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I don't think I'm going to be adding the iPhone 4 to my Want list anytime soon, but I will say that the pixel density of that display is absolutely…
amazing. They've definitely raised the bar here, and I'll be disappointed if we don't see other manufacturers racing to catch up before the end of the year.
The instant Wifi hotspot feature of Android (and the Pre Plus) is the big one for me.
so you swing your opinion on hardware on one point... this is a great phone
You are basing your judgement on this phone around an Apple P.R. event. You cannot possibly know whether or not the phone is great until you have had hands on time with it. Wait until it comes out, use it, and see if it really lives up to the hype. From what I'm seeing nothing is revolutionary, at all.
I got spoiled by that function too! Especially that I have Chrome browser and the extensions on, Voice and Gmail seems so integrated with my phone and my computer without having to rely on each other.
As far as google voice is concerned, I'm already using it on my jailbroken iphone 3g. I always consider the capabilities of the device whilst jailbroken since I'll obviously be able to take advantage. One such feature is the ability to boot the Android os. As capable as the iphone 4 is hardware-wise, I don't see why I wouldn't have both on the iphone 4 (when I buy it).
A few key points you've made there. First, you have to jailbreak your phone to use Google Voice. A lot of users will not want to do that. Second, the only reason iPhones can boot Android OS is because of a developer that spent the time to do it. It's not normal, and there's no guarantee that it will work for iPhone 4.
I agree with you so far, Peter. The iPhone 4 looks like a good piece of hardware, but there's nothing shown so far that makes me want one over something like the Incredible (or Evo if Sprint is your thing).
The hardware is only as good as the software, and iPhone OS 4.0 isn't really where I would want it to be to get me off of Android.
The hardware is only as good as the software, and iPhone OS 4.0 isn't really where I would want it to be to get me off of Android.
I'd get it over the Incredible just because I use my phone outdoors. ;)
Other than that, I like Android but there's no denying they don't have the UI as figured out as Apple does. I think they'll get there eventually but they aren't there yet. Even the latest Android phones with 1 GHz processors can't scroll as smoothly as my 3 year old iPhone 2G. Why is that?
Other than that, I like Android but there's no denying they don't have the UI as figured out as Apple does. I think they'll get there eventually but they aren't there yet. Even the latest Android phones with 1 GHz processors can't scroll as smoothly as my 3 year old iPhone 2G. Why is that?
I think what you are referring to is the iPhone's inertial scrolling feature. It helps make flipping and scrolling more fluid like. Which in turn, enhances the user experience.
I don't think you will find that on an Android device anytime soon. It's just not very high on the dev team's todo list. You can browse the dev forums at Google and see what I mean. They are well aware of it. I think we will see it the future though.
But what I really like (well, one of the things) about the Android platform is, as a developer, I can write an app and distribute it from my own website or the Android market anytime or anywhere I want. I don't need big brother holding my hand and looking over my shoulder. Neither do my clients.
I think, Apple devices are perfect for about 70% of people wanting a fantastic out of the box experience with "no setup required", it just works mentality.
There is just so many things that can be done on Android without the need for an app. It is very much like a Linux desktop in a lot of ways.
Anyway my 0.02
I don't think you will find that on an Android device anytime soon. It's just not very high on the dev team's todo list. You can browse the dev forums at Google and see what I mean. They are well aware of it. I think we will see it the future though.
But what I really like (well, one of the things) about the Android platform is, as a developer, I can write an app and distribute it from my own website or the Android market anytime or anywhere I want. I don't need big brother holding my hand and looking over my shoulder. Neither do my clients.
I think, Apple devices are perfect for about 70% of people wanting a fantastic out of the box experience with "no setup required", it just works mentality.
There is just so many things that can be done on Android without the need for an app. It is very much like a Linux desktop in a lot of ways.
Anyway my 0.02
"I think what you are referring to is the iPhone's inertial scrolling feature. It helps make flipping and scrolling more fluid like. Which in turn, enhances the user experience."
It's not even inertial scrolling though. Just simply grab a homepage and start sliding (without letting go). On the iPhone, it's smooth as can be. Android definitely stutters and has some hiccups. Admittedly, it's a minor gripe. But it's one of those minor details that separates Android from iPhone IMHO.
It's not even inertial scrolling though. Just simply grab a homepage and start sliding (without letting go). On the iPhone, it's smooth as can be. Android definitely stutters and has some hiccups. Admittedly, it's a minor gripe. But it's one of those minor details that separates Android from iPhone IMHO.
Yeah, the iPhone interface is more polished. I think Google are currently focused on making Android more capable. They've basically overtaken the iPhone now on capability (and of course openness) with the various form factors and open platform. I think that Android 3.0 due later this year might focus on getting the UI polished up.
