Well now that the 5S has been announced, which device are you likely to get?

[ReanimationN]

LG G2's double-tap to sleep/wake feature?

A solution to a problem that doesn't need to exist. Home button = complete absence of the problem.

Xperia Z1's 20+ camera / waterproof-ness (how many stories have we heard of water damaged phones?)?

Nokia's 40+ camera?

The camera specs are great if they actually produce better photos. If they're spec bumps for the sake of being spec bumps, and the photos they produce aren't all that great, then it's a useless feature.

A waterproof phone = hell yeah, I'm all for that. Sony knows how to get me interested in their products.

Moto X's always listening feature and/or Active Notifications?

Always listening = useless as long as Google Now continues to suck in Australia. It's a good idea though, but a lot of reviews say it's flawed and often struggles to work. Given a few iterations, and quality services outside the US, this could be a great feature. At the moment though, it seems like it belongs in the "good idea, but flawed implementation" basket.

Active Notifications = great idea for AMOLED screens, terrible for LCD screens.

Exactly what "problem" did passwords and passcodes have prior to finger print scanner?

It's a compete pain in the arse needing to put in a passcode every time you want to unlock your phone. If my job didn't require it, I'd never use one. The fingerprint sensor allows you to have an incredibly secure solution without the constant, irritating need to continually re-enter your passcode.

Your other example in your post was 64-bit architecture. Groovy. But what "problem" did it create before that?

It solves a problem going forward- eventually, the switch to 64-bit processors would have needed to have been made. By doing it now, in a few years time, when we'll be regularly getting devices with >=4GB of RAM, Apple's entire product line will be 64-bit and such a transition will be seamless.

Does it solve an immediate problem? No, but it does solve a problem going forward.

 

[onthecouchagain]

It's a compete pain in the arse needing to put in a passcode every time you want to unlock your phone. If my job didn't require it, I'd never use one. The fingerprint sensor allows you to have an incredibly secure solution without the constant, irritating need to continually re-enter your passcode.

Not much of your post is worth responding to, but this above quote right here... this is truly remarkable.

I happen to like the finger print sensor, but it's amazing how Apple apologists' minds work. Are you sure you're not creating a "problem" just to justify and/or glorify Apple? Where was your vigor for Apple to solve this "problem" prior to the 5S? Suddenly, Apple comes out with a finger print sensor, which doesn't "solve a problem" per se, but makes something faster and easier and provides some added security (A.K.A. convenience) and suddenly other features from the competition aren't worthy unless they also "solve a problem." Suddenly, the competition's features which might also add convenience all suddenly go out the window because they don't "solve a problem."

Boo hoo, your job created this "problem" for you. Everyone who doesn't upgrade to the 5S will now all suddenly have "problems" with their phones. Everyone who buys a 5C is just being duped into owning a product that will come with a "problem." Everyone will have to punch in their passcodes/passwords just like they have been for years past. What a "problem!"

What a joke. Almost as absurd as those who say 4" being the new "perfect" screen size. Once Apple does it, then everyone and everything else is now a "problem."

EDIT: Not to mention, where was your adulation for the Motorola Atrix for solving this "problem?"

 

[ReanimationN]

Not much of your post is worth responding to, but this above quote right here... this is truly remarkable.

I happen to like the finger print sensor, but it's amazing how Apple apologists' minds work. Where was your vigor for Apple to solve this "problem" prior to the 5S? Suddenly, Apple comes out with a finger print sensor, which doesn't "solve a problem" per se, but makes something faster and easier and provides some added security (A.K.A. convenience) and suddenly other features from the competition aren't worthy unless they also "solve a problem." Suddenly, the competition's features which might also add convenience all suddenly go out the window because they don't "solve a problem."

Er, I've always hated passcodes. Like I said, if using my iPhone and my work's Exchange server didn't require the use of a passcode, I would never use one. Just because I don't continually bang on about it, like you do with the iPhone's keyboard, doesn't mean I now suddenly find it a problem because Apple's now offering a solution.

It was just one of those things I'd just learnt to accept through gritted teeth- everyone (whose job requires it) has to do it, now there's another solution which removes that requirement, which I think is great.

Boo hoo, your job created this "problem" for you. Everyone who doesn't upgrade to the 5S will now all suddenly have "problems" with their phones. Everyone who buys a 5C is just being duped into owning a product that will come with a "problem." Everyone will have to punch in their passcodes/passwords just like they have been for years past. What a "problem!"

What a joke.

