iOS vs. Android - My Analysis

[rarisgod]

So I've had my Android phone for over a week now, and there's a few things I've noticed in this first week, so I figured I'd post and see what some people thought. I will write this comparing my iPod Touch 4th generation with my Android phone. Note: My Android phone is not top of the line or anything, so I won't compare things like speed and apps crashing.

1. App Store/Android Market
There's quite a few things I can say about this, so I'll mention a few:
i. The Android market is messy and the search function isn't as helpful. The App Store on iOS isn't the perfect browsing experience, but it's pretty clean in terms of finding what you want. In Android, why am I shown things like wallpapers and icons and themes when I search for an app? Shouldn't those things be in their own separate category? This makes finding an app harder than it should be (not "difficult" necessarily, but when I'm looking for an APP I think that should be the first thing to pop up. Categories to separate this would be nice. So in this area, the iOS App Store definitely wins.
ii. "Openness". I like how the Android market is open, and it's very easy to get an app into the market. It's also cheaper, but that's not something to criticize on either side. That being said, the openness of the market allows for some poor apps to be mixed in. On iOS, I always read the reviews of an app before downloading/purchasing, but that's just to see what the app is about and how well it performs. On Android, it's even more required because some of the apps can just be downright awful. Now that's not to say that there's no poorly written apps on the app store, but they seem to have it more managed from things that I've found.

2. Home Screen Management
Now the thing I do like about Android is that I can modify my home screen mostly to my heart's content. I can do things like place shortcuts wherever I want, place contact shortcuts on my home screen, keep things out of the way that I wouldn't necessarily need to see on the home screen 100% of the time, etc. I can install different home screen managers like LauncherPro which enable me to enhance my home screen using experience, and this is really cool. For example, I can select which home screen is my primary (I have seven screens up, and I use the middle one as my primary one. This is cool because if I want to get to my contact shortcuts I swipe to the left screen, if I want to use utilities I swipe right. On iOS I'd have to swipe twice to get to at least one of my screens, but maybe I'm just a complainer).

3. Fragmentation
Yes, all you Android users have heard this complaint before, but I honestly believe it's something that should be addressed. When shopping for an iOS device, if you look for an iPod Touch, the newest model is automatically the best (in terms of specs). If you're buying an older model, well of course it's not going to be top of the line, but my point with this is that you know exactly what you're getting when you go to buy something like an iPhone. All you need to select is storage capacity.
With an Android phone, I had to check the clock speed of the processor, the camera specs, the features (keyboard or not, buttons, etc.) and just compare every single phone model. A lot of people like having options like this, and that's fine, but personally I prefer the Apple method.

4. Memory
So I've had mixed stories...What IS the story behind memory management on Android? Do I need a task manager? I've read that I do not, but why do I keep feeling like my device has slowed down since I stopped using one?
In addition, why does my battery percentage still decrease when it's in sleep at such a rate, when I've been able to leave my iPod in sleep overnight and it's still almost completely full when I wake up?

Overall, I think if Apple incorporated some of Android's elements such as home screen modification and shortcut placing, and perhaps widgets although I don't really use them much, then I think they'd be fine. It's not a serious thing that could affect the operation of the device and I think that since Apple monitors the app store so heavily, they could have a section for home screen modifications and still keep it under control to the point that their devices would be fine.

However, I still prefer the way Apple does things with their devices (besides their pricing). Maybe that's typical of any Apple product user, but I have legitimate reasons...or so I believe anyway.

Anyone have anything to add, thoughts?

[Yerf Dog]

[MJ5150]

One big advantage of the Android Market for me is the ability to return any app wihtin 24 hours for a full refund. Apple does not allow that, but you can beg for a refund, and an Apple rep may grant your request.

There is also a cool new feature in the AM called "Similar", and it shows you other apps like the one you are looking at then. It is one of the tabs you can click on while reading about the app, and it is right next to "Comments".

You're right about battery life. No one I know has Apple beat on that one. I was prepared to buy myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab until I saw the battery life compared to the iPad.

-Mike

[tycobb73]

At the end of the day its a phone first and I go where service is the best. That means Verizon for me. My in laws and some freinds live in a remote area.

