Leaving the Apple Ecosystem?

[Technarchy]

It's not that big I of a deal, I can move back and forth between my iPhone 6 and S5 without skipping a beat.

Use more cloud services and buy media from neutral vendors. Though apps on android take longer to show up, and the bigger updates to apps take awhile at times too.

 

[RMD68]

Some people say how great the drag and drop features are and the benefit of avoiding iTunes for syncing, but I don't know what someone would be syncing that would work via iTunes.

 

[pdqgp]

I see a lot of people don't like to stock UIs on their androids.

Isn't keeping all those manual updates a pain in the ass?

Not sure I follow what you're saying or asking. I run Nova Launcher without issue. Updates are all automatic too. You will have some that request permissions but overall, just like iOS, apps are updated regularly.

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Some people say how great the drag and drop features are and the benefit of avoiding iTunes for syncing, but I don't know what someone would be syncing that would work via iTunes.

I do like having the drag/drop capability. Airdroid is great too. Overall, I still use iTunes on my computer to sync all my music on my Note 3 via iSyncr. Works flawlessly.

 

[thering1975]

Modaco and XDA forums are the best with the latter the real home of custom ROMs and is where I hang out.

 

[ozaz]

My integration:

-Only use Apple desktops and laptops
-Only have iTune store music
- .Mac email
-NOT heavily invested in apps
-NOT heavily invested in Videos

1. I don't think this is a major issue. Lots of Mac users choose Android over iOS. Obviously there are some benefits of being all-in on Apple hardware (handoff, continuity, iCloud photos, facetime, etc), it's just a question of how crucial these things are to you.

2. If you have any leanings towards being a cross platform user, I'd get your music transferred over to Google music. You can then listen on any platform.

3. I would imagine this is accessible from any mail client. However, I'm not sure what benefit there is to using .mac/.icloud email, and would always suggest either gmail or outlook.

4 & 5. No problem there then.

-Are custom roms/UI all they are cracked up to be?

I'm tech savvy and I'm not a neo-luddite, but I haven't been given conclusive support for Android phones being good alternatives. I know they aren't bad phones, but aside from being able to "customize an Android," what else does it actually offer that doesn't turn into a pain in the ass?

Thanks!

I couldn't care less about being able to load custom roms. I'm perfectly happy with the functionality of regular android. custom roms may have been the big draw of android in its early days, but I don't think this is the case any more.

The main things that led me to switch from iOS to Android were:

1. Larger screen phones
2. Much larger choice of phones at all price points.
3. Easy sharing of data between apps using the share button (most typically, I would use this to share articles to Pocket, and various types of content to OneNote).
4. The app drawer (helps avoids home screen clutter)
5. Widgets.

Now that IP6 and iOS8 are out, I guess 1 & 3 are no longer differentiators. But the other differentiators still remian.

I see a lot of people don't like to stock UIs on their androids.

Isn't keeping all those manual updates a pain in the ass?

As others have commented, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here.
Perhaps rephrase it?

 

[ozaz]

-Apply stability and customer service

Android is stable.

Losing Apple customer service was a bit of a concern when I switched from iOS to Android too. However, phones and tablets are very reliable these days (if you compare them to PCs and even Macs from 5 years ago) that I'm not so concerned about having Applecare level support on my phone/tablet. I do still want that level of support with my main work computer though.

 

[Shanghaichica]

1. I don't think this is a major issue. Lots of Mac users choose Android over iOS. Obviously there are some benefits of being all-in on Apple hardware (handoff, continuity, iCloud photos, facetime, etc), it's just a question of how crucial these things are to you.

2. If you have any leanings towards being a cross platform user, I'd get your music transferred over to Google music. You can then listen on any platform.

3. I would imagine this is accessible from any mail client. However, I'm not sure what benefit there is to using .mac/.icloud email, and would always suggest either gmail or outlook.

4 & 5. No problem there then.



I couldn't care less about being able to load custom roms. I'm perfectly happy with the functionality of regular android. custom roms may have been the big draw of android in its early days, but I don't think this is the case any more.

The main things that led me to switch from iOS to Android were:

1. Larger screen phones
2. Much larger choice of phones at all price points.
3. Easy sharing of data between apps using the share button (most typically, I would use this to share articles to Pocket, and various types of content to OneNote).
4. The app drawer (helps avoids home screen clutter)
5. Widgets.

Now that IP6 and iOS8 are out, I guess 1 & 3 are no longer differentiators. But the other differentiators still remian.




As others have commented, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here.
Perhaps rephrase it?

