Samsung Galaxy S 6 vs Apple iPhone 6?

[golf_bears]

Currently have two flip up Verizon phones and a Verizon MIFI 2200.

The 2200 is 3G and Grandfathered unlimited.

We RV all over the country. Verizon works well for us.

Want to get a little more high tech. Which would you recommend and why?

[RambleOnNW]

The difference is iMessage is the built in to IOS and is the default messaging app. Nothing extra to download or pay for.

iMessage is end-to-end encryption so Apple does not store anything.

I don't know about other vendors but here is Apple's stated position:

"On devices running iOS 8, your personal data such as photos, messages (including attachments), email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders is placed under the protection of your passcode. Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data."

We originally bought iPhones because the camera in them was the best at the time. We basically view them as utilitarian appliances like a car or a toaster, so we want something that just works well and lasts.

[TInmania]

RambleOnNW wrote:

The plan I have is a grandfathered plan and the vendor did a classic price straddle: I have 4GB of data with tethering but have to pay for SMS texts, and unlimited texts with 3GB of data would be about the same $. I prefer iMessage, it is a secure point to point transmission.

As is Whatsapp and a myriad of other messaging apps.

SMS is not wide open, of course. It would take a dedicated hacker within close proximity. I'm just not that important.

The carriers of course can be compelled to turn over SMS records, They have done likewise with other messaging systems. Now Apple and a few others say they can't or won't turn over records but that position has not been tested by the SCOTUS yet. Seeing how our rights our getting trampl.... well I'll leave that as it is. 🙂



Mike

[pulsar]

magicbus wrote:

Just a software bug...

Actually that's one of two things a virus looks for, a software bug or a stupid user.

I guess it never occurred to me that my texts were in the clear... I better be careful what I text :B. After reading about Apple's iMessage encryption I was thinking that maybe Apple should apply their encryption to the cloud photo storage so celeb's can post their personal porn in safety! :W

Dave

Hi Dave,

The problem with the hacked iCloud accounts was weak passwords and Apple's failure to lock an account after a few unsuccessful attempts to guess the password.

Apple has corrected the security flaw. I wonder if the weak passwords have been strengthened.

Tom

[pulsar]

Lantley wrote:

Have you read of a text that can shut down the Iphone. Not sure I'd refer to Imessage as secure!

But that has nothing to do with the security of the message.

From an AppleInsider article

iOS cannot correctly render &#91a specific] block of unicode characters in question. When the text string is sent from one iPhone to another, it sets off a cascade of processing errors that eat up memory and ultimately crashes Messages. In some cases Springboard also crashes, triggering an iPhone reboot sequence.

Tom

[RambleOnNW]

Most basic users are not aware they have been handing over their info for free for years...

Now you know why they call it Prism...:D

[magicbus]

Just a software bug...

Actually that's one of two things a virus looks for, a software bug or a stupid user.

I guess it never occurred to me that my texts were in the clear... I better be careful what I text :B. After reading about Apple's iMessage encryption I was thinking that maybe Apple should apply their encryption to the cloud photo storage so celeb's can post their personal porn in safety! :W

Dave

[RambleOnNW]

Lantley wrote:

RambleOnNW wrote:

TInmania wrote:

magicbus wrote:
It never occurred to me people pay for text messages anymore.. people really don't have unlimited text and messaging? Ouch. I haven't worried about my phone usage for many years.

Dave

I didn't think there were anything other than unlimited text plans nowadays either. In fact I'd rather text than use a messenger app since my data is not unlimited. Sending a picture via text (its actually MMS) uses data but that data is exempt from your data plan. Send the same pic via a messenger app and the data usage does count.

All that said I won't use any messaging app that is platform dependent--and that means no iMessage. Since just about everyone uses Facebook I use that if I want to use a messaging app.



Mike

The plan I have is a grandfathered plan and the vendor did a classic price straddle: I have 4GB of data with tethering but have to pay for SMS texts, and unlimited texts with 3GB of data would be about the same $. I prefer iMessage, it is a secure point to point transmission.

Have you read of a text that can shut down the Iphone. Not sure I'd refer to Imessage as secure!

