iPhone 4S VS Galaxy Nexus Best Smartphone Test

iPhone 4S VS Galaxy Nexus Best Smartphone Test


An iPhone Lover’s Take On The Galaxy Nexus | TechCrunch

@Tobias Kemper
iPhone vs. Android http://post.ly/4IarU #amen.
@Randy Hanley
lol. Based on fanboyism, minus the facts. If you're going to cite something, use something credible.
@Mike Minor
That could not be more inaccurate or ignorant in it's message.
@Caleb White
He is right, iPhone is still the superior product. I wouldn't expect anything else coming from MG though ;).
@Scotty Brown
iPhone users always complain about how iOS is so much more polished than Android. Truthfully, it's hard to fuck up a 4x4 grid of icons.
@Max Woolf
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
@Taylor Anthony
It's 5x4
@Derek Marler
Josh Lewis Then how do many of the crappy looking app icons get released?
@Sean Smith
Josh Lewis - That's news to me. I've seen some apps with some pretty terrible icons on the App Store.
@Chad Coleman
From my experience, I spend very little time in my home screen. iOS is superior for what you can do *WITH* the phone, while Android excels at what you can do *TO* the phone. The problem is most users want a phone they can do cool stuff with and don't care to know whats under the hood, or geeing out the home screen. Case in point, take a look at your computer's "desktop". I would bet its pretty plain, and done so on purpose. This is why I can never understand the argument that the iOS home screen is boring.
@Scotty Brown
Chad Coleman If the home screen on your phone COULD do more, you would probably DO MORE with it.
@Peter Knudson
Chad Coleman Good analogy. My desktop is super cluttered and frankly I don't care. Then I look at the dock of applications below and realize that's a superior way to organize computing.
@Julian Solis
Taylor Anthony It's actually 4x5 (4x6 if you count the static icons)
@Esa Edvik
Derek Marler Because no one except hipster-iPooners care about what icons look like.
@Chad Coleman
Scotty Brown Well, my point with the desktop analogy must have went over your head. I can do a ton of stuff on my desktop or laptop "home screen" but I choose not to. Some people prefer a clean room with things neatly tucked in drawers and organized on the shelves. Just because you can doesn't mean you should .
@Jonathan Cifuentes
"intangibles" and "attention to detail" like, widespread noted battery issues, telling users to 'hold their phone differently' as to not close the antenna, antiquated notifications system (until mimicked), a brilliant cash cow glass case that constantly breaks, multitasking...
@Andrey Taskaev
Really good post. Nothing wrong with a bias, and I love the "Give me your best shot" attitude. As such, this is actually the best review for the Nexus I've seen so far.
@Arshed Nabeel
Agree with the first part, disagree with the second. Read Joshua Topolsky's review on the verge, he doesn't have a bias.
@Randy Hanley
Arshed Nabeel yeah true. Josh is probably one of the least Biased out there..Actually a joy to listen too as well unlike this EXTREME bias.
@Andrey Taskaev
Arshed Nabeel I did, and if I were shopping for the device, this would be more useful to me. Could be my shopping style.
@Robbie Burns
Except journalism 101 is to be unbiased. Especially when you are reviewing a product. Just because this review is closer to your views doesn't mean it will be the same with everyone. You have something in common with MG in that you are both morons, so of course it does. But to the rest of the world, it's just useless.
@Adam Reid
Arshed Nabeel Actually he's extremely biased. He admits he lives by Google products, so his review is colored by someone who who relies heavily on Gmail. So for someone like me who uses Exchange servers for work/school, his review is almost useless since I don't use any Google products extensively. Everyone has a bias, some people are more outward with them. And because someone shares your bias, it doesn't mean they are any less biased. And @Randy Hanley thats pretty funny. He said that using Windows feels like poison to him, so if he's one one the "least biased out there" the industry is full of passionate writers!
@Stephen Robinson
It's absolute bollocks to claim journalism should be 'unbiased'. This article isn't unbiased, it is an opinion, that is what it should be about.
@Robbie Burns
Stephen Robinson Eh. There's a big difference between reviewing a product with an "I don't like this, I don't like that" take on things as opposed to reviewing it from the consumer's perspective. MG well knows people enjoy larger screen phones. If Apple had one he would be one of those people. There will always be bias in things we do, but the goal of a journalist should be to minimize the bias and meet the reader's needs. The readers don't need to know that to him the iPhone is a Mercedes and Android is Honda, but it's impossible to explain why. It just makes for wasted space on the internet. And as we all know, there is no room for useless things on this internet.
@Robbie Burns
Stephen Robinson The obvious target for this article is going to be anyone who is interested in the Galaxy Nexus, but his article is written towards iPhone fans. iPhone fans don't care about the Galaxy Nexus, that's why they're iPhone fans. An objective look at this article would find that he's pretty much writing to hear himself talk because he gives no consideration to the needs of the audience. I'm not an objective look at the article, so I find that he's writing to be an asshole.
@Stephen Robinson
Robbie Burns You can't review something from a consumer perspective if you aren't the consumer who would go for this type of phone. I want to read stuff that is from the writers perspective so I can see many different opinions. A review should be from MY perspective, YOUR perspective or his. If I think something about a device I'm not going to not write it incase I sound bias, because that is how I felt and people should know this.
@Robbie Burns
Stephen Robinson And that's why the site you founded has 181 likes. The entire point of a review is to showcase the features of a product that you think will be beneficial to the read or hinder the reader's experience. But the reader should be the #1 priority. Take the screen for example. He simply thinks it's too big. Forget that a lot of readers would love a bigger screen. He doesn't care. He doesn't like it, so it's a con. The proper way to cover this would be to state his opinion with his cheesy joke, but acknowledge that the reader might like the bigger screen. Most people would. There is no form of actual journalism where it's okay to just state your opinion without offering any opposing views whatsoever, especially in a review that is meant to inform the reader. Might as well be blogging to himself on blogspot.
@Randy Hanley
In conclusion, Android is much, much better. For people that want to waste money and time, there's Iproducts.
@Joe Wojtkiewicz
If they would just release the dang phone already I would being enjoying all that is Ice Cream Sandwich now. Till then stuck with my OG Droid.
@Calvin Glenn
This is a serious question, so please don't think that I'm mocking. How is going with an Android device going to save me money over my next iPhone. I will sell my old one, use that money towards the $199 for the next phone. My total monthly bill for voice and data is less than $80. What quality Android device is going to actually save me money vs. this setup? It's been a constant argument that Android is cheaper, but when I got to all the carrier site, everyone major phone is $199 or above for 16gig? What am I missing?
@Sean Griffin
Joe Wojtkiewicz It'll be here tomorrow, assuming the 2-day shipping Verizon uses to send it to their retailers actually arrives on time. As of this morning though the plan is to release tomorrow. Why there's been no announcement is beyond me.
@Ashutosh Sharma
for tech. oriented nation like India, obvious choice is Android. They don't bother about iProducts much and in the same way Apple does not bother much about them. It's a truth. If you are techie and like to experiment things - go for Android.
@Sean Griffin
Calvin Glenn Nobody ever said Android was cheaper. It is a better operating system. (Saying it's a waste of money is referring to paying the same amount for an inferior product is wasting your money)
@Dylan Black
Calvin Glenn: Duh, its cheaper because you just pirate all your apps on Android! :P In all seriousness I'm also curious, looked at android phones before I upgraded from 3GS to 4S and I didn't really see anything in the 16GB+ range that was significantly cheaper and relatively recent.
@Ron Lefkowitz
Having had both, I can't agree that android is better. For me not being able to retrieve my pop3 mail account on my android phone was a deal breaker. I suffered through 11 months of lost emails and regurgitated old mail until my carrier finally picked up the 4S. I now get my email. End of that story. Next . . .
@Randy Hanley
This is of course just my opinion.
@Sean Griffin
Ron Lefkowitz Android has always supported POP3... Chances are you didn't set it up properly...
@Ashutosh Sharma
and of course 11 months is a long time to live without emails (:
@Jeff Panikar
Waiting for the day when Apple comes up with a > 4 inch iPhone. MG's hands would grow bigger that day!
@Ankit Garg
It would become a "piece of art 4.5 inch screen phone by Apple" as opposed to "too big 4.6 inch screen phone by Google" :)
@Brosef Broski
If that happens, iPhone fanboys will be masturbating so hard that their hands will grow magically
@Brandon Albert
I can see it now, "A state of the art masterpiece of a screen at 5 inches"
@JB Tesla
It'll also be patented as something that's "Never been done before! (Small print: In iOS). Revolutionary!"
@David Rosenblum
MG just said that 4.3 inches would be better than galaxy nexus's massive screen and that a large screen is nice for certain tasks. Not sure what you guys are on.
@Iggy Pup
David Rosenblum They're wankers, which is why a larger screen is so important to them. Note Brosef's comment. He seems to know all about "hand enlargement". Probably clicks on the links in spam, too.
@Eduardo Fenili
David Rosenblum Just pointing out that "The Screen is too big" has been used for many Android devices, even 4.3" ones and that when Apple makes a 4"+ screen which they will, the story will change. Thats all
@Matt Zwirn
exactly my thought when reading, if Apple came out with a 4.6 screen would he complain about it or consider it one of the crown jewels of the Iphones features.
@Colin O'Gorman Kenny
ipad lol
@Doug Young
Where were you all back in 2007 when the iPhone was called out ad infinitum for being too big? While features like Colour, viewing, angle, contrast, sharpness are all more important to me, I am (as I imagine most iPhone owners are) very interested in a bigger screen, however I am not in the least bit interested in a owning a physically larger iPhone
@Mahmoud Hossam
iOS5 is better than ICS. http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101124193130/sonicfanon/images/e/e2/NerdRage.gif
@Scotty Brown
A vast majority if iOS5 is ICS/Android.
@Mahmoud Hossam
Scotty Brown I don't think iOS is any better than ICS, I believe that Androids weren't made to replace iPhones or any other devices, it has its own identity, that's why the article above is just stupid, the author kept going on and on about how the Galaxy Nexus is NOT an iPhone.
@Scotty Brown
Mahmoud Hossam Oh, I'm sorry... I read your post above that said, "iOS5 is better than ICS" and understood that to mean that you believed that iOS5 was better than ICS. My bad.
@Mahmoud Hossam
Scotty Brown it's okay :)
@Scotty Brown
Mahmoud Hossam That was meant to be sarcastic.
@JB Tesla
Scotty Brown I think everyone got that but him.
@Steven Holms
I'd say most of the criticisms are pretty fair, if not a bit nit-picky. Still, I think its good to know the few areas where a product can be better so that the next iteration can improve. There's a lot wrong with iOS though, so there's no way I'm switching back to that mess.
@David Da Silva Contín
Like what?
@David Rodriguez
David Da Silva Contín Small screen, no background synching for the vast majority of apps, limited interaction between applications, Google Maps w/o Navigation, iTunes. A few major nitpicks (for me) were just removed with iOS5, so I honestly don't understand how people are surprised to hear that some of us simply prefer Android.
@David Da Silva Contín
David Rodriguez Personally, I'm not surprised to hear that some people prefer Android, and that some people prefer BlackBerry. We will never think the same, it's a fact. I haven't tried that much Android to give a great opinion, but I've noticed it sometimes lags the response to touchs, as demonstrated in a lot of videos, it lacks of some Apps that I really like to use (Koder, Pages, Flipboard, Street Fighter IV,.. GameCenter!), and I simply prefer the design and features of iOS. Moreover, I'm a Mac owner, so you can't even compare what an iOS device can do with my computer with what an Android one can. Now, I'm curious about what can an Android device do with a PC. And I'm a programmer, and I must admit the best programming experience I've had is with Objective-C on Xcode.
@Jason Clardy
David Rodriguez Just wondering, I hear about Android's app to app interaction a lot. Are you just referring to the "share" menu or something else? And what is common scenario that you use on your phone?
@David Rodriguez
David Da Silva Contín No worries, I can certainly respect your criticisms. There have been moments where I've quietly sworn at my phone as it lags. But, for me, the issue isn't severe enough for me to even consider going back to iOS. My last comment had to do with the many people who seem to take offense at the existence of Android and the fact that a significant number of people have chosen it as their mobile platform of choice. To cite someone famous, Robert Scoble's post yesterday morning on this very topic degenerated into name calling in the comments over exactly that. He himself participated in it. Pretty sad. Anyway, that's where my frustration comes from. Regarding the Mac, I own one too. But, I'd prefer not to be locked into iTunes. See? A matter of priorities is what differentiates you and me. I'm not sure what an Android device can do with a PC, but I imagine it isn't so different than a Mac. But then, IMO, they aren't necessarily designed to interact beautifully with either. Rather, it's the web. All of Google's mobile products on Android are very well integrated into their counterparts on the web. In some ways, better (Google Voice).
@David Rodriguez
Jason Clardy Yes, that's what I'm referring to. Read it Later and Evernote are the my biggest examples; I use them both all day, every day. If I'm using Google Reader, I can hit 'share' and then push the article directly into RIL. In fact, I can do it from any app, because the hook is at the OS level rather than the app level. I can do the same from web pages, youtube videos, etc. A couple more examples... Photo Gallery > Facebook or Google+ without leaving the photo app. Again, the specific photo app doesn't matter, they can all do it. (Well, I suppose a developer might leave the share option out of the app, but this is so rare that I can't remember ever seeing it.) Web page or Text Msg > Google Translate.
@Chris Brinlee Jr
David Da Silva Contín iOS=Apple, Android=Google, WP7=Windows. There's no real correlation between Android/Windows.
@James Cushing
David Da Silva Contín What can an Android do with a PC? Since you admit you haven't spent much time with Android, I'll run through a few things that I use pretty much daily as interactions between my Android phone, tablet and my PC. 1. Control my home PC from my tablet anywhere I go. 2. Access all my files and media from my phone or tablet, no matter which device they're hosted on, anywhere at any time. 3. Play my movies and music on any one of my devices on my TV, or any other device. 4. Get my text messages pushed to my PC, where I can reply to them if I choose. 5. Wireless control of my Android phone and tablet from my web browser. 6. Access and use all my apps on my phone or tablet on my PC OTA. 7. Control my TV and cable box from my phone, tablet or PC with Google TV Remote. Just to name a few examples. I'm a tinkerer at heart, and that's why I enjoy Android as my OS of choice. Does iOS have great features? Sure. Can I modify the look, feel, and functionality of almost any part of the OS, though? No. This is why my preference is Android. More overall functionality and customization options, as well as wireless integration with other electronics. Apple has a few features like that too (AirPlay for instance), but if you're a real tech enthusiast and enjoy making your toys truly your own, you can't beat Android.
@Robert Scoble
I totally agree with your interview. Funny, I get free Android phones too (and Windows Phone 7). I even used Android for a week in Europe. Today I'm back to iPhone. But Android is closing the gap. I can see the day that Android could get me and MG away from iOS.
@Steve Broadhurst
A colleague at work swears by iPhone and all things Apple. I tried Android and got a data-induced shock in by bill. I loved my Android but have returned to my BlackBerry. I am staying with BlackBerry, at least for the time being.
@Randy Hanley
Steve Broadhurst I love Android, personally. but Blackberry is great too! I will always miss that awesome keyboard of the blackberry curve. Also the battery life was best.
@Steve Broadhurst
Randy Hanley true. I love the Querty keyboard and I can get two-three days without a recharge. Android was recharged everyday.
@Albert Qian
Really Robert Scoble? Wow.
@Jeff Kasten
Totally agree with you Robert, as I too have used numerous Android and WP7 devices and always come back to the iPhone. Android is fun to play with and there are few handsets that are compelling when compared to the iPhone, but none have won me over yet for sole possession of my smartphone lust.
