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All the new Android phones and devices coming onto the market such as Droid and Nook are making me seriously consider upgrading my first generation iPhone. I don't want purchase a new mobile device until the right one comes along. Any advice, experience, or reasons for making the switch or not?
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Should I dump my iPhone for an Android?
Marsee Henon
User Group Manager
O'Reilly Media
Sebastopol, CA
User Group Manager
O'Reilly Media
Sebastopol, CA
9 Answers | 1 Comment
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The first part of the answer to your question is financial. Have you reached the end of your current AT&T contract? Since you said first gen iPhone, we'll assume so, otherwise you're looking at painful early termination fees, since you'll need to leave AT&T and join the greater Verizon Borg Collective to get the droid. We'll also assume that number portability is going to work ok for you.
If things will work financially, the questions becomes: droid or 3GS, a debate that's raging fierce and hot right now. The droid is the new kid on the block, with many differences from the iPhone (simultaneous apps, better camera, etc.) What it doesn't have right now is 85,000 applications. This is likely to change quickly, as developers come onboard the droid bandwagon every day, and now that Verizon is making a serious push with it, that should accelerate.
In the end, you'll have to try the droid (and the 3GS to be fair), and decide if the new features the droid offers are worth waiting a while for apps.
If things will work financially, the questions becomes: droid or 3GS, a debate that's raging fierce and hot right now. The droid is the new kid on the block, with many differences from the iPhone (simultaneous apps, better camera, etc.) What it doesn't have right now is 85,000 applications. This is likely to change quickly, as developers come onboard the droid bandwagon every day, and now that Verizon is making a serious push with it, that should accelerate.
In the end, you'll have to try the droid (and the 3GS to be fair), and decide if the new features the droid offers are worth waiting a while for apps.
James Turner
Contributing Editor, O'Reilly Media
Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor
Contributing Editor, O'Reilly Media
Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor
I think there are more and more reasons to move from an iPhone to an Android-powered device.
1. Android is open, and so is its marketplace. Enough said. If the App store has 100,000 apps, how many do you really expect you'll need or use for more than 3-days? At 11k apps and growing, I hope the Android Marketplace does not get too big and become bloated like the App store. The app store reminds me of one of Apple's TV ads but the roles are reversed.
2. There are new devices appearing and each offer different features that make them more tailorable to your liking. Whether you are a mad-texter, or a web browser, or want to check twitter and get a few emails, there is a Android-powered phone just right for you. It is not one-size fits all, er one phone.
HTC GI
HTC MyTouch
Samsung Behold II
Motorola Motoblur
HTC Droid Eris
Motorola Droid
HTC Hero
I have tested all these phones and they each have their unique strengths.
3. Multitasking. There are many apps, not an app for that. Why not run more than one app at a time. Run an FTP app that transfers a file to where you need it, while you are reading email or browsing the web...
4. 3G Coverage if you choose Verizon Wireless or live in the middle of the country.
1. Android is open, and so is its marketplace. Enough said. If the App store has 100,000 apps, how many do you really expect you'll need or use for more than 3-days? At 11k apps and growing, I hope the Android Marketplace does not get too big and become bloated like the App store. The app store reminds me of one of Apple's TV ads but the roles are reversed.
2. There are new devices appearing and each offer different features that make them more tailorable to your liking. Whether you are a mad-texter, or a web browser, or want to check twitter and get a few emails, there is a Android-powered phone just right for you. It is not one-size fits all, er one phone.
HTC GI
HTC MyTouch
Samsung Behold II
Motorola Motoblur
HTC Droid Eris
Motorola Droid
HTC Hero
I have tested all these phones and they each have their unique strengths.
3. Multitasking. There are many apps, not an app for that. Why not run more than one app at a time. Run an FTP app that transfers a file to where you need it, while you are reading email or browsing the web...
4. 3G Coverage if you choose Verizon Wireless or live in the middle of the country.
I'm happy with my android phone. I have the Google Ion/ HTC Magic / t-Mobile MyTouch G3
If it were me, I might wait for one with a little faster processor (like the 1GHz Snapdragon devices).
Battery life is OK, normally lasts the day just fine. Heavy usage causes it to run out early sometimes.
It has some pretty cool apps, so I'm not missing much that I can tell vs the iPhone.
David
If it were me, I might wait for one with a little faster processor (like the 1GHz Snapdragon devices).
Battery life is OK, normally lasts the day just fine. Heavy usage causes it to run out early sometimes.
It has some pretty cool apps, so I'm not missing much that I can tell vs the iPhone.
David
No, check out the Time review:
http://nerdworld.blo...reless/?cnn=yes
It says the camera is crappy, the keyboard is less than stellar, there's no way to sync your music files, it has on 256 MB of onboard storage, the browser does not support multitouch (meaning there's no way to zoom a web page with pinch movements), it has an "industrial" look and feel, and the buttons are awkwardly placed. The Android phones are worth watching, but they aren't a iPhone replacement. Maybe later. Presently, I'm hoping for the iPhone on Verizon. Bottom line: If you get rid of your iPhone, you'll quickly regret the decision.
http://nerdworld.blo...reless/?cnn=yes
It says the camera is crappy, the keyboard is less than stellar, there's no way to sync your music files, it has on 256 MB of onboard storage, the browser does not support multitouch (meaning there's no way to zoom a web page with pinch movements), it has an "industrial" look and feel, and the buttons are awkwardly placed. The Android phones are worth watching, but they aren't a iPhone replacement. Maybe later. Presently, I'm hoping for the iPhone on Verizon. Bottom line: If you get rid of your iPhone, you'll quickly regret the decision.
