Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Things Android still does better?

eclipse01

eclipse01

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 16, 2011
2,844
404
Eau Claire, WI
not trying to start a flame war, just want honest opinions from people that have had or maybe still has both to know what they enjoy more about Android?

from an Apple boards perspective
 
Last edited by a moderator:
eclipse01 said:
I wanted this posted in IOS7 to get Apple owners perspective....
(oh wait, i'm guessing probably because you didn't even read it, you just saw "Android in the subject and decided to move it)
Click to expand...

Apple owners who want to read about or comment about non-Apple products will come to this forum.

I used Apple products very little. The one thing that Android does way better than iOS is being able to set a sound file as a ring tone.
 
Most everyone in this section has recent experience with both os. There are a few things that android will do better for the foreseeable future.

Choice of who, what, and where you get your apps From, and what apps you may install.

Customization of your ui. Apple will never let you change anything beyond your background photos.
 
Choosing default applications

Being able to choose where to save files and also mount your phone as a hard drive to drag/drop

SwiftKey Flow

My top 3 I think
 
Attachments to emails are not limited
Sharing to almost any app

To name just a couple
 
The phone conforms to me and not the other way around.

I'm a relatively casual phone user and don't demand a lot (social networks, email, the usual suite of apps like banking and weather, phone calls and maybe 5 games that I rarely play) and even then I like how I can set it up exactly how I want it. The toggles I want where I want them, widgets, apps that can actually share things with each other the list goes on and on. It's the little things it does and not necessarily the major things.

Now all that being said I would recommend either platform to anyone depending on their needs.
 
Dontazemebro said:
Sigh............ This is not going to end well. Cue the objective/subjective rants
Click to expand...

Yeah, agreed, seen it happen time after time. There is tons of overlap in functionality between the two OS and for every person that prefers that way it's done on Android, there will be another that prefers iOS. A better focus may be on what Android can do that Apple cannot, if it really must be pursued.

FWIW, my thoughts:

- Customization (layout, themes, gestures, widgets)
- Sharing between apps
- Ability to choose default apps
- Multi-window/multi-tasking
- File management/drag and drop
 
File system
ability to change default apps
swype style keyboards available
Google play music(at the moment, no Apple app is available)
 
eclipse01 said:
Mods:
Why was this moved?
I wanted this posted in IOS7 to get Apple owners perspective....
(oh wait, i'm guessing probably because you didn't even read it, you just saw "Android in the subject and decided to move it)
Click to expand...

Why would you poll users of an iPhone subforum regarding the functionality of an OS that the vast majority likely have never used? Conversely, while most readers of this subforum are using something other than an iPhone, I'd guess that nearly all of us have used one at one time or another (or still are). This forum is the most ideal spot for your question.
 
tbayrgs said:
- Customization (layout, themes, gestures, widgets)
- Sharing between apps
- Ability to choose default apps
- Multi-window/multi-tasking
- File management/drag and drop
Click to expand...


This often gets listed as one bullet point for Android, and indeed it's a great one, but I don't think other people realize how huge this one point is.

It can literally change the way one's phone is used. Say for example, setting a different default keyboard. Going forward, this changes and affects everything that involves typing (which is almost everything): entering new contact information, writing emails, inputting web addresses, sending texts, writing notes, etc. Changing the default browser means every time you go ont he web, it's now that browser's specific strengths and features.

Etc. etc.

It's a huge point. Everyone loves to point out the App Store's exclusive games and apps, or its number of apps over the Play store, but it almost begs the question, what's the point if it can't be set to default? Likewise, that means the Play Store has an insane amount of exclusives too that iOS could never have (like certain keyboards, launchers, etc.)
 
onthecouchagain said:
This often gets listed as one bullet point for Android, and indeed it's a great one, but I don't think other people realize how huge this one point is.

It can literally change the way one's phone is used. Say for example, setting a different default keyboard. Going forward, this changes and affects everything that involves typing (which is almost everything): entering new contact information, writing emails, inputting web addresses, sending texts, writing notes, etc. Changing the default browser means every time you go ont he web, it's now that browser's specific strengths and features.

Etc. etc.

It's a huge point. Everyone loves to point out the App Store's exclusive games and apps, or its number of apps over the Play store, but it almost begs the question, what's the point if it can't be set to default? Likewise, that means the Play Store has an insane amount of exclusives too that iOS could never have (like certain keyboards, launchers, etc.)
Click to expand...

And I'm no developer so I could be way off but this seem like it would be the easiest of my list for Apple to implement. Yes, I know Apple wants us to use their apps but this obstacle doesn't prevent us from using the other apps, just creates a nuisance. Removing this obstacle alone would go a long ways towards improving the overall OS experience and again, really doesn't seem like it would be very difficult to implement. Apps could still function in their little 'sandboxes' if Apple so desires.

