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mrex

macrumors 68040
Jul 16, 2014
3,458
1,527
europe
Install another launcher over the touchwiz launcher to make it even slower? Seems legit. Touchwiz is a LOT more than a launcher. It's really the OS, vaguely based on android with terrible design executions. Settings app is horribly designed, camera takes forever to load, ugly green color throughout, slow, ugly messaging app. Just compare the settings and messaging apps with iOS and tell me touchwiz isn't complete crap. Oh, did I mention how horribly slow the gallery lags when you open it and how long your pictures take to load compared to iOS?

App design side by side. (All images from google except iOS settings screenshot)

only excuses.. you can change them all and if that is not enough, you can even use another app...
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
Yeah, I also wonder what exactly is this "wonderful Apple ecosystem working together" talk. I have an iPad and a Mac, so far the only benefit I can see is that my Safari bookmarks sync between them (which Chrome could also do if I wanted).
My phone is currently a S3 and I'm considering moving to iPhone, and I always see people talk about this integration. What exactly do you do with it?

I'm going to preface my comments first with the qualifier that I'm very well aware that much of the functionality I'm mentioning is available in one form or another using cross-platform applications. I'm just going to touch on some of the elements of living in an iPhone/iPad/Mac environment.

Until iOS 8, the biggest benefits of staying heavily within the Apple ecosystem:

Messages (usually referred to incorrectly as iMessage)
- A very large portion of my regular contacts also use iPhones so I find big benefits in using Messages, especially the availability to read/respond across multiple devices. Not having the traditional limitations of SMS/MMS when communicating with these contacts is a huge plus.

iCloud syncing
- I use Google services to sync Contacts and Calendars but my preferred browser is Safari so having both bookmarks (or current webpages), as well as Keychain (passwords and payment methods) sycing across all devices is great. Find my iPhone has saved my family a handful of times with devices accidentally left behind.

Device Backups
- Huge advantage over Android. I replace any iDevice and I have a backup immediately available that restores the replacement to the exact state as the previous device, including ALL app data.

Home sharing and AirPlay
- Our family's fairly extensive media collection is stored locally on external HDD and is immediately available on any iDevice, Mac, Apple TV in our house in a couple button clicks, something especially important with a tech adverse wife and 3 young kids. Having nearly all Apple in the house means consistency in operation so my kids know how to get around on any of our devices.

I've been using iOS 8 beta for a while now and the new functionality available is pretty cool.

- Messages adds new functionality (near instant sharing of short audio or video messages)

- Handoffs/Continuity is pretty seamless. For instance, I start something on my phone (email, looking for directions on Maps, start a calendar appointment) and sit down at my Mac and with one click, I pick up right where I left off. Also being able to take a phone call on my Mac or iPad (phone is now often in a dock in another room) or read/reply to a standard SMS message is so useful.

- Family sharing - looking forward to being able to handle app/media sharing differently than just using my Apple ID on all devices, including my wife's and kid's.

I'm sure there are other small things I'm missing, these were just some big ticket items that immediately popped into my head.
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
Why would I want to see my contacts face (or in most cases a generic picture) in each message? Very cluttered, I know you can change messages around but it's still a mess. Why do I need to see the timestamp on every message? More clutter. The settings app is even worse when you change it to a list, never ending with all the samsung crap that should be grouped together like iOS' settings app.

Why not just change your messaging app altogether. You can unlike on ios change your default messaging app to whatever you want it to be.

Google hangouts is a lot cleaner than the default app

 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
Let's start with how it's laggier in comparison to stock, How the status bar icons are so ugly, how most system notifications are persistent(in the notification shade it constantly says connected to wireless) etc.

It's a mess. Android however is not.
I don't find TouchWiz laggy on my note 3, maybe it lags on other devices.

I don't really get how the icons are ugly, maybe I'm just used to them?

I think the connected to wifi notification was a bug, I don't get that on mine..
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,080
19,080
US
I'm going to preface my comments first with the qualifier that I'm very well aware that much of the functionality I'm mentioning is available in one form or another using cross-platform applications. I'm just going to touch on some of the elements of living in an iPhone/iPad/Mac environment.

Until iOS 8, the biggest benefits of staying heavily within the Apple ecosystem:

Messages (usually referred to incorrectly as iMessage)
- A very large portion of my regular contacts also use iPhones so I find big benefits in using Messages, especially the availability to read/respond across multiple devices. Not having the traditional limitations of SMS/MMS when communicating with these contacts is a huge plus.

