Jumping Ship (Apple)

[Timsierramist]

I had this idea of ditching my iPhone for good a few months ago and it slowly progressed to the point where I am starting to lean more on the idea of upgrading to an android phone over the iPhone 4S 2.0 (iPhone 5).

One thing I am not is an Apple Fan boy. I love Google and Microsoft and hate how Apple keeps a tight fist over my own property. But I recognize the iPhone for what it is. High quality and simplicity.

It's been a few months now since iOS 6, and there is no jailbreak, and my iPhone has been getting very buggy as apps continue to update while i'm stuck in 5.0. It dawned on me that the only reason I can stand Apple in the first place was because I have the ability to jailbreak my phone. On top of that, most or all of my jailbreak abilities I gain by going through that hassle can be achieved, stock, with a lot of android devices, so I really had to sit down and ask myself what the hell I was doing. Did I just get sucked into the fad?

Anyways, the point is, there truly are some strengths to iPhone over Android, and if I am truly going to get into a lifeboat and row over to Android, I need to know how I can work around them to achieve equal or similar capabilities.

First and foremost, I have to jailbreak iPhone to turn my device into a wireless router. Obviously Apple doesn't take too kindly to that notion, and certainly AT&T sure as hell doesn't, even sending threatening texts to cease and desist lest they convert your "unlimited" plan to more limited version.

1. Do most androids have a wifi capability? If not, which ones do? I hear Droid does. But how does android get around that when AT&T wants you to use their expensive tethering services.

Then there is iTunes. I've spent a lot of time building up a music collection there and I really have no intentions of dropping everything and leaving it behind or having to construct a brand new customized album through another media center.

2. So, is there a specific media player on android that will sync, hopefully, seamlessly

I am a podcaster and I really have gotten pretty addicted to listening to podcasts. From the gym to that long commute, they are always there when I need them, ready to go, updated to the latest version.

3. Will #2 sync my podcasts or will I have to download some other app?

4. Friends and family who have used Droid mention that the processors/ram are more "powerful", but that they still have constant issues with freezing or buggy problems. How are the latest gen devices as far as these problems go?

5. Anything else I should know about making the switch?

It's not official yet. I may very well buy an iPhone 5 when the time comes and suffer through another 2 years of locked down merchandise and the cat mouse game of jailbreaking with Apple canceling my warranty. I do not like Apple, but I realize they make a pretty decent phone that appeals even to a geek like me, someone who likes to tinker and customize to the max.

Thanks in advance. There was probably more I wanted to ask, but i can barely keep my eyes open. Off to bed...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Timsierramist]

"Wifi capability"

As in turn it into a wireless hotspot.

 

[chanchan05]

1. Yes, its a built in functionality for all Android phones/devices since like 2 years ago.

2. You could try iSyncr or DoubleTwist to sync with iTunes.

3. No idea on podcasts, I don't do them.

4. The OS being buggy or freezing is dependent on a lot of factors, like how the people are using their phones and all. I have a 2 year old Galaxy S variant that rarely freezes on me, but it does lag when I try to play newer games like Subway Surf on it. But then I have a lot of things running in the background so its partly my setup, and its not exactly the better variant of the Galaxy S as well. It's just got about the same performance as a 3GS. Also, some people tend to keep on using task killers, when in truth this actually makes the phone more laggy and freeze-prone. My Galaxy Tab which runs a dual core processor and 1GB RAM. No freezing even when playing more demanding games.

5. Things to watch out for:
-You'll have to pay for apps you already paid for in Apple's AppStore

 

[Stuntman]

IIt's been a few months now since iOS 6, and there is no jailbreak, and my iPhone has been getting very buggy as apps continue to update while i'm stuck in 5.0. It dawned on me that the only reason I can stand Apple in the first place was because I have the ability to jailbreak my phone. On top of that, most or all of my jailbreak abilities I gain by going through that hassle can be achieved, stock, with a lot of android devices, so I really had to sit down and ask myself what the hell I was doing. Did I just get sucked into the fad?

If you jailbreak your phone to get certain features from your iPhone, you probably don't need to root your Android phone.

First and foremost, I have to jailbreak iPhone to turn my device into a wireless router. Obviously Apple doesn't take too kindly to that notion, and certainly AT&T sure as hell doesn't, even sending threatening texts to cease and desist lest they convert your "unlimited" plan to more limited version.

It is entirely possible that your carrier may restrict the use of certain features unless you have the appropriate plan. My carrier, Bell Canada, does not restrict my WiFi access point feature, but I have a pretty big data plan with them. I'm not familiar with US carrier policies.

1. Do most androids have a wifi capability? If not, which ones do? I hear Droid does. But how does android get around that when AT&T wants you to use their expensive tethering services.

Do you mean WiFi hotspot? The two Android phones I have used (HTC Desire Z and SGS3) both have this capability. I believe all high end phones do.

Then there is iTunes. I've spent a lot of time building up a music collection there and I really have no intentions of dropping everything and leaving it behind or having to construct a brand new customized album through another media center.

I believe there are apps for this. Others will know specifically which ones. People have asked about this before and forum members have been able to suggest ways to access your iTunes music on an Android phone.

4. Friends and family who have used Droid mention that the processors/ram are more "powerful", but that they still have constant issues with freezing or buggy problems. How are the latest gen devices as far as these problems go?

