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Android Central on the iPhone!
Hello all!
Hi, it's Casey from Android Central and for this week of the Smartphone Round Robin, I'm taking a look at the iPhone 3GS. I've spent a significant amount of time with the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone platform in general so I just wanted to ask a few questions regarding your 'feelings' toward certain decisions/ideas/theories etc.
1. Android has widgets, are you guys a little, tiny bit jealous of that type of dynamic home screen experience?
2. Multitasking -- hate living without it? not a problem at all? or will it be like cut & paste, when apple introduces multitasking we can't imagine living without it?
3. App Store -- There's a gajillion applications and it definitely is the pace setter for app markets, but how do you guys sift through all the unnecessary apps? what's your favorite app?
4. AT&T -- is the biggest wish for the iPhone is for it to be on a different carrier? Verizon iPhone isn't coming in 2010, right? How many of you would switch away from AT&T?
5. I personally think the iPhone keyboard is great, but how many of you guys still want a physical keyboard?
thanks in advance guys! - 12-28-2009, 04:50 PM #2
1) there are widgets for jailbroken iphones, its cool but not necesary.
2) not problem at all, push+save state does the trick
3) we rely on web reviews, there is too much crap in the appstore. favorite app beejive and tweetie.
4) not from U.S.A
5) not me, i type so much faster and effortless with virtual keyboards. but is not for everyone, many if not the majority miss the lack of tactile feedback. - 12-28-2009, 04:54 PM #3
Hi Casey! Let's face it, we all know you guys think the iPhone is the bees knees, or you wouldn't all have them (in addition to whichever other platform you pretend to prefer). That being said....
1. Widgets...blah. I don't use 'em on my desktop, I doubt I'd use 'em on my cell. Then again, it would be nice to have the weather in my face when I turn on my device - just like Windows Mobile.
2. Multitasking is a nonissue. If you don't stream music from Pandora or something similar, you don't want it or need it.
3. The app store is a mess. We depend on each other for recommending the cream of the crop - and there's definitely some cream in iTunes!
4. I've used all the US carriers at some point or another. They are all equal in the end. Well...not Sprint...they still have the worst customer service experience ever.
5. I came from a Treo, which I used because of that front facing QWERTY. The iPhone has gotten me over the need for a real keyboard. I like the virtual keyboard! - 12-28-2009, 04:55 PM #4
1. I've been checking out Android since the 2.0 release and think it is coming into it's own as an operating system. I love the implementation of the widgets.
2. I didn't really do alot of multitasking when I used WinMo and Symbian, but I would like to be able to have it on all iPhone stock apps.
3. Apple has done a good job imo w/ the App Store. The genius recommendations in it needs alot of work though. My most used 3rd party apps are Facebook and Pandora.
4. I don't have any problems w/ AT&T in Atlanta,and wouldn't switch to Verizon. An iPhone w/ T-Mo 3G bands would be tempting though.
5. I love the soft keyboard on the iPhone since 3.0, but it does get difficult to use when I'm walking down the street. Not worth the extra bulk of a slider qwerty or the loss of screen size on a candybar qwerty imo. - 12-28-2009, 05:04 PM #5
1. widgets are nice but not a big deal for me.
2. multitasking like the pre would be nice but not critical for me to have.
3. look to others feedback as mentioned above to evaluate apps.
4. i wouldn't switch away from at&t but friends with verizon would be thrilled to have an iphone.
5. i'm happy with the virtual keyboard. - 12-28-2009, 05:06 PM #6
- 12-28-2009, 05:48 PM #7
1. I'm a little bit jealous, but not much. Not knowing much about Android (and whether it has this capability), I miss other customizations such as wallpaper on all screens, and the "swiping" that you can do with a jailbroken device (such as the method employed by SBSettings and qTweeter). I remember the old Palm days with hacks and such that just made working with the device a lot easier because of the customization that was possible.
2. I do and I don't. I don't mind the lack of multitasking except for the SMS thing. It would be great if I didn't have to quit an app just to reply to a text message (or email for that matter).
3. It's very difficult to sift through the apps. I know some developers artificially inflate their stats (mainly ratings), and the sheer number of apps in any category make finding a good, appropriate app for your task very difficult. I normally rely on various forums and websites (and the occasional periodical) for ideas and suggestions. I rarely can rely strictly on AppStore ratings and recommendations (because there are some consumer reviews out there that are negative just for the same of being negative (even about other products than the one attached to the rating) and reviews that are overly positive (usually planted by developers or developer friends I'm guessing).
4. Not really. I had Verizon issues previously, and AT&T is actually better at home and in the office than VZW was. Odd, because VZW has a really good presence in most of the city.
