My Rant on the iPhone 5s

[Kevin OQuinn]

No tech company gets all of the updates right, meaning on-time and without bugs, and Apple is not an exception to this. The update to fix the proximity sensor issues was the reason that I regretted buying an iPhone 4 (the only Apple product that I have owned). I went to the Apple store to ask about this update, as my phone did not have a problem with the proximity sensor before the update but it did after the update. The guy at the store told me how the update "fixed" the problem and I was speechless. I'm no engineer, but the explanation didn't seem sensible to me. I didn't exchange my phone when the Apple rep couldn't tell me whether the replacement phone would be new or refurbished. I settled on using a Bluetooth device to talk on the iPhone from that point on. It left me with a very sour taste in my mouth toward Apple. As someone who wasn't an Apple fan to begin with, it mad me very hesitant to return to their products.

I don't say this to berate Apple's customer service. While I don't care for it, it far exceeds Google's customer service.

I didn't say they were perfect. I said they have a much better process than most Android OEM's (nexus being the exception).

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

No mobile phone will be completely secure, I am not debating you on that but identity protection organizations have been pushing for biometric security on personal devices for a while now because it is more secure than other methods. This scanner is intended to protect your personal information in case your device is stolen. Believe me, people hate pass codes, and as a result, they do not use it. This should allow people to feel a bit better if their phone is stolen, I am one of them. And i repeat, if your phone is stolen by a major hacker, nothing will protect it, but that is the exception and not the rule.

You seem to understand. I am just putting it out there for the people who believe that they are safe and secure now because of the fingerprint scanner. Apple made it sound much more secure (and I get it ? it was their time to shine yesterday and all tech companies stretch the truth a little) than it really is.

I worry about you guys

 

[21stNow]

Wow, I am not going to use it because Apple told me, I have been waiting on something like this for a while! Read my post above....

You haven't gone to another phone that had different security options, even though you hate passwords (I don't understand this, but to each his/her own). But now that Apple has it on an iPhone, you will use the fingerprint scanner. You fit the very definition of using a fingerprint scanner because Apple told you to.

 

[monkeyluis]

True, but as I've said before cf auto root makes it easy. It's basically one click now. And the majority of smartphone users aren't idiots right? I'm sure if they followed some simple instructions they could root if they wished

No doubt it's easy. But it's still not that simple. Normal everyday people don't understand this stuff, they don't know what root is, they don't know where to go and find files to perform one click roots. You have to get our of your nerd mindset and think of it from an average everyday person, you have to take technology to the absolute most basic level. You wouldn't make a good teacher or trainer. Lol. I'm a trainer in my job and you'd be surprised at how many times I just have to tell someone how to use ctrl+c or ctrl+v on a computer. These aren't stupid people, they just don't understand technology like us nerds. And not everyone who comes here is as technology adept as you may be or others are, they just want things to work simply and easy (regardless of one click). So rooting is not an acceptable option for obtaining timely updates.

No one said anything about them being idiots.

Anyway, just a thought from another perspective. What works for one may not work for all.

 

[21stNow]

You don't get technology, do you? You do not even understand what forward thinking is, wait for the October Apple event about the new iPads and Apple TV and then come back and think about what's new in the iPhone 5S and then you will get the big picture, until then, enjoy your lagging Android device.

I don't get how your post was in response to my post that you quoted, as it was addressed to another user that has posted that multiple times in different threads.

If it's forward thinking, why do I have to wait for it? I have no desire for an iPad or Apple TV, so I will probably skip that announcement.

You have the right to think that I don't get technology; I'm not a computer programmer. However I have used many different devices, including devices from the four major mobile OS today. I heard what's new in the iPhone 5S and was not impressed enough to spend ~$700 on it. And by the way, my Android devices don't lag.

 

[DroidArmy]

You haven't gone to another phone that had different security options, even though you hate passwords (I don't understand this, but to each his/her own). But now that Apple has it on an iPhone, you will use the fingerprint scanner. You fit the very definition of using a fingerprint scanner because Apple told you to.

Amazing right? Apple is like mind control. Kinda reminds me of that futurama episode with the "eye phone". Buy our products human! Buy them! Throw your money at apple because we told you to!

 

[GadgetGator]

I doubt it, iPad mostly stays home, while iPhone is with you all the time, everywhere, hence more security is important.

Yes, but as someone who downloads or updates a lot of apps, I would MUCH rather use a fingerprint scanner then enter my freeking password everytime which annoys me to no end. So it would be awesome on an ipad too.

You think a bigger screen means innovation? Sorry but *head desk*
No Apple is not falling behind.

Posted via Android Central App

Falling behind in some ways while ahead in others. Same as it has always been. Nothing has changed. That being siad, this is the best iPhone to date bar none. But I question the existance of the 5C model. i don't know why it is there at this particlar time and place.