There are some things Android does better than iPhone,including multitasting,open platform,stability,as well as its camera.On the contrary,the only thing iPhone impressed me is its touch screen.The experience with iPhone's touch screen is fantastic.
So,if you are a life hacker you should definitly choose Android phone.You would get unlimited possiblity.
So,if you are a life hacker you should definitly choose Android phone.You would get unlimited possiblity.
Probably not just yet give the device time to mature ... like the iPhone has.. if you like I do use a mac as a main computer you'll find the iPhone a great asset.
Now that the 3Gs has been released there are plenty of folks getting out of contracts and there are some good deals on nearly new 3G phones ...
I love my iPhone its like my laptop and desk top of choice ... they all link together and work really well thats why I will be with the iPhone and the touch screens super, way better than any number dialing touch buttons especically for text messages .. its a god send ...
As for camera I have an SLR and Canon G9 for photos...
Now that the 3Gs has been released there are plenty of folks getting out of contracts and there are some good deals on nearly new 3G phones ...
I love my iPhone its like my laptop and desk top of choice ... they all link together and work really well thats why I will be with the iPhone and the touch screens super, way better than any number dialing touch buttons especically for text messages .. its a god send ...
As for camera I have an SLR and Canon G9 for photos...
I'm pretty excited about an AMOLED screen, my browser of choice, microSD card support, MP3/WAV ringtones, Flash, a file manager, apps that aren't arbitrarily yanked or restricted, using a development platform of my own choosing, &c.
Comment by
BrianSawyer
: Nov 10 2009 08:11 AM
: Nov 10 2009 08:11 AM
Not that I'm suggesting it as a reason to not go with an Android phone, but MikeH's answer got me to look up T-Mobile's data coverage map for reference (since Android versus iPhone isn't as simple as Verizon versus AT&T), which isn't as impressive as Verizon's 3G network.
I've never owned an iPhone myself, so I can't speak to the differences or suggest one over the other, but I can say that I've loved my G1 and can't imagine anything it might be missing (aside from getting the Android 2.0 upgrade, which will enable my one true dream app: turn-by-turn directions with Google Navigation).
I've never owned an iPhone myself, so I can't speak to the differences or suggest one over the other, but I can say that I've loved my G1 and can't imagine anything it might be missing (aside from getting the Android 2.0 upgrade, which will enable my one true dream app: turn-by-turn directions with Google Navigation).
Why not consider your alternatives?
The Android community is already quite strong but that's not to say that it's the only other option.
I personally think three other contenders could easily be Maemo and WebOS and BBOS.
I really like the style of the Pixi for example but I realise wifi may be a requirement. At which point you might consider the Pre (my understanding is that the cost difference in the states between a Pre and Pixi is pretty slim)
The N900 just launched this week, sure it's not actually available anywhere yet but really, take a look at the specs they're unreasonable!
Then there's the smart phone king (Newly renamed App Phone) blackberry.
Sure they can be a bit ugly but the newer models are getting to be quite sleek.
I think if your iPhone is working for you now, you really owe it to yourself to wait and see how this all plays out.
I mean who knows... maybe BADA will pan out in a big way... ... maybe.
The Android community is already quite strong but that's not to say that it's the only other option.
I personally think three other contenders could easily be Maemo and WebOS and BBOS.
I really like the style of the Pixi for example but I realise wifi may be a requirement. At which point you might consider the Pre (my understanding is that the cost difference in the states between a Pre and Pixi is pretty slim)
The N900 just launched this week, sure it's not actually available anywhere yet but really, take a look at the specs they're unreasonable!
Then there's the smart phone king (Newly renamed App Phone) blackberry.
Sure they can be a bit ugly but the newer models are getting to be quite sleek.
I think if your iPhone is working for you now, you really owe it to yourself to wait and see how this all plays out.
I mean who knows... maybe BADA will pan out in a big way... ... maybe.
Michael Kulpa
Procurement Officer
Edmonton New Technology Society
Michaelk@ENTS.ca
Procurement Officer
Edmonton New Technology Society
Michaelk@ENTS.ca
I am currently considering the change myself. I have an iPhone and love it, but what I don't love is the data plan cost and the dead spots. What I am really considering is carrying two devices. I could drop the iPhone AT&T plan and just use it as an iPod Touch with the WiFi, syncing, etc... Then I could go on my wife's Verizon plan for just a cheap $10 or so add on.
Yes, I would have to carry two devices and I wouldn't have cellular data, but my monthly bill would go down by about $75 a month ($900 per year!) and I would still have wifi capabilities in my pocket.
Yes, I would have to carry two devices and I wouldn't have cellular data, but my monthly bill would go down by about $75 a month ($900 per year!) and I would still have wifi capabilities in my pocket.
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