Author
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Topic: iPhone or Droid for Whalering
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PeteB88 |
posted 01-22-2011 04:24 PM ET (US)
Okay, I'm due for a Verizon upgrade and iPhone is coming out. I have ducked "smart phone" so far but now might be the time. I have seen Buckda's iPhone [with] Navionics chart on it and understand Droid has same or possibly better features.I think about all that money I've spent on Navionics and Raymarine combo unit (not that I have any intention of replacing) but I have a GPS combo unit I was going to install on the 13. I am a loyal Apple user and like PC's, too, so the question [and] poll is obvious. Droid or iPhone for boating assuming download of Navionics chart for back-up? Thanks everyone!
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Moby Dick
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posted 01-22-2011 05:13 PM ET (US)
This has been a topic of great interest on Iceshanty.com. I have a Droid-X and I couldn't get it to download. Check it our yourself but navionics works very well on the iPhones but not so well on the droids. Go to the michigan part of iceshanty.com for the topic. |
jtms
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posted 01-22-2011 05:37 PM ET (US)
I have an iPhone with the Navionics software. It is $5 and works very well. The maps where I live are more accurate and more detailed than my older fix mounted Garmin. I am blown away how well it works for $5. I used it one night on my friend's boat when his GPS went out to get us home in the pitch black without any moon - worked great. Having said this, I wouldn't feel comfortable using it all the time for night running. If you are a Mac guy the iPhone is a no-brainer. |
skinnywater
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posted 01-22-2011 07:18 PM ET (US)
My wife has had two Droids and I know several other persons with Droids- none of us are very impressed and in most cases aggrevated or disappointed for having paid for it. My sister-in-law and several others have had iPhones since they came out - all are happy and we are quite impressed with the ones we've seen and played with, and they are seeming to get better.We are awaiting our upgrade period with Verizon and will be dumping Droid for an iPhone ourselves (even if we have to pony up at the $200 introductory price). me to you
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themclos
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posted 01-22-2011 07:43 PM ET (US)
Today, go with the iPhone. It is a fully mature device.Android smart phones are still a generation or two behind. Later this year the decision will be more difficult. Dan |
tjxtreme
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posted 01-22-2011 08:13 PM ET (US)
I have noticed that the GPS chip on my iPhone drains the battery really fast. You can almost watch it go down. This is something to keep in mind, especially since you can't swap in new batteries when they die. |
themclos
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posted 01-22-2011 09:48 PM ET (US)
Using the GPS function on any mobile device, whether it is an iPhone, blackberry or other smartphone, draws the most power of any function the device can perform.If you plan on utilizing the GPS function of a mobile device on your boat, you might want to consider making accomodations for a charger on board. Dan
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pcrussell50
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posted 01-22-2011 10:19 PM ET (US)
iPhone or Android phone? iPhone: -closed platform -tightly controlled app store that disallows some very good apps -because of that, almost every app is reasonably polished, not buggy, and won't make the phone feel clunky, and crashy --slightly hackable, for the hobbyist Android: --much more open than the iPhone, but not as open as we open-source types would like -much less tightly controlled app store. Some VERY good apps that were blocked in Apple app store are available in Android market --since almost no apps are blocked, some are of poor quality and reliability and can make the phone's user experience more frustrating --much more hackable, to include custom ROMs. If the quote, "I flash, therefore I am", is near to your heart, you will like Android better. If you don't even know what I'm talking about, then you won't miss anything by having an ihpone. Some of the EXACT SAME apps from the same developers, that are free in Android, are not free on the iPhone because they know you all will pay for them ;) One more thing. If you like Google things, like Google maps and Youtube, they are better on Android phones than they are on the iPhone. Google maps on Android has voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. The iPhone doesn't. We think the iPhone doesn't, because there are apps that a charge a lot of money for that convenience, and if it were free, like on Android, why would people pay big bucks? Apple gets a percentage of the App store sales, so it's in their interest to block good apps that are free. Android also has a super neato star mapper that uses the GPS and the gyro. You just point your phone at the sky like a camera, and based on your position, time of day, and orientation of your phone, it shows which stars you should see. Why is the Google software suite on Android better than the Google software suite on iPhone? Because Android IS Google. Lest we forget. And finally, one of the Android offerings on Verizon, the DroidX, has a biiig 4.3" screen. If you are mostly a media consumer, surfing, video, navigation, you will fall HARD for the big screen. If you spend your life with your phone glued to your ear, you will probably like the svelte'ness of the iPhone. Both phones UI's have the same pinch-to-resize and swipe-to-scroll, action that most people are used to on the iPhone. BUT if you are one who notices subtleties, it's just a little slicker and tighter on the iPhone. It's a subtlety that not all will notice, but I do. In sum, if you don't like to tinker, get an iPhone. If you do, then you tolerate some bugginess, and get an Android phone. One more closing thought that applies to both... I try my level best NOT to pay for anything in the way of apps, unless they are must-have, and there's no way around it. I am of the opinion that you could go hundreds or thousands into the hole in app purchases, and your platform will be obsolete before you get your value out of it, whether Android or iPhone. -Peter |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-22-2011 11:18 PM ET (US)
Size DOES matter. Droid X. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-23-2011 01:20 AM ET (US)
The Navionics package has doubled or more, since jtms bought it. It's now $9.99 or $14.99. For USA marine and lakes.Looks pretty cool. But I'm not likely to commit that kind of moola for an app. We'll see. If it was still $5, I might. I'll be pissed if it's $5 on Android, and double that on the iPhone. Who do they think we are? -Peter |
jharrell
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posted 01-23-2011 09:57 AM ET (US)