But I am a big fan of function over form.
But I am a big fan of function over form.
I'm trying to decide between upgrading to an iPhone 4 - or an EVO.
The biggest thing that I'm worried about is Android's UI. I'll be moving from a Pre - and the one thing WebOS has down is its UI.
So - what would you say about HTC's high end Android devices to convince me to go that way as opposed to jumping on the iPhone 4 bandwagon?
The biggest thing that I'm worried about is Android's UI. I'll be moving from a Pre - and the one thing WebOS has down is its UI.
So - what would you say about HTC's high end Android devices to convince me to go that way as opposed to jumping on the iPhone 4 bandwagon?
I would say wait for the Droid 2 or shadow or whatever it's called. Right now I don't think the HTC phones can match the accuracy of the iPhone soft keyboard (this is from having a Nexus One) and we've seen that Moto use a better touchscreen panel in their Droid already, with sharper text and greater accuracy in finger tracking. Hopefully Motorola will have learnt from the complaints about the ~0 KHOTAR (see www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/engadget-podcast-185-0...) hardware keyboard on the first Droid. Other than the slightly funky touchscreen I love my Nexus One to bits, and hopefully the next release by Motorola will be able to surpass what HTC has already done so far.
The ability to use the phone in daylight, with the sun glaring down on it, is a pretty big shot across the bow of most Android phones, although if they don't make any changes to the over-the-wire iTunes syncing, then it'll mostly be for nothing. I'm in the market for a phone that has a decent camera, for both video and stills, and also as an on-the-go reader. So if they do something with iTunes and/or MobileMe, and if the reviewers like it, I might pick one up before the end of the year.
I think it's fair to say the rush is already on and props to Apple for managing to raise the bar, and furthermore laying on the marketing BS in droves to make it 'revolutionary' enough so that the mainstream press will be parroting it in droves. 'retina display' - freakin' genius, you have to hand it to Apple.
I don't doubt the pixel density will be surpassed, but the question is whether the other displays will be as legible IN THE APPS of their native OS's. (See, this is what happens when you have NO ITALICS OR EMPHASIS AVAILABLE IN THE SITE TEXT)
I don't doubt the pixel density will be surpassed, but the question is whether the other displays will be as legible IN THE APPS of their native OS's. (See, this is what happens when you have NO ITALICS OR EMPHASIS AVAILABLE IN THE SITE TEXT)
It's amazing how much the press loves Apple. This new iPhone will get coverage everywhere constantly for the next week or so. I never see anything in the mainstream press about any other phones despite their being many phones better than the iPhone. Or of the press does a story about another phone (e.g. the Kin) it just becomes an article about how it differs from the iPhone.
FWIW the smartphone market is relatively small and the iPhone only has about 20% of that smallish market. Why so much press attention?
FWIW the smartphone market is relatively small and the iPhone only has about 20% of that smallish market. Why so much press attention?
Apple products new and old are the most discussed and almost always the most popular in their respective categories here on gdgt. That hardly has anything to do with press. Maybe people -- media included -- just find Apple products more interesting than your workaday cellphone. (Can you honestly get that excited about this week's BlackBerry?)
I've heard this question a million times in as many forms over the years, and if you don't get how Apple products garner so much attention, I'm pretty sure it's because you don't actually want to understand why or how that could possibly be.
I've heard this question a million times in as many forms over the years, and if you don't get how Apple products garner so much attention, I'm pretty sure it's because you don't actually want to understand why or how that could possibly be.
I honestly think it's mostly because Apple sticks to one device at a time (which, as a hardware company first, is pretty much the only option they have). When you talk about "Apple" and "Phones", you know you're talking about the iPhone. And Apple is good at pushing "last year's device" into the background of the conversation.
Conversely, with the example Ryan used, when you talk about the "BlackBerry"...what are you talking about? The Curve? The Pearl? The Bold? And which model of each? Android has somewhat of a similar problem, though they have, for some reason, been able to get some traction with specific models (G1, Nexus One, EVO, Droid, next up the Streak, etc). But back to Apple, they shine with laser-like precision on one new model at a time, so it's very easy for the press and media to pick up on what they want them to talk about.
It's just the benefit of being both the hardware AND software manufacturer (which...wtf RiM...how are you screwing this up?!) That also comes with a lot of limitations/negatives, but Apple is doing a good job of mitigating those circumstances...so far. Though admittedly, have they even seen any real competition in the mobile space up until today (iPhone 4 vs. EVO/DROID/Streak).
