iPhone to Android Switchers, how was the migration?

[JerZyT28]

It's the first thing you see when you search "iPhone 5s sales" Since you searched "iPhone 5 slaes" I can see why you had a problem....


http://appadvice.com/appnn/2013/10/...een-higher-were-it-not-for-supply-constraints

pretty sure this doesn't help out the OP....

anyways back on topic I had an iPhone 3g and 4 and I will say this, when I saw the 4 in person, that was the first phone I ever HAD to have. The experience was great. I decided to try out the Galaxy S3 last year (mainly because a friend had an unopened one and sold it cheap), and let me say this....I was highly impressed. I got used to it over time and then realized what I was missing with my iPhone. Fast forward a year, after a S3 and a Note 2, now i'm on a S4, soon to be Nexus 5. To me, nothing beats an Android phone. To me, it's easier to set it up how I want and it's easier to use. As for the tablets, when iOS7 came out, it ruined my iPad 3. No downgrade available so I decided to try the new Nexus 7. The experience has been great. Just as the S3 opened my eyes in regards to Android, the Nexus 7 has opened my eyes in regards to Nexus products. To me, nothing beats it.

Pretty much, you can ask people how they're experience was, but from what I've seen on these forums, it's a bunch of people who live by Apple and only use an android device for a few days then bash it. Best thing to do is to just try an android phone/tablet...and actually USE it for a while...get to know the ins and outs.

 

[Technarchy]

Hardly any Android phones appeal to me the way the iPhone does, but one device, the LG G2, I'm almost in love with it the same way I am the iPhone.

My upgrade is in April (which is somewhat far, but still close enough), and maybe I'll change my mind or something nicer will come around, but I'm curious. I've been in the Apple Ecosystem for a LOOOONG time. I've always had iPods, including a Nano, 2 touches, and now 2 different iPhone models. I've only had 2 other android devices before, a Nexus 7 and Motorola Droid (off-contract). Here are my questions:

Most of my friends have iPhones and therefore use iMessage. With the new share everything plans I guess texting plans aren't a major concern, but how are people getting on without using iMessage?

As far as iTunes, how is everyone syncing their music library? How well does Google Music play with iTunes? I would still plan to use iTunes as my main music service.

Is there anything from iOS you miss?

The migration is easy in some ways and infuriating in others.

There is no shortage of messaging applications to replace iMessage. I opted for Google Hangouts, and it's a pretty awesome performer. Since nearly everyone has a Gmail account, getting friends and family to change over is easy.

There is no good substitute for Facetime. Not hangouts, not Swype, or anything else I have tried.

Google Play Music with All Access is something I use far more often than iTunes for actual music, but I purchase video content from iTunes at least twice a month via Apple TV mostly which is part of the Apple ecosystem strength. I also dumped all my music into the Play Music library so my entire library is accessible and takes up ZERO space on my SD card or internal memory.

Siri is a champ and Google Now is not really an alternative.

All in all, the change over process is a 6/10 on the difficulty scale.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Google Play Music with All Access is something I use far more often than iTunes for actual music, but I purchase video content from iTunes at least twice a month via Apple TV mostly which is part of the Apple ecosystem strength. I also dumped all my music into the Play Music library so my entire library is accessible and takes up ZERO space on my SD card or internal memory.
.

The switch to standard Google Play is indeed very painless, and is a great way to take almost all of your iTunes library over to Android without taking up any space.

But I find the Unlimited Access upgrade incredibly overpriced. Google wants $10 a month for something Apple gives you for $25 a year with their upgraded iTunes Match service. Really a ripoff from Google. Just stick with Google Play standard and Pandora or Slacker for the better deal.

 

[Bacong]

I had no real migration issues. I used Google Music on my iPhone, and all the apps I used on iPhone I use on Android. I used gmail on iPhone, too.

 

[blairh]

Took me about a week to make the leap comfortably. There are only 2 things I truly miss about iOS. Copy and paste and the overall quality of apps. C & P on TouchWiz straight up sucks. I don't know if it's better on Optimus. Most Android apps are just fine but I go mad often using the Android versions of Facebook Messenger & the Comcast Xfinity app.

Leaving iTunes for my music needs has been a blessing. You should just use the Play store if you can for purchases. I uploaded my entire collection to Google Music. I use Music Manager on my Mac to instantly upload new music to my collection. I use AirDroid to transfer music wirelessly onto my SD card. All music is played via the Google Music app which I love.

I have an iPad otherwise not having FaceTime would kinda suck. I use WhatsApp with friends which I find is actually better than iMessage.

I'd still consider an iPhone in the future if they ever offer a screen in the 4.7" - 5" range. Also I love the Gmail app. It made a big leap in 4.5.

 

[chimpboy74]

Hardly any Android phones appeal to me the way the iPhone does, but one device, the LG G2, I'm almost in love with it the same way I am the iPhone.