@Jason Orban
What's a BlackBerry?
@Jason Orban
Is that like "VHS?"
@Morgan West
Steve Broadhurst I find it incredible you managed to misspell qwerty. you may not know what qwerty means.
@Viktor Arvidsson
Since you don't need them, next time - pay it forward (to me! :D)
@Stephen Robinson
Randy Hanley The battery life wasn't really better, it was the fact the curve was a much lower power device, that did a lot less in terms of processing etc.
@Arshed Nabeel
Being used to Siegler's blog, I was expecting either an unfair bashing, or a stubborn cold-shoulder. Remarkably, this was neither - Siegler here gives the Galaxy Nexus a fair treatment, and I'll agree that most of the concerns raised might me geniune in fact - from an iPhone-lover's perspective, of course. I'd love to raise a point about the notification though: Obviously, when there are 3 different e-mails, iOS notification wins - how about 5 emails, 3 notifications from Facebook, 4 Twitter mentions and a few more notifications from other apps? Clearly, the Android system wins here. All I like to say is that it's a matter of personal preference and usage.
@JB Tesla
Agreed. When I get up in the morning and check my phone, I average about 30 emails at least that I need to clear out. Some work related, some pleasure, some spam. That's not including any text/chat/messenger notifications that have come in as well. While I can see the benefit for being able to see all that like iOS does, I would rather have the brief version that Android uses. Its a notification, not a synopsis of everything I have received. I don't have to scroll past all my emails to see whether or not I have a text message. I simply see it.
@Todd Jolley
Not really, as you can set the per-app display on how many new alerts to display. You can set it to 0 for every app (and have it just be like Android), or you can set it to display any number of the newest notifications per application. It is up to the user to define, not the OS.
@Andrew Lumi
Todd Jolley do u have to set it up PER APPS? as in one-by-one?
@Quentin Vaterlaus
JB Tesla Dude... I think it would take you an hour to get through all those notifications on a 3.5 inch screen running iOS...
@Joe Burling
Funny... a lot of the problems you had were things I prefer on Android. Like showing every single email vs the number of emails in the notification bar? You actually prefer that? You don't get many emails, huh? I don't know, maybe I'm just disappointed because I thought I an Apple fanboy could actually write something that didn't sound fanboy. This was my first read by you and will be my last.
@Adam Reid
It doesn't show every single one, you can pick how many it displays. Its helpful because it shows the most recent ones.
@Mike Minor
Adam Reid I get about 60-70 emails a day. I would just rather have the counts and the single most recent one, which Android gives.
@Adam Reid
Mike Minor I wish I could screenshot, but thats an option for Notification Center, the single most recent one. And, you can customize on a per app basis, so that you can see the 5 most recent @ tweets, 1 most recent e-mails, 10 most recent texts, etc., or you can turn preview completely off if you wish also on a per app basis. Basically, its a valid point he made no matter how you try to spin it
@Joel W Torode
Adam Reid Don't screw with the Google fans logic. They like to have the ability to do whatever they want with their phones except changing their email settings. LOL
@Doug Pasnak
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
@David Grundy
Adam Reid I think you feel you have something special because iOS is just getting a notification tray. I work with both os's, and apple lost this battle.
@András Oláh
Adam Reid the problem is, Apple let's you only choose 1, 5 or 10 items, not 3 or any custom number. I think both OS should let users decide how many emails they want to see in their notification trays.
@Shaun DeRosa
Adam Reid if you want screenshot you should check out ICS, it's built in.
@Stephen Robinson
Nice article. I was very interested in the device but the quality and certain apps on iOS keep me on it for sure. I like more polish.
@Todd Brauer
Curious what apps you couldn't find on Android that you could on iOS?
@JB Tesla
Todd Brauer Hold on, he has to look for them. ;)
@Stephen Robinson
JB Tesla Instagram, Oink, Camera+. Most of the time it isn't because it isn't on Android, its the fact that they look better and feel nicer (in my opinion).
@David Rodriguez
Instagram is the stock response. The app landscape is changing daily. I'm glad, cause I'm sick of this argument.
@Stephen Robinson
David Rodriguez I clearly mentioned two others. Also again, I prefer the look and feel of most iOS apps, that is the main reason.
@JB Tesla
Stephen Robinson See now that's a much better statement. One that I can fully agree with. Here's the thing though. That's not Android's fault...its the developers. If I make an app for both ecosystems, then I should make them of similar quality. I shouldn't make one shit, and one good. ESPECIALLY if they are pay for apps (And Im not saying those ones are, I have no idea). I want a reason for people to choose mine over a competitors. I want my fingers and my business as widespread as possible. A lot of the time people can find a similar product that works just as well, but they don't really try to look, know what I mean? That just frustrates me.
@Stephen Robinson
JB Tesla Well of course it is up to developers, but I know many people who write apps for Android, most of the time they get a lot of negativity and bad reviews due to not being able to support every single Android phone, every sigle resolution etc, this (in my opinion) is why many developers still go for iOS first and go for designs that seem to have more quality to them, maybe I'm wrong, but that is what I feel.
@Todd Brauer
Stephen Robinson, good enough. But since Android is selling many more units than iOS, eventually developers are going to realize developing an iOS only app will not be the way to go. Until then, enjoy Oink & Camera+, not sure how I'll be able to survive on my Droid without them.
@Stephen Robinson
Todd Brauer Why does that even have to be brought up? Any one with half a brain would realise several manufactures phones are going to sell more than one, that is the reason its massive (not saying that is a bad thing). It really isn't just the units sold that is a factor, apps almost always are making more cash on iOS, even with a much larger Android install base, this is another reason developers go for iOS.
@JB Tesla
Stephen Robinson I think his point is that at some point, due to the mass amount of units sold, that even if they make more money per sale on iOS the sheer number will rake in more dough on Android. Just a guess, though.
@Erwin Ocampo
Great writeup! iPhone is more polished, but the Galaxy Nexus is finally a worthy alternative for those who....want an alternative.
@Mike Minor
I''l take function over form any day, thank you!
@Sam Riksfjord
Pffff I'll still take my EVO 4G over an Iphone4 any day.
@Taylor Anthony
Hey, MG if you don't want the device you should let me have it.
@Timothy McGovern
The funniest part in the article was when he wrote "to be fair,....."
@Randy Hanley
lolz
@Achin Sharma
Oh i wish MG reads this...
@Santosh Kalra
lolz!!!
@Matt Duff
Almost as funny as everyone getting combative when the Apple columnist is Apple-biased and titles an article accordingly.
@R. Narayan Chowdhury
I'm not a big iPhone user, but it seems to be that Android's widget paradigm and shorcuts/folders flexibility are amazing inherent advantages that never get referenced. What am I missing?
@Mike Mosher
Nothing. Widgets are amazing. They're the Mercedes to an Icons Honda.
@Mike Minor
Mike Mosher Short Cuts are just one of the elegant options (Wood Trim as it were) in Android!
@Chad Coleman
Widgets are the clutter that lags a UI. On iOS the meaningful and useful widgets are a part of the Notification Center. IE, Weather, Email, Calendar...
@Shawn Carr
Chad Coleman Useful in whos eyes? Apples? What if I want a contact widget or a todo list widget? Are those not useful, or is that because Apple tells me its not useful?
@JB Tesla
Chad Coleman They are clutter to you, but not to everyone. To me, having icons vomited all over my main screen is clutter as well.
@Mike Mosher
Chad Coleman I love my scrollable facebook widget.
@Chad Coleman
Mike Mosher The effort you make in scrolling and swiping to that widget is probably equal to just opening the app and diving full on.
@Chad Coleman
Shawn Carr Reminders are incorporated in a notification center. Contacts? There are free apps that allow them on home screen.
@Mike Mosher
Chad Coleman you have clearly not gone from homescreen to home screen seeing your full twitter and facebook feeds, and then your daily calendar. Widgets are truly a wonderful thing. Those three examples are just simple stuff. I also use a widget to control 3g/4g, flashlight, and brightness. I also use a widget as a daily notepad or to do list. You may not like widgets personally, but saying they are inefficient and slow means you are missing out. They are loads faster than firing up one app, never mind switching between multiple.
@Joe Quanne
Chad Coleman If thats what you wanna think then so be it, you can still have a complete android experience with no widgets on your screen whatsoever. The point is that Android gives you that option, where as iOS does not. And widgets are usually very good about not lagging the andriod UI, at least not on the higher performance phones.
@David Vo
To address some shortcomings MG had about the Galaxy Nexus, many of which I think are a lack of familiarity with Android OS itself. 1. Duplicate apps - All Android devices are synched to the main Google account and the accompanying contacts. To deal with duplicate contacts, simply load up your contacts (really easy with Gmail) and use the tool to search for and merge duplicates. This is immediately sync'd to your phone over the cloud. 2. Duplicate messaging applications. I am not sure where the concern or complaint is here. I have never even heard of Google+ Messenger. Why would they merge it with the stock SMS Messaging app? On the iPhone, you can download something called Facebook Messenger. It runs as a separate app. I don't think it integrates. How about Skype messaging? ICQ?
@Randy Hanley
well said!
@Mike Minor
Google + Messenger is kind of like the Google Talk app that it leverages your social G+ circles rather than your phone's contact list. This is a separate app from Google+. Android users have many good options for their SMS application needs. Integration of the two apps would not makes sense if the user wanted to use a separate (non Google) SMS client and because the contact references are different. MG is looking for one app to do all social communications, sort of thing. There are some 3rd party apps that do this sort of thing, in the Android Market, so the end user has some options, if they want this level of contact integration and communication too integration. This is really just a matter of preference for the end user.
@Shawn Carr
Mike Minor He should be pissed at Apple cuz theres a Facebook messenger app and a messaging app! When Google comes out with a messaging service and then makes another app/icon start btiching.
@David Vo
Oops for point one I meant duplicate "contacts"
@Will Brown
I think the issue is that Android and Google+ are run by the same company, so it would make sense to try to do some messaging integration. It would be weird on the iPhone for there to be Messages, and then iMessages separately. It also doesn't make sense for either of them to do any integration with Facebook Messenger, because it's run by a different company with competing services (Apple has gone with Twitter, and Google obviously has Google+)
@Shawn Carr
Will Brown What Im getting at is that G+ messenger isn't strictly a phone messaging app. Whereas iMessege is.
@Albert Kohol
David, you speak wisdom. Funnily, I rather prefer the separate messaging apps. Has anyone taken a look at the BB unified messaging app? Even after minimizing the messages included in the message center, it can be annoying the way it combines messages. I'd like to know this came as an SMS and this came as an email, and this came in my Instant Messaging app. Just let me go to the app and deal with it there. The notification icon on the home screen is enough.
@Evan Prodromou
" Previous Android hardware was always made worse by the decision to include fixed nav buttons along the button." I think that is supposed to be "...along the bottom."
@Felix Oghină
Just a couple of things: one, I actually like the fact that they're keeping Messaging and Google+ Messenger separated. It would feel messy to me to mix those two. Which one I use is a simple decision I can make myself, I don't need or want my phone to make it for me. And two, Gmail and Email are separated because they are completely different apps. Gmail is only for Gmail and it provides all the possible extra functionality like conversation view, while the Email app is for generic POP3/IMAP & SMTP email accounts, without any extra functionality. Other than that, I completely agree. And I'm an Android fanboy :)
@Scott Lingo
Too bad Apple chose not to make an iPhone with a larger screen.
@Don Gemus
They can't. They are locked in to 4:3 aspect ratio with all their software. You will aways be reading on a small screen with an iPhone.
@Dane Walton
Why do you write here? This is a blog post, not a review. You need a different job.
@MG Siegler
okay, i'll get one. done.
@Scott Neill
Oooh. What you get?
@Andrew Joseph Rangel
Scott Neill He is working as a VC. So while all the haters yammer along, he is off traveling the world, getting paid, and having a real life.
@JB Tesla
Andrew Joseph Rangel So people who comment on here don't have real lives? We don't travel or have fun?
@Andrew Joseph Rangel
JB Tesla The key word is "haters" and I really mean "trolls". If you spend a significant about of time hating on MG because he likes Apple, and if he is openly biased, then I imagine your not. Every article he writes people state "why do I care about your articles" "fanboi" etc. I don't go out of my way to find articles about Android and post non-value add comments.
@Scott Neill
(I know what MG is up to... he is conspicuous by his presence... as he blazed his trail across Europe. +1 on Barca comment.)
@JB Tesla
Andrew Joseph Rangel I can see your point about "fanboi", "why do I care", etc etc etc. I am not a fan of those either unless the post seriously calls for it. iOS vs Android is pretty damn similar to politics. The problem is that very few people can sit down and have a discussion rather then an argument. I'm not saying "fanboi," or "why should I care," or "GTFO"...just to be clear. Still, my view is that if you do a review, you should be able to set your biases aside and look at it from an objective point of view. I would expect you to ask the same of me if I did the reverse review. In fact, I would hope you demanded it.
@Angelos Nicolaou
I liked it. You spoke with facts. Good Job.
@Mike Mosher
I put a nexus underneath you thunderbolt. Not old does it feel just as solid, it is only 1/8" bigger on the top and bottom. It's hardly larger than a 4.3" phone because of the minimal bezel. Also, it doesn't feel fragile like a certain phone made of glass.
@Doug Wolfgram
Wait.. MG left TC, but now writes an Apple-centric column for TC? What the.. Good review anyway MG.
@Todd Brauer
"the system still lacks much of the fine polish that iOS users enjoy" I read this criticism of Android all the time and yet no details are ever given. What is it about iOS that makes it so much more polished? Did they suddenly get widgets?
@Randy Hanley
Their polish is "fanboygism.." ism i mean.
@Chris Domico
http://techland.time.com/2011/12/07/is-android-doomed-to-lag-more-than-ios/ That should answer your question, as it is EXACTLY why iOS feels smoother and more polished.
@Todd Brauer
Thanks Chris Domico, that's the first description I've seen on this. However, I'm using the 1GHz dual-core Motorola Droid Bionic and experience no "lag" on Facebook or Twitter or any other app or during any scrolling. http://www.bgr.com/2011/09/12/motorola-droid-bionic-review/ So I have to think all this talk about the polish of iOS has to go well beyond "lag" because as hardware gets better, lag will become a complete non-issue.
@Matthew Henry
Todd Brauer Funny. I experienced no lag on those apps back when I had an iPhone 3G with a single core 412Mhz processor.
@Andrew Lumi
Matthew Henry did your i3G have true multitasking? 4G? custom launcher? live wallpaper? widgets? core integration/syncing (e.g. phonebook with G+/Facebook/Twitter/whatever; calendar with Google Calendar; instant photo upload to G+; etc)? The more capable an OS/device gets, the more resource-hungry it becomes. Of course features like custom launcher, LWP, widgets, & background sync can be turned off but most Android users don't turn them off because those things are actually a lot more fun than an iOS user might think. I owned an iPhone 3G & iPod Touch before I bought a Samsung Galaxy S II which totally blew my mind.
@Quentin Vaterlaus
Matthew Henry I didn't need to go any faster than 5 miles an hour when I rode my bike when I was 10... then I grew up and got an adult mode of transportation...
@Aaron Carlisle
I've been using my sisters iPhone off and on over the last few days and while it is a slick phone I fail to see what's so great about it. Siri didn't work with half of the commands I gave it and the touch screen seemed way off, trying to open a web link and it kept highlighting the text above it instead. I have thin fingers and never have had a problem selecting text on my Android.
@David Rodriguez
careful, haven't you heard? you're not supposed to talk about Siri in anything but the most glowing of terms. around here, she's 'amazing' and 'magical'. watch yourself. :)
@Aaron Carlisle
David Rodriguez Lol That seems to be the general consensus on internet lately. If it's Apple it must be perfect...right?
