With the announcement of Google's Pixel phone, I really debated going back to an Android device. And while this would be my third attempt, this time I think Google has the hardware and software dialed in to truly take on the iPhone.
vs. I
Let me first start with a review of my iPhone 7 Plus (and the fact I can review “my” iPhone 7 Plus tells you which phone I went with). Of course, the decision to go with the iPhone was made easier because I’m stuck in the Apple Upgrade Program, and I can't just get out of that contract without waiting two years or paying a bunch of money at once. Also, Google announced the Pixel would be coming out exclusively on the Verizon network, which is not my carrier and cannot become my carrier due to coverage issues. I have; however, read some reviews that the unlocked version of the Pixel can be ported to any carrier, but I have not been able to confirm that through Google’s Pixel phone website. But here's my review of the iPhone 7 Plus:
I went with the jet black iPhone 7 Plus, which is beautiful. I love the look, I love the color, and I love the feel in my hand without a case. As a pianist, I love that it matches my grand piano and the black keys. I'm actually going caseless, because the Apple Upgrade Program comes with Apple Care Plus. Apple Care Plus now has a screen replacement cost of only $29, which is reasonable and cheaper than most cases you can buy. I've also noticed the longer battery life; although, I'm coming from a 6S, not a Plus (smaller phone, smaller battery). I love the new cameras, with its wide angle lens and a 2x optical zoom lens, although I think it should be more like 4x optical zoom. The phone is fast, responsive, and it is a great device.
But, it has its issues. I don't like the new home button. It's not a button anymore. It just a force touch area that works with the tactile feedback mechanism, vibrating to let you know you've pushed hard enough. The button doesn’t actually move, but the tactile feedback it gives is supposed to make it feel like it moved. In my opinion, it doesn't give enough feedback. Another issue I've found involves pulling on my facial hair when I put the phone up to my ear and on my cheek. To me, this makes it seem like the phone may struggle to be as water resistant as Apple claims. If my facial hair can get caught between the frame and glass, water will be able to seep in. And, another issue…I'm bored with iOS. The software is good, but it’s the same as always. Often, I actually think of this as a good thing because it means they've done a lot to make the phone functional and feature rich, the way we want. But I'm bored with it. One other flaw I see is on the back of the device. There is a camera bump. Why? Because of The Anorexic iPhone Problem. I wish Apple and other phone manufacturers would stop trying to make their devices thinner and thinner.
The thing Google did right with the Pixel phones is to offer the two different models, a 5 inch model and a 5.5 inch model, with the same performance specs. Both have the same processors. Both have the same cameras. Google offers two sizes, but equal performance. The only limitation is battery size, based on overall phone real estate. With Google’s Pixel, you don't have to get the bigger phone just to get all a better feature; unlike Apple, who put the better camera system only in the bigger phone. I went with the iPhone 7 Plus because I wanted the better camera, not because I wanted the bigger screen. In fact, I hate the size of the Plus. I don’t want the bigger phone. After using it for a week, I’m not even sure the camera zoom feature is worth it.
So, here's my wrap-up and recap: The iPhone 7 Plus is a great phone, but for me it’s too big. The 2x zoom doesn’t offset the size for me. The Pixel is Google’s strongest move toward a device that will battle the iPhone’s success. I wish I was able to get out of the Apple Upgrade Program or have the patience to wait it out with a device for two years, so I could move over to the new Google flagship.
Google Hangout (Google's messaging and video chatting app) should become more like a super version of iMessage, by managing all SMS, MMS, and Hangout messages, and have the video and audio sharing features added. Besides a possible rename to something like "Google Messaging" or "GMessage" the app should include the management of regular text messaging to gain more customer usage (if you look at iMessage's implementation, most iPhone users have it set-up). The Google messaging app should be available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as, in Chrome and desktop software. Again, this will increase customer usage.
