Do you plan to switch from iPhone to Android? (2016)

[convergent]

I’m still waiting for my note 8. And I might have a silly newbie question here When photos are backed up to the cloud on an android, or Samsung device, where does it go? Is it picasa, or is it google+ (I don’t have an activated google+ profile), or is it google Photos app, or is it google Drive, all of the above? Help me here, I’m overwhelmed with googles eco system

You have a choice which cloud service you want to use, same as on an iPhone. Samsung has their own, which I'm not using. Two popular choices are Google and Amazon. If you install the respective apps for them then it will guide you through automatically setting up to upload all your pictures as you take them. I use both Google and Amazon.

 

[tbayrgs]

In my case, Apple is shooting itself in the foot with the proprietary everything. And HomeKit is complete trash compared to the Google Home system.

How so? I’ll agree that there are fewer choices that are HomeKit compatible but I have found setup and implementation near seamless (Lutron Caseta switches, Phillips Hue lights, MyQ garage door). And having all of my Home functionality in a single app is a far better sulution. I can quickly turn/on off any of my smart home devices with a touch from my Watch, the Control Center, or the Home App. It’s also nice to have all scenes, rooms, and automation in a single location.

And of course it’s anecdotal but I’ve had Google Assistant fail far more often than Siri to complete a command and require a second or third attempt.

 

[convergent]

How so? I’ll agree that there are fewer choices that are HomeKit compatible but I have found setup and implementation near seamless (Lutron Caseta switches, Phillips Hue lights, MyQ garage door). And having all of my Home functionality in a single app is a far better sulution. I can quickly turn/on off any of my smart home devices with a touch from my Watch, the Control Center, or the Home App. It’s also nice to have all scenes, rooms, and automation in a single location.

And of course it’s anecdotal but I’ve had Google Assistant fail far more often than Siri to complete a command and require a second or third attempt.

The different ecosystems today are all pretty competitive with each other. All the others except Apple offer better interoperability. Over time, that is going to cause Apple to fall behind. It will be them against everyone else.

As for Siri vs. Google... my primary use has been in the car with CarPlay/Android Auto. This far I find Google to be much better.

 

[tbayrgs]

The different ecosystems today are all pretty competitive with each other. All the others except Apple offer better interoperability. Over time, that is going to cause Apple to fall behind. It will be them against everyone else.

As for Siri vs. Google... my primary use has been in the car with CarPlay/Android Auto. This far I find Google to be much better.

Maybe, but in regards to IoT and smart home functionality, I actually appreciate Apple's higher security requirements. Every one of these internet connected smart home devices is a potential point of entry into my home network and Amazon's (and to a lesser degree, Google's) less restrictive requirements to integrate with their assistants is a bit troubling to me. It may mean I have to wait longer for compatibility with HomeKit (if ever, a la Nest) but I'll trade that for a bit higher level of security.

 

[spinedoc77]

Your rant aside, if you've used iOS for an extended period then using Android is an exercise in frustration. Android simply isn't as intuitive as iOS.

What exactly isn't as intuitive on Android? Is it the lack of a consistent way to go back?, oh wait Android has the back button. Is it the convoluted and illogical settings app? Oh wait that's iOS. Certainly you mean the odd way notifications are handled, I can't get used to "Earlier Today" notifications. Oh wait, that's iOS again.

I find what is intuitive is simply what I am used to. Android isn't rocket science at all and I would see no issue at all with even the most non tech person getting used to it and using it on a daily basis with no issues. This is what I call the dumbification of consumers, where we give them (us) less credit than they deserve for driving technology.

Oh well, I'm old enough to remember when changing the time on your VCR was THE big issue for consumers, and a flashing time on your VCR instantly labeled you as a non tech.

 

[convergent]

What exactly isn't as intuitive on Android? Is it the lack of a consistent way to go back?, oh wait Android has the back button. Is it the convoluted and illogical settings app? Oh wait that's iOS. Certainly you mean the odd way notifications are handled, I can't get used to "Earlier Today" notifications. Oh wait, that's iOS again.

I find what is intuitive is simply what I am used to. Android isn't rocket science at all and I would see no issue at all with even the most non tech person getting used to it and using it on a daily basis with no issues. This is what I call the dumbification of consumers, where we give them (us) less credit than they deserve for driving technology.

