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Will you be staying with iPhone for your next phone?
- Thread starter furam90
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Honestly I think this is the general feeling from plenty...apple must make some serious good improvements. As good as the iphone is and what it brings phones like galaxy have more features and the bigger screen is a big plus as is the ability to download shows and movies without going through itunes with their crazy prices.
What integration are you worried about between your Apple devices and an Android phone? I'm using a Note II in an Apple household (Macs, iPads, Apple TVs) and short of iMessage, AirPlay, and Homesharing, found workarounds/solutions for other areas, some that actually work better (i.e. using Dropbox for photos and videos). iMessage (kids can message me using iPods/iPads) and AirPlay--liked ability to immediately show videos/photos on the Apple TV--are most missed but since I still use an iPad Mini with LTE, not missed very much. There are even apps in the Google Play store that allow you to sync your Android device with iCloud contacts and calendars.
iTunes music can be moved to an Android phone very easily or you can use Google Music to stream (free and works great, assuming you don't have strict data limitations). You would not be able to watch iTunes purchased video due to the DRM.
The camera on my Note II is good but the camera software options really make it a much better tool than the iPhone's. And as mentioned early, in lieu of photostream on my iPhone, my photo and videos (photos only on photosteam) are automatically uploaded to Dropbox when I'm on wifi and I've set up Automator on my Mac to import any new photos/videos to iPhoto so they're immediately available via any of our iDevices.
I was initially wary of Android integration with our Apple household but based on your described use of your phone, don't think you'll have any problems should you go that route.
All good news and good to know, however I started out years ago with my main email being MobileMe, now @icloud.com, so I will not be able to access that on the SGIII, I had one for 3 weeks and could not get around it, had to use Firefox on my laptop at work to access it, when I am home it is fine on MBP and iPad Mini. Do you have any work arounds there? which app lets you sync icloud calendar and contacts? I need that
You can certainly use your icloud email with Android--even with the stock android Email app. Don't worry about that.
There are apps that let you use iCloud contacts and calendar with Android but since Google is an internet company first I recommend moving them to Google. It's easy and it works fine with macs and pcs. Who knows when Apple is going to change thing up again with icloud (@mac, @me, @icloud, and next???). It was relatively painless for me to do so and I am glad I did rather than use an app to get icloud contacts/calendar onto Android.
Michael
Since i have been away from google play for about 2 months now, may be some new stuff is out, so help me out there if possible, TIA!!!
List of stuff on my iPhone and (maybe) future iPad:
- Thetransitapp. Real time transit info, as in exactly how far is a train/bus from where i am standing. (I have tried local transit apps on android with same real time info, but most are limited to only one city for which they are made, moving out of Toronto means i lose access to data for my local region as it is not supported by one of my favorites on play e,g, torontobusmap. Also, thetransitapp checks where i am, and gives me not one but multiple route info and ability to plot a real time course instantly. Google navigation on the other hand pulls info from local transit official times which are sometimes way off compared to what is going on in the real world).
- Goodreader (adobe on android still lacks some functions. Annotations are nicely done in good reader, plus it can open a huge pdf file - something in the range of 100 MB very quickly and without having to wait for each page to render for a second each time i flip it which adobe suffers with even if i am using small files. Also the wait time of a good 3-4 seconds for adobe reader to allow scanning of device was getting annoying, even after i put my files in the directory made by it. I was looking at google play and Kingsoft suite caught my eye. But no one has confirmed yet how nice is PDF support, although the rest looks pretty good, especially their tablet version)
- Degrees (Weather app, now android has its fair share of weather apps and widgets and the eye weather was my favorite - especially how it showed temp/feels like on notification shade - however degrees sends me push notifications over latest environment Canada alerts for my region within minutes of it being issued and that feature alone has made me like it more than anything. Anything similar on android?)
- Weave (while initially it looks like a to do app, what i love is the project management part built in it. Was very handy managing our recent project using this app with its ability to centrally organize tasks, resources at hand, designations.)
- Pages (Again, maybe kingsoft can replace this, not sure until i try it)
- Tweetbot (Plume was ok, but tweetbot is better. I see falcon Pro is out for android now and i like their work, again especially on tablet version, but is there a way to change the black background to something lighter? May be white or grey? I hate black backgrounds so i hope this is possible)
- There is a couple of ethnic shows apps that i currently use that are not available on android since blackberry is still the king where i am from, and iOS is still considered as a premium and mouth watering platform (i know i know, but hey i cannot control what they think).
