What are something's you can do with Android that you can't with iOS?

[JoeTomasone]

After 8 major releases of iOS, I still can't believe you can't reply to an email with an attachment. I need this for work and was the reason I switched to Android 3 years ago.

Apple should be embarrassed to leave out something so basic in 2014.

You can't really REPLY and paste an attachment because there is no mechanism to browse/copy/paste a file from another app.

However, you can certainly email attachments from third-party apps, amongst them are OneDrive, Evernote, and GoodReader. Dropbox apparently only sends links to Dropbox files, but if I had to attach one, I'd email it from GoodReader. I often fill out a document in Word or Pages on my PC or iPad, convert it to PDF and have a customer sign it on the iPad, then email it as an attachment.

 

[Dmunjal]

You can't really REPLY and paste an attachment because there is no mechanism to browse/copy/paste a file from another app.

However, you can certainly email attachments from third-party apps, amongst them are OneDrive, Evernote, and GoodReader. Dropbox apparently only sends links to Dropbox files, but if I had to attach one, I'd email it from GoodReader. I often fill out a document in Word or Pages on my PC or iPad, convert it to PDF and have a customer sign it on the iPad, then email it as an attachment.

Or course, you can send an attachment as a new email. But you can't reply to an existing thread with an attachment. Also, I don't believe you can start a new email with multiple attachment types either.

I don't know if this is a big issue or not for most people but I do this daily. Having dropbox two-way sync all my files to my SD card via dropsync makes this so easy to email whatever attachment I need to my colleagues.

Edit : there is no reason Apple couldn't do exactly this with iCloud Drive.

 

[kingofwale]

not limited to Android, but removable battery and SD card

also I'm tired of looking at wall of apps everytime I open my iPhone. widgets are a lot more prettier.

 

[themyst]

a jailbroken iPhone still does not have direct file system access; you still need to winSCP into the device which is a pain in the butt. I'd much rather just plug the phone in and browse all my stuff through Windows explorer.

I absolutely loathe iTunes.

But with a jailbroken iPhone, you can get pretty wild on the customization and it resolves many of the niggling issues with stock iOS with various tweaks, at the expense of some stability.

My biggest issue with Android which annoys me to no end is the touch input latency end to end. You could have the highest-end Android available and it will still exhibit this behavior. The other issue is the varying levels of quality and lack of consistency within apps; at least with iOS apps there is some uniformity and minimum levels of quality within the UI.

BTW, see below for real-world testing of input latency of iPhone 5 vs HTC One M8 (high end Android device).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdmxoFXu5g

 

[dukebound85]

All I need is just a JB to be released and everything mentioned and plus much more will be available to my 6 Plus

whats the plus much more?

 

[Ramio]

Shoot yourself

 

[got556]

I am a lover of both, but have been using more of iOS than Android for the past couple years. Once jailbreak comes for iOS8 it makes iOS much more tolerable from switching from Android.

Things I really miss from Android: Easy tethering options for us unlimited VZW guys, a file system to drag and drop files such as pdf's, mp3, and movies, also miss having an Micro SD card slot/reader.

Notification light would be another good one, on the front, not using the camera flash.

Other than that, I am good with iOS.

I take that back, get rid of that stupid restriction on download size caps on wifi vs. 3G.....so effing retarded.

 

[JohnApples]

It's been a long time since I've had an Android phone, but I do have an Android tablet. The only things I really miss or wish the iPhone had, are things that have been already listed. ROMs, ability to change default apps, drag n drop.... nothing that's a deal breaker though (or else I wouldn't have an iPhone, obviously.)

But, there is one thing I really have always wanted on iPhone. I realize it's not an "Android" feature, but I also really miss my old phone's notification light. And people tell me time and time again, how it's not necessary. I've received a 30 minute lecture about how notification lights are outdated, waste of space, battery drain, irrelevant, etc. etc. Yet, I still want one on the iPhone. Just glancing at my phone and seeing a small light flicker has always been my favorite way of being notified of a missed notification. I'm not expecting iPhone to get this ever, but I was slightly hopeful when the "lightup Apple logo" rumors were going around. I guess the Apple Watch will be a nice alternative though!

 

[oneofthenine]

Back button

Sharing between any apps (though starting in iOS now)

Setting default apps (browser, mail, camera, album, etc)

Proper notifications system that is useful

Real file system so no workarounds to move stuff about

Google keep

SD card support

Ability for apps to scan storage and open files. Eg. I can put videos anywhere and MX player can play them

Android wear and glass (I'm a big user of both)

NFC is very useful in hong kong due to the proliferation of octopus payment card system.

+ the ability to choose from a wealth of device sizes and specs that suit me, rather than having it dictated to me. Personally I wanted small device with high end specs and big battery, which I can have.

 

[masands]

Whats the point if a smartphone then?

It disables Wifi and Mobile Data for 30min and enables it again for a 1min (or any interval of your choosing) to sync apps, Google Now etc. Saves a lot of power.

My biggest issue with Android which annoys me to no end is the touch input latency end to end. You could have the highest-end Android available and it will still exhibit this behavior. The other issue is the varying levels of quality and lack of consistency within apps; at least with iOS apps there is some uniformity and minimum levels of quality within the UI.

BTW, see below for real-world testing of input latency of iPhone 5 vs HTC One M8 (high end Android device).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdmxoFXu5g

Android phones have had a touch latency faster than iPhone's for some time i.e HTC One M8 with 48ms. However, Android still can't process the touch inputs fast enough as the video proves. This has been rectified in Android L but it will be another 6 month wait atleast for us Non-Nexus Android users.