Oh well, I'm old enough to remember when changing the time on your VCR was THE big issue for consumers, and a flashing time on your VCR instantly labeled you as a non tech.

There are definitely folks that would struggle switching from iOS to Android. My wife is one of them. But she would struggle equally going from Android to iOS. She's not techie in the least, and she has no sense to explore and learn things. She has had an iPhone and iPad for many years... since the iPhone 4. She has never to this day been into the App Store and added a new App. She has never moved icons around on her home screens. She uses what I, or one of our kids, loads on it for her. iOS has gotten way more complicated than it was back then, and more and more frequently something that "just works" doesn't work.

 

[spinedoc77]

There are definitely folks that would struggle switching from iOS to Android. My wife is one of them. But she would struggle equally going from Android to iOS. She's not techie in the least, and she has no sense to explore and learn things. She has had an iPhone and iPad for many years... since the iPhone 4. She has never to this day been into the App Store and added a new App. She has never moved icons around on her home screens. She uses what I, or one of our kids, loads on it for her. iOS has gotten way more complicated than it was back then, and more and more frequently something that "just works" doesn't work.

I almost succeeded in getting my wife off of her iPhone last year with the Note 7, but we all know where that went. She actually loved it and thought many of the things she could do were completely superior to iOS. She is a banking manager for high end clients if you want an idea of what type of work she does on her phone, she's very mobile and her office is pretty much her ipad and phone.

Well after the Note 7 fiasco she went right back to an iPhone 7 with its postage stamp sized screen. Any time I tease her she just says it's better than having her phone explode. She did take one look at my Note 8 before I returned it, but had no comment at all and just kept going as if she looked at a piece of lint on the table. No wait, if it was a piece of lint it would have gotten much more attention than the Note 8.

 

[Allyance]

I switched to iPhone from all the old Nextel, Motorola, Windows phone of the past, had them all, but never had an Android phone. As an Apple stock holder I don't intend to switch, as the stock has done very well for me. After 25 years of Windows machines, I bought an used iMac just to learn the Mac OS, and it's been my primary machine ever since. I sold and installed thousand of Windows PCs over the years, had about 10 clients with small business servers, so I am very familiar with Windows. Macs weren't an option at the time because they weren't available in the resellers channel, and I worked primarily in small businesses and non-profits.
[doublepost=1508181372][/doublepost]Interesting, only 349 votes but 3158 posts!

 

[convergent]

I switched to iPhone from all the old Nextel, Motorola, Windows phone of the past, had them all, but never had an Android phone. As an Apple stock holder I don't intend to switch, as the stock has done very well for me. After 25 years of Windows machines, I bought an used iMac just to learn the Mac OS, and it's been my primary machine ever since. I sold and installed thousand of Windows PCs over the years, had about 10 clients with small business servers, so I am very familiar with Windows. Macs weren't an option at the time because they weren't available in the resellers channel, and I worked primarily in small businesses and non-profits.
[doublepost=1508181372][/doublepost]Interesting, only 349 votes but 3158 posts!

Your path into Macs was similar to mine. About 10 years or so back I bought a used Mac to test the water. Eventually got a MacBook Air and Thunderbolt display. Before too long I had every part of the Apple ecosystem. But that was a very different Apple back then. Since SJ left, the new Apple has gone a different path from me, so we for now have parted ways. But I buy what works for me, so not ruling out meeting up again. With the Windows Fall Creator's Update and their link up with Android to continue files, it won't be any time soon.

As for the stock, if you have any mutual funds of any sort, then you also have stock in Google and Microsoft, along with Apple.

 

[spinedoc77]

I switched to iPhone from all the old Nextel, Motorola, Windows phone of the past, had them all, but never had an Android phone. As an Apple stock holder I don't intend to switch, as the stock has done very well for me. After 25 years of Windows machines, I bought an used iMac just to learn the Mac OS, and it's been my primary machine ever since. I sold and installed thousand of Windows PCs over the years, had about 10 clients with small business servers, so I am very familiar with Windows. Macs weren't an option at the time because they weren't available in the resellers channel, and I worked primarily in small businesses and non-profits.
[doublepost=1508181372][/doublepost]Interesting, only 349 votes but 3158 posts!

A lot of my "fun" stock is in Apple, that's why I like to buy their competitors stuff. Without the competition Apple would be nowhere near where they are today.

