[nuraman00]

I didn't realize how many of their apps were exclusive to Samsung.

Between their phone, text, and voicemail app, it was all theirs.

Which means I can't get it on a non Samsung phone.

The layout, simplicity, and features were just better than other apps.

I thought the point of Android was so that I wouldn't get locked into one environment.

But by making their apps exclusive to them, they've become another Apple.

[mustang7757]

It's same on other manufacturer's u can't get get certain apps on other devices, probably Google app only one that's works with most Android.

[nuraman00]

So Asus or Motorola or HTC all have their own apps too for some stuff?

[mustang7757]

Yeah

[nuraman00]

Ok, thanks.

I haven't owned many different brands of devices.

A Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, Galaxy Tab S4 tablet, and now a Sony Xperia 5 IV phone.

So it's the first time I'm on a non Samsung smart device, so I'm noticing a lot of differences where Samsung did things that I considered easy to use, or had a clean layout, which are not the same on the Sony phone.

[mustang7757]

Ok, thanks.

I haven't owned many different brands of devices.

A Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, Galaxy Tab S4 tablet, and now a Sony Xperia 5 IV phone.

So it's the first time I'm on a non Samsung smart device, so I'm noticing a lot of differences where Samsung did things that I considered easy to use, or had a clean layout, which are not the same on the Sony phone.

Yeah manufacturer want entice you to pick them and will try keep those apps or features for them for most part , I have Samsung,pixels,One plus , iPhones and pretty much all the same in that way

[B. Diddy]

Samsung has been developing their own ecosystem for a while now -- it's a way to try to get people to keep purchasing Samsung devices. For a while, there were even rumors that Samsung wanted to abandon Android and just go with their own OS (Tizen), but the few Tizen phones that came out were pretty much abysmal failures, so they ditched that idea.

You can always install Google's version of the various apps (like Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, etc.). Since those Google apps are universally available across all Android devices, that's the best way to hedge your bets, in case you ever decide to step away from Samsung. But you're right, if you get deeply involved in Samsung's ecosystem, it can be a pain to move to another manufacturer and keep all of that data.

[nuraman00]

Samsung has been developing their own ecosystem for a while now -- it's a way to try to get people to keep purchasing Samsung devices. For a while, there were even rumors that Samsung wanted to abandon Android and just go with their own OS (Tizen), but the few Tizen phones that came out were pretty much abysmal failures, so they ditched that idea.

You can always install Google's version of the various apps (like Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, etc.). Since those Google apps are universally available across all Android devices, that's the best way to hedge your bets, in case you ever decide to step away from Samsung. But you're right, if you get deeply involved in Samsung's ecosystem, it can be a pain to move to another manufacturer and keep all of that data.

I found the data transfer to be ok.

It's just that the simplicity and UI of Phone, Messages, and Visual Voicemail were better than I realized, plus OneTouch.

Phone: I can view log history in one click, unlike Google Phone, which takes two. Plus Phone also shows me SMS history when I click on that contact. It will show me phone or SMS history.

Messages: It's just a cleaner layout.

Visual Voicemail: Well if I don't want Google Phone because of the aforementioned two click history reason, I have to search for a new voicemail. But most of those other apps either have ads, or they don't work. Google Phone had a voicemail app within it. But I couldn't find a 3rd party voicemail that I liked or that worked, that didn't have ads.

OneTouch: I've been having problems with Xperia's launcher not showing a new message counter when using Next SMS by Handcent. I have a support thread with them. One Touch on Samsung never had a problem like that.

I also tried Nova Launcher and S-Launcher, so it may be a problem with Next SMS specifically. But still, just the fact that stuff with Samsung's launcher and apps worked, and were easier, makes me miss that.

BTW I created a few threads here, in case anyone wanted to read or comment on them.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/sony-xperia-5/

Probably the most seamless thing has been the side fingerprint on the Xperia. It's been as easy to use as Samsung's front fingerprint on the Note 4 was.

