Go Go Gadget: Apple or Android?
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 12:00 pm Category: Go Go Gadget
This may be an old argument but I have spent the last three weeks packing dual devices, on dual carriers. To start myself out I think I’ll begin with this comparison. IOS 4, or Android? I’m not really going to sit here and preach about which is better, this argument is about as relevant as the Batman Vs. Superman debate, (and yes I’m aware Batman outsmarted him before. And that some people still argue the point.) However I will make some comparisons and talk about what I like and dislike about each OS.
Here begins my comparison then folks, in one hand I’ve got my Nexus One running Android v 2.2(froyo), and in the other I’ve got a 16gb IPhone 3GS running IOS 4.02.
First comparison, the folder mechanism on the IPhone is much easier than the droid version. On IOS 4 you simply hold your finger on the item to move, wait for it to dance, and then drop it onto another object you’d like it to be stored with, rename the folder and you’re on your way. Droid you hold your finger on the screen select new folder, and then drop items into it. Although it is simple enough for both of the operating systems I prefer Apple’s method it simply assumes you want to do it, and gets it done.
Let’s talk apps, Android has thousands of apps, games, and things to do with your phone, you can utilize many of the apps to customize your keyboard, (my favorite being Slide-It Keyboard). On the other hand the IPhone simply has more apps, I’ll openly admit to that, especially games, there are simply more games for the IPhone. That being said, without my widgets I think I’d lose my mind, widgets run in real time on the Android OS while the IOS allows multi-tasking, you still have to, in not so many words, re-open the app every time you wish to access it. The widgets on Android devices in my mind gives them the edge over the IPhone for the advanced user. I have my stock ticker, custom text messaging app, news ticker, Facebook and Twitter, word of the day, and the list goes on. I keep these running across several different screens that I flip between. On My IPhone I have some widgets, I have a weather widget I open to check info on, I have my email, my only complaint is that it isn’t right there for me to see. In my mind Android wins that battle, all my info is right in my face when I want it, the learning curve is a little more steep, but it is still there.
On contact synchronization I give them a tie, Android uses google contacts, the IPhone uses Itunes, and importing contacts into either device took me about fifteen seconds. That being said, the Android does not always update my contacts online correctly, and that makes me mildly irritated, I used Google contacts to move everything to the IPhone and was missing a fair amount of numbers that I recently acquired, there is definitely a disconnect somewhere in the auto-sync functionality it’s supposed to utilize.
Heading into the customization field, I think Android by far and away wins the battle. With the IPhone I can create custom ring tones, alarms, change my lock screen and background images, and with the 4.02 update you can actually save your different combinations in a sort of “hot swap” method for those who can’t decide which background to keep around. If the phone is jail-broken you can then change icons, and text message tones, transparencies on different parts of the menu bars, etc. These things are not easily done, and isn’t something that the average phone user is able to do by themselves, not to mention the root password for each model of IPhone is generally left at default, so those who jail-break the phone and enable SSH are putting themselves at risk if they don’t change the password, or keep SSH access disabled. Customizing the Android can be done a number of ways, changing the background is as simple as finding a picture, opening it, pressing the menu key, and then pressing set as wallpaper. Changing a text tone is as simple as hitting, settings, sound, notification sound, and then selecting from any audio file stored on the device.
This being said I think the real difference between the IOS and Android is simplicity. IOS4 perfectly embodies the what you see is what you get mentality. It’s all right in front of you, there is nothing intimidating about it, it’s packaged with a big friendly bow on it saying “don’t panic”. Android believe it or not is just as user friendly, the only difference in my mind is that there is much more depth to Android and much more to learn about it, and without any sort of jail-breaking, you can fully customize the device to look and feel the way you want it to. The rough spot for the Android OS comes with the use on so many different devices, depending on processing power, different UI additions and such, the experience may change. Where-as the IOS being locked to one device, and it’s upgrades the over-all experience is consistent and solid every-time.That being said I’m going to continue carrying both phones happily and get the best of both worlds, however, if my preference is asked..I’m going to have to vote Android for the allowance of free-spirited customization. Hate on me or weigh-in on the subject below.
Responses to “Go Go Gadget: Apple or Android?”
Very well put, hit the nail on the head in pretty much all respects. Kudos to you for the honest and detailed analysis.