@Doug Pasnak
Yeah. Sure.
@Doug Young
Siri truly is amazing and magical but is also inconsistent and unreliable a lot of the time as is to be expected from a beta product Putting Siri out as a beta is a stroke of genius but marketing to the public as though it were a finished product is a stupid idea My second biggest problem with Siri is when it fails to connect (overloaded servers?) My biggest problem is when I use Siri in the car and the iPhone connects over Bluetooth to the terrible quality microphone of the vehicle The vehicle microphone is perfectly fine for a conversation but causes many problems with recognition of my voice Apple and Siri are far from perfect but Siri will be improved and others like Google and Microsoft will follow suit with similar voice recognition features Were it possible for ice cream sandwich to exist without there first having been an iPhone I would be the first to jump on board As it is I don't wish to provide IT support to a family of five using five android phones. With iOS this is easy, there are minimal security issues and the synchronisation and backup is second to none This post has been dictated to Siri with minor modifications(one word couldn't be recognised, a dozen or so words had to be corrected) all done with one hand while walking the dog (who pulls) And for anyone who wants to see the real polish of iOS have a look at Apple's accessibility options(features for the disabled)
@Aaron Carlisle
Doug Young Just read through your comment right before I step out the door and pick up Galaxy Nexus. Cheers,
@Nick Fleker Felker
I think we all a post that would be pro-Apple. Still, I do like that he concedes the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android Phone. The only part about the whole article was when he started to say specs, which aren't important to the end-user. (Camera megapixels aren't as important as the quality of those images. Browser specs aren't noticeable to users, as they are milliseconds apart.)
@George Christodoulou
The camera on the Nexus is indeed underwhelming when it comes to quality. But its not to do with the number of pixels, but more with general image quality. I'm no expert but it seems to me the camera uses so much noise reduction that it removes some detail from the picture. Still a good camera overall, and really fast. I suspect the image quality may be a trade-off for shutter/capture speed. I.e. the camera boosting ISO to take faster pictures, then using Noise Reduction on the images to (badly) cope with the resulting digital noise. As for the browser, the one on the Galaxy Nexus seems to me to be faster than Safari on my iPad 2.
@Raymond Nguyen
Why not give WP7 a try? It is incredibly smooth, something that android lacks.
@Quentin Vaterlaus
That's the one that I am curious to try, but until their market has more than Outlook and Angry Birds, it seems kinda pointless. I don't need 500,000 apps, but gmail for it would be nice
@Lee Swagerty
I'm really excited to use WP7. I have yet to try one out for more than a quick minute at Best Buy or whatever so I can't form an opinion. The UI is very nice and it seems like it's pretty feature packed.... except for the apps. Hopefully the app market will catch-up fairly quickly.
@Denis Jeleć
Quentin Vaterlaus Why on Earth would you need a separate app for gmail? o.O
@Brian Walls
I'm a die-hard Android fan, but I honestly liked this review. I've never owned an iPhone but have plenty of friends who have, and I've had an iTouch that I thoroughly enjoyed. Apple does get it done with polish. While I will always prefer the outright flexibility of Android, I hope that iOS keeps getting better and better to push Android developers even harder. Now if I can just get a freakin GNex.
@Vladimir Cetkovic
Really nice review, I'll be coming back to the iPhone camp next week (If they stock up the apple stores in Europe with 4S, I missed out 10 days ago). I've used a HTC Desire for two years (and had an iPhone3g before that). I can't wait to see the 4S in person, I was sold with Apple iPhone4 the first time I had it in my hand, it truly is a work of art. Sorry to my Android brotherin, I love Android also, don't get me wrong.
@JB Tesla
Heretic. ;)
@George Christodoulou
Nice article! I agree that its too big for one-handed operation. Its not a matter of getting used to it, its physically too big. The lag and stutter: rare and subtle enough that I hardly ever notice. On the other hand, you can see the machine doing stuff as you drag and scroll (loading web pages and app elements, processing stuff), unlike my iPad 2 that freezes the instant I drag my finger on the screen. And the Honda/Mercedes analogy...eugh! Really? Between the Nexus and my iPad 2 I find the former to be a better experience. Better app integration is very important in this (as the original post mentions), as it makes multitasking and switching between apps much smoother. So, a couple of instances of differing opinion, but overall maybe the most balanced thing we've seen from MG?
@JB Tesla
I don't consider myself to have gigantic hands at all, but I have had no problems reaching anything on the Nexus Prime.
@George Christodoulou
Maybe I have short thumbs?
@Calvin Glenn
I just did a quick read through the comments, and I came to the realization that we're all a bit techie and have our own preferences. Who actually thinks that any normal person looking for their first smartphone is going to read MG's review and make a decision from that? It just seems silly that there's so much mudslinging going on, like people are trying to protect a territory or their platform's honor or something. Just use what you like and what fits your needs and personality. The rest is pretty much moot. Anyone really looking to buy a new phone should probably seek out reviews that aren't admittedly biased to start with.
@Randy Hanley
That's true that there is a lot of mudslinging but in the end, my bets are that IOS will be the one buried beneath the dirt.
@Calvin Glenn
Randy Hanley Lol
@Trevor Gerzen
Randy Hanley this comment literally made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that…
@Doug Pasnak
Randy Hanley More like buried under unsold Playbooks and abandon ware Androids, but sure...
@Brian Stringfellow
Thing is, when iPhone users review an android phone, they tend to miss core integration because they are familiar with the iOS segregated app approach. What I love about Android and the reason I wouldn't use an iPhone is the advantages offered by (free) integrated Navigation, Google Voice, widgets, swype, etc. If you never use these things, you would never think to look for them. It would be like a boeing pilot doing a review of a lockheed aircraft and concluding that the knobs and switches are not in the right places.
@George Christodoulou
You are absolutely right. I got an iPad2 as a gift after owning a HTC Hero for a while (with Android 2). I found using the iPad so frustrating in comparison to Android because there is no way for apps to interact among themselves.
@JB Tesla
That is one of the best comparisons I have seen. I'm absolutely going to steal that shit and act like I came up with it.
@Jeff Kasten
JB Tesla FTW!
@David Grundy
George Christodoulou I'm in the same boat, I have the original iPad, and 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch. There's no way iOS is messing with android. They should target Microsoft. When have they gotten all chummy anyways
@Wim Leers
Yet Navigation and Google Voice are pretty much U.S.-only features. So that's a moot point for most of the world. The world is larger than just the U.S. ;)
@Jachym Metlicka
Wim Leers just like Siri and visual voicemail is basically only a few countries features. BTW - Navigation works fine outside US.
@MightyText
Totally agree. Our product, installed by over 100,000 people, is simply *NOT TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE* on iOS.....game, set, match :)
@Grover Saunders
George Christodoulou Can you clarify this a bit? How are they interacting in ways that an iOS app can not. Genuine question.
@Ronen Linder
Well said!
@George Christodoulou
Grover Saunders a couple of examples: Twitter - if you tap on a web link in a tweet, Android opens the page in the browser. iOS twitter needs a built-in feature to display websites. Sharing photos - in Android, select any number of photos in Gallery and you are presented with options to share using any number of 3rd party apps for photo sharing that you have installed. iOS you can use twitter, e-mail and a couple other options. If you want to use a 3rd party app (dropbox, picplz) you have to do it from the app itself. I think that you can replace any default app (web browser, picture gallery, music player) for your preferred one is also relevant to Brian's original comment.
@Joey Lappin
Gotta hand it to MG, for once he doesn't sound like a complete hypnotized fanboy. Bravo!
@Brandon Albert
he doesn't?
@Joey Lappin
Brandon Albert Well he doesn't dismiss the Galaxy Nexus out of hand for being a shit Android phone. I get the impression he wanted to like it. Which is more than I've seen him do in the past.
@Brian Stringfellow
Joey Lappin It would be difficult for a an iPhone user to give a fair review of a product and OS that he doesn't use regularly. You just can't change your thought processes and alter muscle memory on a whim. When you are used to doing things a certain way, they feel more intuitive. I agree that iOS is a great OS and very fluid, but I still do not choose it because of the disadvantages. It's a religious thing at this point. We tend to prefer our own because it's just better.
@Brandon Albert
Joey Lappin more so than in the past I'll admit that. But going into the review with an inherent bias (the screen's too big, Android OS sucks compared to iOS etc) means he still comes off as a delusional fanboy. But I get your point
@Jake Van Epps
please...
@Jake Van Epps
that is exactly why i will never buy Apple products...the users are too stupid to see blue when they look at the sky!
@Robbie Burns
I clicked on the article just to criticize MG in a comment. I didn't read past the first paragraph. I can only watch some much iPhone fellatio before I vomit. MG you're still a terrible writer who thinks owning up to the fact that you worship Apple excuses your narrow minded writing and obvious bias. It doesn't and you still blow.
@Robbie Burns
And the fact that the word iPhone shows up more times than the word Galaxy in a review about the Galaxy Nexus is pathetic.
@Robbie Burns
I'm sure my comments are a bit arrogant and prickish. But, to be fair, I really don't like MG.
@Brian Kane
I didn't read past the first paragraph... Not sure if you are one to criticize?
@Robbie Burns
Brian Kane I'm not passing my rants off as Journalism. Big difference between being a dickhole in the comments section and writing biased drivel for what's, supposed to be, a respectable news source.
@Doug Pasnak
Robbie Burns TechCrunch? HA!
@Robbie Burns
Doug Pasnak TechCrunch is one of the top 250 websites in the world. They break tech news more than almost anyone else and are the single stop for a lot of people when it comes to tech news. Moron.
@Jeff Wolfers
MG said right up front his biases .... this is not a news piece, it is an opinion piece.
@Mark Andrews
LOL! I love when people feed the trolls. Come on Robbie, say something else douchey. I demand to be entertained!
@Len Lee
You mean this wasn't a review of how much better the iPhone is over a Nexus?. Also I love near the end that he states why the iPhone is better then Google but gives no strengths to Google, just that there is some. "Google may simply have to acknowledge that iOS looks and feels better than Android because Apple’s entire fabric is woven with design, tight integration, and attention to detail. Google’s strengths are elsewhere; they should embrace that" To each their own I guess. :-) Thanks for the article
@Ashutosh Sharma
If iPhone will introduce a feature like Samsung - "KIES" it would be headlines.... Why it never happens for any other phone?
@Saurabh Singh Chauhan
@[687828471:2048:Ashutosh Sharma] Why do you hate iPhone ? Let it be there.. and the customer is smart enough what he has to buy.. :)
@Ashutosh Sharma
I don't hate iPhone. Please read it again. Question is about news making.
@Saurabh Singh Chauhan
I know .. was just inquiring about ur non inclination towards iphone .. or can say inclination towars non iphone .. :)
@Mark Appel
I got em for a few days now, awesome device, great step forward with ice cream sandwich compared with previous android, for dutch readers I made video on my blog, www.preciesmark.nl.
@Jon Fernandez
I love how iCult members always resort to things like "fine polish that iOS users enjoy" and "attention to detail" when stating why there iPhone is better than Android. But what I love even more is when you ask them to name 5 examples they respond with "well...um...it's just easier to use, you know". Personally I do not think either is significantly better than the other. I just think that different people have different preferences in operating systems. So stop trying to say one is "better" and just say your preference is x.
@Sam Riksfjord
I'll take the flexibility and freedom of Android any day over a little 'polish' and 'attention to detail'. That's never been a selling point for me and I don't understand why it would be to anyone.
@Jason Barone
1. Tap an app icon the app smoothly transitions through the center of the background, while the other app icons smoothly expand outwards. 2. Tap home and the reverse happens. 3. The fading effect on every single app menu transition is usually perfect. For instance, go into the App Store and navigate to a category, then press the back button. 4. The shaking icons effect when deleting an app. 5. How folders open and close. 6. The smooth fade out of media when loading another media app. 7. Rubber band scrolling effect is perfect. 8. The contacts app is actually useful and fields/button are well divided. 9. The delete email effect of the trashcan opening and the email getting sucked in. 10. Double tab to zoom in the browser actually works like it should. 11. Rotating from landscape to portrait has a perfect, smooth animation and isn't jumpy. 12. The textures on various screens like the notifications, game center, iPad calendar, etc. 13. Being able to actually backup the entire device to iTunes (and now iCloud) and have it save the entire device, including settings, apps and configuration. 14. Being able to remote wipe the device quickly and easily via icloud.com. 15. FindMyiPhone works perfectly to locating the device from any other device. 16. Send a text to someone and if they have iOS it automatically sends of iMessage instead of SMS and turns a different color to let you know. I could go on and on. I've owned multiple Android devices and it's gotten way better over the last 2 years but if you can't see the attention to detail, you obviously haven't used an iOS device enough or you're just kidding yourself.
@Hari Dhanagopal
@jason - how old are you Jason? 2?
@Mike Mosher
A lot of the apparent polish and smoothness/speed comes from screen animations. Depending on the app, or even with Touchwiz vs Sense vs AOSP, you may or may not have animations, and they will likely run at different speeds. Personally, I do not have animations turned on. When I have an app in memory, this causes me to load into it instantly, faster than a transition. When it is not in memory, it loads (usually) a blank screen while starting it up. If I were using transitions ala iOS, it wouldn't feel like I was waiting because I see the transition every time.
@Sam Riksfjord
Jason Barone Not one of your bazillion 'look how pretty ios is' points would sell me on a smartphone. None of that provides value to me other than the occasional ooo and aww over a screen transition or whatever. The only points of value that you brought up are iTunes and iCloud and jesus h christ man, those services suck and wtf man? Android doesn't sync to the cloud? Ohhh, there's a 'smooth fade out of media when loading another media app'... I guess I'll give up my free mobile tether for that on my routed EVO 4G. Please do not go 'on and on'. pffff palm to face bro.
@Heng Loon Wan
Jason Barone loled at 4. The shaking icons effect when deleting an app. ahahaha seriously? that's a point?
@Ryan Takahashi
Jason Barone You must be the same kind of guy that watches a movie for "the effects." Screw the story line bro, there are like a bajillion explosions in 3D!
@Jason Barone
Sam Riksfjord You're in a thread regarding "attention to detail" and you're saying the attention to detail Apple put into the OS doesn't mean anything to you because you don't care about attention to detail?
@Sam Riksfjord
Jason Barone What I'm saying is that the so-called polish of iOS is not a selling point for me. It seems to me that the thread was actually about iCult members resorting to talking about 'attention to detail' and 'polish in OS' as being as being why Iphones are better than android's, and why they never give examples. You did give examples, fine. I'm saying these are not (in my mind) valid reasons why a device is better, they may be to many people, but they certainly wouldn't get me to buy a device.
@Derek Marler
Agree with the interivew. My number #1 complaint with Android has been (and still is) the user experience. I don't want to see Android copy iPhone, but they need to better the UX by furthering communication of the UI. Better icons and bottom tray design wouldn't be bad either.
@Brian Stringfellow
I think you have nailed it. iPhone users see different things. When I use ICS, I see a beautiful user experience, but when I use an iPhone, I get frustrated. Agreed, the icons look good and the interface is smooth, but it doesn't do the things I am used to. I prefer the Swype keyboard because I am done pecking. I use Google Voice integrated into the dialer and do not pay the carrier for SMS. Free Nav is an unalienable right in this country and so is a weather icon (or top bar indicator) that shows the actual temperature without having to launch an app. Without these things, I feel ripped off.
@Lance Brown
i think most apple users are "brain washed" to love what ever they are told to love. i am not trying to be mean, but think about it... Siri? really?
