One week in...

[Napoleon7]

I'm one week in for my new VZW GS4.

Things I like:

• I like the larger screen size of the GS4 - it's nice for reading and web surfing.
• I generally like the customizability of Android, though I haven't gotten too crazy with this yet - actually not sure if I will.
• 4G LTE speed is very convenient.
• SWYPE keyboard is pretty cool.
• Back button - very useful, Apple should consider this in the next iPhone iteration. Doubtful that they will, but I believe that it would be nice.

Things that I expected to like more:

• Widgets - I'm not saying that I don't like widgets, but I don't think that they bring much to the table, since most of them seem to just be Shortcuts to an App. I can see that they could save some time here and there with some specific task, but I'm not overly impressed just yet.
• Google Integration - there is no doubt that Google is heavily integrated into Android, but Google has done a lot of good work on the iOS end recently. The Google services that I most commonly use are GMAIL and GMAPS, both of which I actually prefer the iOS version. I expected the Android versions to better more robust and well-designed, but it appears to be vice-versa.
• Apps - most apps on iOS are more well built and updated more frequently - first that comes to mind is Zite. Also some apps unfortunately don't exist on both platforms - first that comes to mind is Lumosity. Before giving Android a try via GS4, I never would have considered myself one that is tied to a specific set of apps, which led me to believe that it would be a quick and easy transition, but I don't believe that Google/Amazon/Android offers a selection of apps that are on par with Apple's.

Through VZW, I have a 14 day return policy. I'm going to try over the next half week to see if I can further acquaint myself with Android - there are definitely a lot of perks to using Android over iOS, but I'm not certain that I'm the demographic that fully utilizes the aforementioned benefits.

 

[3bs]

One week in what? I suggest you add that to your title.

 

[Orlandoech]

In hell?

jk.

 

[Suno]

Also one week into my G4.

Have you tried SwiftKey? It's much better than the built-in Samsung keyboard. Having experienced it, I don't think I can ever go back to any other keyboard, especially the iOS one.

I haven't played around with widgets too much, but so far I do agree. So far, the only widget's I use are the SenseClock and Airdroid widgets. I'm inclined to agree with a lot of what you said.

That being said though, I don't think I can see myself going back to iOS. The sheer amount of freedom available on the Android is a refreshing breather, compared to the locked-down feeling of iOS. Small, simple stuff like a built-in file browser for my SD card, the ability to swap out default apps for 3rd party apps (Google voice/skype for phone, etc.) and the ease with which I can transfer files between my computer and phone without having to sync everything (i.e., syncing specific files like MKV through iTunes) is all wonderful stuff I always felt like were basic functions that were missing on the iPhone. The fact that I can install an app directly from my computer without having to have a cable, or even the phone for that matter, near me is so cool.

PS: Have you tried Airdroid yet? Highly recommend it.

 

[Napoleon7]

One week in what? I suggest you add that to your title.

In hell?

jk.

I'll bet that if either one of you had read the first line, you would have figured out what I was talking about.

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Also one week into my G4.

Have you tried SwiftKey? It's much better than the built-in Samsung keyboard. Having experienced it, I don't think I can ever go back to any other keyboard, especially the iOS one.

I haven't played around with widgets too much, but so far I do agree. So far, the only widget's I use are the SenseClock and Airdroid widgets. I'm inclined to agree with a lot of what you said.

That being said though, I don't think I can see myself going back to iOS. The sheer amount of freedom available on the Android is a refreshing breather, compared to the locked-down feeling of iOS. Small, simple stuff like a built-in file browser for my SD card, the ability to swap out default apps for 3rd party apps (Google voice/skype for phone, etc.) and the ease with which I can transfer files between my computer and phone without having to sync everything (i.e., syncing specific files like MKV through iTunes) is all wonderful stuff I always felt like were basic functions that were missing on the iPhone. The fact that I can install an app directly from my computer without having to have a cable, or even the phone for that matter, near me is so cool.

PS: Have you tried Airdroid yet? Highly recommend it.

Yes, I agree - third party keyboards are far superior to the built in Samsung keyboard.

I haven't tried Airdroid yet - will give it a look.

 

[3bs]

I'll bet that if either one of you had read the first line, you would have figured out what I was talking about.

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Yes, I agree - third party keyboards are far superior to the built in Samsung keyboard.

I haven't tried Airdroid yet - will give it a look.

That's not the point. The point is that it's nice to know what the thread is about without having to open it.

(and yes I did read the first line but that's all I read)

 

[maximus96]

That's not the point. The point is that it's nice to know what the thread is about without having to open it.

(and yes I did read the first line but that's all I read)

i wish more people would put complete thoughts in the titles instead of vague crap like "did you know that..." or "one week in..."