Will Hangouts ever be as fluent/sharp as Facetime? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I swore off any Apple products a long long time ago but something happened yesterday that blew me away.
My sister came over with her iPhone 6 and was video chatting her friend using facetime. I couldn't believe how fluid/HD like images/no lag it was!
Now I use Video chat a lot too (Hangouts) and its never ever been fluid or sharp/fast images or anything. Always laggy and image quality sucks.
But like I said, on facetime it was as fluid as can be (imagine you opening your front facing camera and waving it around, yes, it was THAT fluid and sharp).
Now my question is.. Do you think Android/Google will ever catch up and get up to par with facetime?

No input?

Hard to say. Personally, I do believe that Google will up their video quality and performance in the near future to match or overtake Apple's, but keep in mind that that is purely speculation.

Related

Hero v. G1...

I have been dual booting my Kaiser as of the last couple weeks, and have fallen in love with Android. When it works, which it does about 90% of the time, it is 100x better than WM. All I find myself longing for is the stabilty of an actual Android specific phone.
I have a couple questions for those of you that have experience with the Hero, as well the G1...
Hero questions (And please forgive me if search would answer some of these, my google search didn't net any direct comparisons of the Hero and G1 in a true personal use sense, just passing in reviews, and I didn't find much on XDA other than hardware comparisons):
1. How well does the onscreen keyboard work? Are there apps out there that give a bigger better keyboard, or is the pre-installed already as good as it gets? I do a decent amount of typing, from couple paragraph work emails to IM with the lady.
2. How would you rate the screen image quality in person? I am not a snob when it comes to 'spec' numbers, what I care about is how it actually looks, ie clear and crisp.
3. How is the video playback?
If you have owned/ used a G1, could you compare the Hero directly with the G1 as well.
Basically, I am trying to decide between the two, or possibly the Samsung Galaxy. I do like a physical keyboard, so i have been leaning towards the G1 because of that, but the spec sheets on the Hero are far superior. So if the onscreen keyboard flies well, I will likely take that route then.
strange that you totally don't care about/aware of the voice quality of a phone.
mystaka said:
strange that you totally don't care about/aware of the voice quality of a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much every review out there already covers call quality, and it isn't at the top of my list, to say the least. I type much more than I actually talk on my phone. The only time I make phone calls is to my dad to let him know I am on my way, and to my manager for imediete approval of an exception for a customer. And I have to use my BB at work (I sell cell phones, and they gave us one for free, but we have to use them at work).
This is mostly a treat for myself, and will be used mainly for web browsing, IM with the lady, video playback, and messing around with android in general.
The on screen keyboard is actually good and its so forgiving , also I think you can install other keyboard from the android market , the screen is ok ( I had an iphone before and the iphone's one is better ) also the samsung has a better screen ( samsung!! ) , the hero is my first android phone so really I can't compare it for you , but I will say go for the better hardware (magic ,hero) so you make sure if there are updates you will get them .
The keyboard is superb! By far the best on screen keyboard I have ever used.
It fixes most typos or mis-presses. very impressive.
The screen quality isn't groundbreaking, but is very nice. Personally I don't need anything better.
The Oleophobic coating (anti fingerprint) on the screen works as advertised.
I barely have the need to wipe the screen. It's actually very cool.
I haven't tried video playback yet, but I heard that it's not that good.
All I can tell you is the Hero plays the Intro video that it comes with perfectly.
All in all a very good/impressive phone.
The user experience is very good.
HTC have earned some extra credit points with me.

Ditching iPhone for GNote

I've been an iPhone user since they first hit the market for no other reason than I'd always been an iPod user and I liked the concept of syncing everything to a single device. Sure, I could have made the Android switch a while ago but there wasn't a phone out there that really captured me quite like the GNote has.
Anyone else ditching their iPhone for the GNote?
I was kind of in the same boat as you. I had 3 different models of iPhone, before I finally got tired of the same ole restricted, small screen device and decided to jump ship when the rumored iPhone 5 wasn't to be. I went with the Galaxy Skyrocket, and have a white Note on preorder. I can tell you, it was the best decision I ever made! I couldn't fathom going back to an iPhone at this point. The openness of Android has been great.
I am dropping the iPhone 4s for the GNote. I don't have any real issues with the 4s but over time the Apple environment has felt restrictive to me. I use the bejeesus out of my phone too and the extra real estate and improved specs of the Note are valuable to me.
I had the Intl version for a few weeks and absolutely loved it (even though it completely crapped out on me). Great screen and Android is so much more enjoyable to live within if you have any "geek" tendencies at all.
The GNote will act as both smartphone and tablet for me - I have already passed my iPad on.
Purpleclad said:
I was kind of in the same boat as you. I had 3 different models of iPhone, before I finally got tired of the same ole restricted, small screen device and decided to jump ship when the rumored iPhone 5 wasn't to be. I went with the Galaxy Skyrocket, and have a white Note on preorder. I can tell you, it was the best decision I ever made! I couldn't fathom going back to an iPhone at this point. The openness of Android has been great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by openness besides greater customization than the iPhone (except when jailbroken)? While I've kept a watch on what's been going on with Android as a platform I've not read into as much as I probably should have in terms of what it can do, or better yet what a user can do. Being a previous iPhone user yourself, what do you like best about the Android platform?
xplan9 said:
I am dropping the iPhone 4s for the GNote. I don't have any real issues with the 4s but over time the Apple environment has felt restrictive to me. I use the bejeesus out of my phone too and the extra real estate and improved specs of the Note are valuable to me.
