3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...(Update: I think though I will stay with Android)

[Dizfunctions]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

If iMessage was open source and worked on all platforms then I'd use it in a heartbeat...

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Google+ AutoBackup photos are available on all devices that have G+ installed (Android and iOS) and from any browser via this site: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos. There are also desktop applications for both Windows and Mac.

I'd challenge the last point pretty strongly as well, there are a lot of people that use ChromeOS and/or live in their browsers predominately when they are on a different OS when not on mobile. Those two things are more similar than not and it may be important to realize that while we seek to crack the internet open to consumer choice and a broader market offering from currently silo'd experiences.

Here's the main distinction for me from the cross-platform perspective: With Android, almost everything that I do on my phone or tablet has a direct way of interacting with everything I do on any desktop. Google's services are available from any desktop/laptop OS via the browser, if not more dedicated apps as well and many are available on iOS too. This means you can have an Android phone, an iPad a Chromebook, a Windows 8 desktop at home and a Mac Pro at work and all (or most) of your Google stuff is already integrated across all of those devices. Going the other direction, Apple's services sync great with Apple devices, and it is possible, but often difficult and counter-intuitive to try to access your content, etc that lives in their ecosystem on devices that are not created by Apple.

This isn't just an Apple problem, it's something we recognize in Windows and even with Samsung in Andriod and Tizen (see the smart-watch fiasco) - if your stuff requires more of your stuff to work, that's not cool. Ultimately I believe consumers should be able to buy whatever device they want and be able to access their online lives across all of them - and have a good experience doing so. Obviously that won't necessarily be painless, but that does seem to be the approach that Google takes in supporting all of these operating systems and trying to make their services as accessible and ubiquitous as possible.

After reading your post I even more realized that even trying using sth else than iOS doesn't make sense to me..

What is the point of using a Mac instead of a PC if you are not even willing to use its applications? There are some unique apps, with great design, offering fantastic functionality (like Omnifocus for example), that have only iOS apps as companions. No Windows, no Android, nothing.
Cross platform is certainly important, but, at the end of the day what counts (for me at least), which user experience is better. This battle has Apple won many years ago...
I don't want to start using my Mac as a web browser. This is what Google want people to do, so that Google can sell more Ads...
You said that Apple is trying to lock us in their ecosystem. This is exactly what everybody is doing! What is the difference? Apple has a more tighter integration which leads to a much better user experience, but also to a closeness of the whole ecosystem. What is the alternative? Going totally platform agnostic, which has certainly its advantages, but also many disadvantages. I do not want a degraded user experience. I want that my apps look and feel like Mac apps. I will never use Hangouts on my Mac. Why? Because the browser is not my computer!
The whole Android vs iOS reminds me a lot about Windows vs Mac, some years ago...
Google+ syncs pictures with Mac and PCs you said, and that is of course true. The problem is, Google+ has no integration with Aperture or iPhoto. If you want to go platform agnostic fine, but please Google, when you create apps that sync your content, integrate them with the major Mac apps (the same goes for Windows apps too). Syncing files is so 90's...This is not the modern way of doing things. Technology should be accessible by everybody and that is what Apple has done (granted, if you have the money to get Apple devices). My father is 72 years old and uses an iMac. I tried to make him use Windows and he just couldn't..
Chrome OS is being used by no one but Google hard core fans...
At the end of the day I chose to get a Mac and get into the ecosystem.

The reason I even tried to get into the Android world was (and still is) the HTC One M8. I don't like all other Android phones, mainly because of the lack of polish and top hardware materials that are being used. Maybe the Z2 comes close too.
If the M8 didn't exist, I would never even consider going Android.

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

All I can tell you buddy is you have to use Android and understand that it will never work as IOS. They are 2 different operating systems each one has its advantages. I find IOS better implemented for Apple users makes everything a breeze for set up and all. I hate it that it's completely closed down and have very little choices outside what Apple choses.

Android for example I just love the fact that I can change the keyboard. I love the sharing function from anywhere where apps can tie into it. I love Google now personally. I use Evernote for all tasks and note taking and syncs everywhere. I also find that Android notification system destroys IOS. I went back to IOS when the iPhone 5 came out took me 4 days went back to Android. I could not type on the iPhone after being used to SwiftKey.

With Android there is always a fix for wtv issue you encounter.

Posted via Android Central App

Android notifications are great when using the device, but worse than iOS notifications when the device is on standby (lock screen notifications).
I use OneNote and it is also available on both major platforms (Windows and Mac).