Thats why developers like iPhones, people actually pay them for their hard work there ;).Sorry, it's hard for me not to say something, being a software developer, my livelihood is based on people actually paying for software. To hear hesitation on spending $10-$15 dollars for accurate navigational charts is strange considering how much those same charts cost on SD for a chartplotter. I spend 5 times that amount filling up gas on my boat only to burn it up in a weekend! The Apple apps store is is the best thing to come along for the small developer in a very long time. For $99 a year and a 70/30 split they provide marketing,hosting, and credit-card processing for your apps, this is a great deal. They have consistently shown in their financial statements they operate iTunes and the App store at just barely above break even. Apple does not make profit on apps, they make profit on selling hardware, lots of good apps help sell their hardware. As far as an Android vs iPhone comparison, it will come as no surprise I recommend an iPhone. But I don't have much experience with Android on a boat other than my friend who has a G2, and the battery life was no where near as good as my iPhone using similar apps out on the boat. The Navionics app was not as polished and he spent considerable time downloading map data that was preloaded on the iPhone version. Navionics went up in price for the iPhone because the combined all the map data for various regions, now it is just split by ocean vs lakes. I don't recommend any of those devices over a good chart plotter though, mainly for sunlight viewable screen and protection from the elements. Also the GPS update speed is not as fast as a chartplotter typically. |
DeeVee
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posted 01-23-2011 10:54 AM ET (US)
My wife and I just bought iPhones. I have not had a chance to try it out on the boat yet. I rigged up a way to clamp it to the console rail so I could utilize the video camera "handsfree",so to speak. We love the iPhones so far. Doug Vazquez Posted from my iPhone |
samwhaler
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posted 01-23-2011 11:10 AM ET (US)
Pete, I have both. I like the iPhone better. The only reason I added the Verizon account (Droid) last year was due to the AT&T network being terrible in most of my inshore fishing spots. Now that you can get the iPhone through Verizon, go for it. Sam
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gnr
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posted 01-23-2011 11:43 AM ET (US)
Depends on which phone you choose. I have a Samsung Captivate that most of my iPhone owning friends would trade for in a minute. Has all the capabilities of the iPhone with the advantages of the open source Android platform.There are some very nice Android phones available now and this March there will be more available. The days of iPhone owning the smart phone market are over. |
Jeff
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posted 01-23-2011 11:52 AM ET (US)
There are only two things I hate about my 3G iPhone.1)The phone itself 2)The service (and lack there of) provider. I can not wait to make the switch to one of the new HTC or Motorola Andriod phones on a non-AT&T network. |
Phil T
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posted 01-23-2011 12:18 PM ET (US)
If you do buy an I phone, I highly recommend an Otterbox case. I have had one for over a year. http://www.otterbox.com/iPhone-4-Defender-Series-Case/ APL2-I4XXX,default,pd.html?dwvar_APL2-I4XXX_color=20&start=1& cgid=apple-iPhone-4-cases It is a hard core case with a plastic shell and rubber cover. It will protect your $200 phone from breaking when dropped. |
SJUAE
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posted 01-23-2011 12:54 PM ET (US)
I'm with Pete on this the Android especially the Galaxy Tab over an Ipad just gives you so many more optionsIf you are not the slightest bit interested in what lies behind then iPhone or Ipad then they are fine products. But those expecting a little bit more functionality and options for their dollar then they should consider outside the Apple world. If I was to buy a product for my in-laws or grandparents then the Ipad is a good choice as it does what it says on the box, simply. My kids like them as they are Apple fans and follow the trends but they also like Nokia originally then Motorola :) Most of the applications that are useful are replicated on many platforms and you are welcome to take your pick of the 10,000,s of junk stuff available in the IStore or Market place etc. Although the US market seems to have some odd ties to the service provider, us outside who have unrestricted devices face other problems as often the store's are country specific and require ingenuity to get around the download blocks that may not be obvious to the US and I'm not talking about +18 material :) Navioncs charts are great value on mobile platforms compared to our chart plotter cartridge prices and have a novelty and potential backup to your main capability. For a few bucks most mobiles have a simple cigarette lighter charger adapter and even a simple emergency recharge pack or slip on case with additional battery are commonly available, so no problems on battery power IMO Although I'm against software piracy I don't expect to pay for every app that’s developed. The Istore is full of chances hoping for a return on the simplest app and why it's over subscribed with junk. iPhone or Android or Windows phone take your pick they all have pro's and cons depending on your expectations and preferences. Personally I have an iPhone as a phone but I now carry a Galaxy Tab as soon as I want some functionality as it’s more powerful and easier to carry than a Ipad. I find with the Galaxy Tab I am less likely to revert to my laptop than when I had the Ipad even on the simplest of browsing tasks. I enjoyed my Ipad experience and my iPhone for its simplicity although there are more app updates an OS revisions than I ever had on a windows 5/6 mobile platform, keeping up to date is worse than downloading virus updates on windows pc’s :) Regards Steve |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-23-2011 01:26 PM ET (US)
jharrell,I'm not telling people not to buy programs from the Apple app store, (or Android market), I'm just saying that if you're not careful, they can be like popcorn at the movie theater. If you're not paying attention, next thing you know, you've downed 2000 calories worth, or spent several hundred dollars at an app store on apps that you will not get your money's worth out of and will be wasted once you change phones. Either that, or you will hold back from getting the phone you want, because you have all this money in apps for your old platform. Of course, such behavior is a dream come true, for appdevs. This may be moot, as iOS and Android look like they're here to stay, BUT it remains to be seen how much effort they will put into future releases in the way of retaining legacy software compatibility. I don't intend to be one of the ones left holding the bag. FWIW, I do buy apps. I'm just careful about it. I might still buy the Navionics software, depending on how my boating evolves after I graduate from my 13 Sport, to a Montauk-class vessel. I've also bought a few apps from friends who are developers. I don't use them much... it was mostly a ceremonial gesture for friends. Slightly OT, but one of the tech talk personalities that I like to listen to is of the mind that "bits want to be free", (in terms of cost), and that it is an uphill battle against natural forces, to try to charge for stuff that is 1's and 0's. IOW, paying for 1's and 0's is different than buying a hammer... or a Whaler. Once you digitize something, it's hard to keep the genie in the bottle, and if it gets out, the ones who can adapt their business strategy to work synergistically with the "new world", will be the ones who thrive in it. This is my tech guru speaking, not me. Fascinating stuff. -Peter |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-23-2011 01:35 PM ET (US)
Sam sez: quote: Pete, I have both. I like the iPhone better.
