[dpscott]

I have been using an iPhone/iPod/iPad and MacBook since 2006 but in the last year I have become frustrated with the lack of pace and vision that Apple have pushed in to their OS and have decided to make the leap from the comfortable and safe Apple in to the world of Android.

My initial plan was to get the Samsung Galaxy S3 as that is the phone my partner has and she seems very happy with the user experience and especially the screen/camera quality but given the S4 is on its way I'd get that one... assuming it is all it is cracked up to be.

Unfortunately I have become so reliant on Apple's infracture I can't even being to comprehend the complex task of transfering my life from the iPhone to a new phone whilst keeping the iPad and MacBook in-sync with it.

I've already begun the task of syncing my contacts up from Apple Contacts to Google but here is what my questions to the community are;

1> I use me.com as my primary email/calandar account and cannot move away from it for business reasons. How easy is it to imap/pop3 and CALdav on Android?

2> I've avoided using iTunes for about 2years... Can I avoid PC software with an Android?

3> Apps! Apple has loads but Android has quality. Am I correct in saying for every app in the Apple App store there is an alternative/port on Android?

4> Is Swype actually worth using?

5> I've read lots about the S4's features coming to the S3 through a software update... is that true?


Finally and most importantly... is there another phone that I should be considering?

I live in town in the UK where we aren't likely to get reliable LTE for a good year so whilst a 4G phone would be nice it isn't essential and cost is a major factor.
I'm sat on Vodafone and have been for roughly 10 years on a contract and pay £15 (22USD) a month for Unlimited data, texts and calls and need to weigh up the options of upgrading the contract to include the phone against buying it outright.


Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

[Paul627g]

1> I use me.com as my primary email/calandar account and cannot move away from it for business reasons. How easy is it to imap/pop3 and CALdav on Android?

Yes there are lots of options available for email handling. Popular email apps like K9 email handle pop3 good. I'm sure others can make some good suggestions as well.

2> I've avoided using iTunes for about 2years... Can I avoid PC software with an Android?

There are options, and not having to deal with iTune's is a plus

3> Apps! Apple has loads but Android has quality. Am I correct in saying for every app in the Apple App store there is an alternative/port on Android?

You bet.. Most likely there is more than one alternative. Android has a great quantity too and in many cases out does Apple with the amount of FREE quality apps

4> Is Swype actually worth using?

Swype, Swift Key are two of the best in the Android world. Of course if your one who is content with the stock keyboard provided then so be it.

5> I've read lots about the S4's features coming to the S3 through a software update... is that true?

Samsung stated that they would attempt to update the S3 and other newer devices (we assume the Note 2) with as much of the ' software ' enhancements' as possible. No time frame was given I think at this point but it sounds like they aren't leaving the existing devices in the dust.

[Jude526]

I have the Note2 and love it. Its amazing

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note2

[nancybout]

Give it a few days, and you will see so much.
I left apple and now my 17yr daughter grabbed the s3..by morning the basics were figured out and now she's loving it.
You can get at play store emoticons.... And different text colors just by apps or click on the bottom when you have text opened and change bubble colors.
Once you get around Android, you will get it.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

[nancybout]

I love to swipe but bought swift key flow.. Is super fast and remembers my word and how I talk lol
There's a trial... Check it out.
I had to use the iphone yesterday and had slowed down miserably with the texting compared to the swift key.
Good luck

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

[nancybout]

The first day I had the note 2 was a little cumbersome but I got the hang of it.
I love the S voice.. I talk and it gets my voice always.. Siri has to get more developed.
You'll enjoy it... And I personally like iphone camera. I do like iphone but now prefer Android and the screen is just too small for my taste

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

[EvilMonkey]

2> I've avoided using iTunes for about 2years... Can I avoid PC software with an Android?

I'd say yes. There are some (like Kies backup) but you don't need to use it. You can sync iTunes with your phoen as well, but you don't have to. Easy enough to not.

