Someone maybe google should create a dedicated google contacts app for iOS.

[eprisencc]

I use all google apps. I hate apple apps because I also have an android phone and when I use it, I can't use any of my apple apps. I use gmail for push email, I store all my music in google play, I use all my voice commands, reminders, and voice created appointments with the google search app, I store all my pictures on google+ but I use web albums to upload and view them, I store my files in drive and Dropbox, I use google wallet to store my loyalty cards, I get my text messages via Google voice, I make calls using google hangouts, I use google maps for gps, I use chrome to browse the web, I use YouTube for videos, and I use go tasks to access google tasks.

Soon Google will have a dedicated calendar app for iOS and when that comes out, I'm ditching the apple calendar app. There are a few things I would still like to see out of google on iOS. First is a third party android keyboard for iOS so you can keep your dictionary's the same across iOS and android. Maybe if apple would allow voice dictation then it would be cool to have Google now integrated into an iOS android keyboard. Second is support for android wear on iOS.


I would like to see a developer or google create a google contacts app for iPhone so ios users can access google groups. Not a sync but a dedicated app for contacts. Allow users to open all handlers and links in Google apps (ie telephone numbers should open in hangouts, addresses should open in Google maps, text messages should open in Google voice or Google hangouts, urls should open in chrome, video calls in hangouts, emails in gmail or inbox, birthdays and dates in Google calendar, and share contacts as vcf files via Google voice or Google hangouts). There should also be a way to export and import all contacts with pictures using a vcf file. It would also be nice if it supported multiple google accounts.

The only non-google apps I use is ever notes for note taking because there is no google keep app for iOS. There are also a few apple apps I'm forced to use because apple does not allow third party access. I use apple pay until apple allows google wallet access to nfc. I also use iMessage from time to time with fellow iPhone users if they are not already on hangouts otherwise I just use hangouts.

 

[iolinux333]

Image

I use all google apps. I hate apple apps because I also have an android phone and when I use it, I can't use any of my apple apps. I use gmail for push email, I store all my music in google play, I use all my voice commands, reminders, and voice created appointments with the google search app, I store all my pictures on google+ but I use web albums to upload and view them, I store my files in drive and Dropbox, I use google wallet to store my loyalty cards, I get my text messages via Google voice, I make calls using google hangouts, I use google maps for gps, I use chrome to browse the web, I use YouTube for videos, and I use go tasks to access google tasks.

Soon Google will have a dedicated calendar app for iOS and when that comes out, I'm ditching the apple calendar app. There are a few things I would still like to see out of google on iOS. First is a third party android keyboard for iOS so you can keep your dictionary's the same across iOS and android. Maybe if apple would allow voice dictation then it would be cool to have Google now integrated into an iOS android keyboard. Second is support for android wear on iOS.


I would like to see a developer or google create a google contacts app for iPhone so ios users can access google groups. Not a sync but a dedicated app for contacts. Allow users to open all handlers and links in Google apps (ie telephone numbers should open in hangouts, addresses should open in Google maps, text messages should open in Google voice or Google hangouts, urls should open in chrome, video calls in hangouts, emails in gmail or inbox, birthdays and dates in Google calendar, and share contacts as vcf files via Google voice or Google hangouts). There should also be a way to export and import all contacts with pictures using a vcf file. It would also be nice if it supported multiple google accounts.

The only non-google apps I use is ever notes for note taking because there is no google keep app for iOS. There are also a few apple apps I'm forced to use because apple does not allow third party access. I use apple pay until apple allows google wallet access to nfc. I also use iMessage from time to time with fellow iPhone users if they are not already on hangouts otherwise I just use hangouts.

You are my spiritual twin. I'm thinking the long term solution is to jump off the apple train.

 

[eprisencc]

You are my spiritual twin. I'm thinking the long term solution is to jump off the apple train.

I personally like iPhones better than Android. However, I prefer the openness of google apps. I have the best of both worlds because I got an iPhone 6+ and a Nexus 6. I tend to use the iPhone more but I hate to use any of apple's proprietary apps. I like the smoothness, better battery life and the look of iOS better than android.