I had the Intl version for a few weeks and absolutely loved it (even though it completely crapped out on me). Great screen and Android is so much more enjoyable to live within if you have any "geek" tendencies at all.
The GNote will act as both smartphone and tablet for me - I have already passed my iPad on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine will act as both as well. I love the real estate of this phone. 5.3" is a lot. It looks like the difference between Rhode Island and Texas when compared to the iPhone (ok, maybe a little dramatic). At this point I think the kids have used my iPad more than I have. I used to take it to work all the time but lately I've been just leaving it at home. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad, but carrying two devices around isn't something I want to do which is why I went the iPhone route to begin with. The GNote brings me back to a single device that serves multiple (practically speaking) purposes.
I currently using the IP4, I am dropping the 4S for the GNote.
I'm switching from iP as well. Last phone I actually purchased was a 3g. Loved it . . . it was amazing at the time . . . lol. My cousin gave me his 3gs when he upped to the 4s and even the difference there was night and day for me.
Same thing as you, though . . . no phone wowed me until I saw this thing. I was brainstorming in September when I decided I wanted a new phone. I wanted a tablet and a phone but didn't think it existed. I Googled things like "phone tablet hybrid" and eventually came across the Note. Haven't looked back since and next Friday is the day I've been crossing my fingers for . . .
By the way have you guys held one yet? Or passed by best buy and held their dummy model yet to get a feel of the actual size? its bigger than the iphone for sure. But doesnt weigh a whole lot more. This thing weighs almost the same as my htc inspire.
SysAdmNj said:
By the way have you guys held one yet? Or passed by best buy and held their dummy model yet to get a feel of the actual size? its bigger than the iphone for sure. But doesnt weigh a whole lot more. This thing weighs almost the same as my htc inspire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not. Was at a local BB last Friday before the pre-order and when I asked them about it they all looked confused. They couldn't even confirm if I could pre-order with them.
I did however play around with the Samsung Galaxy Player they had on display. For my hands it felt big but comfortable. I could easily reach from one side of the screen to the other with one thumb, and it felt great in landscape with both hands. I don't think the specs are exactly the same in terms of dimensions between the GPlayer and the GNote but I think it's pretty close.
Next weekend can't come soon enough...
CykoDad said:
I have not. Was at a local BB last Friday before the pre-order and when I asked them about it they all looked confused. They couldn't even confirm if I could pre-order with them.
I did however play around with the Samsung Galaxy Player they had on display. For my hands it felt big but comfortable. I could easily reach from one side of the screen to the other with one thumb, and it felt great in landscape with both hands. I don't think the specs are exactly the same in terms of dimensions between the GPlayer and the GNote but I think it's pretty close.
Next weekend can't come soon enough...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Luckily the girl I asked for the note display model at bestbuy went into a cabinet and pulled one out but of course the display wasnt even on and was fake. And yes then I went to the galaxy player, not much different. Maybe the note was a little taller,wider but I believe thinner. The weight was identical. The display was nice and thats only and 800x480 resolution.
This may be the longest week ever lol.
CykoDad said:
What do you mean by openness besides greater customization than the iPhone (except when jailbroken)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant speak for him, but i ASSume that is exactly what he means...customization.
i am in the same boat as y'all. i still have my 1st smartphone, the 3GS. the large screen was the 1st thing to draw me to this phone, then the s-pen. then when i heard about being able to customize it in various ways was exciting (not sure if or how this is possible with iP.)
seeing all of the great end-user reviews of this phone on the various forums, Youtube and even Amazon reviews, let's me know we cant be wrong.
ARTAQaf said:
i cant speak for him, but i ASSume that is exactly what he means...customization.
i am in the same boat as y'all. i still have my 1st smartphone, the 3GS. the large screen was the 1st thing to draw me to this phone, then the s-pen. then when i heard about being able to customize it in various ways was exciting (not sure if or how this is possible with iP.)
seeing all of the great end-user reviews of this phone on the various forums, Youtube and even Amazon reviews, let's me know we cant be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree! I've watched so many YouTube videos since the GNote hit the UK (and beyond) streets and have been waiting for it to find ours ever since. Hell, I've watched countless videos in languages I don't even understand just to see how this thing works for them. From what I've seen and watch in the last few months the GNote is truly amazing and I can't wait to finally get my giddy little hands on it.
The only other concern for you iphone users is the camera/video.
I havent seen the greatest reviews of photos and videos from the note where as the iphone camera is suppose to be one of the "best". I'm so hoping the at&t version note takes good pics and vids.
SysAdmNj said:
The only other concern for you iphone users is the camera/video.
I havent seen the greatest reviews of photos and videos from the note where as the iphone camera is suppose to be one of the "best". I'm so hoping the at&t version note takes good pics and vids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't make the move to the iPhone 4s which does have a much better camera that the iPhone 4. From what I've seen, the GNote takes much better shots and videos that the iPhone 4. However, I myself don't take a lot of pics and vids with my current phone. The issues I've seen and read in regard to the camera function of the GNote did not play into my decision to make the switch. I've used my iPhone camera from time to time but when I know I'm going to events where I will take a lot of pictures I use my DSLR for that. Honestly, the only time I ever really needed my iPhone for a camera was when I was rear-ended early last year. That was really the only time I was glad to have some form of camera on me.