If Android L can eliminate this touch issue, along with any remaining lag issues, I think it will be a superior OS to iOS 8.

 

[markusbeutel]

Put it this way, Android has a app that mimics iOS.

You can just do that with a custom launcher that's not touchwiz (well, it is unless you root, but it's over top of touchwiz). There's literally hundreds of launchers like this - I can make my old Note 3 look exactly like an iPhone, identical app icons and everything.

Conversely I could also make it look exactly like a Windows Lumina phone - the sky's the limit, really. Just like how there's endless ways to customize your wallpaper in IOS, that customization is extended to literally every graphical UI of Android phones.

 

[mrex]

shortly? customization

a long answer? probably all said in above messages. did anyone say nfc + tasker/trigger? if not, that is one too...

 

[flameproof]

• Torrent downloads
• Able to edit Dropbox txt files
• Directory access from PC
• Ease of moving files to other directories
• Notification LED in different colors
• No f'king iTunes prison
• Can simply use a MP3 as ringtone
• Google KEEP
• Check my money card via NFS

Is there actually ANY function that iOS has and Android doesn't?

 

[Savor]

Doing simple tasks like adding and deleting a photo album, songs, and ringtones becomes harder because of iOS' reliance on iTunes.

iOS' greatest strength is it is too SIMPLE.
iOS' greatest weakness is it is too SIMPLE.

And Apple can make a SIMPLE task and COMPLICATE it with iTunes or whatever proprietary feature we are required to use.

Still can't just attach a USB plug with iPhone on the back of a TV and start watching videos or listening to songs because iPhone can't be read as a mass storage. Even older iPods had this ability.

Still can't Bluetooth a photo or song to another person who isn't on iOS when Internet isn't around.

Still can't customize iOS out of the box like hiding ugly apps or changing an ugly icon.

Still can't sideload apps.

Still doesn't offer FM radio to save data limit and battery unlike online radio apps.

Still can't just move your media files using a file explorer.

Apple gets named most innovative brand but when was the last time they were truly innovative with truly a revolutionary product and features? 2010 with iPad? 2008 with the App Store? 2007 with the first iPhone? All Apple have been doing is relying on the app developers to cover up iOS' weaknesses and adding a couple new features every year which aren't new to begin with but "borrowed" from other rivals.

 

[adder7712]

Setting default apps

Proper 3rd party browsers as they are not restricted to WebKit unlike on iOS

No reliance on a piece of software to synchronise media

Superior codec support. I'm surprised no one has taken up Android tablets for media playback, my Tab S plays everything I throw at it and this is with the default video player app.

 

[bassett700]

Androids retain their shape and don't bend.

Tell that to my old Samsung S3. She would have to disagree.

Sure your S3 bent. Sure it did.

Darn it. You caught me. My obsession with lying to complete strangers on the Internet has consumed me. I am now exposed and feel a tremendously relieved! Thank you.

 

[rrl]

"What is something you can do with Android that you can't do with iOS?"

Be free.

 

[pdqgp]

"What is something you can do with Android that you can't do with iOS?"

Be free.

There are like 3 threads with points on this right now. The reverse thread would be interesting

 

[rrl]

There are like 3 threads with points on this right now. The reverse thread would be interesting

The problem is the question I have could only be answered by Apple:

Why isn't there a subscription-free developer mode?

 

[Stuntman06]

Android has third party keyboards that don't have major bugs that prevent me from using them.
Android has third party keyboards with split layouts for wider mobile devices.
Android has third party keyboards that you can use for all input fields.
Android has third party keyboards that are more refined and have more features than iOS.
Android has a back button.

 

[iososx]

All I need is just a JB to be released and everything mentioned and plus much more will be available to my 6 Plus

Not True.

I have been jailbreaking iPhone's and rooting Androids concurrently for years. My experience with both platforms is exceptionally comprehensive.

Both have their strengths and you'll NEVER read a statement from me awarding one platform as "The Winner or The Best"

Why? It's simple, each of us have our unique needs, preferences and Workflow Patterns. While both can do similar tasks or operations they could not do stock, Android is capable of doing a modest yet significant (again depending on what is important to us) array of tasks an iPhone cannot, yet it may not be of the slightest importance to the iPhone user.

Since it truly depends on the user, listing every single item is pointless. They're both excellent phones, just different.

 

[gotluck]

All I need is just a JB to be released and everything mentioned and plus much more will be available to my 6 Plus

Nah there are still things like tasker and pushbullet notification mirroring, airdroid, that dont have counterparts on ios

Jailbreak or die though regardless

 

[Applejuiced]

Nah there are still things like tasker and pushbullet notification mirroring, airdroid, that dont have counterparts on ios

Jailbreak or die though regardless

True, but the stuff I need and use the most are done with a JB iphone.
Just hope we see one soon after 8.1 is released.

 

[linkgx1]

A file system of sorts to be honest. It sucks trying to send a file to your self or someone and not being able to attach/open.

Openess as a default. For example, I can't just plug my PS3 controller in. Little things like that.

Although I must say that the problems are more apparent on the iPad than iPhone for me. I just can't use an iPhone as a mini computer. Some people feel like they have to constantly manage files and such on their phones. It's just not a big enough device for me. Tablets, however, I expect to function more or less like my computer.

 

[vernillasky]

Only two things I've missed about Android coming from the HTC One M8. Customization of the home screen and swiping up for Google Now. Never been a fan of the file system on mobile and I honestly feel that widgets in iOS 8 is a better implementation than Android's. A simple swipe from anywhere to access all my widgets. Also, touch ID is way better than the pattern unlock on Android.