Moved from iOS to Android - Advice needed

[Big Dogg]

yst Been wanting to get a HTC One for the last w

eek or so, then took the plunge with a One S yesterday. I would prefer a One X, but will see how this One S goes and if I like it, I'll buy a One X or Galaxy S3 in a few weeks.

Anywho, I had a Galaxy S2 for a few months last year, so I'm not a noob to Android. I went back to iOS when the 4s was released last year. The geek in me prefers the customisability of Android and I also prefer the bigger screen. But there are a few things I prefer about iOS and I'd like to know if there are any apps or workarounds that can provide the same functionality.

Keyboard - Despite the smaller screen on the iPhone, they keyboard is a lot easier to type on IMO because its a lot less cluttered.

Mail - My work emails have rules set up with around 10 different folders that mail goes into. On the iPhone, you can view all the folders on 1 screen with the number of unread emails listed next to each folder. You can also see your latest unread emails, regardless of what folder they're in in the notification centre.

Browser - Safari is a much better browser than the stock browser on this One. There is no quick access forward button or tab button on this browser.

Last but not least, what's the best way to sync Android to Mac?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If I can work around these problems, I think I'd stick with Android.

 

[aysiu]

Keyboard - Despite the smaller screen on the iPhone, they keyboard is a lot easier to type on IMO because its a lot less cluttered.

I would highly recommend installing the Gingerbread keyboard... and, more importantly, not freaking out if you hit the wrong letter by accident. One of the beautiful things about the Gingerbread keyboard is the autosuggest feature. You just start typing 2-4 letters (yes, even if you accidentally hit the wrong letter) and then it'll suggest five or six different words you might be trying to type. You select the appropriate word, it fills in or corrects your mistyping and then adds in a space. It's much faster than any other typing method I've seen (including all the Swype-like keyboards).

Mail - My work emails have rules set up with around 10 different folders that mail goes into. On the iPhone, you can view all the folders on 1 screen with the number of unread emails listed next to each folder. You can also see your latest unread emails, regardless of what folder they're in in the notification centre.

I'm not sure you can do this in Android's Email programs.

Browser - Safari is a much better browser than the stock browser on this One. There is no quick access forward button or tab button on this browser.

Don't use the Android stock browser, then. I would highly recommend Dolphin HD, Dolphin Mini, or Opera.

Last but not least, what's the best way to sync Android to Mac?

I use a Mac, and the only thing I really need to sync is iTunes, which I use iSyncr for (it's worth the money). Everything else I sync through Google (Calendar, Contacts, Gmail, etc.).

 

[Covart]

I also just came from an iPhone 4 to the SGS2 Skyrocket and it has taken me a while to find apps that could mimmick the iphones keyboard, email and web browser. Below are my recommendations, but these are based on my Samsung.


Keyboard - 'perfect keyboard pro' (you can make the keyboard any way you like, but there are also settings for iPhone, Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread, etc... So your keyboard looks like those versions. It also allows for arrow keys by swiping upwards on the space bar. Just click on the iPhone theme and you'll feel at home.)

Web browser - Maxthon (only browser I have found that maintains the tabs at the top when you scroll down, has page down and pageup transparent buttons on the right side, home button, back and forward buttons, favorite/bookmark button, full screen button, and refresh button. Settings and download button as well. This is the closest browser i have found that would equate to safari, atomic or any of the others on ios.)

E-mail - you are SOL. I have to use the stock email client, but I do have multiple accounts show up at the same time. Not nearly as easy as iOS to set up though. I have emailed the developers of Sparrow and they were tight lipped about porting their app to either the iPad or Android. If they do port to Android, they'd make a killing. Sparrow is better than ios stock mail client!

Sync to any pc by hitting the settings button, then Wireless and Network, then USB utilities. Plug phone into your pc's usb port. Transfer files back and forth. Easy.

P.S. Assuming you use Google nav for your driving gps needs, you might want to check out the following app - 'Speedometer for Navigator' it adds a speedo to your nav screen.

 

[Metroid Prime]

Swiftey X, Go Keyboard and Gingerbread keyboard are great keyboards. Also, Dolphind HD or opera are good web browsers too as aysiu said. I'm not sure about email, but maybe G-mail or yahoo can? I'm not sure.

 

[aysiu]

Web browser - Maxthon (only browser I have found that maintains the tabs at the top when you scroll down, has page down and pageup transparent buttons on the right side, home button, back and forward buttons, favorite/bookmark button, full screen button, and refresh button. Settings and download button as well. This is the closest browser i have found that would equate to safari, atomic or any of the others on ios.)

May not be the best browser choice but FYI Dolphin Mini also keeps the tabs on top when you scroll down.

 

[candroid11]

I also recommend Swiftkey as an alternative to the stock keyboard. As for browsers, try Chrome or Dolphin. I hated Opera when I had it, but it is also popular.