 

[dogslobber]

What exactly isn't as intuitive on Android?

Another day. Another rant. Listen, when I switch on an Android phone and slide to unlock then it’s a crP shoot between getting the home screen or that widget thing. It’s confusing, unintuitive and downright annoying. Life’s too short for this junk.

 

[convergent]

Another day. Another rant. Listen, when I switch on an Android phone and slide to unlock then it’s a crP shoot between getting the home screen or that widget thing. It’s confusing, unintuitive and downright annoying. Life’s too short for this junk.

Are you talking about turning on a random Android phone, or a specific one? A specific phone is going to turn on according to how its configured. In my experience, iOS has the same exact issue you described. If you hit TouchID you may or may not get a lock screen depending on how fast it works. On my Note 8, I just changed the setting to turn off the lock screen and so simply touching the virtual home button brings me to my home screen every time. With the other setting I'd need to swipe up after hitting home.

 

[spinedoc77]

Another day. Another rant. Listen, when I switch on an Android phone and slide to unlock then it’s a crP shoot between getting the home screen or that widget thing. It’s confusing, unintuitive and downright annoying. Life’s too short for this junk.

Yep, another day another rant, from you this time lol. Not sure which Android phone you are talking about, but I've never had an issue with it not opening the home screen when I swipe, unless I swipe it the wrong way. But if I swipe my iPhone the wrong way I'll get something besides the home screen just the same. But honestly I'm a bit confused and don't understand your complaint at all, so I'll just step away from the topic. My advice, stay with iOS if you prefer it.

 

[Septembersrain]

Are you talking about turning on a random Android phone, or a specific one? A specific phone is going to turn on according to how its configured. In my experience, iOS has the same exact issue you described. If you hit TouchID you may or may not get a lock screen depending on how fast it works. On my Note 8, I just changed the setting to turn off the lock screen and so simply touching the virtual home button brings me to my home screen every time. With the other setting I'd need to swipe up after hitting home.

Somehow my V30 finger print scanner is faster than the one on my 7 Plus. It also seems to fail less if my hands are wet, no idea why that is.

I don't even look and might partially miss the scanner and it'll still work.

 

[convergent]

Somehow my V30 finger print scanner is faster than the one on my 7 Plus. It also seems to fail less if my hands are wet, no idea why that is.

I don't even look and might partially miss the scanner and it'll still work.

Maybe its not a finger print scanner and will just accept a finger bump!

 

[Septembersrain]

Maybe its not a finger print scanner and will just accept a finger bump!

We tried with all my other fingers and my fiancees too. Was a no go. So it's just pretty efficient. That and I registered the same finger twice like I did with my 7 Plus.

 

[convergent]

We tried with all my other fingers and my fiancees too. Was a no go. So it's just pretty efficient. That and I registered the same finger twice like I did with my 7 Plus.

That's not a bad idea... never thought of that.

 

[KingslayerG5]

No option for using both? I have a MacBook Air that couldn't recognize my Google Pixel but Android File Transfer could with my LG and Samsung phones.

My daily driver is my LG G5 which is in my namesake because it is my favorite smartphone ever followed by my V20. But I use an iPhone SE as backup.

I don't choose sides and can enjoy it all like Marvel and DC films.

 

[epicrayban]

Is the iPhone X going to have any sort of Always on Display?

I don't believe it was ever mentioned, but you would think that'd be a natural feature to have now that Apple has an OLED device.

Any info in iOS 11 that reveals it might have AoD?

 

[Zaft]

Is the iPhone X going to have any sort of Always on Display?

I don't believe it was ever mentioned, but you would think that'd be a natural feature to have now that Apple has an OLED device.

Any info in iOS 11 that reveals it might have AoD?

Not with Face ID
[doublepost=1508534487][/doublepost]

Are you talking about turning on a random Android phone, or a specific one? A specific phone is going to turn on according to how its configured. In my experience, iOS has the same exact issue you described. If you hit TouchID you may or may not get a lock screen depending on how fast it works. On my Note 8, I just changed the setting to turn off the lock screen and so simply touching the virtual home button brings me to my home screen every time. With the other setting I'd need to swipe up after hitting home.

What about security?

 

[convergent]

What about security?

