> do you mean the fascination with a product that just simply WORKS, every time you need to use it??
Just simply works, except when it doesn't. Apple products are good, no question, but they're still susceptible to glitches and user-frustrating interface issues.
My wife is a dedicated Apple user - MacBook, iPad and iPhone - and I get to witness her regular tussles with the OSes and applications. If she had Android devices it'd be worse, no doubt, but the vaunted perfection of Apple products is exaggerated.
> > > There is about 800,000 apps for android smartphones. I know nothing, and prefer to keep it that way, about Apple stuff.
> >
> > I thought I was the only one that felt this way. I don't understand the fascination with Apple products.
>
>
>
> are you joking??
> do you mean the fascination with a product that just simply WORKS, every time you need to use it??
>
> If you don't use one, that's fine, but bashing Apple just because you don't sounds silly.
>
> and those 800k apps.... where do you think most of them started from? yeah, Apple products.
See Mr. Frame's response below. You can cheerlead all you want if that works for you, I just don't understand it. Some of us like to express our opinion, that's not "silly". Just like automobiles, there are other viable alternatives that are just as good. It's funny how ravenous Apple fans are. That's the point that I was trying to make that you apparently missed.
Here's one of my favorite commercials from a couple of years ago illustrating what I was trying to say:
Oh, and being able to listen or watch just about any audio or video format, say, an MP3, or Mp4 on my phone is great. Having to go through Itunes to use Apple proprietary formats for audio and video files is a pain.
I have had Macs for over the last 20 years in one form or another.. well, actually 30+ if you want to count using Apple II's in grade school and have had ONE hardware problem, which was replaced immediately by Apple.
Of course getting the software to do what you want is a different story, but I can't think of a time where the machine actually crashed, and we leave our Mac on 24-7 at home.
I get that some like the 'freedom' to tinker inside their machines, but really, that's a pretty small percentage, no matter the maker.
I just get a kick out the sort of comments that android apps are somehow 'better' . I wonder what exact Apps are available on that platform that are not available on Apple?/ That might make the point real.
> I'm an Android guy myself. More freedom in my opinion. I have the HP-48 app that is pretty slick. I also have a magnetometer app that allows me to use my phone like a schonstedt. I wouldn't replace my metal detector with it, but when the truck is a half mile away and the "looker" (as we call it) is in the truck, it's handy.
>
> I also have skydrive (or whatever it's called now). I can share files from my computer to my phone, so I could put all of the deeds/plats for a job on skydrive and have access to them if needed in the field.
Shawn,
I have the magnetometer on my Note II also, but haven't tried it out yet. I have Dropbox and Google Drive which is nice.
I didn't miss your point at all, Glenn. I'm just curious what apps are available on Android that Are not available on Apple?
You can call me a "cheerleader" or sheeple or whatever you want, but if you have a Mac at home, it makes sense to use apple phones and other devices. Why would I want to spend money on two different hardware setups? that would be silly.
> I didn't miss your point at all, Glenn. I'm just curious what apps are available on Android that Are not available on Apple?
>
> You can call me a "cheerleader" or sheeple or whatever you want, but if you have a Mac at home, it makes sense to use apple phones and other devices. Why would I want to spend money on two different hardware setups? that would be silly.
Andy,
I'm wasn't really debating what apps are available for either one. I was only pointing out that I didn't understand folks who are fan-boys for Apple. Sure it makes sense to keep using that line of products and not get two different types, if it works for you, no debate there.
However, having to get proprietary chargers, which may change from model to model, the audio/video format issue that I mentioned, as well as some other proprietary things about Apple, and standing in long lines at Apple stores for the next "big thing", makes me wonder why someone wouldn't want the freedom that Androids provide. My goodness, how long have you folks been putting up with the small screens, for example?
well, the chargers have only changed once since the iphone came out, and they do actually come with the phone. I have never stood in any line for any electronic product. Walked into the phone store and walked out. no muss no fuss. Actually, if you ever went into an apple store, you'd probably be blown away by their efficiency. Compared to shopping at Best Buy, it's actually pretty amazing. and if, like me, you had years ago copied all your ancient cd collection to your computer and itunes, you would have no issues at all with format problems. as far as the screens go, it seems to me that form following function naturally limits the size of the phone to be not much bigger than a pocket. I don't need to start carrying a man purse to carry my phone/tablet.
