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How to Switch from Android to iPhone
However, if you are making a big move from Android to iPhone, then the first things that counter your mind are, how to get your data on the iPhone. Well, don’t worry, we can easily do it with the help of the app, Move to iOS. It is a smart decision to take your data with you. By following this process, you can transfer your contacts, messages and photos.
Note: You need to turn on Wi-Fi on your Android & iPhone and connect them with the same network.
Note: Please keep in mind, the steps might vary from device to device. Watch Video to Move your Data from Android to iOS
Install the “Move to iOS” App on your Android device from the Google play store. This application is developed by Apple and available for free.
Once you are done with installing the app you need to grant permissions to the app. Now, follow on-screen instructions to proceed
Now, keep your Android aside and start your iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone.
While setting up you will get Apps and Data screen on your iPhone. You need to select the last option, which says “move data from Android”
Now, access “Move to iOS” app on your Android and hit continue.
Tap on Agree and Next.
Now, on your iPhone, hit Continue.
You will get a code on your iPhone which you need to enter on Android.
Now on your Android screen, you need to select the data you’re interested in transferring.
Once you’re done, hit next.
You need to wait for a while to get the data loaded on your screen and then hit Next.
The transfer might take a bit longer depending upon the size of the content.
Hit done button on your Android phone.
On your iPhone screen, you will see a screen saying, “Continue setting up iPhone”.
In case, you want to get more apps on your iPhone, then visit the App Store.
That’s it, now you can dump your Old Android phone and enjoy using your iPhone. if you want to know more hacks for iPhone then stay tuned! Till then have a great day!
Excited to make calls or text your friends from your new iPhone? but wondering how to get your contacts and other data on the iPhone? So, let’s get started and learn how to transfer data from Android to iPhone.
Note: Please keep in mind, the steps might vary from device to device. Watch Video to Move your Data from Android to iOS
Install the “Move to iOS” App on your Android device from the Google play store. This application is developed by Apple and available for free.
Once you are done with installing the app you need to grant permissions to the app. Now, follow on-screen instructions to proceed
Now, keep your Android aside and start your iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone.
While setting up you will get Apps and Data screen on your iPhone. You need to select the last option, which says “move data from Android”
Now, access “Move to iOS” app on your Android and hit continue.
Tap on Agree and Next.
Now, on your iPhone, hit Continue.
You will get a code on your iPhone which you need to enter on Android.
Now on your Android screen, you need to select the data you’re interested in transferring.
Once you’re done, hit next.
You need to wait for a while to get the data loaded on your screen and then hit Next.
The transfer might take a bit longer depending upon the size of the content.
Hit done button on your Android phone.
On your iPhone screen, you will see a screen saying, “Continue setting up iPhone”.
In case, you want to get more apps on your iPhone, then visit the App Store.
That’s it, now you can dump your Old Android phone and enjoy using your iPhone. if you want to know more hacks for iPhone then stay tuned! Till then have a great day!
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Smart Switch: How To Transfer Content From An Iphone To Your New Galaxy Smartphone
Making the switch to a new Samsung smartphone has never been easier. Whether you’re interested in the Galaxy S23 series with the embedded S Pen on the S23 Ultra or a foldable like the Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4, you can transfer your apps, contacts, call logs, messages, photos, videos, and other content to your new Galaxy device quickly and easily using Samsung Smart Switch.
Gone are the days when getting a new phone came with the headache and worry of figuring out how to retain everything you had on your old one. With Smart Switch, you can transfer information with a USB cable or through a wireless transfer. In either case, you have complete control over the data you choose to move. Here’s how it works:
Before you beginBefore transferring your content, make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the Smart Switch app installed on your Galaxy device. The app is preloaded and also available in the Google Play Store. If you’re switching from an iPhone, to avoid losing data, there are a few important steps you need to take before using Smart Switch:
Back up your data to your iCloud account.
Deregister your iMessage account.
Have your iCloud ID and password handy.
Regardless of the device you’re switching from, don’t switch your SIM card until the entire transfer is complete. Before you get started, you’ll also want to make sure both your old device and your new device have at least 20% battery life.
Wired transfer via USB cableThe wired transfer option is the recommended method. If you’re transferring a large amount of content, a wired connection is considerably faster — and allows iPhones to transfer a larger variety of content.
To connect your new Galaxy smartphone to your old device, you’ll need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, or a Lightning-to-USB-A cable, that you can pair with an On-the-Go (OTG) adapter. Many Samsung smartphones ship with an OTG adapter in the box.
Open the Smart Switch app on your new Samsung smartphone, and agree to the terms of service.
Choose the “Receive data” option, and select the type of device you’ll be transferring content from, e.g., iPhone or iPad.
