Posted by walthtz on 2/20/12 8:48am
Msg #412376

IPhone vs Android

Hi.
Is there any reason to use either an IPhone , Android or Blackberry phone?
Is 1 better than the other?
Thanks for your input.
Walter

Reply by Barb25 on 2/20/12 9:12am
Msg #412377

Love your question.... I am waiting until March 25 to get the Iphone 4S. I now have the Droid X. Here is what my research has led me to decide for ME (note I said ME).

Iphone: Intuitive, great for Social networking, email, as a phone. music, camera, display.... Easier to hold on to than my droid x (size).


Both great. Some Androids have larger screen. Capable for 4g. 4g if you are in area of value for downloading. Do you use your phone for a hot spot alot? Are you in an area that has 4g? Anyhow....

I also just bought an Ipad and I can use Droid X as a hot spot and will use Iphone for same.

So many choices.. Good luck.

Reply by salavalos_CA on 2/20/12 11:40am
Msg #412390

I went from an iPhone to Android back to my iPhone. I do believe the Android has more capabilities that are free vs. the iPhone such as the Navigation which is a very handy in our business. However, I found myself constantly running out of battery. I had to keep a back up always running. The fact that the android has a replaceable battery is also a plus, but overall I found the iPhone easier to use in regards to email and receiving orders.

I also tried going from a PC to Mac and I have found out that the MAC is great for multi media, it is not so great for our line work. I am back to my PC.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 2/20/12 12:19pm
Msg #412399

The iPhone is the easiest to use, has the most and best

apps, and uses iTunes which is the most simple music program there is. It not only syncs your music but it syncs EVERYTHING from your phone (contacts, calendar, photos, etc.) onto your computer, so if your phone goes bad, you can plug in your new phone and restore all of your old information.

The iPhone has the most accessories as well.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/20/12 1:14pm
Msg #412410

My wife has and iPhone and I have an Android ....

It's really a matter of taste. Since I service both, I know how both work. My phone is an Atrix 2. Also, since I am familiar with both, I have my bases covered just in case one goes away, I won't have to cram and learn something new.

The iPhone interface can be easier to use and is a more secure platform. My Atrix is more like a regular PC. You can go places that the iPhone can't take you, but you need to be more aware of the malware hazards out there, although Google is doing a good job of keeping their market secure. I have even used the Atrix to download and print documents. It will also separate the trays by paper size. Can't do that on an iPhone. The Google App market also has more free apps than the iPhone app store. Also, as far as apps I use, everything on my wife's iPhone, I have found in the Google android market. However there are a few useful ones to me that android has that you can't find in the iPhone app store, such as the app that allows you to print documents and separate the documents in the package by page size, just like on a PC. But if you are a game player, then iPhone has more.

If you are worried about iTunes, I sync my phone to iTunes. My brother-in-law has a Samsung and it also will sync to iTunes, so that is not an issue if that's what you want. More "gizmos" are marketed for the iPhone. For example I bought my wife a clock radio that the iPhone sets in and programs the radio for alarms and plays the phone in stereo. We are invested in other "gizmos" for the iPhone platform, so we will probably never be an all Android family unless Apple keeps pulling the boo-boos like the recent iOS5 upgrade issues.

Now here's my bottom line. Our travels frequently take us to areas where phone service is sometimes spotty at best. So personally I need a phone that is a phone first and computer second. The iPhone is a computer first and a phone second. I first got a Samsung Android and took it back because it did not connect well in the boonies. I have always used Motorola up until that time, so I got the Atrix 2. While not up to the standard Motorola I carry for a spare when it comes to connection ability, it is much better than the iPhones in my family. Also before winter set in, I went on a group motorcycle trip that took us to extremely rural areas, and those with iPhones, as well as a couple of other brands regardless of the carrier they were with, were asking me if they could use mine to call their kids. Since I have had the Atrix 2, I haven't had to resort to my more powerful Motorola military spec phone.

In my opinion, most smart phones, regardless of operating system, are "city slicker" phones, and don't connect well in some rural areas. I ended up with the Atrix 2 after test driving a couple of other models. I would see if your carrier lets you test them for a time before you commit to keeping it. Get it in writing.

In my opinion, if you aren't a tinkerer, like gadgets, play a lot of games, stay mostly in more densely populated areas with plenty of cell towers, don't mind sending in your phone and paying Apple $100 to change the battery and be without it for a week, and don't want to use your phone as a pc, then you will be very happy with the iPhone's closed system and what they have to offer.

If you want something you can "tinker" with without voiding the warranty, more of a variety of office and printing applications, user replaceable batteries, want to use Flash and Adobe Reader that will separate out the pages, something that will connect on US 50 in Northern Nevada perhaps you should shop around a little.

Goog Luck.