- iA writer (amazing writing app, made me love writing again).
- Local control app for inhouse use at work, makes easy to put away bulky laptops. I doubt the company has plans to make an android port given the money they already spent on iOS gear lol.
- We are about to have a kid soon so the multitude of education and kids focussed apps on the iOS side is enticing. Not sure if android tablets are getting there.
- Tubebox (downloads and stores youtube videos - allowing for standard or HQ video. What i found silly was i was actually struggling to get a decent youtube downloader on android. Since google doesn't like that practice - they make it harder to do even using chrome plugins - i guess these apps are broken on purpose on play. Something i thought would be easier to do on android).
- Apps from local businesses like restaurants etc, where i am forced to use the mobile browser otherwise and it is actually slower than the to-the-point flow of the app.
- Lastly, games: FIFA 13 (no where to be seen on android yet), AikoIsland/HD (awesome puzzle type game, dev has no plans for android), Battleheart (android version never got the final update, Mikamobile has pulled out now and likely wont port the sequel too, bummer i know), Kingdom Rush (this game alone has taken up most of my commute time, again no where to be seen in android, the alternatives do not even come close, and the sequel is coming), Joe Danger, Bastion, AirSupremacy, Letterpress, Temple Run 2 (well android version is coming, but this is another example of the wait you have to do, why?), StreetFighter. Also many gameloft and EA titles are delayed or make it to select devices first, backstab wasn't even showing on my GS3 for a good two months, and it was available on my lowly captivate lol. What is that? Also you will notice i play the hidden gems that are not listed in news sites like angry birds or shadowgun or modern combat as those bore me too much. These big companies are just making terrible ports of console titles, while indie guys are where the real creativity and talent is, and they are hesitant to make stuff for android most of the times.
If this was available on android, i would not spend a minute on iOS lol. Again, it is not the OS that i care about, it is the software on it. iOS does annoy me with its lack of convenience for media transfer without using iTunes - which is my only major complaint against it - but the apps make me forget that quickly. However i am always looking at android after a couple months each time to see how far it has come along. Also looking at windows RT, but it is even slower than android for that stuff.
Ok so how do you setup @icloud.com email on Android?
How do I use my @icloud.com email address on Note II, I could not get it to work on my SGIII? I have a gmail account, but prefer not to sync everything all over again, just want to use the @icloud.com account for email, calendar and contacts?
My experience has been completely opposite of yours. Of course I am willing to bet you just tried the phone for a few minutes or you haven't even touched the phone and chose to parrot what other Android haters typically say.
Care to offer examples of this horrendous disappointing unreliability you found in a S3 running Jelly Bean?
I have used this to set up my SGS3 and Nexus 4.
http://santoshsingh.net/how-to-configure-icloud-mail-on-android-and-other-devices/
Hope this helps.
I always find it hilarious that those who say they don't like the GS3 (for whatever reason) and immediately told they're lying or spouting rhetoric - yet many come here and bash Apple for reasons I, and many, think are completely ridiculous....
Who cares why he hated it? Or even if he ever used it? Sure you can ask him for specifics, but why accuse him of being a liar? If he's a troll you'd know by the response to "My experience has been quite opposite. Can you give specifics as to what you didn't like about the GS3?"
Simple and not contrary.
Well, I for one have never accused you or any of the intelligent posters in this sub forum for lying. When you guys say you dislike something you offer elegant posts full of criticism as well as well thought out reasoning. You know things you do on a discussion board to well discuss and spark debate. However if someone says something akin to "LOL its bad and will never get better" but then does not specify any reason why you should always get called out for BSing up a thread.
Also, when have I lately criticized Apple lately for reasons you find ridiculous?
I actually had my s3 from september until this past friday. So "betting" on wether or not ive had it or touched it, you lose. Pay up
Jellybean has horrible battery life, it changes practically nothing. I had to go back to ics just to get a semi decent data connect.
The s3 is way under what people expected from it. Out of samsung, htc, motorola, lg, and even sony. Samsung has always been my least favorite. And motorola being at the top. You cant beat motorola signal. I dont care what you say.
So what you had good luck with the s3. Count yourself just that. Lucky! I know atleast 5 people that own that crap. And 4 out of the 5 arent pleased at all.
So dont come here questioning my opinion. I mean you are the android user searching the mac forums
Jellybean has horrible battery life, it changes practically nothing. I had to go back to ics just to get a semi decent data connect.
The s3 is way under what people expected from it. Out of samsung, htc, motorola, lg, and even sony. Samsung has always been my least favorite. And motorola being at the top. You cant beat motorola signal. I dont care what you say.