 

[monkeyluis]

Tim Cook on stage presenting his "new, revolutionary, one of a kind, never been done before, totally amazing"

I'm pretty sure he didn't say that. But I'll have to go back & watch it again. Then again, you said it was your $.02, so you're putting in your opinion and probably exaggerating.

 

[21stNow]

Yeah, that was a bit harsh but that person started the non sense , I apologize! But I used Android on all OS versions, and was much laggier than my iPhone now

Please explain the nonsense that I started. You came at me, even when I was responding to other people.

 

[DroidArmy]

No doubt it's easy. But it's still not that simple. Normal everyday people don't understand this stuff, they don't know what root is, they don't know where to go and find files to perform one click roots. You have to get our of your nerd mindset and think of it from an average everyday person, you have to take technology to the absolute most basic level. You wouldn't make a good teacher or trainer. Lol. I'm a trainer in my job and you'd be surprised at how many times I just have to tell someone how to use ctrl+c or ctrl+v on a computer. These aren't stupid people, they just don't understand technology like us nerds. And not everyone who comes here is as technology adept as you may be or others are, they just want things to work simply and easy (regardless of one click). So rooting is not an acceptable option for obtaining timely updates.

No one said anything about them being idiots.

Anyway, just a thought from another perspective. What works for one may not work for all.

I walked my five year old niece through rooting (she was observing me while I rooted my phone). She did most of the work and knew what was going on. I'm not joking, she knew what to do. I know most people won't put in the effort to root, but it has become very easy. It's as easy as jailbreaking now, with the exception of finding the right cf auto root. And it is an acceptable option for updates, it works right? That doesn't mean most people will root, but it is acceptable option to obtain timely updates.

 

[monkeyluis]

I walked my five year old niece through rooting (she was observing me while I rooted my phone). She did most of the work and knew what was going on. I'm not joking, she knew what to do. I know most people won't know or put in the effort to root, but it has become very easy. It's as easy as jailbreaking now, with the exception of finding the right cf auto root. And it is an acceptable option for updates, it works right? That doesn't mean most people will root, but it is acceptable option to obtain timely updates.

Cool. I believe you and totally agree that's its an easy process. Keep teaching her that stuff cause we need more nerds in the future.

It's just my opinion that it's not an acceptable way. I can barely get my 70yr old dad to understand how to use a kindle fire! I'm surprised he can even use redbox correctly. Lol.

 

[DroidArmy]

Cool. I believe you and totally agree that's its an easy process. Keep teaching her that stuff cause we need more nerds in the future.

It's just my opinion that it's not an acceptable way. I can barely get my 70yr old dad to understand how to use a kindle fire! I'm surprised he can even use redbox correctly. Lol.

Lol I've been there. I always have to show my dad how to use an android phone and fix it for him because he's clueless. He put it in Spanish once and locked himself out of all his apps, he has no idea how. I told him to get an iPhone for that very reason, Android is usually harder to use for the elderly

 

[pappy53]

True, but as I've said before cf auto root makes it easy. It's basically one click now. And the majority of smartphone users aren't idiots right? I'm sure if they followed some simple instructions they could root if they wished

Somehow, this just goes over your head. Why should anyone have to buy a Nexus phone or root what they have to get updates? I don't care how simple cf auto root is, that is a stupid plan to get updates. OEM's and carriers should get their stuff together and get updates out to people before another update comes along. With less than half of Android phones on Jellybean,IMO, that shows a problem.

 

[DroidArmy]

Somehow, this just goes over your head. Why should anyone have to buy a Nexus phone or root what they have to get updates? I don't care how simple cf auto root is, that is a stupid plan to get updates. OEM's and carriers should get their stuff together and get updates out to people before another update comes along. With less than half of Android phones on Jellybean,IMO, that shows a problem.

It doesn't fly over my head, I just choose to ignore it because it's a problem that can be fixed relatively easily. I agree with you that the carriers should step up their game and get updates out as quickly as possible, but I doubt that will ever happen. Nobody has to do anything, like I said before people couldn't care less about the updates half of the time. Rooting is an acceptable option for updates, and it provides a whole new level of customization for the phone. With rooting getting easier and easier, the carriers won't be a problem within the next few years.

 

[pappy53]

With rooting getting easier and easier, the carriers won't be a problem within the next few years.

It will remain a problem for 98% of the customer base. They are not gonna root.

 

[DroidArmy]

It will remain a problem for 98% of the customer base. They are not gonna root.

And you know this how? Can you travel through time?

