My new Android: ask me anything!

[jrswizzle]

It's funny. I'm reading here that the value of a notification light is so you can find out if you've missed anything after leaving your phone somewhere for an extended period of time to do some "old fashioned living".

Yet, how many times have I also read (by many of the same posters) people claim that the notification light is so life-changing because it means they don't have to unlock their phone a thousand times a day to see if they missed anything.

Here's why I don't find any purpose to it. Because if my phone is important (i.e. I know I might need to use it), I'll have it with me either on my person (pocket) or sitting on my desk (where my phones spend 90% of the day - desk at work and at home). For all those times, a notification light is worthless as it doesn't tell me anything. My phone sits on my desk here face up. I don't touch it, I don't mess with it (unless I need to). If I get a notification the display illuminates and I see exactly what it is and know whether or not I need to respond. If I don't, the display goes black after a few seconds and that's it.

Now, for those times where I don't have my phone with me (not very much), its for a reason. I don't want to be bothered so I don't care to check my phone. I can easily press the home button to check missed notifications once when I pick the device back up later.

I have this picture of many of you in your houses with your phones in one room and you in the other because, well you know, you're better than us iPhone users and can be without your devices interacting with friends and getting more out of life. But for the notification light to be useful, it would seem you would need to get up and walk to the doorway/entry to the room your phone is in, look for the light and decide "Hmm, blue light means facebook, should I see who and then decide whether to respond?" or "Green is message, I wonder if its important or not".

Then to act, you need to go across the room, pick your phone up and unlock it to see the notification.

TL;DR - I'm all for choices, and if Apple can add a discrete/well-designed LED, fine. I'll just turn it off. But to claim its a "life-changing feature" and then ignore things like TouchID that actually affect nearly every interaction one has with his/her device is a bit ludicrous and disingenuous.

 

[mercuryjones]

I don't think you understand the use cases for a notification light.

Last night we are making dinner. The kitchen is busy with adults preparing our meal. Kids are at the table doing homework. Teenagers are in the next room watching a show called Ridiculousness. It is busy and noisy.......my phone is on the kitchen counter. I think i hear my phone notification but not certain through all the noise. I glance at my phone from across the room. Blinking green light....its an email. It can wait....no need to touch my phone. I can continue to cook dinner and answer my son's questions about his home work.


I will bet you would embrace a notification light if it was on an iPhone!

Anyway....you can like or not like it. But it is useful.....

There is where we are different. I can not look at my phone during dinner time and not be tied to it. And then check it again when I'm able. So, for all your talk about it, you are still tied to your phone.
Go ahead and keep glancing at your phone. I'll live my life and worry about that missed email when I really need to.
I've already said, if Apple implemented it, I may or may not use it, depending on the circumstances. Stop trying to claim you know me, because you don't.

 

[mib1800]

There is where we are different. I can not look at my phone during dinner time and not be tied to it. And then check it again when I'm able. So, for all your talk about it, you are still tied to your phone.
Go ahead and keep glancing at your phone. I'll live my life and worry about that missed email when I really need to.
I've already said, if Apple implemented it, I may or may not use it, depending on the circumstances. Stop trying to claim you know me, because you don't.

The notification light is another form of notification just like sound or vibrate or screen light up. It is useful in certain circumstances.

Very simple. Why do people put their phone on vibrate. Maybe in loud/quiet environment you can't or don't want to hear the sound. Imagine there is no such thing as vibrate mode. You won't die from not having it since you can workaround it. You can say with workaround is as good for you BUT you can never be as efficient.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

It's funny. I'm reading here that the value of a notification light is so you can find out if you've missed anything after leaving your phone somewhere for an extended period of time to do some "old fashioned living".

Yet, how many times have I also read (by many of the same posters) people claim that the notification light is so life-changing because it means they don't have to unlock their phone a thousand times a day to see if they missed anything.

Here's why I don't find any purpose to it. Because if my phone is important (i.e. I know I might need to use it), I'll have it with me either on my person (pocket) or sitting on my desk (where my phones spend 90% of the day - desk at work and at home). For all those times, a notification light is worthless as it doesn't tell me anything. My phone sits on my desk here face up. I don't touch it, I don't mess with it (unless I need to). If I get a notification the display illuminates and I see exactly what it is and know whether or not I need to respond. If I don't, the display goes black after a few seconds and that's it.

Now, for those times where I don't have my phone with me (not very much), its for a reason. I don't want to be bothered so I don't care to check my phone. I can easily press the home button to check missed notifications once when I pick the device back up later.

I have this picture of many of you in your houses with your phones in one room and you in the other because, well you know, you're better than us iPhone users and can be without your devices interacting with friends and getting more out of life. But for the notification light to be useful, it would seem you would need to get up and walk to the doorway/entry to the room your phone is in, look for the light and decide "Hmm, blue light means facebook, should I see who and then decide whether to respond?" or "Green is message, I wonder if its important or not".

