Discussion about
Do you all think the G1 is better than the Iphone?
I do but thats just my opinion let me know what you think
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Seconding the hardware concern. I demo'd the G1 for a week when it first came out. Software was nice, but the hardware was a dealbreaker. I was annoyed at the inconvenience of flip-sliding out the keyboard all the time, and shocked that after only a few days, the keyboard seemed to be getting loose and misaligned with the rest of the casing.
The keyboard feels flimsy at first then just works, i think it just breaks in. I don't think there is a single hardware problem IMO but that me. I love the chin, has saved my screen from cracking god only knows how many times.
I haven't had an issue with the hardware, and as for comparing it to the Magic; they're the same thing minus the keyboard! I don't see why people think they are so different. Same hardware as the G1 but with a 1340may battery compared to an 1150mah battery (and you can get 2200+ on ebay.) I have heard the Magic has an older keyboard. Magic/MyTouch are the same and G1/Dream are the same.
As for the hardware keyboard, using it is optional. With the latest software (same thing that is running on the magic) you can use either the hardware keyboard or on screen. Sometimes I use one, other times the other. It's nice having the option to have a hardware keyboard.
As for the hardware keyboard, using it is optional. With the latest software (same thing that is running on the magic) you can use either the hardware keyboard or on screen. Sometimes I use one, other times the other. It's nice having the option to have a hardware keyboard.
If I had a choice between the G1 and iPhone, I'd pick the iPhone for the phone. Carrier service on the other hand.. I like T-Mobile even though 3g isn't available in my area.
Here are a few things I've observed:
-The hardware design on the G1 isn't the best. The keyboard is oddly placed. Your right hand has a the bump at the end and gets in the way of typing.
-The G1 is much bulkier than the iPhone.
-Since the latest Android update, the OS is very nice and the keyboard isn't even needed.
-I type faster on the iPhone/iPod Touch than on the HTC phones. The screen is bigger on the iPhone, so the on-screen keys are slightly bigger as well.
If you like the Android OS, I'd get the HTC Magic of HTC Hero. :)
Here are a few things I've observed:
-The hardware design on the G1 isn't the best. The keyboard is oddly placed. Your right hand has a the bump at the end and gets in the way of typing.
-The G1 is much bulkier than the iPhone.
-Since the latest Android update, the OS is very nice and the keyboard isn't even needed.
-I type faster on the iPhone/iPod Touch than on the HTC phones. The screen is bigger on the iPhone, so the on-screen keys are slightly bigger as well.
If you like the Android OS, I'd get the HTC Magic of HTC Hero. :)
nah, no worries, its called the mytouch 3g and its for tmobile.
MyTouch 3g is the HTC Magic.
The Hero has been renamed the G2 in Europe on T-Mobile (coming to Orange as well and keeping Hero name.)
It isn't coming to Sprint, it might be coming to AT&T. When it passed the FCC it had the AT&T 3G bands, not the sprint/verizon/t-mobile bands, hence why it will likely be on AT&T. I don't know where people heard sprint..
The Hero has been renamed the G2 in Europe on T-Mobile (coming to Orange as well and keeping Hero name.)
It isn't coming to Sprint, it might be coming to AT&T. When it passed the FCC it had the AT&T 3G bands, not the sprint/verizon/t-mobile bands, hence why it will likely be on AT&T. I don't know where people heard sprint..
G1 vs iPhone...a loaded question if only because of fanboys and antifanboys :P
Hardware: iPhone. Hands down. No questions asked. I mean I love my hardware keyboard, but the iPhone feels better, (3GS) preforms better, looks better, and is...well better, hardware-wise.
Software: G1. Hands down. No questions asked. haha. The possibilities with Android are endless compared to the restrictive OSX on the iPhone. I mean I have stuff on my G1 to make everything act like the iPhone if i want to (I dont), can you make your iphone dial, receive texts, use alternate email apps? Nope. Options are what dorks want and only android allows the options for anything you could want to change.
Hardware: iPhone. Hands down. No questions asked. I mean I love my hardware keyboard, but the iPhone feels better, (3GS) preforms better, looks better, and is...well better, hardware-wise.
Software: G1. Hands down. No questions asked. haha. The possibilities with Android are endless compared to the restrictive OSX on the iPhone. I mean I have stuff on my G1 to make everything act like the iPhone if i want to (I dont), can you make your iphone dial, receive texts, use alternate email apps? Nope. Options are what dorks want and only android allows the options for anything you could want to change.
iPhone beats it in hardware...minus the physical keyboard that the G1 has.
The G1 beats it in software by a longshot. Android is much more advanced than OSX Mobile.
The G1 beats it in software by a longshot. Android is much more advanced than OSX Mobile.
I think Android is really cool and I like what they are doing with it. They still haven't got the perfect hardware that I want. I want a Hero Pro( A HTC hero with a keyboard). I heard they might be making it. After that comes out I'm going to try to buy it unlocked.
