Obsession with Eco-Systems

[JaySoul]

Find it strange how quite a few posters always ask the same question to anyone considering switching to/from Apple/Android:

"What eco-system are you on?"

This isn't the be all and end all. I've got a MacBook, Apple TV, iPhone and iPad.

But I've just switched to an Android phone because I've become wary of being locked into an eco-system. What if Apple raise the price year on year? (Which they do). What if Google are trying to make Android a walled garden too? (Which they are). I prefer to keep my options open.

For some people, they just want ease of use and sticking within a walled garden, that's cool. But for me, switching to an Android phone has been really easy. It works with the Mac and Apple TV just fine.

There are strengths/weaknesses with both systems but they can live together, and sometimes there seems to be a bit too much fear/misinformation on all sides regarding eco-systems!

 

[maflynn]

There are strengths/weaknesses with both systems but they can live together, and sometimes there seems to be a bit too much fear/misinformation on all sides regarding eco-systems!

That might be true to some extent, there's also clear advantages to sticking with an "ecosystem."

Using iTunes, and iClouds to sync your data on iOS is clearly superior then trying to sync that data on an android phone. It can be done but it takes more work and is not as seamless. Likewise if you use Google services, Andorid provides a more seamless user experience then iOS. It can be done on iOS but its a bit better with android.

I've been on Android and I'm currently on iOS and one main reason I've stuck with iOS is the ease for which I sync my music, videos, movies, calendar, address book and notes. All of which I use apple services.

So in the end, people can get hung up on ecosystems, there is a reason, because if you use google services the google ecosystem works better for you and vice versa, if you're enmeshed in apple's products and services then iOS is better.

 

[sparky08]

I don't get the ecosystem talk either. I just buy what fits me best.

For years, I was MacBook- iPad - iPhone

Now, I am MacBook - iPad - Nexus 7 - Nexus 5

I can't think of one thing I'm missing because I have a mixed set of devices. I like the freedom. I switched from iPhone to Nexus because I felt that Apple has fallen behind, but I'm hoping they will make it up in iOS7 / iPhone 6.

 

[mattopotamus]

I would like to know what app is letting you control/airplay to your appletv? That and airports are the two device I still think you must have an IOS device to manage and get full use out of.

people who just use itunes and icloud I would not consider invested in the apple eco system. People who use ATVs, Airports, Hue Lights, etc are people I would consider invested.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I did like the whole MobileMe and iDisk experience. RIP

iMessage is the best thing about Apple's ecosystem for me, as I still use it sometimes on my iPad2 and Macbook. Never liked Photostteam. The whole managing music via iTunes is just old to me.

Apple's ecosystem is too tight for my taste. For example, you can't stream your uploaded or purchased music on any desktop or device. You'll need iTunes on a desktop, then you'll need to basically tie a desktop or device with one account only. With Google, all you need is a login on any browser and you can toggle multiple accounts on a device.

Google's ecosystem is too open to complain about IMO, and nowadays it's just as easy as Apple's ecosystem to maintain, which wasn't always the case.

Apps will always be apart of ecosystem woes for obvious reasons. Too bad you can't pay and/or save app data on one platform and transfer to another OS.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Why limit yourself to one ecosystem?

I have an iPad mini, an iPod touch and an apple TV. I also have a Samsung galaxy s4, a Samsung galaxy tab 2 10.1 and a Samsung chromebook. Now I have access to both iOS and android.

They are both good systems so I didn't see the point in limiting myself to one ecosystem.

Even with my sink devices I have a kindle paper white, a nook and a kobo. Again not limiting myself.

 

[cynics]

Obsession with Eco-Systems

Meh. If you have all Apple products and get an Android phone now, then why can't I later? If you aren't stuck in their ecosystem then no one is. It's not like money is an issue considering Apple products are pretty much the highest.

Currently I just prefer all Apple products and their cons are easy for me to over look by their pros.

iMessage and AirPlay are two services that I use very often. There are alternatives but ease of use is no where near as close. It's nice when someone iMessages me a YouTube link and I can instantly flick it to my AppleTV or any media sent too me for that matter.