@Brian Kane
So you want Windows Phone :)
@Derek Marler
Lance Brown Sure, and there's plenty of Windows users that are the same (internet contains many examples of this). I happen to be a Windows user at home, Mac user at work, and who also has an iPhone. There's pros and cons to both operating systems and platforms, I pick the ones I enjoy the most. That's what's important, unfortunately plenty of people blindly follow a brand.
@Derek Marler
Brian Kane Windows Phone 7 has potential, but still needs to work it better. It has some cool benefits, but I personally don't care for the UI. It communicates fairly well from what I've seen, but the design is too "entertainment" or "celebrity news" like. I'd rather not have my titles/menus cut off, continuous animated text, etc. That won't be the case with everyone, but that's mine at least.
@Michael Sitarzewski
Hey MG, on the iPhone 4s, look in Settings > Accessibility > LED Flash for Alerts :)
@Ross Carlson
Yeah, that works but how often do you set your phone face down? And I don't need the light to be a camera flash - too bright!
@Michael Sitarzewski
@[608691148:2048:Ross Carlson] Since this has been available, I've gotten in the habit of setting it face down when watching a movie or something. Otherwise you see the message appear on the screen, right?
@Ross Carlson
@[752529505:2048:Michael Sitarzewski] While you're right it's the after-reminders I care about. I might miss my screen lighting up if I'm away for a bit - with a true notification light it will keep flashing until you check the device. Biggest thing I miss on my Nexus S - and to be fair I haven't used an iPhone since the very first one ;-)
@Derryl Carter
I originally had a Droid X, and have recently begun using the iPhone 4S. I have to say that while I admire the iPhone for its greater reliability and higher level of polish, I miss my Android because it nailed certain user experience elements that the iPhone just cannot replicate.
@Rocky Dayaramani
U have clearly ripped android off.. well, being an android lover, I dnt like many of the things.. bt u being as an apple user since 2007 and an android user just for writing reviews, I'm sorry to say to u that android is not that bad.. no doubt d points which u highlighted of iOS5 are good.. Siri is outstanding.. bt Google will rule..
@Trevor Gerzen
My personal thoughts on this may differ because I've owned an HTC Droid Incredible for 2 years now and was totally in love with it for almost an entire year after owning an iPhone 3GS for a year before that. The screen was great, it was fast, the apps were useful but then things starting coming up. Unfortunately I believe some of the problems I was having were more related to HTC's Sense UI but there was a lot of talk about how Android text messages were going to the wrong recipients. That happened to me. Then, recently, an update came through and my text messages stopped working. I could send, just not receive text messages from anyone. There have been numerous issues like this that have come up. Not to mention my battery life is horrendous with this phone. I've tried out a lot of my friend's phones as well and none of them strike me as high quality products. The Samsung phones I've tried feel like Fisher Price toys. You notice I'm not just talking about teh shiny? My phone has been broken for over a year and no one would fix it because what was actually broken was Android. The problems the HTC Droid Incredible has are known problems that have just started coming up. Not cool. Just for the record, I realized I was going on-and-on but I honestly don't mean anything personal towards you or anyone else here. I don't wanna be a troll and make it some playground bickering match. Just disagree here…
@Chris Waters
Trevor Gerzen Have you considered performing a factory reset to see if it resolves the issues you're experiencing with your Incredible? With Google sync, restoring the device afterward is fairly easy. I've been using an Incredible for about 18 months; it has a few quirks, but I'm very happy with it overall. Disclaimers: A family member has an iPhone 4S; I try it from time to time. The build quality and the camera are awesome, but IMO the overall UX is too limiting, coming from the point-of-view of an Android user. That being said, I'm very much looking forward to the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0.
@Trevor Gerzen
Chris Waters Unfortunately I have reset it multiple times. This may sound like chasing ghosts but it wasn't until after about 18 months that I started noticing things getting really bad. I have a buddy who has a Motorola Droid who has functionality that has just stopped working. That's been my main beef with Android. I can handle something not looking that great if it works stellar. My experience has been much less than stellar...
@Wayne Williams
I'm sure it's a nice phone, spec wise. But you won't get me to pay that kind of cash for something made out of plastic. I had a Samsung Focus for a few months and it was a pile of trash. Battery cover popped off numerous times a day and the phone was flimsy. Plastic is great for milk cartoons, but not electronics.
@JB Tesla
I go back and forth on this, personally. While I like the look and feel of metal around my device, the fact of the matter is that the plastic phones I have used have held up better in drops/every day use then the metal ones ever did. I don't know if its because they absorb shock better or what, but they always came out with less scratches and breaks (Especially when it comes to shock being transferred into the glass screen). I used to HATE plastic phones till I really started dealing with them.
@Brian Stringfellow
@Wayne I hear you. I like durable goods that are made well, the heavier the better - cameras, camera lenses, wrist watches, and binoculars that I can hand down to my grand kids one day. As far as my phone, I'm on the fence. I do save them, or well, I have in the past. Lately I've been selling them however. So to me, it's no longer a 'durable good', rather I view it as a one to two year device that gets swapped out and the lighter the better. Metal is not necessary, but should feel solid and be able to take a fall and accidental kick down the sidewalk. My Galaxy S hits the mark.
@Brian Wilcox
"Plastic is great for milk cartons, but not electronics" Are you for real? Plastic is non-conductive and pliable, making it perfect for encasing electronics. Other than your iPhone and MacBook, how many pieces of electronic equipment do you own that are encased in glass or metal?
@Trevor Gerzen
Brian Wilcox plastic is cheap. I've yet to see a phone that is made out of plastic that I would say is well constructed. I own things that made from "strong" plastic that have held up great. Most phones I've witnessed don't make it out of the first month without some kind of issue from the "average" use by an "average" person. That being said, I watched my wife's iPhone fly off the counter, flat onto the tile floor (no bouncing) and the screen was shattered, unusable. That was a bummer. It was great that Apple was willing to replace it at a fraction of the cost to buy a new one, but that sort of rigid casing does make incidents like that a major ordeal. Unfortunately, I think cases and bumpers are the only way to greatly reduce tremendous amounts of shock from something like a drop. My Droid Incredible also has a cracked screen and the battery has popped out numerous times from dropping it and it's definitely made out of plastic…
@Brian Wilcox
Trevor Gerzen Right, sooo plastic is cheaper than glass or aluminum, and therefore is inferior. As long as the thing doesn't fall apart, who cares what material is used for the outer casing? I'm on Android phone #4 and have never needed a cover, case or bumper. If I drop it, I get a scratch, not a hundred beautifully crafted pieces of broken glass. And when did cheap come to mean "crap"? If a cheaper casing means that companies like HTC can drop a dual core 1.2Ghz processor and a gig of RAM into my device, I'm all for it. Oh hell, just my opinion I guess.
@Paul Giguere
@[677946517:2048:Brian Wilcox] Hey Brian, remember when Apple put that antenna around there phone and people used their hand to close the circuit? Then Steve Jobs told everyone they were just holding their phone wrong? Thanks pope of appleton, I will follow you into Mt Doom.
@Brian Wilcox
@[28002137:2048:Paul Giguere] But Paul, that doesn't matter. The iPhone is such a piece of art, why would you even want to touch it?
@Paul Giguere
@[677946517:2048:Brian Wilcox] I mean seriously, it looks good. The fact that I get to purchase a new one every 6 months is an absolute joy. I mean I wish babies could do it too, so I could see the looks on their cute baby faces when they open that iphone box up for the first time. I mean, there's no way we could be ready for all the features that Apple has in its phones currently. That's why they wait to release them with hardware upgrades. I know the current hardware could handle new features, but if I'm not ready for them, who am I too judge. Apple knows all. It judges me kindly. For this, I pledge my allegiance.
@Trevor Gerzen
Brian Wilcox In the case of my droid incredible 1st gen it does mean crap. The black paint has been chipping off making that sports car look with the red chassis underneath look like a bad spray paint job.
@Trevor Gerzen
Paul Giguere again, I get the same effect with my Droid Incredible and I've seen the same thing happen with Blackberry
@Yoeun Pen
Apple also needs an ability to clear all notifications from the lock screen.
@Mike Tang
Played with a galaxy nexus for the first time the other day. It lagged while unlocking and scrolling between home screens, no thanks.
@Michael Ramsey
Which provider was it from? Would seem unlikely that it would launch with such obvious issues in the default software. Particularly when even lower-end android phones don't necessarily have these issues. I have to wonder if it's something to do with the service provider putting software on the phone that wasn't disabled.
@JB Tesla
I have to agree with Michael. I've played with a few Nexus Primes so far, all different hand sets. None of them did that for me.
@Mike Tang
It was from Bell, it could just be that this demo unit has been abused. It was a noticeable and unpleasant lag compared to my 4S. But i think in general the Android OS is just not as smooth as the iOS. When I was working at Bell, I had the opportunity to use many android devices, but non could compare to iOS' smoothness. (although it's getting better). I attempted to switch to android (HTC incredible, Nexus S, etc) on a few occasions, I like the customizability and the level of integration between apps and the OS, but over time, the little annoyances (smoothness, polish, and some poor UX decisions) always make me go back to the iPhone.
@Michael A. Robson
Wow. And that's on brand new hardware. Pathetic. I can imagine how fugly its going to be when the hardware partners skin the hell out of it, and throw in some un-deletable crapware.
@Peter Fong
rofl, the Apple bandwagon continues ... http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/shocker-android-grew-us-market-share-after-q2-ios-was-static/ .. just saying ...
@Peter Fong
btw, been using the Nexus prime as my primary for the last month+ ... pretty solid phone!
@Peter Knudson
Thanks for the review MG - I was waiting for you to tell me my next phone to buy over Christmas. To be honest though, Nexus Prime could have been a superior product to the 4S but due to the inferior app selection it would still be a no-brainer IMO.
@Jake Van Epps
ehh...ehhh...you said butt...ehhh
@Andrew Dalton
You're right, iOs is more polished. It's hard not to be when it hasn't changed it's look in 4 years.
@Michael A. Robson
It's funny to watch Google throw all of their previously' great ideas out the Window--er, window, and just full-on ape iOS. Oh, it turns out that having hardware buttons is a bad thing. Hm. Interesting. Curated App Store? That's cool. Software and Hardware integration? Never heard of that. All it does is make non-ICS phones look embarassing.
@Quentin Vaterlaus
Michael A. Robson Do you even know why? It goes back to the core of Android - Choice. If I don't want physical buttons (see all Android based tablets), I, the manufacturer, don't have to use them. If I want them, I add them and the code adjusts for it. It's basically the same function that Windows and OSX use when you plug in a keyboard/mouse. Does the mouse have 1 button? 2? 4? 8? Ok, I will adjust accordingly. Macs can use 2 button mice... but how does it know - it's built into the software. The Market store isn't curated... they just take down stuff that people find offensive, illegal or malicious. All companies have to respond to feedback, even Apple.
@智也長瀬
Michael A. Robson I take it that you've not known that app stores have been around since the WM and Symbian days, which existed BEFORE anything fruity came to phones.
@智也長瀬
For that matter? LG Prada would like a word with said fruity phone about NO BUTTONS and certain icon display.
@Bobola Onigold
MC SIEGLER, who are you that your opinion on the Galaxy Nexus would be important to me?
@Todd Jolley
He is the person whose opinion you are reading and commenting on. Is he reading and commenting on your opinions? Didn't think so.
@Bobola Onigold
Todd Jolley; Didn't read it
@Carlos Morales
Since the galaxy nexus isn't for you, why don't u pass it on to me ill take goood care of it :)
@Adi Mrozac
As someone already noted, iPhone 4 and 4S have a option in Settings > Accessibility > LED Flash for Alerts which give you some sort light alerts. You also can setup a own vibration "tunes"
@Russel Christie
Not really trying to troll but Apple often doesn't polish products in certain areas. Like folders, but only 12 apps in a folder. Or notifications without a "clear all," or a "mark all as read" in my mailbox. Why can't I delete photos out of my photo steam? I have around 10 images of my work schedule cluttering up my photostream and veers me away from it. I have 147 emails "unread" so the notification badge is useless. Also, why can't we have 5 icons wide? My phone looks just great with 5x4. I have lots of little things that drive me absolutely crazy about my iPhone. They do a good job making the experience lag free and making some stuff very snappy. However I find a lot of their updates contain exact replicas of things made from the jailbreak community and really should not be so.....plain. I find my phone incredibly plain and dull, something no amount of polish can fix.
@Lance Brown
i couldnt agree more. thanks for expressing that Russel. i dont really care what phone people choose - to each their own (and shut up).
@Trevor Gerzen
Supposedly the beta for iOS right now is testing out deletion of single photos from your Photo Stream, FWIW. I agree that email sucks on the iPhone. The Gmail app is terrible IMO, as well. I also agree that Notifications could do with a clear all. The main things I've noticed for myself is that 1) I jailbroke my phone once, changed the look & feel, added apps I couldn't install from the app store, messed some preferences and was stoked. Until I updated, lost all of that, looked at my phone in that simple/plain state and realized how much nicer/cleaner and easier to parse general information at a glance it was. 2) I got an Android phone, have used it for 2 years, it's totally falling apart on me, somethings work while others don't (I've come to expect a 50/50 chance of something working) and now I long for the simplicity of iOS…
@Tom Osial
As a recent graduate from the HTC Evo 3G to iPhone 4S, I can attest that iPhone lacks the same duplicate recognition and Android integration with Facebook is far superior to iPhone's...and is something I quite liked about Android. Additionally, sometimes iMessage doesn't give me a name if the contact doesn't have the +1, and then some times it does, and then sometimes it doesn't. Having said all that, iPhone still wins hands down based on all the reasons you pointed out.
@Ben Floro
Would love to see an OMG/JK on this! This review seems to be all about polish. It hardly seems to acknowledge the power of the OS. And while it sugests Android users won't get it because they won't give iOS enough time, the same could be said here. I know you can easily tweak that email notification setting quite easily for example. He's right about the apps though, but again, it's more about polish than performance and ability. My questions is, will the general population notice this, or is it just something for enthusiasts to spend their time arguing about? Discussing the use of font and the placement of buttons.
@Quentin Vaterlaus
I like your analysis. I am a history major and we, as enthusiasts, simply spend our time debating topics that the general public takes for granted or they don't care enough about to waste time on. My mom - a non-techie - loves her Droid X and can't believe she waited as long as she did to get a smartphone. My brother, a gamer developer, loves his iPhone, but not for technical reasons for for pure aesthetics and simplicity. In my opinion, ICS seems like a fresh version of Android while iOS 5 seems like iOS 4 with notifications.... and twitter...
@Morgan West
iphone Lover's? or iphone's Lover? I think it is the latter.
@Luke Elwood
Iphone's lover's?
@Jean-Luc Cesar
Say 'Iphone Lover' s ..
@Ariana West
If you read the article, I believe he's saying that the author is sexually involved with the iphone...
@Paul Douglas
All I know is my iPhone is a constant joy to use, and my experience with my Android Tablet is merely acceptable.
@Duncan Booth
"why include something [facebook contact sync] in your OS that is completely broken?" You only get the option to sync your Facebook account when you install Facebook's app. Google didn't include anything special for Facebook in the OS broken or not: and that's precisely the problem. According to reports on the web earlier versions of Android had special support to allow Facebook to sync contacts without using the standard APIs but ICS no longer includes those fallbacks. Will Facebook decide to fix their broken contacts sync? Who knows but the longer they leave it broken the more bad press Google gets for it. As for the Messaging/G+Messager not being merged, I haven't used G+Messenger much but when you choose who to contact it offers contacts with phone numbers as well as Google+ contacts so perhaps Google+ Messenger is merging both but just hasn't yet replaced the old SMS app?
@Ben McLean
Pulling the back cover off the phone is a "joke" and "unpleasant"? Wow thanks for that insight, definitely not getting this phone!
