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That's it, I'm free of Apple
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I know the Google Ecosystem is the most complete alternative to Apple's, but meh, not going to use it unless I have to. I'll never get a complete Apple like seamlessness, but if I have to choose I want my PC / Microsoft end of the stick to be the prime one.
I don’t know about your life, thus it is more productive in an Apple forum site to actually share more about your circumstances than just repeating the tired narrative of “Apple sucks I’m switching” without further context nor process. I’m sure sharing what you actually did for your switch can be useful for others, like how you move your photos, what you do with your music collections, all the data, etc etc. so thank you for your willingness to share further.
I will share more as time goes on, there's so much to say! See the bottom of this post for my photos as somebody else asked about it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sick of the Apple bashers on an Apple forum. I'm not bashing them, but only saying what didn't work for me (the repairs of what I considered an expensive device I depended on for work).
That's true.
Versus Google, yes.
Is there a version of 'Hey Siri' for Cortana on Android?
Cheers!
I put iCloud for Windows on a new user account, downloaded the full 90GB+. Then moved it into my main user account, organised mostly by year. Removed iCloud for Windows and deleted the temp user account. That was it down from iCloud, took two days connected to Ethernet.
Now on Windows since I can't find a similar app to Photos for Mac on Windows I just keep it organised in the file system, with icons turned up large. It's fine, not as seamless.
They uploaded to OneDrive no problem, and I could pause it when I went mobile with the laptop, something I wish iCloud let you do for years.
Every photo had an original, an 'edited' and a video clip from live photos. I scrapped the live photo clip and the original for just my edited Photos version (as I spent a long time going back through my 11,000 photos editing them all). This skimmed down the size and left me with quality photos each in their own year folder. I might put them further into month folders, or as I did back in the iPhoto album days copy Apple's wording.. I had the following system:
Early 2019, Easter 2019, Mid 2019, Summer 2019, Late 2019, Halloween 2019, Winter 2019, Christmas 2019.
As the big events of the year broke up the seasons, and often were taken in a different location / around lots of smaller outings. I'll resume that folder based.
I use Affinity Photo now to edit (which I had to buy again for Windows)… But it'll nurture the 'pro' side of me I need to develop! As seamless and handy as iCloud Photos is
You're welcome! Shame about your poor decision to read this entire thread which is quite long, only to find it's completely irrelevant. I'd have known from the title, but that's just me......
Only you can answer that...I tried to go full Samsung
Galaxy watch
S10 plus
Galaxy buds
Tab S4
I lasted a month before moving back. Things just work too well with my apple devices but s10 plus is great phone. Everybody is different though
I’ve been trying to break free from my own heavy immersion in the Apple ecosystem but I just cannot pull the trigger.
I’ve become pretty frustrated with Apple’s apparent business strategy over the past couple of years but every time I try to break away, I just end up feeling I’m compromising my own experience. I’ll preface that my entire family and nearly all friends and other regular contacts use iPhones and other Apple hardware. That factor alone makes switching far less practical and honestly, less enjoyable. And when it comes straight down to it, I just like how well my iPhone, Apple Watch (I’ve found this device is truly the deal breaker when trying to switch), iPad Pro, Mac, and Apple TV all work together.
So once again, I’ve begrudgingly forgone my attempt to fully break away. I’m not going to be rushing out to buy any more new Apple hardware unless they make some significant changes but what I have just works best for me. And I am regularly using my Pixel 3XL (still the go to mobile camera) but it’s back on my secondary line.
I’ve become pretty frustrated with Apple’s apparent business strategy over the past couple of years but every time I try to break away, I just end up feeling I’m compromising my own experience. I’ll preface that my entire family and nearly all friends and other regular contacts use iPhones and other Apple hardware. That factor alone makes switching far less practical and honestly, less enjoyable. And when it comes straight down to it, I just like how well my iPhone, Apple Watch (I’ve found this device is truly the deal breaker when trying to switch), iPad Pro, Mac, and Apple TV all work together.
So once again, I’ve begrudgingly forgone my attempt to fully break away. I’m not going to be rushing out to buy any more new Apple hardware unless they make some significant changes but what I have just works best for me. And I am regularly using my Pixel 3XL (still the go to mobile camera) but it’s back on my secondary line.
Apple Watch is the reason I also haven’t fully left apple. My Xs Max and Apple watch just work so we’ll together.