Three is still an issue for me. On iOS 8 there seems to be only one or two additional sharing options and nowhere near as many as on android. Widgets I also find to not be comparable to their android counterparts. I think the only thing that is directly comparable is the screen sizs, but even there you only get a choice of two screen sizes.

 

[ozaz]

Widgets I also find to not be comparable to their android counterparts

iOS has widgets now? How do i get them?

 

[Shanghaichica]

iOS has widgets now? How do i get them?

You add them to the notification panel. Its in the today view.

 

[ozaz]

You add them to the notification panel. Its in the today view.

Thanks. My iPad is my only iOS device at the moment, and I never use the notification panel on that. But I'll check them out.

 

[RMD68]

Forgive me. The only time I've used an Android phone is at the store. Let me rephrase what I think could be a pain in the ass.

If one doesn't like TouchWiz, the can use a custom rom, but I think keeping something like that operating smooth(ly) would be a chore.

Transferring files requires third party tools. One can no longer use iTunes as the main tool. It seems as if this could be a chore too.

Even if someone doesn't use a custom rom, they still use other launchers and programs that are 3rd party. These programs may not be as stable and as easy to keep updated as the programs on iOS.

As I said, I am a complete noob with non-iOS devices, so I'm trying to decipher what I read in regard to the benefits of an Android device. Although I like the idea of a greater opportunity for "customization," I question whether that will become old as I long for the apple simplicity and ecosystem. I would like to have my own system, but not as the cost of annoyance.

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If one were to go the complete custom route, doesn't it make sense to get the Android phone that has the best tech specs over the best stock Andoid UI?

Which Android phones offer the best tech specs?

-Camera
-Overall Power
-Speed

 

[ozaz]

Forgive me. The only time I've used an Android phone is at the store. Let me rephrase what I think could be a pain in the ass.

If one doesn't like TouchWiz, the can use a custom rom, but I think keeping something like that operating smooth(ly) would be a chore.

Transferring files requires third party tools. One can no longer use iTunes as the main tool. It seems as if this could be a chore too.

Even if someone doesn't use a custom rom, they still use other launchers and programs that are 3rd party. These programs may not be as stable and as easy to keep updated as the programs on iOS.

As I said, I am a complete noob with non-iOS devices, so I'm trying to decipher what I read in regard to the benefits of an Android device. Although I like the idea of a greater opportunity for "customization," I question whether that will become old as I long for the apple simplicity and ecosystem. I would like to have my own system, but not as the cost of annoyance.

----------

If one were to go the complete custom route, doesn't it make sense to get the Android phone that has the best tech specs over the best stock Andoid UI?

Which Android phones offer the best tech specs?

-Camera
-Overall Power
-Speed

I've never tried using custom rom (or been tempted to do so) so can't really advise on that. I imagine a Nexus 5 is the best phone to get if you're interested in using custom roms, since it's targeted at developers. I have a vague recollection of hearing that recent Samsung phones pose a problem when it comes to custom roms (something to do with the knox security feature).

I use a Samsung phone. I've never really been irritated by Touchwiz, but I do disable all the Samsung gimicky features (air gestures, etc) and I use a custom launcher (Nova Launcher). I've never experienced any performance issues due to using a custom 3rd party launcher.

I never have the need to connect my phone to my computer to transfer files. All my music, photos, documents, and notes are in the cloud. I just access them through appropriate apps (google music, onedrive, dropbox, onenote). I suppose if I wanted to watch large video files on my phone I would have to connect it to my computer for transfer. I imagine its as simple as dragging files into a folder with no 3rd party tools required. Hopefully someone else will clarify.

In terms of power and speed, all the flagship android phones seem great. Android has a reputation for not providing quite as good hardware options as iPhone or Windows Phone for camera quality. But I'm happy enough with the photos I get from my GS4.

 

[viskon]

Forgive me. The only time I've used an Android phone is at the store. Let me rephrase what I think could be a pain in the ass.

If one doesn't like TouchWiz, the can use a custom rom, but I think keeping something like that operating smooth(ly) would be a chore.

Transferring files requires third party tools. One can no longer use iTunes as the main tool. It seems as if this could be a chore too.

Even if someone doesn't use a custom rom, they still use other launchers and programs that are 3rd party. These programs may not be as stable and as easy to keep updated as the programs on iOS.

As I said, I am a complete noob with non-iOS devices, so I'm trying to decipher what I read in regard to the benefits of an Android device. Although I like the idea of a greater opportunity for "customization," I question whether that will become old as I long for the apple simplicity and ecosystem. I would like to have my own system, but not as the cost of annoyance.

----------

If one were to go the complete custom route, doesn't it make sense to get the Android phone that has the best tech specs over the best stock Andoid UI?

