Ventured Into "The Walled Garden"? Please post your experience.

I have switched from BlackBerry to iPhone to BlackBerry then back to iPhone. Then had a brief stint with a Galaxy Nexus then went back to iOS. I was looking for something new and the Galaxy S3 was looking exciting, so I bought that. Used it for maybe 2 months. Sold it and went back to iOS. I don't see iOS as a superior OS, I view it as the mobile OS that works best for me. I was a crackberry addict with the 8700 through the 9000. When the 9700 came out on AT&T, I bought that because I was so excited for the new trackpad. However, I was plagued with crappy build quality, 4 in a row. Then finally traded the 4th 9700 in for an iPhone 3GS (mainly because I read that Apple had awesome build quality). And it was true. My iPhone 3GS didn't squeak, creak, or have any uneven buttons. It was nearly physically perfect. The OS worked fine for me on the iPhone. It did everything that I needed. I could send a text with ease, reply to emails, browse the web, and it had great battery life. I wasn't looking for customization, hack-a-bility, etc... I was just looking for something that works. I went to Android both times because the OS and phones looked exciting. I tried both of them and wasn't really impressed with the battery life when compared to my iPhone. It had a lot of features like the iPhone, but I just couldn't get used to them (and I already had the entire iOS ecosystem, so it made sense for me to stick with it). That is why I came back to iOS after Android.

 

I have had various Smartphone devices over the years. I have used Palm OS, Windows Mobile 5.0, Windows Mobile 6.0, BB 5.0-7.0, and Android 2.2-4.0.4. I have been using Android Devices for the past 3 years. My most recent Android device was the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX. I did try out the 4S last year for only a week and found the OS to be nice but the screen size was too small for me so I returned the device and continued to use my MAXX.

Here is my experience switching from Android to iOS. During the past few weeks my RAZR MAXX was starting to really act up. I would dial my voicemail and when I tried to type in my four digit pin to check my voicemail, my phone would not let me and decided to freeze on the screen. I first thought it was just a glitch, so I did a soft reset and that seemed to fix it. Fast forward three days later and it did it again. And then the cycle repeated (every 3 or so days it would freeze when trying to use the touch pad while in a call). I knew it wasn't due to any new apps that I have downloaded or updated. Eventually this along with the phone slowing down (it would get some moderate lag) about half way through the day, I decided it was time to try out a new OS.

I did some research online and read about the new Blackberry Z10 that is coming out soon. That phone looks promising, however due to it being a completely new and improved BB OS, I decided to wait and see if it takes off and gets more developer support behind it down the road. I then decided to look at WP8. While it does look promising, Verizon only has a few phones to choose from. I did, however, like the Lumia 822 that I played around with at Verizon. Most of my apps that I use on a daily and weekly basis, however, are only on Android or iOS so I decided to wait on WP8.

I then decided to look at the iPhone 5. I went into the Verizon store last week and played with the iPhone 5 for a while. The OS seemed fast, responsive, and the larger screen (4" versus the 3.5" 4S) helped win me over. I then bought the iPhone 5 and a screen protector/case/car charger bundle and left the store. Below are the pros and cons for both operating systems (I have used both my RAZR MAXX and iPhone 5 when comparing both operating systems).

Android Pros:

• Widgets
• Open source OS
• Multiple levels of customization
• No iTunes or other program necessary to sync the device

Android Cons:

• Apps tend to have bugs in them (battery drain, etc) if not properly coded
• All of my Android devices over time seem to slow down with age (whether I only have a few apps or several apps)
• A soft reset (and sometimes a hard reset) is needed to fix problems or to speed the device up if it starts slowing down throughout the day

iOS Pros:

• Smooth OS
• Wifi speeds are faster on my home network than they were with my MAXX
• Higher LTE speeds while in the same areas as my MAXX

iOS Cons:

• No Widgets
• Less overall customization
• More steps needed to do things (making ringtones on iTunes, syncing on iTunes, attachments when sending emails)

So in conclusion while I do miss certain features found on Android (widgets, multiple levels of customization, ease of use to do things (add pictures to emails, adding ringtones)), I find that my iPhone 5 is smoother, more responsive, and has not frozen a single time (so no soft or hard resets have been needed). It also made sense to try out the iPhone 5 since I already have a iPad 3 and iPod touch.

 

Well, my special iOS App sent a notification that there was a 'great disturbance in the Force' recently. Enjoy your stay into the Wall Garden, however briefly it may exist.

I am somewhat surprised as I thought most would migrate to a larger S3. I'm very much enjoying my slate iPhone 5...I was able to sell my ATT unlocked 4S on eBay for $530 last October. Not too shabby. Was able to do the same for my daughter's unlocked 4S too.

I think most of the 4 or 5 supermods that switched over to the iP5 are already familiar with iOS on an iPad devices, so that had to make the transition smoother, and allows you to enjoy WiFi photostream, music and app sharing easily.

Gamer03, besides picking photos from the Photo App for emailing, you can create an email, hold a point in the email body, like pasting, and then there is an insert photo and video option. It's one at at time, like my Gmail web mail, but the insert can be done multiple times.

