So, I'm thinking of returning to Android because of the Pixel 2. I had the Droid Eris and the Droid back in the day, before work had me jump to a Blackberry, then to the iPhone 4 and I've been with Apple ever since. The Pixel 2 looks like a great phone. The camera and storage is a big selling point, but I'm honestly most excited about how they've integrated Google Assistant and where Google is going on developing it more. The only thing that has me hesitant is how connected to the Apple ecosystem I am. I have a MacBook, and iPad, and an iWatch. I could keep using my MacBook and iPad, but my watch would be useless. I worry about missing the connectivity between my devices. I wanted to ask if anyone on here uses an Android phone alongside Apple devices like a MacBook or iPad and how that experience has been for you. The bottom line, I was really disappointed in the iPhone 8 and have no interest in the iPhone X with that giant notch and Face ID(which just sounds like an annoyance). I want to make the jump, but its a hard ecosystem to leave. Thanks for any advice here!
Thinking of Jumping from iPhone 7 to Pixel 2. I have some questions.
- Thread starter JasonR02
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KrisYYC
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- Nov 18, 2014
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I've gone back and forth between the two with phones. I have an iPad pro.
I think the hardest thing for iPhone users switching to Android is the loss of iMessage. However I find Google's Assistant and cloud based stuff like Google photos and Google drive to be miles ahead of iCloud. The good thing is you can use Google services on iOS too. So things like photos and cloud storage of documents sync quite nicely between my Android phones and iPad.
Music is actually easier on Android as you're not chained to iTunes. Very easy to transfer you library over with multiple options.
I think the hardest thing for iPhone users switching to Android is the loss of iMessage. However I find Google's Assistant and cloud based stuff like Google photos and Google drive to be miles ahead of iCloud. The good thing is you can use Google services on iOS too. So things like photos and cloud storage of documents sync quite nicely between my Android phones and iPad.
Music is actually easier on Android as you're not chained to iTunes. Very easy to transfer you library over with multiple options.
iMessage is great, but I think I'll adjust. The biggest thing for me is my Apple Watch. There just isn't a great alternative on the Android side of things. I could always get a FitBit I suppose. I'm glad to hear that about music. I mostly stream with Tidal and Spotify, so I'm not chained to iTunes.
gmermel
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- Nov 7, 2014
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Been in Mac since '84, but android only in smartphones (no ATT here back in the day--When VZW got the iPhone I ran right over and got mine. 2 days later, it was returned. Couldn't stand how limited the OS was. Can't put apps where you want on a screen. Can't have an icon for one touch calling. It's like iPhone to Android is the equivalent of Windows to Mac......
I mean, how the heck do the iPhone people keep track of their apps without a drawer to load their unused ones, and having the ones they do use stacked left to right/top to bottom??????
Or call/text a friend when you have to open your address book and have only one favorite list...On android, I have a contact icon, it opens and I touch text and I'm messaging immediately.
So, been integrating with my computer forever. The only real advantage I see with iPhone is the ability to mirror the device through iTunes for a full backup. And there are programs that will do the same on Android, they've just been a little buggy.
So I have afew straightforward workarounds I use. Google Drive for your files and you're connected functionally with your computer and files are backed up.
Apps that allow customization on android have the backups stored on the device. I periodically copy the backup files to my google drive so that I'm able to put things back together if I have to do a reset.
I will admit, if you are into iTunes and iPhoto, it's a hassle, but still worth it to me. I have to be good about taking my pics off teh phone (or google drive) and put them into iPhoto. Don't do a lot with music, but there are apps that will integrate across platform easily enough.
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So what's so special about iMessage anyway? I used an iPhone for 2 days between the S3 and Note 2... Or between the Note 2 and S4...
Chex313
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- Oct 7, 2011
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If I had spent money on an iwatch and actually find it useful, and cared about imessage...I wouldn't switch. When I left ios I had less than a $100 invested in apps, imessage did not exist, and so it was no big deal. I still use a macbook air,but do not plan on buying another.
If I was you I would stick with ios...Personally I disliked it, the hardware home button(Finally gone) and no app drawer.
