Technology Android

[Pittsey]

Well, see, there's my point, they have different uses. Not everyone wants to go fast. Some people want the drive of a BMW, but don't want to go fast. Or want something economical and easy on the wallet or more MPG. Diesels are "less customizable" or tuneable, but that doesn't make them bad, does it? A good portion of Europe is full of diesels, right? Are they stupid or any less of a car enthusiast than me and my dad's BMWs?

There's this gross misconception that geeks like tinkering with their shit. That's not always the case. Nor is tinkering with an OS limited to just one OS. You'd be surprised to learn most people buy phones and don't really give a shit about it after that. People are the same with cars computers, and other forms of technology. As long as it works they're happy. Whether it be a Blackberry or an iPhone or Android phone. Most don't give a shit and take sides in arguments about these things. So it's not the skill level of the users but moreso the interest in things about the OS that matter. And I think expert users can find satisfaction in both OSs

You don't have to tinker with an android phone. But what self respecting geek wants a phone where the uses is limited by the OS....! I think iOS has it's place, but in my opinion, it's for those who don't do much with it beside the usual multimedia tasks and phonecalls.

As for the UK getting free phones. The iphone is the only one we have to pay for, or get a ridiculous contract for. In the UK the greater the price the more quality you get, at least that is the general way of thinking.

 

[dilla]

If you don't root your Android phone, you will have shit, bloatware apps. You don't have to tinker with an Android phone, but the argument being made here is that people who do tinker, prefer Android. Which is not true.

The average person with a smartphone probably does not "tinker" with their phone and run custom ROMs and overclock on an Android phone or jailbreak and use hacks from Cydia on their iPhone.

Did you jailbreak your iPhone? You can do just as much "tinkering" there than you can on an Android phone. iOS really only lacks widgets, which I do like. But I can live without them so long as my phone works and doesn't do random reboots. I know plenty of people with stock phones that have issues with random reboots or the phone simply shutting off. G2X owners, GS owners. All newer phones, yet they can't manage to not sporadically die. I'm sure the iPhone has its fair share of issues too, but no iPhone users have complained to me about it. And since we're all talking out of experience, that's how I see it.

 

[Pittsey]

If you don't root your Android phone, you will have shit, bloatware apps. You don't have to tinker with an Android phone, but the argument being made here is that people who do tinker, prefer Android. Which is not true.

The average person with a smartphone probably does not "tinker" with their phone and run custom ROMs and overclock on an Android phone or jailbreak and use hacks from Cydia on their iPhone.

Did you jailbreak your iPhone? You can do just as much "tinkering" there than you can on an Android phone. iOS really only lacks widgets, which I do like. But I can live without them so long as my phone works and doesn't do random reboots. I know plenty of people with stock phones that have issues with random reboots or the phone simply shutting off. G2X owners, GS owners. All newer phones, yet they can't manage to not sporadically die. I'm sure the iPhone has its fair share of issues too, but no iPhone users have complained to me about it. And since we're all talking out of experience, that's how I see it.

I jailbroke my iphone. It gives you a little bit more customisation, but not much. Have you had one? I liked the phone... But wanted more. I thought it was the best phone out there. I was very dubious when Masta and Casey suggested Android, I even argued with them. Then I got one after the geeks at work kept going on about it. I was very happy. Does everything an iphone SHOULD do. I agree it has limitations, and at times is very buggy, but then I switch roms and the bugs go. Android suits me far better, and I can't see why anyone who is a bit tech savvy would pick an iphone. It's a good phone, but one I'd give to someone who wasn't interested in messing with the software or look of the phone, and wanted a phone that worked in a simple intuitive way. I want to choose my docks and shortcuts, so they are handy for me. I am different to the next man, and as a consumer I expect to be treated as so. I also don't like being told what software to install on my computer... I don't want itunes or Kies. With android, I can choose not to use Kies. With iOS, I can't choose.

I am also fed up with morons who think a CPU is a sci fi show telling me an iphone is the best, and looking at me like I am a third world refugee because I don't have one. This annoys me, and I became very anti-apple. If I am honest it is a nice looking piece of kit, that does more than the average user will need. But.... It is very limited for me.

Edit - I completely agree with the bolded part. And that person should get an iphone in my opinion. Although I don't think Casey would agree.