Just a SW bug...someone would have to send you a specific message, including special characters...just turn off message preview, big whup...

iMessages are encrypted, point-to-point between two phones, unlike a clear-text SMS message.

[Lantley]

RambleOnNW wrote:

TInmania wrote:

magicbus wrote:
It never occurred to me people pay for text messages anymore.. people really don't have unlimited text and messaging? Ouch. I haven't worried about my phone usage for many years.

Dave

I didn't think there were anything other than unlimited text plans nowadays either. In fact I'd rather text than use a messenger app since my data is not unlimited. Sending a picture via text (its actually MMS) uses data but that data is exempt from your data plan. Send the same pic via a messenger app and the data usage does count.

All that said I won't use any messaging app that is platform dependent--and that means no iMessage. Since just about everyone uses Facebook I use that if I want to use a messaging app.



Mike

The plan I have is a grandfathered plan and the vendor did a classic price straddle: I have 4GB of data with tethering but have to pay for SMS texts, and unlimited texts with 3GB of data would be about the same $. I prefer iMessage, it is a secure point to point transmission.

Have you read of a text that can shut down the Iphone. Not sure I'd refer to Imessage as secure!

[RambleOnNW]

TInmania wrote:

magicbus wrote:
It never occurred to me people pay for text messages anymore.. people really don't have unlimited text and messaging? Ouch. I haven't worried about my phone usage for many years.

Dave

I didn't think there were anything other than unlimited text plans nowadays either. In fact I'd rather text than use a messenger app since my data is not unlimited. Sending a picture via text (its actually MMS) uses data but that data is exempt from your data plan. Send the same pic via a messenger app and the data usage does count.

All that said I won't use any messaging app that is platform dependent--and that means no iMessage. Since just about everyone uses Facebook I use that if I want to use a messaging app.



Mike

The plan I have is a grandfathered plan and the vendor did a classic price straddle: I have 4GB of data with tethering but have to pay for SMS texts, and unlimited texts with 3GB of data would be about the same $. I prefer iMessage, it is a secure point to point transmission.

[crcr]

Ranger Smith wrote:

crcr wrote:

Ranger Smith wrote:

lynndiwagon wrote:
Steve, I beg to differ. They aren't both "the same." Wife has Iphone 6plus and I have Samsung S5 so I actually know the differences. I would say that if you like an open source operating type system then go to the android, otherwise go with the iphone.

I never wrote that they were the same. Also the openness of android is more exploitable by hackers and malware,ads,popups, and all that other junk.

I have had many Android phones, starting with the very first Android phone that came out in 2008, and I have NEVER had any of those issues. I also have many friends who have owned Android phones for years and NONE of them have had any of those issues. The statement above is false.

I much prefer Android, but I don't trash talk iphone. Both OS platforms are very good -- buy what you like.

The statement was not false . . . Here you go

"Excessive mobile application permissions have long been a security and privacy concern, in particular for Android users who download apps for the platform from a number of sources, and not just from Google. The most notorious case is likely Goldenshores Technologies LLC, which agreed to settle charges with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission that it deceived consumers who downloaded its Android flashlight application that requested an inordinate amount of permissions, including geolocation, which was shared with advertising networks.



Today at its annual I/O event, Google announced a new system coming to Android that brings the platform closer to Apple’s way of doing business. The system will enable users to download apps with zero permissions granted, and then during the course of normal usage, users will be prompted by the app if they want to extend any number of permissions.



In the past, mobile apps have overreached, looking for access to contact lists, SMS messaging, built-in cameras and microphones, images and more. Malicious apps, meanwhile, can take advantage of this environment, for example, to send premium SMS messages at great cost to the user and great profit for the criminal. Permissions are generally granted en masse during download, and generally consumers who aren’t as security savvy, will agree to whatever conditions they’re presented so long as they can download their app quickly. To illustrate, the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) last September published a report that examined 1,200 popular apps and the permissions they seek. Most apps (85 percent), the study concluded, do not explain in clear language to users what information is collected, how it’s collected, nor how it’s used and disclosed; the availability of a privacy policy is also dubious in most cases, the ICO said.



