What exactly makes Android so different from iOS?

[sentinelsx]

What's the name of the application? I had asked this questions many times before and this is the first time someone tells me that such application exist. I would be thrilled if you would share this info with me.



Yes, all my music playlists combine normal musics and music videos, and I have the habit of listening to them while using all kinds of applications in the foreground.



I guess that depends very much on what Cydia applications have been installed. It can be perfectly stable if the errant applications and tweaks are not installed.

This is just one app out of many (some of the players probably incorporate those things as well, but I don't use an android phone at the moment):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.silentlexx.volbtntrackctrl&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLnNpbGVudGxleHgudm9sYnRudHJhY2tjdHJsIl0.

One example of an app that can play almost anything video service in background:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.asbit.pvstar&hl=en

And for combined playlists:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.real.RealPlayer&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLnJlYWwuUmVhbFBsYXllciJd

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bsplayer.bspandroid.free&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLmJzcGxheWVyLmJzcGFuZHJvaWQuZnJlZSJd (can play even files from rar archives and connected USB drives)




This is just from a simple google search only....



As for errant tweaks, just have activator, auxo, zephyr, ifile, and pwntunes and if my iPhone still acts crazy then I refuse to accept that this is what people call "stable". Just 5 basic tweaks and they are enough to make me phone unusable at times, good going.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Oh look. Another one of these threads...

"Android sux. Teh fragmentations man"

"iOS sux. Teh iconz!!!"

 

[ChazUK]

Oh look. Another one of these threads...

"Android sux. Teh fragmentations man"

"iOS sux. Teh iconz!!!"

BlackBerry R0xx0rz!

 

[ilovewasabi]

Nottach Exposed for the S4.

Also there is ButtonRemapper.

I googled nottach. Seems extremely complicated and feature rich, but from the list of features and screenshots, it doesn't seem like it has anything like Activator. Even if it did, it would suck to have it restricted only to 1 Android handset.

ButtonRemapper is one I've seen mentioned a few times, but it's a really really stripped down version of Activator.

 

[ilovewasabi]

LOL. Activator allows iPhone to do things that are stock on Android. And that is why Android doesn't have an app for something that is built in. Now if you root and ROM, even a jail broken iPhone is still significantly behind in capabilities.
Activator is an essential Cydia tweak though, because so many other tweaks depend on it. In fact, Activator is probably the most important tweak in the entire Cydia store. It gives you a lot of the same functionality of stock Android phones, but the inherent locked down state of iOS, still makes for a patched work experience in using these tweaks.

If that was the case, then why wasn't that mentioned while I was googling an Activator equivalent for Android? Instead, I got a lot of suggestions that don't even come close. Furthermore, a couple friends of mine who changed over to Android from a jailbroken iPhone also stated there's nothing like Activator, and they are running stock Android.

If Activator really did come stock on Android, could you make it do something really really stupid and silly like, start playing your music every time you plug your phone into power when you're on the lockscreen, stop playing your music when you unplug it when you're on the lockscreen, take a photo when you plug it in on the homescreen, turn on the flashlight when you unplug it from the homescreen, turn on bluetooth when you plug it in while an app is open, and compose a tweet when you unplug it while an app is open?

As for your comment of a jailbroken phone being a "patched work experience" due to the "inherent locked down state of iOS," I'm not sure where you get that idea, and that, along with your assumption that Activator comes stock on Android, make me wonder if you've ever used a jailbroken iPhone. I'm not going to go through all the tweaks I currently have, but none of them are hindered due to any locked down state of iOS, and Activator works with iOS like Apple created it themselves (ie seamlessly).

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I googled nottach. Seems extremely complicated and feature rich, but from the list of features and screenshots, it doesn't seem like it has anything like Activator. Even if it did, it would suck to have it restricted only to 1 Android handset.

Extremely complicated is the opposite of what it is. Nottach was made to provide tweaks all in one place instead of installing multiple tweaks. It basically does what activator can do. Very easy to use. The things it doesn't include are what Android OS can already do on it's own without tweaks.

Other similar apps exist for across all devices, but Nottach is a true gem.

