Seriously considering the move to Android.

[jsw]

Perfect example of why you should read the whole thread prior to posting.

I have read the whole thread. Your point?

Is it that iOS converts can't easily find backup solutions? That iOS converts aren't smart enough to search the Internet? Because, given that a large portion of those of us defending Android here are iOS converts, those arguments don't hold water.

Oh, wait, is it that, because Android isn't exactly like iOS, iOS converts will suddenly think that d&d is their only option because there's nothing obviously available? Would these be the same sort of iOS users who seem to think that Apple magically backs everything up for them without them logging into iCloud and without them making sure they've paid for enough storage?

At least, with Android, there is enough volition involved that you know when you've backed up, even though it's trivially easy to do so. There are a lot of iOS users who think they're backed up ("hey, it's Apple!") who either (a) aren't at all or (b) haven't been in a while because they went over their free-with-iCloud 5GB cap. Oh, and don't get me started on people who think syncing their iPhone is exactly the same as backing it up. Or that restore-from-backup will return everything to their phones when they are replaced.

Oh, by the way, a fair bit of your app data is backed up by Google as long as you don't opt for them not to do so.

So... given that there are non-d&d options for Android, given that Google backs up app data unless you tell them not to, given that d&d actually creates viewable files on Android, given that iOS backups are neither intuitive nor foolproof, what, again, is your point?

 

[ntrigue]

The iPhone 4 was conceived in 2009 and released June 2010 so your opinions on Apple's iPhone are outdated and uneducated.

When iOS 7 launches purchase an iPhone 5S, using the 14-day return window to make an educated decision.

As a developer I have experience with every model of iPhone and was so disappointed with iPhone 4 that I would have returned it had there not been such a large user base in 2011. In iOS 7 I drop support for anything before iPhone 5 and iOS 6. After trying iOS 7 on the iPhone 4 for the first betas I sold it for $200 last week.

 

[Technarchy]

So... given that there are non-d&d options for Android, given that Google backs up app data unless you tell them not to, given that d&d actually creates viewable files on Android, given that iOS backups are neither intuitive nor foolproof, what, again, is your point?

My point since it missed the first time, is drag and drop is a horrid solution and hardly some great selling point, AND antiquated, cumbersome and unnecessary. It's about as much of a great choice as using itunes, which iOS has been emancipated from since 2011.

If you have to resort to dragging and dropping, AKA treating your 2013 smartphone like a 1998 Diamond Rio, you may as well as use itunes, which was actually the solution to tedious drag and drop data management and transferring.

 

[mib1800]

My point since it missed the first time, is drag and drop is a horrid solution and hardly some great selling point, AND antiquated, cumbersome and unnecessary. It's about as much of a great choice as using itunes, which iOS has been emancipated from since 2011.

If you have to resort to dragging and dropping, AKA treating your 2013 smartphone like a 1998 Diamond Rio, you may as well as use itunes, which was actually the solution to tedious drag and drop data management and transferring.

I think you have been in apple prison for so long that you can't see anything beyond this ridiculous assertion. You lost all sense of practicality.

-Cloud is slow, limited storage and it burns a hole in your data plan.

-ITunes master copy is only on one pc/Mac which makes it totally non portable. And not to mention all the unnecessary file format conversion required when loading files.

 

[jsw]

My point since it missed the first time, is drag and drop is a horrid solution and hardly some great selling point, AND antiquated, cumbersome and unnecessary. It's about as much of a great choice as using itunes, which iOS has been emancipated from since 2011.

My point, which you seem unable to not miss, is that sometimes it's necessary, and in those cases, the Android solution is better. It's simply not the case that all people have access to WiFi on their devices and/or unlimited data plans when they wish to move files to them. It's not a universal 24/7 state of being for a majority of people. D&d allows transfer with no data limits. It's also, generally, a lot faster. Ever restore an iPhone over iCloud? It takes forever compared to restoring off disk. Forever. The cloud is cool, but it is slow, at times expensive, and not always available.