@Lance Brown
this was funny to me... how do you pull the cover off the iPhone again?
@Brian Wilcox
Lance Brown Well put.
@Mark Thomas
Didn't any of you Android fragments read the title of the article? "An iPhone Lover’s Take On The Galaxy Nexus" of course it's biased. Some times I wonder about my fellow readers.
@JB Tesla
So, are you saying that someone who is suppose to write professionally is too stupid to write in an unbiased manner? I understood perfectly what it said, but I was hoping for an objective view. I really don't think that's too much to ask, yea?
@Mark Thomas
Yay! Got one. My work here is done.
@JB Tesla
Mark Thomas I REALLY hope that wasn't the highlight of your day, but I have a feeling it was. :) Cheers, mate.
@Mark Thomas
JB Tesla Nothing new on Reddit :( So pretty much, yes...
@JB Tesla
Mark Thomas Win.
@Matthew Leeper
Seriously? This isn't about Android or iOS. It's about the phone itself. The shape and feel on the Nexus is just too awkward. Now, I won't even say anything about Android...
@JB Tesla
According to...? Oh, right. You. Every single time I have held the Nexus, I was amazed at how good it felt in my hands. I love the shape, the weight, the slight curve, the back, everything. Its all a matter of opinion. You like boxes. I like sexy curves. You don't have a fetish for Lego women, do you? ;)
@Matthew Leeper
No but you have a fetish for your mother.
@JB Tesla
Matthew Leeper Trollololol. My mother is a very sweet lady, but I'm not a fan of doing what the Greeks did.
@Matthew Leeper
Oh, so it was the GREEKS who made Android?
@JB Tesla
Matthew Leeper Please, please, please tell me that you have a higher IQ then that. Please...?
@Matthew Leeper
OK, OK, I can be a troll too. My IQ is perfectly fine, because I don't use Android.
@JB Tesla
Matthew Leeper My faith in humanity. Iz lost it.
@Trevor Gerzen
A simple demonstration of screen size that makes a lot of sense to me http://dcurt.is/2011/10/03/3-point-5-inches/
@Irish David
Matthew Leeper look up Oedipus. that's what JB Tesla was referring to
@Hemant Shah
Trevor Gerzen Good point about the screen size. Makes sense. However, for the generation that is slightly older, the larger screen is literally a sight for the sore eyes. Also, remember that you are watching the screen for a far longer periods than you are thumbing it.
@Sam Johnson
No NFC. Nuff said
@Callum Saunders
I'm still trying to work out where i can use NFC on my GNex :/ No Google Wallet and i don't know anyone else with a GNex to use Android Beam...
@Sam Johnson
Callum Saunders nothing yet... but just you wait :D
@Karen Livingston
iPhone 4S or Galaxy Nexus.. You choose! This company Goba is giving away an iPhone 4S and an Galaxy Nexus to someone that tries their app this December: http://goba.co/win-a-phone. Here's a link to the press release for more info: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goba-announces-an-iphone-4s-and-samsung-galaxy-nexus-giveaway-for-december-134832768.html.
@Arlee Repunte
bigger is better.
@Lee Owen
It feels disingenuous to review the Galaxy Nexus camera, and fail to mention the 0-lag shutter speed. Maybe disingenuous is too charitable...
@Matthew Henry
Zero lag is pointless when the quality isn't great. The iPhone 4 and 4S strike a good balance between rapid capture and solid quality, although if you really want "no" lag, why aren't you filming instead?
@Hemant Shah
Matthew Henry Zero lag is far more important with a multi-feature device that you are likely to carry with you most of the time. Are you saying you had rather miss the moment and capture a more beautiful image of a totally wrong moment?
@Paul Chiu
Matthew Henry Shutter lag is important. Not to say that the iPhone is slow, but there is a reason professional SLRs have very low shutter lag. It is as (or more) important as picture quality, depending on the situation.
@Lee Owen
Matthew Henry I love the photo quality of my Nexus One. And apparently the Galaxy Nexus takes even better photos. But more exciting is the end of camera lag!
@Matthew Henry
Hemant Shah Given the slow launch time for getting into the camera from ICS's lock screen, I'd say that shutter speed is the least of your concerns when getting a photo as fast as possible.
@Paul Chiu
Matthew Henry You're telling me that the iPhone (where you have to unlock, flip to the page where the camera app is, launch the camera app, and THEN take a picture) is faster than simply going to the camera app directly from the lock screen? You are delusional.
@Patrick Quinn-Graham
Paul Chiu With iOS 5 you can double tap the home button on the lock screen, at which point you have a button that takes you directly to the camera, which launches very quickly. So yes, I'd say the iOS one is quicker. Or at least less aggrivating as you wait for the camera app to load.
@Vikram Dhani
How can I block viewing of MG post on techcrunch, i seem to have too much of this idiotic behavior.
@Stephen Cobb
I wonder how many people who have commented have actually owned decent phones with both OS's on them?
@Tim Atkins
Why were you using the google browser? There are way better alternatives.
@Shivang Shah
I don't always comment on TechCrunch, but when I do I want to make my stand extremely clear. I am going to take out the time to really comment on this blog post. Speaking of Honda and Mercedes, Quite the analogy. For a moment, I am going to take that analogy in its literal sense. "driving experience better when both machines get them from point A to point B". Think about what's the most important thing you need if you are driving from point A to point B. Navigation. Have you ever used google navigation? ever compared that to google maps on iPhone? Does iPhone have a stand alone app for navigation like google navigation which isn't paid service? I travelled by road over 8000 miles this year and the navigation on my Nexus One worked flawless compared to the navigation on my friends' iphones (remember that HUGE BLUE dot on google maps for iphone which sometimes engulfs like 3 freeways and not knowing where to go anymore?). Talk about siri. Nice toy. my facebook profile is full of siri screenshots of how hilarious it is and how it makes you laugh. What's the actual use really? "Siri, call bla". "Siri, text bla", "Siri find bla".. my nexus one has been doing that for over 1.5 years now. And if I need to laugh, I will read some jokes. (Don't take me wrong, siri is wonderful toy. just not as useful). Who is going to talk about the desktop widgets feature on android that has been there from the time it was released? Don't you hate it when you have to open an app (or talk to siri) to open a calendar or just see the animated weather the moment you unlock your phone? "Another: why is there a separate app for Messaging and Google+ Messenger?" Why? let me tell you why. Not everyone wants to sync all their contacts and apps from all the social networks. I definitely don't (and I know many others who don't as well). You start adding random people on social networks, you don't them to show up on your contacts list. That will make my phone contacts list over a 1000! "Some people will like having the option to remove to the back to get at the battery, but the method for doing so remains a joke. You essentially have to rip it off. I feel like I’m peeling a nail away from a finger every time I do it — it’s that unpleasant." Is it as unpleasant as driving to an apple store to restart your phone just because you can't remove the battery on yours? These are the points worth discussing about for real users (and I have plenty more.. I can discuss this all day long). Don't be a hater. "The screen is too big". Seriously? if next iphone will have a bigger screen (which it will) your hands are going to grow bigger? "Unfortunately, the system still lacks much of the fine polish that iOS users enjoy." What exactly do you mean by "fine polish" I read like 3 paragraphs after that line without finding a single argument as to how "fine polished" iOS is. Fanboy review much? On the bright side (for you atleast), iphone does have better hardware software integration thus giving a better UI experience. but if you are comparing iOS with Android.. please come up with some better arguments other than contact syncs (did you know that you can merge your contacts automatically and than sync it with android? yes its a one time thing but atleast there is which you seem to hate the most), bigger screen, cheap plastic, whatever else you were thinking of. These are IRRELEVANT to actual users.
@Ritesh Tripathy
You beat me to it. But I couldn't have said it any better.. I could not believe he actually said the notification system on iOS beats the one on Android, never mind ICS. That was that for me. Someone who can say that, most definitely, has no idea what he or she's talking about. Although pointless, I'd still like to answer a few of his ridiculous questions for the others that came here for a real review: "Why have they included Facebook sync when it does nothing?" Who said it does nothing? The problem is at Facebook's end. In the past, Android had made an exception for Facebook when they allowed Facebook to use a special method to access the contacts app in Android in order to have more access to user data. Now, Google stopped making that exception and when Facebook decides to use the standard Contacts API, things will be fine. "Mobile Safari kicks the Android browser's ass in every single way..." Wait, what? I have a Galaxy Nexus and my sister's 4S here. The 4S' browser is faster in some instances when the webpage is media-rich but only by a second or so. It's largely due to the superior GPU on the 4S. Nothing to do with the browser itself. In most other instances, the two browsers are more or less evenly matched on performance. For a tech reviewer, one would expect you'd know better! And what the nuts is it with "why isn't it Chrome yet?" Haven't you heard that Google is already working to unify the Android browser and the Chrome codebase? And in any case, what does it matter if its not Chrome, it still works rather well! Just for the sake of picking, eh? "The text field issue".. I'm not sure if you're saying what i think you're saying, but, the first time the text field comes up, it doesn't bring the keyboard up 'cos it thinks you might need the screen space to actually read the content such as texts or messages or anything. If you then tap the text field, it brings up the keyboard, i actually prefer it rather than having to hide the keyboard when it comes up automatically in some cases. "The new Twitter, Facebook and Facebook Messenger apps lag or stutter on ICS." I just have to disagree with that one outright. They don't! Yes, if you're trying to scroll through tweets when its updating the timeline, it does stutter a bit but that's down to how iOS and android handle graphical rendering. iOS stops any updating or loading the moment you touch the screen. It gives priority to the graphics than the data updating or loading. Android, on the other hand, updates the data whether or not you're trying to scroll. So, if its not updating or already updated the timeline, it does not lag or stutter at all. Same applies to the Facebook app. The Facebook Messenger app though, works flawlessly as its completely push based instead of trigger-updating when opened. This was just a fanboy article (far from a review) that has as much credible information as water in a sieve!
@Karl Thomas
mapquest4mobile is a free turn by turn app for iPhones.
@Michael Aaron
wow. it's amazing (and a symbol of the times) that if a person says something negative about android, the anger starts to flow (especially if they happen to own an iphone). it's a review, from one person's point of view. we're not discussing DOMA or abortion, it's a review of a phone for gosh sakes, and a decent comparison from someone who has used both devices. it's to the point now where if someone says something against android it's akin to them having personally said something about your mother. you don't need to get defensive; no one is saying anything about you or coming to any conclusions about you based upon your preference for one OS over another. i guess it's like sports: the whole "my team is better than your team" (even though you don't own the team nor do you play on the team). anyway- agree or disagree, at the end of the day it's one person's opinion. take a step back, take a deep breath, and simply agree to disagree.
@Michael Luca
Karl Thomas ---if you ever tried living with mapquest and compared it to Google Nav, its like comparing a Mercedes to a Yugo. I had it with my iPhone 3GS and always found my back to MotionX. Paid for sure, but worlds better than mapquest.
@Mark Curtis
Michael Aaron You could swap "Android" and "iPhone" in your comment and it would still be true.
@Shivang Shah
Michael Aaron I am now stepping back, taking a deep breath, and simply disagreeing with you. TechCrunch has to maintain its credibility with unbiased reviews. The moment a review is biased, it becomes a blog. Having said that, if you (or for that matter anyone other than TechCrunch) posted this on their blog/website, I would care less to argue or discuss.
@Shivang Shah
Watch out guys .. We got a badass over here ! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Wk5ikXWivUmB2deeoXxN1Jvkmr28O5mUmQA7Wu67wQ-W__J9r2sE5uoOEyQomuQNJHTVQ6zSZfRxDecM1bWXctXfn_Ei2ccFGKWXRXlDFcdaLPk19XE
@Ritesh Tripathy
Sohrob Tahmasebi You're joking right?
@Mark Curtis
Ritesh Tripathy I hope so, otherwise he's promoting gravedigging.
@Martijn van der Woude
Wow. This article is horrible. "Yaddayadda... this is alright, but it's not like in iOS... yaddayadda". If you're posting an unbelievable biased article like this, spare me this wall of text and just say this phone doesn't live up to expectations as long as there is no Apple logo on the back.
@Nick van der Vaart
Love is blind
@Martijn van der Woude
Love makes blind* :) I know it does, I like Android. To each their own. But to say "Keep at it, Google" because this one guy doesn't like it so much. Such arrogance.
@Robert McCallum
I don't know how you can possibly think Safari is better MG. By rendering better I assume you mean not at all. View any car site such as Audi.ca on a current Android device and then view the same site on an iPad. Everything is different. Cause of its lack of flash and support I imagine.
@Thomas Oppong
Samsung and Google team up for Galaxy Nexus and you think the iPhone is still the best! Apple committed product users will find every thing wrong with an Android.
@Steve Job
ah cool I think if somebody is in love with one product that shouldn't mean they neglect the other I was once android fan but I also tried iphone in order to see what it offer.i think both are c00l in its own way.google make a good move by doing open source thing and that's why they are successful but iphone kept its OS secret and now they are leaving behind a little.Peace.
@Sai Siddarth Muralidharan
MG.. You could have saved urself a lot of time and just written, iPhone>Galaxy Nexus and iOS>Android.. Because like said in your first few paragraphs, frankly, no one cares what u say about android..
@Matthew Hallberg
in case no one else pointed it out.... a la Beavis and Butthead: Uh huh huh huh -you said one handed operation-... Hehehehehehehe he means choke his chicken.... choke!
@Adam Tope
live voice input is better than anything ios has to offer, including siri. dunno what phone you're using or what you're doing but you're doing it wrong.
@Callum Saunders
The integration with navigation and maps is the only thing in my mind that puts Google Voice Commands on top.
@
a) The reason iOS is still more polished is because Apple, unlike Google (and most other companies), do not have a table thumper with an attention to detail and comprehension of user needs. With Apple's table thumper gone, we have to hope another pops up from within or is hired. b) Why doesn't this review reference other superior Android handsets, such as what is generally perceived by it's users to be the best mobile phone in the world, the Samsung Galaxy Note, with a superb stylus interface? Or how about the much more robust Motorola RAZR with a superior camera, ground breaking intelligent status management and water resistant tough kevlar case?
@Alexis Philippides
The Galaxy Nexus has an equivalent 4.4" screen size because the rest is taken up by the soft buttons. Preference in size is up to the individual, I have medium hands as well and I have never felt the Nexus as too large. It is indeed very plasticky. My Nexus One can still take a beating but I don't think the Galaxy Nexus will survive the whole year. I think ICS is more modern and polished than iOS. iOS is becoming dated. But on some parts, ICS has become more form over function, than say Gingerbread. Hopefully I will post a complete review on ICS soon, going over the shortcomings. I do agree that some things can be frustrating, like having to tap on a text field, I'm there so yeah I need a keyboard. What is driving my crazy is the new '3 dot' options button, which keeps shifting position from app to app. For now here is part of my review of the Galaxy Nexus http://www.stuff-review.com/2011-12/samsung-galaxy-nexus-complete-review/.
@Aaron Bird
"When it comes to web browsers, arguably the most important feature on any of these devices, there is no question that iOS still has a big edge here." The Nexus (in the US) is a 4G phone. Had you been using it on Verizon's 4G network, there "would have been no question" that the Nexus would "have a big edge here". Add >40% more screen real estate and the Nexus dominates the iPhone in "arguably the most important feature on any of these devices". No matter how much you may love Apple, the Nexus destroys the iPhone in web browsing because of the 4G network.