I’ve not read much regarding the Samsung watches, anybody know what they’re like and how well they work with the s10+ or any other of the latest Samsungs?
I think it will be exciting for you to be exploring and learning many new things. Sure there will be some frustration in spots but you’ll figure it out.
Good luck and have fun!
For me Apple’s the only way to go. Been “invested “ since 1987.
Good luck and have fun!
For me Apple’s the only way to go. Been “invested “ since 1987.
Been using MacOS and Windows before most people had dumb phones. Been using Android phones since day one, and iPhones since the 3GS.
I'm done with iPhones. Don't see myself getting another iPhone for a long time, if ever.
I'm done with Mac desktops, the PC desktop world is where it's at.
I still like MacBook Pros, and will probably continue to upgrade every 3-4 years, unless Apple gives me a reason not to.
I still like iPad, but the cost to my needs ratio is way lopsided. So I only upgrade when it's an opportunist time too.
Windows 10 is VERY good now. Even Windows Defender is on the level of most 3rd party AVs. I don't even use 3rd party AVs anymore, but I do have Malwarebytes (not an AV) an do a weekly scan. Use it on my MBP as well.
Android is pretty much rock solid now. I personally haven't had any issues with Android since the S6 Edge.
As far as expecting streamlined integration, JUST DON'T!!! You're going to have to configure these platforms and 3rd party services, to fit your lifestyle manually. Something I personally prefer, but understand that others don't.
I'm done with iPhones. Don't see myself getting another iPhone for a long time, if ever.
I'm done with Mac desktops, the PC desktop world is where it's at.
I still like MacBook Pros, and will probably continue to upgrade every 3-4 years, unless Apple gives me a reason not to.
I still like iPad, but the cost to my needs ratio is way lopsided. So I only upgrade when it's an opportunist time too.
Windows 10 is VERY good now. Even Windows Defender is on the level of most 3rd party AVs. I don't even use 3rd party AVs anymore, but I do have Malwarebytes (not an AV) an do a weekly scan. Use it on my MBP as well.
Android is pretty much rock solid now. I personally haven't had any issues with Android since the S6 Edge.
As far as expecting streamlined integration, JUST DON'T!!! You're going to have to configure these platforms and 3rd party services, to fit your lifestyle manually. Something I personally prefer, but understand that others don't.
Great post.
As someone who has used Windows since before dumb phones - that's what attracts me to iPhone and Mac OS now- the seamless integration. I've never seen such a seamless integration between my iPhone, laptop, and watch before. I love it.
Android is a LOT better than it used to be. I don't miss my Droid 1 rooting days (Pete's Bugless Beast) but we were always trying to get ASOP Android back then.
Well, a few days in and it's been going well. But the Apple iPhone-Mac connection is not as strong between Windows and Android. The phone is doing exceptional, it's beautiful, it's fast but data and using it isn't as seamless.
I am actually considering returning it and buying another iPhone. A little embarrassing to admit, but what use is this thread if I don't inform you of what's happening.
I wish Google would let me uninstall their apps completely to keep the system clean. Them or Samsung, I can't install some of their apps either. And I couldn't figure out how to summon Cortana, my chosen assistant to keep Windows and Android in sync.
There's no native way to get phone calls on Windows either, unless I'm missing something?
I can't fault the phone. It's exceptional. It's doing a great job. It's Android really that's just different to iOS, and a few days into ownership it's hitting me. Watch this space.
I am actually considering returning it and buying another iPhone. A little embarrassing to admit, but what use is this thread if I don't inform you of what's happening.
I wish Google would let me uninstall their apps completely to keep the system clean. Them or Samsung, I can't install some of their apps either. And I couldn't figure out how to summon Cortana, my chosen assistant to keep Windows and Android in sync.
There's no native way to get phone calls on Windows either, unless I'm missing something?
I can't fault the phone. It's exceptional. It's doing a great job. It's Android really that's just different to iOS, and a few days into ownership it's hitting me. Watch this space.
Phone integration is coming on May update, with screen mirroring and other feature, I jumped 2 years ago, after getting used to (had the same the other way around) I never looked back.
That seamless integration is going to keep me hooked on Apple for a long time. The moment someone else comes out with something similar, I'll definitely have my interest peaked. Why Windows doesn't have better mobile integration is beyond me - it would help their brand and Android significantly.