I will agree I'm not nor will I ever be a fan on iTunes especially on a PC.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I have a MacBook Pro, iPad Mini, and Nokia Lumia 520. I don't think there's an eco-system problem, it's just people want to have everything so they can pull it up on every device. My setup is already so mobile, that I'm already carrying an iPad and my phone at all times. So it really doesn't matter to me.

If there's anything I have learned in the last 15 years, is to not get so attached to services, and to not use your computer to replace your brain.

 

[fredaroony]

I personally think the whole ecosystem argument is a bunch of nonsense.

Use whatever you like and suits you the best!

I have a rMBP, iPad mini, iMac, Mac mini, 2 x Apple TV's, Macbook Air 11" and 13" plus use an Xperia ZL. Using the Xperia among the Apple devices has made no difference compared to using my work supplied iPhone 4S.

 

[Aika]

Stick to cross-platform services and you won't ever be tethered to one company and can buy the best device for your needs.

I feel sorry for the insecure platform warriors who feel the need to fight their corner. There's something for everyone out there, just be happy.

 

[mattopotamus]

Random, but relevant. Chrome cast added HBO go support and hopefully more follow. The best part is it works with iOS and android

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Random, but relevant. Chrome cast added HBO go support and hopefully more follow. The best part is it works with iOS and android

I'm so close to getting chromecast based on curiosity alone.

 

[Technarchy]

For some people, they just want ease of use and sticking within a walled garden, that's cool. But for me, switching to an Android phone has been really easy. It works with the Mac and Apple TV just fine.

There are strengths/weaknesses with both systems but they can live together, and sometimes there seems to be a bit too much fear/misinformation on all sides regarding eco-systems!

Living with both can be done, but it's a pain in the ass at times. Like in a big way.

When I got a GS4 it took a couple of weeks to find alternatives and work arounds for what iOS gives you out the box. Then you have to push those alternatives and work arounds on Apple users to get them looped in again.

Without going into specifics, very simply, t's just a headache to go from structure, and uniformity and coherence of Apple to android's discombobulated mishmash of disconnected apps, and services with data shared across 10 different companies just to give me what the iPhone provided out the box.

To each is own, though.

 

[fredaroony]

Without going into specifics, very simply, t's just a headache to go from structure, and uniformity and coherence of Apple to android's discombobulated mishmash of disconnected apps, and services with data shared across 10 different companies just to give me what the iPhone provided out the box.

To each is own, though.

Such as? I can't think of anything that iOS has that Android doesn't easily except I slightly prefer the iOS notifications.

It's 2013 and iOS still doesnt have a T9 dialer... You can't even attach a file to an email you are replying to!

 

[Ragnarianrok]

I own an iPhone 5c, a nexus 5, a nexus 7, and a macbook pro.

Life's good.

 

[Mr D]

That's why I like to stick with cross platform services. Such as using evernote for all my notes. Or Amazon Kindle instead of iBooks or Google Books...etc

 

[Abazigal]

Using all apple devices here. I was so impressed with my iMac that I got an iPhone, which in turn led to an ipad, Apple TV and then MacBook Air.

You are right about getting the right devices which best suit my needs, and in my case, they are all apple products.

 

[b166er]

I like having things in sync, but I also prefer third party solutions like Evernote and Dropbox. I use different platforms all the time so the third party stuff comes in handy. I totally get why people get "stuck" in an ecosystem. It's almost a little intimidating to break out at first, especially if you're a long time iOS user.

 

[sracer]

I have a MacBook Pro, iPad Mini, and Nokia Lumia 520. I don't think there's an eco-system problem, it's just people want to have everything so they can pull it up on every device. My setup is already so mobile, that I'm already carrying an iPad and my phone at all times. So it really doesn't matter to me.

If there's anything I have learned in the last 15 years, is to not get so attached to services, and to not use your computer to replace your brain.

True.

The benefits of embracing an ecosystem: the "gatekeeper" of the walled-garden has defined how various devices interact with each other.

The detriments of embracing an ecosystem: attempting to do something that the gatekeeper as deemed ungood results in irritation and frustration.

In other words, the gatekeeper is the savior until you want to do something he doesn't allow and then he is the prison warden.

As I've seen Apple become more heavy handed, I've taken steps to be ecosystem agnostic...