@Trevor Gerzen
San Diego has 4G…well San Diego has 4G in some areas…just not where I spend 90% of my time. 4G doesn't mean much to the majority of users. The reason the browser on iOS is "better" than on Android is because of the overall robustness of the browser it's self. If you've ever optimized something for the iOS browser there really isn't much of a difference between the devices other than resolution. How many different variations of the Android browser (that is built on the same codebase as Safari for iOS) do we have? Almost as many as we have variations of Android phones. The GN is not immune to this and still doesn't offer the mobile browsing experience that iOS does.
@Aaron Bird
Trevor Gerzen I live in Seattle, Verizon 4G is everywhere with great coverage. Most people keep a phone for 2 years. If you buy an iPhone 4S now and I buy a Nexus now, my browsing experience on average over the next 2 years will kill yours. 4G is coming fast and furious and it's a bad move to buy a 3G phone right now - in 18 months you will have the slowest phone of anyone you know. With a Nexus, you don't need a mobile optimized browsing experience, you have 720x1280, better than most netbooks, oh and Flash too.
@Trevor Gerzen
Aaron Bird Adobe is killing Flash for Mobile, in 18 months 4G will still be just as spotty in San Diego and I am not going to move just to get better download speeds, I've yet to see a "netbook" I care about because I'd rather use my iPad, I won't have the slowest phone because I will have a reliable phone who's operating system doesn't become bogged down over time like what I'm experiencing now. Back to the bit about Flash, as a web designer/developer I stopped using Flash like 6 years ago. It doesn't provide me with a better experience in 95% of the sites I visit because (unfortunately) people don't know that there are a ton of accessibility features built into Flash and great options for graceful degradation but how long has Flash been around? More than a decade. Adobe is keeping Flash alive by allowing you to take your crappy Air app and push it to mobile devices. No thanks. It's the same reason I avoid Java apps as well.
@Steve Ravelonjato
the comparison between a Benz and a Honda was probably the funniest on this post... we know which one is the laziest and yet the user friendly here (hint: not the Benz) and which ones is the powerful and somewhat complicated one (hint: not the iPhone) LOL... so there you go, if you like a shiny Mercedes-Benz, go for the Android, and if you like a Honda... go for the iPhone ;).
@Cip Herr
This was tough to read. You put yourself out there in the open from the start and let us know what to expect from you, but even considering that, you still managed to make this extremely tough to read, and that's from someone who likes iPhone. Talk about the cameras, never mention the Galaxy shutter speed. Briefly mention the screen, never touch on the lovely AMOLED technology and resolution. Talk about the browsers, claim iOS is better, when every professionally ran benchmark from Anandtech to Timbuktu shows the GN 4.0 Browser is markedly faster than iOS 5.0 Safari hands down. Talk about separate messaging apps, never mention the splintering and lack of integrated TurnByTurn directions iOS lacks which is just near ridiculous in 2011. Its just... nigh terrible, I laughed at the beginning when you near criticized them for even bothering to send you a review phone. But by the end I understood completely why even you were mystified that they would send you anything. You are so far over the edge that this was really not even worth reading. I don't want to read a review where you tell me about the mystical but mysterious "unspecific" magic of iOS devices that just make the "feel woven better... ya know?". No... I don't know, aren't you supposed to actually quantify these things? Don't just tell me its magic, tell me what you are talking about. Sluggish, Transition, Feel are buzzwords that will only get you so far. Its getting old. SAY SOMETHING.
@Brian Kane
I think it's funny the majority of the comments relate to 'polish' - MG spokes to some more core things like speed, reliability, quality of overall user experience, etc. I've been using both since the G1 and 3G and I think the review is fair. It's from the point-of-view of an iPhone 4S user, which is a nice comparison. Why the Nexus will do well? $0 with new contract when on promotion. This is why Apple has 60% of cellphone manufacturer's profit share and Google 50+% unit share.
@Michael A. Robson
"Why the Nexus will do well? $0 with new contract when on promotion" I'm not sure what promotion that is, I heard the phone is $300(!!) plus contract on Verizon. It's even more expensive than the iPhone 4S.
@Joshua Rogner
Intangibles that can't be learned like sports? That's your main reason for choosing the 4S? I don't care a whole lot about it all but INTANGIBLES? Android 4.0 is smooth. It needs some cute UI 'little things' but I think we're starting to see that with ICS. To me iOS feels prissy and dainty. It feels fragile built for big city suburbia where hipsters bicker over little irrelevant things. When can iOS correct for prissy and dainty? Maybe it's an intangible. It's dainty in it's design and it's OS. Fragile, too simple, a money magnet. Anyway, I don't care about phone wars. It just feels like a Tom and Jerry cartoon.
@Alan Ofoedu
People with "no taste" don't actually realise they have "no taste". Its like talking to the problem about the problem… it's a waste of time.
@Gibster Wallis
After using friends' iPhones on and off over the years, there's a gruesome lack of attention to detail I've noticed: the on screen keyboard is difficult to use and so's the auto-correct (damn you auto-correct anyone?) and the keyboard doesn't show that you have the caps lock on or off. There's no change. There are other parts of the iOS experience that show good attention to detail, as well as bad attention to detail (skeumorphic elements), but the keyboard is such an important part of the experience... and for people who's social circle includes BlackBerry users migrating to iPhone, it's like waves of formerly good typists become more and more deranged and bizarre with every iPhone activation.
@Paul Holmes
Seriously? You spend the first five paragraphs talking about yourself. You're a good writer and you have generally good and well-expressed insights about technology. I like it when writers know they're good enough not to have to write self-importantly.
@Eduardo Fenili
The problem with your article and the way you write is that you ASSUME that people who love Android do so because they don't understand iOS. Analogy's like your Mercedes vs. Honda put into a pro-Android article could be just as effective? What do you say to someone who uses both OS's extensively on a daily basis who still prefers Android? You're an idiot and you don't understand? It's not that you really enjoy Apple, it's your way of speaking as if you are better than others for some reason because you do....that's why people can be so negative in their remarks. I don't think it's difficult to get the respect of most users on both sides, even with a heavy preference. Just don't write like you have to insult people who don't agree.
@Jason Dorfman
I knew this was an MG article before I even clicked.
@Jamees West
cool advertorial!
@Chin Ming Keat
The first half is really good and solid... but I couldn't agree with the second half... sounds like a baseless debate.
@Randy Ashar Khoo
Techcrunch is know for being pro apple
@Kyle McClellan
Really think you're being too harsh on ICS. You have to remember its Google's brand new, completely revamped OS and the G-Nex is the only phone right now that runs it. iOS has been around for 5 years... It better be "polished" or you're doing something wrong. That said, I appreciate the review.
@Earl Debs
In a nutshell: This review restates a perceived flaw (or apple talking point), assumes it is a flaw, and disregards any advantages to the Android model.
@Kei Nozaki
I used all iphones (except the 4s). and tried the nexus galaxy for a couple of days. i think the nexus is a great phone, but two things are at the moment preventing me. 1.) the email and browser program on the android phones don't adjust content , so you have to scroll to the left and to the right if you get an big email or picture. (this is a total no go!) 2.) there is no tool to send my iphone contacts to google adress, and its a big hassle to convert all my music to google music.. (drm hello.. ) 3.) the nexus galaxy has a nice screen, but 4.7 might be a bit too big, 4.3 is the perfect size to use the phone with one hand. if I could migrate my data without hassle, and had more homescreens (5 is a joke.. ) and the email issue fixed, I might have moved to android, but at this point, iOS is still a lot better in usability, and its just perfect. before I was unhappy with iOS, even got bored about it, but once you compare that porsche to that volkswagen passat, you see that the porsche is still the cooler car, I think that porsche-volkswagen is a perfect comparison of iphone-android. (but android is now getting so good, it will be the right choice for 80% of the world).
@Dennis Espe
it's been 6 weeks now and I'm still loving my cheap htc mozart wp7, slowly finding good apps that I need, not missing my iphone4 so far, my other android phone is still on the side checking it out once in a while but atm wp7 is joy to use.
@Matt Zwirn
I found it funny how you went in depth of his perceived negatives of the Nexus but just kinda glossed over some of things he liked about the Nexus.
@Chee Hang Lim
typical iphone user comment..
@Chris Schroeder
I like how ios only lets you close your apps with its one button, rather than let you go back, or open a menu. Who needs convenience? Go simplicity!
@It'sThe Dashiell
Whenever someone starts off a "review" of a phone with a criticism of it's size I almost immediately tune out. It's such an irrelevant thing to comment about considering that it's a primary aspect of the phone. If someone doesn't want a larger phone, why the hell would they buy one and then complain about the size? That's like going to a Thai restaurant, ordering one of their dishes that marked with five chili peppers on the menu and then complaining on yelp that the food was too spicy.
@Rick Kerr
"On the flip side, if it’s positive: gravy train time." What I find funny is this guy is so full of himself. Does he actually believe his own crap? LOL! I read Techcrunch everyday and I couldn't tell you who mg siegler is. Nor do I care. Get over yourself. You're a legend in your own mind.
@Skip Garcia
LOL..i thought that as well.. as if the skies would open up and angels rain down golden coins over the Googleplex if MG gave them a positive review.. crazy...
@ZongVoo Ramosol
that looks like its going to be good. Wow. www.AnonSurfing.tk
@Eric Feng
Great review, MG. I'm an Android fan myself. Your criticism, like Google+ integration into Messages, are spot on and probably only noticed by people coming from iOS. Hopefully, the Android team pays attention.
@Gary 'Fmy-l' Elphick
great to see a well argued piece!
@Nicolas Charbonnier
I interviewed MG Siegler at LeWeb, he agreed on video that Google is better than Apple. http://armdevices.net/2011/12/10/mg-siegler-at-leweb-2011/
@Damon Barnett
Interviewer comes across badly. MG handled his ridiculous antagonistic questions well.
@Nicolas Charbonnier
Damon Barnett too bad I had to cut the video at the point where he was about to answer what Apple is doing with all their billions of dollars, Siri isn't much.
@Nicolas Charbonnier
It's not big enough in my opinion. My passport is 5.9 inches, that means Smartphones can easily be bigger, up to 5.9" if they manage to make it without any bezel around the screen, which I think with plastics based unbreakable graphene based touch screens they will be able to next year. I think it's literally stupid not to use the full space that is in all our pockets, it's a waste of space to make phones with only 3.5" screen size.
@Nicolas Charbonnier
By the way, my wallet is 5.9 inches in diagonal and 2.3 inches in thickness, as far as I know, wallets are designed to fit in the pocket. Since the Smartphone is designed to replace the passport, replace the wallet, it's simply idiotic of iPhone fanboys to try to argue that it makes sense to keep our smartphone screen sizes at 3.5" which is smaller than the credit card size!! Seriously!! The credit card is meant to fit inside the wallet, together with plenty of coins, plenty of other credit cards, notes, sim cards, plenty of other stuff! People thinking 3.5" is the ultimate size for the pocket are clearly being stupid.
@Scott Moody
Wow what an emotional rollercoaster. A small amount of condescending 'love' and plenty of derisive 'hate' from an iSheep. Who would have guessed...
@Connor Zwick
"And why on Earth is the web browser not Chrome yet!" This may seem a bit radical, and I admit it is entirely speculatory, but my personal guess is the reason Google has not 'named' their mobile browser Chrome yet, is because they are thinking long-term. They know that one day, they will want to combine their Chromium OS with Android when mobile apps reach equivalence to native. And when that day comes, it will make a lot more sense to then call the combined OS Chrome. Imagine it: a truly seamless experience between desktop, tablet, and phone.
@Wenzel Srb
I stopped reading after the "Mercedes / Honda" comparison. I don't know how, but you ALWAYS manage it to ruin your reviews for me (and I'm sure plenty of others). Up to the Mercedes point the review as ok (knowing it came from you, almost ALL other reviews were much more positive) but than you drop such a one liner and my finger started scrolling to the end...sad to see you're not unable to write ONE at least somewhat unbiased review. Oh and by the way. I drive a SL55...and own an Andriod phone...and you just make no sense.
@Anthony J Garcia
I stopped reading when I read the "Mercedes owner talking to a Honda owner" remark.
@Hemant Shah
To categorize this post as a "review" is misleading. Much like most of what Fox News channel wants to be considered "news". This is an "opinion", and should be labeled as such.
@Skip Garcia
Oh brother, always with the condescension. It was good till the 'Mercedes vs. Honda' comment.. Actually, no, it wasn't even that good. Keep at it, MG.
@Christopher Reichert
Could not have put it better, and this applies to just about any product comparison: "Unfortunately, the system still lacks much of the fine polish that iOS users enjoy. The majority of Android users will probably think such criticism is bullshit, but that has always been the case. I imagine it’s probably hard for a Mercedes owner to describe to a Honda owner how attention to detail makes their driving experience better when both machines get them from point A to point B. As a Honda owner myself, I’m not sure I would buy it — I’d have to experience it to understand it, I imagine. And most Android lovers are not going to spend enough time with iOS to fully appreciate the differences."
@Michael A. Robson
Love Josh's hissy fit. LMAO hilarious.
@Jahangir Saghani
Loving it, when I can expect this phone to arrive in Pakistan?
@Shane Wells
Reading any of this was probably the biggest waste of time. The camera is worse than the iPhone 4S because of megapixels and image quality...were the pictures blurry? Were they dark? Did it have poor depth of field? Shutter lag? It makes a good replacement for a point and shoot. And the iPhone what...replaces a DSLR? Honestly this article sounds like someone who just loves to hear their own voice (or read their own words). Let me sum it up for anyone who didn't read the whole thing..."It's not an iPhone, so it sucks."
@Ryan Bush
so.... I read that my hands aren't big enough for an Android and that comparing an Iphone to Android is like comparing a Honda to a Mercedes....Android-1 tiny, elf-handed Iphone-0.
@Quentin Vaterlaus
This is the worst MG article I have ever read. He cites things like Facebook and Twitter not acting correctly or bugging out when they haven't even been optimized for ICS. You can't blame Google or Android for Facebook being slow - they released the code in November - Apple's 5.0 beta was around for a few months before it was pushed to devices (ICS hasn't been pushed to devices, remember), so Facebook and Twitter can take their time optimizing their apps for the "no physical buttons" of ICS. Additionally, he fights that the Mail app and Gmail app are two different applications, along with Messages and Google+ Messages. Well, they ARE different. Android, as an OS, does not require you to have Google Apps - Like Cyanogen. You have to download them separately. You cannot have iOS without a mail app. Furthermore, not everyone has a Gmail account. Believe it or not, you can have a Google account with a Hotmail email address. You need an option to access that, or even a business email. Gmail does not access your corporate email (unless you use Google Apps), so they give the user the CHOICE. It's nice to have choice when you're not walled in... The same is true for the Google+ Messenger. If I don't want Google+ or use it, why should I have it. It also goes back to the fact that Android does NOT come standard with the Google branded Applications, those are added in by manufacturers to entice consumers. I thought MG would be more educated on this. MG never really mentioned anything bad about the iPhone, apart from the lack of "clear all" in the notifications. How about the terrible "multi-tasking" or the requirement to have apps on your device you never need or use? No matter what carrier you have, your iPhone has to have Newsstand, Game Center, Stocks, Reminders, etc. Now, maybe a Verizon Android phone has bloatware, but an AT&T phone may or may not. How about getting email notifications without needing the app to be open in my system tray? MG is so used to these things that he can't see the problems with them. He needs to really step away from the iPhone for a solid 6 months, then come back and compare them. **As a side note, I have an iPod Touch (on my second one) and used to love it. It was my main device when I had a feature phone, so I get how useful it can be, especially when you have an always on connection, like at my college. It was amazing. But limited. The number of things that work well "together" on Android was the biggest draw for me. Having apps talk together was and still is amazing. I am now on my second Android phone. I still like and appreciate the iPhone. In fact, I just recommended it to my girlfriend because of it's simplicity. I don't think she will "love" it, but it will fit all of her basic phone needs, as well as getting her away from a terrible blackberry.