I use SMS Backup Restore It works on all Android devices. It can back up all my messages and upload to Dropbox. The messages can be recalled and printed anytime i would want to re-read them.

iCloud syncing
- I use Google services to sync Contacts and Calendars but my preferred browser is Safari so having both bookmarks (or current webpages), as well as Keychain (passwords and payment methods) sycing across all devices is great. Find my iPhone has saved my family a handful of times with devices accidentally left behind.

I use Google Services as well. It sync all my calendar/contacts and bookmarks. It works cross platform but my preferred browser is Chrome. Chrome has all my stored website passwords and can even sync open browser tabs across all my devices in real time. I can web browse on my iMac...stop then pickup where i left off on my iPad on the sofa with all open tabs. Android has a similar option as find my phone as well.

Device Backups
- Huge advantage over Android. I replace any iDevice and I have a backup immediately available that restores the replacement to the exact state as the previous device, including ALL app data.

Android phones can be rooted from a single website now with towel root. Once rooted you can use Titanium Backup to make a backup of all apps including app data. These apps can be restored if needed to exactly when they were last backed up. Backups can be stored locally or uploaded to Dropbox. This includes all SMS messages as well. Once rooted custom recovery can be installed. This allows the option of making complete backups/images of the phone. No need to be hooked up to another computer to to it. This backup or image can be stored on an external SD Card. So backups can be done at any time with a computer and be restored at anytime without a computer.

Home sharing and AirPlay
- Our family's fairly extensive media collection is stored locally on external HDD and is immediately available on any iDevice, Mac, Apple TV in our house in a couple button clicks, something especially important with a tech adverse wife and 3 young kids. Having nearly all Apple in the house means consistency in operation so my kids know how to get around on any of our devices.

All of my computer and mobile devices have Dropbox installed. All photos and data is synced and stored on Dropbox.
I also have a 2TB Timecapsule that has all my media and entertainment files stored on it. Which is accessible from all devices in my house including smart TVs.


I've been using iOS 8 beta for a while now and the new functionality available is pretty cool.

- Messages adds new functionality (near instant sharing of short audio or video messages)

- Handoffs/Continuity is pretty seamless. For instance, I start something on my phone (email, looking for directions on Maps, start a calendar appointment) and sit down at my Mac and with one click, I pick up right where I left off. Also being able to take a phone call on my Mac or iPad (phone is now often in a dock in another room) or read/reply to a standard SMS message is so useful.

- Family sharing - looking forward to being able to handle app/media sharing differently than just using my Apple ID on all devices, including my wife's and kid's.

I'm sure there are other small things I'm missing, these were just some big ticket items that immediately popped into my head.

See my responses in bold above......
 

bkends35

macrumors 6502a
Feb 24, 2013
941
422
USA
Why not just change your messaging app altogether. You can unlike on ios change your default messaging app to whatever you want it to be.

Google hangouts is a lot cleaner than the default app

[url=http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss283/shanghaichica/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-09-08-06-41-26.png]Image[/URL]

Like I said earlier, I know you can use hangouts as your default app but the hangouts app still isn't what it should be. Still cluttered and can be sluggish at times. It's also tough to differentiate your messages from the others at a quick glance since the bubbles go all the way a cross the screen, unlike the stock Sammy app and iOS app.

How about group messaging? Terrible on android. I have a group message with 2 of my buddies who have androids, S5 and M8, both of which don't receive group messages properly. My message shows up in the group chat thread and the other person with android doesn't show up in the same thread even though they're sending it in the correct group message thread. The other person will show up in their own thread just by themself. How annoying is that? My phone receives them perfectly fine, both of the show up in the group mms thread. IMO messages is one of the most used app and to be blunt, android's sucks.
 

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,717
1,260
East Central Florida
Hmm, never have any issues with group Mms, including with pictures. Using hangouts. I agree messaging on android is inferior, but no issues with mms / threading here. For me it's the extra features that makes ios implementation better, not stability.

I mostly text/ mms with ios users.
 

bkends35

macrumors 6502a
Feb 24, 2013
941
422
USA
Hmm, never have any issues with group Mms, including with pictures. Using hangouts. I agree messaging on android is inferior, but no issues with mms / threading here.