I am also switching from the IP4 to the GNote. And again, like many users said, none of the android phones really made me interested. I like the skyrocket, but I really want a HD resolution. But then I saw the Note, and how big the screen was, and im sold.
Ive played with the galaxy player, and thought it was a good size. Maybe ill sell my ipad2 after getting this phone.
geoldr said:
I am also switching from the IP4 to the GNote. And again, like many users said, none of the android phones really made me interested. I like the skyrocket, but I really want a HD resolution. But then I saw the Note, and how big the screen was, and im sold.
Ive played with the galaxy player, and thought it was a good size. Maybe ill sell my ipad2 after getting this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, my 13yo daughter told me she wanted the GPlayer instead of a new iPod when she graduates (if they call it that anymore) from middle school this year. I don't actually remember telling her I'd buy her a new iPod...
The benefits from android over iphone are numerous, two of the ones i find most useful
-folder management (dont have to deal with itunes to manage your music, just treat it like any folders on your computer)
-battery can be switched out, On my captivate I have three batteries and a dock that charges them so I always have one charged and ready which is quite nice.
There are more, especially the custom roms which are really sweet
Well I can tell you that the simple fact that you iPhone users are even on a site like xda tells me two things right away. 1 You guys all have some tech geek in you!! 2 Because of that, you guys will never go back to ios once you guys get the hang of android with rooting and flashing custom Rom's, which is becoming easier practically everyday compared to just a year ago.
MMAHavok69 said:
Well I can tell you that the simple fact that you iPhone users are even on a site like xda tells me two things right away. 1 You guys all have some tech geek in you!! 2 Because of that, you guys will never go back to ios once you guys get the hang of android with rooting and flashing custom Rom's, which is becoming easier practically everyday compared to just a year ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tx Havok, that makes me more confident that a noob like me can Root my upcoming Note.
and how many of us iOs guys are sick to death of "sync'ing" our iPhone to iTunes and it takes like 30-40 minutes just to "sync" to iTunes everyday...that is complete garbage and a waste of my time...i ASSume Android isn't like that.
ARTAQaf said:
tx Havok, that makes me more confident that a noob like me can Root my upcoming Note.
and how many of us iOs guys are sick to death of "sync'ing" our iPhone to iTunes and it takes like 30-40 minutes just to "sync" to iTunes everyday...that is complete garbage and a waste of my time...i ASSume Android isn't like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not at all.
For people coming from iPhones:
-Create a Google account if you don't already have one
-Go to music.google.com
-Download the music uploader
-Have it upload up to 20,000 songs to the cloud (for free)
-Download the app on your Note and they're all there.
You can pin music to your phone if it's something that you listen to frequently or if you won't have a connection for some period of time (eg. flight)
Any music that you add to your computer via ripping a CD or buying it on iTunes or whatever you use, will automatically get uploaded to your Google Music account
Also check out Google Docs. (docs.google.com)
There's a batch uploader so you can have access to all of your documents on your phone instantly. They're stored in the cloud so you can edit them on the go, go to any computer, sign in to docs.google.com, and continue working from where you left off.
They just added offline support about a week ago too for Docs

Anyone come to the GS3 directly from an iPhone 4(S)?

Hi...just wondering if anyone has just come over to the GS3 from an iPhone4/4S - especially if you've always been a dyed-in-the-wool iOS fan previously!!
If so, what are your initial thoughts about the switch?
I've a few blinkered friends who just refuse to even consider anything other than an iphone....even though some have never even tried anything else!
I'd like to give them some feedback from you guys as to why they should at least think about it!!
Cheers....
Tell them the S3 has siri too lol, personally I'd just show them all the things your S3 can do that their iPhone cant.
I would....if I had one
Hopefully gonna get one next week sometime....
Willie_Heckerslyke said:
Hi...just wondering if anyone has just come over to the GS3 from an iPhone4/4S - especially if you've always been a dyed-in-the-wool iOS fan previously!!
If so, what are your initial thoughts about the switch?
I've a few blinkered friends who just refuse to even consider anything other than an iphone....even though some have never even tried anything else!
I'd like to give them some feedback from you guys as to why they should at least think about it!!
Cheers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IOS 6 just having features that we used to have on android 1.6 so u gonna love it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Beta-6
Does it count if I'm a fandroid who's using iphone and is in an apple environment where I'm typing this from an ipad 3 and have access to numerous apple products and actually see out of the box?
Just show them these videos, they are very informative regarding the differences between Android and iOS: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557484
If they're not very interested in technology they probably won't want to watch them... Though if they in fact aren't very interested in tech per my assumption, then I do feel that the iPhone is the best phone for them anyway, so if that's the case the videos aren't really needed.
When answering friends/family asking me which phone they should buy (I'm the phone advice guy) I always think: How interested is this person in tech such as computers and phones? How much do they know about tech? If the person is pretty uninterested and/or simply not a "settings/theme tweaker" kind of person, my answer is always and without fail the iPhone.
If the person is at least somewhat aware of new tech gadgets and has some rudimentary knowledge about phones, then things get more interesting.
I've had an iPhone4 myself for 11 months, and I did enjoy it. It worked very well, everything from GPS to basic phone stuff worked very well. I never had any problems, and I really felt I could trust in the phone to work when I suddenly needed quick GPS aid or something else. It never failed me.