 

[Aquila]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

After reading your post I even more realized that even trying using sth else than iOS doesn't make sense to me..

Right, the interchangeability goes one direction only. If you want the Apple experience then it doesn't (and should not) exist on anything else. Everything works the other direction in that on Apple you can use most of the services that are on all other platforms, but that is not reciprocated. As you're already in that camp, that's clearly not a problem - but it is the primary challenge faced by people wanting to become more OS/Device inclusive. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with your position, please don't take it that way. The mental transition to the device disappearing is one of prioritizing functionality over methodology and that isn't always the right priority for everyone.

For me personally it is important for me to be able to pick up any device, click on my portrait and maybe type a password and then the entirety of my online experience is available. That does require a little bit of platform agnostic services, but over the last several years that's largely the direction the web has gone and in many cases the UX is on par - it's at minimum not night and day.

The thing we're noticing here though, is that it is also important for YOU to be able to pick up whatever device you have available and dive right into your experience. The conclusion I think we're getting to is that unless services that span platforms are adopted, then you get a disjointed experience that deeply suffers compared to being fully invested in one or another all inclusive approach. The advantage I describe to my approach is that unlike your system, I can pick up an iPad and all of my stuff is still available to me with very little effort and search for the right apps, etc. Coming the other direction, I agree that advantage is not only not present, but it's incredibly difficult to hack together a solution that makes it feel credible.

Bottom line, we feel you, it's hard - but an actual full transition will require a paradigm shift and if you like where you're at, it's not our place to say whether our way is better or worse for you - how would we know?

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Right, the interchangeability goes one direction only. If you want the Apple experience then it doesn't (and should not) exist on anything else. Everything works the other direction in that on Apple you can use most of the services that are on all other platforms, but that is not reciprocated. As you're already in that camp, that's clearly not a problem - but it is the primary challenge faced by people wanting to become more OS/Device inclusive. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with your position, please don't take it that way. The mental transition to the device disappearing is one of prioritizing functionality over methodology and that isn't always the right priority for everyone.

For me personally it is important for me to be able to pick up any device, click on my portrait and maybe type a password and then the entirety of my online experience is available. That does require a little bit of platform agnostic services, but over the last several years that's largely the direction the web has gone and in many cases the UX is on par - it's at minimum not night and day.

The thing we're noticing here though, is that it is also important for YOU to be able to pick up whatever device you have available and dive right into your experience. The conclusion I think we're getting to is that unless services that span platforms are adopted, then you get a disjointed experience that deeply suffers compared to being fully invested in one or another all inclusive approach. The advantage I describe to my approach is that unlike your system, I can pick up an iPad and all of my stuff is still available to me with very little effort and search for the right apps, etc. Coming the other direction, I agree that advantage is not only not present, but it's incredibly difficult to hack together a solution that makes it feel credible.

Bottom line, we feel you, it's hard - but an actual full transition will require a paradigm shift and if you like where you're at, it's not our place to say whether our way is better or worse for you - how would we know?

Unfortunately Apple, Google and Microsoft won't offer full interoperability and functionality between OSes...If they did that, they would lose an important advantage..
It's not that I am saying I want to use iCloud on Android (which would maybe be possible but really not great)..I am using many services that are available on many platforms, but I want the apps that I use to take advantage of the OS they were written for.
Lastpass for example is a great password manager, but 1Password is so much better! 1Password offers clients for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android (in beta but looks really good). 1Password shows that this kind of interoperability can be done, with no loss of functionality or getting the impression that apps do not take advantage of the platform they live in..Lastpass works great but looks awful, and I cannot use it on my Macs. No way..
Google could easily write a sync software that connects to iTunes, iPhoto and Aperture. What is the problem with that??? It wouldn't hurt interoperability at all! They are not doing that because Aperture does not display any Ads...
Wunderlist is another example of good interoperability. Their clients are good and work on each platform a bit differently. That is also good!

I don't want to have such an OS agnostic behavior. Apple's approach is the best for me, and yes, it has the disadvantage that people can only use Apple hardware. At least their hardware is the best on this planet, so this shouldn't be an issue on most cases..
Fact is, if people want ease of use, and a seamless user experience, then there is only one choice for all computing needs at the moment...

How can I explain my best friend that got a Nexus 5 that he has to enable developer mode just to sync his local Mac contacts? Android is really great, but user friendliness is at the bottom..The out of the box experience must get much better and I am sure Google is working on that, but they are not there yet...
Experienced computer users don't have any issues of course using Android..