The only issue I have with Android right now is that the app store seems sketchy to me. I mean paypal for buying apps?? I hate that. I hate everything to do with paypal. You have to have it registered with a bank account or credit card. That's really shady to me. But that's just my opinion though. I wish they did the payment system through amazon or something. I'd have no problem getting an amazon gift card or something.
The only issue I have with Android right now is that the app store seems sketchy to me. I mean paypal for buying apps?? I hate that. I hate everything to do with paypal. You have to have it registered with a bank account or credit card. That's really shady to me. But that's just my opinion though. I wish they did the payment system through amazon or something. I'd have no problem getting an amazon gift card or something.
who is spreading this information? you use google checkout. There is nothing wrong or insecure about paypal for the record.
A really basic response, but true. For many people, the iphone is better because:
- most people aren't sending a bunch of long emails so don't need a physical keyboard
- most people want really easy media playback and the iPhone syncs with their iturnes, comes with a video player already installed, and the G1 requires the headphone jack dongle.
- the hardware is slower on the G1 than the new iPhone
- the app store really separates any smartphone in terms of what you can do with it socially and around town, and the iphone has more to pick from. I tend to find the usage/general application apps on the G1 are as good/better than the iPhone, but the G1 is really lacking good games like the iPhone.
For others though, like me, the G1 is the right choice (I love mine)
- I send a lot of emails - many that are more than just a few sentences - and need a physical keyboard
- I use google calendar and like the built in integration with the phone
- THE NOTIFICATION BAR - how come no one has mentioned this?? On the iphone, when you receive a calendar reminder etc. it's like my blackberry - you have to respond instantly with snooze or dismiss. On the G1, you can look at what notices you've received (missed calls, voicemail, texts, calendar, email, etc) and decide how you want to respond and in what order - if you want to respond at all!
For me the bottom line is this - if you're looking for a phone/music player and don't have that much media, then the iPhone is great, and you can play come great games and show off neat apps with your friends - who probably also have iPhones.
However, if you're looking for more of a smartphone - managing appointments, emails, texts, etc., and maybe just want the ability to play games/watch movies, then the G1 is for you. It still has great apps to pick from, and you're getting in on Android which means when it comes time to buy your next phone, you'll have several Android handsets to pick from and won't be locked in to the single offering from Apple if you want to keep your contacts etc. completely in tact.
- most people aren't sending a bunch of long emails so don't need a physical keyboard
- most people want really easy media playback and the iPhone syncs with their iturnes, comes with a video player already installed, and the G1 requires the headphone jack dongle.
- the hardware is slower on the G1 than the new iPhone
- the app store really separates any smartphone in terms of what you can do with it socially and around town, and the iphone has more to pick from. I tend to find the usage/general application apps on the G1 are as good/better than the iPhone, but the G1 is really lacking good games like the iPhone.
For others though, like me, the G1 is the right choice (I love mine)
- I send a lot of emails - many that are more than just a few sentences - and need a physical keyboard
- I use google calendar and like the built in integration with the phone
- THE NOTIFICATION BAR - how come no one has mentioned this?? On the iphone, when you receive a calendar reminder etc. it's like my blackberry - you have to respond instantly with snooze or dismiss. On the G1, you can look at what notices you've received (missed calls, voicemail, texts, calendar, email, etc) and decide how you want to respond and in what order - if you want to respond at all!
For me the bottom line is this - if you're looking for a phone/music player and don't have that much media, then the iPhone is great, and you can play come great games and show off neat apps with your friends - who probably also have iPhones.
However, if you're looking for more of a smartphone - managing appointments, emails, texts, etc., and maybe just want the ability to play games/watch movies, then the G1 is for you. It still has great apps to pick from, and you're getting in on Android which means when it comes time to buy your next phone, you'll have several Android handsets to pick from and won't be locked in to the single offering from Apple if you want to keep your contacts etc. completely in tact.
Exactly. The iPhone is more for the general public, whereas the G1 is for those who want to do more with their device. You bring up the speed of the hardware and all I can rebut is iPhone is on it's third iteration, G1 is the first. G1 compared to first gen iPhone and the G1 beats it hands down (I've got both.)
As for apps, since there will be 20+ android devices out worldwide on just about every provider in the world, I would expect that in the future Android is going to have more apps and better apps. You see advertisements for the iPhone, you don't for Android. The "google phone" is far less known simply due to advertisements.
As for apps, since there will be 20+ android devices out worldwide on just about every provider in the world, I would expect that in the future Android is going to have more apps and better apps. You see advertisements for the iPhone, you don't for Android. The "google phone" is far less known simply due to advertisements.
The G1 is much better for my needs. Couple things:
- T-Mobile is a good bit cheaper than AT&T, and provides better service (3G data included) in cities - I live in SF. I know I'll get crap to no service when I go camping, but I've made peace with that for the price I pay for my T-Mobile service. Dollar for dollar, it's a no brainer, voice and data both.