ButtonRemapper is one I've seen mentioned a few times, but it's a really really stripped down version of Activator.

Name speaks for itself. It's not meant to be another Activator in full. Most users use Activator for button mapping. ButtonRemapper is actually more robust when it comes to mapping.


BTW ..... What is it that you personally use Activator for?

 

[Assault]

If that was the case, then why wasn't that mentioned while I was googling an Activator equivalent for Android? Instead, I got a lot of suggestions that don't even come close. Furthermore, a couple friends of mine who changed over to Android from a jailbroken iPhone also stated there's nothing like Activator, and they are running stock Android.

If Activator really did come stock on Android, could you make it do something really really stupid and silly like, start playing your music every time you plug your phone into power when you're on the lockscreen, stop playing your music when you unplug it when you're on the lockscreen, take a photo when you plug it in on the homescreen, turn on the flashlight when you unplug it from the homescreen, turn on bluetooth when you plug it in while an app is open, and compose a tweet when you unplug it while an app is open?

As for your comment of a jailbroken phone being a "patched work experience" due to the "inherent locked down state of iOS," I'm not sure where you get that idea, and that, along with your assumption that Activator comes stock on Android, make me wonder if you've ever used a jailbroken iPhone. I'm not going to go through all the tweaks I currently have, but none of them are hindered due to any locked down state of iOS, and Activator works with iOS like Apple created it themselves (ie seamlessly).

One word for you: Tasker.

Nuff said.

And I use to JB all my I devices and activator always gets installed because so many tweaks piggy back off of it. I get that you love your I devices and think they can do all these amazing things, but in reality everything you think is amazing with iOS and cydia tweaks is old news on Android.

 

[pcmxa]

One word for you: Tasker.

Nuff said.

And I use to JB all my I devices and activator always gets installed because so many tweaks piggy back off of it. I get that you love your I devices and think they can do all these amazing things, but in reality everything you think is amazing with iOS and cydia tweaks is old news on Android.

Llama is also a good choice if you want to try out 75% of the functionality of activator for free.

 

[ilovewasabi]

Extremely complicated is the opposite of what it is. Nottach was made to provide tweaks all in one place instead of installing multiple tweaks. It basically does what activator can do. Very easy to use. The things it doesn't include are what Android OS can already do on it's own without tweaks.

I say complicated cause of the array of options you can modify. I see some Activator-like features on its features list, but there aren't any youtube videos demonstrating its uses. Can it do something cheesy like if you shake your device while in an app, you restart your phone? Either way, it does look like a powerful all-in-one tweak.

BTW ..... What is it that you personally use Activator for?

I was typing them out and realized the list is too great for me to type and for you to bother to read, but most of my settings are for quick access to the flashlight/camera/quick settings/music player/quick sms compose/quick phone call stuff. A couple examples would be pressing both volume buttons while im in an app to snap a picture instantly without opening the camera app, or to turn on the flashlight while in an app by pressing up then down on the volume.

 

[ilovewasabi]

One word for you: Tasker.

Nuff said.

And I use to JB all my I devices and activator always gets installed because so many tweaks piggy back off of it. I get that you love your I devices and think they can do all these amazing things, but in reality everything you think is amazing with iOS and cydia tweaks is old news on Android.

Tasker looks 100x more powerful than Activator, so not surprisingly, it looks 100x more complicated. I would probably spend more time playing around with the settings than actually using the phone. After reading a few reviews on it, a lot of people felt the same way. It looks great for a heavy power user, but I'm not sure if I'd consider it an Activator replacement; it seems like opening a walnut with a grenade, especially since you claimed Activator's abilities came stock on Android.

Not sure what to make of your last comment either... I feel impartial to my one iDevice, and I don't think there is anything that "amazing" about iOS or Cydia or Android. And why does it matter if something is old news? iPhones were "old news" since smartphones had existed before they were introduced, but that didn't stop iPhones from becoming popular.

 

[Vegastouch]

Tasker looks 100x more powerful than Activator, so not surprisingly, it looks 100x more complicated. I would probably spend more time playing around with the settings than actually using the phone. After reading a few reviews on it, a lot of people felt the same way. It looks great for a heavy power user, but I'm not sure if I'd consider it an Activator replacement; it seems like opening a walnut with a grenade, especially since you claimed Activator's abilities came stock on Android.