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

In reply to Kevin O'Quinn's post.

Its easy to attach photos to emails in ios. You just select the photo, hit the share button and choose email.

Posted via Android Central App

If I wanted to be picky I would say that's not attaching a photo to an email, that's sending a photo as an email. I can not be in the Mail app, reading an email, and hit reply and attach a photo to my reply. IMO it's basic functionality and is missing in the native app.

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

If I wanted to be picky I would say that's not attaching a photo to an email, that's sending a photo as an email. I can not be in the Mail app, reading an email, and hit reply and attach a photo to my reply. IMO it's basic functionality and is missing in the native app.

You can. This is one of the new features in iOS 6 (I think). Other file types though cannot be attached

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

You can. This is one of the new features in iOS 6 (I think). Other file types though cannot be attached

Hmm...definitely going to have to take another look. Or not, since I already installed the Gmail app.

I don't need Exchange on the iPad so I don't need to worry about that.

 

[kevinnugent]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Wow, what a lovely breath of fresh air this thread is. I'm more used to Crackberry where the OP would have been torn to shreds well before now! . Thank you all for this input.

I just got myself an M8, and half the fun for me is reading all about my new devices on the relevant forums. Android Central just went up 10 points on my Like Meter.

 

[Aquila]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Wow, what a lovely breath of fresh air this thread is. I'm more used to Crackberry where the OP would have been torn to shreds well before now! . Thank you all for this input.

I just got myself an M8, and half the fun for me is reading all about my new devices on the relevant forums. Android Central just went up 10 points on my Like Meter.

It's possible that we enjoy the hunt more and that the expected rending is still coming....

XTNiT-1060 through spacetime.

 

[bobbob1016]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Unfortunately Apple, Google and Microsoft won't offer full interoperability and functionality between OSes...If they did that, they would lose an important advantage..
It's not that I am saying I want to use iCloud on Android (which would maybe be possible but really not great)..I am using many services that are available on many platforms, but I want the apps that I use to take advantage of the OS they were written for.
Lastpass for example is a great password manager, but 1Password is so much better! 1Password offers clients for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android (in beta but looks really good). 1Password shows that this kind of interoperability can be done, with no loss of functionality or getting the impression that apps do not take advantage of the platform they live in..Lastpass works great but looks awful, and I cannot use it on my Macs. No way..
Google could easily write a sync software that connects to iTunes, iPhoto and Aperture. What is the problem with that??? It wouldn't hurt interoperability at all! They are not doing that because Aperture does not display any Ads...
Wunderlist is another example of good interoperability. Their clients are good and work on each platform a bit differently. That is also good!

I don't want to have such an OS agnostic behavior. Apple's approach is the best for me, and yes, it has the disadvantage that people can only use Apple hardware. At least their hardware is the best on this planet, so this shouldn't be an issue on most cases..
Fact is, if people want ease of use, and a seamless user experience, then there is only one choice for all computing needs at the moment...

How can I explain my best friend that got a Nexus 5 that he has to enable developer mode just to sync his local Mac contacts? Android is really great, but user friendliness is at the bottom..The out of the box experience must get much better and I am sure Google is working on that, but they are not there yet...
Experienced computer users don't have any issues of course using Android..

Hotmail works fine on my Android, as well as iPhone. GMail works fine on my iOS/WP8/BB10 devices too. Google has the most incentive to have their stuff work cross platform.

Personally, I really prefer LastPass over 1Password. Your opinions are preference, but I can use LastPass on Linux, Windows, OSX, WP8, iOS, Android, BB10, even my WebOS tablet iirc. They also support Two-Factor, something I don't think 1Password is doing yet. I LastPass to sign in just now, and I prefer function over form if it is that much better.

Google did write much better sync software. It's just using their services to sync in the background. On my Mac/PC/Linux/WP8/iOS/Android/BB10, I just enable them as a sync service and it works. I don't plug anything in to anything but a charger. If I'm browsing GPlay from my Mac, I click "Install" and pick my Android device (tablet vs phone) and bam, it's on my phone. It's really two mindsets. Either syncing with a cable, which I find tedious, and not for me, or over the cloud, which happens without fail automatically. Google could write something to work with Aperture, sure. But again, why would they? Then someone would ask for Photoshop, then GIMP, then all the others. Honestly, I've never used Aperture, but can't it export to a folder? Then you could have G+ automatically syncing that folder, and it's on your phone?... Or if you're set on plugging in, you could put your phone in "camera mode" instead of MTP or whatever, and then it shows up like a drive?