- The G1 isn't as good hardware-wise as the iPhone, but it's got one thing that trumps it's shortcomings: the hardware keyboard. And if people say they don't need it, they obviously don't send a lot of email from their phones. I mean real work email - Exchange all that. Sending a lot of Exchange email from my work account while I travel, I NEED the hardware keyboard.
- Software, G1 hands down for me. Because to me, whose' comfortable rooting my phone, comparing the custom ROMs out there for the G1 vs the jailbroken possibilities for iPhone, I can get much more on Android. The custom ROMs increase speed, usability: tether via wifi in the airport and send out more of those Exchange emails :), and the apps I need are on Android and work great.
So ultimately for my needs I can get much more from my G1 than an iPhone.
- T-Mobile is a good bit cheaper than AT&T, and provides better service (3G data included) in cities - I live in SF. I know I'll get crap to no service when I go camping, but I've made peace with that for the price I pay for my T-Mobile service. Dollar for dollar, it's a no brainer, voice and data both.
- The G1 isn't as good hardware-wise as the iPhone, but it's got one thing that trumps it's shortcomings: the hardware keyboard. And if people say they don't need it, they obviously don't send a lot of email from their phones. I mean real work email - Exchange all that. Sending a lot of Exchange email from my work account while I travel, I NEED the hardware keyboard.
- Software, G1 hands down for me. Because to me, whose' comfortable rooting my phone, comparing the custom ROMs out there for the G1 vs the jailbroken possibilities for iPhone, I can get much more on Android. The custom ROMs increase speed, usability: tether via wifi in the airport and send out more of those Exchange emails :), and the apps I need are on Android and work great.
So ultimately for my needs I can get much more from my G1 than an iPhone.
i agree with most here: out of the box, the iphone is a smoother experience. The G1 needs something like Cyanogen's rom to really show it's potential. I've tried several builds and his is exactly what should have come standard. It uses the power of linux, the ext3 filesystem, sdcard caching, and a host of other improvements. The main reason I prefer android to iphone is in general apps are more likely to be free on the android market than iphone. And the best feature is the 24 refund policy.
the G1 needs ram badly and it needs built in storage. also the cpu should have been scaled to 528 in the official release
the G1 needs ram badly and it needs built in storage. also the cpu should have been scaled to 528 in the official release
The G1 does not have the horsepower to show Android correctly. I had one as a work phone along with my iPhone 3G as my personal phone. The G1 was ok, but suffered from just feeling slow and cumbersome. The Cupcake update was welcome and helped, but still did not address the poor battery and the rubbish crashing apps.
Now have a 3Gs and its blinding in terms of speeds, but would like to see the jailbreak soon. I will trade the G1 for a Hero at the end of the month. It looks to me that HTC have got it right with teh Hero, and this might be the phone that takes it to Apple. But they will have to work hard at getting the widgets and the apps right.
Now have a 3Gs and its blinding in terms of speeds, but would like to see the jailbreak soon. I will trade the G1 for a Hero at the end of the month. It looks to me that HTC have got it right with teh Hero, and this might be the phone that takes it to Apple. But they will have to work hard at getting the widgets and the apps right.
The keyboard is one of the main things for me, and google maps/gmail works so well.
I broke my screen and decided to try another phone (BB storm) and quickly had my g1 fixed there is no comparison.
And no phone in my opinion does the web like the g1
I broke my screen and decided to try another phone (BB storm) and quickly had my g1 fixed there is no comparison.
And no phone in my opinion does the web like the g1
I think for the web browser it depends on your location for data speeds, because both opera mobile and android run web-kit based browsers
I use the G1 after owning a 1st Gen IPhone. I like it mostly but the lack of a proper headphone jack and bulk of the device limit it. The web experience is pretty good if you don't use the track ball but not quite up there with the IPhone (although its much faster than the GPRS speeds I got with T-Mobile UK). Next upgrade I will probably go for the IPhone just so I have one less box to carry around.
Both devices have faults, but I went with the G1 because I didn't want Steve dictating what I could and couldn't do with my phone. Unfortunately I've grown to mistrust Apple and their somewhat anti-consumer BS. And that's coming from a person who's first computer was a Macintosh.
I am currently a G1 user, and as of right now, sadly to say, I have to give the edge to iPhone. I think Android is going to be a killer OS interface in a couple years the way it is heading, however, as of right now, iPhone gets the edge in both hardware and software.
My biggest complaint with G1 is that the internal storage and the chip processing power just does not match to the iPhone. While my friends are able to play awesome looking games, I am looking at games on the G1 that looks like it was developed in the late 90s. The variety of apps are great on the Android, however, stability seems to be the problem for a lot of the apps. So like I was saying, in a couple years, when companies makes better Android phones and developers starting to develop better and stable apps (which will happen), Android will be hands down the best OS. But for right now, G1 is just not cutting it, and I have to give the edge to the iPhone.