The purpose for better integration on multiple platform is to add additional features for users already using Google's other apps. One example I imagined is a smart recognition feature that automatically creates suggested calendar events from the content of text messages. A text like, "Do you want to go see a movie tomorrow?" could create a possible calendar event for the user to review (similar to iMessage's manual ability to create calendar events from keywords like "today" or "tomorrow"). The event could be added to a "Suggested Events" section of the calendar app or be accessible right in the messaging app to confirm as a calendar event. Additionally, subsequent text that may include other information about the movie, such as which movie, the time and location, could be added to the "suggested calendar event". Friend(s) involved in the text (such as group texts or mentioned within) could automatically be added as suggested invitees. Once the event is confirmed, all invitees who choose to accept then have it added to their own calenders.
The messages could also (with permission granted by the user) be reviewed by Google's server to add related content suggestions like where a particular movie is playing or where tickets can be purchased.
Additionally, the Google Calendar App could be updated with other social features, such as, the option to share certain types of events with certain groups (say from your Google+ Circles). With a feature added to select particular calendar 'event types' in the creation of the event, a particular event could be shared with a select group(s). A "Social Events" calendar event, for example, could be shared with your "Friends Circle" so they know about upcoming movie nights or dinner parties. A "Work" calendar event could be shared with your "Coworkers Circle" so your daily schedule could be used for scheduling other work events or meetings.
Additional management of your Circles should also be added to the contacts in your Gmail, for easier access and modification. Or a Google Contacts/Address Book App and/or website should be created for managing all a user's contacts, groups, circles, etc. All features should have management capabilities from either the messaging app or the calendar app, with integration with all other Google Apps.
My Bright Idea #17 - November 26, 2013
I had this idea a long time ago, but finally put it into my Notes on November 26, 2013. There should be an app, I call it "GetGot", that allows you to create a shopping list and share it with others. The idea is for one person to create a list of needs (like a grocery list) to "GET". Then, another person, one the list is shared with, can go to the store and purchase the ideas on the list, marking the items as "GOT". The listed items can be moved back to the "GET" list as needed, helping create your next shopping list as you need the items.
UPDATED to Idea - July 19,2014
This seems like a pretty basic part of the app these days, but the app should use the GPS in your device and allow the device to direct you to the store and ultimately the aisle in the store where you can purchase the item. Additionally, the app should be smart enough to offer suggestions of where to buy the item and where it may be the cheapest.
My Bright Idea #18 - March 4, 2014
I originally came up with this idea in March, but only recently (after the latest iOS 8 release) thought I'd document it here on the site. Also, the original idea was specifically for the double space bar tap at the end of a sentence. I thought it should be smart enough to add a question mark when the sentence is structured as a question, rather than always defaulting to a period. Words like when, what, which, where, how, who, why, are could be add to the predictive punctuation algorithm. Now I think, with a little nerdy grammar knowledge and some sentence structure know how, coding and algorithms could be written to incorporate better comma usage. Maybe we can even fix some of the incredibly awful uses the Internet and its minions have of the run-on sentence. Perhaps Predictive Punctuation can evaluate a paragraph of text and add all the missing commas, periods, and other missing punctuation to make reading more intelligible.
My Bright Idea #16 - November 20, 2013 Apple should come out with a Bluetooth device that connects to Siri and works with notification center. The wearable devices, like a watch, would be perfect. The addition of Siri as part of the device would make the device a step above Samsung's Galaxy Gear. Star Trek's communicator or Michael Knights' watch used to call KITT were devices where information could be accessed from their computers' resources. In the same way, as Siri get's smarter, a wearable device like the iWatch or a magnetic lapel pen could work as a Bluetooth device that allowed for voice commands and notifications.
Admittedly, this bright idea is sort of happening with some of the wearable devices that are out. Pebble and other watch devices do some of the notifications visibly. My idea is to take it to the next level with the assistant features of Siri (or for Android, Google Now).
UPDATED PHOTO:
Samsung is really starting to make nice looking wearables. Apple needs to get on it.
