Apple and their magic...

Pinkribbonscars · 16 Dec 2013 at 04:57

Kreeeee said:
No, but that's not the point of Android. If you want to do something and you're not a moron there's nothing stopping you.

I like to think I'm not a moron but I didn't know there was a way to add side by side windows on Android?

Rossmac · 16 Dec 2013 at 08:47

Pinkribbonscars said:
I like to think I'm not a moron but I didn't know there was a way to add side by side windows on Android?

Same. Would like to know!

Number29 · 16 Dec 2013 at 15:44

I've always found Android very lacking in the phone department with too much common sense functionality missing out of the box (it relies far too heavily on the idea that you can do pretty much anything with it and misses out of giving a great experience out of the box). With that in mind, why would I even begin to consider an Android tablet when I can just get everything I need in an iPad, but without the associated hassle that Android entails?

Sampsy · 16 Dec 2013 at 17:26

Number29 said:
I've always found Android very lacking in the phone department with too much common sense functionality missing out of the box (it relies far too heavily on the idea that you can do pretty much anything with it and misses out of giving a great experience out of the box). With that in mind, why would I even begin to consider an Android tablet when I can just get everything I need in an iPad, but without the associated hassle that Android entails?

What functionality are you referring to exactly?

Number29 · 16 Dec 2013 at 18:11

Sampsy said:
What functionality are you referring to exactly?

Things like lock screen notifications, lock screen music controls, lack of voice control from lock screen, ugly icons all different sizes and shapes, no difference in vibration patterns between texts and emails, lack of differentiation between music and game volumes, lack of silent switch on the side of the device etc etc.

Brenn47 · 16 Dec 2013 at 18:17

Apple stomping around like a spoilt brats made everyone patent everything, and now they're stuck with the worst User Interface of the lot, looks like it was designed by the Candy Crush team.

Caged · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:07

You say "stomping around like a spoiled brat", I say "defending their property which they put a large amount of investment in".

Brenn47 · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:21

Trying to patent a rectangle with rounded corners, I'm pretty sure that existed before Apple even though they're convinced otherwise.

theheyes · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:44

Aesthetically iOS is a bit of an oddball and goes over the top in places, but function-wise there isn't a lot wrong with it. If iOS is the worst UI out there then hooray for everyone really.

ajf · 16 Dec 2013 at 20:58

I've gone between iPad, Android and back to iPad over the past 3 years.
Still have an Android tablet, a Note 8, which i love the stylus on but overall I just feel the ipad is better and nicer to use.
Difficult to quantify it, but at least one reason is the lack of tablet specific Android apps, even when there is a specific iPad alternative from the same developer.
I also prefer the squarer format of the iPad, particularly for reading books and magazines.
Against many other opinions, i also really like the IOS 7.

Android is great for customising and generally messing around, but when it comes down to it I did because i could rather than making any big difference to the usefulness.

Keeping the Note 8 for notes use at work but just ordered one of the new thinner and pressure sensitive ipad stylus. If it works well then i may sell the Note 8.

uvarvu · 16 Dec 2013 at 20:58

Input lag is Android's issue. Apple tablets will always be perceived to be better until the lag is fixed.

sarge78 · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:59

Touch latency? That varies between devices, android devices like the HOS and shield are similar to Apples products. The cheaper ones go down 130ms but even then most people will never notice.

I'd like to see a tablet with a 10ms response for drawing. That'll be noticeable compared to the current gen (70-90ms)

Number29 said:
Things like lock screen notifications, lock screen music controls, lack of voice control from lock screen, ugly icons all different sizes and shapes, no difference in vibration patterns between texts and emails, lack of differentiation between music and game volumes, lack of silent switch on the side of the device etc etc.

That's just minor differences between platforms.

Number29 · 16 Dec 2013 at 22:00

That's just minor differences between platforms.

Major functionality and usability differences for me.

sarge78 · 16 Dec 2013 at 22:20

Na, they all do the same thing. Your just used to one.

Number29 · 16 Dec 2013 at 22:23

sarge78 said:
Na, they all do the same thing. Your just used to one.

They don't, that's why I said it's lacking functionality in the phone department.

Pinkribbonscars · 17 Dec 2013 at 02:36

sarge78 said:
Na, they all do the same thing. Your just used to one.

The lack of lock screen notifications is a completely valid criticism. Some version of this or at least SMS popups should have been standard about 10 versions ago.

Ryan-3 · 18 Dec 2013 at 09:07

With me now on Android, i'm finding that i'm adding features that come standard with iOS. For example, my screen comes on when I get a message and it shows who it is from. Why isn't that standard? The headphone controls really annoy me though, they can claim all they want about my phone being quad core with NFC (never used) and 1080P screen (damn good), blah blah, but I can only pause my music or play it from my headphones. What year is it?!

Number29 · 18 Dec 2013 at 09:32

Ryan-3 said:
With me now on Android, i'm finding that i'm adding features that come standard with iOS. For example, my screen comes on when I get a message and it shows who it is from. Why isn't that standard? The headphone controls really annoy me though, they can claim all they want about my phone being quad core with NFC (never used) and 1080P screen (damn good), blah blah, but I can only pause my music or play it from my headphones. What year is it?!

It's this lack of thought and effort in the user experience on Android that means I keep picking iOS. Android would be a perfectly fine choice for me if Google would fix all the glaring ommissions and issues.

Myshra · 18 Dec 2013 at 09:49

As I see it, you can't please everyone. I typically use GalaxyS and iPhones for my day to day device/apps/network testing but I can't stand some of the things you guys seem to love (pop ups are just awful to my eyes).

Some of the things you're mentioning though are not quite true though - the screen does come on for SMSes and scrolls through them on the Android top bar (or you can pull it down and see it all). Some headsets do support next etc... with different click/hold settings, most apps can be configured to switch track with holding the volume etc... There are lockscreen controls for music players (1st and 3rd party) and lock screen notifications are where all notifications go in Android.

I wouldn't expect all Androids to compete at all levels which I get the impression some of you think it should do - cheap ones won't get decent headsets etc... so I'd only look to compare 5s to a N5/GalaxyX/Note/One/xperia.

The reviewer in the OP is fairly objective in my opinion though and he's right that apple users tend to stick to what they know - this is human nature after all

Number29 · 18 Dec 2013 at 10:29

Some of the things you're mentioning though are not quite true though - the screen does come on for SMSes and scrolls through them on the Android top bar (or you can pull it down and see it all). Some headsets do support next etc... with different click/hold settings, most apps can be configured to switch track with holding the volume etc... There are lockscreen controls for music players (1st and 3rd party) and lock screen notifications are where all notifications go in Android.

There's one glaring usability issue with the Android approach; you cannot pull down the notification pane when the phone is locked with a PIN, so you can't quickly review whether there is something from someone that needs to be looked at now or that can be left till later. And then when you get onto the issue of 3rd party lock screen controls, it just highlights the major issue with Android; relying on 3rd parties to fix ommissions in the basic UI. It's difficult to stomach or support that sort of approach to making an OS; it feels like paying for something that is half finished.