I mostly text/ mms with ios users.

Yeah it's strange and the worst part is once samsung figures out it's a bug, it'll take them a while to push the update because of the whole carrier approval crap. I used android for 4 years and personally never had that issue with group messaging so it's probably an S5 specific bug which is unfortunate.
 

Sgt Jiggy 313

macrumors newbie
May 19, 2014
5
0
Agreed. The iPhone touch sensor is miles ahead of anything the competition is offering, and leaves Samsung's half-hearted effort standing.

Another thing: if you have any other Apple equipment, e.g. iPad, Apple Computer, Apple TV... they work together brilliantly. This is set to get even better with forthcoming software updates.

Another thing: iPhone security is second to none. Android have instead cornered the malware market.

Another thing: Apple Support is second to none.

I use both. Both are very secure. However it is much easier to side load apps on Android (even without root). That is where the security issue lies. Apple is locked down very well and jail breaking is much more of a pain to do than rooting (for most).

As for integration between Apple and Android that is not an issue anymore. About the only iTunes content I don't have easy access to on my Android are movies purchased from iTunes. I even have an apple TV remote on my S4.

Apple support is second to none. Android support is available all over the Internet. XDA is a fantastic source for Android Support. It's all about being open source.

The point is really moot. 90% of people who use smartphones don't even scratch the surface of their capabilities.

IMHO both devices are excellent choices

Not an iSheep or Android Boy.
 

JH-

macrumors 6502
Feb 25, 2009
392
2
One thing that matters to me is the way I can send uncompressed pictures via iMessage.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,080
19,080
US
Why should I have to void my warranty, root my phone and buy a $6 app just to backup my apps and messages?
It wont stop warranty repairs...you just undo it. The benefits are pretty good. Do not have to tether to a computer. Backups can be stored on SD Card or uploaded to the cloud. IMHO the price is well worth it for the what you get.
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
See my responses in bold above......

Again, as I prefaced, I'm well aware there are counterparts on Android--hell I've used most of 'em, but when you live in an Apple world, so to speak, the near seamless integration out of the box is, IMO, often a better overall user experience.

My post was not intended as 'why this is better' argument but rather, a direct response to the poster's question as to why I personally find added value staying in the Apple ecosystem. Of course, YMMV.

A few comments in regards to your responses.

1. Not sure you understood my explanation for why I view Messages as a benefit. It's not necessarily that I must have a running history of my conversations across all devices (though there is that ;)), it's that it's a far more robust native messaging application that affords huge benefits when conversing with other users of iOS/Apple devices. No SMS character limits, no incredibly restrictive MMS limits, the ability to immediately switch between devices and continue a conversation without a beat (and now including SMS in iOS 8). The new features in iOS 8 (near instant audio/video messages) make it even more valuable.

Again, I'm aware there are third party alternatives (Whatsapp, BBM, FB Messenger, etc) but all would require my contacts to have accounts with those services and the seamless integration of SMS in Messages make is my best option.

2. Again, well aware there are other options but I prefer Safari and the added inclusion of my stored payment info I find very valuable.

3. State all you'd like about Android's backup options--none are as simple and effective as the native backups available via iCloud or on one's computer via iTunes. And I don't have to jailbreak my device to get them to work. ;)

4. I use Dropbox to transfer photos/videos to my Mac and as a backup as well, works great, actually better presently to transfer my videos because I can automatically transfer video via an Automator script (something Photostream cannot presently do). I do think sharing via Shared Photostream is far easier when Apple devices are involved.

I was only referring specifically to our music/video library. And again, I know there are other options (PLEX to a Chromecast or Roku box are two quick ones that come to mind that I've also used) but the seamless integration to our houses devices is easier IMO using iTunes/Home sharing and Apple TVs, especially for my kids and tech adverse wife.
 

Bdog77

macrumors newbie
Sep 7, 2014
4
0
I would have bought a Samsung galaxy s5 if it wasn't for the money I've spent on the AppStore and iTunes. Sometimes I regret buying a iphone but oh well.
 

bkends35

macrumors 6502a
Feb 24, 2013
941
422
USA
It wont stop warranty repairs...you just undo it. The benefits are pretty good. Do not have to tether to a computer. Backups can be stored on SD Card or uploaded to the cloud. IMHO the price is well worth it for the what you get.

