Why I'll never own an Android-based anything
Summary: I struggled for months before purchasing my iPhone and iPad--even turned down a chance at the iPad soon after launch but now am an avid Apple fan.
Sup, Android fans? Sorry that I can't be one of you but I just can't bring myself to do it. Not yet, at least. Tell me, what Android-based thingy can I buy that will surpass the coolness of my iOS-based iPhone 4 or my iPad? If there is one, please tell me about it. Or, better yet, someone should send me one for "evaluation." I'd prefer an Android-based tablet but I haven't found one yet that I like but I've only seen a small sample of them.
I love Linux and I really wanted an Android-based device early on but the ones I saw were really, really bad. The other problem was that no one knew anything about them at the stores I went to. In fact, at one store whose name I won't mention, the employees not only had no clue what the heck I was talking about, they had no idea where they were in the store.
Needless to say, I was justifiably irritated. I didn't blame the employees but I was angry at the basic ignorance perpetuated by the store's policy of not training its employees.
They did, however, know exactly where all of the Apple stuff was in the store. So, I guess I can't say they're 100 percent neglectful. Either that or the employees just liked the Apple stuff better. Nah, that could never happen.
I did finally locate two or three Android tablets but they paled in comparison to the far more expensive iPad. Yes, Apple gadgetry isn't cheap but Apple knows that it doesn't have to be.
I searched for an Android-based phone and tablet but never found one that got me excited. So, my wife, seeing and listening to my frustration, bought me an original iPad for Father's Day, soon after it launched. I turned it down because I thought I should stay true to my Linux-rooted prejudice. If you're married, you probably know how well things went for me after doing that.
But, months after searching, testing and even asking Jason Perlow about his experiences with Android stuff, I had to choose an iPad. I got one for Christmas just two or three months ahead of the launch of the iPad 2. And, no, I couldn't wait any longer. I was a fool for waiting the first time.
I wanted a Linux tablet. I still do. I just don't know if Android is the right answer for it. At some point, I'll probably buy an old Acer tablet and install Linux on it. By the time I buy one from a certain unmentionable auction site, the OS I'll use will be Ubuntu 13.04. I want it to work, after all. I also want it to work without a lot of tweaking or futzing around. Like Apple users, I just want the blasted thing to work. Frankly, I'm tired of being everyone's tech support guy--even my own.
So, that's the true test of a new gadget or new computer for me: Does it just work?
If not, you'll hear about it.
Some of the major complaints I've heard about Android are:
- Poor multitasking.
- Less than stellar battery life.
- Bugs. Lots of bugs.
- Bad reception.
- Bluetooth problems.
- Unresponsive or very slow performance.
- Camera problems.
- Phone call drop issues.
I thought that the idea of Android was cool, when I first heard of it. I thought the price was right for an Android-based tablet ($79 to $500). And, I thought that Android would be a good competitive platform.
Unfortunately, I was wrong on all counts. It is affordable but if you can't use the device because of the problems listed, then the money you saved by not buying Apple is wasted by having to rebuy another Android device. My time and frustration are worth something. I don't want to spend either being frustrated and wishing I'd bought Apple. So, I did buy Apple. And, I paid a lot more than I could actually afford to on the technology but, I'd have to say that, other than dealing with the (ongoing) sticker shock, I'm very happy with my Apple stuff.
Sorry, Android, I'll never own anything that you occupy unless someone gives me one and I'm not holding my breath waiting for that unlikely occurrence.
See Also:
Dear Google: Android's Multitasking Sucks
On Tablets, Android 4.0 is an Ice Cream Headache
If Android "Feels Wrong" then I don't want to be right
The Android sloppy interface: When guidelines are not enough
Why Ice Cream Sandwich won't be able to save Android tablets
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Talkback
buttered for you, or not?
If it's from a reputable restaurant...
No Salt or Pepper?
No Salt or Pepper?
I do have a choice though. I can go to less trendy restaurants if I wish.
AFAIC if I have to unlock and click a button to see today's temperature, it's no big deal. To each his own. Your choice is as good as mine. I don't mind Android phones, but I love my iPhone.
No Salt or Pepper?
And I think this sums up one of the differences...
I like good food, but I can't help but wonder how it could be better. I cook my own food (which I think actually is more the definition of a foodie that someone who goes out and 'appreciates' someone else's cooking - that would be 'gourmet') because I have my own sense and style, so while I can appreciate someone else's design (recipes) I can't separate myself from the creation process and want to learn how it works, why it tastes like it does and to incorporate the better ideas into my own cooking (and, as part of that - to offer my ideas to others).
I was at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in Las Vegas, arguably a high end restaurant and the dish I had was very good - but when I tasted it - it tasted just slightly off - like there was a missing flavour - and I realised that ground walnuts would have made it perfect.
To me.
See, *I* am the audience. I interpret and I judge the value of the artists creation. Art is always a collaboration - the artist creates the message and the audience interprets. If it doesn't speak to me, that's not *my* fault and if it doesn't inspire me to think, explore and ask 'how could this be better?' then either it's perfect (something I've never seen in the real world, thankfully as that would be stunningly boring) or it's uninspiring.
You seem to be arguing that 'uninspiring' is a virtue and being a passive audience a talent.
Dude, you're a barista.
unlock and click a button to see today's temperature????
and if you are linux-capable, USE IT... android is for those that do not care to bother/ not able to do linux...
Or would you like to go to the kitchen and spend an hour or two to
well how do you like it when....
and the waitress, when you start touching her, slaps you and says she is not that kind of girl.. (but gives you a card with a premium rated number on it... :/ )
Android will do any kind of butter you like, most of them for free, served by not just their sexy waitress, but she will even let you bring your own, or go out to a different shop to get it for you!!
that's android's way
It is more likely that an Android vendor will skim on whatever hardware, because this is why they went with the "free" OS after all -- to save money and be competitive.
Apple, on the other hand, designs their stuff to the highest standards at the time and sources the best ever components for their devices, of course as much lower cost than others, simply because they are able to buy the entire production of some plant...
but you are right -- android will not only serve all the junk it has collected, but happily let you go somewhere else, or even sell you to somebody (hint: Google) at your expense.
you don't appreciate freedom
You need to install Ubunto then.
Quality matters
"What we're focusing on is the same thing weve always focused on: making the world's best products.
Price is rarely the most important thing. A cheap product might sell some units. Somebody gets it home and they feel great when they pay the money, but then they get it home and use it and the joy is gone. The joy is gone every day that they use it until they arent using it anymore. You dont keep remembering I got a good deal! because you hate it! .
What I see is that there is a lot of commonality in what people around the world want. Everyone in every country wants the best product as it turns out. Theyre not looking for a cheap version of the best product, they're looking for the best product."
Price rarely the most important thing?
A whole loaf?
Are you serious?
Android is stale bread and no butter offered...
The product is great for the carriers and manufacturers because it's (was) free for them, and they can do whatever the hell they want with it. It is just as clunky, in-cohesive, and ugly as their own OS's on the flip phones they made before. Now, they just don't have to do all the hard work of creating the foundation. But the end result is still a clunky, buggy, and tacking UI/UX for their customers.
Perhaps free isn't so good
As such, the cheapest product wins, so the least cost vendor will be the sole survivor, eliminating the rest of the vendors.
I expect most Android vendors to get out, just like most PC vendors selling Windows. Only a few will survive.
Maybe good in the short term, but bad in the long term.
Windows Phone & Windows 8 are the true Apple alternatives
Nothing wrong with a walled garden.
Pagan jim