My Bright Idea #17 - November 26, 2013
I had this idea a long time ago, but finally put it into my Notes on November 26, 2013. There should be an app, I call it "GetGot", that allows you to create a shopping list and share it with others. The idea is for one person to create a list of needs (like a grocery list) to "GET". Then, another person, one the list is shared with, can go to the store and purchase the ideas on the list, marking the items as "GOT". The listed items can be moved back to the "GET" list as needed, helping create your next shopping list as you need the items.
My Bright Idea #16 - November 20, 2013
Apple should come out with a Bluetooth device that connects to Siri and works with notification center. The wearable devices, like a watch, would be perfect. The addition of Siri as part of the device would make the device a step above Samsung's Galaxy Gear. Star Trek's communicator or Michael Knights' watch used to call KITT were devices where information could be accessed from their computers' resources. In the same way, as Siri get's smarter, a wearable device like the iWatch or a magnetic lapel pen could work as a Bluetooth device that allowed for voice commands and notifications.
Admittedly, this bright idea is sort of happening with some of the wearable devices that are out. Pebble and other watch devices do some of the notifications visibly. My idea is to take it to the next level with the assistant features of Siri (or for Android, Google Now).
My Bright Idea #14 - July 30, 2012
This bright idea is very old and has been revealed, so I lose create for it being mine. On July 30, 2012, I wrote the note: "Notification Center needs a time for notifications to be silenced." This was fixed in September 2012 with iOS 6's "Do Not Disturb" feature. The Android version does not work as well, but it's there too.
I'm thinking about switching to Google products...again. Why "again"? Because I seem to go back and forth between whether to buy Apple or Google products. Why Google? I already use all their cloud services to take care of my digital life. It seems like the logical plan would be to switch to the Google devices too. The Nexus 7 is the main cause for my recent desire to switch. It is a pure Google device, which promises to always be up-to-date with the latest version of Android and to be the best 7" tablet out, with a quad-core processor and more. Here's their intro video:
That, combined with the Galaxy Nexus, which would be the best Android phone available because it too runs a pure version of Android, would allow me to seamlessly switch from phone to tablet without losing information or access to my files.
The only problem I have in making the switch is the commitment I've already made to Apple. App purchases are the biggest, and as I write this I'm realizing I don't really use many apps that cost me money, but I know they work the way i want them to work. Really, I use the free apps like Twitter and Instagram to update my least favorite of apps, Facebook, so all my life is available to the waiting 50 people max that follow me. I just know all my wit can not be wasted or missed. Beyond apps, Apple's market share makes it hard to leave the devices most people are using. From my parents to most of my coworkers, the iPhone is still the majority device. Most of the Android people are diehards and praise their phones, but sometimes I can't tell if that's denial talking or true praise for their phones. iPhone is everywhere and works well with other iPhones. Android, although popular as well, does not have the market share the iPhone has. But, maybe that's a good thing too. Just as Apple once was the underdog, pushed to make better products, so too are Google's devices and they've continued to get better and better. In fact, I would say from the first version to current, Android has increased in abilities and features much passed that of Apple's iOS software.
Anyway, I thought I'd post something about it. Maybe Google will want me as a tester....ha...a guy can dream. I actually watch a documentary last night on Google called "Inside the Mind of Google". It made me want to work for them. Produced by CNBC, and available to watch on Netflix or in a browser here, it was a balanced view of the company's business, weighing pros and cons on the type of business Google conducts. With access to so much private information about so many people, Google is easily demonized. But, I felt like from the top down, people at Google want to follow their own policies (not required by law) to protect its users privacy. If anything, I believe I gained a deeper respect for Google and their commitment to operate within its policies and attempt to be fair, private, and reliable to its users. If you want more on my opinion of Google, check out my old post "If I Were CEO...Google" from 2010.
In this review I will be discussing my birthday present, an HTC Inspire running Android 2.2 (Froyo). I will be comparing it to my previous cellphone, an iPhone 3G running iOS 4.2.1, which most people would say is not a fair comparison considering the age of my iPhone. I'm going to do it anyway, mostly because this is my blog, but I am actually going to talk mostly about the features each phones' software provides, more than the HUGE performance differences. Be prepared to be surprised at my verdict.
