This is what I love about Android...customizability! GS4 running iOS 7

[Prototypical]

Actually, the point of the thread was to emphasize customizability and had nothing to do with the look, per se. He didn't ask for critiques on the look, he just showed off how easily customizations could be done on Android. If anything, your criticism should be toward the people who commented on the aesthetics in the first place, they're the ones who got off topic. I just made the observation that they promote form over function.

The original post was:

Took me 5 seconds to make my gs4 look like a complete new phone.every few weeks I change it up to make the cell look fresh.

Am I missing something?

 

[tbayrgs]

For the record, I'm not speaking for Meatrocket.

All you're pointing out is that people can like iOS 7's new look. Nothing shocking. It's not all that ironic given it's a new look that just came out, and that it's only for that one week so far. The "all time" favorites paint a very different story than what you're implying.

But you have fair points and, again, it's kudos to the maker of that iOS 7 theme. Maybe people are "loving" it because of how quickly and accurate it recreates iOS 7's look. And maybe people are "loving" it because they want that theme for their phone too. Great. They can do it. That's the point.

Whereas iOS doesn't allow this flexibility without jailbreaking. It's also possible iOS users don't or won't like the new look; they are stuck.

Couch, you mistake my posts as advocating iOS 7 or it's theme--should be clear that wasn't my intention. You made a point about irony, I came back with yet another--and yes, it is VERY ironic, fits the definition perfectly. When a community touts one of the biggest advantages over a competitor yet uses that advantage to mimic said competitor--very ironic.

No where am I implying iOS is better because of this example, just find it humorously ironic, that's all.

And boy, someone quickly get's a bit defensive when he feels his OS of choice is being criticized. Step back, take a breath and reread what I wrote--just an illustration of irony. Replace Android and iOS with whatever example you like, if it makes you feel better.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Couch, you mistake my posts as advocating iOS 7 or it's theme--should be clear that wasn't my intention. You made a point about irony, I came back with yet another--and yes, it is VERY ironic, fits the definition perfectly. When a community touts one of the biggest advantages over a competitor yet uses that advantage to mimic said competitor--very ironic.

No where am I implying iOS is better because of this example, just find it humorously ironic, that's all.

And boy, someone quickly get's a bit defensive when he feels his OS of choice is being criticized. Step back, take a breath and reread what I wrote--just an illustration of irony. Replace Android and iOS with whatever example you like, if it makes you feel better.

I agreed with what you said. IOS themes for Android are not new I hope you know. Again one of the examples I used was an iOS theme.

 

[ReanimationN]

If people don't like how one person has customized their Android, guess what, they can customize their own Android anyway they want. In fact, they can move it as far away as possible from the look they don't like: http://mycolorscreen.com/ There are pages and pages of home screens at that link that show how versatile Android can be (and more often than not, using simple and free launchers, icon themes, etc.)

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Even iOS if you so wish:

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But if people don't like how iOS looks, there's just not much you can do without jailbreaking. People keep arguing about how preference is the most important thing and the real deciding factor, yet can't appreciate that Android is all about giving users preference and that Apple is the one not offering many preferences. Oh the irony.

How is it that you continually work yourself into a lather over how restricted and un-customisable iOS devices are, whilst singing the praises of how wonderful Android devices are for allowing you to customise every inch of the OS, and then say you love OS X and think it's superior to Windows? OS X is as locked down as iOS when it comes to appearance. Even the simplest of themes, like an all-black theme, are made difficult to do. Some people produce themes, using exploits in the OS to do so, but they're often patched out in subsequent point updates. Sure you can set browser defaults etc, but making the device appear like it's 'truly yours' (a phrase I've seen bandied about) is much, much more difficult than it is on a Windows device, where radically different themes and icons are very, very easy to implement.

So, why don't you take OS X to task over the same thing and sing Windows' praises?

 

[skratch77]

Guys I tried ios7 and now I'm back to my old look and feel.

