Making the switch. Give some thoughts and advice.

[ugahairydawgs]

You do realize you can opt to not pull all that stuff into your contacts, right?

That's news to me. Where do you go to do that?

 

[KentuckyHouse]

That's news to me. Where do you go to do that?

Settings > Accounts and Sync > Google > tap on your account at the top and then uncheck whatever you don't want synced. You can also tap on Google+ under your Google account (in the same menu, towards the bottom) and there are other options of what to sync or not sync with G+.

This is where Android can become confusing, but it's pretty much the same across all phones and OS's, so once you know it's there, it's easy to do.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Settings > Accounts and Sync > Google > tap on your account at the top and then uncheck whatever you don't want synced. You can also tap on Google+ under your Google account (in the same menu, towards the bottom) and there are other options of what to sync or not sync with G+.

This is where Android can become confusing, but it's pretty much the same across all phones and OS's, so once you know it's there, it's easy to do.

Oh....sorry. I was talking about Contacts on the Gmail website.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

Oh....sorry. I was talking about Contacts on the Gmail website.

Ah, gotcha. My bad for misunderstanding...lol.

That I'll have to check on. There has to be a setting in there somewhere, I just need to dig around and find out. I rarely use the website for my contacts, so I'm not completely up to speed on it, but I'll see what I can find.

 

[siurpeeman]

I've also really enjoyed Google Maps much more than Apple Maps and Google Maps on iOS.

curious to know why you find google maps on android more enjoyable than on ios. for me, it's the reverse. it's nice that maps and navigation can be found within the same app in ios vs having to launch a separate navigation app on android. i also find the ios version more intuitive and easier to navigate, and i really love the flat design of it. the only drawback is that you can't launch it from siri or other apps (unless you're jailbroken).

 

[miamialley]

curious to know why you find google maps on android more enjoyable than on ios. for me, it's the reverse. it's nice that maps and navigation can be found within the same app in ios vs having to launch a separate navigation app on android. i also find the ios version more intuitive and easier to navigate, and i really love the flat design of it. the only drawback is that you can't launch it from siri or other apps (unless you're jailbroken).

On my S4, when I'm in Google maps there is always an option to tap to get immediate navigation (which yes, brings up the Navigation app). But I don't understand how this is an issue. It's a seamless transition requiring nothing additional on the part of the user (just like iOS). And i never actually open the Nav app for any reason, everything is done via the map app. I like the UI better and find street view a must. Apple Maps not having it a joke. After having my S4 for a week now, my iPhone 5 feels really dated. Weird, because 2 weeks ago I thought it was pretty sweet. Even my iPad 3 feels stale now that I've been on the S4 (my first Android).

 

[jamezr]

Thanks! Follow your HTC One posts and pretty excited to switch. Leaning heavy to the HTC. I like the S4 but after playing with both for a while I have a feeling a lot of the sensor things on the S4 will be shut off and I kind of like Sense more the TW personally but not 100% yet. Debating waiting till after Google I/O and WWDC "just in case".

Of course coming from 100% Apple environment the thought is a little daunting. Re-buying all my apps, moving EVERYTHING over to other services and systems etc. Though it's prob a GREAT time for some spring cleaning and rebuilding my iMac and MBP

I often switch platforms...I have had every iphone except the original one. I have had the S3, Note 2, iPhone 5, HTC One, and now the S4 just this year.
I keep everything in sync between my rMBP and my iMac with Google contacts and calendar on my Macs. I still use iTunes to buy music but use iSyncr to sync all of my music and playlist to any Android phone I have at the moment. Works great! I also use DropBox to sync all pictures to the cloud. Then install DropBox on my Macs and all of my pictures that are taken with my S4 sync on all of my Macs. It works just like Photo Stream does. You can pretty much find Android software that will do what you had on your iphone.

 

[durant35]

I'm about to make the jump to Android. Not sure if it will be the HTC One of the Galaxy S4 yet, but I know that the iPhone 5 will be my last iPhone for a while. Not really excited about the announcement of iOS7 and I'm sure it will be neat and some advancements but I get the feeling it going to be more of "Well Ive's didn't have enough time to make it perfect, wait for iOS8". But who knows. I may (and that's a slight may) wait till after WWDC since we are only about a month away, but I have a feeling it's going to take a lot to change my mindset right now.

Before I get started here is some background. I use to be a Network Engineer and have a solid tech background. I've been on a TON of smartphones throughout the years (every iPhone, Windows phones, Treo, Blackberry and so on) so not worried about any learning curve or anything.

Here is the thing. Ever since the original iPhone I've slowly moved to a full blown Apple ecosystem. MPB, iPad, iPods, AppleTVs, iMac and iPhone. Of course everything is synced with an @me address. That was one of the big selling points to me when it came to Apple. The seamless integration across all devices. Without tinkering. Just setup and move on with my life. I have started noticing that over the past year or so that more often things are starting to break down. Sync issues, iMessage (while great) is very temperamental, contacts don't sync to one device and bookmarks don't sync to another and so on. My thought is if I'm going to have to "tinker" I might as well have more phone freedom and also have a device I can tinker with. Yeah I could JB my iPhone but that's another post all together.

Anyway, I assume that Google is the best route to go for things like Contacts, Calendar, Notes, etc. But to make a long winded post short, for those of you who made the switch from 100% Apple to Android what are some of your do's and don'ts? Pitfalls? How was it getting off @me syncing and moving over to Google? What advice/steps could you give for someone switching?

I would suggest keeping your iPhone while you try Android. You may miss little things like taking pics on your iPhone and having them stream to your other apple products. Downloading apps on your iPad and having them show up on your iphone. Playing photos or video from your iPhone on your Apple TV and many other things. Android is a very good platform, but once the initial honeymoon phase of having something new ends, youll find its just another OS, and an OS that isnt nearly as compatible with your Apple products as the iPhone.