[nuraman00]

I guess one more discussion point.

If Samsung thinks developing their own ecosystem with software apps are going to sway people to keep buying their phones, well it won't work on me.

My reasons for choosing a phone are based on size, hardware, design, display, location of ports or sensors, RAM, CPU, storage.

I wouldn't abandon one of those criteria for a software app exclusive to Samsung.

If Samsung wanted to, they should just charge a few $ for non Samsung users or something, for their apps.

[Laura Knotek]

This is exactly the same way things are done even in the world of PC parts. Nvidia just released the RTX 4090 Founder's Edition graphics card and 3rd party manufacturers released their versions of the RTX 4090. The 3rd party card manufacturers add additional accessories or features such as RGB, extra cables, water coolers, etc to differentiate their cards from the card made by Nvidia itself. Yes, it's possible to use any graphics card in any build if it's compatible with the case, power supply, etc. However, wanting those extra features or accessories requires one to pick a specific brand of graphics card, and none of the others will have those particular features or accessories. The most barebones card in terms of appearance is the Nvidia Founder's Edition.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

[Golfdriver97]

Samsung has been developing their own ecosystem for a while now -- it's a way to try to get people to keep purchasing Samsung devices. For a while, there were even rumors that Samsung wanted to abandon Android and just go with their own OS (Tizen), but the few Tizen phones that came out were pretty much abysmal failures, so they ditched that idea.

I remember seeing reports a long while back that Samsung couldn't fork out enough bonus money for people to want to develop for Tizen. I think it was shortly after the crash of several subsequent Tizen devices was when Samsung realize that Android needs Samsung as much as Samsung needs Android, in terms of phones.

[mustang7757]

[Moved this from Note 4 forums to general discussion Forums]

[Morty2264]

Samsung does have really effective manufacturer-specific apps that I certainly miss when I buy non-Samsung products.

[fuzzylumpkin]

It's not just the "third party" manufacturers, even Google themselves do it. The Google apps like phone and Gboard that work the same on all devices don't work the same on all devices. Google include some features that are only available to Pixels... which is pretty horrific in certain instances in my opinion.

My advice is to be like me and hate every company lol. I hate some more than others, but they all only care about one thin... They don't really love you, they just want your money. Anyone who is a fan of a big company is an *****. That isn't to say you can't love a product though, but be a fan of the Pixel 7 pro or the S22 Ultra, not Google or Samsung.

[fuzzylumpkin]

This is exactly the same way things are done even in the world of PC parts. Nvidia just released the RTX 4090 Founder's Edition graphics card and 3rd party manufacturers released their versions of the RTX 4090. The 3rd party card manufacturers add additional accessories or features such as RGB, extra cables, water coolers, etc to differentiate their cards from the card made by Nvidia itself. Yes, it's possible to use any graphics card in any build if it's compatible with the case, power supply, etc. However, wanting those extra features or accessories requires one to pick a specific brand of graphics card, and none of the others will have those particular features or accessories. The most barebones card in terms of appearance is the Nvidia Founder's Edition.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

And let's not even start on how awfully nVidia has been treating it's OEM AIB partners lately... It's becoming increasingly more apparent that they want to make their own cards compete with their partners rather than just being reference boards.

[Joshua Luther1]

It's not just the "third party" manufacturers, even Google themselves do it. The Google apps like phone and Gboard that work the same on all devices don't work the same on all devices. Google include some features that are only available to Pixels... which is pretty horrific in certain instances in my opinion.

My advice is to be like me and hate every company lol. I hate some more than others, but they all only care about one thin... They don't really love you, they just want your money. Anyone who is a fan of a big company is an *****. That isn't to say you can't love a product though, but be a fan of the Pixel 7 pro or the S22 Ultra, not Google or Samsung.