Not sure what to make of your last comment either... I feel impartial to my one iDevice, and I don't think there is anything that "amazing" about iOS or Cydia or Android. And why does it matter if something is old news? iPhones were "old news" since smartphones had existed before they were introduced, but that didn't stop iPhones from becoming popular.

Tasker can be a chore but once it is setup, it is really good. It used to be $6.99 ...now it is only $2.99

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I say complicated cause of the array of options you can modify. I see some Activator-like features on its features list, but there aren't any youtube videos demonstrating its uses. Can it do something cheesy like if you shake your device while in an app, you restart your phone? Either way, it does look like a powerful all-in-one tweak.

I was typing them out and realized the list is too great for me to type and for you to bother to read, but most of my settings are for quick access to the flashlight/camera/quick settings/music player/quick sms compose/quick phone call stuff. A couple examples would be pressing both volume buttons while im in an app to snap a picture instantly without opening the camera app, or to turn on the flashlight while in an app by pressing up then down on the volume.

You just stated that Nottach Exposed is too complicated cause of the array of features, but in your second paragraph you state that the list of features for Activator is too great for you to type.

Isn't that a contradiction?

 

[Assault]

I say complicated cause of the array of options you can modify. I see some Activator-like features on its features list, but there aren't any youtube videos demonstrating its uses. Can it do something cheesy like if you shake your device while in an app, you restart your phone? Either way, it does look like a powerful all-in-one tweak.



I was typing them out and realized the list is too great for me to type and for you to bother to read, but most of my settings are for quick access to the flashlight/camera/quick settings/music player/quick sms compose/quick phone call stuff. A couple examples would be pressing both volume buttons while im in an app to snap a picture instantly without opening the camera app, or to turn on the flashlight while in an app by pressing up then down on the volume.

LOL.You have to go through all that hassle for something every Android phone has. It's called quick toggles and requires a simple swipe down and can be used at any time/in any app. And/or you can put all this within the Notification Center. Or you can download custom ROMs that utilize "ribbons" which allows for any system app or use app to be accessed by a swipe from any side of the screen. Or you can use Ubuntu's Unity launcher. Or you can use Pie Controls. Or.... I can go on and on.

If you didn't know about Tasker, then you really don't know much about Androids capabilities, and are basing all of your input on very little knowledge about Android. You need to educate yourself more on Android, and I am pretty sure you will come to understand how much more capable of an OS it is. It doesn't mean you have to like or use Android, but it will help you make a more informed opinion and in turn to discuss the pluses and minuses of both OS's.

 

[mib1800]

I say complicated cause of the array of options you can modify. I see some Activator-like features on its features list, but there aren't any youtube videos demonstrating its uses. Can it do something cheesy like if you shake your device while in an app, you restart your phone? Either way, it does look like a powerful all-in-one tweak.



I was typing them out and realized the list is too great for me to type and for you to bother to read, but most of my settings are for quick access to the flashlight/camera/quick settings/music player/quick sms compose/quick phone call stuff. A couple examples would be pressing both volume buttons while im in an app to snap a picture instantly without opening the camera app, or to turn on the flashlight while in an app by pressing up then down on the volume.

There are many quick access apps (like activator) in Android. Many come with themes/customization support. And there is no need to go thru hoops like jailbreak. Just go to playstore and install. That's it. I think like other posters have said, you need to get informed about Android capabilities.


Some examples of quick access.

Toucher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...sMSwxLDEsImNvbS5nYXUuZ28udG91Y2hoZWxwZXJleCJd

Sidebar
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wxLDEsIm1vaGFtbWFkLmFkaWIuc2lkZWJhci5saXRlIl0.

smart taskbar
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLnNtYXJ0LnRhc2tiYXIiXQ..


