Why Android?

[metllicamilitia]

For the last few years, I've been switching between BlackBerry and Android, but the last 6 months, I've been using iPhone. There are so many things I love about each platform and things I don't like either. I'm now to the point that I really need to decide which platform to keep using and sell the other two. And I'm also going to write a paper (for lack of a better term I guess) on my own little platform tour. So I just want to know, in as much detail as you can give, why choose Android, what makes Android the best choice?

 

[dmmarck]

For the last few years, I've been switching between BlackBerry and Android, but the last 6 months, I've been using iPhone. There are so many things I love about each platform and things I don't like either. I'm now to the point that I really need to decide which platform to keep using and sell the other two. And I'm also going to write a paper (for lack of a better term I guess) on my own little platform tour. So I just want to know, in as much detail as you can give, why choose Android, what makes Android the best choice?

I don't really have the time to give a full, articulate answer, but one of the reasons is community. It's sort of like Ubuntu, right. Things break. Things break because we mess them up and things break because they were bound to do so eventually. Yet for each error, each force close, each "brick," we, as a community, come together to help. This may sound superficial, sappy, sentimental, whatever, but it's true. It's great to see that when one of us falls there's a legion behind them to figure it out and pick up the pieces. That may exist in other platforms, but for Android, it is its very essence.

On top of that, the phones themselves really appeal to me. For example, I've written very long winded posts espousing the benefits of rooting, flashing, and mucking about with your phone--none longer than my Don't Panic guide. When I get into the heart of things with these devices, particularly my beloved Galaxy Nexus (Oliver), there's an awesome feeling that you can really do anything. Is that true? Hardly--it's a phone! But the amount of freedom it gives you, perceived or real, is an awesome thing to "realize."

 

[metllicamilitia]

I agree, the phone are appealing. And the freedom bit is always the top reason I'm given for Android, but do you not also get a similar amount of freedom from a jailbroken iPhone?

I'm a debater, I'll let you know that now. I'm never trying to bash any platform here, not trying to dismiss any arguments, I'm just looking for the best for me and it will probably come down to the best arguments. My phone plan is currently on my iPhone but I do have both a BlackBerry Bold 9930 and an HTC Rezound, the winner gets the plan and the others get sold.


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[droidmyme]

If you are strictly comparing OS to OS, Android is set up to be open, while iOS is closed. That means that Android is very friendly to customizing and hacks, while iOS is not. For that reason alone, Android is the superior OS. Why would you want to buy a car with the features preset, as opposed to a car where you can choose the features you want?

Now, in terms of devices, that is a whole different story. But just in comparing the OS, Android wins out.

 

[TheMostIncredibleHulk]

"When I get into the heart of things with these devices, particularly my beloved Galaxy Nexus (Oliver), there's an awesome feeling that you can really do anything. "

Is this a BBC Top Gear reference? But more to the point, I prefer because they make larger phones and I have big hands. I couldn't use an iPhone because it is too small, but my EVO 4G (soon to be a GNex Sprint or GSM, not sure) I can use pretty comfortably in my gorilla hands.

 

[dmmarck]

"When I get into the heart of things with these devices, particularly my beloved Galaxy Nexus (Oliver), there's an awesome feeling that you can really do anything. "

Is this a BBC Top Gear reference? But more to the point, I prefer because they make larger phones and I have big hands. I couldn't use an iPhone because it is too small, but my EVO 4G (soon to be a GNex Sprint or GSM, not sure) I can use pretty comfortably in my gorilla hands.

Heh...good catch .

 

[monkeyluis]

I use both systems and I can honestly say that they are essentially the same to me. Apps are apps, which is where I spend most of my time. But I did leave the iPhone 4S for the Samsung Galaxy s3. Namely because I wanted the bigger screen. I like the customization but wonder if I'll ever be satisfied. Lol.

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

Android brings choice. If you are looking for certain specs, colors, form factors, or feature sets, Android delivers. The OS is ok. It can be modified to one's liking. What I don't like about Android is the inconsistency between devices. An app that runs on a friend's phone may not run on mine. My SGS 3 my get the Jellybean update on AT&T and my grind who has the same phone on Verizon may not get the update for another couple of months.