Design and Technical Information (and my feelings about them)
First, I want to talk about the design of the HTC Inspire compared to the iPhone 3G (and similarly the iPhone 4). The first thing you should notice is the screen. There is so much more "real estate" for buttons and apps and web content AND WIDGETS on the HTC Inspire's 4.3" screen verses that of the iPhone, sporting its smaller 3.5" screen. The Inspire's resolution is; however, lacking a bit behind the iPhone 4, at 800x480 vs. 960x640. Of course, my iPhone 3G was only at 320x480, so I'm doing better with the new Inspire so far. Now, the screen truly is something that drew me to the phone, since there were times I found myself frustrated with the iPhone's limits for website rendering, etc., but there are some major draw backs to the larger screen too. The biggest one is the effect it has on battery life. I had better battery life on my busted ol' iPhone 3G than I do with this newer "better technologically designed" phone. I literally can't make it through the day without a recharge.
On the bottom of the Inspire (in the picture above, on the left), you will find the micro-USB connector, used for data transfers from a computer and for power to recharge the phone. I actually found the micro-USB hard to plug in, especially in the dark when I'm in bed and realizing I still need to plug in my phone before I fall asleep. Also, the charger interfered with the baby monitor we have in our bedroom, which made me wonder what sort of "killer watts" are entering my brain as I sleep. Next to the USB port is the standard headphone jack. This location is a little odd to me, only because I got used to the iPhone's being on the top of the phone, which allows the screen to be right-side-up while sitting in the cup-holder in my car. There is also a hole for the microphone.
Nothing exciting on the top. There is the sleep/wake/lock button, which I realized is on the opposite side from where the iPhone's sleep/wake/lock button is, and so far it's felt really awkward; it's almost uncomfortable to try and lock while holding the phone in my right hand. One thing to note, as a previous iPhone user, I miss the ability to wake my phone with the home button at the bottom of the phone. With the larger handset and the button being on what I'm considering, "the wrong side" for a right handed cell phone users (I'm left handed, but I'm a righty when it comes to cell phone use) the button is not located well for me.
The volume buttons are in the same location on both phones (the left side) although the Inspire's buttons are too big and too flush, making it easy to accidentally press the volume buttons. I am constantly turning my phones volume up or down without meaning to do it. With the after-market case I purchased, that doesn't happen, but I'm not really a case person.
On the back of the Inspire, you can see the HUGE camera lens, a dual LED flash, a speaker hole, and two covers (one cover on the side of the phone accesses the battery, and one cover at the bottom of the phone accesses the SIM and included 8GB micro SD card). There is a large ring around the camera's lens with, what I'm assuming is a protective ridge for the glass on the lens. I actually think it looks bulky and I can feel it through my pants when the phone is in my pocket. Hilariously, the phone has the Dolby Mobile logo and the SRS logo. I thing the speaker phone/audio quality from this phone is awful compared to the iPhone's. And I've never been a fan of the iPhone's speaker, so that's saying a lot. Someone needs to build a phone with high quality speakers at the top and the bottom of the phone, to create true stereo capabilities. I think it would work.
Software
Android is super customizable. In the video below, you will see that I have an active wallpaper running, to show off this feature. This does, however, effect the battery life. Android lets you put apps in any one of the 12 locations on the screen (which is the same number of apps per screen on the iPhone, if you don't count the docked 4 iPhone offers), plus there is always the phone button, apps button, and a layout/customize button. AND, all your notices and recent apps can be quickly accessed simply by swiping down from the top of the screen. My home screen has a large clock, which is an active widget with updated weather and temperature, date and time for your current location. This is just one of many widgets that can be added to any of the 7 screens (home plus 3 right and 3 left). The app market is full of apps, many of the same that Apple's App Store offers, and many apps Apple's App Store doesn't allow. I did find that some of the apps don't work the same way on the two devices. Twitter, for example, is ones I found frustrating. The Twitter for Android app doesn't currently support multiple accounts. Also, the copy & paste feature didn't work well within Twitter. I actually found that there were several places within the Inspire and apps where copy & paste doesn't work. Another missing necessity for me is the ability to take a screen capture. This led me to a very frustrating tweet to create that I posted here. I had to use my iPhone over wi-fi to send that tweet. Without screen capture or copy & paste, I was not able to get the Fox 40 mess-up in the above tweet onto my Twitter update.