Wow, relax fella. It's now an option (you know how much you love those!) for those who find passcodes irritating, that also offers a secure, speedier solution. I'm not saying that everyone shares my issue with passcodes, just like I've pointed out to you numerous times that all the things you consider problems with the iPhone aren't going to affect everyone. If people don't consider entering passcodes annoying, hey, great, they can use the fingerprint sensor or a passcode, or get a 5C without any issue. For those that don't like continually entering passcodes, the fingerprint sensor is going to be a great thing.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Er, I've always hated passcodes. Like I said, if using my iPhone and my work's Exchange server didn't require the use of a passcode, I would never use one. Just because I don't continually bang on about it, like you do with the iPhone's keyboard, doesn't mean I now suddenly find it a problem because Apple's now offering a solution.

It was just one of those things I'd just learnt to accept through gritted teeth- everyone (whose job requires it) has to do it, now there's another solution which removes that requirement, which I think is great.


Wow, relax fella. It's now an option (you know how much you love those!) for those who find passcodes irritating, that also offers a secure, speedier solution. I'm not saying that everyone shares my issue with passcodes, just like I've pointed out to you numerous times that all the things you consider problems with the iPhone aren't going to affect everyone. If people don't consider entering passcodes annoying, hey, great, they can use the fingerprint sensor or a passcode, or get a 5C without any issue. For those that don't like continually entering passcodes, the fingerprint sensor is going to be a great thing.

Like I said, I like the fingerprint sensor and recognize that it will make entering passwords/codes easier. That's groovy.

But stop pretending like this isn't the same as other features that other companies implement. Like I said, there's not really a "problem" with how notifications worked before, but Motorola came up with Active Notifications (which by the way, I'm not even crazy about. I've tried it and don't even like it) to make things more convenient for people who want to see and/or go to information right away.

I'm not acting like this suddenly now "solves a problem" and is so worthy of adulation. But I appreciate the feature.

My point is, your post reeked of classic Apple fanboyism. Once Apple does it, then it's meaningful and somehow solved the world of a problem it has only begun to have. Oh, and also everyone else's features can be discredited.

You lower the bar for Apple to impress you.

----------

It solves a problem going forward- eventually, the switch to 64-bit processors would have needed to have been made. By doing it now, in a few years time, when we'll be regularly getting devices with >=4GB of RAM, Apple's entire product line will be 64-bit and such a transition will be seamless.

Does it solve an immediate problem? No, but it does solve a problem going forward.

I wanted to address this earlier, too.

Where is your "it solves a problem going forward" enthusiasm for nearly every other competitor's improvements and specs that could yield more future-proofing?

Where is your praise for expandable storage, or faster/higher end chips (which helps ensure running more apps at a time if you should need to, or graphic intense games of the future, and in general more intense apps of the future; which also might help run future updates better, etc.)?

Where is your praise for 4K video recording for the future of television?

Where was your praise for Samsung making removable backs popular? Doesn't this solve potential future problems of batteries going bad or cases that need replacement?

I'm sure there are plenty of more examples of companies putting in features that aren't fully realized yet, but might and can help in the future.

Where art thou's wonderful enthusiasm for future-proofing when others do it? Where, I wonder, where?

 

[ReanimationN]

Like I said, I like the fingerprint sensor and recognize that it will make entering passwords/codes easier. That's groovy.

But stop pretending like this isn't the same as other features that other companies implement. Like I said, there's not really a "problem" with how notifications worked before, but Motorola came up with Active Notifications (which by the way, I'm not even crazy about. I've tried it and don't even like it) to make things more convenient for people who want to see and/or go to information right away.

I think Motorola's Active Notifications are great, they're far better than an LED, and also give decent lockscreen notifications, which I greatly missed when using my N7. They aren't a killer feature to me though as I like the way iOS' lockscreen notifications work. They probably would be a killer feature to me though if I were using Android, as it's definitely an improvement over the stock Android notification experience.

Ok, here's another one of those irritations that I have- having to shield and guard my phone from rain. It's annoying having to either constantly guard my phone whilst needing to use it outside while raining, or having to wait until I'm back undercover. For this reason, I'd really appreciate Sony/Samsung's waterproofing feature, and it's also one of those things I'd learnt to accept, but now know there's a solution out there. However, it's not as pressing to me as the passcode issue, as I generally don't like hanging in the rain, so being able to stand in the rain and use my phone constantly isn't as much of a selling point to me as the ability to bypass having to input my passcode every time I use my phone. But, if I could, I would most definitely want my phone to be waterproof, it's a fantastic feature that I wish every phone had.

