After three years of being a faithful iPhone fan, I’ve switched to Android.
I’ve just finally had enough. No matter how polished the user experience is, or how great the hardware, I am sick of being frustrated by iPhone’s petty limitations. When almost every application I have installed includes a built-in web server to get data back out of it again, something has gone pretty wrong.
Unlike many, iTunes wasn’t the breaking point for me. I really enjoy iTunes as a distribution platform, and I’m going to continue using it as a way of purchasing music that’s DRM free. I did however object to iTunes and my phone being so strongly shackled. It was very frustrating being at work, away from my main iTunes library, and wanting to get some data transferred to my phone. Well, I could use very expensive 3G internet … or just wait until I get home, I guess.
It made the experience feel less portable, less mobile. It came to remind me of working in locked down environments – the frustrating juggling act of trying to move data around with arbitrary restrictions. I need to get this file onto this server – but when I’m not allowed to plug my laptop into a network that it shares, how can I do this while breaking the minimum number of rules?
It came to a head when I realised that I’d used my hacked HTC Hero more often in the previous week than I had my iPhone, as whenever I wanted to load something onto a portable device it was the path of least resistance. Plug it into my computer over USB, load what I wanted onto the SD card, and now I can not only take the data with me but transfer it just as easily to another machine when I get there.
I decided to replace my iPhone with a Nexus One, and so far I love it to pieces. The screen is just magnificent and the performance is amazing. I’m told that Android 2.2 will be faster, but I’m having trouble imagining how that’s possible. Does it read my mind and open the applications before I tap the icon?
I was concerned that I’d miss the polish of the iPhone but that hasn’t turned out to be the case at all. The Nexus One has far fewer rough edges than I’d feared, and has a certain flair to it that I’m already learning to love.
Thanks for the review Jes – caught it on Planet SysAdmin and I’m glad that I did.
I’m in pretty much the same boat as you – a busy nerd getting annoyed with the iPhone. Unfortunately I’ve not got the luxury of a second android based phone :(
I’ve always been a bit worried that android wouldn’t live upto my expectations (which in terms of interface are quite high thanks to Apple).
Your words have spurred me onto giving it a bash (and I’ll blame you if it all goes to shit ;-)).
You’re welcome – although there are plenty of better reviews out there than mine. In general though I’m pretty happy to recommend it as a nerd-friendly alternative to the iPhone. It really is quite polished and all the lovely nerdy things you can do with it are nice too.
Feel free to blame me if it all goes wrong, that’s what random strangers on the internet are for!
After using a friend’s N1, I’m convinced I need to own one too. My heart was set on a Sony Ericsson X10 for so long, but with SE’s continual failure to dedicate to long (or even medium) term support for their otherwise nice products and the number of positive reviews of the N1, I think I’ll be taking the plunge.
As you say, just believing the kind of speed boost that will come with 2.2 and its JIT-enabled JVM is a stretch on a phone that already runs so beautifully. The slightly odd screen sub-pixel arrangement that caused so much commotion online seems to pose little issue, audio quality in general seems to be excellent. The trackball seems a little retro but I rather like it.
I’ve taken a stab at development for the Android platform (using the emulator) and I’m happy to say that it is a pleasant experience – not to mention a free one. Being able to dabble in making apps without a yearly fee to make it feel like a commitment is most pleasing.
Overall Android is really starting to feel like both a grown-up mobile platform and a mobile platform for grown-ups. After spending a not insubstantial amount of money on a device it’s nice to have proper control of it.
Also if I may ask, where did you buy yours from?
I wholeheartedly agree. In fact that comment makes for a better post than mine ;)
I got it from parallel imported. Amusingly the gentleman who sold it to me offered to buy my iPhone so I managed a complete swap.