My biggest complaint with G1 is that the internal storage and the chip processing power just does not match to the iPhone. While my friends are able to play awesome looking games, I am looking at games on the G1 that looks like it was developed in the late 90s. The variety of apps are great on the Android, however, stability seems to be the problem for a lot of the apps. So like I was saying, in a couple years, when companies makes better Android phones and developers starting to develop better and stable apps (which will happen), Android will be hands down the best OS. But for right now, G1 is just not cutting it, and I have to give the edge to the iPhone.
When comparing the iPhone 3G or 3GS sure, the G1 is lacking, but you are comparing first gen to second and third. First to first, the G1 wins from my experience. Root the G1 and throw in Cryo's ROM and the G1 will even beat the 3G.
Now, compare the Hero to the 3GS and you've got a different story.
Also, you can slow down any Android device tremendously just with the amount of applications you have running at one time. Unfortunately, you don't even have the option with the iPhone since you can't run background applications.
I prefer the option to slow down my phone with an abundance of apps rather than being told that I can't have Google Talk running all the time.
Now, compare the Hero to the 3GS and you've got a different story.
Also, you can slow down any Android device tremendously just with the amount of applications you have running at one time. Unfortunately, you don't even have the option with the iPhone since you can't run background applications.
I prefer the option to slow down my phone with an abundance of apps rather than being told that I can't have Google Talk running all the time.
Why on earth would you compare the G1 to the 1st gen iPhone? I would compare it to the phones available today. You make the argument that the G1 is a 1st generation effort, which is true but ignores the fact that HTC had a chance to look at the iPhone and improve on its shortcomings. While the G1 is a better device than the OG iPhone, it trails the models on sale today in battery life and performance. I like android, but at this point the available hardware is holding the OS back.
On another note, you mention rooting the G1 to allow for better performing builds but make no allowance for jailbreaking the iPhone. Quite frankly, a jailbroken 3GS is a beast of a phone...fast, powerful and extensible. Free from restrictions, but retaining access to the best application store on the market (currently). Background apps run well too.
Don't get me wrong, I really like Android and have great hopes for the platform, but until the hardware is there the iPhone wins by a mile. Perhaps SE's Rachael / Xperia3 (1GHz Snapdragon core) will be able to do justice to the Android software. The Hero looks nice too, but I'm worried about the slow processor (528MHz ARM11 core).
If there is a real achilles heel to the iPhone it's the service. AT&T by all accounts has spotty performance on their 3G network, but that's something that will vary by the person or location. I'm on Fido in Canada, and get consistent 2-3Mbps speeds, and on this network the iPhone is excellent.
On another note, you mention rooting the G1 to allow for better performing builds but make no allowance for jailbreaking the iPhone. Quite frankly, a jailbroken 3GS is a beast of a phone...fast, powerful and extensible. Free from restrictions, but retaining access to the best application store on the market (currently). Background apps run well too.
Don't get me wrong, I really like Android and have great hopes for the platform, but until the hardware is there the iPhone wins by a mile. Perhaps SE's Rachael / Xperia3 (1GHz Snapdragon core) will be able to do justice to the Android software. The Hero looks nice too, but I'm worried about the slow processor (528MHz ARM11 core).
If there is a real achilles heel to the iPhone it's the service. AT&T by all accounts has spotty performance on their 3G network, but that's something that will vary by the person or location. I'm on Fido in Canada, and get consistent 2-3Mbps speeds, and on this network the iPhone is excellent.
It's not appropriate to compare a first gen, 9 month old phone, to a third gen 3 week old phone either. Also keep in mind, Android is just the software, the hardware manufacturers are the ones that determine how much memory and how fast the processor is, not Google. Though I suppose this thread was more on the G1 rather than just the Android OS that I'm focusing on.
Google did take a lot of cues from Apple but it's the manufacturers that are lowering the hardware, and that is most likely due to the world economy today. The original iPhone started out at what, $400 on contract compared to the G1's $180? Apple didn't have to redesign the 3GS's hardware except upgrade the CPU and add some features that should have been on the phone from day one. It's a rehash of the same thing to me, like the Magic/MyTouch 3G and the G1 - only removed the keyboard for the most part (hence why I canceled my MyTouch pre-order and purchased a used G1 instead.)
The Hero and phones available today would be a better comparison and I'm looking forward to seeing a side-by-side review of the Hero and a 3GS iPhone.
I can't speak for backgrounder (the app that allows a jailbroken iphone to run some limited background applications) but my understanding is it runs really slow on the first and second gen and can slow down the 3GS (just like any android phone with a lot of background apps.)
I did a more extensive listing of the features that, in my opinion, Android has over the iPhone's OSX Mobile below, I hope it's worth the read.
My ideal phone would be Android on a 3GS, though I would miss the trackball on the Android phones (it comes in real handy a lot of times.)