So what you had good luck with the s3. Count yourself just that. Lucky! I know atleast 5 people that own that crap. And 4 out of the 5 arent pleased at all.
So dont come here questioning my opinion. I mean you are the android user searching the mac forums
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I guess you have had bad luck with your S3. I know at least 5 people that own this awesome phone and 4 out of the 5 are very pleased. Since anecdotal evidence reigns supreme here, I have yet to come across anyone who uses a GS3 and complains about horrendously unusable battery life or data issues.
When you come in here bashing someone with your opinion but do not offer any substance to it you leave yourself open to questioning. Also I use iOS, Android and Windows 8 devices. I use what works well within my needs at the given time. I'm not tied to a brand.
I wasn't speaking of you (or anyone specifically). Just in general - being told that I NEED a notification light and my iPhone just doesn't cut it without one, or that widgets are the be-all end-all in smartphone innovation, or that my 4" is just embarassingly small (which I don't find).
Excuse some of the hyperbole, but I've run into these critiques and many others like them - ultimately, we like what we like - and everyone is entitled to like what they like for whatever reason they choose.
On the other hand, I agree with you - we shouldn't let people get away with making baseless claims, which is why I suggested a less snide retort to achieve those ends - I myself am trying to lessen the snide comments I make toward Android - Samsung in particular......
Its a work in progress
I bash from experience. I stated in previous post what i dont like about the s3. I did not mean to sound rude, but i took your comment as rude. So i returned the favor.
Now im not tied to a os either. After 3-4 years of android i got bored with it. I lile change. My favorite os is windows. My carrier doesnt carry any though. Or id be using one now.
Like i said im simply not a samsung fan at all. But i wont bash a phone if ive never used it. Like the note II, ive never had one. But ive heard great things about it. Its just not the phone i wanted. I never had any luck with the gs, gs2, or gs3.
Gs- random screen shots, one 5 different devices. A known issue.
Gs2- had a gps issue when i had it. I use gps alot. Aswell as a random green tint on the screen.
Gs3- like i stated, battery was a big issue after the update. Signal wasnt all that great in certain areas that i go to alot. And data was at horrible speed. Being honest my 4s gets a quicker connection that it ever did.
I always cleared out cache and killed apps and all that good stuff. It just simply didnt work for me. I cant say ill never go back to android, it depends what motorolas are out there at the time.
Its all personal experience, the s3 just isnt my preference due to my issues with it
Now im not tied to a os either. After 3-4 years of android i got bored with it. I lile change. My favorite os is windows. My carrier doesnt carry any though. Or id be using one now.
Like i said im simply not a samsung fan at all. But i wont bash a phone if ive never used it. Like the note II, ive never had one. But ive heard great things about it. Its just not the phone i wanted. I never had any luck with the gs, gs2, or gs3.
Gs- random screen shots, one 5 different devices. A known issue.
Gs2- had a gps issue when i had it. I use gps alot. Aswell as a random green tint on the screen.
Gs3- like i stated, battery was a big issue after the update. Signal wasnt all that great in certain areas that i go to alot. And data was at horrible speed. Being honest my 4s gets a quicker connection that it ever did.
I always cleared out cache and killed apps and all that good stuff. It just simply didnt work for me. I cant say ill never go back to android, it depends what motorolas are out there at the time.
Its all personal experience, the s3 just isnt my preference due to my issues with it
I wasn't speaking of you (or anyone specifically). Just in general - being told that I NEED a notification light and my iPhone just doesn't cut it without one, or that widgets are the be-all end-all in smartphone innovation, or that my 4" is just embarassingly small (which I don't find).
Excuse some of the hyperbole, but I've run into these critiques and many others like them - ultimately, we like what we like - and everyone is entitled to like what they like for whatever reason they choose.
On the other hand, I agree with you - we shouldn't let people get away with making baseless claims, which is why I suggested a less snide retort to achieve those ends - I myself am trying to lessen the snide comments I make toward Android - Samsung in particular......
Its a work in progress
Ah yes, to be fair I was having a trouble grasping that point of your post. It came to me later after I had responded. Can blame my poor comprehension and grasp of the English language I suddenly have at times. Mostly when I am attempting to sound smart on the internet.
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Yes, I have a tendency to be snarky from time to time. Much like Mr Wizzle I try my best to hold it in check. Curious have you read or heard anything fromt he supposed Googorola Phone X which is focusing on ridiculously good battery tech?
