Went from iPhone to the Droid when it was released - impressions

[wkearney99]

Curious how posts get lost, fortunately e-mail notifications contain the text.

I'm not following. First you talk about apple, a company and its product line. Then you compare it with a market of vendors. Well since apple is a vendor doesn't that mean they part of this diverse cell phone market?

Where's that facepalm link again?

And don't get me started on the incredibly insane notion of "staying true" to a vendor. Good Lord but that's pathetic. Identifying with your captors, much?

 

[strike1555]

Actually... YOU deserve the FACE PALM. If it DOES make a difference... this "timetable", it might interest you to know that Google's App Store came into existence roughly 3 months after Apple's App Store. Developers have taken to Android much more quickly than the iPhone (which you need special hardware for, and need to pay a $99 fee and go through an often long waiting period to be registered... at least in the past). The MAIN difference between the platforms, from the developer investment side, is that iPhone developers have been able to make MUCH more money than on Android.

It's not ONLY because Apple's iPhone OS platform has more customers, but because of customer behavior as well (and Google's Marketplace software and policies). There is a study on buying behavior between the platforms that underscores this.

This... "It's just a matter of time" attitude is really smoke and mirrors. What do you hang this fictional "timetable" off of? Anything real? It doesn't seem so. If you BUILD IT, they will COME. If what you built has significant issues, "they" might not come for a long time, if at all.

"Stay true to Apple"? "Paying for apps to support developers"? I'm sorry, but those two sentiments are horrible. You shouldn't "stay true to Apple" for ANY reason other than your own self-interest, and you should PAY for apps because they do what you want, and you're not a thief. Maybe you're better off on Android where you can try every app for free for 24 hours. I suspect there is a modification you can make to fool Google into refunding your money even while you keep the app. I suppose this fact will make you feel you're doing developers a favor by "paying" for anything in Android Marketplace too. I'm sorry, but that attitude really irks me.
Until they work out App encryption so that space can be used for Apps as well as music and photos, I'm not sure how many people are scrambling to get a 32GB card for their Droid, especially since its not hot swappable.
What happens if Apple releases a new iPhone 3Gs this month that has a 5MP camera and flash? Worth considering. Personally, I love that so many aspects of the iPhone aren't prone to issues like these:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/...autofocus-fixed-in-secrecy/comments/23182303/
https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/68078
Really dampens the bar code scanning abilities to have a flakey autofocus. The excellent autofocus is why I upgraded to the 3Gs.

You shouldn't have such a persecution complex. If you're opinion is solid, then only trolls can pick at you by hollering, "I LLOoooVE iPhonez. You BAD!" Personally, the carrier update relationship with Android phones disturbs me. I like how on the iPhone, when a new OS is released, you can update immediately. I don't jailbreak, so I agree that Droid offers MUCH more customizeability, and that's great. I just look at the Android users getting hacked ROMs in order to upgrade in a timely manner, and its irksome. I totally don't want to go through that, and have "Android update envy" everytime a new handset is releases with a new ROM no one else has official access to for a long while. That's crap to me. It's exactly why I don't jailbreak actually. I don't need someone telling me its "safe" to upgrade.

~ CB

Wrong. There was the wait of the release of the SDK to add to the time.

Nice try fanboy, who's next?

 

[Cleverboy]

Wrong. There was the wait of the release of the SDK to add to the time.
Nice try fanboy, who's next?

Really? Hm. I guess that logic doesn't apply to the other company I mentioned.

Do you know when the Apple SDK was released in contrast to the Android SDK?
Here's the weird thing. The iPhone 2.0 native SDK (the first one), was released in March of 2008, months before the iPhone 3G went on sale with the new iPhone OS 2.0. Do you know when the first Android SDK was released? Believe it or not, its before the iPhone App Store or SDK ever reared its head.

http://akamai.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/google-releases-android-sdk-113

Trust me. The delay is because the carriers want a degree of control over the handsets on their network, and rollout their own versions for each hardware profile. Remember, Apple is the manufacturer and the OS creator, so they naturally can test on all of their profiles and insure consumers have a smooth experience.

