Why makes you select Android (EVO) over iOS4 (iPhone)?

[pfretty]

What do you see as the key reasons to select Android over the other options? How does Froyo impact this decision?

 

[certifiedfryguy]

I waited until the iphone release day to finally choose. I was off contract with verizon for a few months now, and was looking forward to the Incredible but then i held off for the Evo. The size of the incredible was much more to my liking, but the added bonus of the front camera sold me on the Evo.

Why i chose the Evo over the iphone is because of the 2g cap on data with AT&T, the lower monthy price with Sprint, plus the ultimate deciding factor was when i walked into a best buy mobile they actually had a evo in stock. I would've had to wait a while for the iphone. so i jumped on the Evo bandwagon...

 

[kenn]

Open platform and Verizon's network...

 

[belushi]

Well...As a most likely future EVO owner who currently has an IPhone 3G, I thought I would go ahead and chime in.

The short is I want to be able to tether my phone and I'm not going to accept a 2G cap for $25 plus pay an additional $20 in order for the privilege to tether my phone (e.g. no additional data, just the privilege to hook a wire between my phone and laptop). Plus, I have a family plan and Sprint's plans are great in that area (e.g. I'll pay no more and the wife/kids will also get data enabled phones).

With that said, I have to admit that I am a-bit concerned about the marketing aspect of these Android phones. Apple has been in the hardware/OS business for a long time and treat their phones in the same manner. I have had the IPhone 3G for well over 2 years and have always received the most current updates to the OS.

While these carriers/phone makers have been in the phone business putting out basically a variety of phones without much thought in terms of an upgrade path then moving on to the next model (e.g. leaving the older models to wither and die).

Plus, the number of models these guys are putting out. Just doing a count on Android Forums home page, HTC has 15 phones out. A maintenance nightmare; unless of course they have no intention of maintaining all those phones.

So given I don't expect many maintenance release after I buy, I am going to wait until hopefully mid-July and jump over to Sprint where I'll get me and the wife two EVOs and the kids (e.g. older kids) two Samsung Intercepts (e.g. the Samsung Moment replacement which sounds like will not receive anymore OS updates). I guess if you want an OS update beyond maybe the next release or two, you have to buy a new phone.

Note, not trying to offend anybody, just laying out my observations. Android as an OS is great, just think these manufactures are going to drive it into the ground unless they get their act together by putting out quality products that they plan to support.

 

[knebel22]

Loyalty.
My husband has worked for Verizon for 44 years.

Our son was tempted to change until I told him he had to pay.

All kidding aside Verizon has always been good to us. Great customer service and coverage.

I'm loving my new Incredible.

 

[clarson]

I live my incredible but I do agree that keeping the software up to date may be an issue going forward based on the number of phones that the different manufacturers atte pumping out.

Sent from my Incredible

 

[IOWA]

You can hold an android phone anyway you want to make calls. Haha.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[vbetts]

AT&T is expensive. I pay $55 a month for unlimited everything except land line minutes. The 3gs I honestly wouldn't mind, but I can't afford it.

Iphone plan that's cheapest
MINUTES-450 anytime minutes, 5000 night and weekend minutes(starts at 9pm), additional minutes 45 cents Free mobile to mobile(AT&T only) $39.99
DATA200 mb limit, additional $15 per 200 mb $15
MESSAGINGpay as you go 20 cents per text 30 cents per video or picture.
FINAL COST $54.99

Iphone plan closest to my current plan.
MINUTES-900 anytime minutes, unlimited night and weekend minutes(starts at 9pm), additional minutes 40 cents Free mobile to mobile(AT&T only) $59.99
DATA2 GB limit, additional $11 per 2 gb $25
MESSAGINGUnlimited limits $20.
FINAL COST $104.99

That's double than what I'm paying and I get less than what I have and pay for now. And I get a lot already.

 

[takeshi]

What do you see as the key reasons to select Android over the other options? How does Froyo impact this decision?

Primarily Apple's app store policies though there are other reasons as well. I don't need them telling me what I can and can't load on my phone. Multitasking for any app was probably the next biggest reason. The iPhone being tied to at&t was probably the next after that.

Froyo wasn't relevant to my decision (made long ago) though it is gravy.

Note, not trying to offend anybody, just laying out my observations. Android as an OS is great, just think these manufactures are going to drive it into the ground unless they get their act together by putting out quality products that they plan to support.

I don't see why you'd think people would be offended. However, I'm guessing you didn't observe Motorola and Verizon pushing 2.0.1, 2.1 and, soon-to-be 2.2 to the Droid.

...or that IOS4 isn't supported by all iPhones?

I don't disagree with what you're saying. Just pointing out that generalizations don't always hold in all situations.

You can hold an android phone anyway you want to make calls. Haha.

Ouch!