My upgrade is in April (which is somewhat far, but still close enough), and maybe I'll change my mind or something nicer will come around, but I'm curious. I've been in the Apple Ecosystem for a LOOOONG time. I've always had iPods, including a Nano, 2 touches, and now 2 different iPhone models. I've only had 2 other android devices before, a Nexus 7 and Motorola Droid (off-contract). Here are my questions:

Most of my friends have iPhones and therefore use iMessage. With the new share everything plans I guess texting plans aren't a major concern, but how are people getting on without using iMessage?

As far as iTunes, how is everyone syncing their music library? How well does Google Music play with iTunes? I would still plan to use iTunes as my main music service.

Is there anything from iOS you miss?

For me I have unlimited texts but asked my friends to install whatsapp for mms. So far no issues with that (been 2 months on a nexus now)

Music play was a bit fiddly to get set up at first (mainly because of drm but I got round that eventually) I found I had to force the app on my mac to refresh several times before all music would be uploaded. It started showing several hundred songs hadn't uploaded for various reasons. I kept forcing it to rescan and that number kept going down until I was only left with about 20 files that were either voice memos or obscure tracks from unsigned bands so can live without. Since then I've only added one album to iTunes and I manually made the google music manager to refresh (I think it should do it automatically but I wanted the music straight away so just forced the issue)

In terms of using play music on my phone: I really like it. I found iTunes Match to be very hit or miss when trying to download from the cloud (although in google app I did have one album that appeared to have "pinned" but only half the tracks appeared) I like the interface

Overall it was a bit of a fiddle transferring contacts and calendars but once it was done that was it, no more hassle.

What do I miss from my iphone? So far only the remote app for controlling iTunes (I know there are apps that do this in android store but the couple I have tried were very cluttered and annoying)

I still have my iPad and am not a fan of iOS 7.

 

[chimpboy74]

But I find the Unlimited Access upgrade incredibly overpriced. Google wants $10 a month for something Apple gives you for $25 a year with their upgraded iTunes Match service. Really a ripoff from Google. Just stick with Google Play standard and Pandora or Slacker for the better deal.

Unless I've misunderstood the service. The standard free google play is the same as iTunes Match (certainly works that way for me) and the unlimited service is more like spotify premium.

 

[Pravda]

I mostly use Whatsapp and Spotify so couldn't really comment on your first two questions, but as to what I miss about iOS?

Email

Calendar

iCloud in general

iOS aesthetics

Out of box readiness. Android takes a lot of messing with to get "right".

Although I'm quite content with my S4, I won't deny that I'm craving another iPhone...

Thank you for your honesty!

I've been with iPhone since day 1, then went deeper into Apple Reality Distortion Field with picking up an iPhone for my wife, his and hers 2011 MacBook Pros & TimeCapsule, 2012 MacMini and iTV. Needless to say I'm in too deep on the Apple Kool Aid.

Been really disappointed with Apples' longer only display move of iPhone 5.
So, now i wait with my old yet very reliable iPhone 4S. Have had an itch eve since one of my best mates jumped from iPhone 4 to Galaxy 4. Screen is big and gorgeous and love the customization of the OS and all the bells and whistles of an Android device. But i still love the OS UI and how everything works so seamlessly with all my other Apple devices (PhotoStream, iTunes, Mail, iBooks, Apps, Etc).

I was almost ready to go out and buy an unlocked HTC One (in hopes of it holding me over till Summer 2014 and iPhone release a bigger (wider) display. Money comes and goes, and i've lost much more, so its not the issue.

I don't want to invest my time to something that i will later feel i settled for.


Thanks friend.

 

[slu]

Unless I've misunderstood the service. The standard free google play is the same as iTunes Match (certainly works that way for me) and the unlimited service is more like spotify premium.

This is 100% correct. I am a Google Play All Access subscribers. I love it. It is a combination of iTunes Match, Spotify, and iTunes Radio.

OP, I migrated to the Nexus 4 in April. To me it was pretty easy. Sure I had to migrate from iCloud to Google services, but that was painless. Most things are pretty similar. Once I got used to things, I came to the conclusion that iOS and Android are 90% the same.

I would echo a previous poster in that the only thing I really miss is iPhoto integration. I too use a Dropbox based solution, but it isn't as good as Photostream. With unlimited texting, losing iMessage on the phone made no difference to me at all, but not receiving the same message on my iPad and phone is something else that I miss. I am hoping that I can switch to Hangouts for similar functionality when it gets SMS integration. Most of my family and friends have iPhones, but they also mostly use gmail, so I feel like I have a shot getting them to use Hangouts.

EDIT: I just looked at my phone, I wanted to add two features of Android that iOS doesn't have that I really enjoy:

Widgets - At first I didn't really get much use out of them, but I recently spent a few minutes setting some up that I really get a lot of value out of. I have a direct dial widget to call my wife. One tap on the home screen and it starts a call. I have two Google Maps widgets. One for transit directions to work and one to start driving navigation home. Again, one tap just performs those actions. I have a small dynamic weather bug widget that gives the forecast, current temp, and high and low temp for the day. A widget to start a new OneNote, and a few others. Really useful feature.