Whatever I choose to rely on (for personal organization data, documents) must be platform neutral and work in iOS, Android, OSX, and Windows. That severely restricts the applications I use, and often means using different apps on different platforms to access the same central data.

This works out well for me and should any one piece go rogue, I can easily swap that piece out.

 

[jrswizzle]

Reason I'm a proponent of the ecosystem argument has nothing to do with my own likes/needs but in my interactions with family and friends - 90% of which own Apple products.

Its just easier for my wife and I to share things via iOS then teach her dropbox or some other alternative. My dad tried to send me a contact card via SMS and it wouldn't go through to my N5.

Nothing major, just little things. But to say there's NOTHING to the ecosystem argument is hogwash. And for me, it has nothing to do with ME and everything to do with those I communicate frequently with.

 

[mib1800]

Living with both can be done, but it's a pain in the ass at times. Like in a big way.

When I got a GS4 it took a couple of weeks to find alternatives and work arounds for what iOS gives you out the box. Then you have to push those alternatives and work arounds on Apple users to get them looped in again.

Without going into specifics, very simply, t's just a headache to go from structure, and uniformity and coherence of Apple to android's discombobulated mishmash of disconnected apps, and services with data shared across 10 different companies just to give me what the iPhone provided out the box.

To each is own, though.

I think you are talking nonsense. iCloud is not even close to Google in services. Everything you wanted out-of-box Iphone is there in Android. The problem with ios is it makes you "disconnect" and isolate yourself from the rest of the world and lock you in with proprietary hardware.

If you want uniformity, Google is still much better. As days goes by the number of people still on proprietary software such iMessage/facetime will become lesser and lesser.

 

[fredaroony]

Reason I'm a proponent of the ecosystem argument has nothing to do with my own likes/needs but in my interactions with family and friends - 90% of which own Apple products.

Its just easier for my wife and I to share things via iOS then teach her dropbox or some other alternative. My dad tried to send me a contact card via SMS and it wouldn't go through to my N5.

Nothing major, just little things. But to say there's NOTHING to the ecosystem argument is hogwash. And for me, it has nothing to do with ME and everything to do with those I communicate frequently with.

Actually I take back my earlier comment then as I see your point. I don't personally care about others phones as I use Whatsapp and other universal apps.

 

[jrswizzle]

Actually I take back my earlier comment then as I see your point. I don't personally care about others phones as I use Whatsapp and other universal apps.

Right, but do the people you communicate with use those universal apps? Are those apps able to communicate with other apps of the same type (i.e. Whatsapp to Hangouts or iMessage?).

I'm actually curious about that last part.

Yup - for me, its easier on those I communicate with frequently who aren't anywhere near as insane about all of this as I am (I've had roughly 6 smartphones since February). They like to use whats there - no demands, only that it works. And the iPhone is quite simple and easy to use out of the box.

 

[fredaroony]

Right, but do the people you communicate with use those universal apps? Are those apps able to communicate with other apps of the same type (i.e. Whatsapp to Hangouts or iMessage?).

I'm actually curious about that last part.

Yup - for me, its easier on those I communicate with frequently who aren't anywhere near as insane about all of this as I am (I've had roughly 6 smartphones since February). They like to use whats there - no demands, only that it works. And the iPhone is quite simple and easy to use out of the box.

Yes, many of my friends use Whatsapp regardless of the phone they are using. Some also use Viber and wife uses Line with a lot of her friends.

She just went from a iPhone 5 to a S4 and the good thing for her is that it didn't change they way she communicated with her friends.

 

[Technarchy]

Right, but do the people you communicate with use those universal apps? Are those apps able to communicate with other apps of the same type (i.e. Whatsapp to Hangouts or iMessage?).

I'm actually curious about that last part.

Yup - for me, its easier on those I communicate with frequently who aren't anywhere near as insane about all of this as I am (I've had roughly 6 smartphones since February). They like to use whats there - no demands, only that it works. And the iPhone is quite simple and easy to use out of the box.

It's a huge pain point to get people you communicate with to switch to some message app.

I had to go through that process and get everyone that matters on to hangouts. Months later I was still getting SMS messages because most were perfectly happy with iMessage and didn't want to put the effort into migrating over.