After watching the video again, I realized the part where I load the website is not an accurate comparison of the Inspire's capabilities because the Inspire, even though it was still clearly faster, loaded www.jimmythegun.com over 3G, while the iPhone loaded it over WiFi. I'm sure the webpage would have loaded even faster if the Inspire was on my WiFi network.
I've been working on a PROS vs CONS list for the Inspire. I created this list on the notes program on my iPhone 3G because there is not a native notes program that I've found. And because I take a lot of notes and write down a lot of my ideas in the notes program, this is a vital app to me. I'd like one that integrates with a "Google Notes" program for ease of back-up, but I don't see one on the phone. The Google Notebook web-based app requires connecting through a browser, and it's not easily found on a PC. There is a Voice Action for sending yourself an email. You simply say "note to self" and speak what you want sent. It's fairly accurate, but I'm not always in a position to speak a note. Anyway, here is the list:
Inspire PROS
1. Voice Actions - this is almost worth keeping the phone over.
2. Huge screen - so easy to see everything.
3. Expandable memory - mirco SD cards are nice for replacing and transferring information. Also, easy to expand capacity when you want more room.
4. Customizable layout - I can place the apps I want where I want them. I can choose themes and widgets and make this phone MY phone.
5. Widgets - there are so many helpful widgets that allow access to desired info or functionality instantly.
6. Google Voice Integration - this phone can become a Google Voice phone, allowing your outgoing calls/texts to show up from your Google Voice number, and access to Google Voicemail as your primary voice-mail.
7. Google Navigation - free navigation using Google Maps. Easy to use with voice actions.
Inspire CONS
1. Battery life - too short.
2. Ease of use - setting, functions, features are hidden, hard to find, or don't exist. There is a different set of rules for every application and how it is controlled.
3. Apps features - apps are not the same on Android vs iPhone. Twitter, for example, doesn't support multiple accounts.
4. No screen capture - for me, this is huge. I often take screen captures of what I'm looking at on my phone, to share on my blog or Twitter account.
5. No iTunes like management software - although I'm not a huge fan of iTunes, the role it plays in managing music, pictures, and other content, plus apps and backing up the phone, is a huge miss for Android.
6. No integrated notes app - yes you can get one off the Android Market, but I want an integrated one; one that works with my Gmail account.
7. No visual voicemail - this can be fixed, sort of, by Google Voice, but I found that if I don't have a good signal, the voicemail can't be downloaded.
8. Cut, Copy, and Paste - this is really a big issue for me. It works similarly to the iPhone in some places, but in other places it either doesn't work at all, or it works completely differently, asking if I want to copy the entire text of a given screen.
9. Cursor placement - in some apps and locations, you have to use arrow buttons to move the cursor to where you want to type or add words or corrections. Other times it will work like the iPhone with touch and hold functions.
10. Sensitive volume buttons and lock button location - these are because of my way of holding the phone, but this is my cons list.
So what do I do? I have a list of issues with iPhone too. I've talked a lot about those issues on this blog. I'm frustrated with Apple's business plan. Here we are only one generation away from the iPhone 3GS, and iOS 4.3 doesn't support the model. Is Apple going to continue to forget their prior products so quickly? I mean, I understand with updates to software and features comes higher demands on processor speed and memory, but Apple has completely left iPhone 3G users in the dust. And now, with the announcement that iOS 4.3 is not going to be available for 3GS users, it seems like Apple is already making changes to the software quicker than what the hardware is able to keep up with. How about building a phone with the MOST CURRENT hardware specs available. Push the envelope a little to produce phones that can keep up with the software changes for a few years. I say 3 years. I'm fine buying a new phone every 3 years. But, I'm so desperate right now because my iPhone 3G is crippled. It is barely usable. And mine works amazingly compared to a co-workers. She waited almost a full minute to exit the Facebook app and retrieve an incoming text. That is NOT acceptable. And back to the latest updates, not much has been added that impresses anyone. Where are the giant leaps forward that could be made? Where is Apple's Voice Actions? Where is the customizable iPhone? Where are the widgets? Where are the advances to the badge system to upgrade the notification system for the users? Why are notifications, texts, and other information given in such a limited manner when the phone is locked? Where are the lists of upgrades tech nerds and blogs and even simple users are asking begging for? WHAT ABOUT FLASH? I KNOW it is the older software, but the Internet is NOT DONE WITH IT! There are still so many sites that use it.