If you have to resort to dragging and dropping, AKA treating your 2013 smartphone like a 1998 Diamond Rio, you may as well as use itunes, which was actually the solution to tedious drag and drop data management and transferring.

Wow... so we'd have to go way back to 1998 to see common use of d&d?

Anyway, please feel free to explain how iTunes is easier than d&d. I can't wait.

 

[Technarchy]

I think you have been in apple prison for so long that you can't see anything beyond this ridiculous assertion. You lost all sense of practicality.

I don't see anything practical about hauling around my laptop or PC, with cables on such just to get information on it. Maybe 5 years ago, but it's an ass backwards way of doing things with an Android phone or an iPhone currently.

-Cloud is slow, limited storage and it burns a hole in your data plan.

All cloud here and never "burned a hole" in my data plan.

ITunes master copy is only on one pc/Mac which makes it totally non portable. And not to mention all the unnecessary file format conversion required when loading files.

I have no idea what you're talking about because I never connected my iPhone to itunes for managing data, further emphasizing when people talk about the iPhone "needing" iTunes for anything, they are woefully misinformed.

----------

My point, which you seem unable to not miss, is that sometimes it's necessary, and in those cases, the Android solution is better. It's simply not the case that all people have access to WiFi on their devices and/or unlimited data plans when they wish to move files to them. It's not a universal 24/7 state of being for a majority of people.

You do whatever you do, however you feel like doing it.

I never had to resort to resort to connecting my iPhone to iTunes for managing information in two years, and I don't intend to start with a GS4.

There are better ways, and I don't see "DaD"it as some whoopie! perk. If you do, more power to you.

 

[mib1800]

I don't see anything practical about hauling around my laptop or PC, with cables on such just to get information on it. Maybe 5 years ago, but it's an ass backwards way of doing things with an Android phone or an iPhone currently.

Who is talking about hauling pc around.
I just plug my disk into my phone via usbtogo. Or in ad-hoc situations plug phone to others pc to copy file.

All cloud here and never "burned a hole" in my data plan.

Then what's the point of loading a 1gb video to cloud then download the same file via cloud to watch on phone and then delete the file after watching it.

Same with download from a Web link to dropbox incurs twice the data.

I have no idea what you're talking about because I never connected my iPhone to itunes for managing data, further emphasizing when people talk about the iPhone "needing" iTunes for anything, they are woefully misinformed.

----------



You do whatever you do, however you feel like doing it.

I never had to resort to resort to connecting my iPhone to iTunes for managing information in two years, and I don't intend to start with a GS4.

There are better ways, and I don't see "DaD"it as some whoopie! perk. If you do, more power to you.

I am just saying that sometimes it is not practical to use cloud when the data size is huge. With android you have best of both world.

 

[onthecouchagain]

With android you have best of both world.

This is really the point.

 

[jsw]

This is really the point.

I think the real point is that it is sad to ever have to connect your phone with a cable to anything.

Which is why I so throughly enjoy the Qi chargers I have for my N4 and N7.2. God, it must suck to have to have plug even that lightning cable into the iPhone. I mean, that's so 1998.

 

[ntrigue]

Hmmm

 

[ReanimationN]

Oh, by the way, a fair bit of your app data is backed up by Google as long as you don't opt for them not to do so.

A fair bit meaning nothing at all? At least that was the case when I owned the first gen N7. Google's built-in backup backed up next-to-nothing.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Having choice is never a bad thing and if Android offers more options that suit certain people, then fab. The only thing I drag and drop is photo's and video's off my iPhone. I did the same when I had Android devices, and not sure I understand what some of you mean by drag and drop. Are you suggesting this by putting things onto a device rather than taking it off? I back up my iPhone through iTunes every few weeks and have photo's stored on iCloud which is super easy too. I just like to have an extra back up on an external HD just in case. If I am limited with what I can do, I don't realise it perhaps.