Its not a surprise ios7 is hot right now but I'm sure people will use it and dump it a few days later

The best part with android is you can change the look and feel to iOS 7 but still be free and open to use it like before.

I'm in the process of buying an investment 3 family and I can't tell you how many times my phone has saved me from running around trying to get stuff done.

I just got a zipped file with lead certificates and opened it and selected what docs I need and then sent them to my attorneys email with ease

The funny part is everyone the past few weeks I've seen going threw all this use android phones just for the ease of sending and viewing docs threw emails etc.

Just because my gs4 looked like an iPhone for a min doesn't mean it turned into a locked down system like an iphone

 

[MeatRocket]

The original post was:

Took me 5 seconds to make my gs4 look like a complete new phone.every few weeks I change it up to make the cell look fresh.

Am I missing something?

I think you are missing something, or at least taking things out of context to fit your argument. I took the first statement in bold to mean "In 5 seconds, I can change the way my phone looks. Can the iPhone do that?" I took the second statement in bold to mean "because I can change my screen as often as I like, my cell phone never gets dull & boring to me".

Perhaps the OP can chime in on exactly what he meant to clarify & validate the argument.

 

[skratch77]

I think you are missing something, or at least taking things out of context to fit your argument. I took the first statement in bold to mean "In 5 seconds, I can change the way my phone looks. Can the iPhone do that?" I took the second statement in bold to mean "because I can change my screen as often as I like, my cell phone never gets dull & boring to me".

Perhaps the OP can chime in on exactly what he meant to clarify & validate the argument.

It takes 5 seconds to install a theme that will change the icons and whole theme of the phone.if you are on a custom ROM you can also change default app colors and get better custom themes already pre made up and some ROMs allow a lot of customizing on the way everything looks also

 

[onthecouchagain]

How is it that you continually work yourself into a lather over how restricted and un-customisable iOS devices are, whilst singing the praises of how wonderful Android devices are for allowing you to customise every inch of the OS, and then say you love OS X and think it's superior to Windows? OS X is as locked down as iOS when it comes to appearance. Even the simplest of themes, like an all-black theme, are made difficult to do. Some people produce themes, using exploits in the OS to do so, but they're often patched out in subsequent point updates. Sure you can set browser defaults etc, but making the device appear like it's 'truly yours' (a phrase I've seen bandied about) is much, much more difficult than it is on a Windows device, where radically different themes and icons are very, very easy to implement.

So, why don't you take OS X to task over the same thing and sing Windows' praises?

Do people seriously value customizing their Windows platform that much? If so and it's true you can, then I have no problem admitting that Windows is the superior computer operating system for appearance-related customization and OSX is inferior.

But you are talking only about appearance right? Because that's what it sounds like, but you go on to mention things like making apps default, etc. I guess that has some level relation to appearance, but of course you know setting default apps for Android/iOS is more about functionality than form.

So I'm not sure what you're getting at.

I will say this... it's often said that Windows vs OSX is like Android vs iOS. To some degree, yes. But I've never thought this comparison was apt (if this is not what you're implying, then ignore the rest as it'll be a tangent). I've always thought it wasn't a fair comparison by the sheer fact that using a smartphone is vastly different than using a computer.

Touch screen versus a dedicated keyboard and mouse, for example, is a world of a difference apart. That's why it's so important for the software keyboard to be good. With computers, there are physical keys that give you access to everything (not to mention OSX doesn't force you to use the Apple keyboard). This is just one example. There are many others. OSX is not equivalent to iOS. OSX is far freer.

But, if you are talking solely about appearances and themes, and if it is true that it's easier to customize Windows, so be it. OSX is inferior to Windows in that respect. See. Not that hard to admit.

I do have to ask again, though, is customizing computer OS that big of a thing? It doesn't seem like it is to me.

