Recommend a Smart Phone for Me
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TJM
Potsing Whiled Runk
Captain_Snort
Muse
I am waiting my Google Nexus 4 to be delivered. Unbeatable for price, power and phone OS.
But this also could be a reason to buy another brand. Diversification. You can have a household full of Apple appliances but you lock yourself in financially. It can be nice to have an alternative incase one day you positively don't like their product but you are to invested not to buy another I device.
After all that way you can still use and buy apps on your current apple devices and utilise new ones on your other device. Win/win.
TheL8Elvis
Philosopher
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Do you also recommend people with Windows PC's all go out and buy a Mac so they can diversify ?
This is not a stock portfolio. I fail to see how 'diversify' is a benefit.
Merko
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I'm recently upgraded to iPhone5, which is my third iPhone. I'm not really an Apple fan and what is totally annoying with it is the way it does not allow you to access the data files, which basically means phone <-> computer interaction does not happen for me except for putting all my music on the phone, which was a painful experience.
However, the reason I'm stuck with iPhone is that it is a good smartphone. It's fast, when you click something it happens. That's better than most computers and something I really appreciate.
Also, after having tried Android phones and been completely frustrated by the near impossibility to do simple things like editing a url in the browser, I realize that the iPhone, while sometimes also annoying to use, is simply more mature.
Because I find it really annoying to have 64 GB of storage that I always bring with me, but that I cannot use to transport files between computers, I'd really like to get something else the next time I upgrade my phone. But at the moment, the iPhone still seems far ahead of the competition. The Android 4 phones seem to be a lot better in some respects than previous versions, but they are not yet there in basic usability in my opinion.
However, the reason I'm stuck with iPhone is that it is a good smartphone. It's fast, when you click something it happens. That's better than most computers and something I really appreciate.
Also, after having tried Android phones and been completely frustrated by the near impossibility to do simple things like editing a url in the browser, I realize that the iPhone, while sometimes also annoying to use, is simply more mature.
Because I find it really annoying to have 64 GB of storage that I always bring with me, but that I cannot use to transport files between computers, I'd really like to get something else the next time I upgrade my phone. But at the moment, the iPhone still seems far ahead of the competition. The Android 4 phones seem to be a lot better in some respects than previous versions, but they are not yet there in basic usability in my opinion.
WildCat
NWO Master Conspirator
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Things happen instantly when I click something on my S3.
I can edit an url without any issues.
I can also easily transfer files to my phone from my computer and vice versa via the router using the included Kies Air app. There's probably other apps that do that too, I just haven't looked yet. It can also be done using the removeable micro SD card if no router is available.
Merko
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Yes, it wasn't my intent to contrast this with Android. What baffles me is why most computer users have put up with slow response times for all these years.
Well, here's the scenario that has bitten me several times. I'm on some web page, and I want to edit the end of the URL, perhaps because I've mistyped it slightly. So I try to position the input cursor at the right character. This is hard on Android first because you have to hit the right spot, it doesn't help you very much. And second just reaching this part of the URL frequently fails and I end up opening some menu I don't want, because there are other buttons toward the end of the URL input and hitting the end and making it scroll towards the end of the URL seems nearly impossible.
This is not fun when you spend several minutes fighting with a URL field just to change perhaps one character. And this has happened to me several times.
Maybe this has been improved with Android 4, I don't know. I think I had that problem on Android 2.3, but unfortunately a lot of phones sold today still has that.
Yes, that is the big advantage of Android phones. Although I really don't get it why they don't simply let the phone appear as a regular USB device. It's like, you still have to jump through hoops just like for iPhones, but the hoops are a bit less annoying. At least for Apple they have an evil master plan in that they want you to force iTunes (which I absolutely hate, it's completely useless for me as a music player, and really does not seem to be designed for having more than maybe a couple of thousand songs). For Android, there seems to be no reason for them to piss users off, but at least they do it a bit less.
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Do you also recommend people with Windows PC's all go out and buy a Mac so they can diversify ?
This is not a stock portfolio. I fail to see how 'diversify' is a benefit.