My point is, your post reeked of classic Apple fanboyism. Once Apple does it, then it's meaningful and somehow solved the world of a problem it has only begun to have. Oh, and also everyone else's features can be discredited.

You lower the bar for Apple to impress you.

No, I appreciate other company's features if they work well, do something I want, and the company sticks with them and continues to improve them and don't just throw them out there as something to stick on a bullet-point list. Case in point- waterproofing, I want that.

 

[ReanimationN]

Where is your "it solves a problem going forward" enthusiasm for nearly every other competitor's improvements and specs that could yield more future-proofing?

Where is your praise for expandable storage, or faster/higher end chips (which helps ensure running more apps at a time if you should need to, or graphic intense games of the future, and in general more intense apps of the future; which also might help run future updates better, etc.)?

Where is your praise for 4K video recording for the future of television?

Where was your praise for Samsung making removable backs popular? Doesn't this solve potential future problems of batteries going bad or cases that need replacement?

I'm sure there are plenty of more examples of companies putting in features that aren't fully realized yet, but might and can help in the future.

Where art thou's wonderful enthusiasm for future-proofing when others do it? Where, I wonder, where?

Very few of your examples are actually relevant to the point you're trying to make. Faster/higher end chips? Iterating faster/higher end chips will be a useless pursuit if they can't address more than 4GB of RAM in the future. Expandable storage isn't a must for the future of a line of devices- Google and Apple will still be selling their products with non-expandable storage years from now.

4K as a standard- this is possibly one of your only relevant points in that rant, however 4K as a widespread standard is much further away than phones and tablets reaching the 4GB RAM limit of 32-bit processors. When we do hit that limit, Apple's entire product line will have already shifted over to 64-bit processors, the vast, vast majority of apps will be updated to support 64-bit processors, and the transition will be effectively seamless.
I'm not hugely enthused about the 5S' 64-bit processor, but I can understand and appreciate why it was done.

 

[Irishman]

Galaxy Note 3, the 5S screen is just too small still.

Are you now, or have you ever been, in the employ of the NBA?

Try the Galaxy Mega.



----------

Not much of your post is worth responding to, but this above quote right here... this is truly remarkable.

I happen to like the finger print sensor, but it's amazing how Apple apologists' minds work. Are you sure you're not creating a "problem" just to justify and/or glorify Apple? Where was your vigor for Apple to solve this "problem" prior to the 5S? Suddenly, Apple comes out with a finger print sensor, which doesn't "solve a problem" per se, but makes something faster and easier and provides some added security (A.K.A. convenience) and suddenly other features from the competition aren't worthy unless they also "solve a problem." Suddenly, the competition's features which might also add convenience all suddenly go out the window because they don't "solve a problem."

Boo hoo, your job created this "problem" for you. Everyone who doesn't upgrade to the 5S will now all suddenly have "problems" with their phones. Everyone who buys a 5C is just being duped into owning a product that will come with a "problem." Everyone will have to punch in their passcodes/passwords just like they have been for years past. What a "problem!"

What a joke. Almost as absurd as those who say 4" being the new "perfect" screen size. Once Apple does it, then everyone and everything else is now a "problem."

EDIT: Not to mention, where was your adulation for the Motorola Atrix for solving this "problem?"

Most people don't complain on the interwebz

Just sayin'

----------

why get the 5S if you have the iphone 5 though?

One thing I've learned about this subforum, is that there are a lot of phone hobbyists here. Some people golf, or buy hi-end audio equipment? These guys are into phones in the same way.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Most people don't complain on the interwebz.

Just sayin

So the same can be said then of all those features that the competition has released? Then they are solving a problem after all that simply no one was talking about on the internet too right?

Or can only Apple do this? Apple introduces features that we realize now solve a problem and no one knew of prior because you explain no one complains on the internet but if the competition introduces features then they're not solving any problems. Doesn't matter if anyone talked about wanting it or not before.

Do I have that right?

 

[Irishman]

Though this is said relentlessly by Apple apologists, next year truly will be an interesting year for the iPhone what with the likely redesign and all. Will they finally go with a larger device? I have to believe so. And where then will iOS 8 go?

Also worthy considering: by then where will the competition be? Which is almost the same as asking, by then how far ahead will the competition be?

I'm sure they're well into the design process. Remember the MR post from about a week back that suggested that Apple is working on phone sizes up to 6"? Yeah, duh, right?