 

[Armen]

I personally like iPhones better than Android. However, I prefer the openness of google apps. I have the best of both worlds because I got an iPhone 6+ and a Nexus 6. I tend to use the iPhone more but I hate to use any of apple's proprietary apps. I like the smoothness, better battery life and the look of iOS better than android.

By not using Apple's native apps you are also missing out on one of Apple's major feature perks...its eco-system.

 

[eprisencc]

By not using Apple's native apps you are also missing out on one of Apple's major feature perks...its eco-system.

The apple ecosystem is overrated. iTunes Match is no better than google play music. Gmail is far better than apple mail (although I like that apple mail's text is bigger on certain emails). Google maps destroys apple maps. Google voice is a much better option than the apple dialer and your carrier number. You can stop spam calls and block callers. If you switch carriers you don't have to worry about losing your number. FaceTime, FaceTime audio and iMessage can be found in hangouts and you can converse with android users too. Google search is superior to Siri with the exception that it can't be the default voice command. Reminders and appointments created with google search sync to your android phone. Chrome is superior to safari if you already use chrome on the desktop. You can sync all your bookmarks, open tabs and passwords to your iPhone. You can also push web pages using chrome to mobile. Google wallet is not as good as apple pay because it does not have access to nfc. Google drive is superior to iCloud Drive because it is cross platform and you get more space for free. Apple has no equivalent for YouTube. Web albums combined with your google + account makes for a better storage of pictures and videos since you can stream them from the cloud. Apples iWork suite may do more than docs, sheets, and slides but I prefer the cloud approach to document editing and creation. There is really nothing that apple does that google can't do better except make a better phone. I still think apple makes the better phone. I love the smoothness of iOS and Touch ID is pretty cool too.

 

[dk001]

I personally like iPhones better than Android. However, I prefer the openness of google apps. I have the best of both worlds because I got an iPhone 6+ and a Nexus 6. I tend to use the iPhone more but I hate to use any of apple's proprietary apps. I like the smoothness, better battery life and the look of iOS better than android.

I made GMail my default contacts and added an Exchange (Gmail) account on my iPhone - it is the only contacts I have active. Using both Android and iOS, this keeps my contacts aligned between the devices -something I could never get via stock iOS.

It's not an app, but it works well for me.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Sounds like an android phone is right for you. Go get an android phone.

 

[balamw]

added an Exchange (Gmail) account on my iPhone

That no longer works for most people since Google stopped supporting ActiveSync for non Google Apps for Business accounts.

Personally, I have been using Inbox as my main email app on the iPhone and loving it.

I have 4 different gmail accounts for different purposes and keeping them out of the iOS mail app works well for me.

B

 

[Armen]

The apple ecosystem is overrated. iTunes Match is no better than google play music. Gmail is far better than apple mail (although I like that apple mail's text is bigger on certain emails). Google maps destroys apple maps. Google voice is a much better option than the apple dialer and your carrier number. You can stop spam calls and block callers. If you switch carriers you don't have to worry about losing your number. FaceTime, FaceTime audio and iMessage can be found in hangouts and you can converse with android users too. Google search is superior to Siri with the exception that it can't be the default voice command. Reminders and appointments created with google search sync to your android phone. Chrome is superior to safari if you already use chrome on the desktop. You can sync all your bookmarks, open tabs and passwords to your iPhone. You can also push web pages using chrome to mobile. Google wallet is not as good as apple pay because it does not have access to nfc. Google drive is superior to iCloud Drive because it is cross platform and you get more space for free. Apple has no equivalent for YouTube. Web albums combined with your google + account makes for a better storage of pictures and videos since you can stream them from the cloud. Apples iWork suite may do more than docs, sheets, and slides but I prefer the cloud approach to document editing and creation. There is really nothing that apple does that google can't do better except make a better phone. I still think apple makes the better phone. I love the smoothness of iOS and Touch ID is pretty cool too.

