Apple IPhone or android?

If you like corporations telling you what to do --- Go with the iPhone.

If you like to be in control ---- Go with the Android..

:)

Brian

I really think that for the most part, either will serve you very well. A better choice is making sure the server you use covers the area(s) you plan on frequenting.
Much like any computer software; the program you learn to use ends up being the best because your used to it and don't have to relearn another similar program.
Seldom will you find an app that is not available in both OSs.

One issue with the Android phones (tablets) is that there is no assurance that your brand new device will be able to run the next version of Android (or even the current one) not even if the vendor promises you that it will.

The current version is called "Jelly Bean" and was first released in July, 2012 as Android 4.1. After updates - 4.1.1, 4.1.2, and 4.3 - less than half of Android devices run "Jelly Bean" and only 1.5% of them run the latest version, 4.3, which was released in late July, 2013.

Android users don't update because they don't want the new features; the manufacturers and carriers do not make the update available. So much for being in control.

On the other hand, in less than one week after its introduction, more than 50% of all iOS devices had updated to the latest version, which is compatible back to iPhones released in 2010.

Tom

I have used smartphones and PDAs since their inception. I have used both android and iOS, as well as Palm, Microsoft phones, and blackberry. I have had this very conversation with many of my 70+ users as their phones are all becoming due for upgrade. These are users that run the gamut of both technical ability and what we'll call technical patience. :-)

If you want a device that is a great phone, will always stay updated, is locked down, just works, and has solid construction; get an iPhone.

If you want a good phone, cool widgets, customize-able interface, solid syncing with gmail and all google apps, and a wide range of levels of construction; get one of the android phones. Best current android phone depends on carrier.

I will say that most non-geek types will prefer iPhones and the iOS ecosystem. Those of us that like to tinker and putz around go for android.

I have an Android phone and tablet. I know several with Iphones.The Iphone has for the most part updated with each new release of the IOS. The Android does not - mostly because the phone manufacturers put their own overlays onto the Android OS which limits its ability to update. The Android is more flexible - it can take an SD card and you can increase storage of data (not apps) up to 64 gb. The Iphone is limited to the memory that it has built in. The number of apps is likely even for both systems but I see many more free apps than my friends see for their Iphones. The bells and whistles apps - for example Siri - have Android duplicates that do exactly the same. If you have already invested in Iphone apps at Itunes then you will lose all of that if you move to Android. As to RVing use, I have seen more free apps for RVers on Iphone than I have seen on Android - some of the same apps on Android cost money. Also many businesses develop apps faster for Iphone than they do for Android - television networks, Good Sam, Cable TV companies, etc. Decide what you want your smart phone to do before you decide and then look at which will do what you want it to do.

pulsar wrote:
One issue with the Android phones (tablets) is that there is no assurance that your brand new device will be able to run the next version of Android (or even the current one) not even if the vendor promises you that it will.

The current version is called "Jelly Bean" and was first released in July, 2012 as Android 4.1. After updates - 4.1.1, 4.1.2, and 4.3 - less than half of Android devices run "Jelly Bean" and only 1.5% of them run the latest version, 4.3, which was released in late July, 2013.

Android users don't update because they don't want the new features; the manufacturers and carriers do not make the update available. So much for being in control.

On the other hand, in less than one week after its introduction, more than 50% of all iOS devices had updated to the latest version, which is compatible back to iPhones released in 2010.

Tom

While these points are true, it is also not very important to the average user who gets a new phone every two years. I'm not saying there aren't differences with an updated OS, it just usually is small incremental steps. Upgrade purchase decisions are almost always for a hardware upgrade. People get a new phone because it is the new "cool" gadget or they have lost or broken their old one. I've never heard anyone say they are upgrading because their OS was out dated.

I know having the latest OS is important to some and IOS does do it best. But there are just as many who would prefer a slightly out of date OS that they can customize it to be their own and Android is by far the favorite for individuality.

While I might be a "tinkerer" the rest of my household is not. I'm too deep into it with APPLE at this point and short of a revolutionary product by someone else, I don't see me changing. My current inventory:

MacBook Pro laptop
2 iPhone 5
iPad
iPad mini
APPLE Time Machine
APPLE TV

Everything syncs with everything else. With iCloud and iTunes-Match, we have one shared calendar, music library. Everything backs up automatically, without the need for manual intervention.

With iOS7, APPS & firmware now update automatically, which is huge for me, since DW would never maintain her devices.

The most impressive thing is that my device inventory spans 6 years, with the MacBook being oldest and the iPad Mini being newest, yet everything is compatible and seamlessly syncs with the other......

Yes, APPLE Products are expensive up front, but longevity makes the investment much more realistic over their lifespan.

This argument cannot be won by either side. The best OS, hardware, etc., etc., is simply a matter of expectations and personal preference. I'm totally satisfied with my choices and I'm certain that the vast majority of Android or Windows Mobile users are just as happy with their choices.

Bashing one company or another, in an effort to make one's point, is useless. Android has made amazing strides in software, market share, etc. Microsoft and APPLE are two of the most successful companies in the world. Do your research, make your choices and hopefully, you'll have no regrets! ;-)

I'm a Mac Head also, but the DW is PC, so we bought a Droid tablet with 4G and both love it. Great reception, good price, and more apps than either of us will ever use or need.

I do not like the proprietary restrictions that Apple applies to their products.

I like to be able to replace the battery on the fly if I can't recharge. Can't do this with the Iphone.

My daughter-in-law dropped her Iphone into water for just a couple of seconds. I told her what a tech friend once told me to do if this happened. Pull the battery immediately and place it in the sun for a couple of days. She couldn't get to the battery but the phone seemed fine so she just placed it on the dash in a plastic bag with rice. Couple of days later it died. Another reason not to buy an Iphone.

There are people who will dogmatically tell you that you must purchase one over the other, but I usually attribute that to self-esteem issues that require them to get the validation of everyone else doing the same thing

Well said, Seattle Steve.

Reasons I prefer the phones that use the Android operating system:
(1) Having a battery that I can take out. I can replace it if it wears out, carry extras if needed etc. Most Android phones do not have an embedded battery.
(2) I don't have to use Apple's proprietary charging cord. Most Android phones use the common micro USB type cord. I read that I-phones sold overseas use the common USB connection, Apple is just taking advantage of it's customers here is the U.S. by making them use a non-standard charging cable.
For me it comes down to having more options with the Android phones.