# iPhone or Android? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854 "2010-06-28T22:23:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/41 "2010-06-29T20:25:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m talking about GPS accuracy. My Android phone can tell which lane I’m in on a highway, without fail. I’ve seen both standalone GPS units and iPhones and Blackberries try to recalculate their routes because they thought the vehicle was on the other side of the highway. I believe that particular issue is a function of the hardware in your particular phone rather than the software. I’ve downloaded a Golf GPS app for my Motorola W385 (a simple phone that uses none of the above-mentioned operating systems). I’ve told it that I’ve hit my shot and that I want to know how far the ball went (you’re supposed to walk to the ball and the app will tell you the distance). I’ve had the unit tell me that I’m 25 yards from where I’ve hit my shot - before I’ve taken a single step. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/42 "2010-06-29T20:34:44Z")
Quite possible - but since you have a choice of hardware with Android, that’s still a win. ---
**Author:** ![ElectricZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@ElectricZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectricZ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/43 "2010-06-29T21:15:30Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > How can that be? > They all use the same database. > > ETA: not the standalone units. It’s also important to note the difference between Google Maps and Google Navigation. The maps app does use the same database for everyone, but Google Navigation provides turn by turn spoken directions, voice to speech for searches, traffic/obstruction alternate routing, bookmarking and street view as you approach your destination. It’s a much more complete app than Google Maps. The only drawback of course is that if you don’t have mobile network or wi-fi in the area you’re driving, you’re SOL. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/44 "2010-06-29T21:33:40Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > What are the differences in terms of user experience right now? What are the reasons for going with Android over Apple? The user experience on the iPhone might be better but I’m pretty satisfied with the Android/Sense interface on my HTC Legend. Mail, Text Messaging, Browsing, Photos, Phoning, Copy & Paste, Maps/Navigation and Calendar (which are the apps I use the most by far) all integrate pretty seamlessly where you’d want them to. As for why Android over Apple: - more choice of provider - more choice of phone (I think the Legend is one of the best looking smart phones right now, and it’s much cheaper than an iPhone) But. seriously, the #1 reason for me: - install ANY APP. by anyone. without having to suck apple’s dick. I’m a software developer, and I think the way apple is forcing users and developers to play by their every-changing rules is scandalous and I’m not even going to consider buying an iPhone or iPad for myself unless I can give any iPhone/iPad apps to any user that wants them without apple interfering. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/45 "2010-06-29T21:35:07Z")
> [@Otter\_Snacks](#): > > This can be a downside in regard to apps it seems. From browsing the Android Market, I’ve noticed that some apps don’t work with certain phones. This is not going to be any different with the iPhone, now that iOS whateverversionitisrightnow is out. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/46 "2010-06-30T21:51:19Z")
All I can say is that I am EXTREMELY happy with my HTC Droid Eris and I can only imagine that the newer generation of Droid phones provide an even better experience. But whether it is better than an iPhone I can’t say because I have not had much experience with the iPhone. I would also add that SWYPE is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/47 "2010-07-01T04:43:54Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > This is not going to be any different with the iPhone, now that iOS whateverversionitisrightnow is out. Thats not at all true. Some don’t support threaded APIs or whatever it’s called, but all of them work. I haven’t come across any of the apps that won’t work on iOS4. If you have one of the older phones like the 2G - which you won’t, if you’re getting it new - you might have a few apps that won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/48 "2010-07-01T05:34:21Z")
