which smart 'not an Iphone' phone?

[Ordinary_Chap]

otolith said:

I don't think any of the people I know would be interested in "customising" their iPhone. Maybe I'm not understanding what that entails?

Customising on the Android platform goes from the simple through to replacing core functions of the device.

It's akin to windows or OSX, some may customise as little as the wallpaper or the look and then the more interested may replace more complex features of the OS.

Most of the Android users who are general consumers as opposed to geeks/techies will having things like social feeds through different widgets be it facebook, myspace, twitter etc. All this means is the look and what you see on different screens can be setup to suit the user.

On my Nexus I love the scrolling news feed on the home screen, simple but shows me headlines as things happen.

Explaining widgets which is one aspect of Android customisation for normal users;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsqSQzV6nw

[Mr Will]

ZesPak said:

...Then there is the form factor and manufacturer...

I think you are correct about form factor being big threat to Apple and I actually think one of the biggest problems for Apple will be at the bottom of the market. There are now a wide range of sub £200 Android smartphones available which are appealing to a lot of people who can't or wouldn't buy an iPhone and once people are used to Android phones it's going to be a lot harder for Apple to convince them to make the switch to an iPhone in future.

[ZesPak]

Mr Will said:

ZesPak said:

...Then there is the form factor and manufacturer...

I think you are correct about form factor being big threat to Apple and I actually think one of the biggest problems for Apple will be at the bottom of the market. There are now a wide range of sub £200 Android smartphones available which are appealing to a lot of people who can't or wouldn't buy an iPhone and once people are used to Android phones it's going to be a lot harder for Apple to convince them to make the switch to an iPhone in future.

The thing is, they don't have to mind, as long as they sell more than they (let us believe) they can produce, and they sell them at premium prices, all will be well.

Thing is, this won't last forever, but as long as it does: good for them.

A lot of people buy the iPhone because it's "the new black", and bringing in a cheaper version would harm their product very very much imho (hell, when I though of samsung, I thought of good looking but cheap "slider" phones, until I got my hands on a Galaxy S, that is).

[otolith]

Oh, I see, it's the same sort of stuff you get in the Windows Vista sidebar or the Google homepage. OK. From that video, I'd say that stuff clutters the UI too much for my liking, and I can see why Apple wouldn't like it.

I can't really see why this stuff is so important to people, to me it all seems either a bit trivial or just unnecessary.

[Mr Will]

otolith said:

Oh, I see, it's the same sort of stuff you get in the Windows Vista sidebar or the Google homepage. OK. From that video, I'd say that stuff clutters the UI too much for my liking, and I can see why Apple wouldn't like it.

I can't really see why this stuff is so important to people, to me it all seems either a bit trivial or just unnecessary.

It is optional though, you can have as much or as little of it as you want.

If you like the iPhone-esque layout then you can have that, but if you think it would be handy to have that kind of layout plus (for example) a set of switches for turning bluetooth/wifi/etc on and off, then you can have that as well. Want to dedicate an entire homescreen to various different news sources? That's an option too.

Mine is set up with the things I want, I'd rather not have Apple telling me how it should be set up.

[plasticpig]

ZesPak said:

Ordinary_Chap said:

It's all about the user experience and this matters about as much as the design of the phone i.e. alot!

This is one of the reasons the Android platform has come from nowhere and is passing the Iphone. Once I've shown Iphone users the simple things like widgets, live wall papers etc they are usually sold on the concept and love the idea of it, it requires no technical skils, works exceedingly well and provides the users with a level of customisation that is simply nowhere to be seen on the Iphone.

First: according to numbers, Android has long passed the iPhone/iOS
Then: there are some other factors, for example, you'll have to search long and hard to find an Android phone that is as expensive as a new iPhone. Then there is the form factor and manufacturer. If you don't like the plastic look of apple (less an issue with the iPhone 4), you won't have iOS. If you want a physical keyboard because you use your phone for mailing all the time, again, you won't have iOS.

The Samsung Galaxy S 16GB is more expensive than the Iphone 4 16GB. I didn't have to search long and hard to find that out

[Ordinary_Chap]

Mr Will said:

otolith said:

Oh, I see, it's the same sort of stuff you get in the Windows Vista sidebar or the Google homepage. OK. From that video, I'd say that stuff clutters the UI too much for my liking, and I can see why Apple wouldn't like it.

I can't really see why this stuff is so important to people, to me it all seems either a bit trivial or just unnecessary.

It is optional though, you can have as much or as little of it as you want.

If you like the iPhone-esque layout then you can have that, but if you think it would be handy to have that kind of layout plus (for example) a set of switches for turning bluetooth/wifi/etc on and off, then you can have that as well. Want to dedicate an entire homescreen to various different news sources? That's an option too.

Mine is set up with the things I want, I'd rather not have Apple telling me how it should be set up.

Agreed, complete flexiability and control rather than being forced to do things one way.

[ZesPak]

plasticpig said:

ZesPak said:

First: according to numbers, Android has long passed the iPhone/iOS
Then: there are some other factors, for example, you'll have to search long and hard to find an Android phone that is as expensive as a new iPhone. Then there is the form factor and manufacturer. If you don't like the plastic look of apple (less an issue with the iPhone 4), you won't have iOS. If you want a physical keyboard because you use your phone for mailing all the time, again, you won't have iOS.

The Samsung Galaxy S 16GB is more expensive than the Iphone 4 16GB. I didn't have to search long and hard to find that out

That's odd, over here the SGS 16GB is 590€ and the iphone 3GS 16GB is 580€, the iPhone 4 on pre-order is 640€ with 16GB(!)

