Looking for input on moving to Android

builderbob

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Feb 17, 2007
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Hey everybody!  I'm not trying to rehash a battle between Apple & Google, etc. I have had every iteration of the iPhone and am very drawn to the capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. For me, it's mostly a business decision as it seems to have a lot to offer that may increase my "e" productivity.

What I'm asking as far as input is:  has anybody made a recent Apple to Android jump?  Was it complex to transition?  Specifically does anybody have the Galaxy Note 2 to offer likes/dislike? 

I have read through the Samsung details on their site, seen promo videos, etc. I'm looking for real world experience!

Also, for user background, I'm in the remodeling field...I've gone through the google App Store and found most of the apps that I currently own on the iOS platform.

I don't want to turn this into a bash session, just a friendly chat so that your input can assist me to make a sound decision!

Thanks in advance!!!

Bob
 
I've been on Android for a long while, so I can't speak on what it's like to transition,but I am current using a Note 2.
You41 find it's a Very speedy and exceptionally stable device. The Spen is Very fluid and can be used for a number of different applications. I'm using it right now to hand writethis response.
Larger screen means easier to read , watch, or view content.

Best phone I've had to date,you Won't be able to go back.

 
Thanks Ghost! I knew/hoped you'd chime in!!!

Do you use tapatalk on the note?

Bob
 
Bob, I remember a time when I thought you were cool bc you had an iPhone, Eric
 
I am an Apple user, I was Andriod user for a long time. The iphone is actually the last Apple device I got before being fully vested in apple when it comes to technology devices. For me I had a macbook and iPad and in order to achieve integration for all my devices the iPhone was a logical choice and everything syncs very nicely through iCloud. I am not Apple fanboy it's just what is familiar and what works well for me. I took a long hard look at some of the Samsung Android devices and I really liked them but I refuse to move to a Windows based PC. Perhaps if Chrome Books had a little more capability I would go that route instead. I think a user can be very happy in either camp and I don't think one is better than the other. I think it really comes down the end user and which device integrates in to their current technology setup.  
 
I have an iPhone and iPad for my main business, for my side business I was going to switch to the Samsung note II.  I played with it for awhile at a store, then tried using my girlfriends galaxy III.  For Christmas i got my son an andriod tablet, and setting up the app store and getting apps, i found it a pain, although most apps were the same.  I didn't like either of them, so I immediately went out and got another iPhone.  Maybe most of my decision was based on familiarity, but I like apple.  Maybe you should check out the iPad mini.
 
First, I just wanted to be added to the thread.  I currently have the Iphone 4S and will be coming up on my upgrade pretty soon.

I can't add much but Jmaichel makes a good point.  I've been and still use a Windows Base PC, but added a Macbook because integration and syncing of data, music and photos were becoming a pain on a windows.  I could never upgrade Itunes on Windows without some type of administration permission that I couldn't give myself.  Since then, under one Itunes account, my Ipad, Iphone 3GS and Iphone 4s and Macbook have all the same material from magazines subscriptions to books to music and photos.  So basically, once you change to the other side, everything will need to be changed over as well.  Trying to integrate or sync across platforms (Google to Apple or Windows or whatever) maybe frustrating at times or impossible without some type of third party software.
 
to counter, you do not need a windows based pc to use android. I have an imac at home and it syncs fine. In fact on any samsung phone you can transfer files wirelessly to any device using Kies air. Or directly plug it in and transfer files as you would normally. Google drive, Google music (in the us), your contacts, gmail, calendar, what have you are automatically synced with your google account and its free and effortless. You already have a google account if you use gmail, youtube, or google plus so it's only a matter of plugging in your user name and password to set up your android. As far as professional grade full on tablets go, I'm waiting for second gen surface pro tablets to come out before I upgrade. for mobile computing on the go, a full desktop os has infinitely more capabilities than the lightweight IOS or android.