If I was you I would stick with ios...Personally I disliked it, the hardware home button(Finally gone) and no app drawer.
gmermel
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I know, and it's gotten better over time. Still buggy though. Not all apps reliably reload. My most important apps don't save my preferences. I learned the hard way a few years ago to back things up first if I needed a reset of the phone, and it's saved a bit of work. For the OP, I'm addressing what he can do to protect himself once his phone is set up from hassles should he have to reset the phone in the future..........
dsignori
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- Jun 25, 2010
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Is there something specific on the Apple Watch that you use that you cannot do on Android with an Android Wear watch? I have the Huawei Watch which works well for me.
djepperson1
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- Nov 15, 2012
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Biggest thing I have all Mac and iPad the greatest recommendation I can make is there is alot off apps that can work on both example I use Google photos it works great on Apple products to. The only truly lacking thing is imessage. But I love Android don't like iPhones at all. Because text messaging still works just doesn't have access to what makes imessage a great app
mrvco
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- Jun 28, 2013
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I switched to Mac in 2007 from Windows. I switched to Android from an iPhone with the Nexus 4. Fortunately I never got sucked in by the smart watch thing. I prefer wearing an automatic watch since it doesn't require charging, just wearing. While I did have an Android tablet, I'm using an iPad now so I have access to the IOS ecosystem. My only complaint is the lightning connector, I really wish Apple (and anyone still using micro or mini USB) would just switch to USB-C. Regardless, my Mac / iPad / Pixel XL combination works very well for me.
cbreze
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- May 30, 2011
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I have had a couple iPhones and sometimes switch to my iphone7. I never got the iMessage need either. Never saw it as a must have feature. regular SMS is fine and since I know very few people with iPhones, iMessage has even less relevance to me. i like my 7 and it is a very solid performer. Boring, but solid performer. However, I like to be able to set my phone screens up the way I like and Apple will have none of that. Gotta be their rules, SMH. I'd trade my 7 straight for a Pixel 2.
gordol
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- Feb 6, 2011
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I'm currently using an iPhone 7+, and I don't care one way or the other about iMessage. It's just a text messaging system with features I don't care about.
I'm about to switch (back) to Android, and the one thing that I WILL miss with Apple is the media management integration between the device and iTunes on my desktop. I have been using iTunes/iPod for mobile music since the original iPod, even when I had an Android before, so this will be a major shift for me.
scgf
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- Feb 20, 2014
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All my iPhone-user friends use WhatsApp - any time they want to send media they use it because they don't know if the recipient has an iPhone or not. That's in the UK where the iPhone is not as prevalent as in the US.
It's worth reading the recent macworld article about the iPhone 8 vs Google Pixel
iPhone 8 vs Pixel 2 - Macworld UK
It's worth reading the recent macworld article about the iPhone 8 vs Google Pixel
iPhone 8 vs Pixel 2 - Macworld UK
dsignori
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- Jun 25, 2010
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It was really just a "on paper" review, as they don't even have the Pixel. Interesting take still, I suppose ..
Well, I won the Apple Watch, so it's not any money I've lost, but I'm not crazy about having to buy another smart watch. I've looked at a few Android Wear watches, and with some of them it's a form factor thing for me. I do like the look of the Azus one. I'll give the Huawei ones another look too.
CarbonOak
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- Jul 10, 2010
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For those coming off iMessage and moving to Android, I have read elsewhere that you need to disable iMessage ahead of time to ensure that all your texts and messages go through when you do make the Android jump. People have missed a message on their new android phone but still received it through iMessage on another device like their iPad.
gordol
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- Feb 6, 2011
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I bought mine early rhis year. That’s money down the drain. I had a 2nd gen pebble before that that dies when Fitbit boight pebble and shut them down.
IF I replace the iWatch with another smartwatch when I jump to Android, I will have to wait.
sangs
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- May 9, 2015
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I've said that many, many times. Then I get several compressed, grainy videos sent to me as text messages - instead of iMessages - because I'm the only one in the family not using iMessage, and the regret sets in and the SIM goes back in the iPhone. The force is strong with iMessage.
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