I’m an Android user and I don’t really have any experience with iPhones and quite frankly I’m biased towards Android for a number of reasons. And I’m a geek so I’m not the right one to judge the “easy to use” test because it’s usually easy to use anything that works. There are also a lot of Android phones out there so it would also depend on which one you compared. For example I like the Motorola droids better than Samsung.
So – I keep hearing people say that iPhones are easier for “normal” people to learn. So skipping everything else, I’m looking for opinions from people who have significant experience on both phones. Is it true? Are iPhones really easier than droids? the question assumes that users are going to be somewhat heavy users. Lets assume that besides making phone calls the user is going to do these activities:
- Email Access
- Maps and Navigation
- Voice commands for voice texting and voice navigation
- Calendar
- Utilities such as Calculators, timers, alarm clocks, etc.
- Usability while driving in a car dock
- Web Browsing
18 months ago I did a comprehensive usability test between iPhone 4 and the then top of the line android phone. The iPhone was a slam dunk winner. The Android swipe smoothness really sucked and a fatal flaw.
My upgrade term (2yrs) is coming up and will give the same test. I’m guessing Android doesn’t suck anymore but the gold standard is likely to remain iphone. I would like a larger screen and thinner phone but would be satisfied with better responsiveness and better camera which is a given from what I here.
I love my iPhone 4 and love Apple and Steve Jobs too.
As if we needed more proof of what a sheeple you are. You’ve lost an amazing opportunity to say nothing.
Both OS’s incredibly easy to use now. Asking this is now like asking which word processor renders your text better. There is lots left to fight over, but ease of use in is largely solved and is in the last refinement stages – at least until the next paradigm shift (e.g., Google Glasses).
If you can answer this question, then perhaps you dare to venture into some of the other age-old questions that have forever haunted us?
Ford or Chevy?
Coke or Pepsi?
Blondes or Brunettes?
Innie or Outie?
Chrome or Firefox?
Canon or Nikon?
Underhanded or Overhanded placement of the toilet paper?
Chevy
Neither
Both
Innie
Chrome
Nikon
Overhanded
Orchi—isn’t that fun to do?
Yes indeedy.
I used to think toilet paper should go under to keep it out of the way, but my mother instructed me that over kept it clean. I’ve never seen a dirty bathroom wall behind the toilet paper, but I never disagree with Mommie.
I also assume you are a good son as well. With this as my guide, I assume the rest of your answers are as well founded.
A leader among us has been identified.
If I said: “Get him boys!” would you see the humor?
Kia
Grape
Blue
Innie
IE6
Kodak
3 Shells
Cats will often unwind toilet paper if it’s overhanded. If you have no cat then it doesn’t matter unless you’re OCD.
I like my Android phone. The iPhone is good too, but I refuse to join the cult of Steve Jobs.
I’m all for the vertical toilet paper roll… no debate there. Damn, just remembered right or left?
Scruncher or folder?
Folder. TMI alert.
Because it is already folded, it is easy to learn to fold it one handed (used surface in of course) so you can get two wipes from it. I doubt you can do this if you scrunch without wasting even more paper with a big wad to scrunch.
Ford
Neither
Redheads
Innie
Firefox
Canon
However I feel at the time
Audi
RC
Redheads
no preference
Opera
Hasselblad
Bidet.
Ford or Chevy? Vauxhall.
Coke or Pepsi? Curiosity Cola
Blondes or Brunettes? As long as collar and cuffs match, who care.
Innie or Outie? Innie.
Chrome or Firefox? Firefox.
Canon or Nikon? Nikon.
Underhanded or Overhanded placement of the toilet paper? Muslim shower.
Problem with these choices is there is no metric assigned. For instance, a blond vs brunette choice would begin as follows:
Blond : good facial symmetry, physically fit, nicely proportioned body and nice teeth.
Brunette : good facial symmetry, somewhat pudgy, proportioned body and beautiful teeth.
I would choose the blond guy. Would you choose the brunette guy?
When it comes to toilet paper — over-handed! And there’s a damn good reason for it. Toilet paper that lies closest to the wall is much more likely to pick up germs from the wall which you end up smearing on your private areas. It’s not a lot different than using toilet paper that has been lying on the ground. But when toilet paper is loaded over the roll the chances of picking up any germs is less likely to happen. Aren’t you glad you asked? (Sometimes, the obvious right choice isn’t so obvious.)
BTW, for any women reading this, studies have been made over and over again that a woman’s purse (hand bag) is usually like a million times more germ infested than even rotten toilet paper. Think for a second just where that thing has been – usually near toilet paper! So stop putting it on the counter, desk or table where your FOOD is prepared/consumed!!! (Want to talk about taking shoes off? Let’s talk about that germ infested bacteria factory you call a purse, first!)