In all honesty the iphone 5 seems 2 years behind the Note 2 in terms of functionality. I think you may be pleasantly surprised
 
GhostFist said:
to counter, you do not need a windows based pc to use android. I have an imac at home and it syncs fine. In fact on any samsung phone you can transfer files wirelessly to any device using Kies air. Or directly plug it in and transfer files as you would normally. Google drive, Google music (in the us), your contacts, gmail, calendar, what have you are automatically synced with your google account and its free and effortless. You already have a google account if you use gmail, youtube, or google plus so it's only a matter of plugging in your user name and password to set up your android. As far as professional grade full on tablets go, I'm waiting for second gen surface pro tablets to come out before I upgrade. for mobile computing on the go, a full desktop os has infinitely more capabilities than the lightweight IOS or android.

In all honesty the iphone 5 seems 2 years behind the Note 2 in terms of functionality. I think you may be pleasantly surprised

I don't want to turn this into an Apple vs Andriod debate. You are right I don't need to have Windows based PC with android mobile devices, however I like how easy integration is with my macbook, iPad and iPhone especially when using iCloud.
 
I honestly don't know what you mean by easy integration. Cloud services are simple free and effective on android. As far as iTunes goes, I personally find it a PITA. My home computer is still an imac.
 
Jmaichel said:
GhostFist said:
or android.

In all honesty the iphone 5 seems 2 years behind the Note 2 in terms of functionality. I think you may be pleasantly surprised

I don't want to turn this into an Apple vs Andriod debate. You are right I don't need to have Windows based PC with android mobile devices, however I like how easy integration is with my macbook, iPad and iPhone especially when using iCloud.

Me neither, I'm curious how the "Others" live. Lol.   What is the replacement for iTunes on an android?  And does it organize the music, photos and apps. Across the different devices?
 
Personally, I hate Apple.  Read Isaacson's biography of Jobs and you will see why.   [eek]  Check out Motorolla's Razor M.  It gets better reviews than Apple's iphone 5 and is very similar in size.  You have a lot more options with an Android device.  You're limited with anything Apple.

iPhone 5 ranks fifth in user satisfaction in the U.S.
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/1425452772/iphone-5-fifth-user-sat
 
GhostFist said:
I honestly don't know what you mean by easy integration. Cloud services are simple and effective on android. As far as iTunes goes, I personally find it a PITA. My home computer is still an imac.
I am not saying that cloud services are effective on android. I just don't want have devices with different OS using multiple cloud services. That's all, if I take picture with my iPhone I want to be able to find it in my iPhoto stream without having to sync my phone. I like not having to buy apps twice. If I buy any app for my iPhone I can also run that app on my iPad. I am not touting that apple or IOS is the end all be all, it's just what I use and like.

James
 
Fair enough and a good point to the consider regarding a switch. Apps will have to be repurchased for android. As far as photos go there are numerous free apps for streaming/syncing. Spectacular camera on the note 2 btw.
Also, android can sync with with iTunes via a simple app (amongst others) called "double twist". Any app you buy on android will be purchased and available on any other android devices provided they aren't say tablet specific or optimized for tablets only.

I'm not one for this product vs the next, I do not believe in brand loyalty. I only offer my opinions regarding the device in question as I own and use one.
 
hey Bob.

I have a Bachelors in Computer Science (1986) and approx 27 years of experience as a software engineer. I still do that, I'm currently consulting in software (open source SOA products) and work out of my home. I say that to point out the experience I have.

I only use Apple products. I use their computers because the OS is based on Unix and is literally bulletproof (virus wise) compared to windows. I use the iPhone because it's a "walled garden". I don't have to worry about viruses on it, because the apps are vetted prior to publishing. The same cannot be said for Android.

I wouldn't mess with android.
 
+ one on the Motorola RAZR Maxx HD.  Very fast,  great radio, Bulletproof construction:  Kevlar fiber back, metal bezel and Corning gorilla glass.  The greatest part is the battery life.....if I have a constant signal, like when I'm at home, where there are no interruptions I can go 2.5 days before charging.  If I'm at work where it searches for a signal depending on where I am in the building, I get a day and a half.
For these above reasons, I think it's a better phone that the Galaxy.  The cons are the camera sucks.  If photography is more of a priority to you, then go for the Note 2. 