[nbw]

One big advantage of the Android Market for me is the ability to return any app wihtin 24 hours for a full refund. Apple does not allow that, but you can beg for a refund, and an Apple rep may grant your request.

I'm afraid I have some bad news. With the new MarketPlace update they have changed the return window from 24hours to 15 minutes.

http://android-developers.blogspot.c...nt-update.html
"Since most users who request a refund do so within minutes of purchase, we will reduce the refund window on Market to 15 minutes."

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by nbw

With the new MarketPlace update they have changed the return window from 24hours to 15 minutes.

Ouch. Well, that does make sense. It only takes me a few minutes to figure out if I like the app or not.

-Mike

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by rarisgod

So I've had my Android phone for over a week now, and there's a few things I've noticed in this first week, so I figured I'd post and see what some people thought. I will write this comparing my iPod Touch 4th generation with my Android phone. Note: My Android phone is not top of the line or anything, so I won't compare things like speed and apps crashing.


[snip]


Anyone have anything to add, thoughts?

How long have you had your iPod (including any previous models you may have owned)?

What Android phone do you have?


I'll give you the Android Market is a bit of a mess... but I generally learn about and research apps via the web and PC before looking for them in the market. I've never had a problem grabbing any app I've looked for.

LauncherPro rocks... I've been using it for at least 10 months now. I have it set to a single home screen and added the scrolling dock with 3 pages. All my regular apps are grouped together for easy access.

What you call "Fragmentation" I call choice... and I'll take it over a single device choice any day.

Now as far as memory... yeah it happens. I run "Auto Memory Manager". It fixes the issues with the internal memory manager plus more.

[rarisgod]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

One big advantage of the Android Market for me is the ability to return any app wihtin 24 hours for a full refund. Apple does not allow that, but you can beg for a refund, and an Apple rep may grant your request.

There is also a cool new feature in the AM called "Similar", and it shows you other apps like the one you are looking at then. It is one of the tabs you can click on while reading about the app, and it is right next to "Comments".

You're right about battery life. No one I know has Apple beat on that one. I was prepared to buy myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab until I saw the battery life compared to the iPad.

-Mike

I forgot to mention the return feature, I haven't used it yet but I like that it's available. Just yesterday I went through my iPod deleting apps and there were some I just wish I did not buy (it would've been too late to return anyway, but I still would like if the option was there). On a side note, how does one pay for purchases on the Android market? Does it just add to your phone bill?

I haven't seen that "Similar" feature yet either, I'll take a look when I get a chance, thanks!

Yeah I figured nobody would argue on the battery life. It's still not perfect, but the battery is pretty impressive on the iOS devices.
Speaking of the Galaxy Tab, that's another thing about Android's openness. Google has specifically stated that Android is not ready for use as a tablet OS in it's current state (http://phandroid.com/2010/09/10/shoc...current-state/) yet it's been used anyway. I think it's absurd that the OS can be used on a device when it's not even meant to be used on it, and this could account for poor battery life and also lacklustre performance.

Overall for me, iOS still wins but I like what Android is done and I will enjoy my phone. I like being able to play Super Mario Bros. 3 on my phone

[CElton]

Originally Posted by James Hart

Now as far as memory... yeah it happens. I run "Auto Memory Manager". It fixes the issues with the internal memory manager plus more.

I'm currently using "Autokiller" with decent results. Have you by chance compared the two?

Also, +1 on LauncherPro.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by rarisgod

On a side note, how does one pay for purchases on the Android market? Does it just add to your phone bill?

It uses Google Checkout, so however you have that set up. Or you can use a CC. I just use GC.

-Mike

[MJ5150]

I put the newest version of the Android Market on my Droid today. Very cool. A completely different experience in the market now.

-Mike

[rarisgod]

I do like the newly updated market better now, it looks nicer and it seems a bit more organized.

[MJ5150]

Any of you Apple lovers know how to customize the App Store so only English apps show up when I search? I'm sure all these Asian and Russian apps are great but I got no use for them


-Mike

[rarisgod]

Hmm not sure of any way to restrict language in the App Store, but I've never had any non-English apps show up for me. Apple is not the biggest for customization.