Samsung ecosystem - replace my iOS ecosystem?

[xraydoc]

I prefer my devices to have a consistent user interface. iOS is nice because the iPhone and iPad look/behave the same way.

Many Android devices, as you all know, have varying interfaces depending on who produces them. I was previously frustrated with my Samsung GS3 and Nexus 7 (2012) tablet because each had a different UI. I even had muscle memory issues since the back button was on the right on the Samsung and on the left on the Nexus 7/stock Android.

So, my question is this. Anyone have any comments insofar as going all-in with the Samsung ecosystem. Say, a Galaxy S4 phone and a Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet (to replace my iPad mini and Nexus 7).

Both would have a consistent UI (TouchWiz on both), so buttons, icons, artwork, etc. would be consistent throughout.

Any thoughts? Anyone here do the same thing... go all-in for Samsung mobile products?

 

[Dontazemebro]

Doesn't really make a difference for me. I use HTC Sense, iOS, touchwiz, and windows 7 all on a daily basis. I sometimes do find myself reaching for the power button up top on the galaxy s4 or trying to wake my One X with the capacitive button but nothing that makes it unbearable. The most important thing for me is for everything to be able to communicate together.

 

[mattopotamus]

Personally, I think it makes sense to not get locked into an ecosystem. It makes it really hard if you ever want to switch. IMO, apple has proven to do it right and is the only one I would feel confident controlling everything. Google is doing a really good job and making their newer products open to all platforms.

 

[chagla]

no matter what phoneyou have (motorola htc or samsung), you can simply install a "launcher" and have a consistent experience on all of your android devices.

there's one particular launcher thats very good is "smartlauncher". there are some other ones too like - go launcher, apex, nova, etc. give them a try. don't like one? simply replace it with another by installing the app.

 

[Markyboy81]

I used to have an iPhone and an ipad, now I have a galaxy s4, note 10.1,oh and the galaxy camera!
Didn't really plan it that way but they do work together well, especially file sharing via wifi direct!

 

[jaymzuk]

Ecosystems are a complete falsehood.

The thing I like most about my setup is that it's all extremely easy, intuitive, and platform agnostic.

Movies... Netflix
Music... Spotify
Photo storage... Facebook, dropbox

I don't feel like I need to belong to anything. I don't need to have allegiance to anyone, let alone make excuses for corporate greed like many on forums such as these do.

My setup works. I'm not locked in to anyone, and I'm not worse off for it. I can change mobile OS, or have a combination of iOS and Android because I can cope with things being different.

Ecosystem is a horrible, horrible word, used far too often without actually meaning anything other than 'I like company X so I'll throw enough money at them to convince myself I've made a rational decision, so I'll spend even more'

 

[F123D]

I wouldn't lock myself into one ecosystem and screw myself later when I want to purchase a new device and only have a handful to choose from.

Android phone
iOS tablet
Windows PC

I'd be bored if everything was the same.

 

[MRU]

Do you mean Samsung ecosystem or Google ecosystem. Personally I'd never pay for anything off Samsung hub for an android app. I'd always buy from the play store.

 

[xraydoc]

I suppose I used "ecosystem" incorrectly. What I meant was using all Samsung devices to keep the UI consistent and to keep some of their sync options, well, in sync.

In other words, while a launcher like Nova or Apex will hide the TouchWiz launcher, it wont move the capacitive back button from left to right, or replace the menu button with an app switcher. And without rooting/modding, there's no way to make the navigation on a Samsung device the same as a Nexus, Motorola, HTC, LG, etc...

I'm no stranger to Android, not by a long shot. I've had as many Android devices as iOS devices. Not saying one "flavor" of Android (TW, Sense, etc.) is better than the other, but it seems like all TouchWiz devices would keep things working a bit better together. Yes? No?

That's all. With all Samsung devices, I wouldn't go reaching for the wrong button. They'd all have a consistent software and hardware UI, etc.

 

[Stuntman06]

I didn't have a problem when I upgraded from an HTC phone to a Samsung phone. I also have an Asus tablet. They all run Android and their back buttons are all in different places. I just configure them in a way that allows me to make good use of each device individually.

My problem with consistency on Android is with app developers. There are quite a few apps that look and work like iOS apps instead of Android apps. The back button on these apps don't behave properly. Sometime the back button does nothing. Sometimes it exits the app. Often, I cannot figure out to go back to my previous screen.

 

[otismotive77]

well, i used to have the samsung galaxy s2 and the galaxy tab 2, and so i can confirm that it was great to have similar devices, no reaching the top to power on the device and no chance of hitting the wrong key, but then i moved to one x and it all became a havoc for and so i sold my tab 2, now i have the GS4 and i'm waiting for the ativ Q, it's a good thing to have all the devices from the same company, saves you the trouble, go for it.