 

[Stuntman06]

I'd argue that both you and the poster you quoted could both be right. There are things that are more intuitive (generally speaking) on an iPhone and things that are more so on an Android phone - such as the things you mentioned.

They aren't mutually exclusive occurrences. I feel like that gets lost in all this bickering - BOTH OSes have strengths AND weaknesses. It seems iOS's shortcomings get pointed out more than Android's do.

I agree that both OS's have their own advantages. I seem to always come across those difficulties with iOS as I'm pretty much the tech support person for my extended family. I get saddled with the difficult tasks it seemed which is partially why I'm not so impressed with iOS. My extended family members are happy with their iPhones.

I think Android's shortcomings get pointed out often as well. My issue is with the ecosystem and what I consider to be lazy developers. I get really annoyed when I see apps that are designed like iOS apps. It's like they totally ignored any guidelines for developing an Android app and tried to do as little work as possible to make it work on Android. I get riled up with apps that doesn't handle the back button properly. I press it and it does something totally unexpected. Then they put the back button function all over the screen like the top left corner which is the hardest place to reach using your phone with your right hand only. Apple tends to be more strict and wouldn't allow weird stuff like this in their app store. I've used iOS devices enough to see the consistency in their apps.

 

[jsw]

A fair bit meaning nothing at all? At least that was the case when I owned the first gen N7. Google's built-in backup backed up next-to-nothing.

A fair bit meaning my wallpaper (which was non-standard), the apps I had installed (as opposed to all of them), wifi settings, and so on, so, yes, a fair bit.

Then I ran Helium for the rest, which worked like a charm. Is that method as brain-dead as iCloud? No. But it's also not $X/year, where X > 0 for most people, especially those with multiple devices.

 

[Dr McKay]

Drag and drop is a ****** choice. Succinct enough?

And getting anywhere near iOS and OSX syncing and data management takes more thought and planning with Android, which will lead to many iOS to android converts resorting to dragging and dropping like they are using Windows 95.

That's a terrible ass end solution, passing itself off as choice.

I got an S4, and it should not be treated like this...

Image

Well you got 50GB free drop box storage with every S4. You can turn on auto sync.

 

[jrswizzle]

I got a question for you Android users - specifically you HTC One users. How do you backup your phone (ala iCloud).

For instance, on my iPhone 5 - if I ever wiped my phone, reset it, got a new phone etc - I would restore from an iCloud backup and EVERYTHING would be there (apps, settings, photos, music etc...).

I recently reset my HTC One and ended up having to redownload all my apps. Great they were saved in the Play Store (aka, the Play Store acknowledges that I have downloaded certain apps and puts them in a "my apps" tab).

I'd like to avoid spending money, and I have an AT&T version and don't want to root or anything. Stock, AT&T HTC One backup option.

Go.

(this is a genuine question, I really would like to know what my options are because as you can imagine, going from simply clicking backup and waiting - depending on how fast my internet speed is to having to re-download everything and losing stuff sucks).

 

[jsw]

I got a question for you Android users - specifically you HTC One users. How do you backup your phone (ala iCloud).

For instance, on my iPhone 5 - if I ever wiped my phone, reset it, got a new phone etc - I would restore from an iCloud backup and EVERYTHING would be there (apps, settings, photos, music etc...).

I recently reset my HTC One and ended up having to redownload all my apps. Great they were saved in the Play Store (aka, the Play Store acknowledges that I have downloaded certain apps and puts them in a "my apps" tab).

I'd like to avoid spending money, and I have an AT&T version and don't want to root or anything. Stock, AT&T HTC One backup option.

Go.

(this is a genuine question, I really would like to know what my options are because as you can imagine, going from simply clicking backup and waiting - depending on how fast my internet speed is to having to re-download everything and losing stuff sucks).

Use Helium (Premium version for cloud backup). That is the closest I know of to an iCloud-style backup.

I'd recommend unlocking the phone, even if you don't root it, because you can then use ADB. If you do that, you can backup locally. If you've ever restored an iPhone from an iCloud backup, as I have, you know it takes forever. I prefer local backup/restore.