BlackBerry devices really only have the advantages of security and keyboards.

iPhone has become a universal smartphone. Everyone knows iOS or can easily understand it. Hardware is best in the business even though the screen is considerably larger. It has the biggest collection of accessories of any other mobile device. Everything is uniform. If I like an app and want to make a recommendation to a friend I know that it will work on my friend's iPhone considering he doesn't have a first or second generation iPhone. Lastly, the iPhone seems to have a higher resale value.


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[jerryjerryjerry]

Android is a great choice if your hobby is re-organizing your home screen and flipping in new ROMS every week. If you actually want a reliable phone that doesn't jitter and lag and has apps that are uniformly designed to match the GUI instead of looking like a museum of bad interface design, then Android is probably not the best choice.

iPhone or Windows Phone both trounce Android when it comes to cohesive design, consistent UI and real world reliability.

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

I haven't used Windows Phone. I would like to just use one do a week to get a feel for it. It looks really nice. But I have only seen a couple in the wild. As far as it being better than Android, that is a tough comment to validate. android does have ya issues, but it is a great OS.


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[sandman132]

Jerry that's funny, you really have no idea what your talking about. many people buy Android stock and keep it that way for the life of the phone. There is a % people who like to customize too. People that put a new rom on their devices is a small % compared to those that keep it stock. i for one enjoy the stock feel of Android and use it to help run my business day to day and sync calendars with my wife so were never missing a soccer game or bball game of my 4 kids.

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[Mellimel22]

Android brings choice. If you are looking for certain specs, colors, form factors, or feature sets, Android delivers. The OS is ok. It can be modified to one's liking. What I don't like about Android is the inconsistency between devices. An app that runs on a friend's phone may not run on mine. My SGS 3 my get the Jellybean update on AT&T and my grind who has the same phone on Verizon may not get the update for another couple of months.

BlackBerry devices really only have the advantages of security and keyboards.

iPhone has become a universal smartphone. Everyone knows iOS or can easily understand it. Hardware is best in the business even though the screen is considerably larger. It has the biggest collection of accessories of any other mobile device. Everything is uniform. If I like an app and want to make a recommendation to a friend I know that it will work on my friend's iPhone considering he doesn't have a first or second generation iPhone. Lastly, the iPhone seems to have a higher resale value.


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IPhones have the resale value not because of the phone or specs its the GLAMOUR that apple surrounds its products around as in if u don't got a fruit phone u aren't cool pffft to me the fact my phone stands out to me makes me cool second updates aren't really based on device its the carriers who push out updates which is why u may get one before your friend

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[Mellimel22]

Android is a great choice if your hobby is re-organizing your home screen and flipping in new ROMS every week. If you actually want a reliable phone that doesn't jitter and lag and has apps that are uniformly designed to match the GUI instead of looking like a museum of bad interface design, then Android is probably not the best choice.

iPhone or Windows Phone both trounce Android when it comes to cohesive design, consistent UI and real world reliability.

I've used both iOS and wp and I'll rather have a windows phone than an iPhone any day and I don't want a wp either

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[Verdes8891]

Android is a great choice if your hobby is re-organizing your home screen and flipping in new ROMS every week. If you actually want a reliable phone that doesn't jitter and lag and has apps that are uniformly designed to match the GUI instead of looking like a museum of bad interface design, then Android is probably not the best choice.

iPhone or Windows Phone both trounce Android when it comes to cohesive design, consistent UI and real world reliability.

Have you seriously just created an account to come on here and bash the android os? It is a matter of choice. I don't bash the iPhone or other OS's myself. I just don't like them. But I will never do business with apple myself again. But that's my choice. Seems a little sad to come onto a website just to troll post bashing a product.

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[LegalAmerican]

Android is a great choice if your hobby is re-organizing your home screen and flipping in new ROMS every week. If you actually want a reliable phone that doesn't jitter and lag and has apps that are uniformly designed to match the GUI instead of looking like a museum of bad interface design, then Android is probably not the best choice.

iPhone or Windows Phone both trounce Android when it comes to cohesive design, consistent UI and real world reliability.

