Thoughts on Android Lollipop?

[animalx]

They aren't the same thing. It's debatable if Siri and Google now are even competitors as far as I am concerned.

Siri and Cortana are far closer, while Google Now is a different animal.

I agree with this.

 

[jrswizzle]

I was eating lunch the other day, listening to music through my EarPods on my 6+, which was in my pocket.

I got the chime that I had a message, but I really didn't want to pull my phone out my pocket while I was eating. I held down the button on my EarPods and said "Read that message".

Siri immediately read the message and asked if I'd like to respond. I said "yes" and dictated my message. Siri read it back to me (it was perfect, no mistakes) and asked if I wanted to send it. I said yes and it sent.

I did this a few times while there as the conversation went back and forth. Every time it worked without a hitch and every time it sent my message exactly as I had dictated it.

Siri is, in my opinion, the best personal assistant out there and trumps anything Google Now might give me with her accuracy and feature set.

I make calls no problem, send messages, set reminders, make reservations, ask questions (and get answers, not a web search) etc. In my opinion Siri is far more useful than Google Now.

 

[Technarchy]

I was eating lunch the other day, listening to music through my EarPods on my 6+, which was in my pocket.

I got the chime that I had a message, but I really didn't want to pull my phone out my pocket while I was eating. I held down the button on my EarPods and said "Read that message".

Siri immediately read the message and asked if I'd like to respond. I said "yes" and dictated my message. Siri read it back to me (it was perfect, no mistakes) and asked if I wanted to send it. I said yes and it sent.

I did this a few times while there as the conversation went back and forth. Every time it worked without a hitch and every time it sent my message exactly as I had dictated it.

Siri is, in my opinion, the best personal assistant out there and trumps anything Google Now might give me with her accuracy and feature set.

I make calls no problem, send messages, set reminders, make reservations, ask questions (and get answers, not a web search) etc. In my opinion Siri is far more useful than Google Now.

Siri is the better personal assistant, but Google Now knows me better and because it works passively it's quite powerful.

For example, my work sends me a flight itinerary to my gmail account, and the Google Now widget automatically gives me directions to the airport, from the airport to the hotel, gate information, delays, local places to eat with food types I like, traffic info so I don't miss my flight...etc etc.

What do I do to trigger this? Absolutely nothing. It just knows.

It's pretty impressive.

 

[mattopotamus]

They aren't the same thing. It's debatable if Siri and Google now are even competitors as far as I am concerned.

Siri and Cortana are far closer, while Google Now is a different animal.

They do overlap in some areas, though generally I prefer Siri.

I agree. Someone posted after I said that, and I agree with both of you

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

snip

Out of curiosity, does the Mario in your contacts list also have a last name listed? If so have you tried call Mario [last name]? Maybe it will only pick up the contact if you say his/her full name.

Haven't tried this myself, just a thought.

 

[spinedoc77]

Still can't see the second video. Also, out of curiosity, what version of Google Now are you running?

That's odd, I'll take a look tonight when I get home as I'm swamped at work. I'm not sure what version I'm on, I'm on KitKat and my Google Now has been updated through the play store.

Edit, that 2nd video works for me in private mode so I'm not signed in, not sure why it's not working for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oips_1O2g_c&list=UUfK2-8-qVNrxMENU5bq9Gvg

 

[jeremiah256]

Siri is the better personal assistant, but Google Now knows me better and because it works passively it's quite powerful.

For example, my work sends me a flight itinerary to my gmail account, and the Google Now widget automatically gives me directions to the airport, from the airport to the hotel, gate information, delays, local places to eat with food types I like, traffic info so I don't miss my flight...etc etc.

What do I do to trigger this? Absolutely nothing. It just knows.

It's pretty impressive.

I'm confused - everything you mentioned is available on an iPhone. Google is cross platform and services both Android and iOS. Via notifications:
- I get traffic alerts from Google Maps before I leave from work and can get turn by turn directions if needed.
- I get appointment information from Gmail when it pops up in my email.
- I get location information from Field Trip, a Google property, on every thing happening around me.
- I get transaction information from Google Wallet

I use an iPhone but Google is definitely the service I use, by far, the most. Best yet, all notifications get sent to my $100 Pebble watch. Now, I will freely admit that if Google stopped providing this top level of service to iOS, I'd switch to Android, but that is not the case regardless of what fanboys on each side want.

 

[spinedoc77]

I was eating lunch the other day, listening to music through my EarPods on my 6+, which was in my pocket.