Personally I prefer Android too. 1st because of the customisation, and 2nd kinda because I don’t want to feel like an iSheep from the iFlock, I want to be a bit different.
P.S..If you ask me, Superman FTW!!!
I agree on all the points you make. However, I’ve been using G1 for about two years now and I never experienced a problem with Google contact synchronization. I would think there was something else that caused the problem.
Finally a good comparison. I love the Batman vs. Superman comparison (very true). Anyway, I like both phones as well and agree with all your comments. For me the Widgets are a “big deal” as well. At first I hated the droid GUI but once I got all my widgets set up I would says it’s more estiticly pleasing than the iphone. Apple should note this as functionality wise, it provides a nice GUI, because google is really on to something here.
The one thing really missing from the Droid experiance are accesories. The iphone has this one hands down. It’s imposible to find a sound dock of any kind that doesn’t require you to insert two cables into your phone. Android NEED’s to set some standards for the hardware vendors.
If the iphone allowed widgets I think the iphone would be the way to go due to all the accessories. However, without it there is just to much funtionality removed.
I agree with you on all your points. I think android has surpassed the iphone since android 2.1. But I’m not saying the iphone is a bad phone. Its great phone for non tech people. Its so simple my grandma can use it. New users on Android are going to take a little while to know everything that it has to offer. That would be my only problem with android, it takes you a while to learn all the hidden features. For me Android is better because I get to change it to how I want it. I could customize it to my hearts content. But phones are great. Android is just more for me.
I recently wrote a list of 20 things I like about Android that the iPhone does not have.
http://contemplatingandroid.blogspot.com/2010/08/android-advantage.html
1. 1.5ghz dual core CPUs coming soon.
2. GPUs with three times the power.
3. Free wireless tethering with root–usb tethering without.
4. Flash video.
5. Ability to use any size font in browser. The iPhone will only fit to page on double tap.
6. Kinetic browser scrolling. The iPhone scrolls one screen at a time.
7. Swype keyboard. The easiest one handed typing method in portrait mode. Even faster than two handed in portrait.
8. Customizable home screens.
9. Widgets
10. Free turn by turn GPS
11. Automatic google apps integration.
12. Tabbed browsing with Dolphin and xScope browsers.
13. Desktop direct dial shortcuts.
14. Built in voice dictation, voice app control.
15. Super AMOLED screens.
16. 4″ and larger screens
17. Removable batteries to easily double or triple battery life.
18. Removable SD cards for unlimited storage.
19. Open marketplace.
20. Side loading apps.
As an iPhone user I completely agree with all of you. I wish the iPhone had more of a capability for customization. I would consider myself an “advanced” user, in that I know how to Jailbreak and use it and all that jazz, but at the end of the day it’s a really complicated way to get customization.
[...] Go Go Gadget: Apple or Android?Big Shiny Robot!Although it is simple enough for both of the operating systems I prefer Apple's method it simply assumes you want to do it, and gets it done. …How Apple May Revolutionize The Way Soccer Fans Experience TVEPL TalkAnalyst Report: New Apple TV on the Way, App Store Access, ARM ProcessoriSmashPhone (blog)New Apple TV will have ARM processor, App Store access – reportApple InsiderITProPortal -Huffington Post (blog) -MacDailyNews (blog)all 442 news articles » [...]
*Starts a proud, slow applause* Very impressed that someone was able to really analyze this giant debate so concisely. Well done. I agree with you on all points. I’m an Android user and I think the iPhone has a very smooth stock UI…great multimedia, smooth transitions…(I’m a bit jealous of, as I still have a G1 clunking along), but Android blows Apple out of the water when it comes to customization. If you’re going to have a phone for 1 or 2 years, get something that you can continually customize and basically change into a new phone at will. I’ve been very very happy with my choice to adopt Android from early on, because it always seems like I have a new phone. When I get bored with the interface, I make it look and work however I want to. And the discussion about widgets has not been mentioned as much as it should be – thank you for highlighting their importance, ease of use, and efficiency. I stumbled on this site from this article that came up on Google News, and I’ll continue to check it out JUST because of this article. An honest analysis that is free from any “fan boy” ranting.
I switched from iPhone to a Droid X just over a week ago and would also agree with the article. I really like the drop-dead simplicity of the iPhone and believe its UI is slightly better than Android. When I got my iPhone 3G 2 years ago, it took all of 5 minutes to figure it out. Very user friendly.