@Tyler Mittan
This is basically just a review to suck Apple's big closed-source, sue happy, frustrated-with-my-phone-unless-compared-to-an-Android-phone-of-course dick. Also, my Nexus One takes better pictures than the iPhone 4. Not sure about the iPhone 4S but the iPhone 4 fucking sucks and can't focus for shit.
@AJ Leight
This article is obviously bias... I thought maybe not towards the beginning. He had a good plan, to review the phone with an open mind. But for every itsy-bitsy positive, he had a profound reason why iPhone was better. And most of them were just not true. You're really not giving SNG enough credit. If I were to do a review of the iPhone, I'd at least acknowledge the fact that it's one hell of a smartphone with some pretty major strong points. But, it comes down to the iPhone being so simple and plain jane that's its obviously going to be easier to run and maintain. Who works harder, a waiter at golden corral or a waiter at a busy sports bar? obviously the sports bar because he's responsible for bringing everything the customer consumes straight to them. The buffet is just simple, laid out for the customer and all the waiter has to do is take a few plates when they're done with them. I don't know how people can live without widgets, free apps and customization of the 7 home screens. Those are some of the coolest things about a phone (or at least as far as aesthetics go) and iphone completely ignores all of them... but then limits what apps you can and cannot have and CHARGES FOR EVERYTHING!
@Jason Jee
Hi MG Singler, One point in your article is not right. iPhone does have an indicator light function. With the lasted ios5.xx, you can use the camera led light for event alert. Every time a msg or any event comes in, the led will flash to draw my attention. It is very awesome, but it does drain battery quickly. You can turn on LED alert here: Settings -> general -> accessibility -> LED Flash for Alerts. Thanks for your detailed comparison. Best, JJTechPro JJTechPro.tumblr.com
@Vahe Gulyan
I think nobody will read this, but it's important to say this for me. Thanks MG for writing this and keeping it while you're not in TC. If you go back to history, 1984 Macintosh for example, you will understand how important is what Steve Jobs did and was doing always... still liking PCs you are basically using a bad copy of what Apple did.. I use Android and I still use T-Mobile G1 (with cynogenmod and essential apps I need), we were my G1's screen got cracked from just nothing in the pocket.. and I decided I don't need new "features".. all these people with big screen android phones who hardly know how to use them.. it's ridiculous.. one guy we were having a meeting with pulled one and tried to answer a phone call and for some reason couldn't because screen was unresponsive.. how ridiculous is it? imagine it with iPhone? if we start giving up on how much care Apple puts on essential details.. Android will will become a very bad copy.. and 20 years later we will have same thing with viruses non-working application, etc..
@Lucian Armasu
Do you even use Siri constantly MG? Just because it's a big part of Apple's marketing, doesn't mean you have to pretend it's actually useful in a review.
@Stacy Bookman
ha ha... look at you nerds arguing.
@N Lawrence Pfeifer
Reading this article reminded me of the latest On The Verge in which Joshua Topolsky asks Macboy John Gruber why he doesn't like specific things that Android does well, and you can see the gears turning behind his eyes trying to come up with some excuse - like "I'm just not interested" - to simply poo poo the feature or product. This is just high concept fanboyism.
@CJ Cox
I am happy that you took the time to write a review. However, after reading 30 some odd paragraphs of your complaining about the device and then only two paragraphs of praise, I have to say this was little more than a comparison or review. It was an apple user having an iFit. The iPhone is gorgeous, I work in mobile sales, I have an iPhone 4, Droid Razr, and HTC Rezound currently, so I definitely get my hands on phones. I hands down prefer Android. I cant change my keyboards, fonts, and text messaging apps on a whim with an iPhone. Hell, I cant even add a custom text tone without jail-breaking the damn thing. This is what Android offers, full spectrum customization. Now, I can say that the iPhone layout is crisp and uncluttered and the retina display is gorgeous, and it does have a great camera. However, I do have a problem with the icons. I cannot even drag an icon to where I want it on an iPhone without Apple telling me it has to be up top with the rest of the icons. Let alone change the picture for the icon. Its honestly like living in Nazi Germany owning an iPhone. You are not permitted to do anything without permission of the Fuhrer, and even when you get it he still might void your warranty. Owning Apple products is like living in a state of constant fear. That is why I like Android.
@John Matthew Braithwaite
I have an iPhone and my wife a Samsung... Every time I leave the house I turn off WiFi, and turn on Bluetooth (for the car)... this is at least twice a day! iOS Settings WiFi WiFi Off Back Scroll down General Bluetooth Bluetooth on Back Back Android Swipe down menu. Press WiFi Press Bluetooth Swipe up Tell me, who's more user friendly? The thing is about the iPhone (and what I DON'T like about it as an iPhone 4 user) is that it's so segregated... drive in, reverse out, drive somewhere else, drive in, reverse out, double click home, hold for two seconds... etc. It has simplicity of UX based around learning a clumsy approach to input. Now, that's not necessarily wrong, but iOS users need to come to admit that actually, once you get used to it, it does remain continuingly clunky to use.
@Ivan Poon
Hell, with my widgets in android, i don't even need the swipe gestures that you mentioned. It's just 'press wifi, press bluetooth'.
@Michael A. Robson
You're right. It is way better for THAT. Now the rest of the phone is still a bloody nightmare, but yea I take your point (I'm on Gingerbread) ......er :S.. Like what Ivan said.. if switching on wifi and bluetooth is the most important feature on the phone, put it on your homescreen.. ANDROID IS THE OS FOR YOU!
@Kevin Wells
If you have Android, you can just install Tasker and automate it all. It can detect when you jump off your WiFi network and turn off your WiFi, and turn on your Bluetooth automatically. iOS will never be able to do that without jailbreaking.
@Patrick Quinn-Graham
Why even both power cycling these things? As to it being clunky … as a long term (4 years now) iOS user I don't agree. The "pop in", "pop out", "pop over to other app" is the same interaction that one encounters on any single-task-visible-at-time UI.
@Rafa Belinky
Michael A. Robson My phone detects my wifi and removes my screen lock. It logs into my wifi and downloads my podcasts. It automatically silences itself and sends an SMS to my girlfriend telling her I'm seeing a patient, because it knows when I'm doing these things, from checking my google calendar. It underclocks it's processor when the screen is off, and overclocks it when the screen is on. It can show me both flash videos and play HD videos flawlessly. During weekends, it checks when I last unlocked my screen during the day, and sets up an alarm to 8 hours after. During that time it sets silent mode on it's own. Please, enlighten me, can an iPhone do anything like that?
@John Matthew Braithwaite
I agree with other points that I prefer about my iPhone: the Apps ARE better on the iPhone - range, performance and quality. It is very consistent and reliable. The camera (even on the 4) is better than most Android devices... but then I'm struggling to see where else it improves. However (rather worryingly) two things are also happening - one the battery is really struggling (now the phone is only 11 months old) to get through a day of reasonable use so I have to take a charger as it recharges too slowly through USB on a laptop, two the phone has twice, in the last week, shut itself down and can only be restarted by a reboot. The main point is merely that I am questioning whether the iPhone's leadership is perceived (and well marketed) or real. However I will hang on and see what the 5 is like before I take my next decision.
@Mark Zachary Simpson
I think for most iPhone users they prefer their phones because they are simpler to use. Sort of like preferring a Sega Mega Drive to a PS3 because all you had to do was stick in the cartridge rather than using a menu to select the game from a huge number of other options and features.
@Jeff Wolfers
Hi ya'll.... I've used the iPhone, but I'm an Android user (Galaxy SII) looking forward to the day o2 OTA upgrades my phone to ICS, so I do read these ICS reviews with interest. I actually think the review is fair, given the opening para. MG is an unabashed Apple fanboy and writes from that POV. So the Android fb's on this thread should take a chill pill and quit attacking MG. He was honest and transparent right from the top. And that's a lot more than many others can claim. I use my SII for two main reasons: 1. I love the larger screen. The iPhone feels cramped and small fonts are awful. 2. Everybody in my house and most of my friends have an iPhone, so I just had to have something different. But functionally, there is little difference between the platforms. Think back 5-6 years ago when we were all using green on grey Blackberry's and thinking they were cool. Now we're arguing whose voice reco system makes fewer mistakes. The app sets are nearly identical... really now they are. In the long run, Android will bury Apple in volume and variety. Multiple handset makers, price points, etc will win that battle. Apple will win continue to win the sleek and sophisticated battle and rake in more cash. There's plenty of room to play in this game, and both ecosystems will prosper. And just remember... we could all still be using Blackberry's and Nokia Symbian!
@Ward Mundy
Nailed it. If you've ever had an old pair of shoes you loved, you'll understand why wearing those new boots just isn't quite the same. I love both devices, but the iPhone 4S is still in a league of its own.
@Jenning Ho
as it is with the Galaxy Nexus, just saying.
@Ward Mundy
Jenning Ho Actually, we prefer old shoes with less problems. http://nerd.bz/uv6KoS
@
I can see how many andriod lovers hate to bash the IOS. Frankly, lets differentiate the crowd. There are people in the world who will never give on Apple (iphones) & there are people who will always bash the apple products. I 've used both the devices for quite some time now and trust me from a neutral point of view, IOS is just a more finished product in every sense. As far as andriod is concerned, it is coming off age but has to catch up with ios.
@Rob McClure
Do us all a solid and never use a android device ever again. And I think you meant to say you have "average sized hands for a adult female." What are you going to do when Apple released a phone with that size of a screen? And God help you if you say "its screen size is perfect and it make my magical iphone more magical." I will personally drive to your office or the Starbucks where you write these journalistic gems and smack you right in your mouth and make you spill your coffee all over your salmon colored deep v neck shirt. K thanks.
@David Simpson
As a person with large man hands, I would never give up my 4.3" screen and be happy to upgrade to a larger phone. I always find the Honda/Mercedes analogy to be hilarious, here in Europe Honda are not seen as the cheap alternative and according to most guides Hondas are much more reliable than Mercedes and still a hell of a lot cheaper to run. I think any of the stutters or slow downs MG found will be fixed with updates, most iPhones on first launch had similar problems and my single core Desire HD has never suffered from any stutters or slowdowns that supposidly "plague" Android. Most of us living in the real world are happy with a big screen Android phone free on contract rather than the huge cost of an iPhone on top of the cost of a contract and we all live on a budget.
@Crook Mez
I think its good but we are found of very unique things.
@Chris Crisis Wallace
I like how you say that the phone is to large and a 4.3 inch screen would have been better, when in fact the phone is the same size as every 4.3 inch phone on the market. The screen itself just utilizes more space on the face. And the software home buttons make the screen the same exact size as a 4.3 inch screen when you are using the phone normally. So where is your basis for saying you couldn't use all one handed options on this device but could on 4.3 inch screen? As soon as I read that I knew you were just talking out your fanboy biased ass.
@Chris Crisis Wallace
Also, I'm 5 foot one and can do anything on this phone one handed. You must have the tiniest hands in the world
@Jayant Raj
So I guess this is the reason why Android's market share going to be twice of iOS. But seriously, Android is for the new innovators. The iOS platform is like a jail, you cannot do things beyond what Apple wants you to do, unlike Android... A great product is a crap if it is accessible to just a selected audience. GO GOOGLE! WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU. :)
@Matthew Mosley
Ever heard the term of "polishing a terd"?
@Danny Hernandez
Why compare Android to iOS? Let's face it, they are very similar much like Mac and Windows and the choice is ultimately based on personal preference (for me Android works better and I agree that the cloud integration and navigation are killer difference makers). The more interesting argument is why support Apple when you could be getting something similar and perhaps better in Android? Do you really think Apple's hegemony in the market is a good thing?
@Dapp Ollone
"why is there a separate app for Messaging and Google+ Messenger? Similarly, why do Gmail and Email continue to be two separate apps". I know that as an iPhone loyalist you couldn't possibly be expected to recognize it, but they call that "choice." It's this new thing where you have options regarding how you want to do things. I know that seems scary, but once you get used to it, it's pretty nice.
@Patrick Quinn-Graham
It's not choice when you end up needing to use both apps. It'd be choice if other apps could replace those parts (which they can, well the SMS part anyway, which is a good thing). Having your conversations (SMS or (pretend-SMS)) be in one app, having all your emails (no matter what protocol was used to get them on your device or what service is hosting those emails for you) is also a very good thing. It took Apple too long to bring a unified inbox to iOS, WP7 do this even better (by letting you group inboxes together, but with multiple groups… so you can have a Work group and a Not Work group of multiple accounts each).
@Dapp Ollone
You can set up just about any email program (including the default android email client) to check your gmail. (http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=114408). The reason the gmail app isn't a unified inbox is because it's not an email client. it's a GMAIL client. Gmail is a distinct product, not a hub for all your non-gmail accounts (even though you can sort of make it into one, anyway). If you want a unified inbox, the actual email client is more than capable of providing one for you, as are about a million other apps in the Android Market, a lot of which are free. In the end, Android just isn't going to do everything for you, because that cuts out app developers who come up with brilliant ideas and execute them well. Those developers are rewarded by the market, instead of having the OS fold in their ideas and cut them out. I'm not saying that doesn't ever happen on Android, but I think that some of the reason Android decides whether or not to include features is because they leave it open to developers to fill in some gaps. I don't really know about combining sms with email into an all in one messaging app. If such an app doesn't exist already, it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to create one, since the code for the email application itself is included in the android source code, which is also free to all. I get that the majority of people aren't going to go to those lengths, but the point is that the option is there, and when there's a real need for an app or feature, chances are someone is going to fill it before long. I would bet if you look through the market, you'll find something that does what you want. Regardless, most sms services have an email equivalent. For instance, verizon sms messages can also be received via email at @vtext.com (or something like that). You can probably set up the default email client to pick up your sms there. (I don't know for sure, I'm just speculating about that...) I agree that Android doesn't do everything you want it to do right out of the box, or everything that iOS does, but it appeals to people who have the tiny bit of patience it takes to make most things you want happen. I'm also not trying to say that Android is better than iOS or vice versa, I like both, but it annoys me when people shit on Android for not holding their hand through every little thing, and then proclaiming that iOS is the god king of mobile tech. "Keep at it, google?" Fuck off, dude. Go ahead and create a competitive mobile OS, then use it to steal a majority of the mobile OS market share, and then you can be a dick, sit up on your douche-blogger high horse and tell google to "keep at it."
@Rajdeep Junnarkar
An Android Market feature that users would find very useful when upgrading to a new phone would be to provide a one-click app install for all the apps that the user had previously installed on their old phone & if a compatible version existed for the new OS. Since this is tracked against the Google account the user associates with the phone it shouldn't be too hard to achieve. This would encourage folks to migrate to the latest Android device in the market by removing some of the setup hassles of having to download all the apps that they use frequently once again.
@Nikolaus Heger
Daring Fireball commenting on MG's assertion that Android lacks the polish of iOS: "You either see it or you don’t. If you don’t, that’s cool, enjoy your Nexus. But I think the reason Apple Stores are so crowded, and getting so big, is that there are an awful lot of people who do see it." I've been wanting to post this on those endless Android vs iOS discussions. Ever notice that those discussions are 90% populated by Android fanboys? Why not 50/50, or 45/45/10 with 10% neutral? I think it's because the iPhone doesn't need "defending" - you either see it or you don't, but those who don't still feel they're missing something. To me the difference is clear as day. But I also know that for those who do get it, I am preaching to the choir, and for those who don't, I might as well talk to a wall. It's not going to get through. I'm with MG, by the way - Google doesn't need Android to be as polished as iOS to succeed. All they need to have is something that's good enough, and that has other advantages, advantages in areas where Google has its core competencies. I am already thinking about buying an Android phone for the infinitely better maps app alone. That's a great example of Google taking something they really know how to do, and making it into a clear advantage. Then again... I am allergic to stuttering and it's very hard to go back once used to the perfection in animation as it is on the iPhone. *if you think it's the same then you probably also think a 20FPS game is the same as a 60FPS game. it's not*
@Jenning Ho
its simple, the Galaxy Nexus is simply better, you either see it or you don't.
