I Switched To Android And I Have No Regrets

[1050792]

People have been suing Apple for years. Win some, lose some. They don’t indicate a whole lot. The revenue is more telling than the lawsuits.

Nope, the apologize statements posted on Apple’s website after the lawsuits indicate a “whole lot”.

 

[5105973]

Sorry to hear about all of the health issues. My mom has had RA since her 20s and it's hard to watch re: the amount of discomfort she's in. It is very hard for her to use Touch ID on her iPhone. I'm heavily pushing my dad to help convince her to get an iPhone with Face ID.

I don't think it matters re: simplicity of Android or iOS with the baby boomer and earlier generations. They both can be very hard to pick up. It's a generational thing, same thing as inability to handle using a PC or Mac. My parents ask me all the time to help with Mac issues.

Two funny examples: my dad called me two days ago stating that their internet went out so he needed to go to Starbucks to do work. He had NO idea that his iPhone X could serve as a mobile hotspot and was so excited about it. And he's had an iPhone ever since the original one.

Second example: my parents both think they can only access the internet using AOL. Yes, they still log into AOL.com and browse the internet through that. They can't comprehend that just opening Safari and going to google.com or entering in any web address will work. Yet they open Safari and enter in AOL.com anyway!! I've tried showing them and explaining many times, it just doesn't work, LOL.

Re: this thread topic, everyone thinks I'm insane, the number of phones I go through. Android 9 has caught up to iOS, for me. Using the latest 12 beta on my iPhone 8. They both have killer features. Once iOS masters Waze and Google Maps in CarPlay, it may be game over for Android and I. If Android ever has anything half as useful as iMessage (built in natively, not some 3rd party app), it could be game over for iOS and I. That's why I continue to use both a Pixel 2 XL and iPhone, and will be buying the iPhone XS next week.

OMG, AOL is still around in some form??? I had no idea! I wonder if my email address still works. Uh, I don’t remember what it was, though. Oh I just checked them out. Wow, brings back memories. My dad does still have a Prodigy email. I still have friends I met on Prodigy when I had just gotten my first job out of college. Some I even met in person. I used Prodigy more than AOL.

Wow your mom has lived with RA a long time. My mom got it in her mid 70’s. I got a pinched nerve a few weeks ago and it really made me stop and appreciate the amount of effort my mom puts into just getting through a day. Respect to both our moms!

I have a similar view as you do on the iPhones and Androids. It’s kind of like a race to see which one finally gets a clue and gives us EVERYTHING we need in one package. Right now I use Samsung to get the kind of videos and pictures I want. And I love how they handle email. My husband hates it and likes how iOS handles email. I want the same things as you for navigation with iOS. But if I could get something like iMessage for Android it could be game over for me with iPhones.

I have a feeling I am always going to be upgrading on two and possibly 3 smartphone paths.

Good luck with your iPhone XS purchase. I’m hoping to get one, too, but might wait for the holidays so I can get an extended return period in which to evaluate it. I did that last year and was glad because it took me nearly a month to determine the X was not for me. At least that particular one that I had wasn’t.

 

[Solomani]

I hate resurrecting Steve Jobs ghost, but one thing he used to take pride in was that even the oldest least technically inclined people (like my father-in-law) could use an iPad or iPhone. He made people and their user experience the focus of the technology.

I can see Apple moving farther away from that in their pursuit of Jony Ive’s dream of a slab of glass. That slab of glass is going to be gorgeous and impressive. Yay.

And once it’s achieved and we are all done being in awe of the perfect beauty of it, I hope somebody with more sense and less of their head up their own butt will swing the pendulum the other way and someday we will get phones you can safely drop or even throw at the wall without incurring damage. That they will design and engineer a phone that will have a user friendly logical interface where you don’t have to guess what press does what, rather than find out the hard way when you least want to. A phone that will have excellent ergonomics and enough room inside for an amazing battery that liberates us from charging pucks and outlets for data.

The swiping is fine and even preferable for people with normal motor control. For anyone with arthritis and/or visual acuity issues or tremors, it can be challenging. At least this is what I’ve observed.

I’ve noticed my phones that lack bezels seem to terrify my in-laws and parents. They hate being handed a Samsung or X to look at photos. Nobody of any age likes how easy it is to hit the display and activate the wrong thing.

Okay that’s my rant for today. Now get off my lawn!

Absolutely, I think the elimination of the Touch (Home) button is a setback for some people (just like the ones you describe above, older people with arthritis or neuromotor deficits). Sadly, the "going away" of the home button is not just an Apple Problem. It's an industry-wide trend (to eliminate the bottom bezel/chin). In fact, Apple is only following the trend that many Android phones have already done: eliminate the home button.