Google did take a lot of cues from Apple but it's the manufacturers that are lowering the hardware, and that is most likely due to the world economy today. The original iPhone started out at what, $400 on contract compared to the G1's $180? Apple didn't have to redesign the 3GS's hardware except upgrade the CPU and add some features that should have been on the phone from day one. It's a rehash of the same thing to me, like the Magic/MyTouch 3G and the G1 - only removed the keyboard for the most part (hence why I canceled my MyTouch pre-order and purchased a used G1 instead.)
The Hero and phones available today would be a better comparison and I'm looking forward to seeing a side-by-side review of the Hero and a 3GS iPhone.
I can't speak for backgrounder (the app that allows a jailbroken iphone to run some limited background applications) but my understanding is it runs really slow on the first and second gen and can slow down the 3GS (just like any android phone with a lot of background apps.)
I did a more extensive listing of the features that, in my opinion, Android has over the iPhone's OSX Mobile below, I hope it's worth the read.
My ideal phone would be Android on a 3GS, though I would miss the trackball on the Android phones (it comes in real handy a lot of times.)
I completely agree although i wouldn't compare the G1 to the first gen Iphone i would compare it to the 3G and even then it beats it. The G1 has so many more features then the Iphone and with both of them rooted its even better. I bet my rooted G1 runs faster then a jailbroken 3G with backgrounder running.
The iPhone is nice, and the G1 is nice.
One of the biggest differences is the monthly service cost. The G1 is cheaper than the iPhone.
They are very different devices. The G1 is more versatile since it has a physical and virtual keyboard, but the iPhone has a bigger screen which is nice.
If you use a lot of Google services like Google Talk, Gmail, and Google Calendar, then I would definately recommend the G1 over the iPhone.
Lets also not forget about the background Apps that can run on the G1.
Also, the iPhone just feels more closed than the G1. Android is a great OS.
I chose the G1. That is what I have. I love it.
One of the biggest differences is the monthly service cost. The G1 is cheaper than the iPhone.
They are very different devices. The G1 is more versatile since it has a physical and virtual keyboard, but the iPhone has a bigger screen which is nice.
If you use a lot of Google services like Google Talk, Gmail, and Google Calendar, then I would definately recommend the G1 over the iPhone.
Lets also not forget about the background Apps that can run on the G1.
Also, the iPhone just feels more closed than the G1. Android is a great OS.
I chose the G1. That is what I have. I love it.
Personally I believe a jailbroken 3GS runs circles around a rooted G1 any day of the week. Then there's the sheerly massive app library (even if, say, 1 in every 10 apps are genuinely worthwhile, I do believe the Apple App Store comes out ahead).
Funnily enough, I run my 3GS jailbroken on T-Mobile. No problems, and I'm as happy as I could be with $6 a month unlimited data (I mostly use the data for IM and pulling stuff like maps and weather, so EDGE has been fine for me). I considered the G1 but it's actually more expensive and less rewarding than my current route.
Funnily enough, I run my 3GS jailbroken on T-Mobile. No problems, and I'm as happy as I could be with $6 a month unlimited data (I mostly use the data for IM and pulling stuff like maps and weather, so EDGE has been fine for me). I considered the G1 but it's actually more expensive and less rewarding than my current route.
Not to disagree with you but after using a Blackberry and now my G1 i have been spoiled buy the cast majority of push notifications. I have seen my coworkers struggle uping up the different apps to read email and messaging, and i can reply to SMS from any app i am in, and that is for me a lot better then having to open up the app. Just for that i think the G1 is far ahead of the Iphone. And the fact that i can run any number of widgets on my homescree, and read RSS feeds without opening an app is a huge selling point for me.
The Iphone definetly has a large database of apps, but i could care less for $10 games or "big" name games. If i want to waste time i have solitare and my tower defense games to play, or if i want to play a real game i turn on my ds or one of my console. And the Android app store is growing by leaps and bounds every day. i count inbetween 15-30 new apps a day, most of them like 1 in 10 are worth while but the apps i do use are updated constantly with big changes that make them even that better.
Plus since i do a lot of work releated stuff on my phone 'i am an author', the hardware keyboard is so much easier to type in then any virtual keyboard i have ever used including the Iphone's. I can type nearly as fast as i do on a real keyboard with the G1's keyboard.
So my vote is my rooted G1 is far ahead of any Iphone on the market.
The Iphone definetly has a large database of apps, but i could care less for $10 games or "big" name games. If i want to waste time i have solitare and my tower defense games to play, or if i want to play a real game i turn on my ds or one of my console. And the Android app store is growing by leaps and bounds every day. i count inbetween 15-30 new apps a day, most of them like 1 in 10 are worth while but the apps i do use are updated constantly with big changes that make them even that better.
Plus since i do a lot of work releated stuff on my phone 'i am an author', the hardware keyboard is so much easier to type in then any virtual keyboard i have ever used including the Iphone's. I can type nearly as fast as i do on a real keyboard with the G1's keyboard.