Gesture typing - I really like this style of typing when typing one handed. I find it very accurate and fast. Takes a bit of getting used to, but I think an improvement overall. And I just use the stock Google keyboard.

 

[0000757]

You all have been really helpful. I'm glad to know it's not a major hassle to transfer. My only issue is iMessages though...maybe I can get everyone on Kik/BBM...

 

[Dave Felix]

Hardly any Android phones appeal to me the way the iPhone does, but one device, the LG G2, I'm almost in love with it the same way I am the iPhone.

My upgrade is in April (which is somewhat far, but still close enough), and maybe I'll change my mind or something nicer will come around, but I'm curious. I've been in the Apple Ecosystem for a LOOOONG time. I've always had iPods, including a Nano, 2 touches, and now 2 different iPhone models. I've only had 2 other android devices before, a Nexus 7 and Motorola Droid (off-contract). Here are my questions:

Most of my friends have iPhones and therefore use iMessage. With the new share everything plans I guess texting plans aren't a major concern, but how are people getting on without using iMessage?

As far as iTunes, how is everyone syncing their music library? How well does Google Music play with iTunes? I would still plan to use iTunes as my main music service.

Is there anything from iOS you miss?

I used to own a Note 2 and an S4.. I came back to Apple because I have a Mac. People are offering to trade a Note 3 for my note and I might pull the trigger. Next year, I'll either get the S5 or iPhone 6 if Apple changes iOS a lot.

You can try Textra - it allows group chat with iPhone and Android users. That's what I used.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Unless I've misunderstood the service. The standard free google play is the same as iTunes Match (certainly works that way for me) and the unlimited service is more like spotify premium.

I think you misunderstand. Most of the reviewers say the same thing. iTunes Match is equal to Google Unlimited, but at 1/4 the price per year. Seems to offer greater variety as well.

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/18/itunes-radio-sounds-sweeter-than-expected-even-to-this-android-user/

Somewhat of a moot point, however, if you intend on sticking with non-Apple equipment. But for an Apple user, there's really no reason to go to Google unless you are like me and live in a multi-platform world. In that case, pick up the free-based Google Music and just upload all your songs to their cloud. Then throw on a streaming app like Slacker and done.

 

[jsw]

I think you misunderstand. Most of the reviewers say the same thing. iTunes Match is equal to Google Unlimited, but at 1/4 the price per year. Seems to offer greater variety as well.

Not exactly, unless I'm misunderstanding.

Google lets you upload 20K songs for free, which is something Apple does not allow for free, at all. All Access allows you to download any song you want and listen to it offline - which, as far as I know Match doesn't.

If you're always online and only listen to radio-style playlists, then I agree, Match is a better deal. If you want offline access to any music Google carries, Match is not as good a deal... but the reduced price makes up for a lot of that.

IMO, the free version of Play is awesome, better than what Apple offers for free (i.e., nothing). The paid version is better or worse depending on your use case.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Not exactly, unless I'm misunderstanding.

Google lets you upload 20K songs for free, which is something Apple does not allow for free, at all. All Access allows you to download any song you want and listen to it offline - which, as far as I know Match doesn't.

If you're always online and only listen to radio-style playlists, then I agree, Match is a better deal. If you want offline access to any music Google carries, Match is not as good a deal... but the reduced price makes up for a lot of that.

IMO, the free version of Play is awesome, better than what Apple offers for free (i.e., nothing). The paid version is better or worse depending on your use case.

It's possible we are both misunderstanding, but for iTunes Match:

-25K song limit for uploads
-It lets you upload your entire library to the Match service. Works same as Google Music basic. All purchased songs matched right away, anything else in your library is either matched to theirs or uploaded from yours.
-You can stream from any Apple device. But on iOS devices, once you tap a song to play it, it plays and downloads to your device at same time. You can listen to it offline thereafter.

No difference really other than the price.

 

[jsw]

It's possible we are both misunderstanding, but for iTunes Match:

-25K song limit for uploads
-It lets you upload your entire library to the Match service. Works same as Google Music basic. All purchased songs matched right away, anything else in your library is either matched to theirs or uploaded from yours.
-You can stream from any Apple device. But on iOS devices, once you tap a song to play it, it plays and downloads to your device at same time. You can listen to it offline thereafter.

No difference really other than the price.

I mean that Google lets you upload 20K songs without any fee. Yes, Match allows plenty when you pay, but Google allows that functionality for free (for any songs, vs Apple only allowing iTunes-purchased ones for free).

Again, when you get the the subscription offerings, each has their own benefits, and most consumers will be able to pick a clear favorite for their needs.

Edit: a Play feature I use all the time is the ability to browse All Access for songs I like while sitting at my desk, then being able to download them to any of my devices with the click of a button. This allows me to preload entire sets without even touching my phone/tablet. By the way, I also subscribe to Match (most of my family is on iOS); I just personally prefer Play All Access.