And when it comes to Apple vs. Android there’s also a right and wrong decision. Try looking at the history of each company if you need a nudge. Hopefully, you’ll make the right conclusion that Apple is also NOT a very good choice!
This is all well and good, but how about this question… which one bleeds off your wallet less?
If you really want a phone thats the easiest to use then you shouldn’t discount the windows phone handsets. Rather than requiring you to launch a seperate app for every damn thing you want to do, the WP platform is task based not app based.
Those ‘smoked by windows phone’ videos are pretty much spot on, the OS really is that much more intuitive for most day to day tasks.
When we get the windows phone 8 devices in sep/oct it will be even better.
You were doing so well… until you put windows 8 in the mix
Honestly, it boils down to:
If you want a plethora of games and apps, Apple hands down.
If you want huge screen, performance, multitasking, and customization, Android hands down.
Honestly, the Iphone needs a huge revamp cosmetically. Compare an Iphone 4S to a Galaxy S3…
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LK33t_0MoHY/T6O3QwuAXcI/AAAAAAAAABQ/0AkLyUJKEs8/s1600/galaxy_s_iii_iphone.jpg
I used an HTC Hero for over 2 years, and have used an iPhone 4S since October. A possible grain of salt to keep in mind with my thoughts below is that iOS 5 is two years newer than the Android release on the Hero when I bought it. Android may have made things easier in the past 2+ years.
Email Access – iPhone. Took just a few minutes to set up one email account for work that uses MS Exchange, and 4 separate Gmail accounts. If I recall, the setup was more complex on Android, and the Gmail accounts had to be set up in a certain order with the main account (the one that would be billed for purchases) being set up first.
Maps and Navigation – iPhone 4S with Suri is easier to set up directions as all that needs to be done is tell Suri where you want to go. However, the voice directions on Android were very good, but I have yet to set up any audio directions on the iPhone. Of course, both currently use Google Maps by default.
Voice commands for voice texting and voice navigation – iPhone with Suri, hands down. I never was able to get voice commands working on Android. Maybe Android’s voice command system (including texting) is easy to use, but the 4S has it built in.
Calendar – Android’s calendar worked fine, but the iPhone calendar automatically combined my calendars from work (Exchange email account) and my 4 Gmail accounts. Again – this is something that probably works better with the updates done with Android than when I used it.
Utilities such as Calculators, timers, alarm clocks, etc. – 6 of one, half a dozen of the other – a complete tie/wash
Usability while driving in a car dock – Did not really use with either phone except for the GPS functions. Android wins there.
Web Browsing – Android’s browser was better
One thing Android phones have that I wish my iPhone had – 4G… My neighbor got an Android phone with 4G at the same time my 3G 4S came out. That iPhone 5 better be able to handle 4G well.
Dude, are you comparing a Hero to an Iphone 4S? Why dont you compare a first gen Iphone to a Galaxy S3? Unless you’ve used ICS or Jelly Bean, you are comparing apples to oranges.
I know it just based on what you’ve actively used, but Android has come a megahuge way since the Hero was in production.
The only true way to answer the question is to compare based on the platforms current selling phones.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=121ofj_l6vM&feature=related
DroidX here….
Frequent re-boots.
Even more frequent need for _me_ to re-boot.
Occasional lockups requiring a cold boot (remove battery).
Two total crashes requiring digging on the web for how-to instructions necessary to do a “back to bare metal” restart. (Bless “Missing Link” for re-loading from backups, but it’s not all that reliable either.)
Large screen’s nice, and the browser’s actually pretty decent (couldn’t get Opera to behave, nor Firefox), but no Java support (hate to say it, but I have a site I need to access with it).
Kinda Win98ME…. But the interface is pretty clean.
My daughter bought an iPhone (last version) at about the same time, and hasn’t reported any problems at all…. I just don’t like it….
My last smartphone was a Samsung Omnia. Win Mobile 3.x. Supported Java, too…. Very reliable, and re-bootable without removing the battery…. But it was apparent that the designers never actually tried to use it. No built-in stylus – the one supplied sort of hung on the side, and the same function often was handled differently in different applications. If it’d had a bigger screen, I’d have stuck with it….
On the plus side, the Verizon tech gal was a cute little thing, and the “valley girl” that sold my daughter her iPhone (like a 22D) made the experiences interesting….
The only other disapointment – the “brochures” made a big deal out of the ability to use the phone as a WiFi hotspot. But what they didn’t tell me was Verizon wanted another $30/month to use the feature, although everything needed to do it was built into the phone. I’m using a “Tether” app once in a while…. Beats paying $10/night to use a hotel’s WiFi….