So my vote is my rooted G1 is far ahead of any Iphone on the market.
Yes, I sincerely do. When the first iPhone came out I was dead on to buy one of those, but once I heard about its errors, it kinda bummed me out.
Along came G1 with Android attached, and the OS is simply marvelous and I love the chin and the 3-way input method (trackball, touchscreen QWERTY keyboard). I chose specifically the G1 over the Magic or any other Android phone because I truly believe this is the best phone
out there. The only 2 bummers about it, which are easily surpassed, is the battery (buy another battery) and the processor speed (have to wait 3 more seconds).
Besides that, I couldn't have asked for a better product.
Along came G1 with Android attached, and the OS is simply marvelous and I love the chin and the 3-way input method (trackball, touchscreen QWERTY keyboard). I chose specifically the G1 over the Magic or any other Android phone because I truly believe this is the best phone
out there. The only 2 bummers about it, which are easily surpassed, is the battery (buy another battery) and the processor speed (have to wait 3 more seconds).
Besides that, I couldn't have asked for a better product.
I think Android has far more potential than the Iphone. However I think the Iphone hardware is far more refined than the G1 came out as (though arguably the G1 was basically a concept device shoe horned into production). I feel like the offering Sony Erricson and Samsung (and maybe even the Hero) are coming out with will be the true equalizer with the Iphone.
Not at all a loaded question! Naturally, people who own a G1 believe that its better and vice versa. Anyways, I just got a new iPhone 3GS, and its lightyears ahead of the Tmobile G1 I've used in the past. The Google OS is a little nicer for gmail integration, and the keyboard is easier for texting. I also like the home screen better. However, just about anything else is way better on my iPhone. Its much faster, has better battery life, and the voice control and camera/video recorder work amazingly well and are high quality.
Go for the iPhone. You won't be disappointed, unless you have an un-natural hate for Apple (like some other posters in this thread seem to). Honestly, how can you "hate" a corporation? In the same way that a politician is always going to act like a politician, a corporation, even Apple, will act like a corporation. Example: I may be a Mac user, but I don't "hate" Microsoft. They actually make many great products.
Go for the iPhone. You won't be disappointed, unless you have an un-natural hate for Apple (like some other posters in this thread seem to). Honestly, how can you "hate" a corporation? In the same way that a politician is always going to act like a politician, a corporation, even Apple, will act like a corporation. Example: I may be a Mac user, but I don't "hate" Microsoft. They actually make many great products.
I had both and the thing is that they both cater to different people. If u want a phone as a PMP and an internet communications device with thousands of apps, get the iPhone but if u want something that can multiask beautifully, has a hard keyboard for (arguably) better texting, and unbeatable Gmail integration, get the G1. I ended up with the iPhone because its offerings catered more to my needs but they both are very strong and equal devices, imo.
It doesn't even compare. From the crappy build quality, plastic screen, laggy/ugly interface, and a terrible keyboard, the G1 isn't even in the same league as the iPhone. Don't even get me started about Android. It was a great idea, and I had high hopes for it, but Google really dropped the ball on this one.
In the great words of Johnny Storm: "Flame on!"
In the great words of Johnny Storm: "Flame on!"
I've tested both out, but I own neither. From my impressions, I would personally go for the G1, but most people would enjoy the iPhone more.
I love how flexible the platform is on the G1, and I love the physical keyboard on there. On the other hand, the handset is a little bulky, and does not have as many apps as the iPhone.
On the browser side, both are pretty similar, but the iPhone 3GS is definitely faster thanks to the speedy CPU they have on there.
On ease of use, I think the iPhone is better because everything is right in front of you in icons. However, I like the G1 interface, because you can organize your apps in different screens.
One bad thing about the G1 is that it does not have as much memory as the iPhone, and it requires that you buy microSD cards. However, that might be a plus for some, because you have virtually no storage limit.
On the apps though, I don't think any other platform can beat the iPhone appstore in the sheer number and also the quality of apps. Android apps are currently written in Java, and does not support hardware acceleration. iPhone has a very nice 3D chip, and the games look fantastic (PSP level!)
But G1 supports multitasking and iPhone doesn't. Huge weakness of the iPhone.
Phones are always subjective to each person, and both phones have their strengths and weaknesses.
I love how flexible the platform is on the G1, and I love the physical keyboard on there. On the other hand, the handset is a little bulky, and does not have as many apps as the iPhone.
On the browser side, both are pretty similar, but the iPhone 3GS is definitely faster thanks to the speedy CPU they have on there.
On ease of use, I think the iPhone is better because everything is right in front of you in icons. However, I like the G1 interface, because you can organize your apps in different screens.
One bad thing about the G1 is that it does not have as much memory as the iPhone, and it requires that you buy microSD cards. However, that might be a plus for some, because you have virtually no storage limit.
