Breaking Up With Apple

[HJustin]

Just curious is anyone has abandoned Apple for Android. And not just phones, but tablets, and devices like Apple TV as well. If so, what made you switch? Did you go back to Apple or are you still using Android devices?

I'm considering ditching my Apple phone, tablet, and Apple TV and am curious if anyone has done the same and would recommend it?

 

[Artdeco]

Android tablets are disappointing, other than that, all it takes is $

Roku is superior, Android phones are much more customizable, I just got tired of tinkering with them to use one as a daily driver.

Give it a shot, it's not like a death sentence or anything.

 

[Crono]

I'm not an Apple person, but I try to be objective and regularly use iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. My opinion is you are better off sticking with iPad for tablets (unless you want more power in the form of a tablet-laptop hybrid, in which case go Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3). The hardware is class-leading and it has better tablet optimized apps than anything else... the exception being the times when there is only an iPhone version of an app. Running a scaled-up app in a window is uglier than how Android handles non-tablet versions of apps.

For phone, Android is much more flexible and powerful platform, and you likely won't regret switching to it if you get a flagship level phone. iOS feels very much behind on design and customization, and it doesn't use screen real estate on larger as effectively as Android can. iOS is still mostly a static icon grid, which is perfectly fine though if all you care about is apps and don't spend time on the home screen.

Apple TV is good for Netflix and AirPlay, but Roku is the most complete solution in the set top streaming solution market. Chromecast is what I use, though, and I haven't had any issues with it. Cheap and easy to use and you can cast from iOS devices as well as from Chrome or Android devices.

If you want to go all Chrome/Android it's certainly possible to get a good experience you get a Chromecast, Nexus or Samsung tablet, and a high end phone like the GS6, G4, or the next Nexus. I don't like ecosystem lock-in, though, so I jump around.

I do have a bias in favor of Windows and Windows Mobile (Windows Phone), but Windows 10 isn't out yet, and it still needs a few months at least after that to get the bugs worked out, I would assume. Once Windows 10 is available and more hardware starts coming, it might be the best platform in terms of a unified experience across all devices.

 

[HeXen]

The only regrets are often about the quality of the hardware itself. Both OS's offer a lot of similarities, especially if you consider the fact that what you use the most is 3rd party apps.
I would look at hardware, prices and wight in your desired features before I would care what the OS is.

 

[HJustin]

My wife and I each have an iPhone 5 bought in 2012. I have an iPad 2 purchased new in 2011 that has become a chore to use with iOS 8. Third gen Apple TV is fine, I guess, but I'm just as happy with the Chromecast in the bedroom. My wife has a new iPad Mini that works pretty well, too.

So aging hardware, combined with frequent iTunes issues, and just general iOS fatigue has lead me to explore other options. I've rule out Microsoft tablets and phone because I work on Microsoft desktops and servers 40+ hours a week. Between that and being a PC gamer and needing Windows for certain astrophotography applications means I use a Window PC and laptop instead of a Linux PC or Chromebook at home.

I like the pure Android platform but those devices are somewhat rare. Nexus 6. Moto X. A few tablets. I like the finger print scanner and camera on the Samsung S6s but the S4 I used a work phone left a taste in my mouth. Of course the iPhone 6/6+ also has those features and most of the Google apps I like (Now, Chrome, Maps) are available on iOS. Maybe I should just stick with their hardware. Dang it!

 

[Kneedragger]

I've had both and the change is easy. Pretty much most of the apps you will need are available on Android as well. I also agree with getting the Roku.

 

[HJustin]

I've had both and the change is easy. Pretty much most of the apps you will need are available on Android as well. I also agree with getting the Roku.

How well do the Roku boxes mesh with Google's apps? Would I be better off with a Nexus Player?

I use my tablet primarily for the Kindle app, browsing, email, and a little bit of Facebook. When I bought my iPad, I imagined I would enjoy it's robust library of apps and the few I've purchased (astronomy-related or games like Final Fantasy Tactics) are available on both platforms. It's always been annoying that I can't purchase books from the Kindle app on my iPad. Have to go to the PC or navigate Amazon from a browser.

 

[Artdeco]

IIRC Roku has an android app that's pretty good.

Just keep the iPad or upgrade it, my mini is sluggish compared to the Air 2.

 

[poofyhairguy]

How well do the Roku boxes mesh with Google's apps? Would I be better off with a Nexus Player?

For the love of God no, not the Nexus Player. That thing is crap.

Honestly I expect a new Chromecast will be announced at Google IO this week. Start there.

 

[Kneedragger]

How well do the Roku boxes mesh with Google's apps? Would I be better off with a Nexus Player?

I use my tablet primarily for the Kindle app, browsing, email, and a little bit of Facebook. When I bought my iPad, I imagined I would enjoy it's robust library of apps and the few I've purchased (astronomy-related or games like Final Fantasy Tactics) are available on both platforms. It's always been annoying that I can't purchase books from the Kindle app on my iPad. Have to go to the PC or navigate Amazon from a browser.