Then to act, you need to go across the room, pick your phone up and unlock it to see the notification.

TL;DR - I'm all for choices, and if Apple can add a discrete/well-designed LED, fine. I'll just turn it off. But to claim its a "life-changing feature" and then ignore things like TouchID that actually affect nearly every interaction one has with his/her device.

Here's my take from experiencing many phones with and without the notification light.

Do I absolutely need a notification light? NO
Is the notification light useful? YES

I don't need or depend on the notification light, but I think anyone who claims it isn't useful is outright lying.

I regularly check my phone like most users do, by turning the screen on. But the notification light has occasionally saved me from missing out on an urgent message or missed called. A simple thing as a small light lets me know something is unchecked.

If I missed the initial notification on a phone without a notification light, I will not visually notice anything unchecked until I have the urge to check it, which can be hours away.

For me, a notification light is like a tap on the shoulder when you glance at your phone. It has put in my mind to check my phone at times when I wasn't thinking about doing so. I can easily without it, but I'm glad I have it.

There have also been plenty times where I see a static red light, so I know the battery is low. Nothing sucks more than quickly grabbing your phone on your way out, just to realize later on that the battery is nearly drained. It's almost impossible for me to do that without noticing the notification light.

 

[jrswizzle]

Here's my take from experiencing many phones with and without the notification light.

Do I absolutely need a notification light? NO
Is the notification light useful? YES

I don't need or depend on the notification light, but I think anyone who claims it isn't useful is outright lying.

I regularly check my phone like most users do, by turning the screen on. But the notification light has occasionally saved me from missing out on an urgent message or missed called. A simple thing as a small light lets me know something is unchecked.

If I missed the initial notification on a phone without a notification light, I will not visually notice anything unchecked until I have the urge to check it, which can be hours away.

For me, a notification light is like a tap on the shoulder when you glance at your phone. It has put in my mind to check my phone at times when I wasn't thinking about doing so. I can easily without it, but I'm glad I have it.

There have also been plenty times where I see a static red light, so I know the battery is low. Nothing sucks more than quickly grabbing your phone on your way out, just to realize later on that the battery is nearly drained. It's almost impossible for me to do that without noticing the notification light.

(1) The bolded is your opinion, but its a foolish one. I'm not lying. I turned the notification LED off on all my Android devices because it bugged me. I didn't find it useful. You want to call me a liar, that's fine. But it's my use case.

(2) The great thing about iOS notifications is that once it appears and dims, the notification doesn't "go away". I get emails (both personal and work) very consistently throughout the day. If I happened to miss a notification, it'll be there when the next one comes in an lights up my display. I rarely miss things and I don't check my phone a ton of times a day like some here seem to think those of us without the LED do.

(3) I get it - it's useful for some. It's not useful or needed for everyone. Like most features, it depends on your use case. There isn't an instance in my case where a notification LED adds anything. That's just the nature of the way I use my devices. They are generally always with me and iOS has a great notification system that shows everything there on the lock screen. Before Android L, it was either Android notification bar/having to unlock to see them and LED or iOS notifications in the lock screen and no LED (Moto's active display also being a third more specific option). I've always preferred iOS's implementation.

(4) I get around the whole battery thing by always being prepared. I regularly charge my devices overnight (even though I don't have to) and have extra cables and a battery pack in my bag I take to work and travel with. Never have a problem with battery life.

----------

The notification light is another form of notification just like sound or vibrate or screen light up. It is useful in certain circumstances.

Very simple. Why do people put their phone on vibrate. Maybe in loud/quiet environment you can't or don't want to hear the sound. Imagine there is no such thing as vibrate mode. You won't die from not having it since you can workaround it. You can say with workaround is as good for you BUT you can never be as efficient.

Opinion. I feel I'm far more efficient because I see exactly what the notification is and don't have to guess as to its importance (unless you have a light for every email and message sender - Green could be a message from you mother or spouse or spam). I can act on it in the lock screen and be done in a matter of seconds.

And during the small percentage of time I'm not near my phone, the truth is I have no desire to be "efficient" - otherwise I wouldn't have left my device somewhere else. The thing about iOS notifications is, when I come back to it, I don't come back to a bunch of different colored lights cycling around. I press ONE BUTTON and see ALL of my notifications (with previews, a choice) right there and can tackle each one.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

(1) The bolded is your opinion, but its a foolish one. I'm not lying. I turned the notification LED off on all my Android devices because it bugged me. I didn't find it useful. You want to call me a liar, that's fine. But it's my use case.

You are taking it the wrong way as if I stated you're lying if you don't personally find it useful.