I’ve had a Droid for a few months and I’m really annoyed with it. I’d give the iPhone a try, but I want to stick with Verizon; at this point, I seriously just want to go back to a regular ol’ phone. **Pros:** - Google Voice support is nice - Google Maps with Navigation is great - Tethering is nice - Third-party dialing apps (like T9 dialing) and keyboard apps are nice - Multi-tasking can be nice when I want to listen to music and do something else - MicroSD card is nice - Android phones are much cheaper than iPhones when you buy from places like Amazon or Wirefly - Google’s own apps and updates are generally high-quality, but not always (see below) **Cons:** - Google Voice SMS and voicemail notifications sometimes show up hours late and sometimes don’t activate the phone’s blinking LED - A lot of apps crash for no reason - Facebook app sucks. Notifications don’t work, photos aren’t rotated right, a lot of things just take you to the web browser, etc. - Phone audio quality sucks… EVERYBODY I’ve spoken to has has trouble understanding me. The first thing I always say is “Hi, this is \_\_\_\_\_.” The second thing is inevitably, “Sorry, my phone sucks. I said my name is \_\_\_\_”. - Third-party dialing and keyboard apps are buggy as all hell and crash a lot - Multi-tasking can be annoying when it leaves a bunch of apps open and in states that I don’t need; when I go back to Gmail, I wanted to see my LATEST messages, not the one I read eight hours ago. - Pandora goes blank and unresponsive for no reason quite often and has to be force-quit - No playlist syncing when you copy music over – are you shitting me? Google’s top-end phone can’t compete with basic MP3 player functionality from a decade ago? - Camera and gallery apps are buggy and sometimes my newest pictures won’t appear in the gallery even though they’re on the memory card - Apps have to be updated manually, one by one, with each one taking several clicks - Calendar app starts on some random-ass day most of the time I click it. Why it doesn’t go to today, I have no idea. - Multi-touch support is STILL haphazard. It works in Gallery, but not in the Camera app’s picture preview. - The official Google Market is pathetic, offering very little sort or filter capabilities. - Sliding keyboard is next to useless - Unlock button is hard to reach and completely unintuitive - Proximity sensor doesn’t work all that well, resulting in unintended keypresses by my ear whenever the dialpad is up - The phone itself has crashed a few times and required battery removal to reset - The available games are mostly crap - There is an issue of fragmentation between handsets in terms of differing hardware capabilities and update timeliness Can you tell I’m frustrated by my phone? I’ve resorted to using it as an expensive email client and stopped bothering with anything more advanced because of how buggy and unstable the apps were. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/49 "2010-07-01T16:00:56Z")
Do you have a Droid, or an Android phone? Motorola disabled or messed with a lot of the Android code, so the Droid actually has less functionality than most Android phones, even though it was the flagship Android product for a while. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/50 "2010-07-01T16:29:02Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > Thats not at all true. Some don’t support threaded APIs or whatever it’s called, but all of them work. > > I haven’t come across any of the apps that won’t work on iOS4. They should all work. Not all of them supported multitasking at first but they all should now. I don’t have that many apps but all of them needed an update within a day or two after iOS4 was released. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/51 "2010-07-01T16:32:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Do you have a Droid, or an Android phone? Motorola disabled or messed with a lot of the Android code, so the Droid actually has less functionality than most Android phones, even though it was the flagship Android product for a while. I have a Motorola Droid. It is my understanding that the Droid runs “vanilla” Android 2.1, and if I’m mistaken and it’s actually a customized version, please let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/52 "2010-07-01T16:36:09Z")
No, I’m mistaken. The US version does run regular Android. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/53 "2010-07-01T16:44:31Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Snip… > > Can you tell I’m frustrated by my phone? I’ve resorted to using it as an expensive email client and stopped bothering with anything more advanced because of how buggy and unstable the apps were. Wow, that list would drive me nuts. Reasons like those were what I feared and was why I did not even consider a Droid phone when I upgraded to my iPhone. If I had an app I used a lot crash for no apparent reason, or failed to load at all, then I’d totally lose it and probably smash the phone. My last Dell laptop drove me completely nuts for that reason: something as simple as the DVD drive working sometimes and sometimes not and other weird stuff. A lot of people hate the control Apple has over its products, but I’m someone who loves it because of the end result. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/54 "2010-07-01T16:50:30Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > The biggest reasons for going with Android are: > > You can pick any major carrier > You can pick from a wide variety of phones > You can change carriers and keep your phone > \*\* True multitasking from day one of the OS\*\* Bolding mine. Just a slight nitpick, but Android doesn’t multitask. It features task-switching, which is a bit different in terms of CPU threading and functionality. You would not be able to run two applications side-by-side on an Android phone. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/55 "2010-07-01T17:05:24Z")