Yeah you might want to hold off on the Roku if that is a deal breaker. Which exact Google apps?

 

[pcslookout]

So basically for tablets iOS is best and for phones Android is the best ?

 

[HJustin]

Yeah you might want to hold off on the Roku if that is a deal breaker. Which exact Google apps?

Google Music Player in particular.

 

[HJustin]

For the love of God no, not the Nexus Player. That thing is crap.

Honestly I expect a new Chromecast will be announced at Google IO this week. Start there.

Why is it crap?

 

[sgrinavi]

I use both. Apple is way better at rolling out updates and keeping their apps store clean, android can be customized more if you care about those sorts of things. Both operating systems are smooth when they launch on a new device and both get bogged down when they have major updates. Although I have to say that the iPads seem to fair better than the Android tablets in this regard.

If I had to pick just one system I'd go Apple, but I don't care about customizing...

 

[Eug]

I switched to Android for my phone and tablet. Then I switched back. iOS and iDevices in general are just more slickly implemented. Less headaches (but headaches still exist).

Not a fan of Apple TV though.

 

[z1ggy]

I switch between my old iphone4 and my HTC One M8 quite often. Besides the obvious differences in screen size, CPU power, etc... I don't really notice massive differences that would make me say that I'd use android over iOS for a phone.

Only thing I can really say is I like texting using iOS better than my droid keyboard. It's not so much the keyboard, but the software for text prediction and use.

Also, Robinhood (stock trading app) is currently only available for iOS right now. Not sure when it will come out officially for Android, but for me that could end up being a deal breaker to make my next phone Android based if the app doesn't get released sometime soon.

 

[gorcorps]

I moved away from Apple after my iPhone 4. I wasn't very committed to the brand though, and didn't have an ipad. Haven't missed it though.

 

[drbrock]

Apple TV sucks. I have one and it collects dust. The ps3 is a more capable media machine. Or just get a Roku like everyone says.

Tablet def stick with ios. Phone is up in the air. ios still has superior apps.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Why is it crap?

Poor implementation of a good idea. I know some really pro Android people that dislike it compared to a Chromecast because its unreliable.

Not everything Google puts out is gold, they throw WAY more against the wall than Apple which means a few flops. You have to accept that Android/Google is way less polished than fruitland. The tradeoff is you might get more value when you make smart purchases.

If you are going to leave Apple behind the age of just buying something because its in the official ecosystem of your other devices is over. Now you have to actually research each purchase and weight it on its merits. Maybe even mix and match stuff from multiple companies. Any respectable Nexus Player review would confirm what I am saying.

 

[poofyhairguy]

So basically for tablets iOS is best and for phones Android is the best ?

Not really. I mean the first part is right, but Android won't work for everyone.

Personally I could never go back to an iPhone. A phone is now my primary compute device, and I refuse to tote around a computer that can't download files in a web browser or easily hook up to a pen drive.

It all comes down to needs and your tolerance for tinkering. When the next gen of iPhones hit it will be hard to not recommend them for most the people in my life.

 

[mvbighead]

Personally, if you want the Android ecosystem on a capable platform, I'd recommend the FireTV.

You can side load APKs such as Kodi, and of course just about anything else you can load up to it from an APK I'd suspect. I've had one for several months and use it for Netflix, Amazon streaming, and my local library and DVR via Kodi.

 

[sm625]

It really depends how much money you've invested in apps and locked content.

 

[mmntech]

The Apple TV is a great device IMO. A lot of Android apps support AirPlay streaming. Alternatively, you'll want to look at the Chromecast. However, it cannot operate independently without a phone/tablet/computer.

So basically for tablets iOS is best and for phones Android is the best ?

I'd say that neither is really better than the other. Just different.

iOS gives you a trouble free user experience. I find it gets better app support as well since it tends to be the lead development platform. ie New apps get released for it first and updated for it first. Firmware updates are also guaranteed to get timely releases regardless of carrier. The trade offs include lack of power user features, customization, and you're limited to Apple approved apps. You're also limited to high end devices.

Android offers plenty of customization and power user features. You're also not limited to "approved" apps, meaning you can install things like emulators, etc. There's also more options to fit your budget. Drawbacks include security (more vulnerable to viruses), slow firmware updates, and occasionally slower app roll outs. You're also heavily tied in with Google, which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. I've also been less than impressed with tablet options, but that's not really the OS's fault.

Windows 10 is sort of a mixed bag. From a power user perspective, I think this is definitely the best tablet option, provided that tablet has an x86 processor. It can run virtually any Windows program provided the hardware is capable. ARM based systems will be much more limited. It's still an immature platform. Especially on the phone side. Lack of app development will be problematic.

 

[openwheel]

Best part of leaving Apple is freedom. Don't get yourself stuck in iTunes and Apple ecosystem. See my sig with quote from Zaap.

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

I think the best aspect of Android is flexibility and choices. You can do what you want to your devices (for the most part) and have a wide choice of hardware options that fit your budget.

Big screen? Bigger screen? Stylus input? Swapable battery? Expandable memory? Waterproofing? You have lots of options here.