Apple was probably one of the last holdouts with the Home button, but probably because the TouchID (home) button was extremely successful (for things like ApplePay) and reliable since the iPhone 6.

 

[pika2000]

I hate resurrecting Steve Jobs ghost, but one thing he used to take pride in was that even the oldest least technically inclined people (like my father-in-law) could use an iPad or iPhone. He made people and their user experience the focus of the technology.

I can see Apple moving farther away from that in their pursuit of Jony Ive’s dream of a slab of glass. That slab of glass is going to be gorgeous and impressive. Yay.

And once it’s achieved and we are all done being in awe of the perfect beauty of it, I hope somebody with more sense and less of their head up their own butt will swing the pendulum the other way and someday we will get phones you can safely drop or even throw at the wall without incurring damage. That they will design and engineer a phone that will have a user friendly logical interface where you don’t have to guess what press does what, rather than find out the hard way when you least want to. A phone that will have excellent ergonomics and enough room inside for an amazing battery that liberates us from charging pucks and outlets for data.

The swiping is fine and even preferable for people with normal motor control. For anyone with arthritis and/or visual acuity issues or tremors, it can be challenging. At least this is what I’ve observed.

I’ve noticed my phones that lack bezels seem to terrify my in-laws and parents. They hate being handed a Samsung or X to look at photos. Nobody of any age likes how easy it is to hit the display and activate the wrong thing.

Okay that’s my rant for today. Now get off my lawn!

I agree with you.
The lowest common denominator for easy interface if pushing a button. Swiping stuff is not easy, like you said, especially for those with motor issues like the elderly. Heck, even Apple actually "realized" this themselves, making the receiving calls UI into pushing a button instead of swiping to accept calls.

Even Google succumbed to this trend. Android did it right previously, with specific virtual buttons (sure they're virtual, but they're buttons, easy to understand, push it and you get something) for home, back, and recent apps. Yet they have to follow Apple into the gesture stuff (it shows that in reality, the people at Google no longer had a clear vision of their own).
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Absolutely, I think the elimination of the Touch (Home) button is a setback for some people (just like the ones you describe above, older people with arthritis or neuromotor deficits). Sadly, the "going away" of the home button is not just an Apple Problem. It's an industry-wide trend. In fact, Apple is only following the trend that many Android phones have already done: eliminate the home button.

Apple was probably one of the last holdouts with the Home button, but probably because the TouchID (home) button was extremely successful (for things like ApplePay) and reliable since the iPhone 6.

I disagree. Most Android didn't have a physical home button (other than Samsung), but they do have the on-screen virtual home button. The concept is still the same, you push it to go home. Apple is the first one eliminating that concept altogether with the iPhone X with the swiping gestures. And now Android P is following suit.

 

[kazmac]

I hate resurrecting Steve Jobs ghost, but one thing he used to take pride in was that even the oldest least technically inclined people (like my father-in-law) could use an iPad or iPhone. He made people and their user experience the focus of the technology.

I can see Apple moving farther away from that in their pursuit of Jony Ive’s dream of a slab of glass. That slab of glass is going to be gorgeous and impressive. Yay.

And once it’s achieved and we are all done being in awe of the perfect beauty of it, I hope somebody with more sense and less of their head up their own butt will swing the pendulum the other way and someday we will get phones you can safely drop or even throw at the wall without incurring damage. That they will design and engineer a phone that will have a user friendly logical interface where you don’t have to guess what press does what, rather than find out the hard way when you least want to. A phone that will have excellent ergonomics and enough room inside for an amazing battery that liberates us from charging pucks and outlets for data.

The swiping is fine and even preferable for people with normal motor control. For anyone with arthritis and/or visual acuity issues or tremors, it can be challenging. At least this is what I’ve observed.

I’ve noticed my phones that lack bezels seem to terrify my in-laws and parents. They hate being handed a Samsung or X to look at photos. Nobody of any age likes how easy it is to hit the display and activate the wrong thing.

Okay that’s my rant for today. Now get off my lawn!

Yep. My elderly mom has arthritis and a benign tremor in her dominant hand, so the less technical things are, the better. Really glad I picked up this 2018 iPad to replace her iPad 2 in about 6 weeks (once I am full time at work I will get something else for myself. I am slowly getting her used to this new one).

The day phones survive being thrown at a wall, is the day I will rejoice.

All good points.

As far as Android, I hated it myself. Like Windows though, I will probably give it another go, I loved the look of the essential phone and it is a bummer that they won’t be making new models. I am irked at Apple, especially as they move away from ease of use and into disposable tech, but I am still round.

 

[I7guy]

Nope, the apologize statements posted on Apple’s website after the lawsuits indicate a “whole lot”.