Which Android phones offer the best tech specs?

-Camera
-Overall Power
-Speed

Personally, with each passing year, I find fewer and fewer reasons to root and/or rom. The main reasons I went the custom route was better battery life and updates to the newer versions of Android. Over the past few years, OEMs have become better at updating their flagships, and I feel it will only get better with time. Similarly, battery life isn't as big an issue as it was a while back - most flagships do over 5 hours of screen time. Aesthetics are very much a personal taste, so that might be the one reason to think of going to custom roms.

Most established custom roms come with their own update mechanism, and it is no different than a carrier or OEM update. I wouldn't worry about stability on custom roms, especially the stable versions. They are rock solid.

Same thing goes for launchers, the established ones are solid (Nova, Apex) and I wouldn't worry about stability on them. The Google Play Store can automatically download and install updates to your apps. So keeping apps updated is not at all a concern.

You don't need third party apps to transfer files. It is just drag and drop.

One thing to consider is that a number of carriers lock the bootloader on their phones, meaning you cannot put custom roms on them. In the US, T-Mobile is about the only carrier that does not do locked bootloaders. If you want to keep your options open, you might consider getting the T-Mobile version of whatever phone you choose to go with. If stock Android is what you want, then the Nexus line or the Google Play editions will be great choices.

 

[RMD68]

Personally, with each passing year, I find fewer and fewer reasons to root and/or rom. The main reasons I went the custom route was better battery life and updates to the newer versions of Android. Over the past few years, OEMs have become better at updating their flagships, and I feel it will only get better with time. Similarly, battery life isn't as big an issue as it was a while back - most flagships do over 5 hours of screen time. Aesthetics are very much a personal taste, so that might be the one reason to think of going to custom roms.

Most established custom roms come with their own update mechanism, and it is no different than a carrier or OEM update. I wouldn't worry about stability on custom roms, especially the stable versions. They are rock solid.

Same thing goes for launchers, the established ones are solid (Nova, Apex) and I wouldn't worry about stability on them. The Google Play Store can automatically download and install updates to your apps. So keeping apps updated is not at all a concern.

You don't need third party apps to transfer files. It is just drag and drop.

One thing to consider is that a number of carriers lock the bootloader on their phones, meaning you cannot put custom roms on them. In the US, T-Mobile is about the only carrier that does not do locked bootloaders. If you want to keep your options open, you might consider getting the T-Mobile version of whatever phone you choose to go with. If stock Android is what you want, then the Nexus line or the Google Play editions will be great choices.

Is the bolded point true for all Verizon Android phones?

 

[thering1975]

Its best to stick to the big guns for massive custom ROM support
Samsung
Lg
Htc
Nexus lines

Samsung you have to be careful on since they introduced Knox which will make it harder to return to stock for warranty purposes

The one plus one is the best specced phone with good custom ROM support if you can get hold of one.

With my Samsung mega and macbook you can't drag and drop so to speak you need to install android file transfer from google. On windows it is drag and drop

 

[RMD68]

I'm asking about custom roms because the Android phones are packaged with a lot of bloat. I know one can disable some of these features and use a custom launcher, but it seems as if it would be best to to start fresh and only get the phone with the best specs.

 

[thering1975]

I'm asking about custom roms because the Android phones are packaged with a lot of bloat. I know one can disable some of these features and use a custom launcher, but it seems as if it would be best to to start fresh and only get the phone with the best specs.

That is correct sometimes disabling can cause as many issues for example I produced ultra slim Samsung ROMs for the note it took ages to work out which apks. Were not dependant on others as well as being tied in to the tw-framework and framework-res files

 

[viskon]

Is the bolded point true for all Verizon Android phones?

I've never been on Verizon, and maybe other Verizon users can chime in, but I believe all Verizon phones are locked down. The most you can do is root the phone and disable bloat, but you won't be able to install custom roms.

 

[RMD68]

Its best to stick to the big guns for massive custom ROM support
Samsung
Lg
Htc
Nexus lines

Samsung you have to be careful on since they introduced Knox which will make it harder to return to stock for warranty purposes

The one plus one is the best specced phone with good custom ROM support if you can get hold of one.

With my Samsung mega and macbook you can't drag and drop so to speak you need to install android file transfer from google. On windows it is drag and drop

The One + One sounds good, but it's basically a start-up, and it's not available on Verizon.

That is correct sometimes disabling can cause as many issues for example I produced ultra slim Samsung ROMs for the note it took ages to work out which apks. Were not dependant on others as well as being tied in to the tw-framework and framework-res files

That's what concerns me. It seems that each manufacturer loads their specific Android based device with a boat load of crap. It also seems that most people simply "disable" those features and load custom launchers.