5. I miss the physical keyboard at times, but the added real estate (and compact form factor) that come from a virtual keyboard only device usually makes up for it. I wouldn't try writing a novel on my iPhone, but for texts and emails, it works rather well.--
applejosh
Present: iPhone 4S 32GB AT&T, iPad "3" 32GB Verizon, early 2011 MBP
Past: iPad2 Wifi 32GB, iPhone 4 32GB, Nexus One, iPhone 3GS, BB 9000, BB8130 - 12-28-2009, 05:49 PM #8
1. I like to have a couple of widgets such as weather and calendar but you can go crazy make the screen cluttered as drtigerlilly said.
2. I like multitasking and jailbroke to get to use Backgrounder
3. As most have said I read the blogs/forums here and other pkaces to find the apps I need.
4. I have already switched to T-Mobile where I use the iPhone and the MT3G
5. I like the virtual keyboard and would not want the size and weight that a real keyboard brings. - 12-28-2009, 06:50 PM #9
Looking forward to another week of Round Robin, hope I can win!
- 12-28-2009, 08:07 PM #10
1. I would like to be able to customize some info to be visible from the lock screen, but wouldn't necessarily have to be widgets although those would work.
2. Multitasking - less of an issue with the speedy 3GS. Mostly I wish I could open Settings without having to close my app, drill through the settings, then open the app again. But I don't really need Pandora running all day.
3. App Store - I don't bother searching on my own. I get suggestions from reading tech blogs like TiPb, iLounge, and Gizmodo.
4. AT&T - I'm happy with AT&T service and am not interested in a non-GSM iPhone. I do wish I could get it carrier unlocked though so I could switch SIMS and do what I want with it after I finish my 2-year contract (like they now can in the UK). I would be happy to see AT&T's exclusive deal end so that (a) some of the network load can shift to other carriers, and (b) we can see carriers compete on price and features.
5. Not me.iPad 2 WiFi 64 GB, Apple TV2, iPhone 4 32 GB - 12-28-2009, 10:47 PM #11
no experience with either phone, which is why I'm here trying to win one
- 12-29-2009, 09:30 AM #12
1. Nah, I'm not that big on widgets. Personally I'm almost always in an app so I can't see any widgets anyways.
2. YES. It's ridiculous to be in an app (like Trulia) and click to see more in a web browser and it closes your application just to open a web page! And then if you want to go back? You have to close the web app and open the other app!
3. While there IS a ton of useless apps, the search/categorization is better than most app stores. Despite having 1/100th the number of apps, it's harder to find what you want in Palm's app store than apple's (for example).
4. Yes. Not only is AT&T not a very good network, but they're overly expensive as well.
5. It's not that I need a non-virtual keyboard, I just think Apple's needs some improvement. No one's yet done a perfect virtual keyboard. - 12-29-2009, 09:58 AM #13
1. Android has widgets, are you guys a little, tiny bit jealous of that type of dynamic home screen experience? Yep. As has been mentioned in a few of the Round Robin video reviews, there isn't too much useful glance-able information on the iPhone. I'd appreciate a widget-like lock screen, but too many widgets can get cluttered and lead to a sense of user confusion. The take home message? Don't expect Apple to incorporate widgets any time soon.
2. Multitasking -- hate living without it? not a problem at all? or will it be like cut & paste, when apple introduces multitasking we can't imagine living without it? I love living with it on my iPhone with Backgrounder and ProSwitcher 1.0. Yeah, they're jailbreak apps but they are fully functional and stable for everyday use. That said, I don't use multitasking very much aside from when I'm tethering via PdaNet.
3. App Store -- There's a gajillion applications and it definitely is the pace setter for app markets, but how do you guys sift through all the unnecessary apps? what's your favorite app? Honestly, I don't really download apps off the App Store unless I read about it first via TiPb or another reputable site that does good app reviews. There're just too many CrApps out there. That said, there are a lot of fantastic apps: NOVA, Beejive, Pastebot, the many Twitter clients to mention a few.
4. AT&T -- is the biggest wish for the iPhone is for it to be on a different carrier? Verizon iPhone isn't coming in 2010, right? How many of you would switch away from AT&T? I don't really hate AT&T but I can understand how many would jump ship (especially considering the latest BS coming out of New York). I wouldn't switch away from AT&T; I'm a satisfied customer.
5. I personally think the iPhone keyboard is great, but how many of you guys still want a physical keyboard? Not me man. Been typing on the iPhone keyboard since the original iPhone 2G and I'm pretty darned used to it at this point. And, have you seen the "keyboard" on the Droid? Hell no! I got sick of HP calculators in high school and I ain't going back.Last edited by orangensaft; 12-29-2009 at 10:08 AM.
- 12-29-2009, 10:02 AM #14
1.) As mentioned, jailbroken phones can have widgets but I have not had interest in installing them.
2.) The more and more sophisticated the multitasking gets on the jailbroken side, the more and more I realize I don't really need it, or use it that much for that matter. Is it a nice option to have? Sure, but hardly a requirement.