 

[jrswizzle]

Use Helium (Premium version for cloud backup). That is the closest I know of to an iCloud-style backup.

I'd recommend unlocking the phone, even if you don't root it, because you can then use ADB. If you do that, you can backup locally. If you've ever restored an iPhone from an iCloud backup, as I have, you know it takes forever. I prefer local backup/restore.

This is the best option?

Looking for other ideas. Not keen on $4.99 + setting up a desktop app as well. If its the best (only) option, I'll do it - but is it not weird to anyone else that Google has yet to come up with a full backup service to the cloud?

 

[Technarchy]

This is the best option?

Looking for other ideas. Not keen on $4.99 + setting up a desktop app as well. If its the best (only) option, I'll do it - but is it not weird to anyone else that Google has yet to come up with a full backup service to the cloud?

I'm curious about backup and restore functions as well, and if there is anything that is convenient and all inclusive as iCloud or iTunes restore.

In my case I know Samsung kies has a backup and restore function but I have no idea if it works as well as Apple's solutions.

 

[onthecouchagain]

When I restored my replacement nexus 7 from my Google account it had all my apps and wallpaper restored too. The icon and widget placements were back to the default locations but those were the only things I had to re apply.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I wonder if the freedom to customize prevents Google from offering a full 100% restore option (without rooting) because they can't possibly be able to restore everyone's wide variety and precise customizations.

If this is true this is a worthy trade off. For those who really feel they need to be able to do a full back up and restore they can purchase apps and or root etc. And luckily the Google account retains your information and history for individual things like the play store, chrome, for gmail etc. Just sign in.

 

[Technarchy]

Does anyone know it is possible to do a backup and restore from an SD card?

Being able to throw in a 32gb SD card and using it for local backup and restore would be a boon.

 

[ReanimationN]

A fair bit meaning my wallpaper (which was non-standard), the apps I had installed (as opposed to all of them), wifi settings, and so on, so, yes, a fair bit.

Then I ran Helium for the rest, which worked like a charm. Is that method as brain-dead as iCloud? No. But it's also not $X/year, where X > 0 for most people, especially those with multiple devices.

App data? That's what actually counts for me and it didn't restore anything in that regard. Using iTunes backup is completely painless in comparison- it backs up everything.

 

[tbayrgs]

I got a question for you Android users - specifically you HTC One users. How do you backup your phone (ala iCloud).

For instance, on my iPhone 5 - if I ever wiped my phone, reset it, got a new phone etc - I would restore from an iCloud backup and EVERYTHING would be there (apps, settings, photos, music etc...).

I recently reset my HTC One and ended up having to redownload all my apps. Great they were saved in the Play Store (aka, the Play Store acknowledges that I have downloaded certain apps and puts them in a "my apps" tab).

I'd like to avoid spending money, and I have an AT&T version and don't want to root or anything. Stock, AT&T HTC One backup option.

Go.

(this is a genuine question, I really would like to know what my options are because as you can imagine, going from simply clicking backup and waiting - depending on how fast my internet speed is to having to re-download everything and losing stuff sucks).

Well, I haven't had to use it yet so I cannot comment on how effective it is (and sorry, I'm not going to test it out by restoring my HTC One ), but I've been using the HTC Backup option built into the settings. It's set up to back up settings, accounts & passwords, bookmarks and apps daily to my Dropbox folder over wifi. There's also a setting to automatically restore backed up settings and data when reinstalling an app. It appears more robust than just the standard Google backup option. Maybe someone else who's had to restore using it cannot offer additional insight.

 

[gdourado]

Let's take for example that you have an android phone you have set up just how you like it, with all settings, apps, widgets and all. Including games you are playing that have a saved progress and such. Photos on camera roll, accounts. If you have that phone rooted and you upgrade to a new android phone, can an app like titanium backup pro transfer all that flawlessly from one phone to the other?

Cheers!