Reply by NJDiva on 2/20/12 2:43pm
Msg #412424

Glenn, you're the BEST!!!! n/m

Reply by Barb25 on 2/20/12 4:32pm
Msg #412441

As Glenn said... A matter of taste...

When I got my Droid X... I really wanted the EVO from Sprint but they wouldn't play ball with me so to speak and I switched to Verizon and got the Droid X. I did everything. Hot Spot, had an HDMI connection, you name it. I take pictures, use email. Facebook, talk on the phone. There you go. Just like most of the appliances in my house that have buttons for everything. I push the same ones every day. Now I have an Ipad that has 3G just in case one day I want to have a line just for my Ipad. In the meantime, I use WiFi. But paid the extra bucks for the 3G. Go figure. However, I did buy the certified pre-owned version so I save the 100$ and it paid for the 3G.... Ahh. The American Way. LOL

Reply by Bear900/CA on 2/20/12 5:15pm
Msg #412447

I too, think it is a matter of personal taste BUT you also should include NEEDS vs WANTS. They are in my opinion apples and oranges for the ordinary user. Which do you prefer? It’s when you get into the geek world that things really start to heat up.

Size matters, so choose your size screen to fit you. Some of the droids have larger screens at the inconvenience of texting with one hand or carrying nicely in a purse or pocket like the iPhone. If you talk while holding your iPhone in your left hand, watch for a slight occasional dropped call, a known antenna problem with the iPhone but not a game changer. If camera matters more, iPhone has a slight edge though Droid can give you more flash. If video matters then you may want more screen size (Droid). If you want to video chat with non-iPhone users think Droid. If phone signal strength is important to you, and you already have 4G access in your neighborhood (more coming in 2012) think Droid LTE. Any of these things can be a game changer and debated especially if you started on an iPhone vs. Blackberry.

I went from a Blackberry to a Droid Bionic by Motorola. After reading many reviews, including iPhone 4S, I had my mind made up before release. Others went from the Blackberry to the iPhone and love it.

My experience: I like the extended (larger) size battery of the Motorola Bionic (at an extra cost with a thicker case as a result). It’s big but it’s not iPad big. I can take the carrying case off and fit it easily into my coat pocket when working or clip it to my jeans when running around. I have dropped it several times with no damage where I hear that a single good drop can fracture an iPhone. In fact I dropped it on the pavement the 2nd day I had it. Okay, I’m clumsy sue me, but thank you Bionic guerilla glass.

My sister has an iPhone (older model) and when I send her PDF attachments she sometimes cannot open them. The war of the apps is invalid to me. I went nuts at first downloading apps (first time app user) and was showing them off to iPhone users. It goes both ways. Droid has an apps drawer and allows third party launching (i.e. Go Launcher). You can root a droid. If you don’t know what those mean you may have an iPhone or, well they may not be important. Droid can be a hot spot for up to five devices vs one on the iPhone? (I am told but not sure.) I love MotoPrint on my Droid which quickly located my wireless printers and allowed me to print docs from across the house. I also have some Office Apps. I am not limited to 5 home pages and can add as many widgets as will drive me crazy if I choose. My carrier Verizon, grandfathered in my $30 unlimited data usage as well. Eh, okay. I purchased from Costco who gave me an additional $159 worth of exttas (nice!)

That said, do I sometimes wish I had an iPhone? Yes. Would I give up my Motorola Droid Bionic for one? No. (Fickle me.)

There are a lot of video comparisons you can look at such as www.pocketnow.com

Reply by Barb25 on 2/20/12 5:50pm
Msg #412448

Iphone Hotspot plan same as any other Smartphone plan up to 5 devices. However, I can't see myself ever wanting to do that. I actually was drawn to the Droid Razr. It's thin, almost indestructible. But really when was the last time I wanted to throw my phone against a wall. Hmm. My big thing is that since smartphones came into popularity I have never received a clear phone call. I am hoping the Iphone will help. Because Smarphones fall short from the simple cell phones to be sure. In my opinion.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/20/12 7:33pm
Msg #412464

I don't think the Droid Raze has a replaceable battery, does it?

No smart phone reaches the level of phone call power, connectivity and quality that most simple phones do, in my opinion. I did get the best one I could find, however I still carry my heavy duty one just in case we are in a place where we can't connect. Just move the sim chip. I do hear that Apple is trying to address that but space inside the case is the issue.

Reply by Bear900/CA on 2/20/12 7:40pm
Msg #412466

Re: Smart phone reception

4G...

I agree. I used to get decent reception with my original cell phone and that went to virtually nothing with my Blackberry inside our outside of the house. The Bionic at least worked in several spots inside and all of outside.

Now with 4G it works everywhere perfectly. A worthwhile investment if you will have 4G anytime soon and are with Verizon who I believe is the front runner in 4G.