I’m adjusting to Android’s massive customization options but for me, that’s a good thing. I had jailbroken my iPhone so I’m comfortable with tinkering. I like the flexibility of Android and have found just about everything I need from the Android Market that I used before. I don’t play many games and it’s only a matter of time before many more apps are available.
A couple more Android features that won me over
1) notifications (email, sms, weather, etc all in one place.)
2) browser gestures (Dolphin)
3) Google Voice
Additionally, I think when Android 3.0 cleans up and updates the interface, Android will seem like a clear winner. Apple does a fantastic job of making sure their “i” devices “just work”…but by introducing widgets and live moving background/wallpapers (for example) – I think we’ll see other things added to the Android 3.0 UI overhaul that surpass what’s available on an iPhone. And the App Store vs. Android Market debate was the big selling point early on for Apple products, but it’s becoming a much more even playing field when both companies offer thousands upon thousands of apps. Android may even score the App market point in the near future – because it’s what you can DO with those apps on your device that really matters – not how many fart apps are out there. Widgets, tethering, interface/skins…
Once again, well written and thought out.
This is the first civil, honest, debate I’ve ever read in a series of comments. Very refreshing. I’m just waiting for the one asshole who posts, “Android sucks” or “Steve jobs can blow me”.
First of all thanks for the additional input it’s nice to actually see discussion and not be yelled at. I wanted to add a note that is a nerdy android gripe. I spent some time in Namibia and planned to use google voice and skype on my Nexus to communicate over wifi and avoid the 2.49 a minute rates. However android does not support manual proxy settings in their operating system. Where I was staying this was required so my iPhone friends were online and I was in the cold. Hopefully that hit with froyo(I haven’t checked) if not I vote that comes soon. I also hope to see more apps hit android and will agree that there are too many fart apps for iPhone and I still pray nightly that marvel and dc will give droid a comic viewer.
[...] Go Go Gadget: Apple or Android?Big Shiny Robot!Here begins my comparison then folks, in one hand I've got my Nexus One running Android v 2.2(froyo), and in the other I've got a 16gb IPhone 3GS running …Now we have to jailbreak our Android phones, tooSalonChrome to Phone clone comes to iOSCNET (blog)Two More Dirty Little Secrets About the Phone BusinessTechnologizer (blog)Globe and Mailall 404 news articles » VN:F [1.8.0_1031]please wait…Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)VN:F [1.8.0_1031]Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Go Go Gadget: Apple or Android? – Big Shiny Robot!", url: "http://www.nexus-one-central.com/2010/08/go-go-gadget-apple-or-android-big-shiny-robot/" }); Share and Enjoy: [...]
All good, but the deciding factor for me was that you don’t get absolutely caned for an android phone, and you’re also not Apple’s little bitch, under their total control over what you’re allowed to do with your phone ! And of course Android wins hands down in the style AND substance department, where as Apple wins in the Style OVER substance department. Oh, and Android lets you view flash and doesn’t try and hijack HTML 5 for its own purposes – we should never forget that either.
Stumbled on this article while looking for additional Android widgets for my new EVO. This was my first jump into one of these “phones” — they are truely more than that now. Very well stated. Plenty of marketplace for both. I’m a techie, so the EVO was the clear choice for me after doing some research. I’m still a little in awe of the capability of these new devices. It doesn’t matter if you like Apple or Android. May they forever compete in the marketplace and spur further innovation!!
“May they forever compete in the marketplace and spur further innovation!!”
Well said.
My perspective is that I’m not that savvy of a user that I would jailbreak or need tons of customization.
The iPhone does exactly what I need it to and I have no care enough about my phone to switch for something else. I got my first iPhone for free and wouldn’t be caught dead without it.
True, I like Apple products alot, but I had no intention of buying an iPhone (i was holding out for google), but it has won me over 200%.
My feeling is that you’ll get the phone you need and if you like it, you’ll keep it.
I am the most Apple die hard there is. Steve Jobs is nigh unto deity to me. I switched to the Droid because of the network. I was tired of having crappy AT&T coverage. I love the UI of the iPhone. I would rather use the iPhone because of the interface with iTunes is so seamless.
I was that upset with AT&T’s inferior customer service and network that I switched. I have figured out the Droid.