You’ll now be asked to connect your devices. Connect your iPhone to the Lightning end of the cable, and connect your new Galaxy device to the USB end. If you are using a USB-A cable (like many standard charging cables), you can use the OTG adapter to plug into the USB-C port.
A pop-up will appear on your old smartphone, asking if you want to trust the connected device. Select “Trust” and enter your device passcode if prompted.
Smart Switch will search your old smartphone for content to transfer.
You’ll now see a list of transferrable content. Choose the content you want to move to your new device. Then tap the Transfer button.
If you’ve selected apps and you’re transferring from another OS, you’ll be prompted to choose the free Android versions of those apps. Note that paid apps and most in-app purchases from non-Android devices won’t transfer. But you can install paid apps on your new device later.
Once your content is done transferring, you’ll be notified that you can safely disconnect the USB cable and begin using your new smartphone.
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Wireless transferThe wireless transfer method is a quick and easy way to move your content, especially since it requires no cables or adapters. If you’re switching from an older Samsung phone or another Android device, a wireless transfer is your most convenient option. If you’re switching to a Galaxy from an iPhone, a wireless transfer is great for transferring the basics — like your contacts, photos and videos — but consider using a wired transfer method for a more complete switch.
On your new Galaxy device, open the Smart Switch app and select “Receive data.”
For the data transfer option, select “Wireless” if prompted.
Select the OS of the device you’re transferring from. Then tap “Transfer.”
If you’re switching from an iPhone, select “Get data from iCloud instead” at the bottom of the screen; you’ll then be asked to log into your iCloud account. For other Samsung devices, you’ll now open the Smart Switch app on your old device and select “Send data.”
Smart Switch will connect to the backup, identify data that can be transferred and present a list. Choose the content you want to move to your new device. When you’re ready, tap “Transfer.”
Once the transfer is complete, you’ll see a summary of all the content you’ve transferred and a prompt to download the Android version of your old apps.
You decide what stays and what goesWhen you use Smart Switch to set up your new phone, you can decide exactly what you want on your new device. If your old phone is a Galaxy, you’ll be able to transfer just about everything, including all your texts, media content, Wi-Fi details and even your home screen settings.
If your old phone runs iOS, you won’t have quite the same ability to replicate your old device’s setup, but you’ll still be able to transfer all your contacts, texts and media files. Some iOS apps may not transfer, but Smart Switch will suggest equivalent apps for your new device.
Whether you’re upgrading from an older Samsung smartphone, another Android device, an iPhone or even a Windows phone, Smart Switch makes it seamless. Smart Switch also works with tablets — so you can use it when upgrading from an iPad to a newer Galaxy tablet. Samsung’s latest mobile devices are made to get work done on the go and even power your work setup in the office, yet another reason it’ll be a “Smart Switch.”
Sign up for a Samsung Business Account to get exclusive offers, including volume pricing discounts, on the Galaxy S23 series today. And see how much your company could save by replacing legacy tech with foldables Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 using this simple cost calculator.
How To View Iphone Emojis On Android
There’s no denying that iPhone emojis are amazing, but what if you prefer the variety that comes with Android devices? You can still view iPhone emojis on Android. This is great news if you’re making the switch from iPhone to Android and want access to your favorite emojis.
While you can root your Android device using an app like Magisk Manager, there are much easier ways. From importing iOS emoji fonts to using a comparable keyboard, you can get much closer to the iPhone emoji experience without rooting.
Install Emoji Font 3 APKEmoji Font 3 isn’t an official app in the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to follow the steps to install from unknown sources. However, this is a workaround method to import iOS fonts without rooting your device. It’s also one of the better ways to view iPhone emojis on Android without any major differences.
It’s worth noting that this may not work on all Android versions. It also works best if you have Gboard installed, though it will work with other keywords too.
Use Emoji Fonts for FlipFontThis method will only work for some devices, including some Samsung Galaxy and HTC Sense devices. Much like the previous option, Emoji Fonts for FlipFont actually changes the emoji font to view iPhone emojis on Android.
There are multiple versions available, with Emoji Fonts for FlipFont 10 being one of the latest. Check out each version to see which works best for your device and looks closest to the font you want.
Use the Same Chat Client or Keyboard AppIf you’re trying to view iPhone emojis on Android, but all you see is a random symbol, a question mark, or X when an iPhone user sends you an emoji, the problem could be an outdated operating system and/or varying Unicode support. Unicode helps translate emojis (among other things) between different systems.
One way to avoid this issue is to use the same chat client or keyboard app. If you’re both using the same version, you shouldn’t have any issues viewing each other’s emojis, even if one person’s using iOS and the other is using Android.
While WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are popular choices, there are safer alternatives if you’re concerned about privacy or just want to leave Facebook behind.
Older Android systems, mainly pre-Android 6.0, may still not support newer emojis, though. You could still experience issues even if someone sends you a newer Android emoji.
Choose a Keyboard AppA final option is to use a keyboard app with similar iPhone emojis. This helps you view iPhone emojis on Android and send compatible emoji to iPhone users as well. Once again, this works even better if you’re both using the same keyboard app.
This won’t give you the same emojis as iOS, but you can get close. It also won’t help you view newer iOS emojis if there isn’t a compatible Android version.
Some of the most widely used keyboard apps include:
If you’re trying to use the same keyboard app as your iOS friends, some of the above work on both.
Root Your DeviceAs mentioned in the intro, Magisk Manager is one of your best options to view iPhone emojis on Android. The app takes you through the process of rooting your device, so if you’re not comfortable with this, don’t do it.
However, once rooted, you can also use an emoji switcher app. These allow you to switch to the emoji set of many popular platforms, including iOS. Emoji Switcher and EmojiSwitcher (no longer available) are two possible options.
It’s not the easiest thing to view iPhone emojis on your Android device, but using any of the above will help you either view the same emojis or use a similar set.
Keep in mind that you can not only import emojis from iPhone, but also run iOS apps on Android.
Crystal Crowder
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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What Android Could Learn From Apple’S Iphone 12
Apple
Apple frequently lays down a gauntlet for Android vendors when it introduces new iPhones, and that’s truer than ever for the iPhone 12 series. While there are places where Apple falls short, the new iPhones also embarrass Android phone makers in a few key areas — and not just simple aspects like performance. Here’s how the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max stack up vs. their Android counterparts.
Small phones with big features
Apple
Android Authority has already written about the plight of Android users who want small phones, but it bears repeating: the iPhone 12 Mini is a reminder that many vendors have left fans of compact Android phones by the wayside.
While the iPhone 12 Mini is smaller than an iPhone SE, it packs features that put many Android phones to shame, let alone compact models. It has the same A14 chip, cameras, and MagSafe charging as its larger sibling. The OLED screen is only slightly lower-resolution than in the standard iPhone 12. And like we mentioned earlier, there are no major design sacrifices compared to larger versions.
Take a look at your Android options and… it’s not pretty. Many small Android phones are old, slower, or both. Even a Pixel 4a is relatively pokey, and it’s slightly larger than the iPhone 12 Mini (if also considerably more affordable). The Sony Xperia 5 II is an impressive phone all-around, but it’s much more expensive and some could argue that it’s not really a “small” phone.
Simply put, Apple’s offering is one of the better choices in a sea of lackluster small smartphones.
Easier wireless charging
Apple
Apple was undoubtedly slow to adopt wireless charging, having introduced it only with 2023’s iPhone X and iPhone 8. It’s catching up, though, and the iPhone 12 family includes a few features that Android vendors could stand to adopt in some form.
MagSafe, which uses magnets to align your iPhone for wireless charging, is the textbook example of a “why didn’t someone think of this earlier?” invention. You don’t have to worry that your phone might be off-center — you just drop it on the pad and walk away. Then there’s the accessories this enables, like snap-on cases and even a wallet.
There are certainly areas where Android phones fare better. MagSafe on the iPhone 12 line charging tops out at 15W where it’s not uncommon to see 30W or more from some Android phones. There’s no mention of reverse wireless charging to top up your other devices, either. But those features don’t address ease of use, and Apple might have an edge simply by eliminating one of the most common hassles of wire-free power.
More camera features aimed at enthusiasts and pros
Apple
Android phones are often chock-full of camera features, but they tend to be aimed at everyday users outside of the occasional manual mode. Samsung’s Single Take feature in the Galaxy S20 family is helpful in case you’re unsure of which shot you need, but it doesn’t offer much help if you’re an exacting mobile photographer. The notable exceptions are newer Sony phones like the Xperia 1 II, and they’re a handful of models in a much larger sea.
The iPhone 12 line bucks that trend. Although Apple’s official camera app won’t provide extensive control over shots, all the new phones can not only shoot Dolby Vision HDR videos (they’re the first phones to do this), while the Pro and Pro Max deliver RAW photo support through a new ProRAW format. In other words, you can create images that could be suitable for a TV show or photo spread, let alone your Instagram feed. A Night Mode that works across all cameras is helpful, too.