So we can have a 32GB Galaxy S (16GB micro SD) for the price of an iPhone 4 16GB, and we can have a 48GB SGS for less than an iPhone 4 32GB.

Edit: 16 + 32 = 48

Edited by ZesPak on Tuesday 17th August 11:40

[TheGreatSoprendo]

plasticpig said:

The Samsung Galaxy S 16GB is more expensive than the Iphone 4 16GB. I didn't have to search long and hard to find that out

What's your source? Vodafone are offering the Samsung free with 600 mins, 1gb of data, unlimited texts on a 24 month contact at £30 per month.

The same deal on the iPhone 4 costs £35 a month plus £119 for the phone.

[plasticpig]

ZesPak said:

plasticpig said:

ZesPak said:

First: according to numbers, Android has long passed the iPhone/iOS
Then: there are some other factors, for example, you'll have to search long and hard to find an Android phone that is as expensive as a new iPhone. Then there is the form factor and manufacturer. If you don't like the plastic look of apple (less an issue with the iPhone 4), you won't have iOS. If you want a physical keyboard because you use your phone for mailing all the time, again, you won't have iOS.

The Samsung Galaxy S 16GB is more expensive than the Iphone 4 16GB. I didn't have to search long and hard to find that out

That's odd, over here the SGS 16GB is 590€ and the iphone 3GS 16GB is 580€, the iPhone 4 on pre-order is 640€ with 16GB(!)

So we can have a 32GB Galaxy S (16GB micro SD) for the price of an iPhone 4 16GB, and we can have a 48GB SGS for less than an iPhone 4 32GB.

Edit: 16 + 32 = 48

Edited by ZesPak on Tuesday 17th August 11:40

In reality the Samsung is probably cheaper in the UK. I was comparing the cost of a SIM free Galaxy 16GB vs a SIM free iPhone 4 16GB. The mobile telco's will get far better discounting from Samsung than Apple so will offer the Galaxy as a "free" phone on lower priced contracts than they will the Apple.

[ZesPak]

plasticpig said:

ZesPak said:

That's odd, over here the SGS 16GB is 590€ and the iphone 3GS 16GB is 580€, the iPhone 4 on pre-order is 640€ with 16GB(!)

So we can have a 32GB Galaxy S (16GB micro SD) for the price of an iPhone 4 16GB, and we can have a 48GB SGS for less than an iPhone 4 32GB.

In reality the Samsung is probably cheaper in the UK. I was comparing the cost of a SIM free Galaxy 16GB vs a SIM free iPhone 4 16GB. The mobile telco's will get far better discounting from Samsung than Apple so will offer the Galaxy as a "free" phone on lower priced contracts than they will the Apple.

And often, in the packet, they even throw in a MicroSD.
I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

The iPhone 4 is a serious bit of kit, but in it's price range just on par with the competition, in half a year, it will be seriously outdated.
If you buy one, buy it now, if you buy one in half a year (depending on price drop), you're a muppet.

[Plotloss]

ZesPak said:

I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

Glad it's just not me that thinks that then.

iPhone feels plasticy and cheap in comparison.

XT720 will be the upgrade soon. That's a lovely thing.

[ZesPak]

Plotloss said:

ZesPak said:

I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

Glad it's just not me that thinks that then.

iPhone feels plasticy and cheap in comparison.

XT720 will be the upgrade soon. That's a lovely thing.

Got a regular Milestone, couldn't live without the physical keyboard.

[Golden fleece]

Plotloss said:

ZesPak said:

I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

iPhone feels plasticy and cheap in comparison.

...you MUST be talking about the iPhone 3GS, as there is no way an iPhone 4 feels plasticky! It's a very solid, 'industrial' piece of kit. And I am no Apple fanboy.

[Plotloss]

Golden fleece said:

Plotloss said:

ZesPak said:

I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

iPhone feels plasticy and cheap in comparison.

...you MUST be talking about the iPhone 3GS, as there is no way an iPhone 4 feels plasticky! It's a very solid, 'industrial' piece of kit. And I am no Apple fanboy.

Not come into contact with a 4 yet admittedly.

[ZesPak]

Plotloss said:

Golden fleece said:

Plotloss said:

ZesPak said:

I've bought my Milestone a year ago, has a measly 512MB onboard, but got shipped with a 8GB micro SD included.
It costed me about 200€ less (1/3!!!!) than equivalent iPhone I had, and was miles better in any way imaginable.

iPhone feels plasticy and cheap in comparison.

...you MUST be talking about the iPhone 3GS, as there is no way an iPhone 4 feels plasticky! It's a very solid, 'industrial' piece of kit. And I am no Apple fanboy.

Not come into contact with a 4 yet admittedly.

talking about the 3G/3GS, as I said in my original post: does not apply to iPhone 4.

[Fletch79]

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_iphone/...
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2977/samsung-...

£499 versus £469

Or if you want it in stock now ... pay the premium
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/3047/apple-ip...

£723 ... OUCH!

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2749/htc-desi...

Edited by Fletch79 on Tuesday 17th August 18:57

[Fletch79]

PS ... Custard kid ... You've not said a word since your OP

[Tallbut Buxomly]

[redacted]

[ZesPak]

Fletch79 said:

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_iphone/...
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2977/samsung-...

£499 versus £469

Or if you want it in stock now ... pay the premium
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/3047/apple-ip...

£723 ... OUCH!

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2749/htc-desi...

For a fancy featurephone