Basically what you're saying is that you prefer to sync with a cable and as Android is past that, and you'd prefer it not be. Do you think Apple isn't going to do something to stop Google from syncing with Aperture? Is it at all possible? Microsoft allegedly (although almost definitely) made it difficult for Lotus Office to run, wouldn't Apple do the same?

It isn't "fact" that iOS is easier. If it was, there wouldn't be anyone using iOS. It's a "fact" for you. Personally, I find it much easier to *never* sync with a cable. Has a friend of yours ever accidentally erased their data by saying "setup as new iPhone" or mixed their contacts with another computer's by plugging in? Is that easier or harder to fix?

Your friend had to go to developer mode to just go to System Preferences -> Internet Accounts (I'm on Mavericks so it might be worded a little differently for you) -> + -> Gmail?

Or if you still *insist* on a cable, which would only get you outdated contact info anyways the second you change something, you could open the Contacts on your Mac, then Export, then VCard and send that to your Android using the File Transfer program they make for the Mac, and then import it to the contacts on your phone. Not easy, but I can't see a reason you wouldn't just do the System Prefs route.

Edit: Again, I'm just offering counterpoints, I'm not saying this as *you* should change, I'm saying it as "future people reading this need to figure which person they agree with more, and that's the platform for them".

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Hotmail works fine on my Android, as well as iPhone. GMail works fine on my iOS/WP8/BB10 devices too. Google has the most incentive to have their stuff work cross platform.

Personally, I really prefer LastPass over 1Password. Your opinions are preference, but I can use LastPass on Linux, Windows, OSX, WP8, iOS, Android, BB10, even my WebOS tablet iirc. They also support Two-Factor, something I don't think 1Password is doing yet. I LastPass to sign in just now, and I prefer function over form if it is that much better.

Google did write much better sync software. It's just using their services to sync in the background. On my Mac/PC/Linux/WP8/iOS/Android/BB10, I just enable them as a sync service and it works. I don't plug anything in to anything but a charger. If I'm browsing GPlay from my Mac, I click "Install" and pick my Android device (tablet vs phone) and bam, it's on my phone. It's really two mindsets. Either syncing with a cable, which I find tedious, and not for me, or over the cloud, which happens without fail automatically. Google could write something to work with Aperture, sure. But again, why would they? Then someone would ask for Photoshop, then GIMP, then all the others. Honestly, I've never used Aperture, but can't it export to a folder? Then you could have G+ automatically syncing that folder, and it's on your phone?... Or if you're set on plugging in, you could put your phone in "camera mode" instead of MTP or whatever, and then it shows up like a drive?

Basically what you're saying is that you prefer to sync with a cable and as Android is past that, and you'd prefer it not be. Do you think Apple isn't going to do something to stop Google from syncing with Aperture? Is it at all possible? Microsoft allegedly (although almost definitely) made it difficult for Lotus Office to run, wouldn't Apple do the same?

It isn't "fact" that iOS is easier. If it was, there wouldn't be anyone using iOS. It's a "fact" for you. Personally, I find it much easier to *never* sync with a cable. Has a friend of yours ever accidentally erased their data by saying "setup as new iPhone" or mixed their contacts with another computer's by plugging in? Is that easier or harder to fix?

Your friend had to go to developer mode to just go to System Preferences -> Internet Accounts (I'm on Mavericks so it might be worded a little differently for you) -> + -> Gmail?

Or if you still *insist* on a cable, which would only get you outdated contact info anyways the second you change something, you could open the Contacts on your Mac, then Export, then VCard and send that to your Android using the File Transfer program they make for the Mac, and then import it to the contacts on your phone. Not easy, but I can't see a reason you wouldn't just do the System Prefs route.

Edit: Again, I'm just offering counterpoints, I'm not saying this as *you* should change, I'm saying it as "future people reading this need to figure which person they agree with more, and that's the platform for them".

I am all for wireless syncing. Of course Aperture can export to folders and that is how I copy my pics to my HTC.
With the iPhone though I don't even need to do that. My pictures are in the photo stream and I can access them very easily..

There are people that don't want to sync with the cloud. They just do not trust it. My best friend is like that and he had to enable developer mode (not on Mavericks but on his Nexus) in order to enable USB debugging.. This is really not user friendly..