Really, and what lawsuit did they lose to post an “apologize” statement.(I know you didnt say explicitly lose but we have to wait for the legal system to do its thing in 10 years to see how this turns out) Maybe apple realizes they could have handled something better, but in the end it’s something better than what android offers.

 

[AE14]

Re: this thread topic, everyone thinks I'm insane, the number of phones I go through. Android 9 has caught up to iOS, for me. Using the latest 12 beta on my iPhone 8. They both have killer features. Once iOS masters Waze and Google Maps in CarPlay, it may be game over for Android and I. If Android ever has anything half as useful as iMessage (built in natively, not some 3rd party app), it could be game over for iOS and I. That's why I continue to use both a Pixel 2 XL and iPhone, and will be buying the iPhone XS next week.

this is exactly where I am. If I could get a native messaging app on android, I would be done with iOS. The android messages is fine, but makes group messaging a hassle for some reason with those on iOS.

 

[I7guy]

I hate resurrecting Steve Jobs ghost, but one thing he used to take pride in was that even the oldest least technically inclined people (like my father-in-law) could use an iPad or iPhone. He made people and their user experience the focus of the technology.

I can see Apple moving farther away from that in their pursuit of Jony Ive’s dream of a slab of glass. That slab of glass is going to be gorgeous and impressive. Yay.

And once it’s achieved and we are all done being in awe of the perfect beauty of it, I hope somebody with more sense and less of their head up their own butt will swing the pendulum the other way and someday we will get phones you can safely drop or even throw at the wall without incurring damage. That they will design and engineer a phone that will have a user friendly logical interface where you don’t have to guess what press does what, rather than find out the hard way when you least want to. A phone that will have excellent ergonomics and enough room inside for an amazing battery that liberates us from charging pucks and outlets for data.

The swiping is fine and even preferable for people with normal motor control. For anyone with arthritis and/or visual acuity issues or tremors, it can be challenging. At least this is what I’ve observed.

I’ve noticed my phones that lack bezels seem to terrify my in-laws and parents. They hate being handed a Samsung or X to look at photos. Nobody of any age likes how easy it is to hit the display and activate the wrong thing.

Okay that’s my rant for today. Now get off my lawn!

I have to agree. Give me my bezels and home button. I’m not an old fart, at least not yet and I live using my 6s. I’m realky teetering on how I’m going to proceed based on the rumor mill.

That 6.5 looks great, but no home button and no bezels? It’s one thing to admire from afar....we’ll have to see.

 

[5105973]

I have to agree. Give me my bezels and home button. I’m not an old fart, at least not yet and I live using my 6s. I’m realky teetering on how I’m going to proceed based on the rumor mill.

That 6.5 looks great, but no home button and no bezels? It’s one thing to admire from afar....we’ll have to see.

I think with the right case it won’t be too bad to hold. It’s going to be a two-handed phone for sure.

 

[Cryates]

It should be a little narrower than the Note9, I'd think since it has a taller aspect ratio, which would make it easier to hold.

 

[nfl46]

I switch back and forth. I said I'd never go to back to Samsung or stock Android UI because I can't stand it, but then I found out about Miui. Now, its my main device. It's a blend of iOS (looks) and Android (features), so its a happy medium for me.

 

[xraydoc]

I've gone back and forth a couple times, first in the early days of Android (the OG Droid and the Droid Incredible) and the middle era of Android (Galaxy S4 and Google Nexus 5).

I currently have an iPhone X but giving some consideration to the Pixel 3 (or 3XL, depending on size). All my personal stuff is on Google services anyway (Gmail, Calendar, etc) plus all the Nest gear at home.

Having Google Assistant integrated into the phone would make sense, so we'll have to see. Pretty deep in to the Apple ecosystem otherwise, however, but slowing digging out... My new computer on its way is a Microsoft SurfaceBook 2, so I'd have pretty nice PC-to-phone integration with something like Pushbullet. My current workplace is wholly adverse to Apple products of any kind with the exception of Exchange email & calendar on my phone and phone-based two-factor authorization and VPN tokens, but there's Android apps for those as well.

 

[Cryates]

It should be a little narrower than the Note9, I'd think since it has a taller aspect ratio, which would make it easier to hold.

I was wrong. It's somehow fatter than the Note9 and shorter. And heavier. It's a little thinner however, which only makes me think they could have thickened it a little for more battery.

 

[AE14]

nothing I saw yesterday is going to make me move from my note9.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

nothing I saw yesterday is going to make me move from my note9.

After seeing yesterday, I am finally convinced that I will have to move to Android
Damn, Apple now reminds me of pharma companies - their particular style of fleecing customers.
I have to get off the boat - fast!