Probably will be another Android phone next October, but each software rev (although one of them required a suicide re-boot) has been a bit better. (I really think that the Google Play aps are of variable quality, and some destabilize the phone.)
I am also using the i phone app and its application plus already used the android but i am felling more comfortable with i phone because of its processing time
Thanks
iPhone is easier. The choice of morons & computer illiterates all over the world.
And then there’s Peedro, still pedaling his hatred. It gets old. Oh and.. News flash, cool people don’t use the word “Sheeple” anymore..
Why, you felt identified with the word “shepple”? Funny, since it was not directed at you.
So you say iOS is not the easiest then?
I call spammy bullshit on this post.
What’s next?
Posts sending you to FaceBook?
If you ask me (which I think you did), I say anything except Apple.
As far as I’m concerned, I choose to NOT go with a company that has historically used the court systems to bully their competition – and consumers. I also choose to NOT go with a company that misleads people about “their” technology and seems to go against the very freedoms that allowed their company to start in the first place. I choose to NOT patronize a company that wants to dictate what people can and can’t do! (That famous Apple commercial where the girl throws the hammer at the big screen was really more like a mirror on the collective Apple company philosophy – not someone else’s.)
Those reasons are good enough! I won’t even go into the over pricing of Apple’s devices. That’s almost too easy. But I will say that there do indeed seem to be a lot of fools in the world with a bit too much money. And let’s not forget that a fool and his money are soon parted.
…And if you have been led to believe that Apple is some kind of great technology developer then check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFeC25BM9E0&feature=g-high-u
(In case that URL is wrong, just search YouTube for the title: “Has Apple Really Ever Invented Anything?”)
You do understand that every corporation must defend its patents vigorously? You do understand that if they do not, shareholders will hold them responsible? Don’t hate the playa, hate the insane game which awards these patents. Oh, and you do know that Google and Motorola are suing people as well. Get over this fake indignation. Change the patent system and all will be solved, until then, these companies have to do this in court.
Everybody loves the underdog. You’re no different.
The reality is, Apple has the better product, the better brand and all of Apple’s competitors are chasing them.
Indeed, mac has the best products for idiots that know nothing but think they’re cool, like you.
Which ever you use first and most will be easier to use.
It is just that simple.
This debate has been going on for sooooo long it’s not even funny; it’s like a worn-out, bald tire. I agree with the earlier poster vis a vis Windows Phone 7. I’ve used Android and iPhone and I prefer WP7 over both. It’s like the best of both worlds: many brands and carriers to choose from (Android) AND a consistent user experience (iPhone). I say use whatever you like and who gives a sh*t.
Myself, I prefer WP7
’nuff said.
I used an admittedly entry level Android phone (Lg Ally) for two years. I really enjoyed the open nature of Android, and how easily I could access mail, calendars, and files on my phone.
When my contract was up, I thought I’d give the iPhone 4s a try.
Since a hardware comparison would be unfair, I’ll try to stick to the OSs.
Generally, iOS 5 seems more stable than any of the versions of Android I used. (I had to do a hard restart, and reinstall everything manually a couple of times on the Ally.) If I will have to do that on the iPhone, everything is backed up to iTunes. Advantage: iPhone.
I did find it easier to manage my gmail accounts in Android. I get the feeling that Apple only allows it grudgingly. That having been said, my mail and calendar sync almost immediately with the iPhone, where there was sometimes a delay on Android.
Advantage: I’d have to call it a tie.
One hardware issue where almost every Android phone beats the iPhone is in storage. Would it kill Apple to allow a removable SD card?
If I were to decide on a new phone today, and I could get an iPhone running Android – I would probably pick Android, but only if they provide a better backup function.
Would have to say Android is a bit clunkier but has more flexibility. iPhone is Apple and if you have a iPhone then you need a Mac and a iPad and iPod. Its a ecosystem and if you have all Apple then it works great. If you don’t then your not in the Apple system. Android is not so closed in its ecosystem. It works as a stand alone product just fine. So I think the difference is weather you want all your gadgets to sync together then go with Apple. If you have a lot a different stuff then Android works just as good.
John,
Yes, good point the iPhone is meant to fit into the Apple ecosystem. Which for the most part is easy to use and nicely designed. The problem I have are that it forces you to use the loathsome iTunes. I’ve had more trouble syncing and trying to figure out how to migrate to a new iPhone than I care to deal with. It’s thinly disguised attempt at making it easy, is really to lock you down. This in turn makes it inflexible and or hard to understand when something does not go according to script.
Android will beat iphone. It’s the era of android man.
Thanks
Android will beat iphone. It’s the era of android man.
Thanks
Android Game Development