See more at: https://threatpost.com/google-locks-down-excessive-android-app-permissions/113051#sthash.pvh9FrSn.dpuf

I have 180 apps on my phone, usually have had that many at a time on many different phones since 2008 when Android came out, and have even rooted some of my phones, but I have never ever had any issues. Neither have many of my friends with Android phones. The key is that one only need be cautious about what apps one downloads -- mainly read the permissions they require to download, and it doesn't hurt to check the apps' reputation. It's no more difficult to avoid trouble with Android apps than to stay on the road and not drive in the ditch. Common sense and reasonable caution is necessary and effective in most avenues of life.

[davosfam]

Hubby and I each got an iPhone 6 Plus for Christmas. We wanted the big screen. I looked at the Samsung Note but I would have had to learn a whole new OS since my previous phones were iPhones. The size of the phone isn't difficult for me and I have freaky small hands. 😉 The screen size sure is nice, especially for those of us who need reading glasses. Don't worry about the large size of these phones; you'll adapt.

[TInmania]

magicbus wrote:
It never occurred to me people pay for text messages anymore.. people really don't have unlimited text and messaging? Ouch. I haven't worried about my phone usage for many years.

Dave

I didn't think there were anything other than unlimited text plans nowadays either. In fact I'd rather text than use a messenger app since my data is not unlimited. Sending a picture via text (its actually MMS) uses data but that data is exempt from your data plan. Send the same pic via a messenger app and the data usage does count.

All that said I won't use any messaging app that is platform dependent--and that means no iMessage. Since just about everyone uses Facebook I use that if I want to use a messaging app.



Mike

[Ranger_Smith]

crcr wrote:

Ranger Smith wrote:

lynndiwagon wrote:
Steve, I beg to differ. They aren't both "the same." Wife has Iphone 6plus and I have Samsung S5 so I actually know the differences. I would say that if you like an open source operating type system then go to the android, otherwise go with the iphone.

I never wrote that they were the same. Also the openness of android is more exploitable by hackers and malware,ads,popups, and all that other junk.

I have had many Android phones, starting with the very first Android phone that came out in 2008, and I have NEVER had any of those issues. I also have many friends who have owned Android phones for years and NONE of them have had any of those issues. The statement above is false.

I much prefer Android, but I don't trash talk iphone. Both OS platforms are very good -- buy what you like.

The statement was not false . . . Here you go

"Excessive mobile application permissions have long been a security and privacy concern, in particular for Android users who download apps for the platform from a number of sources, and not just from Google. The most notorious case is likely Goldenshores Technologies LLC, which agreed to settle charges with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission that it deceived consumers who downloaded its Android flashlight application that requested an inordinate amount of permissions, including geolocation, which was shared with advertising networks.



Today at its annual I/O event, Google announced a new system coming to Android that brings the platform closer to Apple’s way of doing business. The system will enable users to download apps with zero permissions granted, and then during the course of normal usage, users will be prompted by the app if they want to extend any number of permissions.



In the past, mobile apps have overreached, looking for access to contact lists, SMS messaging, built-in cameras and microphones, images and more. Malicious apps, meanwhile, can take advantage of this environment, for example, to send premium SMS messages at great cost to the user and great profit for the criminal. Permissions are generally granted en masse during download, and generally consumers who aren’t as security savvy, will agree to whatever conditions they’re presented so long as they can download their app quickly. To illustrate, the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) last September published a report that examined 1,200 popular apps and the permissions they seek. Most apps (85 percent), the study concluded, do not explain in clear language to users what information is collected, how it’s collected, nor how it’s used and disclosed; the availability of a privacy policy is also dubious in most cases, the ICO said.



See more at: https://threatpost.com/google-locks-down-excessive-android-app-permissions/113051#sthash.pvh9FrSn.dpuf

[APT]

There are about eleventy billion apps that use data to instant message. Google has Hangouts/chat. There is Facebbook Messenger. What's App. But confirm your (and friends') service plans. It used to be that plans were unlimited data and limited text/voice. Now that so many people have smartphones to native data-based communication, everything is unlimited except the data! I guess there's wifi...