I have to hit the finger print scanner if its locked, or use one of the other unlock mechanisms. It will just unlock and go to home if I hit the sensor. I wish I could use location based security, but my company disabled that somehow when I access the company Exchange account for email, which I have to have. I'd prefer that if my watch is nearby that it uses that to unlock.

 

[epicrayban]

Not with Face ID
[doublepost=1508534487][/doublepost]
What about security?

Face ID means no always on display? Just curious, how come? Cause if you look at your phone for AoD info, it might unlock the device?

That's actually a fair point, if that's the case. Sucks there's no AoD though. It's very useful and nice to have.

 

[Zaft]

Face ID means no always on display? Just curious, how come? Cause if you look at your phone for AoD info, it might unlock the device?

That's actually a fair point, if that's the case. Sucks there's no AoD though. It's very useful and nice to have.

Yup I think that’s why.

EDIT: and TBH when I tried out the S8 plus for 2 weeks I enjoyed the AOD for a day. Then it just annoyed me and I turned it off. I prefer raise to wake.

I would not mind it on the Apple Watch though.

 

[sevvere]

I bought my first IPhone about 3 months ago (had an IPad already so I knew about IOS). To be honest, it was a compulsion buy because I saw on a prepaid network the SE was $159 for 32g. I said Screw It .... I’m gonna go all in.

After 3 months, I realized that there is just stuff I do on my android phone that I either can’t do on IOS or is way over complicated on it. Downloading YouTube is a hassle on IOS ... on android ... I use a 3rd party app. Also on android I can use torrent apps. There are also apps to listen to YouTube in the background but they are a little sketchy with pop up ads so I stopped using them ... but I’m saying its at least possible. I can use PSP emulators on my android phone.

So ... I decided to buy a Sony Xperia XA1 which is a 6 inch phone. I wanted the big screen to watch movies and play PSP games on. Long story short, the phone’s alright (the processor amazingly isn’t “ideal” for PSP emulator even though its 2.4Ghz ... its not a snapdragon its some other brand) but the Tunein app on android is HORRIBLE, at least on Android 7.0. If your stream is interrupted by ANY SOUND ... the app cannot regain that stream or even start a new stream ... you have to press 7 clicks through menu’s to “Force Stop” the app and Android 7.0 doesn’t allow Force Stop apps to , well, force stop anymore so you have to do it manually. Also I found the screen to be just to big to carry around but that’s my fault ... so I returned to the SE.

Truth be told, both platforms suck in my opinion. They have their issues. There IS a snappiness to IOS ... but android just has more functionality IMO.

I mean seriously, why in 2017 can I not download something in Documents6 and set my phone down and it just downloads. It doesn’t. It stops. And yes, I have that option thing activated in the settings. Audible stops downloading. Amazingly, I don’t think Tunein stops downloading audiobooks in the background. It’s just weird and really annoying. The whole “Downloading” thing on IOS sucks .... even iTunes looks like it gets hung up and stops downloading but in reality sometimes it still is ... my podcasts do the same thing .. looks like its hung but its still downloading. This is just unacceptable.

If Samsung or Sony came out with a premium android phone in the SE form factor ... I think I would switch for good. Actually I’m not too unhappy about having two phones now .... I use the SE for my carrying phone and my phablet as a movie tablet and I can switch the SIM card when needed.

 

[KingslayerG5]

I started using iOS since 2008. Did the whole jailbreak on it. Started using Android since 2011. Stopped using iOS from 2013-2016 as I focused more on Android. Hated Android at first until HTC One M7 made me enjoy it with apps like Nova Launcher, SwiftKey, and such.

I admit that I do prefer Android more. That's just my thing because I prefer to tinker. But this year my SE made me kinda fall in love with iOS again. It's weird. I probably spend more money on Apple hardware but most of my paid apps are with Android. Typing on my SE now and it gets better and better like it's 2012 all over again.

I'm planning to zero in on a FEW brands with Android -

Google (+ HTC engineers)
LG
Sony
Nokia (HMD)

The iPhone X might be the final iPhone I will ever have or maybe #13 if 10 has issues. Nice numbers for me. I don't like buying the same brand over and over because it gets stale.

So I only purchase new iPhones every few years while I rotate between Android brands every 1-2 yrs. Keep it varied the way LG changes their designs every year. Waiting for next year's Pixel, V40, Nokia 9 and so on...