Conversely, with the example Ryan used, when you talk about the "BlackBerry"...what are you talking about? The Curve? The Pearl? The Bold? And which model of each? Android has somewhat of a similar problem, though they have, for some reason, been able to get some traction with specific models (G1, Nexus One, EVO, Droid, next up the Streak, etc). But back to Apple, they shine with laser-like precision on one new model at a time, so it's very easy for the press and media to pick up on what they want them to talk about.
It's just the benefit of being both the hardware AND software manufacturer (which...wtf RiM...how are you screwing this up?!) That also comes with a lot of limitations/negatives, but Apple is doing a good job of mitigating those circumstances...so far. Though admittedly, have they even seen any real competition in the mobile space up until today (iPhone 4 vs. EVO/DROID/Streak).
For me, when you talk about Black Berry, you talk about the best Email device there is out there (in a phone form factor). Business are loving them because the Email server is cheap and it is easy to administer those phones for a company the size of a small country (at least that is what people tell me which work in the field).
iPhones are consumer products. Excellent marketing and a decent UI and working experience.
But as a nerdy page I don't get why people jump on these PR mantras like they do. And then defending their position as if their lifes depended on it...
iPhones are consumer products. Excellent marketing and a decent UI and working experience.
But as a nerdy page I don't get why people jump on these PR mantras like they do. And then defending their position as if their lifes depended on it...
From a consumer point of view I understand it, it's what one sees and experiences. Apple iPhones are everywhere so it must be outstanding, right? But from a nerdy/techy point of view I don't really understand it. I did get excited about the pixel density, I always went for the laptops with the highest pixel density and I embrace this technologiy coming to the phone I want, but buy one just because of it? The design is nice again, and that's what they get right. But except those things, there is just not that much to get excited over for me. I admit, I just don't see it . 150000 Apps are ok, but I don't really need them. I could do with a bookmark in my mobile browser for most of them!
The question of 'why' Apple products get so much attention is mostly rhetoric. It's obvious that Apple are masters of marketing. The general public, and the press, have no idea what a gigahertz is. Most people are not going to be impressed by technical specs, and the press can't write an article about such things. So Apple focuses on mostly irrelevant things like how thin their latest device is. This sort of thing is easy for the press to talk about and easy for non-tech savvy consumers to understand.
The majority of Apple's marketing focuses on how their devices look and how you interact with them. Capability doesn't come into the equation. As a technology enthusiast I find this inevitable but sad. Lowest common denominator technology.
The majority of Apple's marketing focuses on how their devices look and how you interact with them. Capability doesn't come into the equation. As a technology enthusiast I find this inevitable but sad. Lowest common denominator technology.
"Apple products new and old are the most discussed and almost always the most popular in their respective categories here on gdgt. That hardly has anything to do with press."
Wait, are you saying that press coverage does not have a measurable influence on popular opinion? I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree with you there.
Wait, are you saying that press coverage does not have a measurable influence on popular opinion? I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree with you there.
Apple created a device that's simple, compelling, easy to use and it (mostly) works... unless you need to make a phone call. Plus, there is no one better in this business at marketing and creating emotionally appealing advertisements than Apple. It probably also helps that they have a charismatic and extrovert CEO who is a master at presentation.
Yeah, it's annoying and unfair to other companies, but until they learn how to play this game, they're not going to get the same amount of mindshare with the public.
Yeah, it's annoying and unfair to other companies, but until they learn how to play this game, they're not going to get the same amount of mindshare with the public.
"Apple created a device that's simple, compelling, easy to use and it (mostly) works... unless you need to make a phone call. Plus, there is no one better in this business at marketing and creating emotionally appealing advertisements than Apple. It probably also helps that they have a charismatic and extrovert CEO who is a master at presentation."
All completely true, but no need for supposedly informed parties to act the Pavlovian dog though. Just sayin'.
All completely true, but no need for supposedly informed parties to act the Pavlovian dog though. Just sayin'.
As a hobbyist developer - it makes me sad that I can't load up small homebrew apps on my iPhone 3G without forking out $99 to Apple - or jailbreaking. Looking to switch to some Android phone this fall.
That said - the display looks sweet, and the iphone UI experience is still best of class. I would still recommend it for most people.
Now if Google could hurry up and make Google Voice international - it would be even more enticing.
That said - the display looks sweet, and the iphone UI experience is still best of class. I would still recommend it for most people.
Now if Google could hurry up and make Google Voice international - it would be even more enticing.
I once read that Google Voice international will be a tough project since the pricing for incoming/outgoing calls is quiet different outside USA. So I basically burried my hopes.
As for the UI, once you started using Android, you will appreciate the widgets and the lack of need of having to group your apps in folders to keep the overview ;)
As for the UI, once you started using Android, you will appreciate the widgets and the lack of need of having to group your apps in folders to keep the overview ;)
