The link below is more of a basic migration guide but gives some insight to a few common features on Android compared to the iPhone.Originally Posted by Piesang
http://lifehacker.com/5581029/jumpin...witchers-guide
The link below is more of a basic migration guide but gives some insight to a few common features on Android compared to the iPhone.
http://lifehacker.com/5581029/jumpin...witchers-guide
I only got my Desire yesterday, but it and the iPhone are, in my opinion, aimed at two different markets. At the risk of p*ssing off Apple faithfuls, here's why (and remember, this is based on personal experience and preference):
The iPhone is handy when you don't want to think, and don't mind settling for somebody else's idea of how you are allowed to do what they think you want to do.
The Droid's are for those that love control, customization and function.
For me, pretty != functional (yes, I'm a software developer), and I HATE being 100% reliant on iTunes for basic operations like installing applications.
I'm not a great "app" fan, and only actively use about 5 applications (all of which are reference types, like birding guides, wine lists, etc.), so am not too bothered about the availability of specific Android apps. Web browsing on the Desire beats the experience on the iPhone, making the browser a great alternative for anything I don't have installed on the droid in app form.
Build quality on both handsets are superb, and only time will tell if I end up permanently preferring one over the other. So heads up - there may be an iPhone 3Gs OR Desire up for sale in the next couple of weeks
Think that would some it up for the iPhone
Remember, Facetime is Wifi only, so very dependent on good wifi speed.
Saw a chart comparing free apps on Android vs. Iphone. 20% of iPhone apps are free, vs. 70% of Android apps. Keep in mind Android has about half the amount of apps the iPhone has, but Android is catching up very fast.
The point of it being Wi-Fi only was partly due to AT&T's bad 3G connectivity in the USA I reckon.
I'm not really phased about numbers in terms of apps, I just need apps I'll actually(might) use.
Yeah, it could be...I mean, technically video calling is a gimmick that never really worked here. Not saying a time won't come, but for now you would have like no one to really video call.
About the usable apps, I have found quite a number for just about every need, so they are definitely out there. And I do think it's both for iPhone and Android. Android will just start being a more attractive platform to design for in the next while, especially with the new app designer. I am keen to try a few ideas for apps. I know the app designer will not be the be all in this case, but it's a good place to start and work on from I think.
I can't wait for the day I get a newer Android phone
The G1/Dream's main bottleneck is the RAM at the moment. That and the horrible battery life...
That 'extended controls' app looks a lot like the power control bar that I've had on just about every CyanoGen rom I've used.
I use ES File Explorer, not Astro. It works nicely when I want to copy a file or two over WiFi to/from Windows/SMB shares.
Astro has a SMB module, works 100%. It also has a function to backup all your apps, and it does so VERY quickly....
G1 - ouch. Let just pretend that didn't happen - like the Batman movies in the '80s and '90s...
There are plenty apps and rowing fast, but app number is kinda irrelevant. A study about 6 months ago of iPhone apps showed that the 1000th most popular app was installed on just over 1% of devices and the 2000th most popular app was installed on only a small fraction of a percent of phones. The lesson being that once you get over 3 or 4 thousand apps it doesn't really make much difference how many apps there are since everything after the 3000th most popular app is only installed on the phones of the developer (and their family). Android's 100 000+ apps put it way above the threshold.
I think it's more important to look at the range of apps, and this is where Android wins.
The iPhone only got a compass with the 3GS, so android had a year and a half head start in augmented reality apps and other uses for the compass.
The iPhone only got an autofocus camera with the 3GS, so android is way ahead in apps like barcode scanners etc, that need autofocus.
The iPhone only just got multitasking with iOS4, so android is waaaay ahead in apps that need to run in the background (there are quite a few of these that I find indispensable)
Then there are those types of apps that Apple just don't allow, especially when they duplicate core functionality. This means that there are tons of apps for alternative dialers, keyboards etc for android that you don't get for iPhone.
I think Android has a better range of apps...
Last edited by duncan1a; 19-07-2010 at 10:14 AM. Reason: changed 3G to 3GS
I am on the lookout for a good wine app. Which app are you using for wine lists?
On the iPhone? Try Winesnob.
on android
ES also has a program backup.
I'll try Astro again sometime... but ES works fine for my needs.
Hehe, it's still got plenty of functionality. Heck, I might retire it to a glorified GPS in my car if I ever get an upgrade.
Very good point. Apple is in the lead with the gyro though - that's something we'll probably see soon on Android devices, as it's much more responsive than a digital compass.
The default Andoid market needs some better categorisation to keep up with all the apps.
Relative 'crap' like sound boards, or celebrity ringtones and other such clutter up various categories.
AppBrain is one improvement I can highly recommend.
I'd also love for updates to be more automated. Updating 10+ apps is a schlep.
One other thing that did come up in various discussions though:
Apple users are used to paying for small things through iTunes, and are more likely to buy an app from the store.
Android users seem to prefer the free apps.
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