(2) The great thing about iOS notifications is that once it appears and dims, the notification doesn't "go away". I get emails (both personal and work) very consistently throughout the day. If I happened to miss a notification, it'll be there when the next one comes in an lights up my display. I rarely miss things and I don't check my phone a ton of times a day like some here seem to think those of us without the LED do.

(3) I get it - it's useful for some. It's not useful or needed for everyone. Like most features, it depends on your use case. There isn't an instance in my case where a notification LED adds anything. That's just the nature of the way I use my devices. They are generally always with me and iOS has a great notification system that shows everything there on the lock screen. Before Android L, it was either Android notification bar/having to unlock to see them and LED or iOS notifications in the lock screen and no LED (Moto's active display also being a third more specific option). I've always preferred iOS's implementation.

(4) I get around the whole battery thing by always being prepared. I regularly charge my devices overnight (even though I don't have to) and have extra cables and a battery pack in my bag I take to work and travel with. Never have a problem with battery life.

Android can display notifications any type of way as iOS can. Like someone already mentioned, Notification light is just an extension of being notified.

And during the small percentage of time I'm not near my phone, the truth is I have no desire to be "efficient" - otherwise I wouldn't have left my device somewhere else. The thing about iOS notifications is, when I come back to it, I don't come back to a bunch of different colored lights cycling around. I press ONE BUTTON and see ALL of my notifications (with previews, a choice) right there and can tackle each one.

You make it seem that the notifications lights are blinding. It's barley noticeable.

 

[mercuryjones]

You are taking it the wrong way as if I stated you're lying if you don't personally find it useful.




Android can display notifications any type of way as iOS can. Like someone already mentioned, Notification light is just an extension of being notified.




You make it seem that the notifications lights are blinding. It's barley noticeable.

And you make it seem like we have to check our iPhones every time we walk back into a room. I can use the iOS notifications on the screen as my own blinky light. Face up, and it lights up every so often. Then I'll know when I got a message/email/call/etc.

 

[gotluck]

And you make it seem like we have to check our iPhones every time we walk back into a room. I can use the iOS notifications on the screen as my own blinky light. Face up, and it lights up every so often. Then I'll know when I got a message/email/call/etc.

wait, the iphone screen pulses on and off when you have pending notifications? thought it was only for new notifications.

like motorolas active display? that's news to me

When I was on iphone, I did have to check my phone everytime i walked back into a room. My ipad air on 7.1.2 does not pulse with pending notifications, is this an ios8 thing?

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

And you make it seem like we have to check our iPhones every time we walk back into a room. I can use the iOS notifications on the screen as my own blinky light. Face up, and it lights up every so often. Then I'll know when I got a message/email/call/etc.

No I haven't made it seem that way. I have been simply saying the notification light is a useful extension of how we are already notified.

I'm not arguing notification light vs anything else, but it seems like everyone is arguing REAL notifications against the notification light which is basically just an EXTENSION.

Don't like it, so be it. But plenty of people would like the iPhone to include it.

 

[mercuryjones]

wait, the iphone screen pulses on and off when you have pending notifications? thought it was only for new notifications.

like motorolas active display? that's news to me

When I was on iphone, I did have to check my phone everytime i walked back into a room. My ipad air on 7.1.2 does not pulse with pending notifications, is this an ios8 thing?

Go into settings and notifications. Under messages, you can set it too repeat up to 10 times in 2 minute intervals.
And then guess what? You'll see ALL your missed notification for up to 20 minutes. If you get a new message, it starts the clock all over again.
Now, if you don't get any new messages, well then, you'll have to simply check your phone. Or, like I stated early, simply ask Siri if you have any missed notifications, and she'll tell you how many and what kind.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Or, like I stated early, simply ask Siri if you have any missed notifications, and she'll tell you how many and what kind.

Downside is you must be connected to power. Apple will probably change that in a update or next iPhone/iOS upgrade.

 

[jamezr]

wait, the iphone screen pulses on and off when you have pending notifications? thought it was only for new notifications.

like motorolas active display? that's news to me

When I was on iphone, I did have to check my phone everytime i walked back into a room. My ipad air on 7.1.2 does not pulse with pending notifications, is this an ios8 thing?

Not even close to active display. There is no pulse notification.
You can have it repeat the notification but it is not close to active display with always on voice commands the Motorola phones have.

----------

Go into settings and notifications. Under messages, you can set it too repeat up to 10 times in 2 minute intervals.
And then guess what? You'll see ALL your missed notification for up to 20 minutes. If you get a new message, it starts the clock all over again.
Now, if you don't get any new messages, well then, you'll have to simply check your phone. Or, like I stated early, simply ask Siri if you have any missed notifications, and she'll tell you how many and what kind.

You have to touch you phone to get Siri to work. Motorola phones have Active Display with always on voice commands. Just say Ok Google" and it will do anything Siri can do......without touching the phone.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

You have to touch you phone to get Siri to work. Motorola phones have Active Display with always on voice commands. Just say Ok Google" and it will do anything Siri can do......without touching the phone.