 

[pappy53]

And you know this how? Can you travel through time?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[mazzmoney95]

I find all of apple's upgrades to be pretty impressive. iPhone 4 was way ahead of the market with its retina display (plus it had an all new design), iPhone 4s had siri (which could be the future of mobile next to google now), a great camera, and a dual core processor, the 5 had an all new design, lightning connector, bigger screen etc (this was the most boring upgrade IMO), and finally the 5s, which probably the biggest upgrade apple has ever done with the iphone.

I really like the iPhone, but it just isnt as customizable as I'd like. I cant change Siri to google now, I can't open links from chrome (not to mention chrome doesnt have access to the faster speeds of safari), I cant change how it looks (loving action launcher on android), and now with the moto x, I can even customize how it looks on the outside.

That said, I'm interested in the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone. As someone who uses no form of protection on their phone, I'd like a form of security that isn't obtrusive. Hopefully I find a good bluetooth LE device I could keep on my person as a trusted device when I get my wood moto x (I want a $20-$30 device that just connects to my phone to act as a trusted device, not a $300 smartwatch or some thing to watch my health). That seems like the next best thing after a fingerprint scanner (well, they both have their advantages).

 

[Farish]

Correction, NFC has been useless for you. I use NFC quite often and won't buy a high-end device without it. There are several stores that accept NFC payments: Champs/Foot Locker, CVS, 7-Eleven, NY & Company, Wegman's and Whole Foods are the ones that I can name off the top of my head.

How are you using NFC on ATT ?

 

[fillmore.east]

I walked my five year old niece through rooting (she was observing me while I rooted my phone). She did most of the work and knew what was going on. I'm not joking, she knew what to do. I know most people won't put in the effort to root, but it has become very easy. It's as easy as jailbreaking now, with the exception of finding the right cf auto root. And it is an acceptable option for updates, it works right? That doesn't mean most people will root, but it is acceptable option to obtain timely updates.

Dude, who cares if rooting is as easy as jailbreaking these days. The idea of needing to hack into my iPhone just so I can get the system updates from Apple that are SUPPOSED to be on phone is just flat out ridiculous.

I will say this much. I felt like my life changed when I got my OG Motorola Droid. I was previously using a Blackberry Bold and I thought that Android was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I stuck with Androids through a few iterations and picked up the iPhone 4s when my contracts were up for work related reasons. Here, IT absolutely insists on iPhones or blackberry. I actually upgraded to the Galaxy S4 a few months ago (my father who has never owned a smartphone before had an upgrade so I used his and gave him my 4s) and will likely be going back to the 5s when it launches as he wants the S4 due to the larger screen.

You have to understand that not everyone is completely engrossed in their phones technology. To me, a phone is simply a means to get things done. It carries my appointments, and meetings. I use it to keep in touch with people and I use it to read the news, browse the web and use apps that are relevant to my field of work. Very little time is spent tinkering with the phone for tinkering sake. I did that a bunch with my Android phones, just because there was so much that was available to customize. I rooted them, used custom roms, etc. but in the end, I never found much real world utility for that much of it. When I was a 22 year old college student that liked to do things like that, I much preferred Android, but 4 years later, I just want to get things done and want as little upkeep and maintenance with my devices as possible, I much prefer the iPhone. I'm also not sure how you can really call most of Apple's upgrades "gimmicky", most of the "features" on the S4 are far more "gimmicky" than anything Apple has put out, not to mention, a lot of them are just not well executed, nor are they particularly useful. I thought that Siri would be the most useless thing in the world when I got my iPhone, but I love having it, and yes, it works better than S voice. Having used both, I have zero qualms about saying that. This is the same reason why if I were to dip my feet into the Android pool again, it wouldn't be with the S4, it'd be witht he Moto X, despite it being less "feature filled" or "less powerful". In the end, those numbers are only relevant when they translate into an improved user experience, which I feel like is better with the Moto X even with lesser specs and fewer features.

But as far as the S4 goes on a day to day functional level, I don't have much issue in using it, and if I cared about having a huge screen, then I would probably go for it. But as far as a phone that simply works well and that I'm comfortable with, I still prefer the iPhone. I don't really care about screen size, I like having a compact phone. Watching videos or movies on a slightly larger phone screen makes very little difference to me as I would rather go home and watch videos or movies on a giant flat screen TV. A phone not being intrusive matters more, and I simply find that a phone the size of hte S4 just gets in the way at times. Again, I do like to figure out how to use the ins and outs of my phone, and I suppose with iPhones there is less tinkering that I can do it, but for day to day usage (which is far more important to me), I find that the iPhone just has a smoother user experience and is lower maintenance. And a better experience (at least for me) that 95% of the time outweighs what I wish it had the other 5% of the time. Also, I have been having iMessage withdrawal ever since giving my 4s up. Having text messages from other iPhone users sync to my iPad and MBP makes life way easier, and given the number of people who have iPhones, this is actually a major deal.