Some please correct me if I'm off base on this assumption.
 
What everyone else said, plus being able to set up my homescreens the way I want. I can arrange the icons and widgets anywhere. I'm not into themes, but there are plenty of people who love them.

Just look at http://mycolorscreen.com/ for so many examples.

I can also set up safe homescreens for older people and younger people. There are launchers intended for people with poor eyesight, and there are launchers intended for children. There are beautiful launchers intended just for tablets, which make nice use of the extra screen space... instead of just looking like a bigger phone.

And all of those can even be swapped around any time you want.
 
tbayrgs said:
And I'm no developer so I could be way off but this seem like it would be the easiest of my list for Apple to implement. Yes, I know Apple wants us to use their apps but this obstacle doesn't prevent us from using the other apps, just creates a nuisance. Removing this obstacle alone would go a long ways towards improving the overall OS experience and again, really doesn't seem like it would be very difficult to implement. Apps could still function in their little 'sandboxes' if Apple so desires.

Some please correct me if I'm off base on this assumption.
Click to expand...

Easy to do or not, I don't think Apple would ever concede here. It's definitely a shame.
 
Another great thing? Google's individual apps constantly get updated throughout the year.

We're receiving yet another update to Gmail, Hangouts, and YouTube all rolling out now.

Recently, there were updates to Maps, Android Keyboard, Translate, Wallet, Music, Chrome and Chrome Beta.

And Oohara said another great point about updating apps here:

Originally Posted by Oohara
Not to mention all the 3d party functionality evolving all the time, which basically also could count as OS upgrades as it's all allowed to tie in directly to the core functionality of Android phones. Keyboards, for example.
Click to expand...

EDIT: Just read yet another Google app updating:

Google Search Update Rolling Out on Android as Well

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/25/google-search-update-rolling-out-as-well/
 
In terms of top ten things I will miss when getting the iPhone 5S:

1: Swype
2: Contact on homescreen with all social networks, email, phone numbers and video chat ID's all aggregated in one place
3: Launching apps from lock screen
4. Status bar notification icons
5. Setting default apps
6. Glance and go information
7. Two apps running at the same time (GS4 Feature)
8. Clearing all apps in one easy action
9. Music widget with full controls on home screen
10. Google Play Music All Access
 
Technarchy said:
In terms of top ten things I will miss when getting the iPhone 5S:

1: Swype
2: Contact on homescreen with all social networks, email, phone numbers and video chat ID's all aggregated in one place
3: Launching apps from lock screen
4. Status bar notification icons
5. Setting default apps
6. Glance and go information
7. Two apps running at the same time (GS4 Feature)
8. Clearing all apps in one easy action
9. Music widget with full controls on home screen
10. Google Play Music All Access
Click to expand...

Great list. Begs the question, why specifically are you returning?

Your problems with Android seem to me like problems specifically with Samsung and TouchWiz. Why not go Nexus?
 
I use or have used all mobile platforms the past 8-9 years including the first G1 and first iPhone.

The real world reasons (most) people (I am talking general users) favor android over iOS is because of end user control and choice.

1. Choice of screen size
2. Control of file system
3. Control and customization of wall paper, ring tones, skins etc

Saying all this there is about 80% of the general public that doesn't get a rats ass about any of these.

Most people use a smartphone
1. Make a phone call (duh)
2. Text
3. Browse internet
4. Take pictures
4.A few select mobile apps
6. plus/minus on music/mp3 replacement

To each their own. I always have an android and iPhone on me so I get the best of both worlds. Just picked up the 5s. Getting note 3 and nexus 5 next.
 
eclipse01 said:
not trying to start a flame war, just want honest opinions from people that have had or maybe still has both to know what they enjoy more about Android?

from an Apple boards perspective


Mods:
Why was this moved?
I wanted this posted in IOS7 to get Apple owners perspective....
(oh wait, i'm guessing probably because you didn't even read it, you just saw "Android in the subject and decided to move it)
Click to expand...

LOl, its just true.
 
aneftp said:
I use or have used all mobile platforms the past 8-9 years including the first G1 and first iPhone.

The real world reasons (most) people (I am talking general users) favor android over iOS is because of end user control and choice.

1. Choice of screen size
2. Control of file system
3. Control and customization of wall paper, ring tones, skins etc

Saying all this there is about 80% of the general public that doesn't get a rats ass about any of these.

Most people use a smartphone
1. Make a phone call (duh)
2. Text
3. Browse internet
4. Take pictures
4.A few select mobile apps
6. plus/minus on music/mp3 replacement

To each their own. I always have an android and iPhone on me so I get the best of both worlds. Just picked up the 5s. Getting note 3 and nexus 5 next.
Click to expand...

Sound like a man after my own heart. This I can grok.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back