In the case of Android, Verizon can't simply push out a new firmware upgrade without doing its own testing and due diligence. This will in time make it less desirable to offer major version upgrades officially to older devices past a year. By collapsing the two roles, Apple has incentive to rise all boats, others don't. It's just basic math if you think about costs and ROI.

But... nice try. I won't call you names though, because it would mean I have some kind of insecurity at play and I can't simply let my points rest on their own merit.

~ CB

 

[thetexan]

There's already been one Droid update and another one due in the next couple of weeks. The easy OTA updates are so much easier to perform than the nasty way the iPhone does updates. Don't even talk to me about firmware problems, I waited in line to get the iPhone 3G with 2.0, that was one buggy POS phone for a few months that reminded me of a Windows Mobile experience. I couldn't even use the phone for almost a day because Apple stupidly forces you to plug into iTunes to activate the phone.

The Droid hackers who are upgrading to the latest are upgrading to firmware that's not even released yet. Google I believe just today or sometime within the last 7 days released the 2.1 OS to the manufacturers so they can begin working on updating it for their devices. They've been working with a leaked 2.1, so basically it's the same thing Apple does with their developer beta releases.

 

[Cleverboy]

The Droid hackers who are upgrading to the latest are upgrading to firmware that's not even released yet. Google I believe just today or sometime within the last 7 days released the 2.1 OS to the manufacturers so they can begin working on updating it for their devices. They've been working with a leaked 2.1, so basically it's the same thing Apple does with their developer beta releases.

I'm sure your Droid has been flawlessly perfect in its operation for all of its users and that most people love the idea of using hacked ROMs, which aren't "OTA", as significant updates are much too large for OTA... leading Nokia to compliment Apple on its side-loading process, which has been a resounding success. --Before suing them. OTA would be awesome if you never have to sideload your updates. If you do, its better you break your customers in early or most will rarely ever upgrade... it fairly difficult to get an idea of what the platform footprint will look like from version to version. Apple's 3.0 tethering hack has probably been the biggest blow to user updates overtime.

~ CB

 

[AppleFan360]

Doesn't matter if the Droid is better.

No data and voice at the same time = no deal! When I got the first gen iPhone (on the Edge network) it drove me crazy that my calls were being thrown to voice mail when I was checking my e-mail or surfing the net. Bad bad bad!

As long as Verizon has that issue, they won't get my business no matter what phone they release.

 

[bossxii]

RE: number of apps.

Thousands of iPhone apps are simple wrappers around specialty websites or specific search strings... basically, bookmark apps. Apple just got rid of 1% of their 100,000 apps by removing that fellow who had over 1,000 of them linking to copyrighted online books etc.

There are many incredibly simplistic apps, which barely deserve the name. Besides the nasty sound ones, there are virtual lighters, virtual glasses of beer, flashlights, levels and others which are hardly more than a variation of some of Apple's sample code.

There's also many copycat apps. You can barely publish something without a half dozen people quickly doing the same thing. Other app stores are similar in having multiple versions of a particular thing. For example, I decided to buy a bowling game for my daughter to use on a WM phone, and was honestly surprised to find several good ones available.

Mind you, I love the iPhone USA Today and eBay apps, along with other favorites

I bring all this up because I'm wondering if anyone's done an analysis of how many truly unique apps there are out there for any device. I'd make a wild guess that there's only like 10,000 unique apps in the world... everything else is a copy. Anybody else got a guess or a researched figure? Thanks!

I agree there is a TON of copied apps, and "web apps" as well. I think the longer the App store has been around the more copies and trash has been posted. While it's true out of the 100,000 apps your 10,000 figure is probably pretty close to what is an actual program and not a web redirect or a copy. I think that 10% useful probably applies to all app stores including the Andriod. 10k apps and from what my buddy has seen, similar copies, useless crap just like the Apple app store.

