Android or iPhone?

[Guru-Meditation]

Yay for Nexus One update. Boo for Google Goggles not being a Beer Goggles simulator but I guess you can't have everything.

[Misfit]

Yay for Nexus One update. Boo for Google Goggles not being a Beer Goggles simulator but I guess you can't have everything.

So can a Nexus One play the embedded media on the BBC web site?

[Guru-Meditation]

I assume the embedded media is flash? It probably could if I rooted it to install the flash player beta. But for now I'm leaving the standard Google OS. Flash is the only reason I would root it and it isn't that big a deal.

[disciple]

Mate of mine's iPhone contract's just ended and he's swapped out for a N900.

Reason for the switch, he's sick to death of Apple telling him what he can and can't do with his own phone. His words not mine.

Never used an iPhone myself (or Mac) so can't comment, but judging by the current Flash debacle I can see where he's coming from.

This is likely where Android will win out, do you want a trendy fashion item with a nice shiny interface that just works™, or do you want full control over *your* phone?

[Gorecki]

This is likely where Android will win out, do you want a trendy fashion item with a nice shiny interface that just works™, or do you want full control over *your* phone?

I think this is where Apple have really hit the nail on the head with the iPhone. People want the flexibility and freedom to do anything with their computer but for a mobile phone reliability and useability are king above all else. Any detriment in those areas simply renders the device useless for most users.

I suppose it boils down to what you want, a mobile phone or a mobile computer.

[benedictw]

mobile phone reliability and useability are king above all else.

Quite. My wife got a nokia smartphone thing and returned it a week later for a iphone. It just works(tm).

Multitasking? Would be nice to run skype in the background but thats about it. For most websites the lack of flash is not a problem. YMMV.

[disciple]

mobile phone reliability and useability are king above all else.

Quite. My wife got a nokia smartphone thing and returned it a week later for a iphone. It just works(tm).

Isn't "it just works" a load of bollocks though?

Aformentioned mate talked about lack of reception on his 3g iPhone. He was on O2, I'm O2 and have no issues in the same area, also complaining wireless range is awful compared with the N900.

Multitasking? Would be nice to run skype in the background but thats about it. For most websites the lack of flash is not a problem. YMMV.

Yes he also citied Flash, and you have a point with multitasking, and camera. Oh and cost, overpriced.

[Marius]

I've had an iPhone for the last eleven months, by far the most reliable phone I have ever owned...everything works like a charm. First apple product I've ever bought and it looks like the iPad will be my second purchase.

[Darkflame]

only 11 months? What others phones did you get O_o

I always buy the utterly cheapest tescoy things uptill now and 3 years is the least they have lasted. Batterys wearing out being the normal thing that makes me switch in the end. If your other phones lasted sub-that, Id like to know who to avoid!

[goldfish]

This is likely where Android will win out, do you want a trendy fashion item with a nice shiny interface that just works™, or do you want full control over *your* phone?

I think this is where Apple have really hit the nail on the head with the iPhone. People want the flexibility and freedom to do anything with their computer but for a mobile phone reliability and useability are king above all else. Any detriment in those areas simply renders the device useless for most users.

I suppose it boils down to what you want, a mobile phone or a mobile computer.

Absolutely. The two biggest features of the iPhone IMO are apps and Safari, because they enable the phone to use the internet on the go. People can argue until they're blue in the face about locked down control-freakery, but the bottom line is that before the iPhone, the majority of users couldn't use the internet from their phones. The experience for most was some horrible pseudo-web, of ad-filled unnavigable shite. To whine about the limitations of the phone is to patently ignore the horrendous online experience with virtually every other mobile device pre-iPhone.

Simon

[disciple]

This is likely where Android will win out, do you want a trendy fashion item with a nice shiny interface that just works™, or do you want full control over *your* phone?

I think this is where Apple have really hit the nail on the head with the iPhone. People want the flexibility and freedom to do anything with their computer but for a mobile phone reliability and useability are king above all else. Any detriment in those areas simply renders the device useless for most users.

I suppose it boils down to what you want, a mobile phone or a mobile computer.

Absolutely. The two biggest features of the iPhone IMO are apps and Safari, because they enable the phone to use the internet on the go. People can argue until they're blue in the face about locked down control-freakery, but the bottom line is that before the iPhone, the majority of users couldn't use the internet from their phones. The experience for most was some horrible pseudo-web, of ad-filled unnavigable shite. To whine about the limitations of the phone is to patently ignore the horrendous online experience with virtually every other mobile device pre-iPhone.

Simon

Well in fairness it's hardly whining given the iPhone *is* locked down where other phones aren't. Besides the iPhone came out 3 years ago, not of what you mentioned is actually even relevant to someone purchasing a phone today.

[Deckard]

My mum can use an iPhone, she will be able to use an iPad. She couldnt use my N95 or my Windows Laptop. End of.

[benedictw]

How well does android handle webbrowsing? Is it anywhere near the level of safari?

[piku]

How well does android handle webbrowsing? Is it anywhere near the level of safari?

Yes.

No pinchy-zoomy though, that's an Apple idea.

And there are proper applications for GMail, Maps, Calendar and Chat rather than having to rely on the web versions.

[matt303]

To be honest I think I might switch from Android to iPhone when my contract is up, Android has become a mess of phones on different versions of the OS seeing that once a phone has shipped there is no reason for the handset maker up update the OS. Even my less than 6 month old HTC Hero can’t run some of the latest apps, even things like the Buzz app from Google require 2.0 or later which only two of the currently available phones run. Rather like a lot of things that come out of Google it feels a bit unfinished and under marketed, the iPhone on the other hand is well supported by apple rather than having to hope that handset makers and networks make update.