 

[AppleRobert]

It takes 5 seconds to install a theme that will change the icons and whole theme of the phone.if you are on a custom ROM you can also change default app colors and get better custom themes already pre made up and some ROMs allow a lot of customizing on the way everything looks also

Ok, I have an older HTC phone I downloaded the fake iPhone 5 launcher from google store a few weeks ago.

I like to try what you did now. Do I need an alternate launcher first, a theme, widgets?

I will not mess around with my HTC One.

I am not jailbroken on the older HTC and have no custom Rom either.

 

[skratch77]

Ok, I have an older HTC phone I downloaded the fake iPhone 5 launcher from google store a few weeks ago.

I like to try what you did now. Do I need an alternate launcher first, a theme, widgets?

I will not mess around with my HTC One.

I am not jailbroken on the older HTC and have no custom Rom either.

Some themes are made for specific launchers and most themes now a days support nova and apex/awd launcher.

Just scroll threw the iOS 7 themes and read in the description what launcher they were made for.

 

[AppleRobert]

Some themes are made for specific launchers and most themes now a days support nova and apex/awd launcher.

I scroll threw the iOS 7 themes and read in the description what launcher they were made for.

Ok, I understand. Which one did you use and what widget is that on your first post?

 

[skratch77]

Ok, I understand. Which one did you use and what widget is that on your first post?

I actually bought like 3 lol and ended up just using the icon pack and manually used the icons from one of the iOS 7 themes I bought in nova launcher.I setup the launcher to not show titles under the app icons and used one of the stock gs4 clock widgets.

I then downloaded a few ios7 wallpapers and also DL paralex ios7 live wallpapers

 

[oplix]

Basically iOS is mainly for real world newbs. Those newbs are your typical best buy shopper. someone looking to do basic things with a hassle free experience. The minority of iOS users actually don't belong using an iPhone but will not give up certain things like design and stability. Majority of android users also fall in the real world newb category (Joe Blow buying a 9gb S4) and a minority of android users actually have the know how and the savvy to utilize strengths of the android platform.

 

[AppleRobert]

I actually bought like 3 lol and ended up just using the icon pack and manually used the icons from one of the iOS 7 themes I bought in nova launcher.I setup the launcher to not show titles under the app icons and used one of the stock gs4 clock widgets.

I then downloaded a few ios7 wallpapers and also DL paralex ios7 live wallpapers

Ok. I have loaded apex launcher and applied an ios 7 theme to it that was compatible. But now I need icons and do not see how to do that. Which icon pack specifically are you using?

 

[skratch77]

Ok. I have loaded apex launcher and applied an ios 7 theme to it that was compatible. But now I need icons and do not see how to do that. Which icon pack specifically are you using?

Here is the one I got.this is also a perfect example of how easy and open android is to post things like a simple screen shot of the icons I used.

All I did was save screen shot and the clicked upload attachment in the forum page threw the web browser and clicked select image on my cell then went to screenshot in the galleries and clicked upload.

Try doing that on iso lol

 

[torana355]

How is it that you continually work yourself into a lather over how restricted and un-customisable iOS devices are, whilst singing the praises of how wonderful Android devices are for allowing you to customise every inch of the OS, and then say you love OS X and think it's superior to Windows? OS X is as locked down as iOS when it comes to appearance. Even the simplest of themes, like an all-black theme, are made difficult to do. Some people produce themes, using exploits in the OS to do so, but they're often patched out in subsequent point updates. Sure you can set browser defaults etc, but making the device appear like it's 'truly yours' (a phrase I've seen bandied about) is much, much more difficult than it is on a Windows device, where radically different themes and icons are very, very easy to implement.

So, why don't you take OS X to task over the same thing and sing Windows' praises?

Firstly a mobile OS and a desktop OS are two different things and cant really be compared. OSX may not be as customizable as Windows in the theme dept (ive never seen people get into customization on a desktop OS anyway...) but it is just as flexible where it counts. iOS on the other hand is locked down in every single area including customization. I prefer OSX for my computer needs and Android for my mobile needs and im sure there are many people that feel the exact same way.