How come I can run a youtube video on my Android phone while I am typing something on a notepad? That’s clearly multitasking. I have never seen anyone try to say Android is not mulitasking. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/56 "2010-07-01T17:16:39Z")
Also, I have a Motorola Droid. It has its quirks that will be resolved in upcoming updates (an update is coming in August that’s very important to the Droid). I get mad at my phone sometimes, but I think people expect far too much from cell phones these days. These devices are not easy to program. Trust me, I’ve tried to develop my own apps for my Droid and it’s no walk in the park. The main selling point that the Droid has over the iPhone is that the iPhone is completely proprietary. You cannot switch out memory cards or batteries yourself. The Droid is also a much sturdier phone than the iPhone. More than one friend of mine has cracked the screen on his/her iPhone after dropping it once. I ritualistically drop my Droid every day. The iPhone does have more apps currently available, but since Apple decided that developers may no longer use GPL and/or competitors’ software development kits, I think a lot of alienated programmers will switch to developing apps for Android. A lot of people’s decisions also come from simple personal preference. I like the slide-out keyboard on my Droid because I type a lot. I think it would be a maddening experience to have to use touch-screen typing all the time. The iPhone will be available to Verizon in January (I think). Something else to keep in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/57 "2010-07-01T17:27:47Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > How come I can run a youtube video on my Android phone while I am typing something on a notepad? That’s clearly multitasking. > > I have never seen anyone try to say Android is not mulitasking. That is not multitasking. From [here](http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/task_switching.html): > [@](#): > > Refers to operating systems or operating environments that enable you to switch from one program to another without losing your spot in the first program. Many utilities are available that add task switching to DOS systems. > > Note that task switching is not the same as multitasking. In multitasking, the CPU switches back and forth quickly between programs, giving the appearance that all programs are running simultaneously. In task switching, the CPU does not switch back and forth, but executes only one program at a time. Task switching does allow you to switch smoothly from one program to another. > > Task switching is sometimes called context switching. On an Android phone, the OS saves the state of an application as something called a “resource”. When you switch back to an application you were running before, the phone will resume the program from that saved state. This is not the same as, say, Windows 95+, where programs are, in actuality, running at the same time. In other words, Android runs much like Windows 3.1, which was not a true multitasking environment. Yes, you could minimize one program and maximize another, but you can’t copy a directory of files and play Solitaire at the same time. Playing sound files doesn’t require an operating system to “think”, so you’re able to do that and work with another application at the same time. Are you able to actually _watch_ the YouTube video while using your Notepad? What about stuff like WeatherBug and downloads running in the background? Those aren’t actually programs; they’re resources. They exist separately from the applications they’re tied to. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/58 "2010-07-01T17:37:55Z")
The Android OS definitely _does_ support multitasking, though, not just task-switching - I can seamlessly run Google Navigation, the preinstaller media player and other programs all at the same time, though GN takes over the audio output (typically the USB port, in my case) when I reach my corner. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/59 "2010-07-01T18:05:21Z")
Is there a website out there that says Android is not multitasking? As I said above I have never seen anyone claim it was not multitasking until this thread. ---
**Author:** ![ElectricZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@ElectricZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectricZ)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854/60 "2010-07-01T19:16:10Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Is there a website out there that says Android is not multitasking? As I said above I have never seen anyone claim it was not multitasking until this thread. [This](http://davidquintana.com/entry/mobile-multitasking) seems to be a pretty good breakdown of how both Android and Apple handle “multitasking.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-or-android/544854.md?page=4)