Re: Aggravated with iOS /Android back and forth
What are the chances that Apple, Google and Samsung are watching this thread.... and care? I think they have managed to do exactly what they hoped. Each device does just enough different to make us want all the features in one, but never quite giving it to us. Personally, I'm not switching back to Android until google makes the hardware in house, but when I switched to Verizon recently I thought I was going to need a psychiatrist to make a decision on iPhone vs Note 5... I might still need one. But there was a one hour delay in the store so I got to play with the Note 5 and realized quickly that Samsung still brings half-baked systems to market. The camera was fantastic and the pen is awesome when it works, but there were multiple times I had to re-try some movements to get the pen to work as advertised. And I also saw delay in launching apps (especially the camera), which is a no-go for me. The camera is the most important hardware feature for me by far..... because of that, the Blackberry has no chance (up to one second shutter lag). All the other android phones... Droid Turbo 2, Nexus devices, etc... they don't bring anything to the table that the iPhone can't do. The one thing I do like about android is Android Wear. I have the Apple Watch but the AW devices are considerably nicer (apple watch is going on eBay soon). Being that I don't need an android phone for it to work, I don't have any compelling reason to get an android phone (thank you for that move google!). Verizon and ATT have made it easier to have both an android phone and iPad (seriously, why does anyone make a tablet with android?!?!?!) by having a unified messaging app. Sure, it means you can't use iMessage, but you can get your messages on mac, pc, phone, tablet, and the platform is irrelevant. Which is actually nicer than iMessage as I can't use iMessage on my windows computer. Sure it's not as encrypted as iMessage, but seriously, if the NSA is interested in my text messages I'll cc them on it to save them the time... I'm just not doing anything "top secret" in my text message to my wife and kids.
So here's my rundown: If you're worried about iMessage, it's not an issue. You can use a unified messaging system. If you want a phone that will just keep chugging along get the iPhone. If you like more bell and whistles, but they may not work all the time, get the Note 5. If you can't decide (like me) and look at these message boards all the damn time looking for the next update, get Xanax.
As for the cases, go to the mall and try every case on the planet at those kiosks. If they don't like it, tell them you don't like their 400% markup. Or go to Best Buy and try every case on the rack. Seriously, if you go there at 2 in the afternoon, they are dead and you can literally do that.