But then again, Andriod will get full on porn apps so I'm sure the user base will be happy and not mind someone just stole their personal bank info and SS#.

 

[thetexan]

Doesn't matter if the Droid is better.

No data and voice at the same time = no deal! When I got the first gen iPhone (on the Edge network) it drove me crazy that my calls were being thrown to voice mail when I was checking my e-mail or surfing the net. Bad bad bad!

As long as Verizon has that issue, they won't get my business no matter what phone they release.

Verizon does not have that issue. If I'm doing something data related (streaming Shoutcast, email, web, navigation, you name it) and I get a call it automatically pauses my data and allows the call through. It will never send the call to voicemail. AT&T's EDGE network will block the call and send it to voicemail if there is an active data connection. Considering AT&T's small 3G footprint (and the fact there are a lot of 3G deadzones in places the map says AT&T has 3G) I'd say the bigger fail is with AT&T on that issue.

What Verizon does not allow me to do is be on the phone with someone, then initiate a data connection to get information on the web. A deal breaker for some and that's fine, however I've personally only one needed to look something up on the phone's web browser while on a call so personally for me it's not that big of a deal.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Considering AT&T's small 3G footprint (and the fact there are a lot of 3G deadzones in places the map says AT&T has 3G) I'd say the bigger fail is with AT&T on that issue.

What are you talking about? I get 3g in all of la/oc.

What Verizon does not allow me to do is be on the phone with someone, then initiate a data connection to get information on the web.

So its inferior?

 

[strike1555]

But... nice try. I won't call you names though, because it would mean I have some kind of insecurity at play and I can't simply let my points rest on their own merit.

~ CB

Yet sadly they fall right through. Your entire point is moot.


FYI the iPhone was jailbroken immediately after it was released. In fact, that was the sole contributor to the App store's success.


Oh, and it's "ensure."

 

[thetexan]

What are you talking about? I get 3g in all of la/oc.


So its inferior?

I got EDGE only at school, my parents house, my place of business, and a bar I frequent. All of those places are in the middle of AT&T's 3G service according to their coverage map. After many calls to tech support about the issue, I had an AT&T tech rep admit to me that not all towers in 3G areas are capable of 3G so it's possible to have areas that have EDGE only where the map shows 3G.

Also inferior is just how you think about it. My personal experience with Verizon and the Droid overall has been much better than my years with the 3G and 3GS. As I stated, I personally don't have many situations where I require voice and data, so if you do in the way you use your phone I suggest AT&T. The fact I don't drop calls anymore (Been with Droid since early December and I have yet to drop a single call) and the fact my phone always says 3G makes the experience superior for my needs.

 

[Cleverboy]

Yet sadly they fall right through. Your entire point is moot.

Looks around for your reasoning... Oh, wait... I see. Because you've declared it so.

FYI the iPhone was jailbroken immediately after it was released.

Immediately? Ok. Palm Web OS native apps were... huh. Y'know, I'm going to just accept that you're impervious to rational thought once you've made up your mind.

In fact, that was the sole contributor to the App store's success.

Sole? Mm. We'll agree to disagree. Suffice it to say, Apple just did a great job putting together the system and much like Palm, had clear benchmarks for its evolutionary roadmap, despite your twisted logic. I remember Erica Sadun commenting early on that it seemed clear they were planning to open it up given the richness of the environment she was exploring.

Oh, and it's "ensure."

Look up the definition of "synonym" when you get a chance.

~ CB

 

[Cleverboy]

Doesn't matter if the Droid is better.

This is true, but I think ultimately to its benefit.

No data and voice at the same time = no deal! When I got the first gen iPhone (on the Edge network) it drove me crazy that my calls were being thrown to voice mail when I was checking my e-mail or surfing the net. Bad bad bad!

Me too! That's why I immediately upgrade. It helped that the iPhone was my first smartphone, so I didn't already have preconceived excuses for these kind of limits.

As long as Verizon has that issue, they won't get my business no matter what phone they release.