The iPhone IS a good device, especially if you're more of a "set it and forget it" kind of person.
Me, I started to miss the customization options that Android offers, and the iPhone's tiny display was starting to annoy me. (Because of its size, other than that I loved the display.)
AND another big reason is the video series that I already mentioned earlier. Really opened my eyes. iOS is falling behind. Badly. Although not everyone cares about that. Those who do care should be sporting an Android.
i'll be switching from the iphone 4 to the samsung galaxy s3.
Have been using iOS for 2 years now. Never really liked iOS, but I guess I was just out of grad school and rode the popularity train and kept the iphone. Now I want a little more from my phone.
rjshenoy said:
i'll be switching from the iphone 4 to the samsung galaxy s3.
Have been using iOS for 2 years now. Never really liked iOS, but I guess I was just out of grad school and rode the popularity train and kept the iphone. Now I want a little more from my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir have come to the right place, here is a preemptive welcome to a while new world of mobile versatility and enjoyment... I'm thinking you won't be disappointed.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
I am making the switch from the 4S to the S3. I have switched between all kinds of phones, currently back in forth between my Thunderbolt and 4S when I want to switch it up. However, the S3 just seems like it's ready to blow me away, where iOS is getting a bit stale to me.
Kiahnlliya said:
Just show them these videos, they are very informative regarding the differences between Android and iOS: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557484
If they're not very interested in technology they probably won't want to watch them... Though if they in fact aren't very interested in tech per my assumption, then I do feel that the iPhone is the best phone for them anyway, so if that's the case the videos aren't really needed.
When answering friends/family asking me which phone they should buy (I'm the phone advice guy) I always think: How interested is this person in tech such as computers and phones? How much do they know about tech? If the person is pretty uninterested and/or simply not a "settings/theme tweaker" kind of person, my answer is always and without fail the iPhone.
If the person is at least somewhat aware of new tech gadgets and has some rudimentary knowledge about phones, then things get more interesting.
I've had an iPhone4 myself for 11 months, and I did enjoy it. It worked very well, everything from GPS to basic phone stuff worked very well. I never had any problems, and I really felt I could trust in the phone to work when I suddenly needed quick GPS aid or something else. It never failed me.
The iPhone IS a good device, especially if you're more of a "set it and forget it" kind of person.
Me, I started to miss the customization options that Android offers, and the iPhone's tiny display was starting to annoy me. (Because of its size, other than that I loved the display.)
AND another big reason is the video series that I already mentioned earlier. Really opened my eyes. iOS is falling behind. Badly. Although not everyone cares about that. Those who do care should be sporting an Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also the phone advice guy and I have the exact same thought process when considering what I think they should get.
It's really easy to overestimate how limited most people's tech knowledge is and I'm no guru.
Kiahnlliya said:
Just show them these videos, they are very informative regarding the differences between Android and iOS: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557484
If they're not very interested in technology they probably won't want to watch them... Though if they in fact aren't very interested in tech per my assumption, then I do feel that the iPhone is the best phone for them anyway, so if that's the case the videos aren't really needed.
When answering friends/family asking me which phone they should buy (I'm the phone advice guy) I always think: How interested is this person in tech such as computers and phones? How much do they know about tech? If the person is pretty uninterested and/or simply not a "settings/theme tweaker" kind of person, my answer is always and without fail the iPhone.
If the person is at least somewhat aware of new tech gadgets and has some rudimentary knowledge about phones, then things get more interesting.
I've had an iPhone4 myself for 11 months, and I did enjoy it. It worked very well, everything from GPS to basic phone stuff worked very well. I never had any problems, and I really felt I could trust in the phone to work when I suddenly needed quick GPS aid or something else. It never failed me.
The iPhone IS a good device, especially if you're more of a "set it and forget it" kind of person.
Me, I started to miss the customization options that Android offers, and the iPhone's tiny display was starting to annoy me. (Because of its size, other than that I loved the display.)
AND another big reason is the video series that I already mentioned earlier. Really opened my eyes. iOS is falling behind. Badly. Although not everyone cares about that. Those who do care should be sporting an Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you forgot one point. a common belief held by typical users is that having an iPhone is cool an shows that you're classy and rich whereas android is for nerds and cheapsakes. they're too full of themselves to realize the different between being smart and efficient conpared to ignorant and foolish
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I remember my boss saw me playing with my brand new galaxy and said "lol, not everyone can have an iphone." i really wanted to bury my foot in his face, he had the damn 3GS! My phone would make the 3GS commit suicide just by looking at it! That is how most nontech folks see this.. Don't get me wrong on this, I'm no iphone hater but I'm beginning to feel some frustration against some users xD
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I went from the Samsung Galaxy S2 to the iPhone 4s to the Xperia S to the HTC One XL. I am going to switch to the Galaxy S3 as soon as I find a good deal on an international one or as soon as it comes out for Rogers.
Although I didn't really have many complaints about the iPhone 4s after an iTunes restore. Here are my main problems with it.
It was the first to use bluetooth 4.0 but it sucks. The range is very poor and disconnects too easily compared to BT 3.0. To be fair, this also happens on my One X. I don't think BT 4.0 is ready for prime time yet and the battery saving is not worth it yet. I am not expecting the GS3 BT 4.0 to have the same range as the GS2 and Xperia S BT 2.1 but it will be better than the iPhone 4s BT 4.0 similar to how BT 4.0 is better on the HTC One X.