Comments like this were actually a huge factor in my decision to go with Android. I heard SO many ridiculous, senseless comments bashing Android, and the comments bashing Apple made more logical sense to me. For example: I often hear from iPhone users that iOS can do everything Android can, except better. But they can never tell you actual functions except (it's more reliable and smooth) which makes me laugh cause that's all they've been spoon fed by Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.

Android and iOS are both great operating systems. The iPhone is a great phone, but I require choices and customization. I also buy my phone for my experience, not so I can have the same apps as my friend. I don?t need to fit in to some group to be happy, I need a device that fits my needs. Android does that for me, cause I always know that there's going to be an Android phone that does what I need it to do, instead of just hoping the next cookie cutter iPhone will be what I need.

I prefer to rely on my own understanding of my wants and needs instead of praying that Tim Cook can do what I need.

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[metllicamilitia]

Well, I did decide to go with iPhone because at the time Verizon's best android was the Rezound which is problematic with roms and such. As in, it's much more of a pain to do it than on other androids. That and Motorola sucks with color.

For the last 4 years I have worked at a photography lab that specializes in color. And iPhone has the BEST color representation of any phone, that I've ever seen. HTC does all right, crisp colors, but they are too saturated. Reds too red, yellows too yellow, etc. And yes, the Rezound has a clearer display than the retina display on my iPhone 4, but nothing beats video with retina display. Video on androids is always grainy, for lack of a better term.

While I love the customization android gives, iPhone has better battery life, which is a major factor for me. So I won't bash on android cause it is a great OS, but so is iOS and even BB7, in it's own right. iPhone just gives me what I'm looking for more so than the other OS's. I will need to go to a Verizon store and check out a Galaxy SIII though.


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[Mellimel22]

Lol well gl with your fruit phone lol I'm getting the sgs3 in a week probably I played with one at s sprint store and 2 things popped in my mind one this phone is awesome and 2 that so called pebble blue is more like a blurple color even the home key I'm getting a white one

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[LegalAmerican]

Well, I did decide to go with iPhone because at the time Verizon's best android was the Rezound which is problematic with roms and such. As in, it's much more of a pain to do it than on other androids. That and Motorola sucks with color.

For the last 4 years I have worked at a photography lab that specializes in color. And iPhone has the BEST color representation of any phone, that I've ever seen. HTC does all right, crisp colors, but they are too saturated. Reds too red, yellows too yellow, etc. And yes, the Rezound has a clearer display than the retina display on my iPhone 4, but nothing beats video with retina display. Video on androids is always grainy, for lack of a better term.

While I love the customization android gives, iPhone has better battery life, which is a major factor for me. So I won't bash on android cause it is a great OS, but so is iOS and even BB7, in it's own right. iPhone just gives me what I'm looking for more so than the other OS's. I will need to go to a Verizon store and check out a Galaxy S3 though.


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I can appreciate everything you said here. Hands down, Apple has the very best display and camera on any phone. No question. My only problem though, is how small the phone is. I would rather watch a video on a 4.3-4.7" screen than a 3.5" even if the 3.5" is supposed to be more clear. It's so small that the clarity loses it's charm for me. Also, Apple does have better battery life in most cases, except when it comes to the Droid Razr Maxx. Nothing even comes CLOSE to competing with that. However, it sounds like that wasn't available when you made your purchase.......

 

[sandman132]

s3 has passed apple in video and camera quality. I've done my own testing vs my sister iPhone and was not even close. there is a guy on YouTube and google+ name Max Lee that did a competition between them and posted all the results.

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[metllicamilitia]

I can appreciate everything you said here. Hands down, Apple has the very best display and camera on any phone. No question. My only problem though, is how small the phone is. I would rather watch a video on a 4.3-4.7" screen than a 3.5" even if the 3.5" is supposed to be more clear. It's so small that the clarity loses it's charm for me. Also, Apple does have better battery life in most cases, except when it comes to the Droid Razr Maxx. Nothing even comes CLOSE to competing with that. However, it sounds like that wasn't available when you made your purchase.......

Oh no, it was available, but I could never go back to Motorola's tinted screens. Each Moto has some color tint, and they're always laggy, slow to respond.


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