Of course they are. I'm sure their R&D department has tables full of everyone else's smartphones, in various test scenarios to see what ideas are worth doing. Their prototype process must be a phone geek's wet dream, with all manner of iphones with 4:3 ARs, 16:9 ARs, larger speakers, smaller speakers , etc. They probably even have one with an SD card slot in there somewhere.

Half inch increments in screen size (if they are inclined to go with a larger screen on the iPhone 6), don't usually make people used to the smaller size run screaming into the streets complaining about the HUGE phone! If I were a prognosticating man, I'd suggest Apple would end up making the iPhone 6 a 4.5" size, making it effectively the same size as a phone like the HTC One.

Now that they've made their responses to NFC (fingerprint sensor for the security aspect, and Airdrop for the file-sharing aspect), I'm not sure what features they could refine to the point where they're ready for primetime.

Maybe truly wireless charging? Not with a mat. Not with a sleeve. Not like the Qi. Wireless in the sense that when you walk within its range (30-100 feet), boom, it automatically begins charging with an adapter dongle that plugs straight into your wall outlet. So that, as you do your thing through your home or office, you're charging your iPhone ALL the time, even while using it. We sync wirelessly. Why not charge wirelessly?

That, to me, would be an advance.

 

[hagr182]

Neither, still on contract and saving up for a gaming pc. If I where to choose Id go iPhone and keep it simple, Id hate migrating all my stuff over to android.

If I needed a powerful phone, which currently I dont, Id go for the Note 3

 

[Irishman]

So the same can be said then of all those features that the competition has released? Then they are solving a problem after all that simply no one was talking about on the internet too right?

Or can only Apple do this? Apple introduces features that we realize now solve a problem and no one knew of prior because you explain no one complains on the internet but if the competition introduces features then they're not solving any problems. Doesn't matter if anyone talked about wanting it or not before.

Do I have that right?

What problems has Samsung, LG, or HTC solved with a phone feature recently?

The massive dump of crapware that Samsung made with the S4 is an example of how NOT to add functionality to your smartphone. The entire suite of "S" apps are the top offenders. At least now we know what that "S" stands for.

Photo software in these other top phones is not intuitive at all.

The dual color LED on the 5S solves a problem.

The Motion co-processor begins to lay the framework for a new class of iDevices geared (pardon the pun) toward health and fitness. That much is clear, although I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that it "predicts" an iWatch, as some have.

Yes, the fingerprint sensor solves a problem. It adds a feature in service of the user experience.

Plus, you twisted what I said. I never said noone complains on the internet. I said that most people don't complain on the internet. That is true.

 

[jrswizzle]

So the same can be said then of all those features that the competition has released? Then they are solving a problem after all that simply no one was talking about on the internet too right?

Or can only Apple do this? Apple introduces features that we realize now solve a problem and no one knew of prior because you explain no one complains on the internet but if the competition introduces features then they're not solving any problems. Doesn't matter if anyone talked about wanting it or not before.

Do I have that right?

Hey Couch - since now you're ragging on other users and not me, how about answering my question before all this nonsense got started.....

I'm genuinely interested in seeing how much more it would take for Apple and the iPhone to be a viable option for you. You've said you plan on looking long and hard at Apple next year, and I was just curious, now that we know what the 5S and iOS 7 have to offer, what more you are looking for to TRULY consider the iPhone again?

I think I know some of your requirements, but I'd just like to see them all together in one post.

I'm being serious btw....I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Brandon263]

Do you guys argue in every Alternative to iOS and IOS Devices thread? A nice long private message discussion between the two of you might help resolve your differences and make everyone else happier.

So the same can be said then of all those features that the competition has released? Then they are solving a problem after all that simply no one was talking about on the internet too right?

Or can only Apple do this? Apple introduces features that we realize now solve a problem and no one knew of prior because you explain no one complains on the internet but if the competition introduces features then they're not solving any problems. Doesn't matter if anyone talked about wanting it or not before.

Do I have that right?

Hey Couch - since now you're ragging on other users and not me, how about answering my question before all this nonsense got started.....

I'm genuinely interested in seeing how much more it would take for Apple and the iPhone to be a viable option for you. You've said you plan on looking long and hard at Apple next year, and I was just curious, now that we know what the 5S and iOS 7 have to offer, what more you are looking for to TRULY consider the iPhone again?

I think I know some of your requirements, but I'd just like to see them all together in one post.

I'm being serious btw....I'm genuinely curious.

 

[tbayrgs]

Do you guys argue in every Alternative to iOS and IOS Devices thread? A nice long private message discussion between the two of you might help resolve your differences and make everyone else happier.

