Friday, January 11, 2013

Why Android (Still) Kind Of Sucks

Since my last post about Android and its flaws, it's been a few years. It was last comparing and contrasting features of iOS 2 and Android's Gingerbread OS, but a lot has changed over the years and I thought it would be well worth creating another article on why Android still isn't exactly up to par with iOS, but has definitely made its way further up the food chain.
In one of my earlier posts, I admitted that the Samsung Galaxy S3 was a pretty slick phone, and I've definitely considered using it. Although, some things are holding me back with Apple's groundbreaking iPhone 5. Let's start with the most obvious, strongest one...

1. The Apple Ecosystem

Nothing will ever come even remotely close to being as good as the Apple ecosystem. All iOS devices work seamlessly with each other a their Mac counterparts, from photos to open Safari tabs to apps. Download an app on the iPad, see it on your iPhone. Reading a book on your phone? The page is saved on your iPad. Took a photo from your iPhone in NYC? All those pictures are already on your Mac. Lost your iPhone, need to make a change in your calendar events? iCloud has got that covered. Because Apple makes all their own product, nothing will ever be as easy as logging into your Apple ID and having everything already set up for you. Android OS may have apps that could mimic some of the functions of iCloud, such as TabCloud to sync tabs from Chrome to Android, but this requires manual installation on all devices being synchronized. Apple's already got that covered from the second you open that fancy box.

2. Staggered OS Distribution

I think I mentioned this in my other post, but Android OS is still distributed among multiple devices configured with different hardware and modified versions of the OS. For example: HTC may have their signature version of Android featuring HTC Sense weaved into their interface, while the Galaxy S3 has a bunch of Samsung features pushed into their OS (not to mention possibly pre-installed bloatware). Because of the difference in screen sizes, hardware and manufacturer, when an update for Android comes out for a specific phone, it could be months before the update actually comes out. Sure, there's custom ROMs, but they're not officially distributed by the carrier nor manufacturer, usually resulting in an unstable, unsupported OS.

As of today, A little less than 50% of Android users STILL have Android's Gingerbread OS! As of October 2nd 2012, 60% of iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users have iOS 6 installed. After the release of Google Maps for iOS 6, that number has grown 29%. Take some lessons from Apple, Android (or should I say Google).

3. Samsung, I Raise Your Specs and Give You QUALITY.



Samsung, when will you stop? You fit all these amazing specifications in to one cheap, plastic shell. You even went as far as making a neat little chart with all your useless features next to the iPhone's features, and decided to leave out the signature iPhone features that make it what it is. A quick search of "Samsung Galaxy S3 Stupid Ad" will give you that ad (direct link for the lazy). Yeah, your phone is pretty cool, I'll admit that I wouldn't mind having one, but don't push it into our face. It makes me want to ignore you for being hotheaded. Samsung, stop being annoying.

Anyway, what I infer by the title of this post is that the iPhone 5 was made with quality in mind: for example, it has aluminum backing, NOT plastic. The back can't crack now, because it's no longer made with glass. Sure, the front can crack, but all smartphones nowadays are made with glass, unless it's a piece of crap. While it doesn't really make much of any physical difference, iPhone 5's are not more than a few microns off (a measurement used for measuring bacteria). The only reason I mention this, is because Apple actually tries to ensure physical quality of their product, rather than to brag about how fast it may be or what useless software features it may encompass, such as NFC technology currently only usable between Samsung Galaxy's or "S-Voice", the blatant Siri rip off. With Samsung (not so much other manufacturers), it's a race to see who can get to the newest technology first, so they can capitalize on how "cutting edge" their phones are.

4. iOS is Easy, Controlled, and Compatible.

Yeah, I've said some stuff like this in my other post, but it's still true. iOS is extremely easy to use, and there's not much of any learning curve at all. My mom, who is unreasonably tech deficient, can work her way around an iPad, but not as easily around her Android tablet or a Windows 7 laptop, simply because they have more features and options than the average person needs. Apple only puts things into iOS that truly matter to give it a user experience that doesn't leave you guessing, simply because you already know where everything is, and it's right where you think it would be. In other words, it's intuitive.