Here is the main reason I got rid of it though. EVERYBODY in my region has either the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. It is like if everyone had your favorite jacket. I would stop wearing it and it wouldn't be my favorite anymore. Also similar to how uniforms make you look like part of a hive, an iPhone 4s makes you look like you are assimilated into some massive cult. It might be a shallow reason and might not bug everyone, but it REALLY bugs me. I like to have some individuality.
You can also tell them that the Xperia S is basically a nicer and classier looking version of the iPhone 4s. It performs just as well down to the keyboard. Not to mention it offers more freedom to boot.
However, I would choose the 4s over the HTC One X and all my other phones before the GS2.
Tomatoes8 said:
I went from the Samsung Galaxy S2 to the iPhone 4s to the Xperia S to the HTC One XL. I am going to switch to the Galaxy S3 as soon as I find a good deal on an international one or as soon as it comes out for Rogers.
Although I didn't really have many complaints about the iPhone 4s after an iTunes restore. Here are my main problems with it.
It was the first to use bluetooth 4.0 but it sucks. The range is very poor and disconnects too easily compared to BT 3.0. To be fair, this also happens on my One X. I don't think BT 4.0 is ready for prime time yet and the battery saving is not worth it yet. I am not expecting the GS3 BT 4.0 to have the same range as the GS2 and Xperia S BT 2.1 but it will be better than the iPhone 4s BT 4.0 similar to how BT 4.0 is better on the HTC One X.
Here is the main reason I got rid of it though. EVERYBODY in my region has either the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. It is like if everyone had your favorite jacket. I would stop wearing it and it wouldn't be my favorite anymore. Also similar to how uniforms make you look like part of a hive, an iPhone 4s makes you look like you are assimilated into some massive cult. It might be a shallow reason and might not bug everyone, but it REALLY bugs me. I like to have some individuality.
You can also tell them that the Xperia S is basically a nicer and classier looking version of the iPhone 4s. It performs just as well down to the keyboard. Not to mention it offers more freedom to boot.
However, I would choose the 4s over the HTC One X and all my other phones before the GS2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow
kaal1010 said:
wow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just works and doesn't bother me during use. I am very picky about fluidity and user interface.
A few years ago the thing that I liked about the iPhone was easy music syncing (I actually quite like using iTunes believe it or not), a good music player (continuous playback etc), good screen, and it was pretty consistent.
I felt Android had the potential but maybe the hardware needed to improve to accommodate the great features. The 'oh but the iPhone just works' argument maybe had some substance back then.
Now the hardware has accelerated so much and the developers have really started to fine tune the software, that argument just doesn't hold up.
Plus, now I've finally discovered programmes like PowerAmp and iSyncr that fill the music gap, I can have a decent amount of storage without being extorted, a nice big screen and I don't have to have the same phone every other person has.
For me, you just can't compare the iPhone to the current high end Android devices. The Apple fanboys might make a case when comparing it to the lower end devices but £ for £ Android is way ahead in my book.
Was playing with my father in law's 4S today. I don't know how anyone can say it's more "intuitive" or user friendly than android. I'm sure if you are used to iOS it feels like it, but it took me 20 minutes to figure how to turn off his email ding that drives him nuts from all his spam because obviously he barely knows how to do anything other than make phone calls and read email. Also wanted to make it so when you delete emails it ALSO deletes it from the server. Still haven't found a way to do it with his hotmail account, as he complained about having to delete all his junk mail twice. "Just works" my ass. I guess as long as you don't mind having it work like Apples wants you to.
kaal1010 said:
A few years ago the thing that I liked about the iPhone was easy music syncing (I actually quite like using iTunes believe it or not), a good music player (continuous playback etc), good screen, and it was pretty consistent.
I felt Android had the potential but maybe the hardware needed to improve to accommodate the great features. The 'oh but the iPhone just works' argument maybe had some substance back then.
Now the hardware has accelerated so much and the developers have really started to fine tune the software, that argument just doesn't hold up.
Plus, now I've finally discovered programmes like PowerAmp and iSyncr that fill the music gap, I can have a decent amount of storage without being extorted, a nice big screen and I don't have to have the same phone every other person has.
For me, you just can't compare the iPhone to the current high end Android devices. The Apple fanboys might make a case when comparing it to the lower end devices but £ for £ Android is way ahead in my book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not saying Android isn't better than IOS. I agree it is. My One X however, just doesn't do it for me. It stutters and lags more than my iPhone 4s did. The BT also didn't work until a factory reset on the One X and even when it did it would disconnect during a conversation.
Also, my screen flexed until I popped it back in by putting a case on and the only way I can get it to run smooth is with Sslauncher. Sorry, my HTC One X sucks and my iPhone 4s didn't.
I like all my other Android phones over the iPhone 4s though even though one of them used a last gen Qualcomm S3.
CapsLockKey said:
Was playing with my father in law's 4S today. I don't know how anyone can say it's more "intuitive" or user friendly than android. I'm sure if you are used to iOS it feels like it, but it took me 20 minutes to figure how to turn off his email ding that drives him nuts from all his spam because obviously he barely knows how to do anything other than make phone calls and read email. Also wanted to make it so when you delete emails it ALSO deletes it from the server. Still haven't found a way to do it with his hotmail account, as he complained about having to delete all his junk mail twice. "Just works" my ass. I guess as long as you don't mind having it work like Apples wants you to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not really a good comparison. As it takes way more steps to change notification sounds in Androids email client.