I've had an iPhone since the 3g came out. But I did have the VERY first Andorid phone for a 30 day preview. It wasn't ready for prime time, back in October of '08. But I still follow Android closely, and I'm ready to own one of them now, alongside my iPhone. Unlike you, I'm not leaving ATT, as I travel internationally too much to be without GSM. I'm just hoping that as VZW picks up the iPhone, ATT will start to up their game in terms of Android offerings. My goal is to not have two accounts that I am paying for. I will just swap the sim card out of my iPhone and into whatever Android phone I get, when I feel in and Android mood. -Peter
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GreatBayNH
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posted 01-23-2011 08:31 PM ET (US)
Droid X has a 4.3 inch screen. I use a suction cup window mount on my truck (that can be transfered to the Whaler wind screen in a heartbeat) that turns the Droid into a mobile navigation system using Google Maps. If you're going to use a mobile computing device as a marine navigation system I'd suggest the anti-glare screen protector and the largest screen size money can buy. -Seth |
skinnywater
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posted 01-23-2011 08:45 PM ET (US)
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum - Today my Wife's Droid was pushed an update that made the phone unavailable to her for several minutes which was like a 'now what?' occurance [we haven't had that happen before] but when done, she had new icons that appeared giving her access to new features and easier navigation paths. She's been having a pretty good time this afternoon exploring all the other new changes and I heard her talking to her sister earlier telling her how much user friendlier it suddenly is. huh, The Power of CW, whoulda thunk? I should have said something here sooner. The Droid got annoyed and now my earlier post seems void. [Heavens to Merc-atroid]. Hahaha. |
PeteB88
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posted 01-23-2011 10:05 PM ET (US)
Thanks you guys! Daughter had her brand new X droid here last night and I played around with it for awhile. I've been using iPOD Touch 32 for about a year and very used to that interface. First reaction to X was touch screen was frustrating - press to select say from a list of rows, say if I pressed second row like Marketplace I'd get the GAM. NEVER had that problem w/ iPOD or iPhoneS i've messed with. Deal breaker potentially. The Navionics would be back-up plan only and great novelty thing really for show and tell either platform. I suppose GPS function will be super important because I hike and ride MTBs and road bikes a lot so that is a real priority. Please keep comments coming - I appreciate it. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 02:49 AM ET (US)
Pete, at this point, based on your post that started this thread, I would recommend the iPhone4 for you... unless you find that you really like the large touchscreen of the DroidX. Every time I play with a DroidX, I wish my iPhone4 had the big screen. I REALLY wish/hope the next iPhone, the "iPhone 5", has a big screen like the DroidX. But alas, El Steve said something like, "nobody likes those big screens like the DroidX and EVO 4G have!" Then again, El Steve also said, back when the first iPhone came out, "Apps! We don't need apps! This thing is perfect exactly the way it is!" That was his response when users were grousing that they wanted apps. I was one of them. I did not go to the iPhone until they got them. I had DOZENS of neato apps on the various Palm Treos I had over the years.Oh yeah, if you are with Verizon, and considering the iPhone4... If Apple continues on its established iPhone release schedule, and releases an iPhone5 in June, you guys who made the jump now, will still have nearly two years to wait before you're off contract to get the "5". -Peter |
Chuck Tribolet
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posted 01-24-2011 08:44 AM ET (US)
The news says Verizon is dropping "new every two". You're going to have to pay for either phone. Chuck
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jimh
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posted 01-24-2011 09:12 AM ET (US)
I believe some responses here have confused the brand name "Droid" which is used by Motorola for certain devices with the name of the Google Android mobile operating system. There are many devices which use the Google Android operating system besides the Motorola Droid line of mobile devices. |
skinnywater
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posted 01-24-2011 10:36 AM ET (US)
I guess I am guilty of that charge - my wif'es phone is an LG, I thought they were all called Droid's. My apologies then if my input has skewed the discussion by confusing the true question at issue - if in fact the premise is indeed "how does the Motorola Droid compare to the Apple iPhone" |
gnr
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posted 01-24-2011 11:36 AM ET (US)
Pete,The GPS function on these smart phones is a great little feature and I use mine fairly often in my vehicles. For hiking, biking, hunting and boating I would much rather have a dedicated handheld GPS that can take the abuse and the weather. You don't want to be pulling that expensive smartphone out in the rain to check your course or how far you have to go. Check out the Samsung Vibrant next time you are in the Verizon store. Great android phone with the best screen avaiable. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 12:25 PM ET (US)
By the way, there's another variable in the Android or iPhone decision matrix that I forgot to bring up. Since Android is an operating system, not a particular phone or handset, it can be installed on all manner of devices. Thus, just as with home computers, the power of the hardware can vary widely. Right now, the iPhone has what I call frontline hardware:Which for smartphones, I consider: 1Ghz processor 512 Mb of ram high resolution screen: 800'ish x 400'ish minimum Since Android is so widely available, most Android phones do not meet these standards, and will not be able to run the rapidly advancing updates to the Android OS. The frontline Android phones are the only ones you should consider, if you are also considering an iPhone. If they are running Android 2.2 as a minimum, with the promise of an update to 2.3 imminent, I'd pass in favor of the iPhone4. Note, iPhones older than the "4" do not meet my "frontline" criteria. Looks like some Android devices with dual-core processors are due out this spring. I'm sure Apple will meet that salvo with a dual core in the "5" come June or July. -Peter |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 12:33 PM ET (US)
Oops!I said: quote: If they are running Android 2.2 as a minimum, with the promise of an update to 2.3 imminent, I'd pass in favor of the iPhone4.