3> Apps! Apple has loads but Android has quality. Am I correct in saying for every app in the Apple App store there is an alternative/port on Android?

It's kindof yes and no. Depends what you do. I haven't found a good replacement for Garage Band, for example, and iOS tends to have more games. Depends what you are looking for. If there's any app you're really concerned about, you can look for it in the Play store () or ask around about alternatives.

4> Is Swype actually worth using?

Again, yes and no. There are quite a few alternatives, but the big players are Swype and Swiftkey, but there's probably 6 dozen other keyboards as well. I use Swype and can say "Yes, it's worth it....to me" but it took a week or two to get used to swyping, but now that I've invested the time in getting used to it, I'm pretty quick with it.

5> I've read lots about the S4's features coming to the S3 through a software update... is that true?

Probably, but I don't believe it until I see it. I wouldn't take rumors or speculation or even "promises" from the company as gospel

[SWD]

As a previous Apple user I was Ecstatic switching to android. I prepared a bit before hand by exporting my contacts and importing into a new Gmail Account. I backed everything up just incase an issue happens.

I have not had any issues with importing my contacts for my business and I found the organization of it to be simple.
When it comes to itunes I manually imported the music I wanted into my external SD card, however there are software options allowing you to transfer from Itunes to android

When it comes to the google play store (app store) I found more variety for the android than the iphone. I have purchased a handful of apps and found they were free on the android vs. the iphone. Many stores will tell you if you purchased X amount of apps you should not consider switching. To be fair sometimes it is easier to start with a clean slate than to buy another iphone and transfer everything. 90% of the apps I purchased I no longer use.

Overall switching to android was the best investment I had made.

[Alex trebek]

I have been using an iPhone/iPod/iPad and MacBook since 2006 but in the last year I have become frustrated with the lack of pace and vision that Apple have pushed in to their OS and have decided to make the leap from the comfortable and safe Apple in to the world of Android.

My initial plan was to get the Samsung Galaxy S3 as that is the phone my partner has and she seems very happy with the user experience and especially the screen/camera quality but given the S4 is on its way I'd get that one... assuming it is all it is cracked up to be.

Unfortunately I have become so reliant on Apple's infracture I can't even being to comprehend the complex task of transfering my life from the iPhone to a new phone whilst keeping the iPad and MacBook in-sync with it.

I've already begun the task of syncing my contacts up from Apple Contacts to Google but here is what my questions to the community are;

1> I use me.com as my primary email/calandar account and cannot move away from it for business reasons. How easy is it to imap/pop3 and CALdav on Android?

2> I've avoided using iTunes for about 2years... Can I avoid PC software with an Android?

3> Apps! Apple has loads but Android has quality. Am I correct in saying for every app in the Apple App store there is an alternative/port on Android?

4> Is Swype actually worth using?

5> I've read lots about the S4's features coming to the S3 through a software update... is that true?


Finally and most importantly... is there another phone that I should be considering?

I live in town in the UK where we aren't likely to get reliable LTE for a good year so whilst a 4G phone would be nice it isn't essential and cost is a major factor.
I'm sat on Vodafone and have been for roughly 10 years on a contract and pay £15 (22USD) a month for Unlimited data, texts and calls and need to weigh up the options of upgrading the contract to include the phone against buying it outright.


Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

Welcome to Android Central! Great to have you. I will try to answer the questions I can.
1 K9 mail.

3 most apps are on the android but some are unique to one or the other. Keep in mind, Android apps are usually free. Also, Android users tend to spend less money on apps(for God's sake no one jump on me for that) it's weird but I spent a lot more on the iphone.

4 Swype sucks. I love SwiftKey. The only money I have spent on Android.
5 Yes, a lot are going to the S3.

I recommend the N4 or HTC One. If you are on Verizon, get the GS4 or DROID RAZR Maxx HD.

Welcome to the forums! Enjoy your stay.

Sent from my HTC Rhyme