 

[ReanimationN]

Do people seriously value customizing their Windows platform that much? If so and it's true you can, then I have no problem admitting that Windows is the superior computer operating system for appearance-related customization and OSX is inferior.

Uh, yes! There are stacks of websites out there dedicated to doing such a thing. You can even theme Windows to look a lot like OS X.

Not only can you theme and customise Windows to your heart's content, you can also do the same thing with the hardware. You have a ridiculous amount of choice when it comes to Windows hardware- high end performance powerhouses, sleek, svelte compact basic PCs, laptops of all sizes- you can even build your own! Isn't that what you advocate? Choice? How you can advocate the use of OS X when it limits your choices compared to what the competition offers?

Windows also offers more flexibility in the software it can run- if I want to run ancient DOS programs or Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 programs, Windows 7 will let me. OS 7, 8, 9 or even PPC versions of OS X software on Mountain Lion? No chance. Shouldn't I be able to run the software I want, rather than have Apple tell me it's obsolete?

That's great that you can admit OS X is inferior compared to Windows when it comes to customisation, however, when considering your advocacy for choice, shouldn't you consider Windows inferior to OS X in many other ways?

(For the record, I use both OS X and Windows on a regular basis. I think they're both great and appreciate both for what they are. I slightly prefer Windows for the huge variety of software available. I don't really care about customisation of either my desktop or mobile OS, I know a few people who do, however, and they greatly prefer Android and Windows for that reason. I do like tinkering with PC hardware though. )

 

[onthecouchagain]

Uh, yes! There are stacks of websites out there dedicated to doing such a thing. You can even theme Windows to look a lot like OS X.

Not only can you theme and customise Windows to your heart's content, you can also do the same thing with the hardware. You have a ridiculous amount of choice when it comes to Windows hardware- high end performance powerhouses, sleek, svelte compact basic PCs, laptops of all sizes- you can even build your own! Isn't that what you advocate? Choice? How you can advocate the use of OS X when it limits your choices compared to what the competition offers?

Windows also offers more flexibility in the software it can run- if I want to run ancient DOS programs or Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 programs, Windows 7 will let me. OS 7, 8, 9 or even PPC versions of OS X software on Mountain Lion? No chance. Shouldn't I be able to run the software I want, rather than have Apple tell me it's obsolete?

That's great that you can admit OS X is inferior compared to Windows when it comes to customisation, however, when considering your advocacy for choice, shouldn't you consider Windows inferior to OS X in many other ways?

(For the record, I use both OS X and Windows on a regular basis. I think they're both great and appreciate both for what they are. I slightly prefer Windows for the huge variety of software available. I don't really care about customisation of either my desktop or mobile OS, I know a few people who do, however, and they greatly prefer Android and Windows for that reason. I do like tinkering with PC hardware though. )

Weren't you strictly talking about appearance? Be more clear. But all right -- Windows is the superior computer operating system.

Any other straw mans you want to throw at me? Where do I claim OSX is superior to Windows?

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That's great that you can admit OS X is inferior compared to Windows when it comes to customisation, however, when considering your advocacy for choice, shouldn't you consider Windows inferior to OS X in many other ways?

Let me answer this more thoroughly. No.

The difference is I have no problem admitting that I'm using an inferior operating system. I don't try to hide behind "I prefer this" and "I prefer that"; if you want to talk objectively about Windows vs OSX, no problem -- one is clearly better than the other.

And I seriously didn't know that customizing desktop appearances was such a big deal for Windows users. This is news to me. I knew about hardware, but did not know about software customization (appearance-wise; again, that's what I thought you were talking about mainly) being such a big deal. Neat.

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Furthermore, if there are OSX users out there that want Apple to add more Windows-only features, I certainly wouldn't try to stand in their way by saying "well, I don't need that feature." I'm not really seeing this sort of passionate discussion, though, but that could just be me not being involved in those types of threads enough.