It should read: quote: If a particular Android handset is NOT running Android 2.2 as a minimum, with the promise of an update to 2.3 imminent, I'd pass in favor of the iPhone4.
-Peter |
SJUAE
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posted 01-24-2011 01:02 PM ET (US)
PeteAs you know many phones had full GPS and touch capability way before even iPhone was out. A few even had 3.5" VGA screens or SVGA. The good news for us is the software and products like Navionics are catching up and enriching our experiance. The iPhone and others popularised what the more geeks knew was already available. Apple drip feed of enhancements already available on other products shows how clever the marketing is and how they wait for the average Joe to catch up with the technology. Simply I lost interest in Mobiles 2 years back as I was spending more time tinkering than using. As most don't jailbreak or custom Rom their phones and are happy with what they are told by advertising. I don't believe any product is mature in the Mobile market, most products seem to have a shelf life of 6-9 months Regards Steve
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jimh
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posted 01-24-2011 02:57 PM ET (US)
In contrast to the criticism here directed at the iPhone applications, Apple announced today that the 10,000,000,000th--that the ten-billionth--application has been downloaded from the iTunes store.I would say that 10,000,000,000 application downloads is a reasonable measure of success of the iPhone platform for development of applications. |
towboater
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posted 01-24-2011 03:04 PM ET (US)
JimH Thanks for allowing and moderating the cell phone and PC relationships to Whaler owners on the GAM page. The unsolicited responces have been very helpfull. Does anyone use a smart phone for WI-FI tethering to Ipad or laptops? Does it work as advertized? Thanks. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 03:36 PM ET (US)
quote: In contrast to the criticism here directed at the iPhone applications, Apple announced today that the 10,000,000,000th--that the ten-billionth--application has been downloaded from the iTunes store.
The tech blogs, (which I read constantly), announced it late Saturday night, or Sunday. The 10 billionth app downloaded was one called "Paper Glider". I installed it. A reasonable little time waster. It was free, too... at least it was on Sunday when I installed it. Now that it has become a cult hero, they might charge for it. -Peter |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 03:39 PM ET (US)
quote: In contrast to the criticism here directed at the iPhone applications, Apple announced today that the 10,000,000,000th--that the ten-billionth--application has been downloaded from the iTunes store.
The tech blogs, (which I read constantly), announced it late Saturday night, or Sunday. The 10 billionth app downloaded was one called "Paper Glider". I installed it. A reasonable little time waster. It was free, too... at least it was on Sunday when I installed it. Now that it has become a cult hero, they might charge for it. -Peter |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 03:45 PM ET (US)
Tow, you asked specifically about WIFI tethering. The iPhone currently offers tethering via bluetooth and via the USB sync cable. I use it, and It works well... very, VERY well. The tech blogs say, WIFI tethering will be available on the iPhone if you upgrade it to firmware 4.3.x, when Apple pushes it. Current version is 4.2.x.If you absolutely MUST have WIFI tethering on the iPhone now, you will have to jailbreak it and install MiWi. They say it works well. My iPhone is jailbroken, but I didn't install MiWi, because the USB/bluetooth tethering works so very well as it is. -Peter |
towboater
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posted 01-24-2011 04:47 PM ET (US)
Thx Peter. Id like to keep it simple, plug and play w/o wires or USB ports. Will google 4.3 iPhones. I would not have known or had confidence to spend the time on this without your help. Thanks.I have a semi tough wi-fi enabled (with Office 7) laptop waiting for on board service. First, I have a long time Nextel account that has become lousy Sprint account but that is another story. Still, I would like to check out Sprint options before I trash then and start over with ATT or Verison iPhones. Would you or anyone recommend a specific Sprint phone that will tether to a laptop without wires occasionally? CW has better customer service and easier to navigate than Sprint sites. Thanks again for your time. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 04:58 PM ET (US)
Sprint? Good. Their high speed data network is great... if... you're in an area with good coverage. Sprint's frontline phone is the is the EVO 4G. It's also got a big sexy 4.3" screen. It has wifi tethering built in, but Sprint may or may not allow you to use it, and if they do, they will charge extra for the data. If you "root" it, you can turn on wifi tethering for free. Rooting is the word in the Android community that is like "jailbreaking" in the iPhone community. Feel free to email me offline if you want to talk more. -Peter |
towboater
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posted 01-24-2011 07:37 PM ET (US)
Thanks, that is my target. IF it works, it should pay for itself.THe plan is to finish my basic book keeping and logs on the boat, then send to the office and let my Secretary take over... which removes the redundancy. = more free time to finish restoring a 18 ft CPD. Ive done some homework prior, again, I sure like having confidence. mk |
PeteB88
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posted 01-24-2011 07:40 PM ET (US)
Thanks Jim, this has been great and I am sure there will be more posts. And thanks to all of you for your help and comments. [Long narrative deleted. Contact Pete via email to get a copy of this.--jimh] |
sdwhaler17
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posted 01-24-2011 08:46 PM ET (US)
I tried both and would say the iPhone was all that 1-2 yrs ago, nothing touched it, but Android has caught up and in some ways passed it. The integration with Google native apps is better ie maps, gmail, shopper, goggles, check out google sky map at night some time, all pretty cool.If you are hooked into itunes and have a mac I would say go with the iPhone (Verizon that is). However, if you are not a mac person ie PC, mp3, google search, apps and chrome browser definitely take the android. Cost is another factor. Android is going to be cheaper for newer technology. Sure apple will catch up in the next release, but when, next year? iPhone on Verizon will not be 4G. There are now more Androids than iPhones and more are being activated each day, approximately 200-300K per day worldwide. John S. |
Waterwonderland
