Several months ago, I wrote about how I was going to ditch the Iphone and head on over to the Android side of the fence. I picked up an HTC Incredible.
Shortly thereafter, I wrote about my experiences with Android after a few days of using it.
Now, my main reason for switching at the time was Google Voice. It wasn’t available on the Iphone. Now, it is.
So, where am I at?
Well, I kind of regret switching to Android now. My reasons for this go well beyond Google Voice.
I make no secret about the fact that I am a huge fan of Apple hardware. I used Windows for YEARS before switching to a Mac in 2007. And, honestly, I never looked back. Using a Mac adds so much to my daily workflow that it is unreal. I also have an iPad and love it.
I really dug my iPhone, too. I had the 3G and, at the time, it was beginning to show its age. It was slow and clunky because iOS had beefed up quite a bit. My AT&T contract ended and I had to make a decision whether to go with the Iphone 4 or switch teams. Even though I am an Apple fan, I’m not tied to their hardware and I’ll go with whatever does the job better for me. At that time, the answer was Android.
Today? Meh! Here are 5 reasons why I think Android isn’t as nice as the Iphone.
#1 – It runs Flash.
Apple-bashers can complain all you want about no Flash on iOS, but that is a GOOD THING. Flash SUCKS on a mobile device. I’ve lost count of the number of times my Android has literally frozen because of Flash content. I had to yank the battery out of the phone to restart.
Flash is slow and it is as secure as swiss cheese. It has no place on a mobile device, and I believe Android would be better off without Flash baked in.
#2 – It is segmented badly, which causes problems with the OS.
Android is the new Windows of the mobile world. With Windows, the OS is beefy because it has to work on so many different kinds of machines. The fact that Microsoft managed to make Windows 7 so nice in this environment says a lot about their development team.
But, the Android team isn’t there – yet. There are so many kinds of devices that Android runs on that it makes the OS more complicated. Plus, different carriers screw around with it by adding various ad-ware apps. Various handset makers doctor it up some more.
Sounds alot like Windows, doesn’t it?
Plus, buying apps is more of a pain because there is no centralized app store. You have a lot of different app stores. You also have some apps that bypass app stores altogether, thereby making you go through a bunch of technical wizardry to install it.
With Apple and iOS, the same company makes both the hardware and the OS. It is a match made in heaven, and that means the phone works slicker than snot. Always. Buying an app is always done from a single app store, and buying an app is just a matter of a single click and entering a password.
So, one can either go with choice or you can go with a phone which works. Speaking of that…
#3 – Android is half-baked compared to iOS.
I realize that it sounds like a snotty thing to say, but it just is. And it is something you don’t really notice until you’ve spent a significant amount of time personally using both systems.
Sometimes when I click a button to do something on my Android phone, the thing just sits there and chugs before it actually works. Sometimes it seems to misinterpret the button I actually pressed and therefore does the wrong thing. The spelling correction on the keyboard isn’t nearly as intuitive and I find my typo rate on Android is much higher than on iOS. The spell check on iOS seems to be better at predicting what it is I’m actually trying to say.
The GPS on Android is poorly managed and always runs unless you turn it off in settings. This forces you to enable it every time you need it – manually. On iOS, the OS is very good at keeping the GPS dormant until it is called upon by an app… and it doesn’t kill your battery.
My wife’s Android phone has frozen in the middle of calls. One day, I was talking to her on her phone… all of a sudden the line went nuts and I was talking to a completely different person. Her phone, with no prompting, had magically just called somebody on her contact list and brought them into a 3-way with us. WTF?!
When I’ve told people about some of these issues, they ask me hardware questions and to check various things… which brings me to….
#4 – You have to think about technical stuff.
For the longest time, my Android was triggering some stupid error every 5-10 minutes. It told me to “Force close” a background process, which, of course, had zero effect every time I did it and I kept getting the error.
To debug it, I had to wade deep into Android forums where people were talking about background processes, various scripts being used, various utilities to get in there and do certain things.
It was like trying to debug some arcane Linux installation, full of command lines and process names. This is a PHONE we’re talking about!
During my 2 years on the Iphone, nothing ever went wrong. Period. Quite literally, I never had to debug ANYTHING. You don’t have to think about ANY of the guts of the OS. It just worked (as Apple people are so fond of saying). It is quite true. My Android? It doesn’t “just work”…. the damn thing needs to be maintained like a Windows PC.
