Android versus iPhone....

[monkey!]

First world problem: I'm very tempted to switch from my 4 year tryst with Apple iPhones to Android.

Mainly, I'm balking at paying out a fair bit of pocket money for a somewhat better version of what I already have, with often slightly more expensive contracts. An iPhone 5 would cost me over an extra 300 euros this year, over the Samsung Galaxy S3.

I'm used to the polished perfection of iPhones and iOS... beautifully designed, easy to use - a beautiful garden with very high walls one would almost never notice. But the walls are there. Restricted, but beautiful and polished perfection.

Android is the wild, open countryside. Download a different launcher and completely change the look/feel/layout of the GUI. After that, varying themes add further visual customization to icons, docks etc. But, with the openness comes the added complication and management problems.

Yes, the App Store is superior to the Google Play Store in both quality, quantity, and frequency of updates - but this gap is closing. Android OS, however, really is an open playground of customization.

Choices... choices.... Tomorrow I could pick up a Galaxy S3 for €50 with a cheap contract including 3G+ and 4G with access to millions of WiFi hotspots across the country. Or... an iPhone 5 for €250 for pretty much the same contract.

Fork out cash for polished familiarity... or save money for a risk?

[nacho]

Well, you know my feelings! I've always been disgusted with Apple's gadget-head nonsense that, yes, has always suffered from your description above. Oh, it's beautiful in Apple land. But you hit that wall all too soon.

And, now, the changing face of Apple is, at best, usury. Shell out a zillion bucks for a new phone that's notable largely for the fact that the logo has moved. I worry that Apple has lost what little groove it had.

The flexibility and universality of Android may be life outside of the garden, but it's alot more fun.

[RottingCorpse]

Take the risk. We got my father a Samsung tablet because it was cheaper than an iPad and the differences are minimal. Interface changes mostly and more buttons at the bottom, but basically the same as far as apps go.

[monkey!]

I'm scared.

[nacho]

You'll be fine. It'll be good to get away from the giant, Zardoz-style head of Steve Jobs that patrols the iGarden.

[monkey!]

It's done! - I have left the iGarden to explore the wilderness of Google's Android with a Samsung Galaxy S3 with a good contract €40/m with 3G+/4G and Wifi Hotspot access all over France etc. etc.

The best part is that I have 15 days to try out Android and if I don't like it outside the iGarden I can go back and pay the difference for an iPhone 5.

[nacho]

You'll love it!

[monkey!]

You'll love it!

If I don't... you're for it!

[nacho]

You'll never catch me! I'm rebooting!

[monkey!]

I like how Android has GTalk as an IM feature for the Notifications Centre.

[nacho]

I like how Android has GTalk as an IM feature for the Notifications Centre.

I think it's hilarious that Apple does not!

[RottingCorpse]

This thread actually has me thinking about a switch next time around. Google's Orwellian Chinese Overlords have infiltrated every part of my internet life so a smart phone that's seamless with Google would make my life, well, seamless.

Or maybe I need to wait for the Google Phone?

[monkey!]

There are already two 'google' phones out - they're called "Nexus" phones which google got other people to make but are made with Google's input into hardware, I believe.

[nacho]

This thread actually has me thinking about a switch next time around. Google's Orwellian Chinese Overlords have infiltrated every part of my internet life so a smart phone that's seamless with Google would make my life, well, seamless.

Or maybe I need to wait for the Google Phone?

See -- how is Google Orwellian and Apple not? This is what I don't get about the whole argument. Apple's just as bad (and, arguably, worse) as Google.

So you have two evils. One is a closed-system that applies unreasonable limitations and demands tons of money, the other is open to all, free-form, able to develop rapidly and react to change, and offers shockingly powerful products for free.

On the Chinese question -- Apple has tripled their market in China, and is working like hell to dominate in China. In fact, Apple's current stated goal is to have China be "their number one market." (http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/opinion/chiang-apple-china, http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/11/technology/china-tim-cook-apple/index.html). Whereas Google very vocally criticizes China (http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Google-vs-China-Its-On-191854281.html,  http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2013/01/google-china).

[RottingCorpse]

I was just making fun of my former anti-Google stance where now it rules my life.