 

[bobbob1016]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

I am all for wireless syncing. Of course Aperture can export to folders and that is how I copy my pics to my HTC.
With the iPhone though I don't even need to do that. My pictures are in the photo stream and I can access them very easily..

There are people that don't want to sync with the cloud. They just do not trust it. My best friend is like that and he had to enable developer mode (not on Mavericks but on his Nexus) in order to enable USB debugging.. This is really not user friendly..

So using an Apple program to an Apple phone works better than an Apple program to a non-Apple phone? Or that it integrates better? Google can't make something add to Aperture to have it automatically go to Google. They could I guess have something monitor Aperture, but honestly, it's a lesser used program. I don't use Aperture, so I may be wrong, but couldn't you have G+/Dropbox/Onedrive/whatever look for and sync from Aperture's save folder? Yes it isn't automatic, and as Apple programs aren't made to be open, it's called a walled garden for a reason, that would be the best bet.

I meant that it wouldn't be called Internet Accounts on something older than Mavericks. The one thing I don't get with "I don't trust the cloud" people is that they haven't looked at all the source-code for the device they use. How do they know that Google/Apple/Microsoft isn't phoning the info home without telling you? If Google/Apple/Microsoft wanted to get your data, couldn't they hide something to steal the data anyways? There was an OSX program called iSync, but Apple killed it off. I used it to sync my Mac to my BlackJack II years and years ago.

I don't think Google will make a contact sync program as it's honestly a step backwards. For the privacy conscious there's OwnCloud. ownCloud.org | Your Cloud, Your Data, Your Way! It's like syncing with Google/Apple/Microsoft, but the cloud lives on a PC/Mac/Linux/FreeBSD that you own. It takes a little work, but it's like saying that the VCR is better than a DVR because you don't have to worry about the cable company knowing what you record.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

What frustrates me is people who feel the need to come to a forum, any forum on any subject, and tell it's members why they're making a mistake to use / support the subject of the forum. Oh, I know the OP didn't come right out and say that. He told us what he thinks is wrong with Android. But by doing so he's implying we've all chosen the wrong platform, and must be somewhat slow in the head to not follow his lead and switch to OIS.

If you don't like Android, then fine, chose something else. But just go. Don't come back here and tell us why you think you're superior. That's just another form of trolling.

BTW, biggest weakness of iOS? Keyboard. Swiftkey is so dramatically superior that typing on an iPhone makes me feel like I'm back in kindergarten with a box of broken crayons.

 

[Riley2521]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

You will probably think that I am crazy, but I turned on my HTC One and I knew I am sending it back, and for the first time I felt that I don't want to part from it.
I miss a lot of things from the iPhone though, so I don't really know what to do...

Posted via Android Central App

Boy oh boy do I feel your pain. I just sold my HTC M8 to go back to my iPhone 5S.....but now I'm eyeing the LG G2.

It is SOOO hard to leave the Apple ecosystem when everyone you know uses Apple. It really is. My entire family uses it, and when I went to the M8 I had to have them all turn on SMS so I could text with them. It's a pain....but it can be done.

I once heard it described like drug addiction....it sucks leaving it at first, but after a while you will realize it's for the best.

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

What frustrates me is people who feel the need to come to a forum, any forum on any subject, and tell it's members why they're making a mistake to use / support the subject of the forum. Oh, I know the OP didn't come right out and say that. He told us what he thinks is wrong with Android. But by doing so he's implying we've all chosen the wrong platform, and must be somewhat slow in the head to not follow his lead and switch to OIS.

If you don't like Android, then fine, chose something else. But just go. Don't come back here and tell us why you think you're superior. That's just another form of trolling.

Very interesting interpretation of what I said...
Up until now we didn't have a typical fanboy answer, but I guess it was about time..

What you don't get is that I am trying to like Android and I have given it a fair chance...I am even still thinking about keeping my M8...

 

[jshadow]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

I spent about two years with IOS and had 3 iPhones. All were jailbroken. I got a mid range android phone to play with a few weeks ago. I rooted it the day after I got it and I am so happy. There are so many more things to do with an android phone than with an iPhone. I sold my i5 and will never go back to IOS. I'm happier with my mid range android phone than I was with my i5. My only problem is I have to decide which top of the line android phone I want. I know I can buy a new android phone and jailbreak it. IOS is too restricting. It's the Apple way or the highway unless you jailbreak. And even if you jailbreak you worry about loosing it if you have to restore. I am a happy android camper!

