An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4 • Hacker News Board

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#311

Post by ghshephard » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 6:23 AM UTC

lanelio wrote: post #116

greggman wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't read the article but I was an iPhone3 for a year, nexus 1 for a year, nexus s for a year and now iPhone 4S for a year. Things I still miss: I still miss that android apps can download in the background so for example when I wake up I the morning any new podcasts I'm subscribed to are already on the phone. Contrast to iOS6 where I have to remember to manually run the app. Which generally means I only run it…

"I haven't read the article but..." So it's come to this on HN...

Somewhere between 50-75% of the time I don't read the articles posted to HN. The comments are frequenty more interesting, and almost always have commenters that are more informed about the original topic.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#312

Post by lostlogin » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 6:24 AM UTC

i386 wrote: post #292

jedahan wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to do the same thing until I realized how much it affected my interpretation of the article. It colored my thoughts, making me part of the hivemind. Now I read the article first, then wait a few seconds before looking at what other people think so I can better for my own opinion.

That's the problem with the HN:News iOS app - it shows the comments first and I've always believed it should show the article first.

Very much yes. I need more up votes to give. Why on earth are comments first, maybe comments first AFTER the first viewing, but not first time.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#313

Post by el_cuadrado » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 6:35 AM UTC

rogerbinns wrote: post #296

My huge problem with iOS (and Apple in general) is the obsession with constantly making you enter passwords. Sometimes it gets so overwhelming that I am convinced the codebase mainly consists of password entering routines interspersed with small bits of other functionality. iOS's inability to share between apps also means usernames and passwords have to be constantly re-entered there too (eg every app that supports D…

I, for one, would like to have more passwords in iOS. Like password-protecting my email app, file sharing app, and others.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#314

Post by boundlessdreamz » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 7:01 AM UTC

clarky07 wrote: post #272

boundlessdreamz wrote: post #221

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple does not have a web bases store right? You still have to use itunes and download the app to the computer? Android install can be done via the web store from what I understand

you have to do it from iTunes, but you don't have to download to the computer or do any syncing. It works the same way as Android, just from the iTunes app instead of a web browser.

I know you don't need to sync but buying an app in itunes automatically starts downloading it to the computer. That's how I remember it. Has it changed?

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#315

Post by shinratdr » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 7:40 AM UTC

drivebyacct2 wrote: post #300

shinratdr wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So exactly like iTunes Match? Oh, except iTunes Match has a real client that allows you to manage your music instead of a crippled uploader that only allowed you to pick folders, 5000 more song storage space and smart playlist ability. Also, it doesn't require that every song be uploaded instead of matching them against songs that already exist on the server. Half of my library didn't need to be uploaded and most of…

Google Music has a web client that is just as functional as iTunes and doesn't require a 1GB download for every update. Further, Google Music also performs matching now. Nice completely inaccurate rant. Oh yeah, and Google Music matches at 320Kbps.

iTunes is actually 200mb+QuickTime if you're on Windows which is 80mb, and the Google Music web client is nowhere near as functional as iTunes. Next you'll try and tell me Google Docs is just as functional as Word. Nothing I said was inaccurate, except that apparently Google matches music now. I'm curious as to how they do that without ponying up to the labels, but whatever.

I actually have a Google Music account that I use in addition to iTunes Match, so I'm actually one of the few here not bullshitting my knowledge on the topic. For the record, I would trade a basically unnoticeable quality boost for an extra 5000 tracks of space any day.

You also conveniently avoided the fact that to use the less functional Google Music web client to actually DO anything, you have to upload all your music first via the shitty uploader. Which still gives you no way of managing uploading except managing a list of folders by hand.

Whereas with iTunes Match, I can download an album, clean the tags in iTunes while it's matching, and it'll be available on my phone in seconds. With the 25000 song storage space I don't need to do any managing. It all fits with plenty of breathing room.

Nice completely inaccurate reply, though. Next time try downloading iTunes next time instead of assuming it's 4x the size it actually is. Which speaks volumes as to your level of knowledge on the topic BTW.

Oh, and of course there is this: http://cl.ly/image/2P3u2C04062V

So to even use Google Music in this far off, backwards land of Canada I have to maintain a separate Google account for that purpose that is set to United States.

Apple treats Canada like a first class citizen, typically the second or 3rd launch market. Google frequently forgets we even exist and took literally years to allow people to sell apps here, and they STILL haven't brought Google Music over. Meanwhile iTunes Match has been active in something to the tune of 50 countries for almost a year now, with matching available from day one.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#316

Post by shinratdr » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 7:45 AM UTC

taligent wrote: post #295

shinratdr wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mailing a Dropbox file directly is only hard on iOS because Dropbox makes it that way. If they offered a "send link" and a "send file" option it would be one step like Android. Instead I have to kick it to FileExplorer and send it from there. It's not ideal but its also not Apple's fault.

Dropbox offers a Send Link feature. Have you seriously never used it before ?

I was going to respond in snarky-kind but I'm a fan of yours Taligent so instead I'll just rephrase it so it's clearer.

> Mailing a Dropbox file directly is only hard on iOS because Dropbox makes it that way. If they offered a "send file" option > it would be one step like Android.

I'm well aware of the send link option. FileExplorer allows me to do what OP is referring to in iOS, sending the file directly to the other person via e-mail. In Android, this is a single step you can perform within the Dropbox app. There is no technical limitation stopping Dropbox from offering that feature on iOS, they just choose not to for some reason.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#317

Post by shinratdr » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 7:50 AM UTC

yareally wrote: post #307

shinratdr wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not bad, but I still prefer the consistency Notification Centre widgets provide. Swiping down from the top and swiping to the side are pretty equivalent actions IMO.