If you really want complete flexibility to customise any way you want then you can get Tasker. Actually Tasker is not that difficult to use/understand. You select the event(s) and specify the actions (tasks) to perform. Event=>Tasks.

e.g Events : incoming phone/sms/mms/email, detection of changes in sensor, calendar/apps alarm activating, change in gps location, time period etc etc (up to 200+ types of event if I remember correctly)

Tasks: Any actions to be peformed when an event occur. e.g. take a photo/send sms/email, turn on/off gps/wifi/bt/nfc, download files etc etc. (there are hundreds of supported actions. You can even interface to 3rd party apps thru plugins)

 

[onthecouchagain]

There are many quick access apps (like activator) in Android. Many come with themes/customization support. And there is no need to go thru hoops like jailbreak. Just go to playstore and install. That's it. I think like other posters have said, you need to get informed about Android capabilities.


Some examples of quick access.

Toucher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...sMSwxLDEsImNvbS5nYXUuZ28udG91Y2hoZWxwZXJleCJd

Sidebar
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wxLDEsIm1vaGFtbWFkLmFkaWIuc2lkZWJhci5saXRlIl0.

smart taskbar
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLnNtYXJ0LnRhc2tiYXIiXQ..


If you really want complete flexibility to customise any way you want then you can get Tasker. Actually Tasker is not that difficult to use/understand. You select the event(s) and specify the actions (tasks) to perform. Event=>Tasks.

e.g Events : incoming phone/sms/mms/email, detection of changes in sensor, calendar/apps alarm activating, change in gps location, time period etc etc (up to 200+ types of event if I remember correctly)

Tasks: Any actions to be peformed when an event occur. e.g. take a photo/send sms/email, turn on/off gps/wifi/bt/nfc, download files etc etc. (there are hundreds of supported actions. You can even interface to 3rd party apps thru plugins)

Do any of these allow a gesture upward to go back to the home screen? Something similar to Zephyr if you know iOS jailbreak.

I basically want to be able to gesture up from my "HTC" center button on my One to go home...

 

[mib1800]

Do any of these allow a gesture upward to go back to the home screen? Something similar to Zephyr if you know iOS jailbreak.

I basically want to be able to gesture up from my "HTC" center button on my One to go home...

Something close but not exact. Toucher allows you goto home/off-standby phone. You need to tap the floating Toucher icon, then select in popup. An additional step.

btw: what's wrong with just pressing "home" to go home?

 

[Assault]

Do any of these allow a gesture upward to go back to the home screen? Something similar to Zephyr if you know iOS jailbreak.

I basically want to be able to gesture up from my "HTC" center button on my One to go home...

Just about every AOKP ROM allows a swipe up from the bottom to open any app you have.

 

[ilovewasabi]

You just stated that Nottach Exposed is too complicated cause of the array of features, but in your second paragraph you state that the list of features for Activator is too great for you to type.

Isn't that a contradiction?

I didn't state the list of features for Activator was too great for me to type. I stated that I have too many activator settings enabled to type out, all of which are dwarfed by the shear number of options offered by Nottach. Not like it matters anyway cause I'd use Tasker if I had to find a replacement for Activator.

LOL.You have to go through all that hassle for something every Android phone has. It's called quick toggles and requires a simple swipe down and can be used at any time/in any app. And/or you can put all this within the Notification Center. Or you can download custom ROMs that utilize "ribbons" which allows for any system app or use app to be accessed by a swipe from any side of the screen. Or you can use Ubuntu's Unity launcher. Or you can use Pie Controls. Or.... I can go on and on.

If you didn't know about Tasker, then you really don't know much about Androids capabilities, and are basing all of your input on very little knowledge about Android. You need to educate yourself more on Android, and I am pretty sure you will come to understand how much more capable of an OS it is. It doesn't mean you have to like or use Android, but it will help you make a more informed opinion and in turn to discuss the pluses and minuses of both OS's.

Not really sure what you're talking about since I turn things on/off while my phone is in my pocket, so my screen isn't even on for me to access the notification center.