Yeah I've never understood the reason why people hate big companies. They are definitely out to just make money. I don't use an iPhone because I hate Apple. I just hate the phone and the operating system. Apple is out to make money just like Google and Samsung. If they make a good product then I'll buy it. I generally don't believe in boycotting a business because that business is going to thrive and be successful regardless of my decision to boycott them. I suppose I understand boycotting a company for moral decisions that they make. Because you don't want to give your money to them but sometimes there's just no choice. And no company is perfect.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[L0n3N1nja]

Samsung has been developing their own ecosystem for a while now -- it's a way to try to get people to keep purchasing Samsung devices. For a while, there were even rumors that Samsung wanted to abandon Android and just go with their own OS (Tizen), but the few Tizen phones that came out were pretty much abysmal failures, so they ditched that idea.

You can always install Google's version of the various apps (like Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, etc.). Since those Google apps are universally available across all Android devices, that's the best way to hedge your bets, in case you ever decide to step away from Samsung. But you're right, if you get deeply involved in Samsung's ecosystem, it can be a pain to move to another manufacturer and keep all of that data.

I worked closely with Samsung back than. As a phone OS Tizen seemed to do well but it absolutely lacked apps and would have been destined to failure like every thing else that wasn't Android/iOS. Tizen got new life as the OS for their watches.

[B. Diddy]

I worked closely with Samsung back than. As a phone OS Tizen seemed to do well but it absolutely lacked apps and would have been destined to failure like every thing else that wasn't Android/iOS. Tizen got new life as the OS for their watches.

But now it looks like Samsung is focusing on Wear OS (and, of course, its own modifications to it) starting with the Galaxy Watch4. Are they still making any other wearables with Tizen?

[nuraman00]

This is exactly the same way things are done even in the world of PC parts. Nvidia just released the RTX 4090 Founder's Edition graphics card and 3rd party manufacturers released their versions of the RTX 4090. The 3rd party card manufacturers add additional accessories or features such as RGB, extra cables, water coolers, etc to differentiate their cards from the card made by Nvidia itself. Yes, it's possible to use any graphics card in any build if it's compatible with the case, power supply, etc. However, wanting those extra features or accessories requires one to pick a specific brand of graphics card, and none of the others will have those particular features or accessories. The most barebones card in terms of appearance is the Nvidia Founder's Edition.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

This is a good example. I ended up buying the MSI version of a graphics card because something about it was a little more appealing.

[nuraman00]

Samsung does have really effective manufacturer-specific apps that I certainly miss when I buy non-Samsung products.

This is what initially made me make this thread title. I didn't realize how much of their apps were their own, that I liked, until I switched.

[AndroidFanboy8]

I didn't realize how many of their apps were exclusive to Samsung.

Between their phone, text, and voicemail app, it was all theirs.

Which means I can't get it on a non Samsung phone.

The layout, simplicity, and features were just better than other apps.

I thought the point of Android was so that I wouldn't get locked into one environment.

But by making their apps exclusive to them, they've become another Apple.

I prefer ALL of the Google versions, never liked the Samsung versions. With Samsung phones, alot of features are exclusive to their apps only. Some like this, and some people don't prefer them.

[J Dubbs]

I prefer ALL of the Google versions, never liked the Samsung versions. With Samsung phones, alot of features are exclusive to their apps only. Some like this, and some people don't prefer them.

I'm not sure why, but I don't trust Samsung as much as Google with my personal information ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[fuzzylumpkin]

I'm not sure why, but I don't trust Samsung as much as Google with my personal information ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Same. Google being an Advertising company, our data is their bread and butter. They won't let it out of their grubby, sticky little metaphorical fingers. Samsung sell products, and their preinstalation of crapps like Facebook, linkedin, McAfee and in the past stuff like Fortnite shows that they don't really care about their users very much.

That said, we should only trust any of these companies to act in their intterest, none of them care about users beyond ensuring we don't hate them enough to stop giving them our money.

[mustang7757]

I'm not sure why, but I don't trust Samsung as much as Google with my personal information ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Google/Samsung/iPhone never had issues with my data, One Plus also through the years