Ok, well I can only confirm that Kindle is present and correct on Google Play, in the UK, on my Note 2 and also on my old HTC Hero. It was one of the first things I installed. You'll probably find some Apps actively blocked because the services they use aren't available in the UK for licensing reasons (somebody mentioned Pandora?). I'm sure the same applies to Apple.
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My take on S3/Android
- Thread starter MacBH928
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Ok, well I can only confirm that Kindle is present and correct on Google Play, in the UK, on my Note 2 and also on my old HTC Hero. It was one of the first things I installed. You'll probably find some Apps actively blocked because the services they use aren't available in the UK for licensing reasons (somebody mentioned Pandora?). I'm sure the same applies to Apple.
I'm generally leery of reviews that only cover "a few days" of use. It took me more than a few days to get to appreciate the WebOS philosophy of working, for example, and it's taken me even longer to understand the best ways (for me) to interact with Android in the most advantageous manner.
That said, oh boy, do I agree with this hardware design observation:
Half the time that I turn on my Nexus, I manage to turn down the volume at the same time.
Any phone built like this, with the power and volume buttons either directly opposite or directly adjacent to each other, drives me crazy.
I prefer a large power button put somewhere else (top, back) that's easy to hit when wished, but otherwise out of the way.
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http://www.hacktik.com/access-blocked-content-of-google-play-from-outside-usa.html/
http://www.cactusvpn.com/vpn/access-google-play-uk-vpn-service/
This is basically is telling me "Oh ...you cant buy, go pirate"
Many countries are restricted to its own content. For example, I believe Hulu is a US only. So if you are from UK you cant access it. There is a lot similar to this stuff.
The difference between iTunes approach and Google Play is that iTunes allow you to register as if you are in the USA if you have USA credit card . Google play uses IP address, how do I know this? because when I used a VPN I accessed all the USA's apps . What if I was an American traveling ?
btw, if you don't know this, I am complaining about this because outside USA Google Play/iTunes store are extremely limited in apps. What do you think is available on Bhutan's or Mongolia's Google Play/iTunes store?
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I think I am tech savvy enough to know what to test .I've been online daily for about 15 years now.
I understand when you say I need more time to appreciate the Android device. Trust me I do appreciate its capabilities. I came out having a positive opinion about it, and if in the future they fix its issues consider me a happy buyer.
#1 issue for me is that I hate computer devices that lets you constantly fiddle around just to get on with your life. Thats why I switched from Windows to mac. On windows you spend more time setting up and fixing than using the computer. I have been using Mac for 10 years now I am still not sure whats in the System preferences...thats a good thing because I hardly go there or need to. I can the same about the iPad which I have now for about 2 years. When I got the Android I kept going back to the settings to figure things out...and sometimes it did NOT figure out like transferring files to a mac (Only the richest company in the world) .
Android should go with an Apple approach. Google Play apps should be monitored like Apple apps, but with the option to download from other stores like OS X App Store. Also they should work with specific manufacturers to make sure of best software+hardware compatibility. The "take and do whatever you want with it" is not a good business idea. This is exactly what Linux have been doing for the last 15 years, its still didnt pick up as a competitor for Windows or Mac...hahaha even though its FREE yet OS X and Windows is to be paid for!
Also the regulating and monitoring approach is the reason more people are making Ubuntu popular choice, they are concentrating on one flavor and making the best out of it to work and have enough support.
Well if you had to spend lot of time "setting up and fixing" i guess you where doing stuff you didnt know about
Seems to your a follower, nothing wrong with that but i dont think you should mention your a tech savy
if you didnt know how transfer a files in and out of a android device.
Then you should be blaming the service/developer
This is not an Android problem
Have you got any examples that are no regional based media apps
Well if you had to spend lot of time "setting up and fixing" i guess you where doing stuff you didnt know about
Seems to your a follower, nothing wrong with that but i dont think you should mention your a tech savy
He happens to be right about this particular thing. On the S2 it's a simple matter but the S3 cannot be connected as a storage device. The S3 supports MTP and PTP which isn't supported by OS X as a way to access the data on the phone. It works on Windows, though.
So you can blame Apple for not implementing MTP and you can blame Samsung for leaving out a particurlarly useful feature.