As compared to the iPhone, my personal opinion is Android is the choice for me in terms of ability to customize.  If you are not techno-savvy Apple would be a better choice.  If you read the Jobs biography, you'll know that Jobs thought the majority of the population are "idiots" and he designed his software/ hardware as such...for the masses.  I don't have an iPhone but I do have an iPad which I love but I wish I could do more with it.  With Android you can organize and customize your desktop better than iPhone.  We have widgets and app drawers, swype keyboards, etc.  Many don't care about customizing their phones.  Apple is easy to use.  But Android isn't much harder.  There is a learning curve but it's very short.  My .02
 
fritter63 said:
hey Bob.

I have a Bachelors in Computer Science (1986) and approx 27 years of experience as a software engineer. I still do that, I'm currently consulting in software (open source SOA products) and work out of my home. I say that to point out the experience I have.

I only use Apple products. I use their computers because the OS is based on Unix and is literally bulletproof (virus wise) compared to windows. I use the iPhone because it's a "walled garden". I don't have to worry about viruses on it, because the apps are vetted prior to publishing. The same cannot be said for Android.

I wouldn't mess with android.
No offense, but I am shocked that you work in the software industry if you believe that the Apple ecosystem is "bulletproof virus wise" and is a "walled garden".  It's 2013, not 1998.   I work in software security for one of the largest software companies in the world (not Microsoft) and this just not accurate.
 
mhadler said:
fritter63 said:
hey Bob.

I have a Bachelors in Computer Science (1986) and approx 27 years of experience as a software engineer. I still do that, I'm currently consulting in software (open source SOA products) and work out of my home. I say that to point out the experience I have.

I only use Apple products. I use their computers because the OS is based on Unix and is literally bulletproof (virus wise) compared to windows. I use the iPhone because it's a "walled garden". I don't have to worry about viruses on it, because the apps are vetted prior to publishing. The same cannot be said for Android.

I wouldn't mess with android.
No offense, but I am shocked that you work in the software industry if you believe that the Apple ecosystem is "bulletproof virus wise" and is a "walled garden".  It's 2013, not 1998.   I work in software security for one of the largest software companies in the world (not Microsoft) and this just not accurate.

Relative to the world of Microsoft, fritter's point is true. You also have more stringent control over products that find their way into the Appstore ... maybe not bullet proof, but significantly more controlled.

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this and some will contain bias - often for reasons that don't correlate to general market opinions. Haters and minorities are always louder regardless of which camp.

We should forget about comparing apple and android and ... whatever else, start with your critical business needs - if you can only solve them with one device's technology then decision made! Other than that - try one for a while - whatever it is you want.

 
I recently switched to an iPhone, after years of Android phones.  I hemmed and hawed, and felt like I sold my soul to the devil....
I like to tinker, have always built my own computers, still use DOS command lines for certain things, and liked Android's openness and flexibility.

However, across the board, most of the Android phones have crappy cameras.  I literally have hundreds of blurry, badly exposed pictures of my kids.  Indoors, outdoors, action activities, sitting still.. Just hundreds of "blurry memories".

I switched to an iPhone for one reason: the camera is superb. 
I still don't love the OS (after 5 months) and feel like the UI is *SO* dummy proof that I am becoming a dummy...  But, I now have fantastic pictures of my kids which are priceless.

But don't even get me started on the $40 cables... [mad]
 
Ok so this Is turning into apple vs android again, and it shouldn't. The device in question has a superb camera, IMO  better than my girlfriends iPhone 5 (she's also a professional photographer with a degree I am photography). The screen size and resolution alone make it better for viewing pictures as well. Who's asking about windows?
As far as the threat of virus attack on android I've yet  encounter malware and it's so far been documented only on third party app stores.
From experience using the device in question, I can say it's fast, smooth, reliable. All around d a joy to use.
The only downside I can see is you having to repurchase your apps via Google.
I forgot to mention as well in regards to backing up your device, you can use micro sd cards as expandable and transferable memory. So an extra bit of security there.
 
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