Yeah, if you're comparing those two things, I'd agree it's about the same difficulty to access either. Normally, I just look at my lockscreen though if i want the weather ( https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24904191/2013-01-05%2000.45.21.png ). I'm using Cyanogen 10 in that screen shot before lockscreen widgets, so that wouldn't be found on stock Android, but I assume there's some sort of lockscreen widget for 4.2 that can do…

True. For the record I'm in favour of using device's lockscreen for more, that does feel like wasted space that could be used for more at-a-glance information. When the iOS jailbreak rolls around for my current model I typically hop on board and install LockInfo so I can have twitter & weather at a glance.

The thing is though I don't really miss it when I don't have it, it's just a nice extra when it's available so it's never been a convincing reason for me to consider Android. TBH I find LockInfo to look nicer as well.

Android widgets always felt really inconsistent to me, however I've never used CyanogenMod and I do like the look of that screenshot. Clean, consistent, and most of all not gigantic and flashy.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#318

Post by yareally » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 8:01 AM UTC

shinratdr wrote: post #317

yareally wrote: post #307

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, if you're comparing those two things, I'd agree it's about the same difficulty to access either. Normally, I just look at my lockscreen though if i want the weather ( https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24904191/2013-01-05%2000.45.21.png ). I'm using Cyanogen 10 in that screen shot before lockscreen widgets, so that wouldn't be found on stock Android, but I assume there's some sort of lockscreen widget for 4.2 that can do…

True. For the record I'm in favour of using device's lockscreen for more, that does feel like wasted space that could be used for more at-a-glance information. When the iOS jailbreak rolls around for my current model I typically hop on board and install LockInfo so I can have twitter & weather at a glance. The thing is though I don't really miss it when I don't have it, it's just a nice extra when it's available so i…

They also have an option to add your calendar notifications to the lockscreen as well for daily events. I don't have them added there, but it's a nice touch to see what is on your literary next with a quick glance. Cyanogen is really the only ROM I trust and the most professional. I don't agree with all their decisions (though that's kind of typical of any project), but they're more professional than most other projects and have higher standards for gerrit commits they accept.

They have a built in updater for their ROMs since Cyanogen 9 (4.0) so no more having to download from a website. Delta updates may have been merged in recently, but have not had time to stay on top of their changes. Killer feature for me though has always been switching music tracks with the volume buttons (like how Blackberry would do it by hold pressing the volume button). I never knew how much I missed it until trying to run one day without it. It's a pretty trivial thing to add to the AOSP source though (add maybe 50 lines total to a few Java files in the framework base) and wished Google would do it. I can only assume there must be some sort of patent/licensing reason as to why they don't.

You're right about wasted space and stock devices have yet to really find a good way to use it. I don't really like how Google implemented lockscreen widgets in 4.2 if you tried them out yet. They're either full out maximized (by pulling them down and thus no easier than unlocking the device) or they're minimal. Someone will probably mod them to be more customized in the community I would guess. I'm still using 4.1.2 on my Galaxy Nexus just for stability since CM 10.1 (4.2.1) is still in early development.

Random question, but how is the post-jailbreak modding community for iphone? I mean I could look it up, but I'm guessing you have some first hand observations.

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#319

Post by shinratdr » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 8:13 AM UTC

niklas_a wrote: post #112

robmcm wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have always wondered about that feature, and always think.. - What if two people are looking at it. - Does it flick on and off as I look around - Is it using a huge amount of power when ever the screen is on, not only with powering the screen but with powering the camera. - Can I still use my screen as a light, or does is power off when I face it away from me? (I have a flash light app but it's quicker some times t…

1) Just as it is about to lock the screen it checks if someone is looking. Doesn't matter if it's one or two persons. If you're looking away at that instant it locks. A reasonable compromise that ensures it works more than good enough if you're reading an article. 2) It doesn't power off just because you are not looking at it. You can still use the phone as a flashlight. 3) It doesn't work if you're holding it sidewa…

Reading this it occurs to me I've never had an iOS device lock itself while I'm using it for reading or anything else, nor have I even thought about it as a possibility until this very moment.

IMO in that sense iOS already has an equivalent feature. Just don't lock when the user is clearly doing something. Just like how you don't have to shake the mouse to wake your computer while watching a video anymore, most video playback programs/plugins poll the system properly and force it to stay awake.

I don't know if you need to go as far as activating the camera to see if you're still there. What if your lock frequency is set to a minute or two? Wouldn't activating the camera every minute have some affect on battery life?

Re: An iPhone lover’s confession: I switched to the Nexus 4

#320

Post by sbuk » Sat, Jan 05, 2013, 8:40 AM UTC

kalleboo wrote: post #121

robmcm wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still think the iPhone 4 & The iPhone 5 compromises to make the screen bigger, but only by a little. I don't think I could use a 4" device like a Nexus 4 (I have a Nexus S which was a good size), on my commute where I need to hold onto a handle of the train, underground with one hand, smartphone in other.

Some people have larger hands than others. Android gives you the whole range from an Xperia tipo to the Note. On the iPhone, unless you want to compromise performance, you have one phone.

The ecosystem may give you a choice in size, but that has an impact on power. Take the Tipo, woeful screen and battery life as well as being desperately underpowered. So, no, there isn't really a choice. If you want a useable device, these days you are looking at 4" plus.