3.) I think while there is a lot of garbage in the store, the search is pretty good. I do agree with the trial period options. When I was looking for an IRC solution, I looked at two apps, bought the one I thought was better and was disappointed. Later I find out that it’s actually just a different implementation of the other one I was looking at, but I bought both.
4.) If you asked me this question a few months ago, my opinion would have been very different. Like Alli, I have used every carrier in my area at one point and time, they all have their drawbacks. Now that we finally have 3G here, as well as everywhere I travel, and I am getting what I pay for, I'm not upset. Some friends of mine and I have used broadband tests to compare our speeds, my 3G came in fastest, followed by the DROID and then by other friend with his Pre.
I don't think I would switch to Verizon if the iPhone became available over there. The only way, now anyway, I would leave AT&T is if I switched from the iPhone to a different device or if Apple got drunk one night and ended up in bed with Sprint, as we get a huge discount through work with Sprint.
5.) The virtual keyboard used to be a problem to me, fresh off of a physical keyboard phone. But in the almost two years I have had my iPhone, I don't mind it and now actually prefer it. - 12-29-2009, 11:48 AM #15
checking in! Hope I win!
- 12-29-2009, 12:18 PM #16
1. Android has widgets, are you guys a little, tiny bit jealous of that type of dynamic home screen experience?
I am somewhat jealous of having a better home screen interface. That would be one reason I'm looking at both the Nexus One and the HD2, as well as a switch back to T-Mo from AT&T. I've had each of my iPhones jailbroken and unlocked (for sale purposes) and even though I somewhat got into the customization, I often went back to stock because many themes were just too loud. It would be nice to have a phone be designed to be customized like Android seems to be. I still can hardly get over the Sense UI and the live weather graphics, though I know that's WM... that level of design would be awesome to have IMHO.
2. Multitasking -- hate living without it? not a problem at all? or will it be like cut & paste, when apple introduces multitasking we can't imagine living without it?
I don't know exactly how multitasking works in phones because honestly you've really only got the ability to do one thing at a time no matter what phone you're on, though some may have a better method of switching between apps. I do like the drop down notification ability in Android with texts and such, that would be great to be able to answer and go back to whatever was happening before without exiting, but again I don't know that I consider that multitasking. I know it eliminates most of the hassle that goes with switching on the iPhone, and I would love to have that ability no matter what I would call it.
3. App Store -- There's a gajillion applications and it definitely is the pace setter for app markets, but how do you guys sift through all the unnecessary apps? what's your favorite app?
I think my favorite app is probably Mint.com, followed by The Creeps! and then Twitterific and Facebook. Most things I download don't get too much use after the initial get, and I haven't found many games that have much replay value for me... An app that could use the FM radio once (if) Apple enables it would be awesome I think, although I wouldn't get the AM talk that I listen to mostly. There is so much that can be done these days with "smartphones", and I feel that such things will come to most platforms versus being unique to one or the other.
4. AT&T -- is the biggest wish for the iPhone is for it to be on a different carrier? Verizon iPhone isn't coming in 2010, right? How many of you would switch away from AT&T?
Personally I wouldn't switch to anything but T-Mobile, I have no desire to move to the (way) overpriced Verizon, and AT&T really does suck after 2.5 years on a price/performance scale. For what we pay, we should have the fastest, most reliable network around, and that simply isn't the case. I'll be canceling early and going to T-Mobile for one of those earlier phones, and I'm ok with the ETF as the prices are so much better for a comparable plan. Thankfully T-Mobile has 3G where I am, so I don't feel like that will be a problem, but I guess I wouldn't switch to Verizon unless they slashed prices.
5. I personally think the iPhone keyboard is great, but how many of you guys still want a physical keyboard?
I honestly don't understand people who want a physical keyboard, though everybody does have their own preference. Most BB's I've looked at have keyboards just as small as the iPhone virtual keyboard, and it seems that a huge phone would be necessary to have a "large" QWERTY keyboard. I would never want to have to actually press a key again honestly, I can go plenty fast on my iPhone keyboard and the auto-correction is mostly great. People say they can't send long emails and such on it, but I've never found that I have really any problem with typing on it. Obviously, formatting doesn't quite work the same and I wouldn't do document editing on the thing, but anyone who would do heavy editing on a phone is nuts I'd think anyway. I suppose some tactile feedback would be helpful, but after growing accustomed to the virtual keyboard I can't see going back to a physical keyboard. I also feel that the looks of a keyboard-less phone are just leaps and bounds beyond the typical phones anymore, just much sleeker and IMHO better looking. - 12-29-2009, 01:24 PM #17
- 12-29-2009, 01:38 PM #18
1. Yeah, the iPhone home page is starting to feel limited
2. Jailbreak...
3. App Store -- I like social recommendation sites
4. AT&T -- Service is good in Portland, OR
5. Me. It's hard to type when it's cold on a screen keyboard - 12-29-2009, 01:57 PM #19
1. Android has widgets, are you guys a little, tiny bit jealous of that type of dynamic home screen experience?
90% of the apps are already widgets. they just don't show up on a special screen.