So I can be a 'fan' of apple products because they work, and not be 'fanboy' with the derogatory connotation that you imply, as if every person who uses apple products is some kind of brain dead zombie.
>I wonder what exact Apps are available on that platform that are not available on Apple?
One example that I use is SVTP, which allows me use my phone as a WiFi hotspot. Try that on an iPhone without buying a tethering plan from provider.
> well, the chargers have only changed once since the iphone came out, and they do actually come with the phone. I have never stood in any line for any electronic product. Walked into the phone store and walked out. no muss no fuss. Actually, if you ever went into an apple store, you'd probably be blown away by their efficiency. Compared to shopping at Best Buy, it's actually pretty amazing. and if, like me, you had years ago copied all your ancient cd collection to your computer and itunes, you would have no issues at all with format problems.
>
> So I can be a 'fan' of apple products because they work, and not be 'fanboy' with the derogatory connotation that you imply, as if every person who uses apple products is some kind of brain dead zombie.
OK Andy, so they've only changed once, who knows if they'll change again, but it's not worth debating the minutia. You got the point that there are several peculiar things about them. If there wasn't some type of consensus about the strange fandom of Apple and their products peculiar ways, then I don't think Samsung or anyone else would be producing commercials to that extent.
Yes, I have burned my entire CD collection to Itunes, and while it has its' advantages, I certainly hate the file format and limitations of it more. So count me as one who doesn't believe that it is the best thing since sliced bread. Recording .wav or .mp3 files of my band playing is easy to upload to my phone or email, I don't have to convert it through Itunes.
The only thing I implied was that most Apple fans can't see the forest for the trees, they are very myopic. You may take that however you like, I was only pointing that out. Isn't that how you reacted, defensively/myopic for Apple, making a point that everything came from Apple?
Thanks for that, Jim. I was just investigating "rooting" my android to get tethering. I'll try SVTP and see if it works. $15 will be cheaper than trying to figure out rooting I think.
For whatever it's worth, I "rooted" my android tablet by finding some step-by-step instructions on line. it wasn't that difficult, and I don't have an android phone and don't do "tethering".
Not recommending anything either way, but I don't think rooting takes a big computer geek to do these days with the access to online instructions. In fact rooting theoretically voids warranties and other things, (but I also had my rooted android fixed through a warranty so I don't think they worry about it all that much either)
Note to self: return The iPad I bought for Glenn's Christmas gift this year.
> Note to self: return The iPad I bought for Glenn's Christmas gift this year.
😛 Darn it! And there I was, dreaming of the day I'd get one.:-S
Glenn,
It was cute of Apple to bury the settings required to get any sort of quality conversion to .mp3 deep in the iTunes desktop software. First time I converted from wav to mp3, the sound was horrible. Turns out they intentionally set the settings to do that.
Hi Tom,
I was more concerned with rooting software I could trust than anything else - for whatever that's worth. My paranoid side is pretty convinced all free apps are provided by the NSA. Tinfoil hats really screw up my cell phone reception. lol... kind of...
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the smart phone app which is the companion app to Terrain Navigator Pro.
What magnetometer app do you guys use? A decent compass would be nice at times; none of them I've tried have worked at all.
> Thanks for that, Jim. I was just investigating "rooting" my android to get tethering. I'll try SVTP and see if it works. $15 will be cheaper than trying to figure out rooting I think.
I'm under the impression that it doesn't work with all Android phones, but it works with my Samsung Galaxy SII. I assume the publisher has a compatibility list you can check.
> Glenn,
> It was cute of Apple to bury the settings required to get any sort of quality conversion to .mp3 deep in the iTunes desktop software. First time I converted from wav to mp3, the sound was horrible. Turns out they intentionally set the settings to do that.
Yes, I agree. I only converted a few and found that out pretty quick. I like being able to upload a .wav file directly to my Note II. Moreover, Apple doesn't allow for external card storage like Androids. I have a 32 gb card in mine.
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy SIII. I tried until midnight to sideload or root with no success. I believe the problem is that it's a Verizon phone and that Verizon has made it very, very difficult to get around. They really want that $30/month for tethering even though the feature is natively a part of the Android architecture and costs Verizon nothing. This is why I went to Android in the first place - freedom, and Verizon seems to be Appling me anyway. Basically, they put an off switch in the phone that you must pay them - monthly - to turn on.
At this point the fix looks dangerous, but it has become a matter of principle.