Apple has me peeved -- what non-phone Android devices to consider?

[phait]

So long story short I used to have a Nokia N800 internet tablet.

Pros: free/open source software, nice community, some useful apps, some old game ports, a (shitty) camera, Nokia quality build, Flash/able to watch streaming videos that weren't HD, SD card expansion

Cons: apps scope pales in comparison to Apple's app store (which is why I switched, well one reason), felt like a brick compared to iPod Touch, general performance not as snappy, vulnerable screen (wasn't glass)

So then I traded for an iPod Touch 2G...

Pros: tonssss of free apps and games and many at bargain prices, strong/glass screen, multi-touch, very quick and simple interface, can listen to music while doing other things and it not slowing down, simple hardware design, the amount of accessories I could buy that would simply work/fit...

Cons: no Flash (but I got used to it), no camera (yet anyway), no expandable memory, no way to play older ported games unless I jailbroke (and didn't wanna go that route risking bricking)... but not really a priority for me.

And so I upgraded to iOS 4.0 today and while this feature itself isn't a big deal, Apple's decision with it on older hardware just GRATES me and I want to fart in their collective faces:

Homescreen wallpaper. Hey nice I can kinda customize my iPod, looking forward to this. I give it a shot... homescreen still black. Googled about it and apparently Apple's developer monkeys decided "hey, let's integrate the wallpaper into our multitasking for some asinine reason" -- but since the iPod Touch 2G and iPhone 3G don't officially support multitasking, those users can't even set a simple homescreen wallpaper.

I like the folders feature but that's really the only added benefit I'm getting. I don't actually care about multitasking so much, but seriously - how much of a problem would it of been to have the wallpaper completely seperate from multitasking? Just idiotic.

Apple has done some oddball moves like this with various things and god damn it just peeves me.

I like their platform and hardware though. But it makes me ever curious about Android. So...

- how do Android apps compare to Apple's app store as far as selection?
- homebrew scene, whats that like?
- what portable non-phone Android devices are there that are about iPhone size?
- what drawbacks does Android have?

 

[Phobic9]

While there are some Android devices somewhat close to the form factor you're looking for, you're mostly going to be out of luck because said devices aren't nearly as polished as the iPod touch is. There are a few android MID devices and there are loads of tablets in development but I'd shine they really won't be ready for primetime until next year after Google releases their next big release of Android, aka gingerbread. I believe there are some Android PMPs out there but nothing similar to the iPod touch as far as I know.

As far as your other questions, the popular Android apps are generally just as good as their iPhone counterparts but there are some here the quality just isn't there. Luckily the Android marketplace allows you a full refund if you keep the app less than 24 hrs.

Android is generally considered open source (to a point) so the dev/home brew scene is fairly robust.

 

[TheWart]

If you are ready to toss the device, why the hesitation in Jailbreaking it? I know lots of people who jailbreak, and I only know of one who bricked it, and that was in the eaaaaarly days when it wasn't a 1-click 10 second process.

 

[Phobic9]

If you are ready to toss the device, why the hesitation in Jailbreaking it? I know lots of people who jailbreak, and I only know of one who bricked it, and that was in the eaaaaarly days when it wasn't a 1-click 10 second process.

This.

Even back in the early days, the risk to brick was there yeah, but if you knew how to read it wasn't an issue. With SpiritJB you can jailbreak in seconds with literally 1-click just as TheWart said.

 

[gorcorps]

This.

Even back in the early days, the risk to brick was there yeah, but if you knew how to read it wasn't an issue. With SpiritJB you can jailbreak in seconds with literally 1-click just as TheWart said.

Came in here to say pretty much this. It's so streamlined and easy that even IF something horrible happens (like you lose power during the 10 seconds it's updating) it still can be put into recovery mode and saved. It happened to me and I was able to reflash fine.

 

[phait]

The only problem is, from what I read, since the homescreen wallpaper is integrated with multitasking - I read those who jailbreaked and tried the new OS that their battery drained more and there was performance loss.

Not the tradeoff I want for a wallpaper

 

[phait]

Here's a question... with either iOS 4.0 or 3.0 jailbreak - the wallpaper feature... does it require multitasking to be on? I won't do this if it's required and becomes a battery drain.

 

[TheWart]

Here's a question... with either iOS 4.0 or 3.0 jailbreak - the wallpaper feature... does it require multitasking to be on? I won't do this if it's required and becomes a battery drain.

I am not sure who told you to worry about the wallpaper issue, but it is not a big deal re: battery drain. Perhaps they meant having a super-tricked out lockscreen page that pulls in a lot of data, in which case your concern is probably valid.

Either way, in iOS 4, on 3GS' and the third gen iPod Touches you can change the homescreen wallpaper with no hit to battery life.

 

[vshah]

- how do Android apps compare to Apple's app store as far as selection?
Just as good. Most big 3rd party apps that you're familiar with on the App Store are now also in the Android market. The only area android lags is games, but there are several great ones to suck up your time. in terms of 1st party apps, google maps, gmail, and google talk are all way, way better on android than on iphone. maps gives you free turn by turn voice navigation as well.

- homebrew scene, whats that like?
several different roms are available for most devices, offering additional features and increased performance/stability. it's a lot of fun flashing different roms and trying out different things.

- what portable non-phone Android devices are there that are about iPhone size?
if you want to stick to iPhone size...I can't think of anything that is "non-phone". Why don't you want to combine it with a phone? You could of course always get a phone and just use it without a sim on wifi only. What provider do you have? If you're up for renewal, but don't need a new phone, you could get an android phone but keep using your old one. But i don't really see the point of that...why not just have one device?

- what drawbacks does Android have?
as I said above, slightly lacks in gaming. battery life is also a concern for some.

 

[phait]

I'm not on any provider at the moment. I'm pretty much done with contract plans and if I were to get it a phone it's likely Verizon and no contract/pre-paid.

 

[AMDZen]

There are no android devices out there that are like the iTouch. Nothing even remotely close unless you want to get bigger like tablet size

 

[QueBert]

lol did somebody actually say "just as good" for Apples App store Vs Marketplace? UHHH NO! I own a Touch and a Motorola Droid. There's NO comparison in quality at this point. The Marketplace has a lot of alternative, some of the same apps, and they're getting more of the same. Most of the alternatives aren't up to snuff. So at this point it's not even close. I use ConvertBot every day, and there's not one on the Android even close to as polished. The same can be said for a lot of the other apps I use. Maybe in 2011 this will have changed (probably) Now as for games it's about a >>>>>>>>>> in favor of Apple. This also might change, but currently it's not even fair to compare.

 

[vshah]

lol did somebody actually say "just as good" for Apples App store Vs Marketplace? UHHH NO! I own a Touch and a Motorola Droid. There's NO comparison in quality at this point. The Marketplace has a lot of alternative, some of the same apps, and they're getting more of the same. Most of the alternatives aren't up to snuff. So at this point it's not even close. I use ConvertBot every day, and there's not one on the Android even close to as polished. The same can be said for a lot of the other apps I use. Maybe in 2011 this will have changed (probably) Now as for games it's about a >>>>>>>>>> in favor of Apple. This also might change, but currently it's not even fair to compare.

yeah but on android i can just hit voice search, say "convert x to y" and I'm done