I got the chime that I had a message, but I really didn't want to pull my phone out my pocket while I was eating. I held down the button on my EarPods and said "Read that message".

Siri immediately read the message and asked if I'd like to respond. I said "yes" and dictated my message. Siri read it back to me (it was perfect, no mistakes) and asked if I wanted to send it. I said yes and it sent.

I did this a few times while there as the conversation went back and forth. Every time it worked without a hitch and every time it sent my message exactly as I had dictated it.

Siri is, in my opinion, the best personal assistant out there and trumps anything Google Now might give me with her accuracy and feature set.

I make calls no problem, send messages, set reminders, make reservations, ask questions (and get answers, not a web search) etc. In my opinion Siri is far more useful than Google Now.

Wow I didn't know that was possible, that's pretty awesome. I have a smartwatch so can just glance down at my watch, which is easier for my needs, but what you described is pretty awesome as well.

 

[jrswizzle]

Siri is the better personal assistant, but Google Now knows me better and because it works passively it's quite powerful.

For example, my work sends me a flight itinerary to my gmail account, and the Google Now widget automatically gives me directions to the airport, from the airport to the hotel, gate information, delays, local places to eat with food types I like, traffic info so I don't miss my flight...etc etc.

What do I do to trigger this? Absolutely nothing. It just knows.

It's pretty impressive.

Most, if not all, of this information can be/is pushed to my device through various apps.

-I use Passbook for electronic boarding passes as I never check a bag when I travel for work. The Pass updates me on any delays, boarding times or gate changes.
-If I make a reservation at a hotel, that hotel's app will send me alerts/emails with most (if not all) of the above information.
-Traffic Info is available in the "Today" view on iOS now as well - though I will admit, it takes user input. One must have said hotel/airport on their calendar (or frequently travel to those places) for it to pick the travel time up.

The other major issue for me and Google Now - I don't use Gmail as my primary email address. Switching everything I have tied to my Apple email over would be way more trouble than it's worth IMO. Though I recognize that this is a limitation I put on myself as it is my choice to use a me.com email address.

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Wow I didn't know that was possible, that's pretty awesome. I have a smartwatch so can just glance down at my watch, which is easier for my needs, but what you described is pretty awesome as well.

I just learned the other day that Siri recognizes the names of your playlists. So you can say "Play favorites" and it will play my playlist called "Favorites".

There's a lot she can do. Though I wish they had made the music identification more like it was in early betas (more automatic) than having to ask her to identify the song first.

 

[spinedoc77]

Most, if not all, of this information can be/is pushed to my device through various apps.

-I use Passbook for electronic boarding passes as I never check a bag when I travel for work. The Pass updates me on any delays, boarding times or gate changes.
-If I make a reservation at a hotel, that hotel's app will send me alerts/emails with most (if not all) of the above information.
-Traffic Info is available in the "Today" view on iOS now as well - though I will admit, it takes user input. One must have said hotel/airport on their calendar (or frequently travel to those places) for it to pick the travel time up.

The other major issue for me and Google Now - I don't use Gmail as my primary email address. Switching everything I have tied to my Apple email over would be way more trouble than it's worth IMO. Though I recognize that this is a limitation I put on myself as it is my choice to use a me.com email address.

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I just learned the other day that Siri recognizes the names of your playlists. So you can say "Play favorites" and it will play my playlist called "Favorites".

There's a lot she can do. Though I wish they had made the music identification more like it was in early betas (more automatic) than having to ask her to identify the song first.

I just bought my wife an iPhone 6 and I vacillate between my Note 4 and her iPhone all the time. Certainly I'm the most indecisive person on these forums when it comes to phones. But the major lag on my Note 4 and missing some of Siri's features have me considering going back to the dark side. Of course then I'll complain about something else and look back to Android. Ahh technology, a gift and a curse I suppose.

 

[jrswizzle]

I just bought my wife an iPhone 6 and I vacillate between my Note 4 and her iPhone all the time. Certainly I'm the most indecisive person on these forums when it comes to phones. But the major lag on my Note 4 and missing some of Siri's features have me considering going back to the dark side. Of course then I'll complain about something else and look back to Android. Ahh technology, a gift and a curse I suppose.

Lol - iOS isn't perfect. But neither is Android. In my case, I put up with far more limitations and annoyances when I use Android than when I use iOS (mainly stemming from the fact that I share/communicate with primarily iOS users).

