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Why do you use Android?
- Thread starter ozaz
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I use iOS on my personal iPhone 5 and Android 4.1.something on my work-issued Moto Razr M. It's a rather horrible phone... but... I like having access to an important app like wifi-analyzer. Why Apple STILL refuses to allow this in the app store without jailbreaking is beyond my comprehension.
While I prefer iOS and its ecosystem for personal use, I'm gaining an appreciation of the Android ecosystem via my work phone...
I like having the ability to load apps through google play in any web browser. I can send them to my phone and when I look, they are already there. iOS? I must log in to my iTunes account on the teeny tiny screen rather than being able to buy and manage apps from my desktop. And no, iTunes doesn't count. When I say desktop, I mean any web browser not a specific app. I like having the ability to load a different launcher without jailbreaking. I like micro-sd memory expansion. And while I TOLERATE the lightning adapter on my iPhone 5, I like having an inexpensive, standard micro-usb plug for charging my Android phone. I can leave my micro-usb charger on my desk at the office without it coming up missing. Lightning? Not so much.
While I prefer iOS and its ecosystem for personal use, I'm gaining an appreciation of the Android ecosystem via my work phone...
I like having the ability to load apps through google play in any web browser. I can send them to my phone and when I look, they are already there. iOS? I must log in to my iTunes account on the teeny tiny screen rather than being able to buy and manage apps from my desktop. And no, iTunes doesn't count. When I say desktop, I mean any web browser not a specific app. I like having the ability to load a different launcher without jailbreaking. I like micro-sd memory expansion. And while I TOLERATE the lightning adapter on my iPhone 5, I like having an inexpensive, standard micro-usb plug for charging my Android phone. I can leave my micro-usb charger on my desk at the office without it coming up missing. Lightning? Not so much.
I use android because of the fact that it's easily customized. I've also got full control over my system files when I root them. I also enjoy flashing a new ROM that opens the door to even more possibilities. I'm quite fond of the larger screens and powerful beasts such as the Galaxy Note line.
That being said, I'm also a new owner of an iPhone as well (I've got a separate personal and professional line). I would say that a person should get to experience both. I used to be all android but a pretty blue iPhone caught my eye. I'm in love with my Note III but I'm adoring my little 5c too. =)
That being said, I'm also a new owner of an iPhone as well (I've got a separate personal and professional line). I would say that a person should get to experience both. I used to be all android but a pretty blue iPhone caught my eye. I'm in love with my Note III but I'm adoring my little 5c too. =)
For us Indians, we don't have the luxury of buying phones on contract and have to pay upfront the whole amount (Albeit apple is coming up with conract schemes nowadays, but doesn't apply to vast majority). Imagine if Apple were the only smartphone available, it would be reserved for the few rich folks in india as nobody can pay that extravagant amount upfront.
Due to the highly affordable android prices ( Starting from 70$ here), nowadays everyone is connected and everybody gets to enjoy the smartphone apps. Also, after 2.3 Android has become very stable and has a ton of features that ios doesn't offer.
Due to the highly affordable android prices ( Starting from 70$ here), nowadays everyone is connected and everybody gets to enjoy the smartphone apps. Also, after 2.3 Android has become very stable and has a ton of features that ios doesn't offer.
Always been an apple guy and when I saw galaxy s4 when it came out I knew I had to try something else. Been very happy with the phone. Im not a rooter I enjoy the phone stock with touchwiz(!) Ive tried nova couple of times but the phone works great.
I tried to compare my old iphone 5 and the s4 and in many way they do exactly the same thing. S4 has some more choises thats pretty much it. Of course its bigger display and all that but just as a phone its no huge difference. Now im waiting for my qi charging to be delivered and a nexus 7 tablet. Still I wouldent change my macbook for anything
I tried to compare my old iphone 5 and the s4 and in many way they do exactly the same thing. S4 has some more choises thats pretty much it. Of course its bigger display and all that but just as a phone its no huge difference. Now im waiting for my qi charging to be delivered and a nexus 7 tablet. Still I wouldent change my macbook for anything
The main reason I left iOS was because I had to uninstall iTunes on my laptop. Having iTunes and a Windows PC is like oil and vinegar. They just cant work together correctly. So when I sold my iPhone 4, I had apps but zero content. No photos except ones in the camera roll if my relatives Viber them to me. No videos. Only apps. I couldn't just drag and drop my files. I couldnt Bluetooth it from an Android phone. I would probably still have an iPhone if it wasnt so reliant on iTunes. I think iTunes works great as a media content organizer. Even better than Zune, MediaMonkey, DoubleTwist, or Sony's MediaGo. But later iTunes after 9.2 makes many Windows PC lag with 100% CPU usage.