 

[ReanimationN]

Weren't you strictly talking about appearance? Be more clear. But all right -- Windows is the superior computer operating system.

No, appearance is just one thing. Windows generally offers a lot more freedoms.

Any other straw mans you want to throw at me? Where do I claim OSX is superior to Windows?

I was wondering if you did think OS X is inferior to Windows, considering how important you think choice is. And if you do think OS X is inferior, why do you use it over the superior choice?

Let me answer this more thoroughly. No.

The difference is I have no problem admitting that I'm using an inferior operating system. I don't try to hide behind "I prefer this" and "I prefer that"; if you want to talk objectively about Windows vs OSX, no problem -- one is clearly better than the other.

And I seriously didn't know that customizing desktop appearances was such a big deal for Windows users. This is news to me. I knew about hardware, but did not know about software customization (appearance-wise; again, that's what I thought you were talking about mainly) being such a big deal. Neat.

The same thing goes when it comes to OS X. It's inferior in some regards when compared to Windows, but some of those things simply don't matter to some people (and vice versa). Just like mobile operating systems, it ultimately comes down to what to what you prefer. OS X offers some Apple software that isn't available on Windows, a more consistent, cohesive appearance, more locked down options (i.e. Apple making decisions for people, which leads to that Apple 'polish'), better battery life and so on.

Furthermore, if there are OSX users out there that want Apple to add more Windows-only features, I certainly wouldn't try to stand in their way by saying "well, I don't need that feature." I'm not really seeing this sort of passionate discussion, though, but that could just be me not being involved in those types of threads enough.

You haven't been on the internet in the last 10 years?

 

[onthecouchagain]

No, appearance is just one thing. Windows generally offers a lot more freedoms.

I was wondering if you did think OS X is inferior to Windows, considering how important you think choice is. And if you do think OS X is inferior, why do you use it over the superior choice?

I'm not convinced it's an apt comparison, but if you want to talk objectively about it, I don't have a problem admitting I'm using an inferior OS. Having said that, OSX' limitations compared to Windows just isn't the same as iOS' limitations compared to Android.

They're used entirely differently. I said this before, the touch screen makes the operating systems' keyboard paramount. With computers, you use physical keyboards. You can use whatever program you want as your default program. There isn't one screen size option when it comes to Macs (in fact, there are plenty of options) so that makes it easier to swallow Apple's lack of customization for building hardware. Also, Apple does allow some level of hardware customization with RAM, CPUs, fusion drives, type of screens, etc.

Plus, Windows' negatives are far more pronounce, I feel, than Android's. Viruses are a real threat to Windows users. Contrary to the FUD that people like to spread, viruses just aren't that serious of a thing with Android.

I'm sure there are far more examples to illustrate the straw man you're trying to corner me into, but I think you get my point.

In short, OSX' shortcomings compared to Windows are far easier to reconcile and deal with than iOS' shortcomings compared to Android. Entirely different platforms, different uses, different levels of restrictions/freedoms.

But hey, go ahead and declare Windows is objectively better. I have no problem with that nor would I ever get in the way of OSX users who want more Windows-like features. More power to them.

 

[cnev3]

Took me 5 seconds to make my gs4 look like a complete new phone.every few weeks I change it up to make the cell look fresh.

I thought everyone hated the bright hues, flat design and icons of iOS 7. Why are people copping this style on their android phones?

 

[onthecouchagain]

I thought everyone hated the bright hues, flat design and icons of iOS 7. Why are people copping this style on their android phones?

Because you thought wrong.

People do realize iOS icon pack themes have existed before right?

 

[QuarterSwede]

I think a lot of people are missing the difference in "theme" in iOS 7. It's not actually white, it's frosted. The content determines how it looks so everyone's will be different. That's its brilliance.