If Apple figures out the whole email attachment situation, iOS won't have any major flaws in my eyes. But I'll still hang on to an Android device and a WP device. I just like gadgets too much

 

[fredaroony]

If Apple figures out the whole email attachment situation, iOS won't have any major flaws in my eyes. But I'll still hang on to an Android device and a WP device. I just like gadgets too much

That and being able to schedule the email app itself by accounts. I don't want to read work emails after hours.

I still can't believe Apple can't do proper attachments after all this time either.

Work gave me a iPhone 6 two days ago and I'm already ready to go back to my Moto X. I do like the handoff etc with my Macbook Pro though.

 

[animalx]

I still can't believe Apple can't do proper attachments after all this time either.

It really is unbelievable that in 2014, a phone they purport as also being a business device, still can't do attachments like it should. In my line of work, I do a lot of attachment emailing from the field, and Apple's limitation in this area would be a big issue for me.

 

[Technarchy]

Most, if not all, of this information can be/is pushed to my device through various apps.

-I use Passbook for electronic boarding passes as I never check a bag when I travel for work. The Pass updates me on any delays, boarding times or gate changes.
-If I make a reservation at a hotel, that hotel's app will send me alerts/emails with most (if not all) of the above information.
-Traffic Info is available in the "Today" view on iOS now as well - though I will admit, it takes user input. One must have said hotel/airport on their calendar (or frequently travel to those places) for it to pick the travel time up.

The other major issue for me and Google Now - I don't use Gmail as my primary email address. Switching everything I have tied to my Apple email over would be way more trouble than it's worth IMO. Though I recognize that this is a limitation I put on myself as it is my choice to use a me.com email address.

That's not quite the same. It's not even close in fact.

 

[jrswizzle]

That's not quite the same. It's not even close in fact.

Works for me.

Apps are already on my phone and send me alerts. I don't do anything extra aside from making my trip reservations.

My experience obviously differs. I don't have the luxury of using gmail for work either so my itinerary would never go through Google Now regardless.

If I want places to eat around me (when I get to wherever I'm going), I can just tell Siri "I'm Hungry".

I feel like I can get pretty much all the functionality (be it in different ways, with minimally more effort) our of Siri/Today/Notification Center on the iPhone.

Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Technarchy]

Maybe I'm wrong.

I've lived with both, and you are wrong.

It's not the same, in the same way Google Now can't be called personal assistant.

There's a lot to be said for a device that knows who you are and caters to your individual style and interests. It's intelligent, and proactive and makes for a more personal experience.

Yes, there might be an app for that in iOS, but that is different than a device having contextual and personal understanding of what the owner wants, where the owner is, and what the owner wants to know about...all without any action on the owners part.

 

[animalx]

Works for me.

Apps are already on my phone and send me alerts. I don't do anything extra aside from making my trip reservations.

My experience obviously differs. I don't have the luxury of using gmail for work either so my itinerary would never go through Google Now regardless.

If I want places to eat around me (when I get to wherever I'm going), I can just tell Siri "I'm Hungry".

I feel like I can get pretty much all the functionality (be it in different ways, with minimally more effort) our of Siri/Today/Notification Center on the iPhone.

Maybe I'm wrong.

When I have an appointment sent to me, Google Now automatically keeps me apprised of travel time to that appointment. It will monitor the traffic situation and let me know when to leave to be on time. This is invaluable with Atlanta traffic, because sometimes you need to leave earlier than others. Google Now passively keeps an eye on that for me, and when there's been a delay on the route, will tell me to leave earlier. Siri doesn't do that.

 

[fredaroony]

When I have an appointment sent to me, Google Now automatically keeps me apprised of travel time to that appointment. It will monitor the traffic situation and let me know when to leave to be on time. This is invaluable with Atlanta traffic, because sometimes you need to leave earlier than others. Google Now passively keeps an eye on that for me, and when there's been a delay on the route, will tell me to leave earlier. Siri doesn't do that.

It also displays the button to email on the appointment invitees.

 

[jrswizzle]

When I have an appointment sent to me, Google Now automatically keeps me apprised of travel time to that appointment. It will monitor the traffic situation and let me know when to leave to be on time. This is invaluable with Atlanta traffic, because sometimes you need to leave earlier than others. Google Now passively keeps an eye on that for me, and when there's been a delay on the route, will tell me to leave earlier. Siri doesn't do that.

iOS does this as well in the Today view.

