The Android Switch

Lessons on Abandoning the iPhone

The Apple legion is so powerful that it is almost sacrilege to even know of someone who willingly abandoned his iPhone for its archenemy- an Android device. But the idea isn’t all wrong. The Android may be a fragmented operating system, but considering the strong advances it is taking this year and the opulent choices of Android-powered devices in the smartphone industry, we see hope for Google in this messy techosphere.

Image Credit: www.gbtech.blogspot.com

Although I am not a total renegade of the Apple cult (I still believe that iOS is a better mobile ecosystem than Android), I can’t deny the fact that Android is slowly climbing up Apple’s high throne, and closing in on the differences between their distinct features and elements. The question is: Can you still gracefully leave the realms of Apple’s dominion without letting go of the nifty services you don’t want to sever your ties with, say the iCloud, iTunes, and AirPlay?

Generally, these services work well with iDevices like the MacBook, the iPhone, the iPad and etc. They make sharing and storing files instantaneous. But if you’re only abandoning the iPhone, and not your iPad or your MacBook Air, let me assure you that switching to an Android device like the Samsung Galaxy S III, the HTC One X, or the Sony Xperia T is easy breezy.

If you replace your Apple iPhone with an Android handset, some services- though perhaps not as competitive as Apple’s services- can replicate their basic functions. Consider, for example, the Google Calendar, Google Contacts, and Gmail. If ecosystem is paramount to your standards, I suggest that you don’t leave Apple. But if you’re not particular to the system, and only use it on rare occasions, a Google service should be fine.

At first, a Google phone can alienate you because of a practically new way of dealing with apps- the diversity, and the support. But after a little tinkering, you will find that the system is really majestic. Not to mention, it is way cheaper than an iDevice. Because Android programs are open-sourced, you can enjoy the smorgasbord of cool and exciting apps from Google and third-party app developers.

If you want a cheap yet fantastic smartphone experience, and don’t have qualms walking out of Apple’s biome, then I urge you to go ahead and seek what phone you really want. And just in case you don’t have the money to make the switch, you can sell used iPhone at Cashforsmartphones and get cold hard cash for your device.

When you visit www.cashforsmartphones.com, you can easily sell used iPhone without thinking about whether it is legit or not: The website bears the industry certification logos and thousands of online sellers can attest to the exceptional service of the site. It offers free shipping of the device, and the online quote is simply fantastic.

With Cashforsmartphones, the Android switch has never been easier!

Bop to the Top: iOS 6 VS Jelly Bean (Part 1)

It is basic knowledge that Apple and Android are arch enemies. Both companies have taken the battle to the next level. They take their patents so seriously that they have reached out to the courts to settle the cases for patent infringements. However, the real battle is in their software. Apple prides itself with their latest OS, the iOS 6 while Google spotlights their latest OS, the Android Jelly Bean. Android smartphones have been on top. iPhone 5 is selling fast, while Android phones continue to dominate the smartphone industry. Who of the two operating systems reigns supreme? Who takes the crown for supremacy?

Image Credit: www.androidauthority.com

Apps and Games
Apps and games are what make the smartphones a phenomenon. Without these, you can’t really imagine the smartphone of today. Apps and games highly depend on the phone’s operating systems and the system itself. If the OS only offers certain kinds of apps, then you are limited to only that. It was noted earlier that the iOS has a better and bigger library of games available for its users compared to Android. Most developers prefer making apps and games for iOS rather than Android. Why so? First, the iOS has a lot of hardware fragmentation that means more choices for consumers. Second, iOS users are more than willing to pay for apps compared to Android users. In a survey recently done a few months ago, two-thirds of Android user never spent a cent on apps. However, the trend may change and Android app developers are optimistic that Android users may spend more for apps.

For this time, iOS takes a step up while Android has many things to catch up on.

Maps vs Maps
Ahem. It’s more than obvious who takes the step up. Google’s Maps is much better than Apple’s. If you don’t know why, then you must have been using Apple Maps. Is Apple Maps’ Street View cooler? Yes, only if it works. Google Map’s navigation is better even though Jelly Bean separates Google Maps as an app. It even works if you’re offline or outside the Wi-Fi zone. You can also ask for public transit and walking directions without having to deal with overly distorted images (like on Apple Maps).

Without further ado, Android is a step beyond Apple’s surrealistic map.

Hangouts vs. Facetime
The equalizer is here. Both the iOS 6 and Jelly Bean have excellent video-chats. These apps are both proprietary but if you’re chatting across platforms, you’ll probably want to use Skpe.
Android and Apple are in a head-to-head battle now.

Social Integration and Notifications
This is very close to call the winner in this round. Jelly Bean’s email notifications are superb, but so is having notifications pushed to the lock screen. Apple may have borrowed Android’s notification-drawer but both have great finishing touched in their Facebook and Twitter apps respectively. iOS 6 still handles Facebook and Twitter well but its APIs are certainly more restricted. On the other hand, Android’s democratic APIs make it easy to share apps no matter how obscure it is.

Who takes the lead? It’s Android certainly.

Not enough? Part two of this sizzling fight between two OS giants is coming right up.

But before that, you might want to visit Cashforsmartphones.com to trade your iOS phone to Android phone or vice versa.