I know, I bought the app when I was still using android as my dd. iCloud backs up automatically every night and automatically stores it to the cloud, and it backs up pictures, unlike titanium backup. You also don't need to thether it to a computer. Also, say you backup your messages on your S5 with TB, when you buy your next phone and it's not a Samsung the messages won't restore because it's not the same app that Samsung uses. I always experienced this when switching roms, it's very annoying.
 

jrswizzle

macrumors 603
Aug 23, 2012
6,107
129
McKinney, TX
This might be a little late, but ya - why pick an iPhone when you can simply buy a Galaxy S5 and then change everything about it after you get it :D

Some people prefer iOS. Some people prefer the build quality.

If you're in the Apple ecosystem, sharing with others who are also using Apple is far easier and more enjoyable. I prefer Apple because it just works better for me and all my friends and family use iPhones so PhotoStreams, AirDrop, iMessage etc are all huge pluses.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,080
19,080
US
I know, I bought the app when I was still using android as my dd. iCloud backs up automatically every night and automatically stores it to the cloud, and it backs up pictures, unlike titanium backup. You also don't need to thether it to a computer. Also, say you backup your messages on your S5 with TB, when you buy your next phone and it's not a Samsung the messages won't restore because it's not the same app that Samsung uses. I always experienced this when switching roms, it's very annoying.

That's why in my original response I said I use SMS Backup restore. It will back up all messages to the cloud. It can be set to do so hourly or however it is needed. Messages can be restored to any device. Messages can also be exported to an app like excel and be read or printed individually or by specific thread/person or date.
 

Sgt Jiggy 313

macrumors newbie
May 19, 2014
5
0
Again, as I prefaced, I'm well aware there are counterparts on Android--hell I've used most of 'em, but when you live in an Apple world, so to speak, the near seamless integration out of the box is, IMO, often a better overall user experience.

My post was not intended as 'why this is better' argument but rather, a direct response to the poster's question as to why I personally find added value staying in the Apple ecosystem. Of course, YMMV.

A few comments in regards to your responses.

1. Not sure you understood my explanation for why I view Messages as a benefit. It's not necessarily that I must have a running history of my conversations across all devices (though there is that ;)), it's that it's a far more robust native messaging application that affords huge benefits when conversing with other users of iOS/Apple devices. No SMS character limits, no incredibly restrictive MMS limits, the ability to immediately switch between devices and continue a conversation without a beat (and now including SMS in iOS 8). The new features in iOS 8 (near instant audio/video messages) make it even more valuable.

Again, I'm aware there are third party alternatives (Whatsapp, BBM, FB Messenger, etc) but all would require my contacts to have accounts with those services and the seamless integration of SMS in Messages make is my best option.

2. Again, well aware there are other options but I prefer Safari and the added inclusion of my stored payment info I find very valuable.

3. State all you'd like about Android's backup options--none are as simple and effective as the native backups available via iCloud or on one's computer via iTunes. And I don't have to jailbreak my device to get them to work. ;)

4. I use Dropbox to transfer photos/videos to my Mac and as a backup as well, works great, actually better presently to transfer my videos because I can automatically transfer video via an Automator script (something Photostream cannot presently do). I do think sharing via Shared Photostream is far easier when Apple devices are involved.

I was only referring specifically to our music/video library. And again, I know there are other options (PLEX to a Chromecast or Roku box are two quick ones that come to mind that I've also used) but the seamless integration to our houses devices is easier IMO using iTunes/Home sharing and Apple TVs, especially for my kids and tech adverse wife.

On the backup issue; Kies for Samsung was absolutely horrible for the first few years. Connection issues and didn't even have a backup option for Mac users. The latest release "Kies 3 for Mac" is very, very good so far...(holding my breath). The UI is very simple and is similar to itunes/iphone integration.
 

JaySoul

macrumors 68030
Jan 30, 2008
2,629
2,865
I would have bought a Samsung galaxy s5 if it wasn't for the money I've spent on the AppStore and iTunes. Sometimes I regret buying a iphone but oh well.

This is the why I decided to become more ecosystem agnostic last year.

I'd bought stuff from iTunes and for it's just not transferable easily, which really frustrated me. So I switched to Android but the most important thing was switching to services that could handle iOS and Android so I can switch without being tied down.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,080
19,080
US
This is the why I decided to become more ecosystem agnostic last year.

