A few weeks ago I switched from the iPhone to a phone powered by Google’s Android operating system: The HTC Legend. People have been asking how they compare so I thought I’d share some notes.
iPhone advantages over Android:
- Integration with the desktop
- User experience
- Default apps
Android advantages over iPhone:
- Integration with the cloud
- Flexibility and freedom to choose
- Development environment
Not so sure about:
- Pseudo vs. true multitasking
What I thought might matter but doesn’t:
- Apple’s App Store vs. the Android Market
The iPhone works better with the desktop than Android while Android feels more like an extension of the cloud than the iPhone does. Essentially, Android is missing iTunes while the iPhone is missing Android’s integration with Google’s various online services (calendar, maps, mail). In my opinion, this is the major reason behind Google’s recent overhaul of GMail’s contacts. After switching to Android I started using GMail’s contacts a lot more – almost by default.
The iPhone still has a better overall feel to the user interface. Android’s scrolling is choppy compared to the iPhone’s and the default apps that ship with the iPhone (iPod, contacts, notes) are more accessible. Android however is more flexible than the iPhone when it comes to customizing it and making it your own – especially because of the widgets.
Android seems like a more powerful operating system, with true multitasking and a better notification interface. It feels more like a small, powerful computer. How this effects battery life though, I don’t know. The open source Linux-Java stack also means that the Android development environment is more appealing. Also, because Android is open source it wouldn’t surprise me if they overtake Apple regarding speed and functionality of the operating system, if only because it’s bound to have more developers working on it.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of Android applications available. I thought I might miss some iPhone apps but it seems that everything I used regularly on the iPhone is available on Android as well.
Overall, the jury is still out. The fact that there’s such strong competition in developing smartphone operating systems and handsets will bring benefits for the consumer. Next time I upgrade, I still don’t know whether I’d go iPhone or Android – although I’m leaning ever so slightly towards Android.
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Getur stillt það alveg í böku og það er mikið betra og ekki eins Choppy eins og HTC Sense gluggarnir.
I’ve used both the HTC Legend and a BlackBerry Curve in the last year but recently bought an iPhone. Frankly, I’m surprised that you would say an Android-device feels more like a powerful computer.
Could you explain that a bit better? How is it more powerful? Is it only about the notifications, which are bad on an iPhone compared to Android? Or is it more than that?
I did the switch myself in May (iPhone1 -> Samsung Galaxy Spica) and I agree on all of the above.
I use a mac so the integration with desktop is non-existant at the moment for me, but I hardly notice because of the connection with the cloud. Having worked in IM and on presence management I llllove it when gTalk routes my messages to my phone when I’m away from my computer!
Being in Iceland I very much prefer the Android market over the App Store because of the hassle of creating accounts for Icelanders (why do I need to have an address in an approved country to download a free app?? And why oh why does the App store prompt you for password for every purchase – even the free ones? Why can’t I store my password?).
I also love that my Spica is a phone – I don’t have to browse for the “phoneapp” to make a call.
One thing that I have just discovered is that my data usage doubled with the switch to Android.
This may be because I use the phone differently, although I hadn’t noticed that much of a difference. If you had asked me I would have estimated a slight increase in data use, but not double. I am very careful about disabling all automatic synch and such and using wifi access.
Three other explanations spring to mind:
1)There is a weird bug with my Android which forces me to restart it regularly. When I do this many apps default to synching and if I forget to turn it off then data usage surges.
2)The connection with the cloud is showing up on my data usage.
3)The iPhone is better at picking up on available wifis and using those over the GPRS/3G connection. Anyone heard of this?
In the transition I made a conscious decision of splitting my iPod usage away from my phone so I have all my music on an iPod Touch that I carry with me. This is because I manage my music library on iTunes and I wanted to keep it that way.
But as you say – what I’ll pick next I have no idea. I have not developed a preference yet.
what kind of a iphone did you have?
Addi: I was using a 1st generation iPhone. Before anyone starts shouting though, I tried the iPhone 4 quite extensively in the shops and with friends while I was evaluating whether to upgrade to the iPhone 4 or go Android.
Kristján Atli: You’re not the first to ask. I might have to explain in more detail in a separate post but it mainly has to do with the “true” multitasking and the top status bar which gives you access to the notifications and currently running apps.
Magga Dóra: Glad to hear that it resonates and that I’m not alone.
Hjalti: Takk! It’s sometimes difficult to figure out whether my likes and dislikes should be attributed to Android or to HTC’s UI layer.
Although I am not a switchee, I recently moved to the Sprint EVO 4G. I had the option of going either Apple 4 or Android. Although I think some of the features on the IPhone are sexier and smoother, I feel it is more of an entertainment device where the EVO is geared for business.
The integration with Google was an awakening. Before I could read the documentation, my Google contacts and calendar appeared on my EVO. My entire desktop was in my palm without doing a thing.
As a result I gave up my CRM tool which I loved dearly, and have directed our development staff to fully integrate our Cloud Based offering with Google and Android.
I think my laptop will suffer a lonely retirement next to my desktop, when I decide what tablet to buy. Look out folks it is about to rain.
It is simply the best thing that has fallen into my lap ever, well almost ever.