All of this is totally biased. You're frequenting a forum that caters to the very people more likely to use android, regardless of what they had before. I think xda is more about the type of person than the tech they use, because most people who enjoy using their tech a specific way find xda like a beacon. Those that don't never bother, and that's the majority of people, with or without Android. The fact of the matter is whatever phone you think will make your life better, that's what you should get. Not everyone has a need for rooting, nfc, etc. Some people have dishwashers, but I get along fine washing it like a normal jackoff (even though I have a dishwasher). I'm also the same guy that flashes every other week. Not all tech is for everyone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA

Regrets with android

Hey everybody. I have been a longtime iPhone user and I enjoy the phone but I'm getting so bored with it. I love the androids that my friends have especially the Galaxy S3. I really want a Note or the Note 2 but worry about reliability or loss of features. Are there any iPhone converts on here that have no regrets with switching? Thanks!
I'm confused. Your prior posts indicated you owned an android phone since last year.
anyway, i owned 3 versions of iphones and last year switched to Samsung infuse (disappointing because of poor gps issues) but once I went to the NOTE I'll never turn back to iphone (u hit the nail on the head...boring).
I had the 3g and the 4 and do not regret switching to Android. Bought the Dell Streak years ago when making my switch and now own the gnote. Best move I ever made. If u are a tweaker then go with Android, if like the same old vanilla flavor stay with apple.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr!
I have but always just to mess around with android and never used as a daily driver. I have since sold those other ones and am thinking of going with just an android form. Seriously thinking about the Note 2 when it comes out on AT&T. I really want a bigger screen since I love mobile games.
Do you guys have issues with force closing and app reliability? That's the stuff I worry about.
tEcHsAvY said:
Do you guys have issues with force closing and app reliability? That's the stuff I worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Force closing is not really an issue anymore. If you had an app on iphone close on you unexpectedly, basically its the same thing but it just didn't advertise it.
Sent from my Galaxy Note
Yeah that's true come to think of it. On the iPhone it just exits out and doesn't say anything.
I migrated from iPhone a few weeks ago. Had an iPhone 4, and then bought an iPhone 4S when it was released. So it's been about 2 years of using the iPhone. I wanted a bigger screen so I switched to the Note. It has definitely not been a smooth transition, but nothing I didn't really expect. Here are some major issues I had:
Pros:
- Widgets. Seriously, how has iPhone not enabled these yet
- Screen size
- Don't need to jailbreak/root for full functionality
- Flash support (although not possible with Chrome so this will vanish soon)
- No proprietary hardware, more freedom in general
Cons:
- eMail is terrible, need to pay for third party app which still doesn't work properly
- Music app is terrible, need to pay for Poweramp or equivalent, which is still buggy
- No built-in podcast app, need to pay for DoggCatcher or equivalent
- Browser UI is clunky and slow (dealing w/ bookmarks and tabs is a nightmare, much snappier on iPhone)
Overall I still think I'll like my Note more in the long run but getting everything to work properly is a royal pain in the ass, and not cheap, either. The only app I've really had an issue with is Poweramp which I use for music, and every couple minutes I get a static white noise for about a second. And like I said eMail overall is completely terrible, to the point where I said "eff this" and just forward everything to my GMail account. maybe that was their plan all along...
skinblues said:
The only app I've really had an issue with is Poweramp which I use for music, and every couple minutes I get a static white noise for about a second.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you purchased it, this shouldn't be happening. I've been using PowerAmp forever and there's never been anything like that. You may have had bad luck and your Note has bad hardware.
I used iPhone since 2007, from 2G to 4, back to 3G (cuz 4 was stolen) until June this year.
The ONLY thing I miss is Bejeweled Blitz. Yes, music/email apps are not as good, but for phone/text/browsing/video, Note has been far and away better than iPhone. And I was not impressed at all with iPhone 5 either.
skinblues said:
I migrated from iPhone a few weeks ago. Had an iPhone 4, and then bought an iPhone 4S when it was released. So it's been about 2 years of using the iPhone. I wanted a bigger screen so I switched to the Note. It has definitely not been a smooth transition, but nothing I didn't really expect. Here are some major issues I had:
Pros:
- Widgets. Seriously, how has iPhone not enabled these yet
- Screen size
- Don't need to jailbreak/root for full functionality
- Flash support (although not possible with Chrome so this will vanish soon)
- No proprietary hardware, more freedom in general
Cons:
- eMail is terrible, need to pay for third party app which still doesn't work properly
- Music app is terrible, need to pay for Poweramp or equivalent, which is still buggy
- No built-in podcast app, need to pay for DoggCatcher or equivalent
- Browser UI is clunky and slow (dealing w/ bookmarks and tabs is a nightmare, much snappier on iPhone)
Overall I still think I'll like my Note more in the long run but getting everything to work properly is a royal pain in the ass, and not cheap, either. The only app I've really had an issue with is Poweramp which I use for music, and every couple minutes I get a static white noise for about a second. And like I said eMail overall is completely terrible, to the point where I said "eff this" and just forward everything to my GMail account. maybe that was their plan all along...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the hell phone are you using? I know your not talking about the note! And the iPhone doesn't have features lmfao it has apps that's it. iPhones don't do anything. Its a cosmetic aluminum can with a screen. I've had one since 2g-4 and at 4s I said I'm not that dumb which I really started to say at 4 not doing much more than 3gs! But hey a phone is a phone if you make calls!