Yes, you’ve had RAW shooting on Android since Lollipop, but it’s inconsistently available. HDR video recording is also hit-or-miss. And that’s not counting more explicitly hardware-dependent features like sensor-shift image stabilization (again, new to phones) or LiDAR. Simply put, Apple is giving iPhone buyers a series of powerful camera features that are genuinely aimed at enthusiasts and working pros, and that could tip the balance for some buyers.
Where the iPhone 12 falls short
Apple
This doesn’t mean the iPhone 12 vs. Android battle is strictly one-sided. Apple falls short in a number of categories, at least if you’re used to what Android has offered. There’s no 120Hz screen. You still won’t find microSD expansion, a USB-C port, or very high-zoom cameras. You won’t even find a 1440p display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
There’s also the matter of software. As much progress as iOS 14 has made, additions like home screen widgets, changeable app defaults and iPhone picture-in-picture are catch-up features. You won’t be feeling a twinge of regret if Android’s flexibility is important to you, even if you may wish you had Apple’s timelier and longer-running OS updates.
Even so, the very fact that Android vendors could take multiple major cues from the new iPhones is important. It suggests that Apple is plugging some of the more glaring holes in its iPhone strategy. Android phone creators may have to step up if they plan to go head-to-head with Apple, particularly in that upper mid-range sweet spot occupied by the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini.
Next: iPhone 6S getting iOS 14 is like the Galaxy S6 getting Android 11
How To Record A Call On Iphone And Android
Being able to record a call may come in handy in a number of situations. Perhaps you’re interviewing someone over the phone or on a work call and want to ensure that you can remember everything that is being discussed. Depending on whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, you have several options available to you. This post details how to start recording your phone calls whether you’re using an iPhone or Android.
Tip: is your iPhone not ringing when you’re getting a call? We show you what to do to fix this annoying issue.
Is It Legal to Record Phone Calls?Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of recording phone calls, we need to first talk about the legal aspect. In the U.S., different states have varying laws when it comes to recording phone calls. The same applies to European countries and beyond. You can visit this Wiki page to verify a country’s policy.
In the U.S., for example, most states require at least one party consent to the recording for it to be considered legal. However, states like California, Florida, and Washington require that all participating parties be informed of the recording.
In Europe, things are a bit more liberal. For instance, Italy considers recorded conversations legal and even allows them to be used as evidence in court (even if the other party was unaware they were being recorded), provided that the recording party is part of the conversation.
Image source:
Pexels
In the U.K., on the other hand, a recording made by one party without notifying the other is not prohibited if the recording is for personal use. Recording without notification is prohibited, however, if the conversation is then made available to a third party.
Beyond what these laws actually state in your region, you should be mindful that a person’s right to privacy can be severely impacted if their calls are recorded without their express permission. As a result, we encourage you to ask for permission every time you want to record a call. If nothing else, this etiquette will help you avoid any unwanted legal issues. Let’s take a look at how you can get started recording phone calls that are made through a carrier.
How to Record a Phone Call on iPhoneApple takes your privacy very seriously; hence, it won’t allow you to record phone calls using any native features. The company blocks recording through an iPhone’s built-in microphone if the handset is actively in a call using its own software. This means that despite your iPhone having a native recording app (Voice memos app) you won’t be able to press “Record” while you’re speaking to someone over the phone. Instead, you’ll need to resort to a few workarounds, which are detailed below.
Tip: just downloaded a file on your iPhone or iPad and can’t find it? Here’s where to look.
1. Use Another Phone to Record the CallThe easiest solution if you have another phone (even an older phone would do) laying around the house, is to use it to record the call. It doesn’t matter if it’s an iPhone or Android device. The important thing is that it has a recording app on board. Most phones, including Android devices, come with one preinstalled. If yours doesn’t have one, for some reason, you can easily download one from the App Store or Google Play Store. A few examples of these apps include:
Recorder Plus (iOS)
Rev Voice Recorder & Memos (iOS)
Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Android)
Smart Voice Recorder (Android)
Begin the Recording
Open the Voice Memos app on your recorder phone.
Start or receive a call on your other iOS device. Put the phone on “speaker.”
Once the other person starts speaking about the subject you’re interested in, make sure you press the red “Record” button in the Voice Memos app to start your recording – but not before informing the other person that you’re going to be recording them.
Make sure the phone that acts as the recorder is placed in the near vicinity of the phone involved in the call. Also, the phone you’re using for the call should have the volume turned up to the maximum (if that’s possible). This will ensure you get a better quality recording.
Once you’re done recording, press the red button once again. The file will be saved to your iPhone, and you can access it from the app. Tap on it to have it start the playback. You can also share it from there or edit it.
2. Use Google VoiceGoogle Voice is another alternative when it comes to recording phone calls from your iPhone. Unfortunately, the service is only officially available in the United States and Canada or for people who already have a U.S. phone number. If you meet the requirements, download the iOS app and sign up for an account.