My Mother might change her phone this year after getting an iPhone 5 last year. She wants a bigger screen as her eyes are weakening. So an S4 might be for her for a subsidized price of $50 from Best Buy. For me, I dislike restrictions. For my parents, just a bigger screen.
My Mother might change her phone this year after getting an iPhone 5 last year. She wants a bigger screen as her eyes are weakening. So an S4 might be for her for a subsidized price of $50 from Best Buy. For me, I dislike restrictions. For my parents, just a bigger screen.
In 2010, the primary reason I chose an Android phone over any other phone was that there existed an Android phone with a landscape slider keyboard. I got the HTC Desire Z.
Last year, I upgraded to a new phone. There were no phones with landscape slider keyboards available to me. I decided to stay with Android. After using Android for almost 2 years, I have come accustomed to the many Android features I had available to me. Widgets and default apps were what I used most. The ease of creating custom notification sounds with the text to speech engine was nice. It was also easy to configure any sound file as a ringtone, especially compared to iOS.
Widgets was the biggest reason I use Android. You can do so much with Android widgets and I'm not just talking about displaying information. I use widgets also to control various system settings or as shortcuts to certain specific app functions.
Today, I also use alternate launchers to customise my home screen. With Nova Prime, I can make better use of the space available on my home screens. I am able to lower the number of home screens I use from 7 to 5 with Nova Prime.
I also use third party keyboards. I'm not a fan of on screen keyboards due to the lack of tactile feedback. You simply cannot tell what key you are about to press until you actually press it. It took some time and a lot of testing to find some good third party keyboards that I am comfortable using. Gesture typing features also allow me to easily type one-handed.
Android also has a very good selection of apps that is currently only rivalled by iOS. BlackBerry just doesn't have a good selection and Windows Phone is not as good right now.
Last year, I upgraded to a new phone. There were no phones with landscape slider keyboards available to me. I decided to stay with Android. After using Android for almost 2 years, I have come accustomed to the many Android features I had available to me. Widgets and default apps were what I used most. The ease of creating custom notification sounds with the text to speech engine was nice. It was also easy to configure any sound file as a ringtone, especially compared to iOS.
Widgets was the biggest reason I use Android. You can do so much with Android widgets and I'm not just talking about displaying information. I use widgets also to control various system settings or as shortcuts to certain specific app functions.
Today, I also use alternate launchers to customise my home screen. With Nova Prime, I can make better use of the space available on my home screens. I am able to lower the number of home screens I use from 7 to 5 with Nova Prime.
I also use third party keyboards. I'm not a fan of on screen keyboards due to the lack of tactile feedback. You simply cannot tell what key you are about to press until you actually press it. It took some time and a lot of testing to find some good third party keyboards that I am comfortable using. Gesture typing features also allow me to easily type one-handed.
Android also has a very good selection of apps that is currently only rivalled by iOS. BlackBerry just doesn't have a good selection and Windows Phone is not as good right now.
I switched to Android for two reasons. I wanted a bigger screen and if you use unlocked prepaid phones, there is no better value than a Nexus. Most of the things that have been mentioned here are great to have (widgets, swype, default apps, customization, etc.), but I never would have switched if Apple offered a larger screen phone that wasn't $700 unlocked.
1. Bigger screen
2. Options. I had an iPhone, problem is you can't change the keyboard and that keyboard SUCKS. Can't change the text app, can't use apps to hide texts from prying eyes. With android, I can do it all
3. Google wallet (or mfc in gemeral) still isn't on iPhone
4. When I bought my last android phone, iOS didn't have a quick toggle, but android did. Glad they copied that from android but still some catching up to do
5. Freedom to do whatever I want, install what I want, instead of doing whatever they allow and installing whatever they let me.
6. I can get music for free without using my computer. Can't do that on Ios unless jailbroken
7. Android is moving forward and advancing technology a lot faster than apple. They have overtaken them and I like having the best stuff.
8. Android devices don't feel like toys. IPhones don't feel like a real adult phone, they look like very high end high quality kids toys. The build quality and especially the build materials are great, but they make them so small.