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I've lived with both, and you are wrong.



It's not the same, in the same way Google Now can't be called personal assistant.



There's a lot to be said for a device that knows who you are and caters to your individual style and interests. It's intelligent, and proactive and makes for a more personal experience.



Yes, there might be an app for that in iOS, but that is different than a device having contextual and personal understanding of what the owner wants, where the owner is, and what the owner wants to know about...all without any action on the owners part.

I never said they were the same. I said you get much of the same functionality through various features on an iPhone.

 

[iososx]

Out of my various new flagship Android phones my two favorites are my Nexus 6 and year old Nexus 5, one of the only phones I've enjoyed so much I'm keeping it for a second year.

The best Android OS is Lollipop 5.1 for sure. I enjoy lightning fast updates direct from Google. Already they issued the first update to the very new 5.0 to 5.1 which took care of the initial bugs. Fast fun and very smooth this is a big leap forward.

Better than iOS 8.1.1 I'm using in my iP6+?

I make it a point not to declare one better than the other. Why? It's simple really, we all have various preferences and usage patterns. What I like is irrelevant to your preferences.

Is either of these platforms perfect? Certainly not, no Mobile or Desktop OS is.

I like both Androids and iPhones, that's why I spend plenty of money to own and enjoy the variety of a cross platform environment.

 

[flameproof]

I don't see it

It seems to be an issue with the rear cams autofocus that some users have. I did a 'clear data' and 'clear cache' and it's better now. Note: clear data does not delete any images!

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/nexus/IswQnfvtrxY[1-25-false]

It's not related to Android 5 I presume, just happened after I upgraded coincidentally.

See the before/after difference:

 

[Lloydbm41]

Works for me.

Apps are already on my phone and send me alerts. I don't do anything extra aside from making my trip reservations.

My experience obviously differs. I don't have the luxury of using gmail for work either so my itinerary would never go through Google Now regardless.

If I want places to eat around me (when I get to wherever I'm going), I can just tell Siri "I'm Hungry".

I feel like I can get pretty much all the functionality (be it in different ways, with minimally more effort) our of Siri/Today/Notification Center on the iPhone.

Maybe I'm wrong.

I was on a trip to Michigan this week and had to go to a dinner being held at a church. I had both my iPhone 6 and Nexus 5 with me and decided to try Siri for the directions. I tried all of the following:

"Siri, take me to Union Church in Quincy, Michigan."
"Take me to Union Church in Quincy, Miching."
"Where is Union Church in Quincy, Michigan"
And several other variations.

Siri's response? 'I'm sorry, I can't help you with that right now. I had to give the address for Siri to find it. I was annoyed at how limited Siri's cognitive abilities are compared to Google Now/Search.

 

[animalx]

I was on a trip to Michigan this week and had to go to a dinner being held at a church. I had both my iPhone 6 and Nexus 5 with me and decided to try Siri for the directions. I tried all of the following:

"Siri, take me to Union Church in Quincy, Michigan."
"Take me to Union Church in Quincy, Miching."
"Where is Union Church in Quincy, Michigan"
And several other variations.

Siri's response? 'I'm sorry, I can't help you with that right now. I had to give the address for Siri to find it. I was annoyed at how limited Siri's cognitive abilities are compared to Google Now/Search.

Just for kicks, I decided to try those questions in Google Now. It did a pretty good job.

 

[mattopotamus]

Out of my various new flagship Android phones my two favorites are my Nexus 6 and year old Nexus 5, one of the only phones I've enjoyed so much I'm keeping it for a second year.

The best Android OS is Lollipop 5.1 for sure. I enjoy lightning fast updates direct from Google. Already they issued the first update to the very new 5.0 to 5.1 which took care of the initial bugs. Fast fun and very smooth this is a big leap forward.

Better than iOS 8.1.1 I'm using in my iP6+?

I make it a point not to declare one better than the other. Why? It's simple really, we all have various preferences and usage patterns. What I like is irrelevant to your preferences.

Is either of these platforms perfect? Certainly not, no Mobile or Desktop OS is.

I like both Androids and iPhones, that's why I spend plenty of money to own and enjoy the variety of a cross platform environment.

Does 5.1 still have the double pull down notification menu?

 

[animalx]

Does 5.1 still have the double pull down notification menu?

There is no Android 5.1. There is a 5.0.1, but that's just a small bug fix from 5.0, and yes it does have the "double pull down"/two finger pull down notification menu.