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 3)

The battle is hotter than a fever. The most-anticipated battle comes to a near close. Apple prides itself with their latest iOS 6 promising better apps, performance, and endurance far more than what users expect. However, the Android Jelly Bean is no sweet foe. Google’s latest operating system promises better edge, competence, and performance than all its predecessors. For a brief recap, the iOS 6 already has three points while Android Jelly Bean has two. Currently both have tied twice. Who will get a better grip on the throne? Who will get the coveted crown? Here is the third and final part of this thrilling event:

Cloud Integration
You probably have forgotten to synchronize your phone but Jelly Bean and iOS 6 are here to help you. Both operating systems can back up your data and synchronize it across the cloud for you. iCloud has the same basic functions and performance as any Cloud integration function. Android users also have the same options as the iCloud. Either way, both operating systems have cloud integration features that lets you access your data easily. No high and no lows.

However, there’s a catch. Operating systems allows cloud integration in their respective devices only. The only thing that differs is that this rule does not apply to everything. iCal lets you sync in Google Calendar while Gmail users prefer Sparrow to Mail.

Who gets this round? This is certainly a tie.

Bloatware Apps
Before going into specifics, what are bloatware apps? These are apps that consume a big chunk of your memory because these have many features in them. iTunes and Windows Vista are some of the examples found in computers.

In smartphones, bloatware apps are bloating because they have all the reason to be. They can be deadly and explode when forgotten. If you are intricate enough to maintain these apps, then you can expect these apps to bloat at a stable rate. Many bloatware apps in smartphones are games, so it is inessential to keep these apps. You should be wise in deciding which games to keep. The iOS 6 lets you choose whether to have bloatware in the first place. It’s good for iPhone and iPad users.

Android phones do not come with that option. So, having bloatware apps in these phones may be a burden. However, Android phones have the option of expanding memory through the microSD cards. If you have no choice but to keep these bloatware apps on your phones, then it’s best that you delegate the apps properly and place them accordingly. That way, you can still have a good performing RAM and more memory space.
Who wins this round? Well, it’s best to call this another tie. Both Android phones and Apple’s iPhones have options that you can choose.

Verdict
Between the two, who takes the crown? Well, seriously, it is hard to decide which operating system wins. Android has something iOS 6 cannot offer and vice versa. Users may be oscillating between both operating systems but what matters more is the users’ satisfaction. We might have to send the battle to the legal battlefield to decide who wins and loses.

If you wish to sell your iOS phone for an Android phone or your Android phone for an iOS phone, click here.

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.

Motorola MOTOLUXE

I was looking for a new Android Smartphone when I stumble at Motorola MOTOLUXE. It's a sleek Android handset available for a cheap price.

Image Credit: www.bestmobilenow.com

It's a lot different than most smartphones that we cansmartphones that we can see these days because this one does not have a wide screen that most smartphones has. 

Motorola is definitely still in the race, check out its specs.

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

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.