@Michael Harris
Sounds like a fair review. However, I would add two additional thoughts on your review. First, one of the best advantages of Android is the ability of apps to interact with other apps. You do allude to this once, but it is frequently a complaint of mine on my iPad. I hate having to go to a new app, do something and then copy/paste the result to the original app. Second, for some of us with a few more years on our eyes small screens are hard to read -- larger is better, even if resolution isn't any higher. I know this will lead to all kinds of jokes about "Grandpa's Phone" but the stereotypes are wearing thin. I grew up with tech and am quite comfortable with the latest stuff. I suspect that there is a growing gray market of technophiles that businesses will want to design products for.
@Collin Henderson
Jesus christ, you Android diehards are sitting here bitching about a 'biased review', meanwhile, I can only imagine the joy and overwhelming positive comments this post would receive if the bias was based on the other side of the fence. You are all just as, if not more biased than MG, because he has clearly given both devices fair testing grounds. Meanwhile, most of you haven't even used an iPhone for more than a day. If you don't even bother to try it, purely based on some bullshit principle about Apple being an "evil company", you have no basis for an argument, to which phone is better. As I recall, since I _did read_ the whole article, MG went over some good points about both devices. He mentioned how much better Android is becoming with devices like the Nexus paired with ICS. Hell, I know it's going to be the best Droid experience out there. It _has_ some advantages over the iPhone, so instead of saying how you think it's outright better in everyway, trying picking your features, and offer more scenario based views. Also, you keep mocking the iPhone crows for talking about the tight user experience and integration it offers, saying we don't actually know why. Meanwhile you throw around the "open system" buzzword like it's going out of style; many of you not knowing what it even means. From what I can tell, the Nexus and ICS will be the next great thing for you Android lovers. It seems to be a solid device stocked with some good, useful apps. Unfortunately, without much quality in the 3rd party app world, that's all your stuck with looking forward to. I personally prefer all the amazing 3rd party applications out there that have such incredible quality and attention to detail. I hardly have to use any stock apps on my phone. In the end, pick your features, and get whatever the hell phone you want. Just because it fits _your_ worflow doesn't mean it's the be-all-end-all of the mobile phone world. Better web browsing, better apps, smoother user experience and a better camera are a few things that keep me with the iPhone. It has nothing to do with "fanboyism" or being a "cult-user".
@Jimmy B. Talampas
Android or iPhone? Google Apps or Awesome Apps? 4.65 inch screen or 3.5 screen? Verizon 4g or Verizon 3g? In the end..... I purchased a iPod touch 4 (32 GB) a few months back....which will be using the WiFi off my soon-to-be Galaxy Nexus. You can have the best of both worlds people! (ahhh-yeahhh)
@Thomas Duyck
Pretty sure he didn't use this phone at all...Calling the browser of the Nexus crap, dude please give it a rest, you're a dumbass...Javascript rendering tests also cleary show the Chrome browser is faster than Safari.
@Joe Aukeman
I like that this review at least TOUCHES on the lack of an LED status indicator on the iPhone. I can't believe that iPhone advocates simply gloss over this giant short coming... All I have to do is glance at my phone to see if I have missed anything. I also know WHAT I have missed based on the indicator. Green is email, yellow is a text, purple is a text from a significant other, and so on. This is a deal breaker for me. Turning on the screen every time I've left my phone for a bit? No thanks. If Apple is so detail oriented how did they miss this simple feature?
@Brad Baldwin
I don’t always hold a phone to my head that is the size of a box of Froot Loops. But when I do, it’s always a Samsung Nexus S... post.ly/4LMii
@Xavier Yaffar
So that hideous Welcome screen designed by some staffer's kid?
@Kenneth E. Jr Everson
I am a iPhone lover. I have never used a android device. So I don't know shit. What I would like is someone like me. Who has never used one to be given one to use. Then tell us all about it. Looks cool. Sounds cool. Must be thinking am thinking about getting a Verizon Galaxy Tab 7 plus. What I don't like about my iPhone is you can only use their stuff. Ringtones are limited. I have seen some cool stuff android has apple don't. So here is a challage to Android. Steal me away from Apple. I am loyal to the best system.
@Alex Yu
Funny how the post are mainly Android/Google fanboys....
@Chris Gault
MG, you are a great writer but this is just another "it's not made by Apple so it's crap" review. It doesn't hold any value to people trying to decide on a new phone.
@Don Gemus
I wonder what MG and Robert Scoble think about facebook Timeline out for Android but not being available on iOS? So much for the newest apps first. It is only the most popular app on both platforms. I guess you don't have an app for that.
@William Ackermann
I owned an iPhone 3g and 4. Loved what the phones had to offer at the time, but slowly the love affair faded. Ever since first picking up the G1 I knew that Android was going to be the future of mobile devices. I purchased the Galaxy S II launch day for AT&T. This was the phone worth waiting for. All Androids before it suffered either from poor battery life, choppy interface, or sub-par design, at least IMO. The major deal breaker for me when it came to the iPhone was the small screen and the fact that you were essentially shackled to itunes. Jailbreaking is the only real way to expand the usability of an Idevice, but it usually meant sacrificing stability. Springboard crashes and weird call behavior were frequent. Since moving to android I can confidently say that Google fills in all the gaps that Apple ignored, leaving much to be desired from the iphone. The grass is always greener right? But seriously, this phone kicks ass. Running a custom Rom, great battery life, great camera and call quality, what more could you ask for?
@Josh Fabean
I think this is a very fair take on ICS. I do see people's complaints with not mentioning navigation. I'll agree that Google dominates at this! Still blows my mind that Apple hasn't added something so simple as navigation into their phone. My biggest complaint with Android is the consistent crashing, compatibility issues, dead batteries, laggy UI... Those are the reasons I think iOS wins. I do agree that ICS is a huge step and is a great contender. I just feel like yes iOS misses some simple things, Android misses some important things, like just working the way it's supposed to.
@Stefan Richter
This review is so biased I'm buying a Galaxy Nexus because of it.
@Em Ef
Spoken like a true pompus douchebag fanboy. I didn't buy my G1 because I couldn't afford an iShit. I bought it because it worked better and allowed the kind of openness that you fanboy turds couldn't even dream of. This isn't a review. This a fanboy talking out of the wrong orifice. Either do impartial reviews or shut the fuck up and stick to kissing the dead guy's ass.
@Peter Brown
"And there is no question that it (Nexus) does certain things better than an iPhone — namely all of the Google apps and..." I think here is the key why I am thinking to switch from iphone to an Android (once my contract is up) since most of the stuff I do is with Google apps: Gmail, Google Docs, Search, Google+, YouTube, and so on.
@Will Smith
This is a guy writing a review of a motorcycle, who is used to riding a bicycle with training wheels, looking for pedals.
@Derrick LeBlanc
I could name hundreds of reasons not to buy an iPhone, but here's a small example which relates to many others like it: It's a pain to add a ring tones without jumping through hoops. (Download an app, download DRM-free songs, pick the song, sync with iTunes, find the app in iTunes, add it to the tone folder, re-sync....etc) It relies on third party apps for the simplest of tasks.. It doesn't even have a native password storage app. I don't want to hunt for and possibly pay for functions that should come with the phone. Anyhow, you get my point why this is not such a "Premium Product" MG is touting. This is my first and last iPhone - a good product, but very limiting.
@Derrick LeBlanc
Might I add, I would trade my iPhone 4 for a Galaxy Nexus within a heartbeat.
@Silas Ray
Honda to BMW? Really? Considering that Android has technically superior features and the high end models have better hardware, it's more like comparing a purpose built race car to a high end daily driver. It might not have teak trim on the interior, but when it comes to putting rubber to road, it will leave the daily driver in the dust.
@Ivan Poon
MG, I would gladly take the Nexus off your hands, since it looks like you're going to stick with apple :D
@Taige Zhang
I would switch to android in an instant if it had better battery life.
@Joshua Grech
Just wondering if MG has tried out the Nokia N9? Polished, home screen notifications, great web browser yet totally open source Meego platform and rock solid - beautiful - hardware with a swipe UI which leaves all others for dead. It's a lovely thing.
@Adam Hottmann
I'm sure it's been mentioned but this guy could have merged duplicate contacts by logging into his gmail acct from a pc. You would think that someone who has been chained to pc iTunes for any change whatsoever would have thought of that.
@Abba Dong
(1) iPhone 4/4S have a small battery that you cannot swap. Forces you to keep it topped up which shortens the life of the battery. I drain my battery and swap out or charge to full most of the time on my SGS2. When your iPhone battery dies, its better to buy a new phone (2) iOS forces you to maintain an organized "desktop". In Windows lingo, iOS's desktop is your program files so when you get a new app, you need to organize it, whereas in Android, you can organize your desktop how you want , if you want, and when you want, (3) iOS wifi manager does not tell you the encryption type. If a wifi network is "legit" it won't use WEP and I want to know - ignorance is not usability (4) phones are things that will be dropped - Apple sacrified durability for "polish". If you drop your iPhone 4/4S - one side will shatter. (5) Android uses a standard micro USB for charging and data - works with other cables for other phones.
@Laks Sundararajan
MG seems to be angry after Josh Topolsky's rant http://parislemon.com/post/14286785030/horseshit. MG concludes by saying iOS is the best and its polished but never explains how or rather does not give examples how ICS isn't. Seems to be like the premise is 'iOS is better' and review is justifying the same. I would really love to see the iPhone 5 review when the screen size suddenly turns bigger.
@Rafa Belinky
Wow you are bad at your job. The browser is slower? Are you high? Want to post a video comparison, please, since you seem to be the only person in the world that came to that conclusion? Also, sorry for the womanly hands. No other review says it's "too big". But I bet you say that about body parts in other men as well.
@Rafa Belinky
By the way, if anyone ever wondered what would happen if a Engadget iOS troll got to write a featured article...
@Jason Diaz
I'm not getting the hostility from people with MG's thoughts that ICS and the Nexus phone needs more polish. This is a good thing for all. He's a voice in the tech community that companies do in fact listen to. Hence why he gets the products for the solitary purpose for review before it is released to public. Y'all reading his column and even commenting on proves this to be true. The Galaxy Nexus is the best offer from Google. How would he measure it if not against the competition? But seriously if I can troll a bit. How can any Android user think they are remotely original? Android users at one point or another but specifically and more importantly in the beginning were once iOS users. Seriously, Eric sat on Apple's board of directors for years before the iPhone was released and guess what? All that corporate espionage has payed off and your using products that were first originally inspired by Apple. Take a close look at every iteration of the Android OS and the hardware, it clearly has changed. The prototype Google phone that was RIM like features in hardware and OS. The G1 that had the capacitive touch screen sans multitouch yet still had the greasy touch ball. And now (but not for long Apple's manufacture of custom designed parts) Samsung which has produced the best iPhonesque knockoffs to date. Heck since the inception of the iPad it too launched the cloners. The word "app" and the ecosystem that followed it never before was in the public vernacular until the App Store. Now ask yourself, who stole more from whom? I know someone will try to argue this but in reality history has already repeatedly dismissed you and I'm here to remind you of it.
@Rob McClure
Were you sent here from the future to remind us of this? Because that would have made your weak and constantly repeated argument slightly more interesting. What companies "do in fact listen to." this guy?
@Ernest Metaliko Ruiz
Am in my iPad 2 and I love it so much never let me down SHIT hehe I hope the new iPad 3 heve Siri and the new zoom have a vox thingiii 2 let's see MooOFooOuuhsS.
@Garrett Milliken
dick
@Rohit Hegde
Whenever some1 mentions the beautiful glassy finish of an Iphone & the 'cheap' plastic 1 of a Samsung phone, I remember the drop test of Iphone Vs S II. Which would you rather use in a real life scenario where people do mistakes like dropping things?
@Nick Gunzelman
I can't understand this author with apples dick in his mouth..
@Rob McClure
If I had a dime for everytime a iPhone (Apple in general) user said the word "polish" in this comment section I could comfortably retire and move to Vegas. When I had my iphone the only word that came to mind was not "polish" but "boring". I really don't understand the superiority complex that comes with owning a Apple product. But in the end it the users and not the product itself that make me want to punch a wall. This is just my opinion though.
@Scott Waldrop
Worst thing about IOS is the constantly caching browser. Sure it's slightly smoother, but at the expense of constant reloading and constant re-caching. How often have you opened up multiple tabs only to go back to a previously opened tab and have it reload on you? It is ridiculously annoying. I much prefer ICS browsing to IOS any day of the week.
@Javier GA Silva
The second you see an MG Siegler article...scroll down to the comments - it's where the real JUICE is. What is it with Android fanboys, really? If you do not say "Android and Google for the win" then they react like you walked into their house on Christmas day, during lunch and pissed on their entire family....TOUCHY people.
@Jenning Ho
I'm a self proclaimed Apple fanboy, but MG Siegler you are full of horseshit with this article. You suck.
@Bryce Florek
dude, you're pretty arrogant. anyone with half a brain can tell that this is one sided. this would be like me posting a comparative review of a turd and the iPhone 4S and saying that the iPhone lacks the capability of dissolving in the sewage treatment plant. next time, go in with a more open mind and stop proclaiming that the iPhone is a gift from God.
@Gabe Nieves
I just switched from iPhone4 and this review is like comparing a suburban home (iOS5) to a downtown Loft or Victorian (ICS). Enjoy the relative safety and pretty big-box moldings...very cute!
@Kalu Victor Ude
Hey, if you don't want that phone I know a guy who could use it. Since it's not an iPhone and everything I hope you'd be willing to part with it.
@Akobi Gill
I could never use a Galaxy Nexus I'm creative... That's what I just read, but in reality dude you're just a blogger get over yourself. Seriously.
@Josh Kim
Ahaha I love how defensive people get over a personal perspective. Call me crazy, but don't some of these Android users calling MG "just a fanboy" sound a lot like Android fanboys? xD Back on topic, I think it was a good review, if only because it gives insight to other "Apple fanboys" who are considering the Galaxy Nexus (quite clearly, actually). It gave a clear comparison of what iOS users will feel when switching over to the new Android phone. You have to realize that his opinion on the matter isn't the only opinion. Now, before Android fanboys get offended and take on the defensive, the title to this article says it all -- it's an iPhone lover's take on an Android phone. What did you expect?
@Martin Lopez
Blah, blah..those funny apple devices! No freedom, cant add memory or battery, no widgets! oh! Lets not forget I phone still the only phone without 4G. Besides according to the latest Nielsen survey I think about 54% of US phones are Androids and only 33% iphones.
@Angel O Morillo
This was a review that by far exceeds any and all Biased review standards. Bashing right from the start. Erroneous on all counts.
@Ryan Chesla
As a mobile phone developer I work extensively with both these devices and used a droid for a while as my primary device (Droid Charge right now). I really want to see Android make it, and it the long run I think they will reign supreme, but for right now I'm sick of the Android bullshit. Lagging, not responding when I hit a button, overly complicated to accomplish a task, etc. I ordered an iPhone 4s because its the best phone of today (although probably not of tomorrow). Don't get so angry Android users. It's almost like you know the iPhone is better so you feel the need to defend it religiously. iPhone users are never on the attack because well when you're the best you don't need to be. It's basically a 50/50 tie between the 2, but iPhone has it by just a hair.