X verses the iPhone

[anon(40252)]

@ottscay

Some good points. Thanks.

The iTunes ecosystem dominance is a really good point and one that I never had to face but I can see how that is a problem for many people.

 

[gspeed]

Well, iTunes is a pre-existing ecosystem left over from iPod world domination, so a large number of potential customers already have their music (often including purchased mp3s) on iTunes and in Apple's proprietary format, plus are in the habit of sinking their device to it. Otherwise, starting from scratch I don't think the music experience is actually significantly worse.

As for smartphone usability, an iPhone arrives with all usable apps in icon form already on the front page wher you don't have to look for them, and when you finally stumble into the app store the installation automatically installs an app icon at the nearest opening on your pages. When you get a Droid, there is software and widgets you don't have to keep on your home page (but you have to know how to remove them), and while the app store installs to your phone just as easily, you have to navigate a window to get a quick-launch icon to put them there.

I purposely picked the most basic part of the experience...because if people are using their first smartphone these are the sort of things they will experience in the first 2-30 minutes of use. Now, I know that Android has a little robot that explains a lot of this stuff to you, and it was obvious enough to me that I turned the little robot off before I left the store (DX is my first Android device), but if you aren't a teching the Apple hand-holding model definitely provides a soft landing when you first starting playing with it. There's just less to learn.

Likewise, whether Apple's installed apps have the features or not that you want, you never have to worry about seeing if there are better apps in the market, because Apple doesn't allow that sort of competition. But if you want a good email client on Android (aside from Gmail) you have to look at the Android market, perhaps find some sites on line to read reviews of (or else spend time reading the not-always-helpful marketplace reviews) and try to figure out which one will suit your needs. Or else try them both. All of these are ideas that take more confidence in your own skills and knowledge of the device.

When people say "it just made sense" what they mean is "I had no other options so I could quickly learn what it did". And while as a power user it's easy to look down on that sort of response, a lot of consumers want that in a device they rely on.

I personally almost always recommend Android over iPhones, but that's because the people who ask me are also reasonably savvy with technology. If my parents decided they really wanted a smartphone, I'm not at all sure I'd recommend Android to them.

What you said is all true and has been repeated ad nauseam by more experienced Android users. We basically condense those 3 simple paragraphs into a statement such as

iphone = smartphone with training wheels and most of the experienced Android users know what we mean.

I apologize if I don't explicitly state the reasons for my displeasure with Apple but many of us just don't like repeating ourselves over and over. Sometimes a condensed answer does all the work for us.

 

[gspeed]

and the reason why we dont like to repeat ourselves through multiple paragraphs to iphone users is because they don't listen or care. Not sure if you've seen this very popular video of iphone4 vs evo 4g

YouTube - iPhone4 vs HTC Evo

it basically sums up the mindset of an iphone user. Basically no matter what you tell them they will still be enamored with the iphone and the big lights of the store.

I also have family members who think very similarly. Why over explain yourself to someone with a closed mind?

 

[themaclady]

1-I think the android marketplace is one major flaw. Searching for apps is much harder, impossible to browse, misspelling and typos bring up nothing, too much junk comes up and too much porn.

2-iTunes is centralized, smart, visual, easy to use. Use ANY credit card, gift cards or allowance. I can't even use my Amex card to buy apps that aren't in US dollars in the android market place.

Interesting. A couple thoughts.

1. What makes Android (Dx) more difficult to use? Everyone keeps saying it but give me examples. Personally, I think it is more perception than reality. Is it that it syncs with iTunes? See Next...



2. People keep touting the 'advantages' of iTunes. I find iTunes to be a terrible product and difficult to use. There are much better alternatives and abilities to sync. In fact, what makes dropping songs onto the phone harder than syncing?


I like being able to drag and drop. I can move files between computers at work/home and use it as a USB drive for other data. People use USB drives, folders etc.. all the time .. but moving data to their phone is hard? I don't get it.

 

[gspeed]

1-I think the android marketplace is one major flaw. Searching for apps is much harder, impossible to browse, misspelling and typos bring up nothing, too much junk comes up and too much porn.

2-iTunes is centralized, smart, visual, easy to use. Use ANY credit card, gift cards or allowance. I can't even use my Amex card to buy apps that aren't in US dollars in the android market place.

yes the Android market sucks. We all know this. It even sucks more for developers trying to make money off the platform. I for one am still waiting to stick it out. I believe in Google and feel they will provide us with a proper solution to remedy this issue.

2, Google has just revamped their agreements with de3veloprs to allow use of carrier billing with app purchases. Many of us expect users to be able to pay via their carriers. That means no cc would be necessary. If customer wants to buy an app they just click buy an it will automatically get placed on the users carrier's bill.

Also Google is expected to launch their own music store within a few months.

Most things Google just keep getting better. They rapidly improve everything and are not a company that rests on their laurels. Any die hard Android fan lives by this code and we do not nitpick at issues we expect a resolution to. Well most of us don't.

Some may call it blind faith but I believe in the company and their ability to deliver. If I';m proven wrong then so be it I choose unwisely.

Google has not given me any reasons however to doubt that they will deliver.

