Can you still not download a mp3 and have it show up in your music app? For me, that was why I left and what I would consider far too locked down. I'm constantly downloading new essential mixes every week, stuff off soundcloud, etc. I don't want to have to launch a different app just to listen to my stuff. The fact that an iPad and iPhone can't do something so simple seems rather archaic. I'm sure it's an anti-piracy measure to keep you buying content on iTunes, but the stuff I am downloading is legal and furthermore I don't really want a company dictating what I can and can't do. Just my thoughts.
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Will Android L keep you on Android?
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Can you still not download a mp3 and have it show up in your music app? For me, that was why I left and what I would consider far too locked down. I'm constantly downloading new essential mixes every week, stuff off soundcloud, etc. I don't want to have to launch a different app just to listen to my stuff. The fact that an iPad and iPhone can't do something so simple seems rather archaic. I'm sure it's an anti-piracy measure to keep you buying content on iTunes, but the stuff I am downloading is legal and furthermore I don't really want a company dictating what I can and can't do. Just my thoughts.
So I checked, and the answer is No. Pretty lame in my opinion, but I guess if everyone just uses Spotify like you then it won't matter.
I encountered a similar issue when I started using iOS. There were some apps I used on Android that weren't available on iOS. Most apps are available on both, but some on one aren't available on the other.
I nearly pulled my hair out when I first tried moving a custom ring tone (.MP3 file) onto my wife's iPhone. It took me hours to figure out and actually do it. Rooting my Android phone took me less time to figure out and do. I couldn't believe how hard it was to do such a (what I thought should be) simple thing. It is really easy on Android and even fairly easy on my old BlackBerry. For the most part, iOS is easy to use, but I just seem to encounter some things that I think should not be that complicated, but is utterly convoluted to do in iOS.
For those who don't know, you can still download the official un-official Android L keyboard off the Amazon App Store for free.
It's the one that got pulled by Google from the Play Store.
http://www.amazon.com/Shen-Ye-Android-L-Keyboard/dp/B00LVEZYOQ
I love this keyboard.
It's the one that got pulled by Google from the Play Store.
http://www.amazon.com/Shen-Ye-Android-L-Keyboard/dp/B00LVEZYOQ
I love this keyboard.
iOS 8 and Extensibility will likely take care of this. You'll see apps like SoundCloud provide actions to use in the Music app for downloading/moving various media.
Honestly, Extensions is probably the single biggest feature of iOS 8. I don't think many people understand the impact it will have and the freedom it will give devs to intertwine their apps with others.
I have high hopes, but still have doubts that you will be able to do what he is talking about.
I still haven't seen anything about adding attachments to email replies without using a mac for handoff either
I have high hopes, but still have doubts that you will be able to do what he is talking about.
I still haven't seen anything about adding attachments to email replies without using a mac for handoff either
Because it will be up to developers to come up with all these things. And devs are sworn to secrecy at this point are they not?
Aside from the few sponsored glimpses (swiftkey, 1password), most devs have their projects under wraps.
The point being that the functionality (and more) will be there - devs just have to take advantage of it.
What he's asking for is very close to having a shared filesystem between apps. I hope so but I'm not holding my breath
I think downloading something in safari then importing into music app will still require JB. The music download source would have to be a third party app with the extensibility feature to import into the music app. We will be at the mercy of the dev and ultimately Apple since it needs approval. It will be cool, but I still wish we could do it from safari. Maybe I will be surprised
Unless the said app could create extensibility features in both safari and the music app at once, we shall see
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No I don't think that's what he's talking about.
I'm a DJ and post downloadable stuff to SoundCloud. On iOS you can stream it, but there is no way on earth to download it.
On Android, you can stream it and if you get an enabling app from the Play Store, you can download the song/mix straight from SoundCloud onto you phone's storage.
You have no idea how many times people ask me "Can I download it onto my iPhone?" and I say nope, not directly. You'd have to do it on your PC/Mac then import it into iTunes etc etc.
So Extensibility won't make a blind bit of difference.
I think you're wrong. Soundcloud could create an extension that allows for music to be played within the music app - perhaps even downloaded into.
I don't know that we know the full extent of Extensibility yet....seems to be a lot of confusion. From what I've read, its a huge game changer for iOS.
For legal reasons, I very much doubt that will be the case - BUT you never know, let's wait and see.
I can't imagine Apple will allow apps to put files into the music library on you iPhone/iPad, unless they change the rules and allow to sync stuff in both ways.
Maybe you can download files into iCloud drive so you can play these songs with a third party player, that would be a start.
