September 7, 2011 By

The journey from Apple iOS to Google Android

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Moving from iOS to any other platform will be a wrench and one that is only realistic for the power user if they move to Android. Apps dominate and it is likely that most iOS users have a selection that they rely on, myself included, and so I have embarked on a process of seeing how easy, or difficult, it is to move. Before I even contemplate moving I need to ensure that my most needed apps/tasks are available.

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For this test I am using an HTC Legend, a phone that was released 17 months ago. It runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) perfectly well thanks to an official HTC update and is still one of the best looking smartphones available on any platform. I have deliberately used an older Android phone to dispel some of the criticism levied at Android regarding fragmentation. Sure, some older Android phones have not been updated properly and some budgeimaget devices will never run the latest operating system versions, but this is a mid-range phone that should be able to handle some tough days.

There are apps and there are apps. Many of us have 50 or more installed, but the 5 that are used every day and which perform tasks that make a smartphone what it is are the 5 that matter. I took a look around at the options and here is what I found-

Notes: this is a key area for me and one that I use multiple times a day. Evernote is my repository of choice and Awesome Note on iOS is the ‘perfect’ way to manage my notes on a mobile, and indeed it is a better system than the Evernote desktop app. So imagine my surprise when I saw Easy Note + 2do which is either written by the same developer or worthy of legal action from the Awesome Note guys. Sadly it doesn’t support Evernote, but the number of notes apps on Android that do are numerous. With time I believe that I will come up with a full solution for Awesome Note so I will hedge my bets and not give this area full marks.

iOS replaceability: 9/10

Finance: Pocket Money is my app of choice for financial management on iOS and it is also available on Android and works just as well. That was easy.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Navigation: This is difficult, but not because of the apps available. I use TomTom on my iPhone, but Co-Pilot Live is not far behind and the free Google Navigation is not too far behind Co-Pilot. Ultimately, I have a solution on both platforms even if my preferred choice is not available on Android.

iOS replaceability: 8/10

eBooks: Kindle on the iPhone and Kindle on the Legend.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Podcasts: So many options available on both platforms and more free ones on Android. The adverts don’t matter because I tend to listen to Podcasts in the car via an FM Transmitter of which many are also available that work from the 3.5mm headphone jack.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Reading Later: There are, again, multiple options on Android that let me use InstaPaper as I do on the iPhone.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Website management: The Android Squarespace app is in beta testing so should be available soon. The iOS Squarespace app is so poor, however, that any Android app is likely to be as good or better. It cannot surely be worse.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Gaming: I tend to game more on the iPad these days so won’t lose many of the games I play by moving from the iPhone. Most of the popular titles like Words with Friends and Angry Birds are available cross-platform anyway. I would say, however, that the best iOS games are still better than the best Android games, but not by far.

iOS replaceability: 9/10

PIM: As a GMail, Google Calendar and Google Docs user Android kills iOS for me. The default iOS email app is dreadfully basic and with Google pushing Android the difference is stark.

iOS replaceability: 10/10

Out of a possible score of 90, the total came to 86 which shows that Android truly can replace iOS for my app needs. In many cases it has big advantages, but those will be covered in part two where I will look at how well Android can replace the iOS experience.

The above article is compliments of Shaun McGill of Lost In Mobile.

Image: anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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About Jon

Constantly challenging opinions and looking for new opportunities, Jon develops the product ranges and business activities and very much strives to maintaining growth and taking Clove in to the future.

Never knowing when to stop, he spends too much time in the office! He's very organised; writes lists, reports, spreadsheets, you name it, he's on to it!! When he does relax, however, he can be found driving his pride and joy (his Range Rover Sport), walking his Dog, down the pub or at a local restaurant. He does too like the finer things in life and often lives beyond his means, only the best hotels will do.

Comments

  1. Mike Paterson says:
    September 7, 2011 at 10:37 am

    Fair comments and good reflections on available Apps.
    I look forward to the next installment. :)

    Mike

  2. Mike Paterson says:
    September 7, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Absolutely marvelous thanks….
    I got the ‘power wall charger’ sorted out in the end… It was the charger the TF came with that was defective btw.
    In the end I purchased a replacement wall charger on Ebay, along with a couple of spare leads (just in case).

    In a way I’m now secretly pleased the Galaxy Tab 10.1 didn’t make it in time for my TF purchase.

    Android with the TF & Dock has totally transformed (pun not intended) how I use my hardware.
    My PC Laptop is getting less and less usage these days.

    Mike

    • Wardy says:
      September 7, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      Glad you got the charger sorted Mike.

      That is interesting to hear that it’s transformed the way you use Android, I’ve been considering a tablet myself recently and the Transformer is the one that I am leaning towards at the moment.

      Are there any changes in particular that you can point out?

  3. Mike Paterson says:
    September 7, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Yes Sharky,
    Asus are exceptional when it comes to updates and the latest have improved the Dock no end.
    There have been 3 updates since I took ownership and with Honeycomb 3.2 plus the latest updates for both the TF and Dock we now find browsing with the Dock using ‘Dolphin for Pad’ steps the TF to one side from the remaining Tablets.

    It’s much quicker in typing for starters and the keys tally in nicely with Android operation.

    Battery performance is marginally better and the fact you then have basically a Laptop to use for 14 hours is a credit to Asus.

    One user on xda-devs took his Dock apart, removed some unwanted innards and managed to shove in a 500GB Hard Drive.

    I’m also finding new Honeycomb and Tablet specific titles popping up which promote it’s use.

    Yes, in daily use the TF with Dock allows me to carry out most of the tasks normally seen on my Laptop.

    Simply love the tech and admire Asus in their continued support.

    Mike

  4. mas616 says:
    September 8, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Interesting comparison, but only of five apps. The big element of any changeover from one OS to another that you seem to have ignored is the cost element.

    You may indeed find replacements for all your apps, but some, maybe most, will need to paid for again.