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posted 01-24-2011 09:27 PM ET (US)
Towboater,I am entering this post on an old iMac in a cabin in northern Michigan. I am connected to the internet through WiFi on my 3gs iPhone. I am using the MyWi application to enable tethering. The WiFi range isn't very good. It also works fine in a car with things like an iPad or laptop. The response is slow, but very usable. Since my iPhone has been “customized” I am not being charged for tethering. According to the courts this activity is now deemed legal. Of course the connection is only as good as the provider's coverage in that particular area. There is all this white stuff on the lakes - doesn't make for good boating. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-24-2011 10:40 PM ET (US)
Tetherme cost me $2. It uses the iPhones native tethering capability, which is either wirelessly through Bluetooth, or wired, through he USB cable... which has the added benefit of charging the phone at the same time. It seems to be faster on the laptop than the phone itself. I think this is due to the fact that the phones webkit-based safari browser has to re-render large pages small. I thought of MyWi, but for $20, it didn't offer enough value to me, in the face of $2 door tetherme. -Peter |
Waterwonderland
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posted 01-24-2011 10:49 PM ET (US)
Peter,I went with MyWi because of the convenience and the use of multiple computers. Like you I find the web is faster on the computer than on the phone. The twenty dollars is nothing to me compared to the amount of times that I use it. |
SJUAE
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posted 01-25-2011 07:27 AM ET (US)
towboaterTethering using an Iphone is country service provider option ie some allow it some don't and some make you pay Here in UAE it's free and enabled other countries you have to jailbreake or use MiFi to get around the problem. One of the nice things on some andriod mobiles is it allows the device to act as an access point so allowing several devices to be tethered at the same time. Jim although I agree 10,000,000,000 application downloads is a reasonable measure of success. However only as Apple control the downloads this allows them to count. As other platforms allow free access from many sources it's impossible to verify the numbers but maybe Apple have caught up in part. sdwhaler17 quote: I tried both and would say the iPhone was all that 1-2 yrs ago, nothing touched it
Iphone has had the smoothest touch interface 1-2 yrs ago and apart from cut and paste it's hardly no more functionally advance than many high-end pda/phones of 4 years back that were available worldwide. Many millions were happy with their Motorola Razor series, Iphone and others just helped to popularise to the masses what can be done on a mobile. HTC had touch interfaces (not as slick as the Iphone) before apple. Windows and symbian platforms already had a huge advance application database. Apple Iphone is a nice device and I use one myself but it has very few significant firsts to its name, it raised the bar on interface no doubt on that, but unless you believe everything Apple tell you :)it remains in part stinted by over control IMO Regards Steve |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-27-2011 03:06 PM ET (US)
Betamax was better too. Just sayin'. |
PeteB88
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posted 01-29-2011 01:05 PM ET (US)
Well, here we go again. I am on the list for first batch of Verizon iPHONE. I spent the night at my buddy's in another town where I am doing a project. He is manager of hottest Verizon store in that area. His house is a wonderland of technology including his daughter's bedroom. AND the bathroom. His entertainment wall has stuff I have never seen or imagined including Apple TV, Airport Extreme, every video game from all the manufacturers and on and on. He has an iPOD Touch 32, the kid has some iPOD. there are docks and speakers all over the place. His kitchen TV can surf the net. He has an Apple MacBook Pro all tweaked and geeked. He has two Droids and will get the iPHONE. He told me the bigger stores are going to be ready for the intro day - with armed security officers (four at the bigger stores) and the ability for sales crew to walk outside with wireless device and fill orders of the people who they expect will be standing in line. I had my Macbook set up doing a Keynote for a presentation I had to make in front of a public official the next morning -we were sharing songs and shooting the breeze and he gave me a demo of the Droid. Entirely impressive. What blew me a way is the ability to download music instantly and with minimal hassle. There are so many free apps and options that it is quite impossible to not consider Droid as my next phone. I am a loyal Apple customer but I will remain open minded. I do not like some things Apple does. For example, if I pay for an iTUNES song I can only burn it to a CD a couple of times and then that's it. SO - this project is still active, I am now leaning Droid instead of iPHONE. OR I might just stay with the G'Z One line and get me a Brigade - bomb proof, shock proof, military specs but with keyboard |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-29-2011 02:20 PM ET (US)
I can't say I blame you for being a little stuck on the issue. I am a happy iPhone user, and have been since the 3G came out. But the time is fast approaching, if it is not already here, that frontline Android devices share the tip of the spear. Some time in 2011 I will have an Android phone to go along with my iPhone. Again, not because I'm dissatisfied with he iPhone, but because I like BMWs... and Porsches... and in the case of smartphones, I can afford one of each. Especially because with AT&T I don't have to have two different accounts. I can just swap the SIM card between the iphone and the Android phone at my pleasure and convenience. -Peter |
jtms
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posted 01-29-2011 07:37 PM ET (US)
We are pretty much at the point that almost all of the smart phones are pretty dang good. I have always been an IPhone guy and I am constantly amazed by the technology. Having said that, many are happy with the Droid. In my opinion, once Verizon starts selling the IPhone you will see the sells for Droid phones drop dramatically. 90% of the people that bought a Droid was because they were on a non-ATT&T network and didn't want to switch. Get the IPhone, you can't go wrong. |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-30-2011 09:30 AM ET (US)
quote: I believe some responses here have confused the brand name "Droid" which is used by Motorola for certain devices with the name of the Google Android mobile operating system. There are many devices which use the Google Android operating system besides the Motorola Droid line of mobile devices.