Note 4 also does this. I'm not sure if that's a feature of just the Note 4 or if other phones with the new TW, like the S5 and Active can too.

 

[jamezr]

Note 4 also does this. I'm not sure if that's a feature of just the Note 4 or if other phones with the new TW, like the S5 and Active can too.

I have a N4...it won't work from the lockscreen. Only when the screen is on....

 

[mercuryjones]

Not even close to active display. There is no pulse notification.
You can have it repeat the notification but it is not close to active display with always on voice commands the Motorola phones have.

----------


You have to touch you phone to get Siri to work. Motorola phones have Active Display with always on voice commands. Just say Ok Google" and it will do anything Siri can do......without touching the phone.

Thereby making your blinky light worthless. And, if my iPhone is plugged in, I don't have to touch it. In fact, with SMS Relay and Continuity, I don't even have to have my phone in the same room with me to see messages and receive phone calls, when I'm on my Macbook or iPad.
Now, I know that there's some Android developer that is trying to work on the exact same thing for Android, but it's a push method and not a pull like Apple implemented.

 

[Tinmania]

Thereby making your blinky light worthless.

You are still at it? Good lord.



Michael

 

[I7guy]

You are still at it? Good lord.



Michael

I know, right? Good Lord!

 

[gotluck]

Thereby making your blinky light worthless. And, if my iPhone is plugged in, I don't have to touch it. In fact, with SMS Relay and Continuity, I don't even have to have my phone in the same room with me to see messages and receive phone calls, when I'm on my Macbook or iPad.
Now, I know that there's some Android developer that is trying to work on the exact same thing for Android, but it's a push method and not a pull like Apple implemented.

pushbullet mirrors notifications to pc/tablet(android) and its cross platform! can respond to sms from pc.

I'm mad that continuity does not work on windows, useless for me at work, where I want it. One of my biggest turnoffs for ios these days.

----------

Go into settings and notifications. Under messages, you can set it too repeat up to 10 times in 2 minute intervals.
And then guess what? You'll see ALL your missed notification for up to 20 minutes. If you get a new message, it starts the clock all over again.
Now, if you don't get any new messages, well then, you'll have to simply check your phone. Or, like I stated early, simply ask Siri if you have any missed notifications, and she'll tell you how many and what kind.

interesting, I was not aware. Does it emit a sound again? or just flash the screen on for a few moments? 2 minute interval is a bit long to be comparing it to a notification light.

I would still maintain that ios does not have a feature that replicates a notification light, for those that want it.

 

[jrswizzle]

You are taking it the wrong way as if I stated you're lying if you don't personally find it useful.

This is what you said:

"but I think anyone who claims it isn't useful is outright lying."

I claim it isn't useful for me therefore you think I'm lying. Can't be much clearer.

Android can display notifications any type of way as iOS can. Like someone already mentioned, Notification light is just an extension of being notified.

I looked for lockscreen notification apps.....none were as good as the built-in iOS version.

But Android L is implementing actionable lockscreen notifications as part of the OS itself. Good for them.

You make it seem that the notifications lights are blinding. It's barley noticeable.

Nope - you make it seem that way as you're the one using terms like "blinding". I just found it annoying. That's what I said, and that's what I meant.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

This is what you said:

"but I think anyone who claims it isn't useful is outright lying."

Can't be much clearer.

Of course, it's so clear now when you cut out half the original sentence.

 

[jamezr]

Thereby making your blinky light worthless. And, if my iPhone is plugged in, I don't have to touch it. In fact, with SMS Relay and Continuity, I don't even have to have my phone in the same room with me to see messages and receive phone calls, when I'm on my Macbook or iPad.
Now, I know that there's some Android developer that is trying to work on the exact same thing for Android, but it's a push method and not a pull like Apple implemented.

You still don't get it...still not putting the two things together......
I said Motorola phones with Active Display had those features.
My Samsung Note 4 has a blinking LED light......
There are more choices per OEM then there is allowed on IOS.....
Choice.......is always better for the consumer......
there are apps in the Playstore that do exactly what the IOS notifications do......so we can have that too if we want it......
Choice is a good thing.......

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I have a N4...it won't work from the lockscreen. Only when the screen is on....

It does work from the lock screen. Check your settings.

 

[jpcarro]

What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

 

[jrswizzle]

Of course, it's so clear now when you cut out half the original sentence.

The first half simply stated your use case....had nothing to do with the second half and didn't affect the meaning.

"I don't need or depend on the notification light"

Neither do I. And I also don't find it at all useful. I'm a liar.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The first half simply stated your use case....had nothing to do with the second half and didn't affect the meaning.

"I don't need or depend on the notification light"

Neither do I. And I also don't find it at all useful. I'm a liar.

I already explained what I meant, so take from it what you want.