 

[lowendlinux]

Yes. The basic use of iOS has not changed? Settings has become a mess. A serious mess. I was hoping that Apple would simplify / sort it out as part of iOS 12. I am running the PB version and it has become even more complex.

I gave my mom (nursing home in her 80's) a mini and thankfully they have a nurse on staff who is very good with iOS. Yes, a lot of the residents have an iPad

What don't you like about settings on iOS? I like the settings layout on my iPad.

iOS menu hierarchy is clearly less intuitive than Android.

For example, my neighbor came over for help with updating iOS on their iPhone since it's sort of hidden under an extra layer Settings > General > Update that people have to hunt around for regardless of having used it before. For comparison, it's Settings > Update on Android that's so simple it's like muscle memory.

Other things like iOS reduced motion/transparency are miscategorized under Accessibility instead of Display or Performance.

On mine it's System > Advanced

 

[oVerboost]

What about the non stop random adverts within apps and battery hungry apps in the Android store?

I had an S8 and a Pixel 2XL recently and went back to an iPhone. Once the novelty wore off, it wasn’t as good for me, but that may be because I’ve had iPhones since they launched. Who knows, but android isn’t for everyone much like iOS isn’t either.

For most, the iPhones capabilities are more than enough from a device, and everything works app wise generally, not the experience I had on Android.

 

[dk001]

What don't you like about settings on iOS? I like the settings layout on my iPad.

Simple features / settings are either stupid simple to find or fall into the "best of luck" bucket. Frequently settings are shelved into areas one would not think to look. Other times the description leaves one scratching their head (ServiceWorkers?). Where are the basic descriptions? I have reached out to knowledgeable folk on here a time or two.

On the Android side (unless an OEM chages it) the settings are generally where one would expect them to reside.

iOS Settings has evolved into a mess.

 

[Cryates]

Simple features / settings are either stupid simple to find or fall into the "best of luck" bucket. Frequently settings are shelved into areas one would not think to look.

What, you mean you wouldn't expect Auto-Brightness to be under Accessbility>Display Accommodations???

 

[dk001]

What, you mean you wouldn't expect Auto-Brightness to be under Accessbility>Display Accommodations???

Suuuurrrrrrre.

 

[epicrayban]

The iPhone XR shows how unnecessary 3D Touch has always been
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...4/iphone-xs-max-3d-touch-waste-features-apple

Been saying this for years. Why push into a non tactile surface when software can solve it better and faster with less complications.

So glad this trend didn't catch on with Android though they have their own silly pressure sensitive actions like from HTC and Google.

 

[adamski23]

The iPhone XR shows how unnecessary 3D Touch has always been
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...4/iphone-xs-max-3d-touch-waste-features-apple

Been saying this for years. Why push into a non tactile surface when software can solve it better and faster with less complications.

So glad this trend didn't catch on with Android though they have their own silly pressure sensitive actions like from HTC and Google.

The only benefit in my case is for is text scrolling and editing. Its a joy to use. However, I wouldn't bat an eyelash if 3d touch was removed on my current device. I do consider it unnecessary and a gimmick.

 

[pika2000]

nothing I saw yesterday is going to make me move from my note9.

Any why should you?

If you can just switch platforms like that, it means you hardly use your current phone. Migrating between platforms is annoying and can mean loss of data. Eg. Whatsapp, their chat history is not cross platform. Plenty of other apps are not either. So if you are a person that can switch platforms willy nilly, it says to me that you don't have much investment on your current platform to fully utilize it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Zaft]

Earlier this week, I took delivery of an Essential PH-1 to replace my (gracefully) aging iPhone 7 Plus. People in the main parts of these forums constantly say how iOS is "miles better" than Android, but I'm beginning to think that those people have never used Stock Android (or a variant, such as Android on the Google Pixel). Android is just as smooth, if not smoother than iOS. And it's more flexible in so many ways. Sure, it can be said that the openness of Android is a weakness, but for me, and I believe a lot of other people, it's a real eye opener, especially coming from the closed nature of iOS. The physical characteristics of the PH-1 are just... wow. The design of this device marries the iPhone 5 and iPhone 7 together for the ultimate device. Sure, the camera is a sore spot, but, as seen here, it can be improved drastically with Gcam (available as a basic .apk download). Overall, I have no regrets in taking the plunge from iOS to Android. What are your thoughts?

I have to download an apk to have the camera be better? That sums up Android right there.

 

[Cryates]

I have to download an apk to have the camera be better? That sums up Android right there.

No, it doesn't. That's a broad-brush generalization made by you. The fault is specifically Essential's camera, not Android in general. If you think that "sums up Android", then how do you explain the incredible Pixel 2 camera?