Thanks for keeping us updated. This thread has definitely had me coming back for more.
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Very interesting. This should have been something Windows and Android did years and years ago. Better late than never I guess. Hope it actually works.
Screen Mirroring will only work with certain newer devices. I don't really need that as much as I just which they would do more with messages and allow call and answering.
Messages works great, and while it is not as good as between Mac and iOS, it is a great start.
Call, never tried but I think it is not there yet, but again, it is a great start.
Cortana most definitively works for me. Are you using Microsoft Launcher? If not you should. Also for the apps, a lot of them can be disabled by going into settings - apps. When you get there click on the ... menu on the upper right and click system apps and then disable the apps you dont want running. It doesnt delete them but it hides them from everything and doest interfere with anything else. I have a samsung phone and on the Google App store their is a program called Dis-abler Pro for samsung and it will let you disable even the ones you cant from settings. I know they have a non samsung one. It took me a little tinkering but I have my phone running lean
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yeah but messages doesnt allow you to manage any of the messages and unless I reply from the message app my sent messages dont show up on the right side so all I see is the other persons texts
I'm currently using the Galaxy Watch Active with my S10+, I wrote about it in the Galaxy S10 thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/samsung-galaxy-s10.2133817/page-192#post-27392605
The Apple Watch I jumped from was Series 3 42mm.
I think Apple’s integration will always be tighter because they make iOS and Mac OS and are in control of everything.
I just love the integration between devices and the way everything works so seamlessly. I also like that the more Apple products you own it unlocks more or the Apple ecosystem.
I know things are slowly changing on android but having two android devices even from the same manufacturer in the past really meant nothing. They didn’t talk to each other. I remember having a Samsung phone and Samsung tablet in the past. Both were great pieces of hardware individually but they didn’t talk to each other at all. Even the notes app didn’t sync between them.
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Agreed...tight, seamless integration is one of the aspects that keeps me using so much Apple gear. I was hoping to have a similar experience using my Pixel 3 XL and a Pixelbook and while it’s getting better, it still doesn’t approach the experience I have using an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad Pro and iMac together.
I don’t feel trapped...I’ll gladly explore alternatives and have tried a bunch over the past year (Windows, Android, Chrome OS, Android TV) but every time I try, I just come to appreciate the seamless simplicity. I absolutely can appreciate the greater flexibility one can have on other platforms but I just realize I’m too damn busy to keep messing with my workflow and just appreciate how well the things I’m using work right now.
I think a lot of that also depends on if the user even needs other devices bedsides a phone. I've really gone away from any tablets, even computers. Sure I'll probably get one when my kids start needing to use them for school projects but I won't really have a need for them to "speak" with my phone. I had the iPad Pro last year and it ended up just collecting dust.
Yup. I actually don’t use my Mac that much at all anymore—have fine tuned my daily needs and the iPad Pro has turned out to be a near perfect solution for me. I really has replaced any personal need for a laptop. I know it isn’t a full computer replacement for many but I love using mine. I’m genuinely super excited about that changes Apple added to iPadOS.
I’ve mentioned it before but the Apple Watch is the piece of Apple hardware that I cannot adequately replace. If it had better battery life on cellular, I would probably carry my phone even less.
I own Thinkpad X1 Extreme, and a OnePlus 7 Pro.
On X1E I have windows 10 installed, but use it rarely. I use PopOS (Ubuntu based), and with QS Connect on Ubuntu and KDE Connect on my Android phone, I can share clipboard history, messages, whatsapp/viber messages, and even phone calls via my headset.
Works as seamless as iOS/Mac. I can even connect to my OP7Pro for tethering with just one click after initial setup.
There are a lot more things possible with this combo, but I haven't even tried them out since I don't need them.
I simply can't work in Windows, and Linux is my cup of tea. And it works great.
On X1E I have windows 10 installed, but use it rarely. I use PopOS (Ubuntu based), and with QS Connect on Ubuntu and KDE Connect on my Android phone, I can share clipboard history, messages, whatsapp/viber messages, and even phone calls via my headset.
Works as seamless as iOS/Mac. I can even connect to my OP7Pro for tethering with just one click after initial setup.
There are a lot more things possible with this combo, but I haven't even tried them out since I don't need them.
I simply can't work in Windows, and Linux is my cup of tea. And it works great.