skinblues said:
I migrated from iPhone a few weeks ago. Had an iPhone 4, and then bought an iPhone 4S when it was released. So it's been about 2 years of using the iPhone. I wanted a bigger screen so I switched to the Note. It has definitely not been a smooth transition, but nothing I didn't really expect. Here are some major issues I had:
Pros:
- Widgets. Seriously, how has iPhone not enabled these yet
- Screen size
- Don't need to jailbreak/root for full functionality
- Flash support (although not possible with Chrome so this will vanish soon)
- No proprietary hardware, more freedom in general
Cons:
- eMail is terrible, need to pay for third party app which still doesn't work properly
- Music app is terrible, need to pay for Poweramp or equivalent, which is still buggy
- No built-in podcast app, need to pay for DoggCatcher or equivalent
- Browser UI is clunky and slow (dealing w/ bookmarks and tabs is a nightmare, much snappier on iPhone)
Overall I still think I'll like my Note more in the long run but getting everything to work properly is a royal pain in the ass, and not cheap, either. The only app I've really had an issue with is Poweramp which I use for music, and every couple minutes I get a static white noise for about a second. And like I said eMail overall is completely terrible, to the point where I said "eff this" and just forward everything to my GMail account. maybe that was their plan all along...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um sir, why are you not using k-9 mail for your non Gmail emails?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
My last iPhone was the 3g. I have not regretted switching. The awesome thing about android its that if you want features, just flash another ROM. The experience has never been what I call boring.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
i switched from 2 years of iP 3GS to the GNote when it 1st came out. LOVE it...no regrets. Is it perfect? no of course not. but nothing is. the size of the screen is incomparable and worth it!
skinblues said:
It has definitely not been a smooth transition, but nothing I didn't really expect. Here are some major issues
Cons:
- eMail is terrible, need to pay for third party app which still doesn't work properly
- Music app is terrible, need to pay for Poweramp or equivalent, which is still buggy
- No built-in podcast app, need to pay for DoggCatcher or equivalent
- Browser UI is clunky and slow (dealing w/ bookmarks and tabs is a nightmare, much snappier on iPhone)
Overall I still think I'll like my Note more in the long run but getting everything to work properly is a royal pain in the ass, and not cheap, either. The only app I've really had an issue with is Poweramp which I use for music, and every couple minutes I get a static white noise for about a second. And like I said eMail overall is completely terrible, to the point where I said "eff this" and just forward everything to my GMail account. maybe that was their plan all along...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you've got some issues going on with you're phone, combined with a possible lack of general knowledge of android apps that a little google searching could help with.
The built in email app is pretty decent in the stock ics build, even then there are several free alternatives such as k9mail like was previously mentioned (it beats the pants off apple's mail app for iPhone).
For music, plenty of free apps that work great. Winamp, is one of the biggest ones that I can think of off the top of my head, Mortplayer is another.
The native browser in ics for my note compared to safari on my iphone 4 is quite a bit faster not only in rendering pages but also has quite a few features that safari lacks (dim screen, download files, save pages, desktop mode, just to name a few.) Plus scrolling pages is relatively lag free.
So I'm not sure where you're coming from on those issues you've listed. I've only had this phone for a week and I've already got everything working flawlessly.
My only one complaint is the very apparent lag when using the spen to write. I havent figured out a fix yet for the millisecond delay from the time you start writing something to the time it shows up in snote. The delay is a tad annoying (I wish it was more like actually writing on paper where the lines you draw show up instantly). I figured since this device was supppsed to be meant for note taking and drawing there should be very little lag with the spen, hopefully project butter will fix this in jb.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
K-9... no that good an app. Kaiten isn't either. I have to agree that the stock email app is week. These other alternatives aren't that great either. I have a Note, contemplated on going to iPhone 5, but I do love the Note and large screen though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
With so many improvements on android os and top notch high end phones, I'm never going back to an iPhone. When comparing high end phones..the iPhone never comes to mind anymore but that's just me. The look of the phone is tired and iOS is plain and boring. Nuff said.
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
[Lady]: "How do you carry that huge phone in your pocket?"
[Note User]: "I'm used to having huge stuff in my pants"
borijess said:
I had the 3g and the 4 and do not regret switching to Android. Bought the Dell Streak years ago when making my switch and now own the gnote. Best move I ever made. If u are a tweaker then go with Android, if like the same old vanilla flavor stay with apple.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa! Another Streak owner. I had it too, and if Dell had actually DONE something with it, the potential was all there (though there were issues, like a battery not up to task, and build quality. I loved it, but had to abandon it for lack of development / upgrades - sheesh it took Dell 6 months to get to Froyo from Eclair!.
As for the op...Let me take a shot at this, and hopefully I can help you decide w if you are bored, and you like to tweak (not REQUIRED as some persist, but POSSIBLE, which iPhone is not designed for) you will likely wonder why you stayed with iPhone as long as you did. '
I was a Windows Mobile guy , but Windows Phone looked a but "dumbed down" and was looking less open to modding, as we called it "in the old days" So I jumped on android specifically for the hot n heavy development going on. You will NOT get bored on Android. I like to say, if there is something you can't do on Android today, you will be able to tommorow or soon, cause SOMEONE is out there developing it right now. Look at the rate that Android took over the phone market. That was not an accident. The iPhone was revolutionary, especially the original in 2007, but has gone evolutionary ever since. Did Android, and Samsung, and HTC and others "steal" iPhone stuff? Hell yeah they did, but "building and improving upon your competitors products is what all tecnical consumer companies DO. So what's the point? You want to lead in Mobile device sales and buzz? Make buzz worthy, sales worthy mobile devices. The Japanese famously cribbed European car designs, applied innovative thinking, and found ways to build EFFICIENTLY and make the cars themselves efficient, and basically outsold their competitors by building a more desirable product, on a number of levels.