JimH's post quoted above needs repeating. The Google Android mobile operating system has bee adopted by all major US smart phone manufacturers (Apple excuded of course) thus by proxy is avalaible on all major US cellular phone carriers. The iPhone uses a proprietary OS on proprietary hardware and is supported by 2 major US cellular phone carriers. Only time will tell which business model wins out. My money is on the numbers. On a side note I find it humorous that Brunswick's proprietary busines practices (giving the consumer no choice in what engine they throw on the back of their new boats) is frowned upon by some on this forum however Apple's proprietary practices are embraced. Discuss.... -Seth
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gnr
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posted 01-30-2011 09:58 AM ET (US)
Haha. Nice Seth!I would ask the experts this. What does the IPhone do that a high end Android phone like the Samsung Captivate or a Motorola DroidX not do? Except for cost twice as much that is.
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jimh
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posted 01-30-2011 10:19 AM ET (US)
ASIDE to Seth: I don't think the comparison you made between Apple and Brunswick is apt. Brunswick requires a mandatory tie-in sale with the purchase of a Boston Whaler boat; you must buy a Mercury Marine outboard motor. Apple does not require any mandatory tie-in sale of another product when you buy an iPhone.In regard to availability of devices with certain operating systems from certain carriers, it should be noted that in the US it is Verizon Wireless that is perhaps the odd man in the group. Verizon's network was based on CDMA. The Apple iPhone is a GSM device that operates quite nicely everywhere around the world except on the Verizon CDMA network in North America. Another stumbling block for the iPhone on Verizon was probably Verizon's business practice of demanding custom versions of the operating system on devices. For example, my now very old fashion Motorola RAZR mobile telephone has a custom version of its operating system in order to work with Verizon. One of the custom features is to cripple the operating system so the user cannot perform simple tasks that are available on the device, and instead the user must perform those tasks by using extra-cost "features" sold by Verizon. For example, to change the ring tone, one must purchase custom ring tones from Verizon. The RAZR device can easily do this itself if not crippled. The same goes for downloading images. On the Verizon version, you have to email images from the telephone to yourself, incurring a charge. In the standard version of the device you can mount the device as a storage volume and add or remove files from its directory. This is turned off by Verizon to force you to pay them for such transfers. More ire should be directed at Verizon and their business practices that create proprietary or closed systems, rather than blaming Apple for things like this. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-30-2011 11:12 AM ET (US)
Not only does the iphone not cost twice as much as a frontline Android phone, it does not even cost one penny more than a frontline Android phone. In some ways, its even a bargain in comparison. -Peter |
jimh
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posted 01-30-2011 11:48 AM ET (US)
Further on this Apple "closed system" nonsense, such talk ignores completely the application store which has sold ten-billion applications, most of them created by independent developers, not Apple. Apple has created an environment which permits independent developers to easily partner with Apple, sell their products through the Apple app-store, and make money from Apple products.I do sense a certain amount of Apple-bashing going on, much like one reads from other websites about Boston Whaler boat. |
SJUAE
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posted 01-30-2011 02:25 PM ET (US)
Jim quote: Further on this Apple "closed system" nonsense, such talk ignores completely the application store which has sold ten-billion applications, most of them created by independent developers, not Apple. Apple has created an environment which permits independent developers to easily partner with Apple, sell their products through the Apple app-store, and make money from Apple products.