 

[ceriem]

Here's what I'm hoping for in terms of Google desktop software (a la BlackBerry Desktop Manager or iTunes):

1. A web-based application or downloadable application that stores all your apps, music, movies, and contacts on the cloud, utilizing your gmail account, rather than saving it locally. Major copyright hurdles here, but will be SO MUCH EASIER if you ever get a new computer or phone to sync your device.

2. Allows me to basically use my phone on my laptop/computer screen when it's plugged in via USB or connected by Bluetooth. This was always a dream of mine on BlackBerry, and i think native Android support would be incredible (though there probably is already an app for it).

3. Something easy to use. People here are generall pretty computer savvy, and know the basics of Android OS just because they are talked about non-stop. Honestly, alot of Android users have no idea about half the functionality of their phone. I was with a friend this past weekend who has had a Droid since it launched last year. He had NO IDEA about home screen widgets. He was blown away when I showed them to him. Stuff like this (though isolated cases) needs to be eliminated, and will be to a large extent with that cool Android Tips widget.

All-in-all, I lie drag and drop files for my phone, but doing that is lightyears beyond what the average user in the real world is capable of. People like my parents, or dumbphone friends will almost laugh at me if i explain to them how to put pictures on my phone and they'll just say "well the iPhone can... [insert comment we don't wanna hear anymore]"

I love Android. I am 100% behind Google, and I only offer this criticism to get more and more people thinking about not what Droid Does, but what it Can Do in the future.

 

[gspeed]

Here's what I'm hoping for in terms of Google desktop software (a la BlackBerry Desktop Manager or iTunes):

1. A web-based application or downloadable application that stores all your apps, music, movies, and contacts on the cloud, utilizing your gmail account, rather than saving it locally. Major copyright hurdles here, but will be SO MUCH EASIER if you ever get a new computer or phone to sync your device.

2. Allows me to basically use my phone on my laptop/computer screen when it's plugged in via USB or connected by Bluetooth. This was always a dream of mine on BlackBerry, and i think native Android support would be incredible (though there probably is already an app for it).

3. Something easy to use. People here are generall pretty computer savvy, and know the basics of Android OS just because they are talked about non-stop. Honestly, alot of Android users have no idea about half the functionality of their phone. I was with a friend this past weekend who has had a Droid since it launched last year. He had NO IDEA about home screen widgets. He was blown away when I showed them to him. Stuff like this (though isolated cases) needs to be eliminated, and will be to a large extent with that cool Android Tips widget.

All-in-all, I lie drag and drop files for my phone, but doing that is lightyears beyond what the average user in the real world is capable of. People like my parents, or dumbphone friends will almost laugh at me if i explain to them how to put pictures on my phone and they'll just say "well the iPhone can... [insert comment we don't wanna hear anymore]"

I love Android. I am 100% behind Google, and I only offer this criticism to get more and more people thinking about not what Droid Does, but what it Can Do in the future.

Fair enough statements.

I am not blind and do not assume Android is at its Pinnacle, I realize its a work in progress. I however like the WIP device and feels it does enough now for me to use it. I am all for users submitting suggestions to make Android better.

as for

1) like you said legal constraints and copyright issues may make this difficult. Also movies would be data intensive and I assume most carriers would not likely every user streaming movies on their consTRAINED 3g networks. Maybe 4g will help alleviate some of the data intensive concerns.

2) are you talking about tethering or to actually control the device via your pc?

3) All Google products have a hidden feature and function. I keep finding out about new features for Google voice all the time. Granted Google isn't the easiest platform.service to learn but I think its just a matter of time people pick up on it. If people get frustrated and quit early then maybe iphone is the device for them.

It may be up to us to educatethe general public on how to use their Android devices. i've helped countless others and friends setup their devices. In fact any friend wanting to make a move to Android usually checks in with me for info. I've become notorious on facebook for being an Android superfreak. Any friends I have on fb that have an iphone4 must hate my guts....

overall though you made good suggestions.

 

[heraldo]

I like that this thread has very constructed replies and ppl aren't flat out bashing. Occum's Razor would be a good way to choose a device

 

[themaclady]

I would not want to be carrier billed. I could just imagine some error or scam leading to huge bills and phone dissconnection. I would rather have a system of credits where I could feed a certain amount int for security and peace of mind.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[gspeed]

I would not want to be carrier billed. I could just imagine some error or scam leading to huge bills and phone dissconnection. I would rather have a system of credits where I could feed a certain amount int for security and peace of mind.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

well Lisa. there are many solutions in discussions to make it easier for users to make purchases more convenient through the app store. Google can only do one solution at a time.

A carrier billed solution is at least a stop gap measure to ensure people will find the market more convenient for purchases. I understand some may be reluctant to have their carrier bill them as is your case.

In the meantime you could contact your carrier and notify them of not wanting to participate in carrier billing. I'm sure they can set your account to remove that option for you and you wouldn't have to worry.

Another option going forward to implement a pay via paypal option.

As for credits, I'm sure Team Android/google/Carriers will all take that into consideration and decide whether if that is a popular viable option going forward.