such as the ability to make your phone block all ads simply by rooting it (which is way easier than jailbreaking) and then downloading an app that can download HOSTS files from the internet and then block all ads from EVER entering your phone in any way, even on apps that you download from the Play store.

For most people, its also the fact that Android acts more like a desktop operating system, with full access to the filesystem, default programs, and the ability to configure your OS any way you wish. You just have way more control over your phone with Android than you do with iOS, and it takes minimal effort.

For non-tinkerers, its not an attractive option, but for a tinkerer like me, it is.

 

[dgree03]

They are addressing your second question in iOS 6...but I do agree.

Your third question makes no sense to me as I'm able to open the same file in multiple apps.

I could say similar things about Android. What's so intuitive about going to multiple screens just to setup an Exchange account? Why is it so inconsistently applied across all the devices?

No if I download a PDF and choose to open that PDF in goodreader. If I wanted to open that same PDF in Adobe Reader, I would need to DL the app again.

Exchange account inconsistency? When you set up an exchange account you remain in the app the entire process, it goes step by step from screen to screen. I don't see how that isn't intuitive? Mind you, i am talking about ICS and JB.

 

[MacDawg]

For non-tinkerers, its not an attractive option, but for a tinkerer like me, it is.

Which is what many do not understand
I don't want to spend my time tinkering and tweaking, rooting, ROMing, etc.
I would rather spend my time doing other things

It isn't right or wrong, it is just a different approach, mindset and workflow

I use what works best for me and I am very happy and satisfied with it