All that to say, I am probably going to return my Android based HTC Inspire, continue to use my busted ol' iPhone 3G, and hope that iPhone 5 is coupled with a HUGE advance in software upgrades for iPhone (and that it comes out sooooooon). I can't believe that no one can get this stuff right. I really wish I had some power over at Apple. I really think they have more opportunities to be great. I know they already are, but there is more. Google and Apple could combine their efforts and really make a complete phone. I can't imagine if my Pros list was on the iPhone. I literally can't think of anything more I'd want at this point. And that's what it should be. If the best is produced, it will push people to find something new and exciting to make it better. Right now, there are lists on both the Android and iPhone sides of the battle to make the phones better.
Well, this has become the longest blog I've ever written. The last few paragraphs I'm not even going to go back and read, because I don't want to edit out the passion and frustration I have right now over this decision. I really wanted the Android phone and Google to just dominate Apple and my previous issues with iPhone. But, frankly, the phone and software fell short for me. Don't give me the "nothing is perfect" speech; because I think if the two companies worked together, instead of turning against each other they way they did (I mean, Google's CEO used to be on the board at Apple), the perfect phone for 'right now' could be made.
Last thing quickly, just so it's in this post and I'm not accused of not mentioning some of my "iPhone Needs" List (retrieved from the Notes App on my iPhone):
1. Date on the info bar at top, not just time.
2. More info about date and time each text was sent.
3. Customization - themes, sounds, etc.
4. Text preview and answer available without unlocking the phone.
5. App icon placement where ever you desire.
6. Leap view - so you can jump to what ever home page you want.
7. VOICE ACTIONS!!!!!
8. Icon or number included with the name of a person, indicating which line a text from them came from. (for people with multiple cell phones or a Google Voice line)
9. Free Mobile Me.
10. Flash-drive access for storage of files.
11. Better notification settings and lock screen info.
12. 5x6 icon placement; screen size to fight this. (although 4.3 is too big for a phone. I say 3.8" to 4" max)
13. Anything I've said in previous posts about the iPhone's short comings.
Number twelve makes me think of the fact that iPad only has the 4 by 5 icon thing like the iPhone, and it's huge in size comparison. Okay, GOOD NIGHT!
UPDATE: I took the Inspire back and I'm back on my iPhone 3G. I did this the day my Inspire's battering was dead by 1:30pm. I need a phone that can last all day. The bad news is the fact that the iPhone 5 is rumored to be coming out much later than the traditional schedule has been. Usually the iPhones have been updated in late June/early July. The rumor now is the iPhone 5 is not going to be out until September, or even closer to the anniversary of the Verizon iPhone 4 release. This means I'm going to have to wait even longer or buy an iPhone 4, which will be outdated within 6 months of purchase. Argh!!! Bad timing. If I get the 4 now, I'll wonder why I didn't get it when it came out.
You all know I like Google...a lot. I've done a blog on "If I Were CEO...Google", I've talked about the HTC Droid Incredible and Aria, and I'm a huge Gmail and other Google web-based services user, including Blogger (host of www.jimmythegun.com). When it comes to cell phone platforms, Google's Android software is starting to grow into a mature, and very successful system. I want to highlight some of Android's functions, and talk about why I feel it is the better cellphone platform choice.
