Switching from iOS to Android - thoughts of someone who just did that.

Forums › Android › Switching from iOS to Android - thoughts of someone who just did that.

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#1661419 31-Oct-2016 14:08

Additionally, given that I have only had an Android phone 10 days, it seems fairly unlikely that I would have asked why GZ did not work on it's browser until then....

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#1661445 31-Oct-2016 15:00

when people put long urls in here it does stuff the page rendering up

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Shoyu

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#1661540 31-Oct-2016 16:20

@Geektastic, may I ask your reason for switching over to Android, and was it totally worth it? I was going through a similar thought process myself so your post was a nice read (thanks)!

Except my idea was to go to the Note 7 and that became a dead end. Now it's back to an iPhone 7 Plus or a Pixel XL, but currently leaning towards the iPhone as I prefer a front facing fingerprint sensor (its on a desk too often), stereo speakers, speed and build quality & design. My only reason for wanting to switch is for a better camera, but it's probably not enough of a reason to change considering the downsides...

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#1661735 31-Oct-2016 21:25

Shoyu:

@Geektastic, may I ask your reason for switching over to Android, and was it totally worth it? I was going through a similar thought process myself so your post was a nice read (thanks)!

Except my idea was to go to the Note 7 and that became a dead end. Now it's back to an iPhone 7 Plus or a Pixel XL, but currently leaning towards the iPhone as I prefer a front facing fingerprint sensor (its on a desk too often), stereo speakers, speed and build quality & design. My only reason for wanting to switch is for a better camera, but it's probably not enough of a reason to change considering the downsides...

Well, if I am honest, probably boredom mixed with curiosity.

I've had all iPhones and the 7 really did not excite me. I was dead set on the Note 7 and it really harshed my mellow to see it fail before I could actually get one. I did not want to stump up the cost of the 7 Plus and felt that the only way I would get one was to sign another 2 year contract - which I have no problem with in principle but I would have been really annoyed to get to the end of year one and find that the iPhone 8 was launched and it was the most supreme device on the planet, worthy of Ming The Merciless himself, and yet I was stuck in a contract with a lame old 7 that looks much like a 6 plus which looked the same as a 6...

So I figured if I was going to buy the phone, I wanted a nice one that did not cost an arm and a leg. Grabbing the XZ in Noel Leeming sale for around $870 covered that nicely - flagship build, good Android implementation (so I am told anyway), fabulously good screen (ignore what it says on paper - go look at one!), compact but large ish and so on.

Next year, if the iPhone 8 is the world's finest thing ever, well I might go back. I'm not averse at all if they make the design more attention grabbing and give it some new tricks to boot.

mdf

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#1661769 31-Oct-2016 22:23

Technofreak: Another plug for Opera browser, that is Opera not Opera Mini. Opera Mini is OK but Opera for me is still the gold standard in mobile browsing.

^^ Totally this. For me, Opera's text wrapping is the killer feature (especially for geekzone). I can zoom and not have to pan around to read a post!

Technofreak

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#1661774 31-Oct-2016 22:39

mdf:

Technofreak: Another plug for Opera browser, that is Opera not Opera Mini. Opera Mini is OK but Opera for me is still the gold standard in mobile browsing.

^^ Totally this. For me, Opera's text wrapping is the killer feature (especially for geekzone). I can zoom and not have to pan around to read a post!

The text wrapping is the killer feature for me as well.

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Geektastic

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#1661795 31-Oct-2016 23:06

Opera looked good for the Mac actually - built in VPN etc - but I tried watching Amazon Prime stuff and the browser requires some odd plug in for the content that does not seem to be available for it.

Have not tried it on the Android.

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sidders80

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#1661826 1-Nov-2016 06:56

@geektastic on the subject of airplay HTC 10 remains the only android phone which has the feature built in. For the rest you are spot on that rooting may be required

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#1661844 1-Nov-2016 08:49

sidders80: @geektastic on the subject of airplay HTC 10 remains the only android phone which has the feature built in. For the rest you are spot on that rooting may be required

Interesting; I wonder how they managed to get Apple's approval and no one else did?!

NikT

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#1661885 1-Nov-2016 09:56

Geektastic:

Interesting; I wonder how they managed to get Apple's approval and no one else did?!

HTC and Apple have an agreement to share patents.

If memory serves, the DoubleTwist music player will AirPlay when the paid features are purchased. Can't vouch for it myself as I prefer Google's TV offerings (Chromecast & Android TV) which work on both platforms.

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#1661900 1-Nov-2016 10:21

NikT:

Geektastic:

Interesting; I wonder how they managed to get Apple's approval and no one else did?!

HTC and Apple have an agreement to share patents.

If memory serves, the DoubleTwist music player will AirPlay when the paid features are purchased. Can't vouch for it myself as I prefer Google's TV offerings (Chromecast & Android TV) which work on both platforms.

I'll have a look. I am not interested in using it with my TV per se - I have yet to find any reason to connect my computer and my TV - all I want to do is stream music from my phone to my Zeppelin Air. I can, as I said, do that from my iMac of course, but then I have to get up and go in the office to change the music etc etc.

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#1661910 1-Nov-2016 10:34

Had a look at Double Twist.

It will (I think) stream iTunes music over the Airplay system (yay!) but it may be restricted to what is in your library.

For example, I may not be able to capture audio within Apple Music (which I use instead of buying music outright) and stream that output. I have asked DT support the question.

NikT

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#1661914 1-Nov-2016 10:40

You may be better off with a Chromecast Audio as a longer-term cross-platform solution.

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#1661928 1-Nov-2016 11:18

"With both the iOS and Android apps getting almost equal billing, Apple Music is now a little easier of a sell to the entire family.

In fact, the only glaring omission is Apple's refusal to support Google Cast. That may be a dealbreaker for some Android users who want to stream to speakers with Chromecast."

Sadly not, it seems...!

tripp

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#1661972 1-Nov-2016 12:14

Geektastic:

"With both the iOS and Android apps getting almost equal billing, Apple Music is now a little easier of a sell to the entire family.

In fact, the only glaring omission is Apple's refusal to support Google Cast. That may be a dealbreaker for some Android users who want to stream to speakers with Chromecast."

Sadly not, it seems...!

I made the switch from Android to iOS/iphone last year in september, I moved back to android around April/May this year.

The thing I miss the most about iOS is the badges, those little numbers that are just there to let you know how many emails etc. Sure you can get launchers etc that do the same but most of the time they don't work correctly and apps like Notifyer+ work find on the homepage but not in the dock :(

Oh and fast updates.

Things that bugged me about iOS that you only notice when you come from android.

Getting told I had new email but once you open the mail app you had to wait for it to download.

For some reason 2degrees won't let you be on a call and use the internet at the same time (thing this is just a 2degrees issue).

Have to plug it into my car to use the built in pandora etc. Android you just need to bluetooth it.

The interface is boring as hell, "oh look you also have rows of icons and folders".

Widgets.

Also having to pay for apps without trying them out first (no refund in a set amount of time if you uninstall).

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