On the apps though, I don't think any other platform can beat the iPhone appstore in the sheer number and also the quality of apps. Android apps are currently written in Java, and does not support hardware acceleration. iPhone has a very nice 3D chip, and the games look fantastic (PSP level!)
But G1 supports multitasking and iPhone doesn't. Huge weakness of the iPhone.
Phones are always subjective to each person, and both phones have their strengths and weaknesses.
I've got a G1 and a first gen iPhone, and I've used the 3G.
Hardware wise, I like the 3GS hands down in terms of raw speed, however given the option I would go with a Hero. My point being, I don't think it's fair to judge each phone by it's hardware since they are vastly different and several generations of each have been released, so I'm going to talk about the software specifically.
The iPhone is great for those who want to just get up and go so to speak, like my mom or dad; the less technically inclined. Sure, it syncs up with iTunes and works well with iTunes, but I can't stand iTunes.
I've found the iPhone software, even after jailbreak, is too limiting. They're all the same in terms of looks, whereas with the Android you can make some major changes to how things look and work rather than just the icons and colors.
Background Applications - Android's main decimating feature. I can run an app that adjusts my ringer depending on my location. I can run Google Talk so I can be IM'd anywhere I am; on the iPhone it has to be open and remain open, you put the phone in your pocket or take a call and your done IM'ing. The more apps you run in the background the slower the OS is going to run, sure, that is understandable and expected. I can choose what I want to run and when or how often, it's still my choice unlike the iPhone where you are not given the option.
Browser - I prefer the Android over the iPhone. The stock browser with the + and - for zooming kind of sucks, so I added multi-touch (the Hero OS has multi-touch standard.) The android has a neat "zoom" feature where it zooms out on the screen and opens a magnifying glass that you move around with your finger, let go and it will zoom to that specific section. It makes finding something on the website a lot easier and is seldom discussed.
Google Voice - For now, it's only available on the blackberry and iPhone but it'll probably change in the future. However, with an Android device it completely integrates with the OS. I love Google Voice, so this is a huge boon for me.
Gmail - I get notifications on my G1 faster than I do on my computer with the google talk app. On the iPhone you've got to wait for the 5 minute or 10 minute intervals to hit. No thanks.
The Trackball - This is a hardware feature inherent with all Android devices it seems, and personally, I really like it. It makes selecting specific text so much easier than the iPhone. Have a typo? Just move back and delete/correct. You have to tap, hold, move, and hope you end up in the right place with the iPhone.
Marketplace - iPhone has more apps and more games hands down. Also, the iPhone has screenshots on the phone, unlike the Android market. iPhone uses iTunes for purchases, whereas the G1 uses Google Checkout, it's a wash here in my opinion as they are both good. However, Google Checkout has a 24 hour return policy, unlike iTunes - big bonus there. While Android is lacking right now, with another 19+ Android devices to be released THIS YEAR worldwide, I don't doubt that the Android marketplace will be catching up quickly to the iPhone's application quantity and quality. There is going to be such a proliferation of Android devices in the world that Apple just won't be able to keep up with it's single device and closed mindedness when it comes to applications.
Notification bar - One thing I couldn't stand on the iPhone was notifications. Say I go to the movies and get a text, an email, an update, a voicemail, and a missed call (very likely to happen.) With the iPhone I have to check my call log and exit, check my email and exit, check the app store and exit, check my texts and exit. With Android, they are all in 1 location and I can choose to clear all the notifications at once right after I've seen a brief description of each. I can go directly into email and from email into calls and calls into texts, no going to the home screen at all between apps.
Home Screens - I have 5 home screens on my G1. One set up for games, one set up for music/photo/video, one set up as my main screen for all my most used apps/searches/calendar, a clock screen, and a news/weather screen (in that order from far left to right, with home being the center.) All the apps I seldom use are neatly stored away in the app drawer. With the iPhone, you have just page upon page upon page to search for apps. Even knowing where I'm looking for an app has taken a minute to find, whereas with Android it's in a specific place where I put it.
Widgets - I love widgets. a quick search widget on my home screen for going right to Google, no need to open the browser and go to Google, I can directly type it in from the home screen. Weather? It shows up on my news screen (where I placed it) along with a world news and BBC news widgets, no need to open separate apps. I've got a music widget on the music screen for quick playback of audio, and an on/off widget to turn bluetooth on when I want to use it. Those are just what I use so far, and there are many more available.
Contacts - All my contacts are synced directly from my Google contacts. Not much to say about it, except that it's a great feature if you use Google contacts, moot point if ya don't.
It took me a LONG time to finally give Android a shot, and until then I really really liked my iPhone (to the point that my sister, both brother in-laws, mother in-law and father in-law all have iPhones.) When Apple announced the new 3GS though and hailed features like Video, Stereo Bluetooth and MMS, (all features that other phones have had for years but apple made a big deal over) and still lacked background applications, I just had to say enough was enough and gave Android a shot.