 

[Casey]

I know plenty of people who prefer Android to iOS who are "regular" users who haven't rooted or anything like that. And they've used both. There is a strong seismic shift away from Apple and towards Android simply because the latter is better and works natively with more services that people ACTUALLY use - ie Google Search, Maps, YouTube....in fact I know a lot of people who made the choice to switch after seeing the Navigation software on Google Maps.

The stats speak for themselves though.

 

[dilla]

I'm just going to conclude that you guys are all friends with a bunch of pencil-dick pricks that own iPhones and rub it in your face, and because of that you hate iPhones, and not just the person that was being a douche. Kinda like how a woman gets fucked by a douche guy and forever hates men after that, thinking they're all the same.

I've been in plenty of environments, school, work, social, where everyone has different things. Some have iPhones, some have Android devices, some have Windows and some have Apple. We've had discussions about each one, but never have we got into fights and ruined nights because people think its a pissing contest and that they themselves invented the OS, founded the company, and developed the software themselves.

So maybe I'm just not butt-hurt because someone flashed a piece of technology at me claiming it to be better than mine. Nor have I done the same. Experiences. I think that's what's shaped everyone's view on this situation. No one buys Apple products in Poland because they're expensive, England has a bunch of Audi-driving pricks with iPhones that makes others feel bad about their phones, and I dunno WTF is going on in the West, nor do I care. But you've all been butt-hurt, moreso with experience with others than the devices itself.

EDIT: Pitts, maybe you drive an Audi? That remark was made in general. Douches usually drive Audis. The norm has changed from BMW to Audi, as per Top Gear UK.

 

[S O F I]

If it costs what a Galaxy S/Nexus S costs then fine. Whenever I looked it was the most expensive phone.
If it comes to plans then you basically pay for the phone with your plan, so the price is included.

I think that a lot of them are. Most people don't consider their options and go for the Iphone because it's the easiest and most obvious option, because their friends have it, they know what it is, have a vision of how 'great' it is thanks to marketing etc. That's also one of the reasons why a lot of people go for Ipods. Ipod basically became a synonym of a mp3 player just like the Iphone is the first thing that a lot of people think when they hear "smartphone" or even "a mobile phone".
That's the same reason why Europeans used to go for Nokia phones. It was the first thing that people had in mind when shopping for a phone without even looking at superior alternatives.
Your examples are only single units who really are fine with their Iphones, who genuinely like it. I'm fine with that and I've come across a few guys who are like that too. That's why I said that it's one of many reasons, but from what I observed it affects a lot of people.

no disagreement there. drinks on you in vancouver.

 

[dilla]

If it costs what a Galaxy S/Nexus S costs then fine. Whenever I looked it was the most expensive phone.
If it comes to plans then you basically pay for the phone with your plan, so the price is included.

I think that a lot of them are. Most people don't consider their options and go for the Iphone because it's the easiest and most obvious option, because their friends have it, they know what it is, have a vision of how 'great' it is thanks to marketing etc. That's also one of the reasons why a lot of people go for Ipods. Ipod basically became a synonym of a mp3 player just like the Iphone is the first thing that a lot of people think when they hear "smartphone" or even "a mobile phone".
That's the same reason why Europeans used to go for Nokia phones. It was the first thing that people had in mind when shopping for a phone without even looking at superior alternatives.
Your examples are only single units who really are fine with their Iphones, who genuinely like it. I'm fine with that and I've come across a few guys who are like that too. That's why I said that it's one of many reasons, but from what I observed it affects a lot of people.

See, that's the double standard I don't get. It's ok for Android to have the ridiculous misleading number of "300% increase!!!" and to attribute that to word of mouth and how Android is great and how users are telling their friends to get it.

But when it comes to the iPhone, and iPhone users saying "hey man, I really like this phone. You should get one too!" that's attributed to fanboyism and users being "stupid" and "simpletons."

That's not very good evidence to make the case for the, what I feel is bullshit, claim that iOS is for inexperienced users.

You don't need to own a Ferrari to be a car enthusiast. You don't need something with the best hardware and most power in order to be considered a "geek" or a "fan." You can own a 94 Camry and still have a passion for cars. You can have a G1 and still have a passion for current-generation smartphones. You can like iOS and it's not-as-customizable-UI and still be a geek. You can own an Android device and not know how to end a fucking call.

Move on from the unsubstantiated claims that Android is the choice for geeks. Because I see no credible studies or figures that support that.

 

[Pittsey]

You don't need to own a Ferrari to be a car enthusiast. You don't need something with the best hardware and most power in order to be considered a "geek" or a "fan." You can own a 94 Camry and still have a passion for cars. You can have a G1 and still have a passion for current-generation smartphones. You can like iOS and it's not-as-customizable-UI and still be a geek. You can own an Android device and not know how to end a fucking call.