9. I can't replace the battery on an iPhone. When my battery dies, it's just dead until I get to a charger. Last iPhone I had (the 5) would be dead in a few hours. That wasn't good enough for me because I HATE being tethered to a charger and battery packs are so inconvenient because if you attach it and put it in the pocket, the cord comes out of the port and you still have a dead phone, plus you have to charge the charger, then charge the phone, but with a removable battery, I can go from 1% charge to 100% charge in fewer than 30 seconds - quicker than that if I don't have the Otterbox on the phone . There isn't a battery pack that can do that to an iPhone or any other phone on the planet, so it's a lot more convenient.
10. No expandable storage and outrageous prices on the next storage tier. 100 bucks to go from 16 to 32gb?really? Even the biggest die hard knows that's dead wrong to charge 100 bucks for 16gb of storage
11. I like being able to drag and drop music without authorizing computers or any other crap like that just to add a song
12. I just like to have the best of everything
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Let me also add that I'm Ios for tablets. I mainly use tablets for apps, playing games on the big screen, don't need any special feature set on a tablet.
I'd pick an iPad long before any other tablet, period.
2. Options. I had an iPhone, problem is you can't change the keyboard and that keyboard SUCKS. Can't change the text app, can't use apps to hide texts from prying eyes. With android, I can do it all
3. Google wallet (or mfc in gemeral) still isn't on iPhone
4. When I bought my last android phone, iOS didn't have a quick toggle, but android did. Glad they copied that from android but still some catching up to do
5. Freedom to do whatever I want, install what I want, instead of doing whatever they allow and installing whatever they let me.
6. I can get music for free without using my computer. Can't do that on Ios unless jailbroken
7. Android is moving forward and advancing technology a lot faster than apple. They have overtaken them and I like having the best stuff.
8. Android devices don't feel like toys. IPhones don't feel like a real adult phone, they look like very high end high quality kids toys. The build quality and especially the build materials are great, but they make them so small.
9. I can't replace the battery on an iPhone. When my battery dies, it's just dead until I get to a charger. Last iPhone I had (the 5) would be dead in a few hours. That wasn't good enough for me because I HATE being tethered to a charger and battery packs are so inconvenient because if you attach it and put it in the pocket, the cord comes out of the port and you still have a dead phone, plus you have to charge the charger, then charge the phone, but with a removable battery, I can go from 1% charge to 100% charge in fewer than 30 seconds - quicker than that if I don't have the Otterbox on the phone . There isn't a battery pack that can do that to an iPhone or any other phone on the planet, so it's a lot more convenient.
10. No expandable storage and outrageous prices on the next storage tier. 100 bucks to go from 16 to 32gb?really? Even the biggest die hard knows that's dead wrong to charge 100 bucks for 16gb of storage
11. I like being able to drag and drop music without authorizing computers or any other crap like that just to add a song
12. I just like to have the best of everything
----------
Let me also add that I'm Ios for tablets. I mainly use tablets for apps, playing games on the big screen, don't need any special feature set on a tablet.
I'd pick an iPad long before any other tablet, period.
Too add on to what everyone else mentioned .......
iPhone upgrades/iOS updates ... are just boring for me. Yes the latest iDevices are much faster with a better screen and thinner, but I don't feel any real difference in the "experience" going from an iPhone 4S to a 5S or an iPad 2 to an iPad Air.
Android phones are just more fast paced, software and hardware wise. Some of the software aspect has to do with the manufacture skin. And for a tech geek like myself, it's more exciting to see such a constant evolution VS the slow crawl of change.
iPhone upgrades/iOS updates ... are just boring for me. Yes the latest iDevices are much faster with a better screen and thinner, but I don't feel any real difference in the "experience" going from an iPhone 4S to a 5S or an iPad 2 to an iPad Air.
Android phones are just more fast paced, software and hardware wise. Some of the software aspect has to do with the manufacture skin. And for a tech geek like myself, it's more exciting to see such a constant evolution VS the slow crawl of change.
Also you've got the option of modifying the phone and moving even faster along the software train. At any given time there will be people making ROMs that can create a huge slew of different experiences. Heck there is even a ROM called MIUI that looks and mirrors iOS but with android underlay. Heh
I do like my iPhone but I love my Android.
I disagree with faster, better screen.