Not necessarily, there are more than one brand of pc manufacturers so if you are unhappy with one you can buy another without putting your current programs in the bin. Also you can install other o/s on your pc such as OSX or linux etc so you always have options
subjective really what's laggy for you is reasonable for another, although each generation of android along with the improved hardware has gotten much better. Even jailbroken iPhones can lag.
I have had this problem although rarely and not often enough for it to be a turn off. Editing other text fields does seem to be easier than editing the url bar tho.
Android does let you see the phone as a USB drive and afaik always has. You can select it as the default option or you can have a menu of connection options appear when you connect it to the computer.
tyr_13
Penultimate Amazing
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I would purchase that app...but I don't own a smart phone. Seriously, I sell them for a living. All the phones I've talked about I've sold and used as booth phones.
The 'captive' ads don't always show up. Many just get big and I have to scroll away. Other times no ads show up. But when the video ads show up, they show up constantly for a while. If I had to pay for the data I'd be pissed and not visit the JREF as long as those ads showed up. I'll watch a video ad to watch video, but not to read print.
TJM
Potsing Whiled Runk
Might have to reword that. Maps is doing OK here in SF but apparently it's been trying to kill Australians:
http://m.cnet.com/news/australia-police-discourage-use-of-apple-maps-app-after-rescues/57558151
Why does Apple hate Australia?
WildCat
NWO Master Conspirator
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It's always best to keep a paper map n the car, if only for convenience.Might have to reword that. Maps is doing OK here in SF but apparently it's been trying to kill Australians:
http://m.cnet.com/news/australia-police-discourage-use-of-apple-maps-app-after-rescues/57558151
Why does Apple hate Australia?
Me to my passenger on our way back from Florida last spring: Look at the map and see if it's better to take the bypass around Macon or just stay on I-75.
Passenger: (opens his map app on his smart phone)
Me: Just look at the damn map, it's even open to the right page!
Passenger: Hold on, I'm almost there...
Me: You better hurry up
Passenger: (scrolling, waiting for pages to load)
Me: Well?
Passenger: Almost there...
(Roll past bypass exit)
Me: Too late now!
Passenger: Oh yeah, we should have taken the bypass.
Me:
tuoni
Critical Thinker
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As others in this thread have said, it all really depends on what you want to do with the phone as to which one would be the "best".
I have had my Samsung Galaxy S2 for ~18 months or so and it is still fantastic. I have no intention of changing it any time soon. If you want sheer bang for buck, the new Google Nexus 4 is, technically, superb - my girlfriend's one arrived on Friday so I've had a few chances to play with it - though it does have the downside of not having a removable battery or ability to add an SD card. It has the advantage of being *really* inexpensive for what you get and you own it outright meaning you're not tied into a contract (we did some sums and worked out that it will pay for itself in 8 months, contracts in the UK are usually 36 months now...)
If you already have plenty of iPhone apps, you may want to go the iPhone route, but be aware that you're far more restricted in what you can do than you would be with most new Android phones, though this won't really make much of a difference if you're looking for something purely functional.
I know many people who swear by their Blackberry, and this may be a good choice, especially with the newer ones.
I have a couple of friends who will only buy Windows phones and swear by them.
Most apps now are either cross Android/iOS or there are equivalent on both, Android phones give you the ability to be more "techie" with them, allowing you to eek out performance with custom ROMs/Kernels and install apps from any number of places, if you so wish.
TL;DR, I recommend you walk into a phone shop and work out which one feels the best for you.
I have had my Samsung Galaxy S2 for ~18 months or so and it is still fantastic. I have no intention of changing it any time soon. If you want sheer bang for buck, the new Google Nexus 4 is, technically, superb - my girlfriend's one arrived on Friday so I've had a few chances to play with it - though it does have the downside of not having a removable battery or ability to add an SD card. It has the advantage of being *really* inexpensive for what you get and you own it outright meaning you're not tied into a contract (we did some sums and worked out that it will pay for itself in 8 months, contracts in the UK are usually 36 months now...)