But I do know about the extent of Android's capabilities, but I didn't know about Tasker since it was never mentioned until now during my search for an Activator equivalent. If I had never replied to this thread, all I would've gotten was your suggestion to someone else in this thread of Playerpro Music or Double Twist as a replacement of Activator (which it isn't). You probably overestimate its capabilities by thinking that Activator comes stock on Android, when in fact you need something a lot more powerful like Tasker (or maybe you just aren't informed enough about Activator).

snip

Sorry, but from the description of those apps, they are far from Activator. It's either you aren't very much informed about Activator at all, or those apps go far far beyond what the description suggests. What's missing in all those are highly customizable (hardware) buttons in different situations. It seems like only Tasker can do the things I'd want out of Activator.

----------

btw: what's wrong with just pressing "home" to go home?

The weak home button eventually wears out.

 

[mib1800]

Sorry, but from the description of those apps, they are far from Activator. It's either you aren't very much informed about Activator at all, or those apps go far far beyond what the description suggests. What's missing in all those are highly customizable (hardware) buttons in different situations. It seems like only Tasker can do the things I'd want out of Activator.

----------



The weak home button eventually wears out.

I used Activator before. Just ask yourself why need the Activator in the Iphone in the first place? Isnt it mostly used to quick launch app/shortcuts? You can do quick launcher in many ways in Android - gesture/floating button to call out quicklaunch, apps shortcuts/widgets in Notification/lockscreen, remap buttons etc. Some of these methods are simpler/easier than Activator. The problem with Activator is gestures and multiple button presses you have to remember. And sometimes the gestures do not activate properly/conflict system.

You say you dont want to press home button because it wears out but then you want to assign functions to buttons?

 

[tekno]

Being able to open a photo or video on my phone and being able to instantly send it to my Panasonic TV (or any other smart TV) over wifi. No cables, no adaptors, no additional kit, no searching for the remote, no Apple TV, no "Firmware updates available. Download and restart your Apple TV now?", no fuss. Just really straightforward.

That's just one of the many reasons I can't see myself returning to iOS anytime soon.

The others include SD card slot, removable battery, bigger screen, notification light, multi-tasking (split screen), universal micro USB charging, quick toggles for wifi, bluetooth etc., file system, not having to sync through iTunes etc etc...

 

[onthecouchagain]

Something close but not exact. Toucher allows you goto home/off-standby phone. You need to tap the floating Toucher icon, then select in popup. An additional step.

btw: what's wrong with just pressing "home" to go home?

Nothing wrong and I'm used to it now. Just love Zephyr and gestures.

 

[cynics]

And the OP is MIA, no surprise. Btw Honeycomb is an Android tablet OS. You didn't have it on a phone.

 

[chagla]

it is possible that a particular cydia hack may be very useful for additional functionality on ios device or there may not be an android equivalent. but overall, android customization capability with or without rooting is way more than ios.in my experience (friends iphone 3gs and iphone 4), after jailbreaking their phone became quite unstable and broke some stock apps (safari and ibooks). one friend kept it jailbroken other went back to apple ios.

jailbreak is a must for any customization on ios. not on android. two posters quoted me earlier and they are both correct. rooting on android is only required when you want some really advanced functionality such as host file modification to block ads, overcloking, custom kernel etc. average users arent' concerned with these things. you can really make an android your OWN, can nearly change everything. dont like something? just install the replacement app from play store. just easy as that.

for me, some of the biggest things are android plug and play storage and access to file system. this allows me to use all of my storage as i see fit. plug in to any computer, transfer any kind of file. also files and applications are separate. so even if i delete apps, my files remain intact.

 

[Oletros]

Sorry, but from the description of those apps, they are far from Activator. It's either you aren't very much informed about Activator at all, or those apps go far far beyond what the description suggests. What's missing in all those are highly customizable (hardware) buttons in different situations. It seems like only Tasker can do the things I'd want out of Activator.

What is the purpose of Activator and what capabilities does it has?

 

[aneftp]

I like to compare Android vs IOS to cars.

Android is like GM (or the old GM). Tons of cars. Some are great with all the specs and some GM cars exotically on the cheaper end that suck.

iOS is like a German car family. They only have 3-4 models per manufacturer for the most part. But those cars all have the same or similar fit and finish.

So if u buy an android device make sure u get a high end device. But many people can get away with buying am older iOS device that can still function well.