As for the controlled App Store ecosystem, some may see this as a negative, but I'm sure myself that it is most definitely a positive. Apple regulates these apps for quality control, like they do on their iPhone. Sure, some crap flows through the store every once and a while, but Apple can only deny so much. Most of the original content, coded by independent developers, is easy to use and not a mess of a user-interface. Why? Because it costs $100 to get into the development program, so only developers serious about making money will step forward and start developing for the App Store community. I'm not sure if Google Play's market costs money to get in anymore, but putting a price on the SDK keeps the unskilled developers out, and the good ones in.

Lastly, there's the issue of compatibility between phones and Android OS version. Apple only has iOS 5 and 6 to worry about, simply because everyone is either on the latest or semi-latest OS. There are also only 5 different screen resolutions developers need to worry about on iOS: iPad retina/non-retina, and iPhone and iPod Touch retina/tall/non-retina; there is no fragmentation. Android has so many damn tablets and smart phones, that the screen resolutions vary slightly between devices which have to be accounted for when applications are being developed. This requires consistent updates by developers. The reason developers would rather port from iOS to Android is because: 1. The applications can be slightly adjusted from the streamlined screen resolutions of iOS, and 2. iOS users are more willing to buy apps from the App Store.

What Will Make Me Want An Android Phone

Google needs to make sure that Android is regulated more, and make sure that all updates are released on-time and in synchronization (or at least within a months range) with all phones. Sure, that may be hard because it's up to the manufacturer to get it to work correctly with their hardware, but Windows seems to have no problem with different screen resolutions and hardware changes (yes, I'm well aware it's a desktop OS). Custom ROM developers seem to have no problem getting to it newer Android versions either. Google isn't the only one that needs to do some work. Manufacturers have to start caring about what goes into their phones, rather than cramming them full of fancy hardware and shipping them off with some gimmicky features. Companies have started to care to some extent, but the manufacturers have to get at Apple's level and start caring more. I don't want any company to mimic Apple's products, I want them to care about their own. Google's phones and most HTC phones have begun to show some innovation in design and interface, which is a huge jump from what used to be. If it keeps up, Android could surpass the iPhone, I won't doubt it.

19 comments:

  1. I can see your argument is biased, therefore your argument is invalid.

    Nuff' Said.

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    1. Personal thoughts tend to be biased.

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    2. Common dude, don't be a snobby android user and not have any facts to back it up. Yes he's bias, but so are you or I and you could have easily beaten him with facts but instead you lost since you have no argument... Worthless

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    3. The Android OS looks and acts like a high school science progect. Thats what open source gets you, garbage

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    4. That is bullshit, at least the open source part. Open source gave us the winderful Linux and UNIX kernels which power the iPhone, Macs and houndreds of thousands of servers running the web.

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    5. Using your own logic, your argument is invalid and so is mine. It's pretty damn hard not to be bias since we're not computers, and even computers are programmed by humans so they're biased.

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  2. Great post. After switching to the htc one I thought I would love Android. Not only is it crap, it makes a beautiful phone with some amazing features feel clunky and it totally ruins the overall experience

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  3. Lol everyone here is talking about how their HTC and SAMSUNG phones sucks and don't get updates. GET A NEXUS. Yes it's just good and it just works, without the dumb gimmicks that the shitty other companies have. You complain about Samsungs annoying advertising.. There is hardly any nexus advertising, because it doesn't need any, it's good just do some actual research. Someone like you who only buys phones that he sees other people with (iphones/s4) or ones that use blatant gimmicks (like SIRI, which yes Samsung stole, but who gives a fuck when they both SUCK). Nexus phones have always been solid and get updates right away. The nexus 4 which doesn't even have true 4g still destroys the iPhone 5 I'm every way imaginable. And for the record, the Apple ecosystem is minuscule compared to the Google ecosystem, which runs on ANY device on ANY os. All my settings, appdata, contacts, MUSIC (over 100GB all in the cloud all on my phone on the go), everything is in the cloud and I can access from a browser on anything with Internet.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Nexus is too stand alone and doesn't compare to iphone + ecosystem from apple. My iphone feels like an extension of my Mac mini and not so much a phone.