Open the Google Voice app on your iOS device.
At the top, tap the hamburger menu and select “Settings.”
Under Calls, you will see “Incoming calls options.” Make sure the toggle next to it is on.
If it is, you’ll notice some information underneath. You’ll be instructed to press “4” to start recording calls.
Wait for the call to come in and answer it.
Once you press “4,” all participants in the call will hear an announcement alerting them that the call is being recorded.
To end the recording, press “4” once again. Participants will once again hear an announcement. By the way, hanging up the call also cancels the recording.
The resulting recordings can be found in the Voicemail tab.
Good to know: need an email solely dedicated to signing up for apps that you’re not sure you’ll be using again? Check out these disposable email services.
3. Try a Third-Party iOS AppApple is quite restrictive when it comes to call recording apps, not allowing many in the App Store. Even so, you can still find quite a few of them. The trouble is, most of them are paid apps. Fortunately, Rev Call Recorder is an app that works for free and is fully functional.
Download the app on your phone.
Open it and verify your current phone number.
Once you’re all set, press the “Call” button at the bottom of the display.
Enter the number of the person you wish to call.
Press the “Call [number]” button, and the recording should start automatically.
Both parties involved in the call will hear an announcement saying the call is being recorded.
To end the recording, simply hang up as you would normally do.
4. Use a Dedicated Call RecorderAn interesting alternative for mobile users is using a call recorder device, such as the RecorderGear PR200. This device can wirelessly record both sides of the conversation on Bluetooth-compatible Android or iOS devices.
Tip: don’t want to be bothered by certain callers? Learn how to hide calls from specific contacts on Android.
How to Record a Phone Call on AndroidRecording a phone call on Android has the potential to be easier, but only in some regions, as Google offers a native feature in this respect. For the rest of us, most of the options detailed in the iPhone section also work on Android, meaning recording the call using another phone (iOS or Android), Google Voice, and a dedicated call recorder device. Below we look at the Android-specific methods.
1. Use Google’s Own Phone AppOn some Android phones, this app might already be preinstalled, but if not, you can download it from the Play Store. However, keep in mind that this feature is only available in certain regions of the world, and your carrier must also support the feature for you to use it. Also, your device needs to be on Android 9 or higher.
You can check whether you have this feature by opening the Google Phone app and tapping on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
Select “Settings.”
Go to “Call Recording.” If you don’t see it, it probably means your phone does not support this feature.
You’ll now have to answer a series of questions regarding which calls will be recorded. Follow the prompts that appear on the screen and select “Always record.”
Once you’ve done this, go back to the Phone app and try calling someone.
Look at the display during the call. You should see a “Record” button among the options. Tap on it to start recording.
Once you’re done, tap the “Stop Recording” button again to stop the recording.
2. With a Third-Party Android AppLike Apple, Google doesn’t like call recording apps, but even so, some have still made it to the Play Store. Call Recorder – Cube ACR, for instance, is a free app that can help you record calls without much fuss.
Open the app on your phone and give the necessary permissions as required.
Make or receive a call.
The app will automatically start recording. You’ll see a small notification at the top of the screen that the app is active and recording.
Once you’re done, just hang up, and the recording will be terminated.
The file will be available in the app where you can play it back. You can also easily share it via social or mail apps.
Tip: unclutter your Android agenda and learn how to organize your contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions How do I know my call is being recorded?Some of the apps and services included on this list will notify both parties that the call is being recorded automatically. That might not always be the case, though. If you hear a constantly beeping sound during a call or a loud beep at the start of the call, it could be a sign that your call is being recorded. Remember that in some countries or states, recording without informing the other party is considered illegal, so it may be a good idea to always ask for permission regardless of the method you are using to record the call.
How can I stop my calls from being recorded?Unfortunately, there’s no technical solution that could prevent your calls from being recorded. The best you can do is to pay attention to the signs, such as strange beeps during the calls or other noises. If you feel there’s something off about the conversation, hang up immediately and try to limit interactions with the person in question going forward.
Can I use my phone’s screen recording feature to record a call?While on an iPhone, you can screen record with the sound on, but the moment a call comes through, screen recording will automatically turn off. On the latest version of Android, while it’s possible to screen record with microphone and device sound enabled, you will only be able to record your side of the conversation. If you never recorded your screen on an Android, check out our dedicated guide on the topic.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici
Alexandra Arici
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
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Head To Head: Iphone Vs. Android
PCWorld editors Tom Spring and Robert Strohmeyer both have strong views on the subject, and they’re ready to present their arguments. First up, senior editor Tom Spring explains why he’s had it with Android.