#5 – iOS is Currently Where Things Are Happening
Because of all the confusions with multiple app stores and multiple platforms, app developers aren’t putting as much effort into solid apps for Android as they are iOS.
This means that most of the buzzworthy and powerful apps are made for iOS. Android usually has to wait longer for a version and often it isn’t as nice.
Eventually, this is going to change. Once the Android market is simply too big to ignore, developers will begrudgingly spend more time on the platform. Arguably, we’re already at that point as Android has already surpassed iOS in terms of worldwide usage. But, still, the app environment for iOS is much better and better developed.
Your Milage May Vary
Keep in mind, this is MY experience. I know full well that there will be a lot of Android users who think I’m full of crap. In almost all cases, however, this is usually people who have never owned and used an Iphone.
I think Android is a nice platform. I think it will develop out quite nicely and I think it is destined to be the dominant smartphone OS in the world, far outpacing iOS. Eventually, that is. Right now, most people end up with Android because of carrier choice and cheaper phones, not because they actually think it is better than iOS.
So, what now? I’ll stick with the Android for now. It isn’t as if it sucks. It just isn’t as nice as an Iphone by any means.
Once I see how Verizon reacts to an influx of bandwidth heavy Iphone users, and I see what Apple does with the Iphone 5, I may bite the bullet and switch again. Unfortunately, I’d have to pay full retail for the phone because I’m not eligible to upgrade until 2012.
Not sure I can wait that long. We’ll see. 
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Spoken like a TRUE Apple fan boy!
I knew I’d get stupid comments, but you sure wasted no time. Thanks for not disappointing.
Also have not had all these problems, in fact, I’ve had my Android phone crash twice in the year I’ve had it. Makes sense, though, that the hardware/software work better when designed to go together. I have a Nexus, designed by Google, wonder if that makes it work more smoothly than one of the many phones coming out w/Android?
I bet it would, because the Nexus likely has an un-modified, stock version of Android with all the crap on it.
Reading this makes me love my “no frills” flip phone even more.
Ha ha. Brilliant.
Seconded. My zero-frills Trac cost $10, is only $7 a month to keep service active, never crashes, works everywhere.
While I couldn’t give up my smartphone…. I hear ya.
Hmmm… I had, like an essay, planned out as a reply! But I am gonna drop the ball
But I would like to point out, I’ve had none (I mean NONE) of the things which you have had an issue with.. So, since this post is all about “your” experience, I am not gonna hijack this
But, I think the title should have been “… from HTC Incredible to iPhone” OR “…Android to iOS”
I would not like to see a HTC Aria user compare iPhone to Android..
PS: Oh did I just write an essay?! Damn…
Yeah, good point.
That said, we have two different Android phones in the family and they both act up.
Ahh.. Such a loss. Really. and I was wondering how many reasons you’d have to not to go back to iPhone
(If you are still with Android that is)
I’m no fanboy
but I would definitely agree. I’m a windows user, but when it comes to smartphones and gadgets apple takes the cake. The iphone is smart, simple, and yet powerful enough to get all of the attention from major players and app developers. By the time Android catches up Apple will have already changed the game again.
Android’s only business model now is not to change the game and be cutting edge, but instead to be the cheaper version smartphone always 6 months to a year behind.
I agree with you about Flash on hand held devices, but I haven’t had the problems you have had. But I only use Flash to watch YouTube videos when I have wire less connection. I can’t wait until Google ditch Flash video on YouTube to HTML5 video extension.
But about the app store I think you are just makeing this up. You do not need to use other stores then what is on your device. But you HAVE the oppertunity to install from other app shops or even directly from your device without using any store. But you DON’T NEED to.
About apples app store, you are not allowed to install apps from others, you MUST get it through Apples store. There is no alternative. And if you want to publish a app on their store, you have to pass their censureship. Which works like “we know bad stuff when we see it”, you can’t really know before if you pass and get it published. And if you pass, your app could be removed later, with the same motivation.
The other arguments I have no opinion on, as I don’t have the same experiance.
In real-world use, there is not only more variety and more selection of apps in the Apple app store, but they work better and they’re easier to buy.
Its obvious to me you don’t have a clue about purchasing from the Android Market. Do it online or on the phone…click on “buy” agree to the terms its immediately downloaded to your phone and installed. Pretty simple if you ask me. BTW I love the freedom of android vs the attached to the hip feel of Apple.
The premium price by Apple is the problem.
An Iphone is on par with Android phones of the same caliber. Price is not an issue.
