General Difficult to incorporate non-Apple phone?

[jazzer15]

I used to be a Windows guy, but transitioned over the last 8-10 years to Apple. We now have iMacs, iPads and iPhones in the house.

I am in the process of replacing older iPhones and was wondering how difficult it would be to incorporate non-Apple phones into the mix. The new iPhones are quite expensive and the slightly older ones (e.g., 7/8), while performing well look a bit dated already. I'm not sure that I really care about this latter point and may go with a 7 or 8 anyway, but I thought I would at least investigate alternatives.

I was wondering what would be good non-Apple alternatives in the price range of the iPhone 7 and 8 and whether non-Apple phones would play nicely with my Apple products, particularly with respect to messaging (I use iMessage) and email (I use Apple Mail).

 

[ultravegeta1981]

Get the 8,blazing fast,superb camera and perfect size.

Or the Pixel 2 if you want android.

 

[nrvna76]

There are limitless options on the Android side. Oneplus and pixel phones get a lot of love. iMessage will be a problem no matter how you slice it.

A bit dated but..
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cross-device-household.2132573/#post-26383457

 

[SteveJUAE]

IMessage is a proprietary Apple App and as you know has to revert to SMS and MMS with any non iPhone contacts

No issue with Apple email accounts on Android

Apple limit what an Android can do with your Macs so Iphones have a better interface on lots of little things that for many are trivia yet rated highly by those that care

 

[5105973]

The sticking point for me because of my school carpool is Apple Maps and iMessages. All the children have iPhones. They’re actually more dependent on me now that they are teens than when they were little because their parents leave them alone at home now and these kids get nervous and FaceTime me if they hear a strange noise or something is bugging them.

I use Apple Maps because Apple invested in heavily mapping my region down to all the crazy back roads I have to take if there is a detour, and there always is. Our traffic is horrific even in the most remote rural roads because of over development. No beautiful woodland or field can be left standing if a developer can stick Mc Mansions and townhouses on it.

 

[jazzer15]

Get the 8,blazing fast,superb camera and perfect size.

Or the Pixel 2 if you want android.

Thanks. I actually have a refurb 8 on order, but am looking at what other options are available. I don't really want to switch to an android, but I am starting to feel a bit confined by the choices in the Apple world, so it can't hurt to look around a bit.

There are limitless options on the Android side. Oneplus and pixel phones get a lot of love. iMessage will be a problem no matter how you slice it.

A bit dated but..
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cross-device-household.2132573/#post-26383457

Thanks. The thread is helpful. Your statement in one of the thread posts is spot on. You said:

"I am generally happy.. however I’m not willing to pay an extra Apple tax forever regardless of the quality of products they make."

That's exactly how I feel. Having spent many years using other products, I don't see Apple as the "be all and end all", but I have been willing to overlook some of the things I don't like because they have been outweighed by those that I do. Nonetheless, I think it's smart to keep an open mind and weigh the options.

 

[nrvna76]

Thanks. I actually have a refurb 8 on order, but am looking at what other options are available. I don't really want to switch to an android, but I am starting to feel a bit confined by the choices in the Apple world, so it can't hurt to look around a bit.



Thanks. The thread is helpful. Your statement in one of the thread posts is spot on. You said:

"I am generally happy.. however I’m not willing to pay an extra Apple tax forever regardless of the quality of products they make."

That's exactly how I feel. Having spent many years using other products, I don't see Apple as the "be all and end all", but I have been willing to overlook some of the things I don't like because they have been outweighed by those that I do. Nonetheless, I think it's smart to keep an open mind and weigh the options.

And after saying that I cancelled my Note 9 order and have an Xs max and a new GSS Apple Watch... I have no excuse.. just shame.

 

[jazzer15]

And after saying that I cancelled my Note 9 order and have an Xs max and a new GSS Apple Watch... I have no excuse.. just shame.

We all place our own value on things. I know (think) you were joking, but there is no shame in concluding after consideration that you prefer one thing over another and are willing to pay for it (even if begrudgingly )

 

[nrvna76]

We all place our own value on things. I know (think) you were joking, but there is no shame in concluding after consideration that you prefer one thing over another and are willing to pay for it (even if begrudgingly )

Yea, I just like shiny new tech. Hopefully I’ll grow up soon and stop upgrading all the time.

 

[nburwell]

For me, iMessage and continuity are pretty big being in the Apple ecosystem. I like that I can respond to iMessages and texts on either my iPhone, iPad or MacBook. It certainly wouldn't be the end of the world if I switched phones to Android, but I don't mind being in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[mi7chy]

I like that I can respond to iMessages and texts on either my iPhone, iPad or MacBook.