Hasta la Vista, Android; Hello (Again), iPhoneIn the beginning, turning on my Droid X for the first time felt triumphant, exciting, nearly revolutionary in the face of the omnipresent iPhone minions. My new Motorola Android phone croaked a baritone “Droid” as its freakish red eye blinked and looked into my eyes for the first time. It was love at first sight. Now, seven months later, the honeymoon is over.
These days, pulling the hulking smartphone from its charging perch makes me wince–will it freeze on me today? Thanks to Verizon, my wireless carrier, I can now flee to the iPhone. It’s a new dawn.
Should I switch to the iPhone? No question about it!
Here are seven reasons I’m ditching my Droid X (and maybe even Verizon) for the iPhone.
Core Apps Are Too BuggyThen there are the Android OS lockups in which the only solution is either a reboot or pulling the battery from the back of the phone to force a reset. I also would love to use the Voice Commands app bundled with the phone, but the application takes 10 seconds (an eternity in smartphone time) to load and prompt me to ‘Say a command’.
Think I’m alone? Multimedia bugs are some of the most frequently complained about topics on chúng tôi and Motorola’s troubleshooting support forum.
Tax on AccessoriesWant to buy a speaker charging dock for your Android phone to listen to all the great music on it? Good luck tracking one down. If you do find one (let me know), you can bet that the pricing and selection will be discouraging. In the meantime, you’ll have to snake wires from your phone’s audio-out jack to a sound system’s audio-in.
The problem, of course, lies not with the Android OS, Motorola, or Verizon. The issue is that Apple has cornered the market in third-party audio-dock devices. I don’t like this fact much myself–but I certainly like the options that the iPhone affords.
According to my buddy Robert, I should be content with the stereo jack and the Droid’s built-in DLNA streaming capabilities. Earth to Robert: I’m a big fan of wireless DLNA–the only problem is the paucity of affordable multimedia players that support it. The fact that both of our Droids support micro-HDMI is great, but we still have hardly any multimedia docking and charging stations for Android phones to choose from.
Video on Android BlowsVideo transferred to my phone via my PC looks choppy, has out-of-sync audio, and sometimes just won’t play. Robert will try to play the it-works-on-my-phone-what-is-the-problem-with-Tom card, but give me a break. What’s wrong with my Droid X? Good question. I would like to know the answer–and so would the hundreds of people who are flocking to support forums such as DroidXForum and Motorola’s site, complaining of similar problems.
I could use the undeletable Blockbuster app on my Droid X, but I’m a cheapskate. Blockbuster charges $4 for a 24-hour movie rental, and buying a movie costs $18 per title. I haven’t used this service–but judging from a number of unfavorable reviews in the Android Market and online, I won’t be.
Robert will respond by trying to minimize the importance of mobile video and declaring it an unusual or undesirable use case; but I’m a mobile-video junkie, and I don’t think I’m alone. Part of the allure of the Droid X was that its display was significantly larger than those of the iPhone and other handsets. That I’m somehow in a minority for wanting an easy and reliable way to put video onto my Droid X is absurd. To expect average users to use the HandBrake utility–which is no iTunes as far as usability goes–is unrealistic.
Verizon’s Desktop-Software DisasterAs for the bloatware called V Cast Media Manager (a 111MB download), where do I start in describing my loathing for it?
V Cast Media Manager is free, and it’s designed to help you download and transfer photos, videos, and music from your PC to your phone via USB cable. It requires a companion app that goes by the same name to be installed on the phone. The desktop program installed itself on my PC when I downloaded updated USB drivers from Verizon for linking my phone to my computer.
I was able to transfer both full-length movies and video clips I shot with my Flip Mino camcorder; both were in the MPEG-4 format, which Motorola says the Droid X supports. But when I transferred each of my video clips, I received a prompt to install V Cast Media Manager onto my phone–even though that software was already installed.
Worse, a cryptic message popped up on my phone’s screen, stating: ‘Data transport charges are applicable (depending on your data feature, if any) when using the V Cast Media Manager application on your phone.’ But I was connected via USB–what did that message mean? The app prompted me to create an account, and warned: ‘With the creation process you can add a data feature or simply pay as you go at $1.99/MB.’
As lame as iTunes is, at least it doesn’t make me put up with this nonsense.
Verizon/Android Upsell HellThe upsells from Verizon don’t stop with online storage. If I want the cool feature of Visual Voicemail (standard with AT&T), it will cost me $3 with Verizon. (By the way, a Verizon sales representative told me that Visual Voicemail will cost $3 for Verizon iPhone users–ouch.)
