Archives For IOS

Andy Ihnatko, a technology journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and author provides the following four major reasons for switching from the iPhone to the Android:

  1. Better keyboards
  2. Larger screen
  3. Collaboration between apps
  4. Customization

While a larger screen has never been a factor for my planned move to the Nexus 4, I couldn’t agree more with Ihnatko on why a better keyboard, collaboration between apps and customization are so important to a person who really uses a mobile device for more than than just simple phone calls, texting and facebook updates. I have large hands and fingers so the little keyboard on my iPhone is and always has been lacking. Accidentally activating Siri is also one of the most frustrating and all too often repeated annoyances.

The keyboard issues on the iPhone are annoying but the lack of collaboration between apps is unacceptable. I have been an Evernote user ever since it was in beta and I use it more than any other app on my mobile devices and computer so not being able to send content, a link or web page directly to my Evernote todo list is a major productivity drain. Getting information and content from one app to another in IOS is horrible and is reason enough to switch.

When you factor in customization options that Android offers and the fact that for just a little more than $310 CDN I can have an unlocked phone that I can use anywhere on any network the decision to move the Nexus 4 makes sense. I also agree with Ihnatko that this move isn’t for everyone. I still would recommend the iPhone for new users or those folks who don’t really do much more than phone calls, texting and facebook. If you aren’t a poweruser who can really take advantage of all the Android offers I still think that IOS offers the simplest solution that just works.

I am looking forward to reading Ihnatko final post.

Read Ihnatko full posts…

Josh Constine from Tech Crunch ponders the impact:

… if Facebook could minimize the voice minutes these users have to buy by offering VoIP that’s free beyond the cost of data usage? Suddenly Facebook goes from a nice way to connect with friends to a critical communication service that saves them money.

Anything that has the potential of breaking the monopolistic control of the carriers here in Canada not only has my voie it is something that I will use and promote.

On another note, this is another reason why Android is the platform that will see significant innovative gains in unique areas. There are simply more Android users who don’t want to spend the money that they typical IOS user is willing to spend so the necessity to create a more cost effective solution is much more pressing for Android open source community then it is for the Apple and its walled garden IOS.

I do need to note, Apple’s walled garden IOS is still currently the best mobile infrastructure and it is still the phone I recommend to most average users but the grass is really starting to look greener on the other side of the wall.

Read the full post…

Samsung vs Apple

Dwayne Harapnuik —  March 5, 2013 — 2 Comments

Despite being and iPhone user since 2008 I have decided that my next phone will be the Google Nexus 4. While I still really enjoy the iPhone and switched from Windows to Mac back in 2006 I believe the open Android platform will provide even greater opportunities for innovation. The iPhone interface is still the same as it was when it was introduced and many productivity apps that are available like app switchers provide functionality that is native to the Android OS. Unfortunately, much of the really unique functionality is only available if one jailbreaks the phone. I have repeatedly stated that I don’t care who makes the device and that I am committed to using the most innovative smartphone that is available.

Right now that phone is the Google Nexus 4 because only the Nexus 4 has, and will continue to have, the most recent version of Android. While Samsung makes great hardware, they don’t update the OS quickly enough for my liking. Furthermore, I find that Samsung’s added software features they include in their implementation of Android simply wastes battery life (at least this is the case with my Galaxy Tab 10.1) and decreases the device efficiency. Since I have been preparing to make the big switch I have been noticing more and more data that shows that I am not the only one who sees that Apple is loosing its lead in many different respects.

Samsung vs Apple Infographic

Source: MBAOnline

It is currently a two horse race between the IOS and Android. Samsung must be mentioned as a major player in this space considering it is the developer of the Galaxy S2, S3 and Google’s own Nexus device not to mention all the other models of smartphones is has offered. Apple and Android own the smartphone and it will be interesting to see how much of an impact Windows 8, Microsoft Surface and the Nokia phones will make on these numbers. There is also the long shot that RIM may revive some interest in its platform in 2013 but most people believe RIM will be a niche play at best.

It is always fascinating to see just how much an impact the smartphone has had in such a short period.
ARS technica graph 1975 2011 pc smartphone tablet 600

When you combine the smartphone growth With the explosive growth of the iPad, mobile access to the web is now the new norm. Perhaps the most exciting part about this for learners is that access to the world’s information is truly available all the time and from everywhere. Even more exiting is the fact that we has just started to see development in this space. One can only imagine where we will be in the next 3-5 years.

If Apple, Samsung and Nokia were high school students

Apple’s the creator, Samsung’s the stealer, and Nokia has no idea what’s going on.

It looks like RIM (Blackberry) missed the class completely.

Original Image sourced from Business Insider SAI post.