Google Voice/Hangouts has done that since 2009 and it's smarter since it's cross platform and also works in a browser so you're not tied into one platform, supports multi-line capability, works without a cell plan over WIFI so carrier independent, offers free unlimited calls/SMS/MMS to US and other countries, is a standard xxx-xxx-xxxx number and not proprietary so anyone can reach you even by landline, etc.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I have an Android phone but have an iPad, ATV and Macbook.

Because I don't use iMessage the infamous "Eco-system" argument for sticking to iPhones doesn't apply.

I lead a happy life with no technical frustrations in the house.

You can mix and match your devices without issues.

 

[nrvna76]

Google Voice/Hangouts has done that since 2009 and it's smarter since it's cross platform and also works in a browser so you're not tied into one platform, supports multi-line capability, works without a cell plan over WIFI so carrier independent, offers free unlimited calls/SMS/MMS to US and other countries, is a standard xxx-xxx-xxxx number and not proprietary so anyone can reach you even by landline, etc.

Doesn’t support SMS/MMS and no end to end encryption. Not saying which is better, but it’s not a hands down smarter solution.

 

[Caspavio]

I used to be a Windows guy, but transitioned over the last 8-10 years to Apple. We now have iMacs, iPads and iPhones in the house.

I am in the process of replacing older iPhones and was wondering how difficult it would be to incorporate non-Apple phones into the mix. The new iPhones are quite expensive and the slightly older ones (e.g., 7/8), while performing well look a bit dated already. I'm not sure that I really care about this latter point and may go with a 7 or 8 anyway, but I thought I would at least investigate alternatives.

I was wondering what would be good non-Apple alternatives in the price range of the iPhone 7 and 8 and whether non-Apple phones would play nicely with my Apple products, particularly with respect to messaging (I use iMessage) and email (I use Apple Mail).

you can use any mail client as it works by pulling emails on the servers owned by the email service provider. as such, any stuff you did on 1 client will also appear on the other.

imessage will not work, but you have other options like google hangout, whatsapp and telegram. i prefer whatsapp and telegram as they have an app that you can install on your mac, rather than being an online service like google hangout. imessage is better integrated across apple devices, but whatsapp and telegram allows you to contact all your friends, whether they use iOS or android.

personally, i would miss the calendar app the most. it's free, fit my basic needs and sync across all my devices. the only two free alternatives that i found previously are outlook and google cal. i hate the UI of the former on mac and i dont like that the latter is a web service.

i dont what phone to recommend as idk what you are looking for in a phone. but i like oneplus and huawei (but dont get this if you are in US). i dont recommend the pixel range because the prices are comparable for same generation.

 

[mi7chy]

Doesn’t support SMS/MMS and no end to end encryption. Not saying which is better, but it’s not a hands down smarter solution.

Wrong.

I get/send SMS/MMS on Google Voice/Hangouts all the time over WIFI. As for encryption, Hangouts to Hangouts messaging is encrypted end to end. For VOIP calls/SMS/MMS they're encryped until carrier/telco handoff and what they do with it. It also had cloud sync since day one that iMessage finally got recently. Not only smarter but also more reliable since it doesn't suffer from the frequent issue of random characters sent to iMessage freezing the device.

 

[jazzer15]

you can use any mail client as it works by pulling emails on the servers owned by the email service provider. as such, any stuff you did on 1 client will also appear on the other.

imessage will not work, but you have other options like google hangout, whatsapp and telegram. i prefer whatsapp and telegram as they have an app that you can install on your mac, rather than being an online service like google hangout. imessage is better integrated across apple devices, but whatsapp and telegram allows you to contact all your friends, whether they use iOS or android.

personally, i would miss the calendar app the most. it's free, fit my basic needs and sync across all my devices. the only two free alternatives that i found previously are outlook and google cal. i hate the UI of the former on mac and i dont like that the latter is a web service.

i dont what phone to recommend as idk what you are looking for in a phone. but i like oneplus and huawei (but dont get this if you are in US). i dont recommend the pixel range because the prices are comparable for same generation.

Thanks. Most of my friends/family are on iMessage and a couple are older and would likely find it confusing to try something else at this point, so that creates a bit of a problem. And I agree with you about Calendar. I use it all the time and it's great. I also prefer non-online services.