Wrong. Your Incredible was free for most of the month of December. Apple doesn’t seem to keen on givinbg anything away. I also have the Incredible, and have also been using iOS on the touch for over a year. Each has faults, and each has its aspects that beat the other by far.
Wrong. Your Incredible was free for most of the month of December. Apple doesn’t seem to keen on givinbg anything away. I also have the Incredible, and have also been using iOS on the touch for over a year. Each has faults, and each has its aspects that beat the other by far.
Wow….I was seriously considering an Android before I read this. It should not have to be hard to get a smart phone to work right.
My wife just bought a Blackberry for her new business, but it does not have all the cool applications. She just needs a phone and a way to access our emails from different email accounts.
It looks like I might get an iPhone instead.
Hey – it’s whatever works best for you. These are WORK tools after all. Me – I’m using Droid – and it does have some quirks – but I don’t have any of the crashes you describe above. Don’t use Flash sites much – not spending a whole lotta time looking at video on my phone – don’t use GPS much either – so when I do – I’m ok to use the “widget”/Home screen to simply turn it on. But here’s the one feature that I really DO like about the phone more generally. The battery. As a kind of road warrior – there are days (more and more of them lately) that start at 4:30am – and don’t end until after midnight – all mobile. In those cases – and running the phone the whole time – it’s just perfect to be able to manually switch to a fresh battery – and it’s cheap. Desk docking station has a separate charger for that too – so – I’m never (never) outta juice
The new Xoom (I think) will make a nice compliment to this setup as well. That – and it does actually work as phone really well 
really nice and informative post although i think android is not that bad
http://green-weightlosstea.blogspot.com
Great article, I recently took the plunge and ditched my iPhone 3GS for a Nexus S. don;t get me wrong its a great phone but I have ran into all the problems you mentioned above. I just want something that works, something I don’t have to think about half the time, and thats why I am ditching the Nexus S and going back to an iPhone
I do not have an iPhone–have a first gen iPod Touch. It crashes. I currently have a “stuck” downloaded app that never downloaded properly and is “grayed” out on the screen. Recently it has decided to stop maintaining its connection to my wifi router–the one whose configuration has not changed for a year. I have to renew DHCP to get it to connect after it is asleep. My Windows 7 laptop does not have this issue, nor does my blackberry. The battery is finally getting pretty bad–I bough it when they first came out, so it did last a while…but now I would have to hack apart something I paid $400 for a few years ago just to replace the battery. You know, the 3 year old $400 device that is no longer supported by Apple (no new firmware for gen 1 stuff).
I really like the iPod touch when it is in my hands and working. Really like it. But the over-all product experience has been somewhat of a let down.
Some of the reasons why you want to go back to Apple are the same reasons people like to stay away from iPhone.
It’s not a captured device. When I want something or need help, I don’t need to pray at the altar of Steve Jobs, than wait for his blessings.. . I can go and get help from reliable sources that are not “hacked” or in violation of the TOS agreements.
Nice to see you are staying with Android, You may see the light soon!!
I think you may have rosy’d up the the iPhone experience. I have both iPad/iTouch (yes I know it’s really iPod Touch) and both lock up/crash on occasion, sometimes requiring a cold boot to get going again. They are NOT jailbroken. On the other hand, my wife has had an Android Samsung Captivate since a few days before Christmas and has yet to reboot it. The Captivate has had a bit of a learning curve, not something I remember with the iOS devices. Borrowing books from the local library is FAR easier on the Captivate. I absolutely despise the slowness/kludgeness of iTunes/App store, but you can’t beat its simplicity. It has not been fool proof however, requiring a re-download on at least three occasions. The built-in obsolescence of the non-replaceable battery is a BIG bugaboo for me. EVERYONE seems to have an iOS app, not so for the Android.
So I guess its love/hate for both formats. The future for us will be…well…to be decided.
Sage
I think Android will improve in its next release. They really just started to learn the ropes and I think they have very good developers.
I think Android will improve in its next release. They really just started to learn the ropes and I think they have very good developers.
I was thinking the same thing reading that. I’d like to get a new phone nonetheless, but I’m growing a bit hesitant at getting an Android based phone. I think I’ll just get a better “no frills” phone.
Snot is slick? Mine’s always gooey and comes out in chunks. Now a better one would be slicker then a penguin on ice but I like Linux.
I have a MyTouch 3G the only complaint I have is the battery power. I could pony up the money to get a better one but my contract is up around Nov of this year so I will wait until I can re up and get a new phone that has a better battery life.