In the Android Market, Verizon has carved out its own boutique called V Cast Apps. In it you’ll find such apps as V Cast Video and V Cast Visual Voicemail, which are labeled as “free.” Technically the apps are “free” to download, but they serve no purpose unless you subscribe to the services (V Cast Video is $10 monthly).
SecurityIn the iPhone universe, Apple reviews all apps before it allows them to be sold through its App Store. A similar kind of quality review doesn’t exist in the Android world yet. That means we need to trust developers more, read user reviews more carefully, and–for the paranoid–buy mobile security software.
Although iPhones and Android-based handsets are both vulnerable to malware and phishing scams masquerading as legit apps, at least for now the iPhone seems to have taller castle walls.
Android Is Sloppy; iPhone Strives for PerfectionApple is the ultimate control freak, dictating every aspect of the iPhone from the size and shape of the buttons to the selection of available apps. Some people see this as Apple’s weakness, overzealous behavior that will forever marginalize the iPhone as a bit player.
Robert will say that few significant apps are missing from the Android Market, but I have an eight-letter-word response: Scrabble. Not only is my favorite iOS game not available on my Android, but other iPhone apps have yet to become available on Android, too. And as Jared previously pointed out in his comparison, some apps “that exist on both platforms lack certain features in the Android version. PayPal, for example, can cash checks on the iPhone but not on Android.”
When Verizon announced that it would offer the Droid X, which at the time blew the doors off the iPhone in terms of specs, I jumped at the chance to upgrade. But now I’m seriously reconsidering my choice.
Verizon’s Droid X has no one fatal flaw, such as a faulty antenna. Rather, my gripe with my Verizon, Motorola, and the Droid X is that the phone’s problems are more akin to water torture–with each bug, glitch, and hiccup being another agonizing drop.
Robert Strohmeyer Makes His Case for AndroidMy esteemed colleague Tom Spring has presented his argument against Android phones and made a case for iPhone supremacy. He is, of course, entitled to his opinion, however puerile and ill-considered it may be. Allow me now to present my observations on the matter.
I won’t try to convince you that iOS is a bad mobile platform. It isn’t–in fact, I think it’s pretty great. I use an iPad daily in my work, and I have an absurd fortune invested in apps for the thing. But as a Verizon customer, I’ve already run through the pros and cons of the two OSs, and, for phones at least, I prefer the sophistication and versatility of Android to the limitations of the iPhone.
OS and App StabilityBuggy apps are a drag, to be sure, and I hate crashes every bit as much as Tom does. But iOS isn’t immune to crashes, either.
In the past year I’ve probably experienced about a dozen crashes like the one mentioned above on my iOS devices, and roughly a similar number (including that unbelievably irritating ‘unsupported audio type’ message that Tom mentioned) on my Droid. Both platforms can be infuriatingly buggy at times, and if we’re keeping score, neither platform gets a point in this round.
Tom also links to a petition to Motorola to remove the Droid X’s core apps, which implies a complaint about the fact that you can’t delete the Blockbuster app and a few others that you may not (and I certainly don’t) want. I agree that the inability to delete apps is annoying, and I loudly second the motion to pressure Motorola to knock off the shenanigans. But have you ever tried to remove a core app from the iPhone? The complaint applies equally there.
Of course, I’m not at all trying to defend apps that crash, regardless of the platform. I just don’t see the evidence that Android apps crash so much more than their equivalents on iOS.
Optional AccessoriesYou want a speaker dock for your iPhone? You have plenty to choose from, but they range in price from $60 to $1000 (most cost well over $150), and few play nicely with anything but an iPhone, which means they’re single-purpose devices designed to keep you locked into Apple’s ecosystem. Tom rightly points out the dearth of options designed explicitly for the Droid X, but this strikes me as a hollow victory. After all, both the iPhone and the Droid X (as well as a bunch of other Android phones) offer plenty of other multimedia output options that make expensive speaker docks look about as absurd as they actually are.
I do sometimes wish that we had more choices for Droid X cases and such, but I’m also glad they’re not necessary just to avoid the call-ending grip of death that has plagued the iPhone 4.
Video PlaybackThere’s no denying it: iOS devices are great for multimedia. You can buy and rent movies and TV shows straight from the devices through iTunes, and they work beautifully. By contrast, the lack of a stand-out source for video rentals and purchases on Android makes a Droid phone look like a poor choice for the video-on-the-go set. But let’s examine this notion more closely.
According to Tom, no matter what video player he uses or what encoder he tries, he can’t get decent video playback on his Droid X. I’m baffled by that statement, because I have lots of home movies on my Droid X, and they play great. I shot most of these with my Flip camcorder and simply dragged them to the Droid X’s SD Card via USB with no extra effort or special encoding whatsoever, and the audio is synced perfectly. What could Tom possibly be doing wrong?