My SGS3 has been very stable. No matter what device you use, software on it will have bugs and will crash occasionally. My old HTC Desire Z has had more issues than my new SGS3. It is rare that I have any issues with the SGS3. I had a widget crash on me a few weeks ago and it just restarted.

Note that on iOS devices really try to hide the fact that there was any issue. It will just bring you to the home screen and you may think you just pressed the wrong button. On Android, if there is an issue, it will actually tell you there is one instead of trying to hide it. Sometimes, it will give you the option of commenting on the issue and having those comments sent to the developer. Android error handling is just more in your face while iOS error handling is to try to go back to the home screen as if nothing is wrong. You'll have to decide how each of these error handling approaches make you feel. I think that for some people, they may be very upset if there is an error message that pops up and would prefer that the phone just go back to the home screen. Some people just can't handle the truth.

5. Anything else I should know about making the switch?

The Android UI has some similarities with iOS, but also have some significant differences. I will not go over them in detail, but just keep in mind that you may have a culture shock type of feeling when you switch. Things you normally do on iOS that feel second nature would be different and will make you feel uncomfortable and you may feel it is the wrong way. I have felt this as a user who is very familiar with Android and was starting to use iOS devices. Things just didn't work the way I think it should. If you are going to make the switch, just keep this in mind and have some patience. It may take you a few weeks to really get used to the subtle and no so subtle differences of how you do every day things on your phone.

It's not official yet. I may very well buy an iPhone 5 when the time comes and suffer through another 2 years of locked down merchandise and the cat mouse game of jailbreaking with Apple canceling my warranty. I do not like Apple, but I realize they make a pretty decent phone that appeals even to a geek like me, someone who likes to tinker and customize to the max.

Although, I do not prefer iOS, I do see the appeal of the devices and the UI. I do understand why some people really like it. Apple devices tend to be more cookie cutter and tries to make one size fits all. I think they do a pretty good job at this. If you want a cookie of a different size and shape, and the ability to shape it yourself, Android allows you to do this more easily and with fewer restrictions. Some people want to make cookies of a size and shape of their choosing. Others just want to grab a cookie and start eating right away.

 

[211275]

I had this idea of ditching my iPhone for good a few months ago and it slowly progressed to the point where I am starting to lean more on the idea of upgrading to an android phone over the iPhone 4S 2.0 (iPhone 5).

One thing I am not is an Apple Fan boy. I love Google and Microsoft and hate how Apple keeps a tight fist over my own property. But I recognize the iPhone for what it is. High quality and simplicity.

It's been a few months now since iOS 6, and there is no jailbreak, and my iPhone has been getting very buggy as apps continue to update while i'm stuck in 5.0. It dawned on me that the only reason I can stand Apple in the first place was because I have the ability to jailbreak my phone. On top of that, most or all of my jailbreak abilities I gain by going through that hassle can be achieved, stock, with a lot of android devices, so I really had to sit down and ask myself what the hell I was doing. Did I just get sucked into the fad?

Anyways, the point is, there truly are some strengths to iPhone over Android, and if I am truly going to get into a lifeboat and row over to Android, I need to know how I can work around them to achieve equal or similar capabilities.

First and foremost, I have to jailbreak iPhone to turn my device into a wireless router. Obviously Apple doesn't take too kindly to that notion, and certainly AT&T sure as hell doesn't, even sending threatening texts to cease and desist lest they convert your "unlimited" plan to more limited version.

1. Do most androids have a wifi capability? If not, which ones do? I hear Droid does. But how does android get around that when AT&T wants you to use their expensive tethering services.

Then there is iTunes. I've spent a lot of time building up a music collection there and I really have no intentions of dropping everything and leaving it behind or having to construct a brand new customized album through another media center.

2. So, is there a specific media player on android that will sync, hopefully, seamlessly

I am a podcaster and I really have gotten pretty addicted to listening to podcasts. From the gym to that long commute, they are always there when I need them, ready to go, updated to the latest version.

3. Will #2 sync my podcasts or will I have to download some other app?

4. Friends and family who have used Droid mention that the processors/ram are more "powerful", but that they still have constant issues with freezing or buggy problems. How are the latest gen devices as far as these problems go?

5. Anything else I should know about making the switch?

It's not official yet. I may very well buy an iPhone 5 when the time comes and suffer through another 2 years of locked down merchandise and the cat mouse game of jailbreaking with Apple canceling my warranty. I do not like Apple, but I realize they make a pretty decent phone that appeals even to a geek like me, someone who likes to tinker and customize to the max.

Thanks in advance. There was probably more I wanted to ask, but i can barely keep my eyes open. Off to bed...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am a big Apple guy. All of my mobile devices aside from my phone are Apple. Do what I did. Have an Android phone but add an iPod Touch for all your iOS needs. I have the new one and its basically the iPhone 5 without the phone. Use it as my iPod in the car and still have my phone fee for calls and texts. No interruption of my music when one comes in

 

[nickdalzell]

There are many themes you can install to give you the iOS look and feel. Most are free. Android can look and act like iOS or the blackberry, or even android 4.x if you run an older version. So you don't need to be forced into one UI

 

[danaj]

For podcasts recommend podkicker. I am addicted to podcasts too, and podkicker is an awesome app for downloading or streaming your podcasts, and listening to them.