Related link: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...behind-galaxy-nexus-lack-of-usb-mass-storage/
in PTP I see the phones can be used in iPhoto, maybe there's another way to get to their storage? (aside from DoubleTwist AirSync)
Well if you had to spend lot of time "setting up and fixing" i guess you where doing stuff you didnt know about
Seems to your a follower, nothing wrong with that but i dont think you should mention your a tech savy
Yes , because a linux user can set it up as he likes it in 60 seconds right?
Even if you know what you are doing, it takes time to set things up dont lie to yourself.
As for transferring files, if I :
1) Connected the device to my computer
2)Chose the 2 different methods of transferring the files
3)Downloaded the Android official app to transfer files to mac
4)Researched its step by step process to make it work
5)adjusted the settings in the phone
and yet it still didnt not transfer the files , I guess the Android is very user friendly, its my problem I dont know how to write custom software and then compile it just so I can transfer some files from my computer to my phone.
Even my lousy Blackberry can do this...its called plug and play.
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it is not problem with the OS , that is true , but its something you have to keep your eye opened for when purchasing an Android device. Believe it or not, there are 6.7 billion people outside the US , and they do use smart phones.
I am not sure what non media apps are US only, but I thought Android was on the opposite of iTunes. While Apple was so restrictive about what you can put on the iTunes store in a very controlled environment (not even emulation is allowed) I thought Android was on the other end of the spectrum where it is a free for all.
Seems Android has restrictions too.
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I am not sure what you are talking about. I have been using mac daily for 10 years , I never had to download any drivers to make any thing work. Everything was plug and play... S3 was the only device that did not work AT ALL even thought I did download the official app for it.
What if those features/apps are like Siri ,iCloud?, or maps? Would u say its an argument against iOS if it works only IN America?
Ive never had Swiftkey crash on me...EVER, on either of my Android phones i had. I dont have an issue hitting the buttons on the bottom when i dont want to. Maybe its just thats guys problem which shouldnt mean it is a GS3 problem.
As for the screen and him seeing pixels, ...i call BS as well.
But what are the CORE apps on Android ONLY work in America, you failed to mention any. We had to guess what apps you were talking about.
But in regards to likes of Siri, iCloud & new Maps.
Siri is next to useless for me with local searches unavailable and weather unsupported whenever I ask, and you can forget about Irish names or places she / he just craps out. iCloud is good, but I'd rather have my MobileMe & iDisk back, and lets forget the new Maps, because again for where I am it's lacklustre at best and next to useless, I just use Navigon now,
So yes there are plenty of users who miss out on features these core apps have because they are not fully supported in all countries.
That definetly could be used as an argument against iOS because these apps are core, and are marketed as apps that define iOS iPhone experience.
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I've had it crash a number of times on different devices, with the usual stopped working message. It might be specific to dictionary / language pack setup but it certainly does crash now and again.
As for hitting buttons I've done it. I have hit the home button sometimes inadvertently when trying to type fast on swift key and instead of hitting spacebar i hit off the capacitive home button. Not a big problem but again it is entirely possible (this is on a One X not a GS3)
Would you prefer being allowed to download apps that are nonfunctional outside of the US?
Various media apps are restricted to the US by the publisher due to licensing issues. It makes no sense to put those apps in the international Google Play store. It's actually more user friendly to exclude them to avoid confusion.
@macrumoruser
I do not know of any core Android apps that do not work outside US. I was trying to point out that , if a certain app or feature that does not WORK due to location its a negative point towards that OS/device like you said Siri is useless in Ireland, therefor its a negative thing towards the iOS
@MacSmurf
You do make a valid point about not putting an app that is location restricted available for download. But if you live outside the US you will know how this starts to get frustrating, soon a lot of things are US only.
All I will say is that many people here can get access to the iTunes store and do make purchases for music and video(not sure if illegal or legal given that you did pay for it) , but I cant say the same about Android unless you use VPN
I do not know of any core Android apps that do not work outside US. I was trying to point out that , if a certain app or feature that does not WORK due to location its a negative point towards that OS/device like you said Siri is useless in Ireland, therefor its a negative thing towards the iOS
@MacSmurf
You do make a valid point about not putting an app that is location restricted available for download. But if you live outside the US you will know how this starts to get frustrating, soon a lot of things are US only.
All I will say is that many people here can get access to the iTunes store and do make purchases for music and video(not sure if illegal or legal given that you did pay for it) , but I cant say the same about Android unless you use VPN