"The apple ecosystem is overrated. iTunes Match is no better than google play music" Who said anything about iTunes Match? All Movies and Music I've ever purchased are instantly available for download or viewing on all my devices (Apple TV, Macbook, iPhone, iPad). Now with Family sharing I have access to all the music/movies my wife purchased also.

"Gmail is far better than apple mail" - It's too bad the Gmail app sucks and Google refuses to support push notifications for the native Apple mail app. ( I personally use Gmail)

"Google maps destroys apple maps" -This is your opinion. Apple Maps is so tightly integrated into iOS it makes Google maps inconvenient. How?

- I can push Map locations/directions from my Macbook to my iPhone in 1 click within the native maps app.
- Glancing at my notification center I can see how long my commute to work/home will take without opening any apps to check. (frequent locations feature)
- Any address link you click will always open in Apple Maps (unless you use Chrome, which I don't)
- Siri integration. "I need directions home". simple.

"Google voice is a much better option than the apple dialer and your carrier number" - Google voice relies on being forwarded to an actual mobile number otherwise it uses data for phone calls which is NOT a better option.

"Google search is superior to Siri" - Agreed but you can use Siri to do a Google search so no functionality lost there.

"Chrome is superior to safari if you already use chrome on the desktop"

This is a personal preference. I use Safari because if I'm looking at something on my iPhone in safari it immediately becomes available on my Macbook and vice versa. I would also rather Apple store my passwords in keychains then let Google do it through Chrome.

Google has many services that I use (Google drive, Gmail, Youtube) but many become inconvenient to Apple's tightly integrated native apps and services.

 

[eprisencc]

I made GMail my default contacts and added an Exchange (Gmail) account on my iPhone - it is the only contacts I have active. Using both Android and iOS, this keeps my contacts aligned between the devices -something I could never get via stock iOS.



It's not an app, but it works well for me.

Syncing contacts via exchange active sync or even carddav does not sync your contact groups. Furthermore, using Apple contacts still opens links and handlers in Apple apps. If Google created its own contact app for iOS, it could open all links and handlers in google apps (ie phone numbers in hangouts, urls in chrome, addresses in Google maps, etc.).

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Sounds like an android phone is right for you. Go get an android phone.

No an android phone is not the answer. Apple's hardware and the whole os itself is better than android. However, apps and services is another thing. Google is the king of the roost here.

 

[eprisencc]

Someone maybe google should create a dedicated google contacts app for iOS.

"The apple ecosystem is overrated. iTunes Match is no better than google play music". Who said anything about iTunes Match? All Movies and Music I've ever purchased are instantly available for download or viewing on all my devices (Apple TV, Macbook, iPhone, iPad). Now with Family sharing I have access to all the music/movies my wife purchased also.

I forgot to mention Google play movies. All your bought movies are available on your android, iPhone, Mac, Windows and Linux to stream or download.


Family sharing is nice but I had to turn it off. All adults on your account can use your credit card willy nilly to buy apps. You can restrict children but if they already had an existing account with an adult birthday well you would have to create a brand new account to make it a child account. What would make family sharing better is if everybody can use your previously bought apps as they see fit. However, when they want to buy a new app, it should give them the option to use their own account or ask permission from the administrator to buy on the family shared account. This should be applicable to all users, adult or child.


"Gmail is far better than apple mail" - It's too bad the Gmail app sucks and Google refuses to support push notifications for the native Apple mail app. ( I personally use Gmail)

They don't support push anymore because it's available in the Gmail app. The only advantage Apple mail has is the universal inbox. No support for labels and searching on Apple mail is atrocious compared to gmail.



"Google maps destroys apple maps" -This is your opinion. Apple Maps is so tightly integrated into iOS it makes Google maps inconvenient. How?



- I can push Map locations/directions from my Macbook to my iPhone in 1 click within the native maps app.