The last i heard was google could sell it off or do away with it. That coming from a die hard wont have anything but a samsung fan.
I highly doubt that will happen. I believe it could be a great phone. But time will tell. It could be like alot of phones, they are bd at release but a simple update can make it a giant.
I highly doubt that will happen. I believe it could be a great phone. But time will tell. It could be like alot of phones, they are bd at release but a simple update can make it a giant.
To be honest it sounds more like a faulty GS3.
I found mine to be perfect. But as i have stated before, if all that stuff from my post above ran on it, i would have never thought of an iPhone again. But since i am running alternate apps on it now (wifi transfer is still not as great as simple copy paste, but it is faster than waiting for itunes to respond to my clicks lol), i can manage till android gets all those apps or someone at Apple gets a clue and stops locking it so tight for no good to the users. You can keep the app installation locked in, go ahead, but allow me file management without iTunes for default and other apps. Even my nokia E71 could do it fine and there were no stability issues ever.
Ah yes, to be fair I was having a trouble grasping that point of your post. It came to me later after I had responded. Can blame my poor comprehension and grasp of the English language I suddenly have at times. Mostly when I am attempting to sound smart on the internet.
Lol been there - English comes and goes for me too....and its my first language!
Heres "some" info on the X. Link 2 mentions a speculation on a 8 core processor
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/01/2...ply-in-google-play-and-unlockable-on-verizon/
http://www.knowyourcell.com/news/1775602/motorola_x_phone_release_date_price_and_spec_rumors.html
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/01/2...ply-in-google-play-and-unlockable-on-verizon/
http://www.knowyourcell.com/news/1775602/motorola_x_phone_release_date_price_and_spec_rumors.html
In regards to the original question...
I never upgraded to the 5, because it didn't impress me. I waited around a while and tried out a few other devices here and there. Right now I'm using a Lumia 920 and I love it. It has its shortcomings for sure, I won't say it's perfect. But I think it's miles ahead of iOS in a lot of ways, while still being super stable, offering terrific battery life, a great camera, and a beautiful screen. I am usually way more interested in the OS, but the hardware on the 920 is just right for me. I also am loving that I rarely even have to open apps anymore because the live tiles display what I need to know for quick checks.
If iOS does something nice and if battery life improves, I'd check out the iPhone again. I love the apple ecosystem, it's second to none. Android's is great, but it's not as good and generally the apps aren't as polished. Android has so much going for it though, and if the S4 is a stunner I may have to go that way. I am not a huge fan of the Android layout, I think it's kind of bland. But being able to customize the crap out of it makes up for the overall look. Toggles are a huge plus (don't really have them on the 920) and the notifications are way better than iOS (although after a few days with the 920 I prefer the WP8 style of notifications).
No OS really offeres everything I want, but sad to say iOS has fallen to number 3 for me. I still have my iPad so I get to enjoy the awesome apps and ecosystem, but when it comes to my on the go needs, the iPhone stopped trying a while ago. I would come back for sure if Apple steps up their game. I'm done buying phones on contract so I'm ready whenever Apple is.
I never upgraded to the 5, because it didn't impress me. I waited around a while and tried out a few other devices here and there. Right now I'm using a Lumia 920 and I love it. It has its shortcomings for sure, I won't say it's perfect. But I think it's miles ahead of iOS in a lot of ways, while still being super stable, offering terrific battery life, a great camera, and a beautiful screen. I am usually way more interested in the OS, but the hardware on the 920 is just right for me. I also am loving that I rarely even have to open apps anymore because the live tiles display what I need to know for quick checks.
If iOS does something nice and if battery life improves, I'd check out the iPhone again. I love the apple ecosystem, it's second to none. Android's is great, but it's not as good and generally the apps aren't as polished. Android has so much going for it though, and if the S4 is a stunner I may have to go that way. I am not a huge fan of the Android layout, I think it's kind of bland. But being able to customize the crap out of it makes up for the overall look. Toggles are a huge plus (don't really have them on the 920) and the notifications are way better than iOS (although after a few days with the 920 I prefer the WP8 style of notifications).
No OS really offeres everything I want, but sad to say iOS has fallen to number 3 for me. I still have my iPad so I get to enjoy the awesome apps and ecosystem, but when it comes to my on the go needs, the iPhone stopped trying a while ago. I would come back for sure if Apple steps up their game. I'm done buying phones on contract so I'm ready whenever Apple is.
My wife gets about 6 hours from her s3. She loves the phone but can stand having to take a charger with her everywhere.