If you already have plenty of iPhone apps, you may want to go the iPhone route, but be aware that you're far more restricted in what you can do than you would be with most new Android phones, though this won't really make much of a difference if you're looking for something purely functional.
I know many people who swear by their Blackberry, and this may be a good choice, especially with the newer ones.
I have a couple of friends who will only buy Windows phones and swear by them.
Most apps now are either cross Android/iOS or there are equivalent on both, Android phones give you the ability to be more "techie" with them, allowing you to eek out performance with custom ROMs/Kernels and install apps from any number of places, if you so wish.
TL;DR, I recommend you walk into a phone shop and work out which one feels the best for you.
Yeah, I don't understand fanboys. I don't like Apple's policies and will probably never buy any of their products, but it's simply an objective fact that iPhones are not crap. In fact, for the vast majority of consumers there's really very little difference between any high-end phones. Nokia Lumia has by far the best camera, Galaxy Note 2 has the biggest screen and most processing power (although I don't know how the Nexus 4 compares since it's so new), Nexus 4 probably has the best screen, Galaxy S3 and Note 2 have removable storage. If you desperately need a good camera or removable storage, your choice is fairly restricted. For anything else, the differences are really rather marginal so unless you really want to have the absolute best in a particular area there's nothing to choose between.
So for what you, and most other people, actually want a phone for, it's pretty much entirely down to personal preference - do you like the look and feel of the phone, do you like the interface, and so on. The only way to find out is to give them a try if you can. Or just stick with Apple since you apparently already like it. It is worth bearing in mind that Symbian doesn't exist any more, so new Nokia phones won't be at all the same as your current one. Although whether Windows is actually an improvement is still very much up in the air.
Furi
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I ended up with an Xperia S over the S2, and HTCs just due to button layout and feel in my hand (plus it is a sexy black slab 
)
To me the important factors where ability to not drop it, and screen colour the Sony screen is a lot better for me due to the colours. the Xperia range have excellent cameras if that is a major concern,
but as you mostly use Apple Apps, it looks like the iPhone route is going to be the one for you (personally I would say run, Run like the wind) but do not immediately go for a 5, your uses seem typical and quite capable on a 4 or 3gs save the money go for an older unit and buy some iTune credits or put it towards nice DLSR or snappy happy dedicated camera.
) To me the important factors where ability to not drop it, and screen colour the Sony screen is a lot better for me due to the colours. the Xperia range have excellent cameras if that is a major concern,
but as you mostly use Apple Apps, it looks like the iPhone route is going to be the one for you (personally I would say run, Run like the wind) but do not immediately go for a 5, your uses seem typical and quite capable on a 4 or 3gs save the money go for an older unit and buy some iTune credits or put it towards nice DLSR or snappy happy dedicated camera.
Thanks, everyone, for your very helpful comments!
Good post.
I'm pretty sure Mr Nay has reneged and will buy me an older version iPhone for Chrimbo.
I ended up with an Xperia S over the S2, and HTCs just due to button layout and feel in my hand (plus it is a sexy black slab
To me the important factors where ability to not drop it, and screen colour the Sony screen is a lot better for me due to the colours. the Xperia range have excellent cameras if that is a major concern,
but as you mostly use Apple Apps, it looks like the iPhone route is going to be the one for you (personally I would say run, Run like the wind) but do not immediately go for a 5, your uses seem typical and quite capable on a 4 or 3gs save the money go for an older unit and buy some iTune credits or put it towards nice DLSR or snappy happy dedicated camera.
Good post.
I'm pretty sure Mr Nay has reneged and will buy me an older version iPhone for Chrimbo.
TJM
Potsing Whiled Runk
I'm pretty sure Mr Nay has reneged and will buy me an older version iPhone for Chrimbo.
Well, the iPhones 3G and 4 cost zero with a two year contract ( Here in the US, don't know about Ponylandistan. ), so technically Mr. Nay could be on the hook for two gifts.
This is The End
Penultimate Amazing
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The 4S should also cost zero as well (or $1). At least at AT&T it is.
Also, I thought I was told that the 3G is no longer available (in another thread)...
Also, I thought I was told that the 3G is no longer available (in another thread)...