Sure, the G1 is going on a year old now and more devices are due out each month. Android though has a lot more going for it than Apple ever did if you don't have one now, you will in the future unless Apple drastically changes their attitude.
It didn't feel like I was writing an article, but sure ended up looking like one.
Hardware wise, I like the 3GS hands down in terms of raw speed, however given the option I would go with a Hero. My point being, I don't think it's fair to judge each phone by it's hardware since they are vastly different and several generations of each have been released, so I'm going to talk about the software specifically.
The iPhone is great for those who want to just get up and go so to speak, like my mom or dad; the less technically inclined. Sure, it syncs up with iTunes and works well with iTunes, but I can't stand iTunes.
I've found the iPhone software, even after jailbreak, is too limiting. They're all the same in terms of looks, whereas with the Android you can make some major changes to how things look and work rather than just the icons and colors.
Background Applications - Android's main decimating feature. I can run an app that adjusts my ringer depending on my location. I can run Google Talk so I can be IM'd anywhere I am; on the iPhone it has to be open and remain open, you put the phone in your pocket or take a call and your done IM'ing. The more apps you run in the background the slower the OS is going to run, sure, that is understandable and expected. I can choose what I want to run and when or how often, it's still my choice unlike the iPhone where you are not given the option.
Browser - I prefer the Android over the iPhone. The stock browser with the + and - for zooming kind of sucks, so I added multi-touch (the Hero OS has multi-touch standard.) The android has a neat "zoom" feature where it zooms out on the screen and opens a magnifying glass that you move around with your finger, let go and it will zoom to that specific section. It makes finding something on the website a lot easier and is seldom discussed.
Google Voice - For now, it's only available on the blackberry and iPhone but it'll probably change in the future. However, with an Android device it completely integrates with the OS. I love Google Voice, so this is a huge boon for me.
Gmail - I get notifications on my G1 faster than I do on my computer with the google talk app. On the iPhone you've got to wait for the 5 minute or 10 minute intervals to hit. No thanks.
The Trackball - This is a hardware feature inherent with all Android devices it seems, and personally, I really like it. It makes selecting specific text so much easier than the iPhone. Have a typo? Just move back and delete/correct. You have to tap, hold, move, and hope you end up in the right place with the iPhone.
Marketplace - iPhone has more apps and more games hands down. Also, the iPhone has screenshots on the phone, unlike the Android market. iPhone uses iTunes for purchases, whereas the G1 uses Google Checkout, it's a wash here in my opinion as they are both good. However, Google Checkout has a 24 hour return policy, unlike iTunes - big bonus there. While Android is lacking right now, with another 19+ Android devices to be released THIS YEAR worldwide, I don't doubt that the Android marketplace will be catching up quickly to the iPhone's application quantity and quality. There is going to be such a proliferation of Android devices in the world that Apple just won't be able to keep up with it's single device and closed mindedness when it comes to applications.
Notification bar - One thing I couldn't stand on the iPhone was notifications. Say I go to the movies and get a text, an email, an update, a voicemail, and a missed call (very likely to happen.) With the iPhone I have to check my call log and exit, check my email and exit, check the app store and exit, check my texts and exit. With Android, they are all in 1 location and I can choose to clear all the notifications at once right after I've seen a brief description of each. I can go directly into email and from email into calls and calls into texts, no going to the home screen at all between apps.
Home Screens - I have 5 home screens on my G1. One set up for games, one set up for music/photo/video, one set up as my main screen for all my most used apps/searches/calendar, a clock screen, and a news/weather screen (in that order from far left to right, with home being the center.) All the apps I seldom use are neatly stored away in the app drawer. With the iPhone, you have just page upon page upon page to search for apps. Even knowing where I'm looking for an app has taken a minute to find, whereas with Android it's in a specific place where I put it.
Widgets - I love widgets. a quick search widget on my home screen for going right to Google, no need to open the browser and go to Google, I can directly type it in from the home screen. Weather? It shows up on my news screen (where I placed it) along with a world news and BBC news widgets, no need to open separate apps. I've got a music widget on the music screen for quick playback of audio, and an on/off widget to turn bluetooth on when I want to use it. Those are just what I use so far, and there are many more available.
Contacts - All my contacts are synced directly from my Google contacts. Not much to say about it, except that it's a great feature if you use Google contacts, moot point if ya don't.
It took me a LONG time to finally give Android a shot, and until then I really really liked my iPhone (to the point that my sister, both brother in-laws, mother in-law and father in-law all have iPhones.) When Apple announced the new 3GS though and hailed features like Video, Stereo Bluetooth and MMS, (all features that other phones have had for years but apple made a big deal over) and still lacked background applications, I just had to say enough was enough and gave Android a shot.
Sure, the G1 is going on a year old now and more devices are due out each month. Android though has a lot more going for it than Apple ever did if you don't have one now, you will in the future unless Apple drastically changes their attitude.
It didn't feel like I was writing an article, but sure ended up looking like one.
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