If you are a car enthusiast you will tinker with your car. If you are a geek you will mess with your hardware or software. Simples. You can be a geek and own an iphone, but it wouldn't appeal to the geekiness in you, because you can't really tinker with it.

 

[S O F I]

^wanna tinkle with my winkle?

 

[Casey]

My sister and her boyfriend both have iPhones. But they are jealous of my SGS2.

I don't think any iPhone owners are rubbing it in anyone's faces. Apple do a plenty good job of doing that themselves with their annoying ad campaigns.

Seems like this one is on TV every 5 minutes here. It's not exactly the same, our one is a British variant obviously but it's more or less the same.

"If you don't have an iPhone, you don't have an iPhone".

Worst marketing slogan ever.

 

[dilla]

If you are a car enthusiast you will tinker with your car. If you are a geek you will mess with your hardware or software. Simples. You can be a geek and own an iphone, but it wouldn't appeal to the geekiness in you, because you can't really tinker with it.

A smart car enthusiast wouldn't tinker too much with his car, because the further you bring something from its "stock" form, the higher the chance are of something going wrong.

If we're talking brake pads, higher grade oil, tires, that's fine, I guess. But if we're talking engine modifications, the chances go up significantly.

And yes, the iPhone ads are stupid and do take advantage of stupid people. How many ads don't do that? FreeCreditReport.com? All those attorney commercials about being hurt in a car crash? That's what commercials do. Very rarely do you see a commercial that tells the truth, or at least doesn't sensationalize/exaggerate a point to get you to get their product. It's called marketing, and Apple does a good job with it. "Good" being a misnomer, really, but "effective" might be a better word.

 

[Pittsey]

A smart car enthusiast wouldn't tinker too much with his car, because the further you bring something from its "stock" form, the higher the chance are of something going wrong.

If we're talking brake pads, higher grade oil, tires, that's fine, I guess. But if we're talking engine modifications, the chances go up significantly.

And yes, the iPhone ads are stupid and do take advantage of stupid people. How many ads don't do that? FreeCreditReport.com? All those attorney commercials about being hurt in a car crash? That's what commercials do. Very rarely do you see a commercial that tells the truth, or at least doesn't sensationalize/exaggerate a point to get you to get their product. It's called marketing, and Apple does a good job with it. "Good" being a misnomer, really, but "effective" might be a better word.

We are not getting any where here. Like I said before on this forum. Everyone has to take what someone says to the point of extremes. Did I mention modifying? Did I say every single geek? The debating on this forum is ridiculous.

I have said several times that it is my opinion, and possibly not a fact, so my points don't really require being shot down or combated. I still can't see how you can be a real geek if you buy an iphone, which is a closed system. When the other option brings you plenty to play with. Every geek I know has an android phone, every "cool" dude I know has an iphone. But obviously there are exceptions. Note to all - Don't take everything I say to extremes, although I thought that went without saying.... But again other people might have another opinion, not that I can see how they'd form that. Also... I don't know why me saying that would offend you. Because you seem offended that I believe iphone users are misguided, or not geeks.

Since when did being a geek (virgin) become cool?

We will have to agree to disagree, because my opinion is not changing, until iOS changes. And I presume you are the same. All this back and forth bores me. I think we have both just repeated the same things several times hoping that repetition wins the day...!

 

[Casey]

Samsung keeps pushing the boundaries.... this seems pretty cool.

Official: Samsung Galaxy Note unveiled with 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display, S Pen stylus​

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Samsung has done it again, unveiling a new Android powered superphone which has the potential to change the future landscape of mobile phones. Most though Samsung had outdone themselves earlier this year when they announced the Samsung Galaxy S II, but the new Samsung Galaxy Note pushed the boundaries even further. The new flagship phone from Samsung features a 5.3-inch 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED display, a 1.4 GHz Exynos processor, 8 and 2 megapixel rear and front facing cameras, support for HSPA+ and LTE networks, 2500 mAh battery while only measuring 9.65mm in thickness.​

Like most other recent Android phones from Samsung, the Galaxy Note runs Android 2.3 but some with a modified version of TouchWiz called S Pen which is optimized for use with the included stylus. Samsung has gone all out by including a suite a apps designed specifically to work with the stylus. S Memo allows users to take notes and record audio at the same time while S Planner is a hybrid calendar and to-do list with some advanced functionality. Just like HTC did with HTC Scribe, Samsung plans on releasing the S Pen SDK so that other app developers can create applications of their own that take advantage of the Samsung Galaxy Note’s stylus.​