That's all Samsung did vs. Apple, and Apple doesn't like it. Is Apple technically "right"? Probably. I say who freaking CARES. Samsung should perhaps pay something for cribbing things a but too obviously, but a Billion Plus?
Sorry, side tracked into all the stuff we are inundated with in the press. Basically, this is the worlds easiest decision. Every US Carrier (assuming the OP is in the US) offers a buyers remorse period. If you can;t tell in 30 days whether Android is for you, then you aren't ever going to know. Heck, I would know almost for certain in 2-3 days max, since thats enough time to use the phone for "phone stuff" and play with it as a portable computer, which is it's other persona. The OS CAN be a bit off-putting at first, and it is not a polished in some ways as iPhone. But that's MOSTLY due to the fact that you can DO so much more. You can't get power without a little complexity. As long as it's logical and intuitive, power is awesome.
One final example, and I think it is an excellent argument for Android vs. iPhone: I was in Japan on business, and found that even with a "World Phone" as AT&T calls it, I found that I had connectivity to everything, but my signal strength was poor. Like 2 bars of 4 on the signal icon. Calls weren't dropping, but were not too clear, and data (email, etc) was slow. I happened to have 3 different "radios" on my SD card (cool little memory devices that you can increase your phones memory with! Apple doesn't want you to know about them, LOL!) The phones "Radio" or Baseband is basically a software modem, of sorts, but it's the code that interacts with the transceiver in your phone, in any event. In my hotel room on the first night, I tried 2 different radios. Didn't NEED to try the 3rd. The second one bumped me to 4 bars of signal strength, and maintained 3-4 for the rest of the trip. Took me 5 minutes to do, and saved the day. Try THAT on an i Phone. Even an iPhone after "Jailbreaking it is limited as to what you can do. VERY few pwople "Develop" at the GUI or OS level for iPhone. They are all developing APPs, and iPhone apps ARE quality bits, for he most part. This is the ONLY area that Android is behind the curve, but I won;t go into some of the reasons, since I already typed a novel here. Suffice it to say that many Android apps need to get better. The killer apps already are great. There is just too much crap...
Good luck with your decision. You WILL have an adjustment period. Stay open minded, and willing to learn, and I think you can be a "convert" too in time, offering help to some other poor Apple drone (not that YOU are one, LOL!)
Has thus guy ran a custom ROM or just stock?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
I've used the stock email for my yahoo since going to android and never had an issue.. browser works fine.. does what its supposed to do, and poweramp is worth the measly $5..
I've of the same thought above.. I think your issues lie in the phone having minor malfunctions, I have never had any of those issues..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

[Q] do you love your new phone?

Oops, I mean watch.....
If your like me you have watched a lot of the unboxing and review videos... And I'm sure you have noticed that it almost every video the person slips up and calls it a phone at least once. I have even done it.
I have seen a verrrrry wide range of opinions, of LG vs Samsung. Android wear vs functionality. And lots of people I know don't see the difference between it and a phone. Some people think its useless because you have a phone..
I guess my real question is, how many of you honestly see this as its own device vs second screen vs ...something...
I have very hyped and waiting for my shipping delayed LG. And I find a lit of people have the wrong idea.
Which I watch android reviews, regular phones. People seem to have a similar feeling and views (not the same, just similar) but android wear is just... Yeah..
So are we stuck in a subliminal mindset about our new wrist phones... Oops I mean watch.
sadoway said:
Oops, I mean watch.....
If your like me you have watched a lot of the unboxing and review videos... And I'm sure you have noticed that it almost every video the person slips up and calls it a phone at least once. I have even done it.
I have seen a verrrrry wide range of opinions, of LG vs Samsung. Android wear vs functionality. And lots of people I know don't see the difference between it and a phone. Some people think its useless because you have a phone..
I guess my real question is, how many of you honestly see this as its own device vs second screen vs ...something...
I have very hyped and waiting for my shipping delayed LG. And I find a lit of people have the wrong idea.
Which I watch android reviews, regular phones. People seem to have a similar feeling and views (not the same, just similar) but android wear is just... Yeah..
So are we stuck in a subliminal mindset about our new wrist phones... Oops I mean watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the gear 1 before. That really was it's on device and used the phone only for calling But the G watch really is a companion device, it doesn't really work without a phone (apart from the watch functionality ofc). But this approach makes a lot more sense to me, the watch improves your experience. It expands the possibilities of your phone and doesn't try to be one itself.
You don't need to get your phone out as you can already see and interact with almost all notifications and you can also use the google now commands on the watch. This is absolutely brilliant in my opinion! I love my watch and won't give it up Dream-team together with my N5 (also from LG ^^ ).
Unlike the gear 1 the wear devices are a lot more useful. Let's be honest, who needs a camera on his watch? I never used that. The only thing I miss is the speaker which none of both android wear watches have (Moto 360 will neither). All in all very cool though

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