Three Mundane Things That the iPhone Can Now Do for You

Life truly has changed because of technology. The things you couldn’t do with your cellular phone before can now be done with a smartphone. Aside from being able to text and call people easily, smartphones like the Apple iPhone can now also serve as your cookbook, camera, map and virtual assistant. But aside from all these important features, did you know that your iPhone can do even the most mundane things in your household? I’m not fooling you here; I bet you’d even trade your cell phone if a new iPhone could…

Open Doors Remotely 

Image Credit: www.gizmoshub.com

Too lazy to get up and open the door for your roommate who always forgets her keys inside the apartment? That’s alright; you can simple open the door using your iPhone! Gone are the days of locks and keys. Apparently, some great genius thought of creating an iPhone app and NFC enabled casing that will allow your iPhone to control the door with just a few taps. Lockitron is a smartphone app and peripheral that uses Bluetooth, NFC and Wi-Fi to control door locks. All you have to do is to install the Lockitron device around your door’s cylindrical deadbolt and create an account on the app to access the door. The app even senses whether the user is near the door or not, this way you’ll never have to fish for keys in your bag while standing stupidly outside your door. The good thing is that you can now sell iPhone 4 because the company recently announced that it will be available on the iPhone 5 soon!

Turn Off Lights and Appliances

Image Credit: www.retrevo.com

 Forgetful people would also be glad to know that they can turn off all the electronic devices they left on even when they are out of the door. Just like Lockitron, Elphi also requires a peripheral and an app to function. Basically, the smart plug that works with the app is used to control all the electronic devices in your house as well as monitor all power consuming activities inside the house. So if you’re on your way to work and you can’t seem to remember if you unplugged your hair curler, all you have to do is to check your app to see if it’s been unplugged and if not, you can easily turn it off through your iPhone!

Play Music to Remote Stereos Without Docks and Connectors

Image Credit: www.ebay.com

 This one’s pretty easy, and you’ve probably hear of it before. Die hard Apple fans have probably tried using Remote, Apple’s very own Wi-Fi dependent app that allows control over all your Apple devices inside the house. Through a shared iTunes, you can play music by sending songs to your Airplay speakers and Apple TV without having to connect docks and wires. Aside from sending out music for other Apple devices, you’ll also be able to control the volume remotely using your iPhone and even type using your iPhone to be seen on your Mac monitor.

However, you probably have to sell cell phone so you can buy other Apple gadgets if you don’t have any.

The iPhone Through the Years

A Showcase of iPhone pictures from its humble beginnings
Let’s take a look at the iPhone’s legacy through pictures.

Original iPhone: January 9, 2007
The first iPhone was declared on January 9, 2007, at Macworld in San Francisco, California and was released on June 29, 2007 in the United States. The phone was accessible in both 4GB and 8GB storage capacities, with the original 8GB iPhone for the price of $600.

Many would-be customers were enraged at the phone's expensive price tag so Apple plunged it down after several months. Then, the company offered a $100 store credit to early iPhone users who purchased the handset during its costly days.

 

Not the Details, But the Overall Design

Are the tech consumers really confused whether it is an iPhone or a Galaxy phone? This is the conundrum that the two tech giants Apple and Samsung are battling in an international courtroom centering on product design patents and copyrights. Apple’s team believes that a lot of buyers purchase a Samsung phone thinking that it is an iPhone. Well, this can only mean two things; either Samsung voraciously copied Apple’s iconic design, or consumers aren’t really paying attention to what they buy.

Image Credit: www.mirolta.com

It could also mean that Samsung phones are the affordable ones and somehow, people wanted a taste of an Apple phone, even if only by the looks of it.

Ice Cream Sandwich for Samsung Consumers

"July 10, 2012 – DALLAS – As of today, AT&T Galaxy Note™ users have access to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and exclusive new features with the Premium Suite upgrade from Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) 1. The Premium Suite upgrade includes S Note, a new application that enhances productivity and professionalizes communications; a widget that enables one touch access to all S Memo™ features; and My Story™, an application which uses the S Pen™ to create customized greeting cards and notes."

Source: Engadget

Who got an update?

"On AT&T, Android Ice Cream Sandwich is coming for the Galaxy S II, S II Skyrocket, the Galaxy Note, Glide, Nexus S and the 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab. For Sprint, the Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch is set to get the update, while Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S 4G is"

 Source: PCworld

                  [GALAXY Note] Introducing Premium Suite with Ice Cream Sandwich

A Smartphone by Any Other Name… Isn’t an Applicable Adage to the iPhone Line (Part 2)

Last time, I talked about how I’ve wanted to sell my iPhone 3GS and replace it with the iPhone 4S. Apple’s latest release certainly has appeal, and I stated that just because the company has a particular habit with naming their iPhones, it doesn’t mean that the iPhone 4S (or for that matter, the iPhone 3GS) is a simple nominal upgrade. (Can’t understand what I’m getting at? Read my previous entry.)

So, should I go ahead and sell my old iPhone? I argue that I should (you’re welcome to follow suit), and below are more reasons why I am led to that decision.

Image Credit: pocket-lint.com

A Smartphone by Any Other Name… Isn’t an Applicable Adage to the iPhone Line (Part 1)

Most people I know are contemplating where to sell used iPhone 3GSes, and I’m left wondering whether I should go ahead and sell my iPhone 3GS as well. We’d be selling ours to replace them with newer smartphones (the iPhone 4S, of course), and the cash we get from the resale could go a long way towards making those purchases.

Should we make the jump, though? Nifty as the new iPhone may be, it still isn’t the iPhone 5 that many of us were expecting. However, is this really a bad thing?

Issues on Smartphones to Watch Out For

Apps That Withstand the Test of Time and Familiarity

Image credit: droid-life.com

As I was surfing the web one night, I came across a helpful blog that marks the difference between an application and a platform. The blogger (Franco Travostino) says that a good application never surprises while a good platform never fails to surprise. Though the analogy is meritorious, he does not claim ownership and is willing to drop attributions for the person who provides proper citation.