You'll probably not be alone... BUT... I predict Android will give the iPhone PLENTY of "trouble". I don't think its enough for Apple to excel in a few key areas and fail to deliver muscularly featured specs. Nuance can only last so long.

Google has made the leap to pricing competitively, something Nokia and its unlocked N models never did. If they can keep their head above water on customer service (currently touch and go), they can outshoot Apple on sheer volume of sets (irregardless of the stark hardware profile differences). Just look at Blackberry. Google is SATURATING its own ad network right now. I just put up a new website and... boom, Nexus One ad. They're EVERYWHERE. --Just not in a store with real people ready to demo the unit.

I attached a screenshot of the screenshot just for emphasis. They have ads even on this thread... and its not all context either.

~ CB

 

[AppleFan360]

Verizon does not have that issue. If I'm doing something data related (streaming Shoutcast, email, web, navigation, you name it) and I get a call it automatically pauses my data and allows the call through. It will never send the call to voicemail. AT&T's EDGE network will block the call and send it to voicemail if there is an active data connection. Considering AT&T's small 3G footprint (and the fact there are a lot of 3G deadzones in places the map says AT&T has 3G) I'd say the bigger fail is with AT&T on that issue.

What Verizon does not allow me to do is be on the phone with someone, then initiate a data connection to get information on the web. A deal breaker for some and that's fine, however I've personally only one needed to look something up on the phone's web browser while on a call so personally for me it's not that big of a deal.

What I meant by "issue" was the no data and voice at the same time. Also, what you describe is still a big fail for Verizon and for a lot of people... and you can't tell me that Verizon never drops a call.

Personally I think that this whole map game between AT&T and Verizon is pathetic. Verizon's map is misleading (even with the tiny disclaimer on the bottom. No normal person reads that). AT&T punches back with some pretty weak points of their own. I think both companies would do much better in the long run with a price war rather than this map crap.

 

[Cleverboy]

For me, the next iPhone needs to make leaps and bounds with their OS to swing me back. Give the iPhone themes, folders, widgets, and the ability to run some apps in the background - maybe have a menu much like push notifications where you can choose which apps remain on, but dormant much like droid.

A lot of people seem to think this is coming, even if in a limited way. In my opinion, I'm not sure Apple wants to emulate much of what Android has done. They need to think hard and do it better... like Copy & Paste for instance. From what I've read... it would upset me to think my copy & paste functionality was going back to the stone age just because I wanted "themes" or widgets.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/01/09/google-android-personal-thoughts/

Other issues that I can’t live with day to day? How do I copy text from non-editable field like an email, webpage, or SMS, or even a 3rd party application? Oh, I can’t. Say what you want about the iPhone not having copy and paste for two years — a joke — it’s the single best implementation on the planet for a smartphone and Google’s approach is almost as bad as RIM’s with the Storm-series.

Android doesn’t make sense as a whole. It’s fragmented, poorly executed, the Android Market for apps is a mess, and developers still don’t care about it. There’s not one single good IM program that I could rely on day to day (I don’t use Google Talk), the browser is decent at best. It’s faster now, sure, there’s a 1GHz CPU under its ass, but it’s not intuitive, and there’s always erroneous touch events; when I want to hit something I hit another link, button or app by accident.

I think everyone's mileage may vary, depending on what's important to you. I like blasting into my iPhone and just getting things done, so I have a low tolerance for taking any step backwards just to take two forward... especially if the value-proposition of my iPhone might change again simply by waiting a few months.

~ CB

 

[thetexan]

What I meant by "issue" was the no data and voice at the same time. Also, what you describe is still a big fail for Verizon and for a lot of people... and you can't tell me that Verizon never drops a call.

Personally I think that this whole map game between AT&T and Verizon is pathetic. Verizon's map is misleading (even with the tiny disclaimer on the bottom. No normal person reads that). AT&T punches back with some pretty weak points of their own. I think both companies would do much better in the long run with a price war rather than this map crap.