Charlyee, I don't know of an integrated Twitter/Facebook app, but you can turn on both in Notifications and this allows you to make quick posts.

I also learned of a way to force my MacBook Pro to auto answer FaceTime...so I can check on my dog from my phone.

Enjoy the romp inside the wall. I'm loving LTE, it is more prevalent than I thought, and it actually runs faster than my house Wifi router!

Best,

Viewfly

 

I didn't know that, Viewfly. Thanks for sharing it. That will save me time now when I am sending pictures within emails.


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Gamer03, another tip:

If you download the Apple App 'GarageBand' onto your iPhone (or iPad), you can create custom ringtones (iMessage Tones,etc) or import your songs from music library and edit or modify them and then save them as ringtones right on your iPhone. They will also synch across your other iOS devices too, via the iCloud.

No need to sync with iTunes on your PC/Mac, or make them there.

I downloaded a free web CBS Amazing Race theme song to my Mac iTunes and it WiFi auto sync'd to my iPhone via Itunes iCloud Matching. With GarageBand on my iPhone, I then added some reverb and large room affects, and then I converted it to a ringtone on my iPhone. It takes a little figuring out, but these sources are helpful. You shouldn't need the Apple iCloud Matching, but I have that turned on. Songs will synch without it, if you have that option turned on.

Ringtones on iPhone 1
Ringtones on iPhone 2

Also made my own custom ringtone with the guitar strings in GarageBand.

Have fun!

Best,

viewfly

 

Good tip, viewfly. Will certainly make my life much easier.

 

I've only used the Picassa web page, and made a shortcut of that on my iPhone. But even that I haven't used in years...switching over to iPhoto, personal photostreams for sharing, etc.

sorry, not much help there.

 

I believe there are some non-google Picassa apps out there.

But without Picassa, the coolest is 'shared Photostreams'. This is different and in addition to 'My Photostream'.

Apple - iCloud - New photos on all your devices.

Basically you can share selected photos with selected individuals, and they may view them on their iOS devices, or the web. They don't need a iOS device to view them.

I shared some photos with my brother, across the country. Entered in his Apple iD and they started loading up on his iPad, after he accepted the invitation. People can make comments etc.

Very easy to set up..and no set up on the other persons(s) side. Very easy way to beat the 1000 photo limit...and also get photos from your iPad/Mac to your iPhone, or the reverse. You can add or subject at will.


Share select photos with a select audience.
With Shared Photo Streams, you can share just the photos you want with just the people you choose. Select photos directly from the Photos app in iOS 6, iPhoto or Aperture on a Mac, or even a Windows PC. Enter email addresses of the people you’d like to share with (or add new photos to a Shared Photo Stream you’ve already created).

Thank you for sharing.
If the folks you’re sharing with are using iCloud on an iOS 6 device or a Mac running Mountain Lion, they’ll get a notification to view your pictures right in the Photos app or iPhoto. If not, they can view your photos on the web. Your friends and family can comment on your photos, which could spark some compliments on your sassy new haircut. Share as much as you like: Shared Photo Streams don’t count against your iCloud storage, and they work over Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

 

Thanks for the tips, viewfly.

 

Good show Charlyee...if you are buying cases...you are hooked for a bit longer. I favor the Tones from Switcheasy. No screen protector. Only a Moshi, if needed, but almost never.

I have to say your speeds are far better than mine, here in Boston

 

I had a series of really thin cases like you mentioned..the ones that are polycarbonate and 0.3mm or so. They were really slick.

However, since I like to change cases around, I found that they can't handle that repeated on/off cycle over time. I also just go 'naked' in the garden, as we say (that is the reason for the wall ). Also, I finally decided that if I use a case, i needed to protect the top and bottom.

I have to admit that the looks are nice, and I'm forever tempted.

VF

P.S. Maybe someone should make a case in the shape and coverage of a fig leaf.


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Battery life!! I was just working somewhere that my Arix HD would have died in 4-5 hours (very poor signal, very mountainous, rural area). My iPhone 5 was at 42% when I got back to the hotel.


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Indeed indeed one of Apples strengths in OS development over the decade is superb battery life.


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That is good to know and perhaps should be: the volume/mAH fractional increase is larger than the the screen size increase, assuming the screen is the major consumer of power.


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That not what I'm actually concluding, but its unimportant. If a company can make a device in a physical size that people like and that gives good battery life that is all that matters.

On topic again. One month. You'll need to change your Tapatalk signature.






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If all gardens were the same that would be no fun. Lol. Interesting observations.

I don't use the shortcut feature so I have no experience there. Harder for me to remember a shortcut

I use to read the change in sensitivity was from the new screen technology. That change reduced the screen reflectivity,even below the Lumia's. But really I don't notice the screen sensitivity anymore. When I do it seems app dependent, although that is not a rigorous study. I don't notice the P and Q problem. It's more a 'go' button in safari that is frustrating occasionally. I just tried notepad and can't determine any problems. But yesterday in a website I couldn't select my state from a web easily.

iPhone is a good shortcut for 'mobile device'.


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Not to take it off-topic, but I'm curious -- what is the screen sensitivity you're talking about?

 

You mean it's constant?