The reasons you get some feedback on Iphone is as you state above and ignore the other side Other mobile platforms have created long before Iphone an environment which permits independent developers to easily partner with many stores, sell their products through them and make money from products developed by others which can be downloaded, transferred, swapped, bluetoothed, emailed backed up, in numerous ways that is just not possible on an Iphone, allowing a greater freedom of choice without voiding your warranty. This also allows more freedom to the developers as they are not scrutinised in the same way or blocked by Apple. Although the downside to this is some applications may be less reliable but are soon not used or the try before you buy allows customers to be satisfied in advance of payment. Many applications originally developed for other mobile systems have been ported over to Iphone and Android now due to it’s popularity Apple has not sold ten-billion applications it's just allowed that many downloads. If we say there are at least 100,000,000 Iphones/Ipads/Ipods that’s not many paid apps once you get over the initial fun of having an Iphone and have downloaded the free paper toss, light sabre, fart machine, 100 facts etc etc Apple marketing and clever interface weaned many of their simpler button flip phones (eg there was 110,000,000 Motorola Razor users and considerable more Nokia) others especially the business sector opted for Blackberry. As I said before the Iphone is a fine mobile and I have one but now that consumers have woken up to the world of smart phones/pda's thanks in part to the Iphone they realise that there is more out there. The more well informed has always made a choice if there service provider allowed them. Seth was partly right in so far to use Apple widely advertised Facetime requires another Iphone to use it but I think he was more referring to the Istore and other Iphone restrictions on Bluetooth, file transfer etc Regards Steve
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pcrussell50
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posted 01-30-2011 02:28 PM ET (US)
And as long as the app you develop doesn't have certain capabilities that are prohibited under the terms of the sdk, you are good to go. -Peter |
SJUAE
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posted 01-30-2011 02:52 PM ET (US)
PeteDon't forget content restriction for those that want it and more importantly country restrictions. Although Android also has some Market place country restrictions. This is on top of sevice provider restrictions I still do not understand why on the Iphone it does not allow a custom homepage with widgets/toolbars in favour of possibly battery life. Regards Steve |
jimh
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posted 01-30-2011 03:45 PM ET (US)
I don't understand why all the really smart people don't just invent their own device and make their own applications. |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-30-2011 07:15 PM ET (US)
quote: ASIDE to Seth: I don't think the comparison you made between Apple and Brunswick is apt. Brunswick requires a mandatory tie-in sale with the purchase of a Boston Whaler boat; you must buy a Mercury Marine outboard motor. Apple does not require any mandatory tie-in sale of another product when you buy an iPhone.
Really? Who owns Mercury Marine?
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GreatBayNH
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posted 01-30-2011 07:30 PM ET (US)
quote: I do sense a certain amount of Apple-bashing going on, much like one reads from other websites about Boston Whaler boat.
Really? I sensed a bunch of "Droid" bashing going on even though most people on this thread still think a "Droid" is a device you hold in your hand and not an OS. |
jimh
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posted 01-30-2011 08:11 PM ET (US)
I think those are rhetorical questions, so I won't bother to answer. But I will say I do not understand the rhetoric. |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-31-2011 02:42 AM ET (US)
In fairness to Apple, they are giving away the compatibility protocols for FaceTime, so that any handset manufacturer, including Apple's competitors, can implement it too. Much as they did with "FireWire". Most people did not know that FireWire was an Apple creation. I'm disappointed that its beginning to fall by the wayside. I thought it was superior to USB. -Peter |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-31-2011 03:08 AM ET (US)
CWW member jtms, points out in an earlier post that 90% of Android buyers at Verizon really wanted an iPhone, but bought Android phones because they didn't want to leave VZW to join us over at "the death star", (ATT).If he's right, then the Verizon iPhone should pretty much be curtains for frontline Android phones. You'll probably see a bunch of lesser phones running Android, but not phones with equivalent or better specs than the iPhone, as we have now. OR ATT, which had up till now had a very weak selection of Android phones, will start to up it's game in that area too now that it has lost exclusivity with the iPhone. -Peter |
gnr
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posted 01-31-2011 09:48 AM ET (US)
Peter,How much does a new Iphone cost? My question about what the Iphone does that the top of the line Android phones don't do hasn't been aswered either. Is it as "easy" create a custom rom for an Iphone as it is for the Android platform? Is is as "easy" to create an app and sideload it on to an Iphone as it is fo an Android device? Is it as easy to unlock and Iphone for use with other carriers for traveling as it is with an Android device? The Iphone is a fine device. The Android devices are just getting started and the best of them can compete on every level with the Iphone. |
WT
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posted 01-31-2011 10:53 AM ET (US)
Why would a Verizon subscriber pay $200 for a iPhone 4 that is a 3G phone and be stuck with that phone for 2 years, when we all know that 4G phones are coming out in the next 30-60 days? We also know that iPhone will be selling a 4G (Version 5) phone on Verizon very soon too.Warren |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-31-2011 11:10 AM ET (US)
The iPhone has frontline hardware specs, and is $200 plus a two year commitment. The Android phones with frontline specs are also $200 plus a two year commitment. An iPhone does not do anything that a frontline Android phone does not do. In fact, it might do less. Then again, a Boxster S does less than a 1-ton diesel dualie even though it costs the same. You will find that the UI experience between the two OSes parallels the driving experience. As for unlocking, since the two Android top guns are on CDMA carriers, the iphone wins hands down and by default... since it is GSM, like the rest of the world, and can be unlocked. I'm in Tel Aviv right now, writing this on my iPhone, and I don't even need to unlock it. There are some custom ROMs for iPhone, but not nearly so many to choose from as on the more open, Android platform. In fact, there are now Android ports that will work in iPhones. I'm sure every time El Steve sees An iPhone running Android, he kicks a puppy. If custom ROMs are your bag, better get an Android. That's why I'm getting one. but I'm not getting rid of my iPhone either. Just as in computers, I run OSX... and Linux. -Peter |
gnr
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posted 01-31-2011 11:34 AM ET (US)
"You will find that the UI experience between the two OSes parallels the driving experience."LOL