2. Multitasking -- hate living without it? not a problem at all? or will it be like cut & paste, when apple introduces multitasking we can't imagine living without it?
THE IPHONE ALREADY MULTITASKS. It just doesn't run third party apps in the background. There is a different. besides, people can't multitask.
3. App Store -- There's a gajillion applications and it definitely is the pace setter for app markets, but how do you guys sift through all the unnecessary apps? what's your favorite app?
I don't have a favorite, just many tools
4. AT&T -- is the biggest wish for the iPhone is for it to be on a different carrier? Verizon iPhone isn't coming in 2010, right? How many of you would switch away from AT&T?
I'm waiting for LTE and then I'll consider it.
5. I personally think the iPhone keyboard is great, but how many of you guys still want a physical keyboard?
I don't type any better on a real keyboard - 12-29-2009, 02:58 PM #20
I wonder if the next iphone will be LTE capable? It will be intersting to see what happens in the next year.
- 12-29-2009, 05:07 PM #21
I am a Palm Treo 700P user and I have been studying the submissions, playing with the handsets in my local stores, and watching the videos on SRR. Here are my comments:
1. Dynamic home screen experience? Well, revising the home screen for my mood is not too bad, but it is a lot to take care of. A simple background or menu of apps would suffice for me.
2. Multitasking: I use it, but only when making a call. Otherwise I wouldn't miss it at all. Could it be overrated?
3. App Store: Well, the apps I have came from one supplier, Hobbyist Software. They are great for what I need, but I had only about 10 to choose from. Don't laugh, that was a lot for this platform. So, I would jump at a chance to move to AT&T for an iPhone. However, I have been mulling over a switch to a Blackberry Storm2 or waiting for the Droid Passion. I am patient and I can wait.
4. AT&T: Verizon will never deliver an iPhone. With that in mind, could I switch to AT&T and still get coverage up here in NH? For those of you uninformed - every granite outcropping or tall tree sucks away the Verizon signal. So, my answer is YES!
5. Virtual/Physical keyboard: As you well know, I have been using a physical keyboard that is very much like the Blackberry. Most of my entries are short, and SMS style. I have used the virtual keyboard on the Storm and Droid and I could easily move to a virtual-only keyboard anytime.
Thanks for reading. - 12-29-2009, 05:40 PM #22
1. I would definitely like to see some customizability with the home and/or lock screen, especially something to view the day's events.
2. It would be nice to see limited multitasking, i.e. the ability to background an an application while responding to a text or email.
3. IMO, it's always been difficult to soft between the apps and the crapps. The easiest way I do this is by searching for apps that I need.
4. In my case, AT&T works great. It works better than Verizon where I visit family and works flawlessly in town.
5. I can't imagine having to use a phsical keyboard again. - 12-29-2009, 05:49 PM #23
1. Just got an Eris. iPhonez be jealous.
2. iPhone does a good job without it but Android is a good model of how memory management can be done right.
3. Bump.
4. It's the shoddy antennae and parts that make AT&T's network so terrible. Imagine what quality and speed tests would look like if a third to half of the users who cared were using the shoddiest phone (in terms of construction. not design, mind you). I'm sure VZW could handle it better but only because they've been building up their network with the money they've scrooged from their customers. AT&T has indeed been raking in customers with the iPhone but most of that data plan money goes to Apple. To make matters worse, iPhones are the heaviest data users. AT&T struggles to keep up with demand while Verizon laughs all the while.
5. Physical front faced keyboards only. Side sliders are an inconvenience. - 12-29-2009, 06:51 PM #24
entering again
- 12-29-2009, 08:17 PM #25 1. I'd like a more dynamic 'home' screen or something. Maybe you can select 2-3 apps to run or update more constantly and they have a dynamic presence on the home screen, with a clock, daily items, and other stuff.
Originally Posted by c4sizzle 
2. Never really an issue not having it.
3. Watching the top lists of sections or the overall top 100 is really the only way. The way apps are posted sometimes it will be days before it shows up in it's section based on date. Sometimes so many come out you don't even see them all and smaller updates just plain don't appear in the release date lists. You really think someone can pick a favorite app out of 100,000? I have around 100 apps installed right now, at least a dozen are my favorite.
4. Simply put, I ditched Tmobile because of their lame service (left when the first iPhone came out) and I will never ever buy a CDMA phone. I've never had a problem with AT&T; coverage and service around me is great.
5. Done with physical keyboards on cell phones.Last edited by sting7k; 12-29-2009 at 08:21 PM.
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