Samsung has no details on when the Samsung Galaxy Note will hit the market or which European and U.S. carriers plan on carrying it. We can’t imagine that this phone will be cheap, so we suggest you start saving your money and selling all those extra gadgets you have lying around the house.​

We know most of you are still drooling over Samsung’s unveiling of the U.S. Galaxy S II family from just a few days ago, but how many of you would be willing to hold off a few more months if your carrier announced that they plan on carrying the Samsung Galaxy Note and its 5.3-inch Super AMOLED HD display by the holidays?​

 

[dilla]

We are not getting any where here. Like I said before on this forum. Everyone has to take what someone says to the point of extremes. Did I mention modifying? Did I say every single geek? The debating on this forum is ridiculous.

I have said several times that it is my opinion, and possibly not a fact, so my points don't really require being shot down or combated. I still can't see how you can be a real geek if you buy an iphone, which is a closed system. When the other option brings you plenty to play with. Every geek I know has an android phone, every "cool" dude I know has an iphone. But obviously there are exceptions. Note to all - Don't take everything I say to extremes, although I thought that went without saying.... But again other people might have another opinion, not that I can see how they'd form that. Also... I don't know why me saying that would offend you. Because you seem offended that I believe iphone users are misguided, or not geeks.

Since when did being a geek (virgin) become cool?

We will have to agree to disagree, because my opinion is not changing, until iOS changes. And I presume you are the same. All this back and forth bores me. I think we have both just repeated the same things several times hoping that repetition wins the day...!

The geek talk was mainly introduced by Aron.

And you said "if you are a car enthusiast, you will tinker with your car." That's why I brought up "modifying." Unless tinkering has some other meaning other than modifying or tuning or tweaking something.

But I agree to disagree.

And what the shit would someone want with a 5.3" screen?

 

[S O F I]

it's interesting that while everything seems to be getting smaller (loose generalization, bear with me), phones are getting larger and people seem to not have a problem with it. I mean, the only thing making these large phones bearable is that they're thin so they don't look like bricks in your pocket. But I still remember what the HTC EVO feels like in your hand. It's humongous (pause).

 

[Pittsey]

And what the shit would someone want with a 5.3" screen?

I thought the same. Although I thought that about the 7 inch, and now find myself mildly tempted.

 

[Pittsey]

Nexus S takes to space aboard Atlantis, does astronauts' dirty work

By Christopher Trout posted Sep 1st 2011 3:21PM​

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The last time Google's jet-setting smartphone took to space, it wasn't exactly flying in style. Well, theNexus S has ditched its styrofoam trappings for more respectable digs -- specifically, NASA's last manned space shuttle, Atlantis. Its mission: "explore how robots can help humans experiment and live in space more efficiently." Affixed to a series of three robotic satellites, known as SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) the phones engaged in tasks usually done by their human travel companions, like recording sensor data and capturing video. A special sensor-logging app was customized by NASA to capture sensor data and is now available for download in the Android Market. To see the space traveling smartphone at work, hop on past the break, or hit up NASA's project page at the coverage link below.

What did I say about Geeks using Android.... "We needed to be able to customise"....

 

[dilla]

I thought the same. Although I thought that about the 7 inch, and now find myself mildly tempted.

Why are we trying to make screens bigger yet the resolution improvments is moving at a snail pace?

 

[masta247]

^Because we don't need the resolution to be that high anyway. It's not about improvements because manufacturers could easily release screens with way higher pixel densities. However 1280x800 is very high for a 5.3-inch screen (it's many more pixels than a 10-inch ipad 2 on barely a fourth of its area) and 480x800 is adequate for anything around or up to 4 inch so there's barely a point. They could improve the latter by a bit but anything slightly bigger than 480x800 isn't exactly very popular and takes more gpu power to handle. Unless you enjoy comparing macro shots of mobile phone screens you wouldn't see much of a difference anyway. There are still lower mid-ends with 3.65-inch screens and 240x320 resolutions and people find them acceptable.

 

[Casey]

Why are we trying to make screens bigger yet the resolution improvments is moving at a snail pace?

I believe the Nexus Prime is going to have a 720p HD resolution and it'll most likely become the standard for smartphones after that point.