You incorrectly stated that if a Verizon phone is using data and somebody calls you then that call will be routed straight to voicemail. That's very different than simply not being able to use voice/data at the same time. If Verizon routed calls to voicemail when using data that would be a big issue for me, it'd be big enough to keep me from using Verizon. However that's simply not true so I'm clearing up your misconception.

I never stated Verizon never drops calls, I'm stating I've never had a dropped call on Verizon. With AT&T I'd get at least one a day. My experience has been better for my needs, and your experience with AT&T maybe better for your needs.

 

[AppleFan360]

You incorrectly stated that if a Verizon phone is using data and somebody calls you then that call will be routed straight to voicemail. That's very different than simply not being able to use voice/data at the same time. If Verizon routed calls to voicemail when using data that would be a big issue for me, it'd be big enough to keep me from using Verizon. However that's simply not true so I'm clearing up your misconception.

No, I said the original 2G iphone did that.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

FYI the iPhone was jailbroken immediately after it was released. In fact, that was the sole contributor to the App store's success.

 

[Blakew23]

1- I dont use iCal with a google device. I use the free google calendar in gmail. Works just as well.
2- Home replacements fix the lag. Home++ is gorgeous.
3- Battery is better than the 3Gs for me. Way better.
4- Music player plays music... Not sure how thats a meh? I phone has fancy graphics which you dont normally give a crap about when you are LISTENING to music.
5- Keyboard - love it now. Takes a little getting used to, but its really handy to have. And great for NES roms

1) I DO use iCal, and it works for me. I do not like the free Google calendar, and it doesn't work just as well. There are differences in the MO.
2) No comment.
3) Battery is not better. I've used and tested the Droid. Its batter wasn't better for me.
4) I DO give a crap about the graphics of my music player. If you don't fine, that's your opinion.
5) Keyboards are archaic. They are. Why didn't Google put one in their own phone if they were so good?

 

[Cleverboy]

What? You know... you shouldn't bother disabusing anyone of this idea. It's self-evident and indisputably true. They gave Apple the idea for 3rd party apps when Apple wasn't even considering it. Stupid Apple.

~ CB

 

[hondje]

I was in the mall last week and thought I would give the Droid a try. Lame. Completely unresponsive, dull, and clunky. One more fail. I walked away very satisfied...that I have an iPhone 3G and my wife has a 3GS. Life is good.

 

[Markisss88]

Doesn't matter if the Droid is better.

No data and voice at the same time = no deal! When I got the first gen iPhone (on the Edge network) it drove me crazy that my calls were being thrown to voice mail when I was checking my e-mail or surfing the net. Bad bad bad!

As long as Verizon has that issue, they won't get my business no matter what phone they release.

Honestly when im on the phone, i have no desire to search the internet. I could possibly see if your on a conference call maybe using the internet but in that case id rather have great service from Verizon than be able to search the internet while on the phone, chances are that im near my computer and can use that instead!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

What? You know... you shouldn't bother disabusing anyone of this idea. It's self-evident and indisputably true. They gave Apple the idea for 3rd party apps when Apple wasn't even considering it. Stupid Apple.

~ CB

Let me guess, you were at their board meetings.

To think Apple wouldn't have ever planed of adding 3 party apps if jailbroken apps didn't exist is just plain silly.

 

[dejo]

It's self-evident and indisputably true. They gave Apple the idea for 3rd party apps when Apple wasn't even considering it.

Indisputably true? I'll admit it's possible. But it's also possible Apple had considered the idea for 3rd party apps before but didn't feel they had the SDK / Program Portal / iTunes Connect ecosystem to a point where it could be considered "prime-time". I think the only way this could be indisputably true is if Apple admits it, which I doubt they ever will.

 

[IronLogik]

What? You know... you shouldn't bother disabusing anyone of this idea. It's self-evident and indisputably true. They gave Apple the idea for 3rd party apps when Apple wasn't even considering it. Stupid Apple.

~ CB

I've read all your comments in this thread. You aren't very clever. It's pretty clear you have some sort of weird bias.

Stop while you're not completely and utterly made a fool of.