Sorry for off topic ;-)
I'm pretty curious about Android L and material design. But we still don't know much about it, just some design guidelines and a way too short demo video about some stock apps. We'll see.
Me too - the developer preview shows a little, but not nearly as much as I thought. I'm assuming there's more to it....otherwise I'd be dissapointed. I'm hoping for a more unified/cohesive feel across stock Android. Google needs to build stock Android as if it were its own OS - not something to be customized.
It seems like they are moving that way, but its a big reason why I still prefer iOS. The entire OS from settings menus to icons to pull down menus and such just feel extremely tied together. I'm hoping for that type of feel with Android L.
Also - a comprehensive backup solution would be amazing as well. And for the love of God, please fix the stock Email app....it sucks.
James,
As you have seen in the weekly Google Apps updates, the material design is moving in... Slowly, but Google are redesigning those apps to be ready for the launch of L.
As for that stock AOSP email app. Google never does much with it. It is only there for companies like Samsung, HTC, etc to use as they wish since they are part of the open handset alliance and no license fees are required (at least that is what I remember being said on a podcast last year). GMail is the only official Google client for email. I have no idea why Google still adds it into stock Android? It is pretty much a useless redundancy.
Hmm, perhaps its more subtle than I realize....
At any rate, Gmail isn't my primary email account....I need a solution that allows for a variety of email accounts to be seen at the same time with relatively common features. iOS Mail and WP8.1 Mail work so much better.
cloudmagic is very highly rated for that purpose, just a suggestion
personally I use Nine for my work exchange account and the Gmail App for my other email accounts (which are gmail accounts). If I had non gmail accounts I'd probably look at cloudmagic / bluemail. Nine is a fantastic exchange app (and my favorite mail app), but it only works with activesync exchange (outlook.com / hotmail / google apps) at this point.
Thanks for the tips! Bluemail is really nice and I've used K9 in the past as well. I'll have to try out Cloudmagic.
I think Android L could be the biggest update since Ice Cream Sandwich. It should be numbered as Android 5 by that point. After watching The Verge's interview with Matias Duarte who I respect highly and loved his webOS design, it looks like I am not going anywhere. I respect Matias Duarte in UI design just as much as Jony Ive in hardware design.
Plus, two Androids works better than 1 iPhone and 1 Android. I tried using iOS and Android for years together. I find iOS not to really compliment Android. Two Androids can communicate and work together better. I understand how some in the US could only DEAL with ONE platform being based on your contract upgrades. In a prepaid world where we use unlocked devices, having two phones, two sims, or using two platforms is not much of a problem and isn't quite overkill like in a postpaid/subsidized country.
The Material Design is still a bit vague to me. But it could be a gamechanger. We probably won't really see it bear the fruits of its labor until Android M update next year with 64-bit, 4 GB of RAM, and ART in full force.
Plus, two Androids works better than 1 iPhone and 1 Android. I tried using iOS and Android for years together. I find iOS not to really compliment Android. Two Androids can communicate and work together better. I understand how some in the US could only DEAL with ONE platform being based on your contract upgrades. In a prepaid world where we use unlocked devices, having two phones, two sims, or using two platforms is not much of a problem and isn't quite overkill like in a postpaid/subsidized country.
The Material Design is still a bit vague to me. But it could be a gamechanger. We probably won't really see it bear the fruits of its labor until Android M update next year with 64-bit, 4 GB of RAM, and ART in full force.
I agree.
I bought a Nexus 5 last december because i wanted a bigger screen and after a couple of months with it i sold my iPhone 5 and still today i am using the Nexus so i am in the same mindset as you..Kind of.
I´ve had every iPhone since the 3G back in 2008 (Except 5s), but still every year i have bought one of Androids flagship devices from Samsung or HTC just to get perspective and try out the "latest and greatest", and always ended up disappointed and within 1-2 months going back to the iPhone just for the consistency in the apps i use and user experience i get from IOS.
Only device that gives me the snappiness and responsiveness i get with IOS is Nexus. But for me, the apps on Android doesn´t come even close to IOS where they feel overall more polished and out of "beta".
User experience is something different, personal for every single one. So these are just my experiences.
So i will be upgrading to the next iPhone when it becomes available.
I dont use the stock email, i use Bluemail. I did use it but it doesnt always give me clickable links to go to things from there so i switched. Little annoyances like that bugged me. The Gmail is fine but its my secondary email. My Yahoo is my main email and Bluemail works better than the Yahoo app imo.