As far as apps your wrong there is now an app store online for the Android platform. It was released last week or somewhere close to that. I love my phone cause I can go to any site on the net that has apps and scan a QR code directly from the screen to my phone it takes me to the market and from there it is a two touch install.
I can check my email, listen to my favorite radio stations, and I don’t have to close anything out. As far as flash it isn’t one of those things that I feel I totally have to have and most everything that I have runs just fine without it.
Also Android is catching up to Apple in the app world soon they will surpass them.
As a tech support technician with 250+ users under my purview, I get questions daily about technology recommendations. My first question to them is about whether or not they want access to work e-mail. If yes, I say Android or iPhone, but stay away from Blackberry since the company I work for has an Enterprise server and that other users who have a Blackberry continually have problems with the e-mail and I am unable to help due to RIM having many aspects of the device on lock down not to mention the monthly fee that usually comes with Enterprise access. Why pay for a headache? From there I advise them to go to a store and play with the phones to find the one that is the most intuitive for them. Whether they choose an Android device or an iPhone doesn’t matter because they both interface well with Exchange and I can provide them with support.
That being said, I have an Android device and my only gripe with Android is that the providers get to force feed apps they feel you should have.
Finally, I would like to reference a quote with regards to the Apple/Mac/iThisThatorTheOther versus everything that’s not debate: “Please, we can get along here. We all can get along. I mean, we’re all stuck here for a while. Let’s try to work it out. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to work it out.” – Rodney King on May 1, 1992
You know, I wish more people could write articles in this manner (and I include myself). You have an opinion, you back up your opinion with reasonable facts, and you state where you are coming from in the first place. Also, you aren’t a d*ck about it – it all sounds so easy to do….
David, so glad I’ve got your PCMech coming to my email. Although I’ve got until Aug to switch phones, I’ve been going back and forth on my choice- HTC or iPhone. This article not only had me cracking up, but sealed my choice. Planning on getting a Macbook pro this year and the iPhone will allow more continuity. Thanks for the entertainment and helps.
Scott
I switched from an android to an iphone at the cost of full retail, $800. yeah Kinda sucks but not that bad when you realize its dad’s company expense. TFM
1. Flash is NOT baked into the device, HTC may have included it by default but it is a seperate installation and even when installed by default it is selective, it shows where flash content is and you can click to enable on a per media basis. So yes, Flash on a mobile device of course does not have the performance you experience on your dual core laptop PC, but it DOES NOT by default impeed performance or have any other negative effects, and when you NEED it you HAVE it, like when you want to watch an episode of NCIS on your DroidX’s massive screen.
2. It is segmented badly, not the fault of the OS but the fault of the Device Manufacturers and Carriers as you said, but that is because like Windows it can run on anything and the applications made for Phones if designed using googles recommended guidelines seamlessly scale to tablet sizes. There is a Centralized Market on ALL google branded devices, and by default other markets and non market apps are disabled .. you have the OPTION to enable non market applications in settings ONLY if you wish.
3. Android is for people with brains, you have configureable widgets that can be used to give you glances of any information wihtout even opening an application. Yes this increases complexity but also allows problems to be fixed and features like Swype keyboard and Voice Input to be integrated into the usage of any appliaction (you can even try another keyboard with different spell checking if you font like the default one, personally I have enormous success with Swype and Voice input) … the GPS IS NOT always on, it is enabled on a on off basis, but only finds sattelites when an application requests, thats why an application like maps even when gps is set to “ON” takes about 30 secconds to find your location.
4. Spot On, again Android is for people with Brains, but sometimes an application fails because its easier to develop for android which means unprofessional developers are in the mix making crappy apps that Force Close, me included my app has issues with the SD card only on device reboot that I need to fix =P.
5. Your right again, but Android is easier to devlelop for and the Motorola Atrix webtop concept could be a game changer making an Android device a Netbook at will (Apple hasnt even entered the netbook market altho the iPad competes against the entire segment, but nothing like a keyboard and mouse for relaxed document editing etc)
Im a software developer and Android application developer. I have a macbook for when I decide to port my apps to iPhone but at the moment the applications I have made have all been live wallpapers and widgets which sadly iPhone doesnt have any equivalent … i can understand it not having widgets for simplicity, but Live Wallpapers are simple elegant and beautiful (and if designed properly as Im SURE Apple would do dont use any excess battery)