After consideration, I think I am likely to stick with an iPhone for now. I went to the Apple store today and played around with them a little. I have a refurbished iPhone 8 on the way and think I will be very happy with that. I actually don't use my phone much and thought I might save some money getting an android, but I also tend to keep things for a fairly long time, so unless I got something very inexpensive, I'm not sure it would be a very big difference when I spread it out over the life of the phone.

 

[Michael Goff]

Wrong.

I get/send SMS/MMS on Google Voice/Hangouts all the time over WIFI. As for encryption, Hangouts to Hangouts messaging is encrypted end to end. For VOIP calls/SMS/MMS they're encryped until carrier/telco handoff and what they do with it. It also had cloud sync since day one that iMessage finally got recently. Not only smarter but also more reliable since it doesn't suffer from the frequent issue of random characters sent to iMessage freezing the device.

The only downside is that you never know when Google is going to can a project. It could happen tomorrow, next week, or not at all. But anyone relying on a Google product should know what they’re getting into.

 

[jazzer15]

The only downside is that you never know when Google is going to can a project. It could happen tomorrow, next week, or not at all. But anyone relying on a Google product should know what they’re getting into.

And maybe I am being a bit naive, but I generally tend to trust Apple more than Google. Although I do have Google email accounts, so there you go ...

 

[nrvna76]

Wrong.

I get/send SMS/MMS on Google Voice/Hangouts all the time over WIFI. As for encryption, Hangouts to Hangouts messaging is encrypted end to end. For VOIP calls/SMS/MMS they're encryped until carrier/telco handoff and what they do with it. It also had cloud sync since day one that iMessage finally got recently. Not only smarter but also more reliable since it doesn't suffer from the frequent issue of random characters sent to iMessage freezing the device.

With a google voice number it will work, but that’s it. And any article I’ve read states that hangouts is not encrypted end to end. Allo has an incognito mode that allowed it but not enabled by default and Allo is dead anyway.

 

[Michael Goff]

And maybe I am being a bit naive, but I generally tend to trust Apple more than Google. Although I do have Google email accounts, so there you go ...

It’s up to Google to earn your trust.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Thanks. Most of my friends/family are on iMessage and a couple are older and would likely find it confusing to try something else at this point, so that creates a bit of a problem. And I agree with you about Calendar. I use it all the time and it's great. I also prefer non-online services.

Imessenger is an online service without a data plan or WiFi it just sends sms or mms and when online it only sends to other Iphones or uses sms or mms

If you are in the US or AUS the chances are you have already paid for your unlimited sms and mms so unless your sending some specific message that takes advantage of Imessenger and the like its it's a bit mute cost wise

Android phones often have an easy mode for those that are more technically challenged they can skip the complexities of smartphones easily and avoid confusion. Apple make it harder to disable or set defaults or even hide some native apps to help those that are easily confused

MS phone companion is a full sms/mms service and like many other apps Apple make it difficult with IOS/MacOS to preserve their IMessage app

Out of all the little things you can do on your laptop via your iPhone it still enables cellular calls from your Apple laptop/IP/IPP.

For those on a tight budget and/or live in countries where you can tailor you data and message plans to a minimum most prefer online calls and messages from typically Android/PC apps as the overhead in hardware to achieve this is usually considerably less and not OEM specific
[doublepost=1541807807][/doublepost]

It’s up to Google to earn your trust.

Agreed, but lets not confuse trusting Apple privacy/security with blindly trusting Apple devices

 

[Michael Goff]

Imessenger is an online service without a data plan or WiFi it just sends sms or mms and when online it only sends to other Iphones or uses sms or mms

If you are in the US or AUS the chances are you have already paid for your unlimited sms and mms so unless your sending some specific message that takes advantage of Imessenger and the like its it's a bit mute cost wise

Android phones often have an easy mode for those that are more technically challenged they can skip the complexities of smartphones easily and avoid confusion. Apple make it harder to disable or set defaults or even hide some native apps to help those that are easily confused

MS phone companion is a full sms/mms service and like many other apps Apple make it difficult with IOS/MacOS to preserve their IMessage app

Out of all the little things you can do on your laptop via your iPhone it still enables cellular calls from your Apple laptop/IP/IPP.

For those on a tight budget and/or live in countries where you can tailor you data and message plans to a minimum most prefer online calls and messages from typically Android/PC apps as the overhead in hardware to achieve this is usually considerably less and not OEM specific
[doublepost=1541807807][/doublepost]
Agreed, but lets not confuse trusting Apple privacy/security with blindly trusting Apple devices

Blind trust in anything is bad.

Doveryai, no proveryai

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Yea, I just like shiny new tech. Hopefully I’ll grow up soon and stop upgrading all the time.

It never stops!!!