I've really found that Google has done some incredible things with the Android platform, from seamless interaction with all the Google web-based service like Gmail, Picasa, Google Voice, Docs, Maps, and Navigation to useful tools and customizations. Something I've talked a little about before but have recently been able to test out for myself is Voice Actions. This super useful, very accurate, and so easy to use feature, available on the last couple versions of Android allows you to do thing with voice commands, anything from standard Google searches to sending texts, starting music, making call, and more. I posted this video before, but take another look:
Another sweet feature of the phone is the customizable screens and app icon placement. Like the latest iPhone, you can have wallpapers behind the icons. The difference with the Android phone is that wallpaper's abilities. The Android phone allows for interactive wallpaper. Some are animated or video clips that move. Some react to a tap. And some take a given picture and move the angle of view slightly as you swipe through to different pages on the phone. Here are a couple I found on YouTube:
This next video shows off a few with a guy from PocketNow.com explaining. This is on an older version of Android, but it's still really fun and cool. He does mention the battery life issue with these interactive wallpapers, but if you're like me and you have to charge your phone every night anyway, because the newer software on the old iPhone 3G drains the battery in less than a day, it won't be a bother.
If you watched the last of the above videos, you can see how icon placement is very customizable. You can place app icons anywhere you want on any of the pages on the phone. This allows for customization beyond what the iPhone offers. There are quick dial icons that work similar to favorites. There are search bars, clocks, social networking, and other widgets that can be placed right on any of the pages. Many of the same apps found on the iPhone are also available in the Android Market. Plus, there are many free apps that allow for functions and content that cost money on the iPhone.
Another great feature of the Android phones is delivery of updates. Google designed "over the air" delivery of software updates, rather than the Apple method, which requires being hard wired to iTunes.
The problems most people have with the Android software is how the carriers and phone manufactures deliver the software. Some carriers limit the places you can download apps from. Some limit the abilities of the phone due to "network capacity". Manufacturers all deliver the software version they choose, based on how soon they can adapt their own software overlays to the Android version they choose. This causes what people call "fragmentation" to the Android phones. Some, like Sony, deliver brand new phones to market with 2 or 3 versions old software. Some, like HTC and Samsung don't deliver the latest version of Android when people want because they need time to test and re-write some of their own proprietary software additions. And sometimes the updates are held up by the carriers (Aria update is ready but AT&T is not allowing delivery).
I'm now thinking about how I can get myself a Nexus S (pictured above) and port it over to AT&T. The problem I have is the inability to switch carriers. Someone else on my AT&T bill threw an iPhone 3G because of all its problems. When this person replaced the broke 3G with an iPhone 4, it locked that person into AT&T for another 2 years; meaning the rest of us are stuck too. And, while I don't blame this person for the destruction of an iPhone 3G, it would be nice if AT&T had a nice Android phone. The Nexus S would be $199.99 on T-Mobile, but it would cost me $529.99 to move to AT&T. Best Buy is currently the sole retailer able to sell this pure Google phone, but T-Mobile customers are the only ones getting a subsidized price. I guess at this point I'm hoping a new Android phone is delivered by HTC or Google to the AT&T network. If there is not a pure Google phone available, I've found that HTC's sence software is an okay addition to the Android platform. But, until Apple announces the next iPhone, or one of these phones comes to AT&T, I guess I'll be stuck with my iPhone 3G. Wish me luck with sanity in 2011, as I deal with a phone made junk by the manufacturer of the device.
Well I just wrote a big long thing, clicked post, and BAM! Everything I wrote was lost. This is stupid.
Here's my new theme.
Amazing. Apple still sucks. Jobs is full of crap. Why can't Apple offer themes? Why can't they update their text previewer to include what I discovered today...volume up + tap to the screen = quick compose text message, anywhere.
I'm pretty sure you all would have been annoyed that I'm still complaining about the iPhone anyway. Android? Can someone just bring a good one to AT&T? AT&T is actually a lot of the iPhone's problem. Service issues are them. Tethering locked is them. Good night. This better post.
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