Considering Going From Droid to iPhone: What Should Know?

[Awesome Possum]

I currently have a Verizon Droid 1, running Android 2.2. It's okay most of the time, but I have little issues with it. Mainly with various apps.

Now that Verizon has the iPhone, I'm considering switching to it when it's time for an upgrade. I mainly use my phone for calls, very little browsing (such as reading blogs while I'm waiting somewhere), and listening to internet radio and podcasts. The last of which, the Droid has serious issues with.

I was mainly wondering if anyone here had gone from Android to iPhone and could describe the experience.

 

[sojourner]

I don't do podcasts on mine, but my Motorola Droid does internet radio like Pandora just fine. Why would you want to go to a closed system like Iphone?

 

[Tom Hendricks]

I don't do podcasts on mine, but my Motorola Droid does internet radio like Pandora just fine. Why would you want to go to a closed system like Iphone?

Who needs an open system when MOST users do not?

I would go to either an Apple or Verizon store and check out the iPhone for yourself. The only thing your going to get here by asking that question is people bickering back and forth.

However with the rumored soon to be released iPhone 5 on its way. Somewhere between September and October, I would actually wait until then to purchase a iPhone, if you decide to go with it.

 

[Sean Aaron]

I was mainly wondering if anyone here had gone from Android to iPhone and could describe the experience.

I had a colleague go from iPhone to 'Droid and back. Basically build quality of the iPhone was superior and just the whole user experience was smoother was what he said, i.e. "shit just works."

 

[Gepard]

The main difference I've noticed between the two – during the admittedly extremely brief time I mucked about with someone's Droid – is iOS handles scrolling and interactive UI elements more smoothly than Android, which tends to stick for a fraction of a second before responding. Its a small thing, but it does make using iOS less frustrating.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Who needs an open system when MOST users do not?

These open systems do not exist in a vacuum, you don't have isolated users who need an open system and isolated users who don't. You have a loose community of developers and users. With an open system this community has much more control, while a closed system is strictly controlled by the creators of the system, usually to their own advantage and at the expense of the users – both those who “need” an open system and those who don't. Most individual users might not need it, but the users as a whole would most certainly benefit from it.

In this case Apple are literally deciding what you should be allowed to install on your iPhone. Whatever users “need”, I'm sure most of them would prefer if that weren't the case.

We should ask for an open system, even if we can't take advantage of it personally.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Yet that's not the case. To most users, there's no difference. Were talking general users, who make up the vast majority of users.

What's available on an open system (droid) that's not available on a closed system (apple)? In fact there are more developers for iOS then for Droid, why? The fractured nature of the open system makes it impossible for them to keep up with all the variants of OS.

 

[doubleohfive]

I just wish Google would do a software update so that Google Voice doesn't constantly freeze on my (Verizon) iPhone. Otherwise, I am so very happy with mine. Huge, epic improvement over the Blackberry.

 

[Awesome Possum]

I was mainly wondering if anyone here had gone from Android to iPhone and could describe the experience.

I had a colleague go from iPhone to 'Droid and back. Basically build quality of the iPhone was superior and just the whole user experience was smoother was what he said, i.e. "shit just works."

The main difference I've noticed between the two – during the admittedly extremely brief time I mucked about with someone's Droid – is iOS handles scrolling and interactive UI elements more smoothly than Android, which tends to stick for a fraction of a second before responding. Its a small thing, but it does make using iOS less frustrating.

That's one of the reasons I'm leaning towards iPhone. I like having an open system, but so far it hasn't benefited me. So far I've gotten a bunch of apps that barely work. I have a few apps that probably wouldn't exist on the iPhone, but it's just the goofy soundboards. Really the only thing I'd miss is Google Maps Navigation, which is the best gps system I've used.

In the end, I want to use my phone to make calls, send texts, and do the various things smart phones can do to amuse me throughout the day and I really don't think I should have to root my phone to get it to work decently.

I understand that some people prefer Android to iOS and maybe I've just had a bad experience with it. But I just want it to work when I want it to, not when it decides to.

 

[Gepard]

And keep in mind that if you really want an "open" system on the iPhone, there's always jailbreaking, which is fairly simple and legal. Dev Team is a good place to go for all your jailbraking needs. Their rebuild of the OS comes with Cydia, an alternative app store that lets you buy non-Apple approved apps. I've gotten a couple of things through them and it works well.

 

[Saturn0660]

Who needs an open system when MOST users do not?

These open systems do not exist in a vacuum, you don't have isolated users who need an open system and isolated users who don't. You have a loose community of developers and users. With an open system this community has much more control, while a closed system is strictly controlled by the creators of the system, usually to their own advantage and at the expense of the users – both those who “need” an open system and those who don't. Most individual users might not need it, but the users as a whole would most certainly benefit from it.

In this case Apple are literally deciding what you should be allowed to install on your iPhone. Whatever users “need”, I'm sure most of them would prefer if that weren't the case.

We should ask for an open system, even if we can't take advantage of it personally.

But then again, you could just jailbreak your iPhone and then it becomes an "open" system..

Gep beat me to it... But what he said... w00tw00t

 

[B.J.]

The main difference I've noticed between the two – during the admittedly extremely brief time I mucked about with someone's Droid – is iOS handles scrolling and interactive UI elements more smoothly than Android, which tends to stick for a fraction of a second before responding. Its a small thing, but it does make using iOS less frustrating.

^ I haven't had this problem much, and not at all on my wife's phone. I think it's dependent on what phone (hardware) you're talking about. Basically, a more powerful phone will respond much faster than a slower one, just like any other computer.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Really the only thing I'd miss is Google Maps Navigation, which is the best gps system I've used.

Well, I use the built-in Google Map app on the iPhone as a GPS, but it doesn't talk (which would annoy me anyway) - though it could be that it does and I just haven't messed with enough.

 

[David cgc]

No, the Maps app included with the iPhone doesn't offer spoken directions, though there are (paid) apps that do.

 

[Flavius]

If you decide to switch to the iPhone, I'd recommend you wait a few more weeks, since there's a new version coming soon.

 

[Awesome Possum]

If you decide to switch to the iPhone, I'd recommend you wait a few more weeks, since there's a new version coming soon.

That's the plan. I'm waiting for the iPhone 5 (or whatever they are calling it), I'll check out a few reviews from the places I trust. Although the iPhones seem to be quality phones, except for minor issues with holding certain models with human hands.

Anyway I'll see if I can work my way into getting an early upgrade. If all else fails, I'll just add a phone to my plan and work something out. My brother wants my Droid, so maybe I can use that.