iOS vs Android
Why I don’t use an iPhone (via gdgt)
Interesting post above by Peter Rojas on why he does not own an iPhone. Despite my love for iOS, I own an Android phone, and I have to agree with some of his points.
Google’s integration of Gmail and Google Voice is huge for me. I primarily use Voice as my main contact number, and I love the ability to send and receive texts from my phone or my computer; getting voicemail in my email is great too. I primarily use Gmail to store all my contacts, so it’s always backed up on the web, and it’s so easy to sync to my phone for email, texts, and calls. Android customization with widgets is not that big a deal for me, but it’s fun to revamp the launcher to give my phone a refresh or a new “look”.
But when it comes to apps and usability, Android doesn’t feel very stable to me. I have an iPod touch, and I’ve used it long before I got my HTC Incredible. Using the touchscreen on an iOS device is so much better and more responsive than on an Android device (and there clearly is a difference in how these devices react to touch). App loading and screen transitions aren’t always smooth. The quality of apps on the Android Market, to quote Kevin Rose, “sucks ass” compared to those in the Apple’s App Store. And I just can’t listen to music on my Android; the player doesn’t hold a candle to the iPod app in iOS. When it comes to daily use, I get more out of my iPod touch then I do my Android phone. Though I think everyone will agree that it would be nice if keyboards available on Android like Swype and, my personal favorite, SwiftKey could be used on iOS as the default keyboard sucks.
Outside of Google integration, I think an iPhone is a better fit for me. But I won’t be eligible to upgrade until next July. By then, I might as well wait 3 more months when the next iteration (the “real” iPhone 5?) is expected to be announced by Apple.
Thank you, Steve Jobs
My first Apple product was a 4th generation iPod. It definitely changed the way I listen to music. Since 2004, my household has been host to an iPod video, an iPod shuffle, 2 iPod nanos, 3 iPod touches, an iPad, an Apple TV, and a Macbook Pro. We love using these products. And if it weren’t for my current contract with Verizon, I would have pre-ordered the iPhone 4S. People say I’m stuck within the Apple ecosystem, but I usually tell them that I wouldn’t have it any other way; to quote Mr. Jobs, “It just works.” Because of iOS, I am usually using my iPod touch or iPad instead of a laptop.
Catching up on feeds today, I read this wonderful collection of tributes to and remembrances of Steve Jobs (via Kottke). Thank you, Steve.
Kindle Fire
Amazon unveiled their tablet today. I don’t think it’s an iPad killer, but it’s definitely the Android tablet some have been looking for.
Amazon Just Won The Android Tablet Wars With The $199 Kindle Fire (TechCrunch)