 

[trekk]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

Android notifications are great when using the device, but worse than iOS notifications when the device is on standby (lock screen notifications).
I use OneNote and it is also available on both major platforms (Windows and Mac).

I totally disagree with you, because on most android phones you have a notification light which I find is far more productive. I could never ever own a device without a notification light. I used to have an Iphone and would be so busy that would forget to pick up my phone and find out that I have a ton of missed calls and messages. On Android for example I could see the notification light from the corner of my eye. I was about to go back to Blackberry because I could not stand the fact of having to turn on my Iphone every single time to verify if I have notifications or not.

If were gonna talk about productivity no phone without notification light I consider to be very productive. (excluding Moto X that has a brilliant way to notify the user).

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

I totally disagree with you, because on most android phones you have a notification light which I find is far more productive. I could never ever own a device without a notification light. I used to have an Iphone and would be so busy that would forget to pick up my phone and find out that I have a ton of missed calls and messages. On Android for example I could see the notification light from the corner of my eye. I was about to go back to Blackberry because I could not stand the fact of having to turn on my Iphone every single time to verify if I have notifications or not.

If were gonna talk about productivity no phone without notification light I consider to be very productive. (excluding Moto X that has a brilliant way to notify the user).

Maybe it's that I am used to that. I have been using iPhones since 2007..

 

[petvas72]

Re: 3 weeks with Android, but I miss iOS so much...

So using an Apple program to an Apple phone works better than an Apple program to a non-Apple phone? Or that it integrates better? Google can't make something add to Aperture to have it automatically go to Google. They could I guess have something monitor Aperture, but honestly, it's a lesser used program. I don't use Aperture, so I may be wrong, but couldn't you have G+/Dropbox/Onedrive/whatever look for and sync from Aperture's save folder? Yes it isn't automatic, and as Apple programs aren't made to be open, it's called a walled garden for a reason, that would be the best bet.

I meant that it wouldn't be called Internet Accounts on something older than Mavericks. The one thing I don't get with "I don't trust the cloud" people is that they haven't looked at all the source-code for the device they use. How do they know that Google/Apple/Microsoft isn't phoning the info home without telling you? If Google/Apple/Microsoft wanted to get your data, couldn't they hide something to steal the data anyways? There was an OSX program called iSync, but Apple killed it off. I used it to sync my Mac to my BlackJack II years and years ago.

I don't think Google will make a contact sync program as it's honestly a step backwards. For the privacy conscious there's OwnCloud. ownCloud.org | Your Cloud, Your Data, Your Way! It's like syncing with Google/Apple/Microsoft, but the cloud lives on a PC/Mac/Linux/FreeBSD that you own. It takes a little work, but it's like saying that the VCR is better than a DVR because you don't have to worry about the cable company knowing what you record.

I agree about the local sync, I just wanted to describe something that happened to someone that I know...
The picture sync situation is not dramatic. I am using Dropbox to upload whatever I need, so that's ok, but not as good as with iTunes/Aperture. It doesn't really bother me though and I can certainly live with it.

There is an app that can sync contacts locally, called Syncmate, that needs to activate USB debugging on the Android device, and not on the Mac (you are confusing that apparently). This was a big issue for my good friend who didn't know how to do that...(he is not a computer guy)
Google could just offer a sync software that connects to iTunes. iTunes would take care of direct Aperture syncing..

Anyway, this is not my biggest issue with Android for the moment. Currently I need a solution for the following things:

• Video Conferencing: My father has an iMac, my brother also (plus iOS devices), and most of my friends use Macs. I mostly chat from my Macs using iChat and make calls with the same app or with Facetime. On Android I have two options: Skype and Hangouts. My brother configured a Hangouts account and we communicate like that now, but for my father, it is impossible for him to understand that he needs to use a browser to connect with Hangouts. All of my friends and family have Skype too, so I would happily use it, but the app sucks big time on Android. Incoming calls do not come through, chats also not..The question here is, what else is out there that I could use???
• Safari read mode is missing. It's funny how people complain about the iPhone's small screen, but most of the times I can see more stuff and read better on an iPhone than on my M8. Why? Because I have read mode integrated, that works very well...
• Copy paste is a hit & miss..Copying and pasting stuff in Android is not good implemented, or I still havent got it yet..I wanted to copy sth from Chrome from a page with only text, but it was not possible...Most of the times it is really difficult to select sth, especially compared to iOS...Any tips?