Here is the one I got.this is also a perfect example of how easy and open android is to post things like a simple screen shot of the icons I used.

All I did was save screen shot and the clicked upload attachment in the forum page threw the web browser and clicked select image on my cell then went to screenshot in the galleries and clicked upload.

Try doing that on iso lol

You mean like that? Wow, hard.

 

[ReanimationN]

I'm not convinced it's an apt comparison, but if you want to talk objectively about it, I don't have a problem admitting I'm using an inferior OS. Having said that, OSX' limitations compared to Windows just isn't the same as iOS' limitations compared to Android.

When considering what desktop operating systems can do, OS X could be considered pretty limited compared to Windows (depending on how and what you use your OS for). Even running programs from the early-mid 2000s is an issue on OS X. I'd say that's a fair limitation considering the amount of software that has been produced over the years that have subsequently been rendered useless by Apple's new operating systems.

Windows also offers you more options for tinkering with how your computer performs, how much power it draws etc etc.

Apple makes those decisions for you, shock horror, like it does with iOS.

They're used entirely differently. I said this before, the touch screen makes the operating systems' keyboard paramount. With computers, you use physical keyboards. You can use whatever program you want as your default program. There isn't one screen size option when it comes to Macs (in fact, there are plenty of options) so that makes it easier to swallow Apple's lack of customization for building hardware. Also, Apple does allow some level of hardware customization with RAM, CPUs, fusion drives, type of screens, etc.

Yeah, Apple offers you the bare minimum- compared to the amount of choices in the PC world (and the ability to make your own PC), Apple offers you next to nothing. Apple offering you a few choices of screen sizes, RAM upgrades etc. is like Apple offering you the 4S and 5 (i.e. 2 screen sizes and a variety of storage and colour combinations) when compared to the wide variety of Android phones out there. The variety doesn't compare.

Plus, Windows' negatives are far more pronounce, I feel, than Android's. Viruses are a real threat to Windows users. Contrary to the FUD that people like to spread, viruses just aren't that serious of a thing with Android.

You talk about Android FUD, then go on to talk about Windows viruses? When was the last actual widespread Windows virus (not malware)? Windows 7 & 8 are incredibly secure these days. As long as you aren't an idiot and download everything and anything that's presented to you, it's going to be pretty hard to get malware on your PC. Android has had some pretty serious security breaches- just ask Sky UK users, not even sticking to the Play store could prevent that.

In short, OSX' shortcomings compared to Windows are far easier to reconcile and deal with than iOS' shortcomings compared to Android. Entirely different platforms, different uses, different levels of restrictions/freedoms.

Depends on what you value! Your point on how they're different platforms etc. is also a good argument for Apple tightly controlling the experience on iOS (e.g. not placing the UI as the highest priority in the OS leads to an experience which can feel unresponsive and laggy compared to an OS which interrupts other processes to prioritise user input, something which may not make sense on a desktop OS, but makes sense on a mobile device which has limited processing power and uses touch as its input). You may not like what they've produced, or agree with some of their decisions, but a lot of people do.

But hey, go ahead and declare Windows is objectively better. I have no problem with that nor would I ever get in the way of OSX users who want more Windows-like features. More power to them.

I'm not, not in any way. I'm pointing out how OS X could be viewed as being inferior, depending on what you value. I like both and value them for what they are.

 

[skratch77]

I think a lot of people are missing the difference in "theme" in iOS 7. It's not actually white, it's frosted. The content determines how it looks so everyone's will be different. That's its brilliance.


You mean like that? Wow, hard.

I don't see any files attached there

What happens when you click attach file? does it let you browse your phone to find a file?

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I thought everyone hated the bright hues, flat design and icons of iOS 7. Why are people copping this style on their android phones?

I cant speak for everyone but I tried them and it didn't even last a day so good luck dealing with them for 2 years when apple pushed ios7 to devices

every time I looked at my phone it reminded me of a dayglow concert