And this forum would be a whole lot smaller...and a bit less entertaining.

 

[onthecouchagain]

What problems has Samsung, LG, or HTC solved with a phone feature recently?

Get your story straight.

I'm not the one saying they solved any problems. I'm simply acknowledging that their features help make certain things easier, or help introduce new ideas to old methods.

It's the Apple side (in this thread) that are saying fingerprint sensor is solving a problem and that all other competition's features don't really matter because they don't "solve problems."

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

What problems has Samsung, LG, or HTC solved with a phone feature recently?

Smart stay .... I don't need to worry about the screen dimming or going black when I'm looking at screen.

Multi Window .... I usually type notes while watching certain Youtube videos.

Ability to use touchscreen with gloves. This works well for me when I ride my motorbike as I don't have to take a glove off at a light.

Vibration and tone notify when I pick the phone up. This actually works good when you forget about a notification you already saw.


Popup Video and browser. Very useful on certain occasions.

 

[jrswizzle]

Do you guys argue in every Alternative to iOS and IOS Devices thread? A nice long private message discussion between the two of you might help resolve your differences and make everyone else happier.

We don't - as you can see, I'm not the only one who gets into it with him. I think he has me on ignore now.....

At any rate, the post you quoted was a serious question. I'm not trying to troll or be sarcastic. I seriously would like to know. I'm curious and, despite our differences, I know Couch has a very critical eye and will be thorough.

Doesn't look like I'll get any info though....

 

[onthecouchagain]

We don't - as you can see, I'm not the only one who gets into it with him. I think he has me on ignore now.....

At any rate, the post you quoted was a serious question. I'm not trying to troll or be sarcastic. I seriously would like to know. I'm curious and, despite our differences, I know Couch has a very critical eye and will be thorough.

Doesn't look like I'll get any info though....

This is potentially out of date as I may or may not have changed my mind on some things. Also, there's elaboration as the thread progresses: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1501886/

 

[jrswizzle]

This is potentially out of date as I may or may not have changed my mind on some things. Also, there's elaboration as the thread progresses: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1501886/

Sweet - edit it now that iOS 7 and the 5S are out.....would love to see your thoughts separate from all the arguing and nonsense.

 

[cuzo]

You left what is probably the highest touted Android device available right now - HTC One. I've been with iPhone since 3GS, but I'm done. I want a larger screen and better features that I know I'll use. I'm already set to buy the HTC One in a day or two and will probably sell my iPhone 5.

From all the reviews and videos I've seen the HTC One is flat out amazing in build and performance. I loved the design ever since I saw it day one. In fact, I thought it was an Apple product.

----------



Clear representation of a person who knows nothing about the thread he replies to. Laughable.

Just remember the charging times, it's a great phone with a pretty slow charge.

 

[tbayrgs]

Just remember the charging times, it's a great phone with a pretty slow charge.

Supposedly the update to 4.2.2 fixed this issue, reportedly reduced charging time by an hour or so. I cannot confirm myself as I'm in the US and still on 4.1.2. My guess is it will be the same with 4.3.

 

[ReanimationN]

So the same can be said then of all those features that the competition has released? Then they are solving a problem after all that simply no one was talking about on the internet too right?

Or can only Apple do this? Apple introduces features that we realize now solve a problem and no one knew of prior because you explain no one complains on the internet but if the competition introduces features then they're not solving any problems. Doesn't matter if anyone talked about wanting it or not before.

Do I have that right?

I'd just given you an example of a feature that the competition has, that I may not have been continually whinging about on these forums (although I'm fairly certain I've posted about my passcode issues before), that solves an irritation I have with smartphones that I would also love to have in my phone. Instead, you ignored it in favour of continuing your "Apple users are hypocrites! Hypocrites!" narrative.

 

[aneftp]

I assume the Note 3 has a infrared remote for TVs and Cable boxes? I tried to google search and the S4 and other HTC One have remote.

 

[Oohara]

I assume the Note 3 has a infrared remote for TVs and Cable boxes? I tried to google search and the S4 and other HTC One have remote.

Yep, it does. It's on the list here (IR blaster).

 

[JaySoul]

I'm sticking with my iPhone 5 for now but I have to admit that if Apple keep raising the price every year, it's going to get stupidly expensive and I will keep my options open about switching to Android.

I may just ending getting the next Nexus phone and an iPod Touch. That would still be cheaper than a iPhone 5S or the 6 next year.