- Glancing at my notification center I can see how long my commute to work/home will take without opening any apps to check. (frequent locations feature)

- Any address link you click will always open in Apple Maps (unless you use Chrome, which I don't)

- Siri integration. "I need directions home". simple.

Apple maps are a pos. Relies heavily on yelp for points of interest and crappy Tom Tom for mapping data. Google has the ultimate data base for poi. It also looks better, streets in Google maps are bigger and labeled better. You also get transit and walking directions.

I'll give you the advantage for Apple maps being the default maps app. The Siri integration is cool but if you use google search you get the same integration with Google maps. You can tell Google search, "I need directions to get home?" It will show you the location in google search and then will give you a link to open it up in google maps. However, if your jailbroken you can download browser changer and make Google maps the default. Plus if you pretty much stick to Google apps, addresses open in Google maps.



"Google voice is a much better option than the apple dialer and your carrier number" - Google voice relies on being forwarded to an actual mobile number otherwise it uses data for phone calls which is NOT a better option.

If you have unlimited data then Google hangouts VoIP Google voice is the way to go. Even with Google voice being forwarded to your cell phone, it's still the superior solution. You can change phones forwarded to. You get transcription of your emails. You can set up different voice mail for different people or groups. You can spam or block calls. And you don't have to port your number if you change carriers.



"Google search is superior to Siri" - Agreed but you can use Siri to do a Google search so no functionality lost there.

Well we agree on something.



"Chrome is superior to safari if you already use chrome on the desktop"



This is a personal preference. I use Safari because if I'm looking at something on my iPhone in safari it immediately becomes available on my Macbook and vice versa. I would also rather Apple store my passwords in keychains then let Google do it through Chrome.

That works if you only use Apple products. I have windows laptop and I also use an android phone. You can no longer use safari on windows. Chrome is the only browser you can use on iPhone, Mac, Windows, Linux and Android. If your Apple passwords are stored in keychain again you are stuck with Apple apps to use them. Google is cross platform so it will always be the better solution.



Google has many services that I use (Google drive, Gmail, Youtube) but many become inconvenient to Apple's tightly integrated native apps and services.


Well at least you see the value in some of google's services. Google is getting pretty tightly integrated on iOS if you stick to Google apps

 

[balamw]

They don't support push anymore because it's available in the Gmail app.

They don't support push via ActiveSync as they did before because the ActiveSync license was costing them money.

I don't know why they didn't just adopt a version of push IMAP as Yahoo and iCloud do unless they're trying to force users to use the app.

B

 

[eprisencc]

They don't support push via ActiveSync as they did before because the ActiveSync license was costing them money.



I don't know why they didn't just adopt a version of push IMAP as Yahoo and iCloud do unless they're trying to force users to use the app.



B

Yeah active sync was costing them money but the new solution of using gmail is better. Gmail better integrates with gmail's features such threaded conversations, labels and search. Not to mention there is also inbox which might be superior to gmail and Apple mail.

 

[balamw]

Not to mention there is also inbox which might be superior to gmail and Apple mail.

Really?

Personally, I have been using Inbox as my main email app on the iPhone and loving it.

FWIW I do still use the iOS mail app for my Office 365 mail from work. The Microsoft OWA app is a bit meh.

B

 

[dk001]

Syncing contacts via exchange active sync or even carddav does not sync your contact groups. Furthermore, using Apple contacts still opens links and handlers in Apple apps. If Google created its own contact app for iOS, it could open all links and handlers in google apps (ie phone numbers in hangouts, urls in chrome, addresses in Google maps, etc.).

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Thanks for the info.
I have minimal groups on my iphone.

 

[eprisencc]

Someone maybe google should create a dedicated google contacts app for iOS.

Thanks for the info.

I have minimal groups on my iphone.

There are no groups if you sync your contacts with Google. There are some syncing apps that allow you to sync your google groups to your apple contact app. However, these apps are more trouble than their worth with duplicate contacts, contacts not appearing, pictures down scaling in resolution, etc. I would prefer just a dedicated a contacts app by Google no sync.