The nexus 5 or HTC one are just as fast as any iPhone and the HTC one has the best screen, and many other screens are better due to size alone.
And yeah thinner because they have a smaller battery, slower cpu, less memory, it should be thinner.
I don't think I would ever return to iOS even if Apple increased the screen size for their next iPhone. I am just to accustomed to controlling what I want to do or see what I prefer on my homescreen.
What was once the stuttering and uglier cousin of iOS now became the less shallow of the two and aged better like fine wine. The once ugly duckling just needed enough time to grow up and mature to become this beautiful swan (if you want it to be).
Android still isnt perfect. It still isnt as smooth. It will still have issues. But it grew up alot more than iOS ever did during the last five years.
What was once the stuttering and uglier cousin of iOS now became the less shallow of the two and aged better like fine wine. The once ugly duckling just needed enough time to grow up and mature to become this beautiful swan (if you want it to be).
Android still isnt perfect. It still isnt as smooth. It will still have issues. But it grew up alot more than iOS ever did during the last five years.
I wasn't comparing to Android. I was saying, even though the lastest iDevices are faster, thinner, with a better screen VS previous iDevices, the experience still feels basically the same.
If that is the case, I retract my statement. I can't stand when people steal from devs.
Really the only thing Android needs to keep me is to increase the battery life. I love everything about my Moto X except for the battery life. I barely get two hours of screen on time with twelve hours of standby. I understand that if I turn off Google now and other features I could achieve great battery life but if I do that I would rather have an iPhone. And before anyone days get a Note or G2 my hands are too small to use those phones over handed which is how I use my phones. Other than that I love Android and will continue to try to use it whenever possible.
I use both and prefer certain elements of each. The sentiment of many on this forum is that they prefer android for their phone and iOS for their tablet but I'm actually the opposite. My family and I, as well as most of my friends are heavily immersed in the Apple ecosystem so I find great value in much of the Apple proprietary functionality (iMessage, Photostream sharing, AirPlay, and even AirDrop now). I also don't do much heavy lifting with my phone as I almost always have a tablet with me and would rather use it for more robust functionality. Consequently I find the flexibility and greater overall capability of Android to be of more use on my tablet. If the quality of tablet apps could just catch up to iOS, Android on a tablet would be nearly ideal for me.
The iPhone works great for the select tasks I need my phone for (messaging, music/radio streaming, quick emails, occasional social media, light app use, and photos). I like the smaller form factor as well, especially as my phone is my music device and isn't as burdensome when active.
That being said, if I was starting from scratch without the influence of my other Apple gear and my Apple preferring family and friends, I'd have a hard time not using Android on my phone as well.
The iPhone works great for the select tasks I need my phone for (messaging, music/radio streaming, quick emails, occasional social media, light app use, and photos). I like the smaller form factor as well, especially as my phone is my music device and isn't as burdensome when active.
That being said, if I was starting from scratch without the influence of my other Apple gear and my Apple preferring family and friends, I'd have a hard time not using Android on my phone as well.
It says screen. Screen is normally up around 60% and then my web browser or the imgur app is second. I keep my brightness on auto and have good signal. Normally alternates between two and three bars of LTE. I think my usage case is just not good for what Moto X is good at. I don't have access to WiFi throughout the day so I'm web browsing on LTE and I don't make many phone calls. If you look at battery tests on Anandtech the areas where the iPhone scores the highest are what my usage patterns are and that is conversely what android phones typical score the lowest on.
This thread is great, by the way.
After years of flirting, I've finally committed to Android and even sold my iPhone.
I really like the screen, customisable nature, clever little handy tricks and being able to just plug-and-pull. Really enjoyed this past month.
I still think the iPhone camera (in terms of pocket>unlock>focus>shoot) and iTunes Backup/Sync/Restore is better. But Android is catching up quickly on those issues.
After years of flirting, I've finally committed to Android and even sold my iPhone.
I really like the screen, customisable nature, clever little handy tricks and being able to just plug-and-pull. Really enjoyed this past month.
I still think the iPhone camera (in terms of pocket>unlock>focus>shoot) and iTunes Backup/Sync/Restore is better. But Android is catching up quickly on those issues.
It's funny because after years of being Anti-Apple, I've bought an iPhone to supplement my Android. Heh.
I'm grateful for being able to have two lines. Being able to fiddle with two different OS's is an incredibly enjoyable experience.