I would assume one gets the best experience out of starting fresh, yet this method can be a pain in the ass, so I keep returning full circle to my original issues in switching from iOS.

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I've never been on Verizon, and maybe other Verizon users can chime in, but I believe all Verizon phones are locked down. The most you can do is root the phone and disable bloat, but you won't be able to install custom roms.

From Verizon Wireless:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/commitment/safety-security/device-unlocking-policy.html

Device Unlocking Policy
Postpay Device Unlocking Policy:

We do not lock most phones or tablets that are activated with our postpay service, either during or after the term of your service contract or Edge installment sales agreement.

We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.

We do not lock our 3G devices, other than our Global Ready 3G phones, and the simple code to program such 3G devices for use with another carrier is either “000000” or “123456.” If the user guide for your device does not provide instructions to access the programming menu, you can contact us at *611 from your Verizon Wireless phone, or (800)922-0204, for assistance.
The SIM cards used in our 3G Global Ready phones are locked. By the end of January, 2015, we will unlock those SIM cards at your request once you have fulfilled the term of your service contract or Edge installment sales agreement and your balance is current.

 

[viskon]

From Verizon Wireless:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/commitment/safety-security/device-unlocking-policy.html

Device Unlocking Policy
Postpay Device Unlocking Policy:

We do not lock most phones or tablets that are activated with our postpay service, either during or after the term of your service contract or Edge installment sales agreement.

We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.

We do not lock our 3G devices, other than our Global Ready 3G phones, and the simple code to program such 3G devices for use with another carrier is either “000000” or “123456.” If the user guide for your device does not provide instructions to access the programming menu, you can contact us at *611 from your Verizon Wireless phone, or (800)922-0204, for assistance.
The SIM cards used in our 3G Global Ready phones are locked. By the end of January, 2015, we will unlock those SIM cards at your request once you have fulfilled the term of your service contract or Edge installment sales agreement and your balance is current.

What the above is referring to is network unlocking, ie , the ability to use the phone on other networks.

Network unlock is different from bootloader unlock.

In order to put in a new OS, other than what came on your phone, you will need the phone bootloader to be unlocked.

It is my understanding that Verizon does not have unlocked bootloaders. So you could have an network unlocked Verizon phone that you could use on AT&T, but on that same phone, you will not be able to load a custom rom.

 

[RMD68]

What the above is referring to is network unlocking, ie , the ability to use the phone on other networks.

Network unlock is different from bootloader unlock.

In order to put in a new OS, other than what came on your phone, you will need the phone bootloader to be unlocked.

It is my understanding that Verizon does not have unlocked bootloaders. So you could have an network unlocked Verizon phone that you could use on AT&T, but on that same phone, you will not be able to load a custom rom.

I see.

I thought the reason Verizon and other companies locked their boot loaders to stop people from switching services. I assumed that since they did not lock the phones, the boot loader issue wouldn't be a problem.

In typical Verizon fashion, I'll assume that the boot-loader is indeed locked.

 

[viskon]

I see.

I thought the reason Verizon and other companies locked their boot loaders to stop people from switching services. I assumed that since they did not lock the phones, the boot loader issue wouldn't be a problem.

In typical Verizon fashion, I'll assume that the boot-loader is indeed locked.

The reason they lock the bootloaders is to keep control over the services that a customer had access to. For example, one could enable tethering on their phone without paying for it by flashing a custom rom. And carriers want to keep charging for these "services".

Plus it also helps them minimize returns caused by people doing stupid things to their phones and bricking them.

 

[RMD68]

The reason they lock the bootloaders is to keep control over the services that a customer had access to. For example, one could enable tethering on their phone without paying for it by flashing a custom rom. And carriers want to keep charging for these "services".

Plus it also helps them minimize returns caused by people doing stupid things to their phones and bricking them.

That pretty much throws out the possibilities of starting fresh with Verizon.

Again, my issue is with adding all these third party launchers on top of the bloatware in the phones when I consider switching from iOS.

 

[thering1975]

In guests you are doing it on contract rather than sim free as that way the one plus etc can be used without issue.

Take a look at XDA and select the phone you would like then read the forums general and qa section for that device you would be surprised how easy unlocking is and the answers to your questions will be there

 

[OceanView]

Personally I hate dealing with iTunes.
Just too limited in dealing with files. So frustrating!

I honestly tried to use iTunes again after 2 years away from using an iPhone and the frustration of using it is killing me.
Using Android is so much easier.