    Features and gimmicks aside apple is a way more productive way to go. My emails, music, ebooks, calendar, messages, notes, reminders, contacts, etc are all there from home to road. Upgrading phones was awesome experience for me the first time cause it was all there as soon as I got it home and connected.

    I made a change to my resume on my pc and forgot to transfer to USB stick to print later. Guess what, it's in pages on my friggin phone and I can make changes on the fly and print or email anywhere.

    I know lots snobs use apple stuff but I don't think it's their fault, they just make quality tech. Google is a search company that decided to compete with apple in a category apple created.

    Apple is a consumer electronics maker, so they tend to be less mechanical and more functional. iPhone accessibility puts android to shame and I wouldn't want to put my life in androids hands.

    Android is for cheap, kids who want to fiddle with tech. iPhone is for serious people who are creative, smart and mature.

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  6. Where's the google store. Tech support probably sucks for android users. Apple make u pay for extended support but u actually get help. Lots of whiners complain but when the call up google for help I'm sure they just boil. No one wants to take responsibility.

    Apple iPhone is the real thing. Like a BMW vs Kia or some mess. C'mon.

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    1. I'm sorry but if you need tech support, go get a 10-year old nokia.

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  7. "Why? Because it costs $100 to get into the development program, so only developers serious about making money will step forward and start developing for the App Store community. I'm not sure if Google Play's market costs money to get in anymore, but putting a price on the SDK keeps the unskilled developers out, and the good ones in."


    Well then how do you get new developers, they gotta learn somehow!! Jeez, try developing your own app.

    *Android users: Developers are cool, they make the apps and put there time and effort into doing that*
    *IOS Users: Developers? What are they?/ I don't give a fuck about them i just want a genius to show me how to use a phone*

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    1. You can download and test the apps all you want without paying. You can even distribute it yourself with a little bit of a hack, but nothing goes on the AppStore until you're serious and ready to make some money. This really filters all the dumb apps beginners make and look back on like wow that was stupid, I'm happy that was never released.

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    2. develop* not download

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  8. Well then... I like how you say that Apple doesn't brag... watch their freaking reveal show! "Amazing" "Wonderful" "Magical"... JESUS CHRIST!

    Ecosystem? Android, Linux, other products by manufacturer. Windows 8 is also a great ecosystem. I'll pass on BlackBerry... they do have unrivaled efficiency, though!

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  9. IOS vs Android is like OFW vs CFW on a PS3...One is a safe, regulated, limited box designed with usablity in mind. The other is a completely open source, unregulated, fly by the seat of your pants platform for others to build on...
    They are completely different. IOS is aimed at people who have no idea what a terraflop is, the kind of people who drive a Prius because they think it's "cool". Android on the other hand is aimed at power users who want to get the most out of their device and have complete freedom...
    I'm afraid you just might be a potential Prius driver...

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    1. Eh? I'm a Windows and Linux user, but I still own an iPhone. I certainly know my way around a computer, and definitely am in the understanding of what a teraflop is. Even though iOS is a rather simplified mobile OS, it doesn't necessarily mean iOS was specifically created for those that can't comprehend or understand technical matter, although I do know what you're getting at. It is definitely geared towards those that are less tech-savvy, and it essentially takes matter that may for some be complicated (such as opening Mail and sending an e-mail) and over-simplifies it to make it less of a hassle to do. This kind of concept is spread throughout the OS, along with the closed environment, which I still respect. Regardless, both Android and iOS certainly do have their perks!

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  10. The issue with arguing with an android user is that they don't freaking listen. It's like they've got selective hearing...

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