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SJUAE
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posted 01-31-2011 03:06 PM ET (US)
To be fair unlocking is normally only required if you wish to put a different sim in your phone if your carrier has locked it. Travelling with a sim locked Iphone or any other locked phone is just expensive to use aboard. I have not had a sim or any phone for over 8 years now although you do pay a premium for this, it makes it very easy to sell on every 6 months or so :)gnr I am unaware of any significant thing an Iphone can do over any equivalent other top end phone over the last 3-4 years. It's interface was a bit slicker for sliding or pinch zoom or cut and paste initially. But you would only notice this if you had a HTC Diamond or my wifes LG Prada before the Iphone came out. As the Iphone is restricted on file transfer and connections IMO has always be less. Its amount of customisation without jail breaking is almost primitive in comparison to any phone. The Iphone has helped the smartphone/PDA market increase from 7 to 20% I think I read, but that still leaves a lot of users using a more conventional keypad/interface phone. The nice thing about an Iphone is you take it out of the box and use it. But only the choice in apps becomes personal and not how it looks or functions other than your choice of bumper unless you jailbreak it, providing you do not want to do anything outside Apples restrictions.. It seems easier and more encouraged to fiddle and change your andriod phone and was a national pastime against windows similarly due to US greater penetration and sim locking on Iphone there were great efforts put in to unlocking and jailbreaking. Regards Steve
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GreatBayNH
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posted 01-31-2011 03:41 PM ET (US)
Does an iPhone support Adobe Flash®? |
pcrussell50
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posted 01-31-2011 03:50 PM ET (US)
No. And the Android phones do. At least the ones running 2.2 or higher. BUT I kind of side with El Steve a little on this one. Flash is awful technology that is a huge resource hog. If the last thing SJ does in this world is to use his horsepower to get flash replaced by HTML5, it will be a heck of a good legacy. Its too bad that in the mean time, we iOS users miss out. But truth be told, even on Android, which supports flash, you'd better have one of the frontline models and a fully charged battery if you are going to do some flash viewing. -Peter |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-31-2011 05:14 PM ET (US)
quote: But truth be told, even on Android, which supports flash, you'd better have one of the frontline models and a fully charged battery if you are going to do some flash viewing.
I do and I do. -Seth |
GreatBayNH
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posted 01-31-2011 05:17 PM ET (US)
Moreover, I plug my Droid X into my flat panel HDTV or HD PC Monitor via the HDMI out and I have a hell of a bigger screen to play with! -Seth |
martyn1075
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posted 01-31-2011 09:20 PM ET (US)
One thing I give props to Flash is its compatibility between the two monsters PC & Apple. It doesn't make you choose and if you need an update its not geek zone to get it. We compress client videos to internet all the time, my choice is Quicktime because I find the quality is better than Flash, but the client always wants Flash to be safe with all users. I can't blame them really but I'm more into the quality first. However I didn't know the iphone had restrictions to flash. I think there may be an app to transfer the format, but for me I prefer not to watch too much video on my iphone. Can't stand watching video on small screens and our bandwidth package is a rip in Canada! Instead I just wait until I get home or on the road with a Laptop and enjoy. |
GreatBayNH
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posted 02-01-2011 03:25 PM ET (US)
quote: Can't stand watching video on small screens
Nor do I! But I don't mind watching it on my 4.3 inch Motorola Droid X screen. So much so that I'm very excited for Netflix to come out with their "app for that" app so I can watch TV and Movies on my mobile computing device. If the 4.3 inch screen proves too small for longer run time movies I can HDMI out to a larger monitor/HDTV. -Seth |
pcrussell50
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posted 02-01-2011 11:43 PM ET (US)
There is no question that having an HDMI out jack on the DroidX is a very compelling feature. It's like having free Apple TV built into your handset. But cool features like that are the very reason why there is no Netflix app yet for Android while we iphoners already have it. See the recording industry is scared to death of the open'ness of the Android platform and source code, and they will not let Netflix put out an Android app until they are assured you can't capture the stream and make make yourself a copy. -Peter |
GreatBayNH
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posted 02-02-2011 08:41 AM ET (US)
There are advantages to a closed platform apparently. I heard a rumor Netflix for Android is due out "very soon".Back to Flash...My manager and I were sharing a pint last night during a snow storm. The group we were with were very interested in how the roads were shaping up after an accident had brought their route home to a stand still. They asked me and my manager to pull up the web site that had a streaming camera image of the highway in question. My manager was a little taken aback that the Droid X was able to stream the video for all to witness and his iPhone (which we had bragged about only moments before) was not. Truthfully he didn't even bother pulling up the web site when it was learned it used Flash. -Seth |
SJUAE
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posted 02-02-2011 02:39 PM ET (US)
SethThis is part of the reason I got rid of my Ipad. At home and normal browsing I used it extensively and tried not to fire up my laptop if possible as it was a new toy. Soon as you do something different it lets you down, I was in Thailand 5 months back trying to source things for my new house and the number of flash sites and menu's the Ipad could not handle was really frustrating. Last week I took my Galaxy Tab to Thailand with no problems. Regards Steve |
pcrussell50
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posted 02-04-2011 12:39 PM ET (US)
Looks like the iPhone on Verizon has already set some kind of sales record, and in only the first two hours offered in an online pre-sale. I wonder how all those folks are going to feel when the new iphone comes out in four months... assuming Apple sticks to it's established update timeline? Part of Apple's fashion schtick these days is having the latest bit of kit. I wonder how many of the folks who pre-ordered today, will pay the early termination fee when the new iphone comes out, and re-up in 4 months, so they will have the latest?-Peter |
SJUAE
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posted 02-05-2011 05:55 AM ET (US)
Going back to the orignal question re Navionics chartsI finally got them for my Galaxy Tab. The charts are a little more expensive than from Istore but I noticed you have 2 overlay reverse options and a wind forcaster on the Galaxy Tab. Of course a 7" screen is nicer size to use than the Iphone and the Ipad app was only scaled x2 to suit as it was not a native Ipad app. The maps seem almost the same bar some additional notes. Regards Steve |