Unlike Tom, I did give the Droid X’s included Blockbuster app a try. After a quick registration process, I downloaded an item for $4. It works fine, and the video looks about as good as any iTunes download does on an iPhone, but I still don’t see why Tom’s so fired up to watch movies on his phone. (Fortunately, I have an inexpensive HDMI cable for my Droid X, so I watched most of the movie on my HDTV.)
Android still lags behind iOS in its selection of streaming video services, but that appears to be changing. VLC is coming soon for Android, as are Hulu Plus and Netflix.
Once I scratched the surface of Tom’s whole video argument, it quickly crumbled. I give both platforms a point here. And I’m giving Tom a demerit for his inability to make video work (seriously, this stuff is virtually effortless on both platforms).
Carrier NonsenseWireless carriers use all kinds of dirty tricks to squeeze extra pennies out of their customers, and Verizon is shooting par for that course. Although I have to give Apple props for tying its carriers’ hands with respect to lame add-on software and services, I don’t think Verizon’s crappy optional (and completely unnecessary) software offerings are particularly germane to the Android-versus-iPhone debate.
Case in point: I agree with Tom’s assessment of V Cast Media Manager, which exists primarily as a tool for Verizon to make a few extra bucks off of ridiculous additional services for nearly every phone in its lineup. Unlike Tom, however, I would never have thought to use it. In fact, other than Tom, I don’t know anybody who has ever used it beyond the purposes of testing it for an actual software review.
Because Android is designed to stand on its own, you have very little reason to ever pair it with desktop software. When I got my first Droid a couple of years ago, I just dragged all my music to the Music folder via USB, and went on my merry way. But if you really want to use a desktop app to manage music and videos on your Android phone, I’d humbly suggest Windows Media Player, which can recognize the device and automatically keep your libraries in sync much the same way iTunes does with the iPhone. It ain’t rocket science.
Tom goes on to rant about other pointless Verizon upsells, but addressing them in turn is hardly worthwhile. Verizon doesn’t strike me as being any worse than other carriers in terms of nickeling-and-diming customers with stupid add-on services, and that’s not what we’re here to talk about anyway.
SecurityWhether smartphone security really matters at the present time is largely a topic of debate. Both iOS and Android have some vulnerabilities; but as far as I’m aware, neither has fallen prey to any particularly damaging attacks. Tom’s suggestion that Apple has “taller castle walls” appears to be nothing more than an assumption at this point.
Choices, ChoicesTom argues that Android is “sloppy.” I hear variations on this claim a lot, but I’m unconvinced. I’ve spent my fair share of time in iOS on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, and I have to agree that Apple has gone to great lengths to give the menus a touch of flair and consistency. But there’s more to an interface than shiny chrome and faux-lighting effects.
App notifications appear in the top menu bar, and I can swipe it down to go straight to the most pressing notification. By contrast, while iOS will give me a push notification stating that some app somewhere on the device demands my attention, I then have to go swiping around the device looking for the app. And if I have multiple notifications, I have only the little red notification bugs above the various icons to guide me. I’d expect Apple’s engineers to simplify this process, but they haven’t.
These functional interface touches are excellent examples of the increased control and customizability that make Android great. iOS offers neither of these incredibly useful features, and I wouldn’t trade them for any amount of Apple’s design flair. Want to give Apple a point for polish? Fine. But give Android two points for usability here.
Only one company makes the iPhone, and only four versions of the thing have come out. And, as Tom points out, Apple polices its ecosystem through draconian measures. So, frankly, the fact that Apple has had as much trouble with its precious handsets as it has is a little perplexing.
Tom tries half-heartedly to imply that the wealth of existing options for Android users is somehow a fault for the platform, but he doesn’t get very far. As with the PC market, choice is a good thing, and the lamer options tend not to garner much attention from consumers.
Tom also brings up the App Store and the Android Market, and their respective selections. The Android Market has plenty of great options, and I’m hard-pressed to think of any top-notch iPhone apps that aren’t also available in the Android Market (or at least reported to be coming soon). But I disagree that the Apple App Store is substantially better organized than the Android Market. Both are disasters.
What is so difficult about creating reasonable subcategories that would make download listings easier to navigate? In either store, searching for a good to-do list (a significant category in its own right) requires users to surf through hundreds of irrelevant entries for other apps that fall under the general category of productivity. Apple and Google should be equally embarrassed by the unnavigable state of their app markets.
I’m currently on my second Android phone, and I’m looking forward to my third sometime in the coming year (when the first wave of LTE models hits Verizon). As for the Verizon iPhone? Tom can have it.
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