I'd bought stuff from iTunes and for it's just not transferable easily, which really frustrated me. So I switched to Android but the most important thing was switching to services that could handle iOS and Android so I can switch without being tied down.

++++ one this ^^^^
I use both platforms so it is essential for apps services to be cross platform.
 

Bdog77

macrumors newbie
Sep 7, 2014
4
0
My next phone will most likely be a android one unless these next gen iPhones step up there game.
 

Winona Northdakota

macrumors 6502a
Dec 27, 2010
580
1
Why would you pick iPhone over the Galaxy S5?

Why not just change your messaging app altogether. You can unlike on ios change your default messaging app to whatever you want it to be.



Google hangouts is a lot cleaner than the default app



[url=http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss283/shanghaichica/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-09-08-06-41-26.png]Image[/URL]


Is there a text message app that doesn't have those heads next to each line of convo? I know, Google works for you, I don't want to support Google.
 

blueflower

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2006
369
71
On Monday I bought an iphone 5s 32 gb and the only other phone that gave me this warm and fuzzy feeling was the Nokia N95 8gb.

I have had the nexus 5 16gb red and the screen was too dim, the phone was too large and the led notification light was a bit wonky.

I also used the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 as main device from 2012.

As I see it the iphone 5s is better than the S5 in these ways:

1. Much easier to install apps and customize the phone
2. Sometimes go launcher and nova launcher were a pain. Cydia is much easier for me
3. Easier to jailbreak the iphone in comparison to rooting and installing custom roms
4. More compact size
5. Faster
8. Seamless integration with icloud
9. Seamless integration with apple ecosystem in general
10. More classier device
11. Better quality apps and themes available for the iphone in comparison to androids
12. I also suspect the iphone is more reliable than samsungs

I need reliability, I cannot buy a phone in 2012 and have it going haywire in 2014. This is unacceptable to me.

In my office people have been comfortably using older iphones for years without an issue including 3gs, 4 and 4s.

I need a phone that will last me at least 4 years with no issues. I am paying top dollar so I expect reliability.

The fact is I am not 18 anymore I just do not have the time to be factory resetting a phone, installing es file explorer to move files to my micro sd, performing a nandroid backup and all the other crap that comes with android at times. Should I bother to mention the random error messages from android like the android.process error.

The only android I would encourage someone to consider right now is the HTC One E8.
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
On Monday I bought an iphone 5s 32 gb and the only other phone that gave me this warm and fuzzy feeling was the Nokia N95 8gb.

I have had the nexus 5 16gb red and the screen was too dim, the phone was too large and the led notification light was a bit wonky.

I also used the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 as main device from 2012.

As I see it the iphone 5s is better than the S5 in these ways:

1. Much easier to install apps and customize the phone
2. Sometimes go launcher and nova launcher were a pain. Cydia is much easier for me
3. Easier to jailbreak the iphone in comparison to rooting and installing custom roms
4. More compact size
5. Faster
8. Seamless integration with icloud
9. Seamless integration with apple ecosystem in general
10. More classier device
11. Better quality apps and themes available for the iphone in comparison to androids
12. I also suspect the iphone is more reliable than samsungs

I need reliability, I cannot buy a phone in 2012 and have it going haywire in 2014. This is unacceptable to me.

In my office people have been comfortably using older iphones for years without an issue including 3gs, 4 and 4s.

I need a phone that will last me at least 4 years with no issues. I am paying top dollar so I expect reliability.

The fact is I am not 18 anymore I just do not have the time to be factory resetting a phone, installing es file explorer to move files to my micro sd, performing a nandroid backup and all the other crap that comes with android at times. Should I bother to mention the random error messages from android like the android.process error.

The only android I would encourage someone to consider right now is the HTC One E8.

Out of curiosity, why didn't you wait until next week (or this Friday to preorder) to get an iPhome 6? It's going to cost what you paid for the 5s and you'd have gotten 64GB of internal storage. Is it primarily size?
 

blueflower

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2006
369
71
I got a pretty good deal on a brand new in box sealed iphone 5s 32gb space gray. The price I paid is $100 less than the price they are going for now (that is since the iphone 6 release) unlocked on apple.com

Also yes you are right I do not want a phone larger than say the samsung galaxy s2 i9100. At first the iphone 5s seems just a tad bit too small in terms of screen but now I love it.
 
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