Windows Phone or Android

wyly · July 4, 2012

And this is exactly the reason RIM/BB is dying. They thought that their secure texting/e-mail phone would be all that their clientele needed.

But what they forgot is that a great number of people like using their phones for other reason. These new phones attract people that never thought they'd need a phone to send an e-mail for business purposes.

Superphones are now more like pocket computers than just phones. I find myself going on my actual home PC less and less now that I can do many of the same things on my phone.

agreed, I never would've bought a BB for the txting/messaging feature...a bigger easy to read format touch screen is what got my attention and Galaxy S2 offered me that...and now I txt too :lol:

Edited July 4, 2012 by wyly

Argus · July 5, 2012

And this is exactly the reason RIM/BB is dying. They thought that their secure texting/e-mail phone would be all that their clientele needed.

But what they forgot is that a great number of people like using their phones for other reason. These new phones attract people that never thought they'd need a phone to send an e-mail for business purposes.

Superphones are now more like pocket computers than just phones. I find myself going on my actual home PC less and less now that I can do many of the same things on my phone.

Why? My home PC is way easier to use and has a 24 inch screen. There's very little I need to research or check out while I'm out and about.

RIM's problem is it moved away from its core business - enterprise communication, to try and take advantage of all those people who thought that since BBs were being used by all the important people they wanted one too - to be cool. Well, the cool people moved on.

Boges · July 5, 2012

Why? My home PC is way easier to use and has a 24 inch screen. There's very little I need to research or check out while I'm out and about.

Well it's a lot quicker and easier to look up something on small screen than boot up a laptop. Of course that assumes your PC isn't always on but if it, that's wasteful. For example having IMDB and Shazam available while watching a movie on your sofa is pretty cool

RIM's problem is it moved away from its core business - enterprise communication, to try and take advantage of all those people who thought that since BBs were being used by all the important people they wanted one too - to be cool. Well, the cool people moved on.

BS! Their current line of phones do exactly what they've always done. The competition is offering services and doing it much better than RIM.

Having an iPhone is a status symbol. But an Android phone requires some actual knowledge of how the device works. People like them because it's really cool tech and to some extend makes life easier.

My dad has a BB and when he sees what my phone can do he says "I can see why RIM is in trouble"

Edited July 5, 2012 by Boges

msj · July 5, 2012

Well it's a lot quicker and easier to look up something on small screen than boot up a laptop. Of course that assumes your PC isn't always on but if it, that's wasteful. For example having IMDB and Shazam available while watching a movie on your sofa is pretty cool

I agree.

My wife has caught me watching netflix on my phone.

Could just turn on the computer and projector etc... but why bother?

BS! Their current line of phones do exactly what they've always done. The competition is offering services and doing it much better than RIM.

Exactly.

Although BB still is the best at email and texting, Apple/Android do everything much better and are good enough to convert even this formerly die hard BB fan.

Having an iPhone is a status symbol. But an Android phone requires some actual knowledge of how the device works. People like them because it's really cool tech and to some extend makes life easier.

I know you don't like Apple but you really need to get some perspective.

Having an iphone is not a status symbol.

Yes, it may state that I like to buy a product that works well and I don't need to screw around with any "actual knowlege of how the device works" but that's about it.

As for Androids - yes, you do need to learn how the device works.

As my BIL has found out, the learning curve is steep even for a guy who has done computer coding work for NASA.

He would love to go back to either a windows phone or an iphone but is stuck with his (status less?) Android "piece of crap" (as he would tell you based on recent experience).

Boges · July 5, 2012

He would love to go back to either a windows phone or an iphone but is stuck with his (status less?) Android "piece of crap" (as he would tell you based on recent experience).

Samsung is currently the top smartphone maker in the world and Android has almost 60% marketshare so more people are enjoying the freedom Android offers.

My opinion is that the customizability Android offers makes it the better platform. Widgets are great! You also don't have to wrestle with iTunes for everything.

msj · July 8, 2012

This article, "Why Our Aversion to Technological Advances is about to Change," made me think of this tread.

I think it makes some excellent points about "disruptive" technology and how we tend to be dismissive of it until, all of a sudden, everyone is using it and it becomes the norm.

My wife and I were reminded of this yesterday: we were struggling to get into our condo building with our arms full of groceries.

The wife tried to hit the code on the panel and then hit the button to automatically open the door for us.

She hit the wrong button and as we struggled with resetting it to start over I suddenly realized I had a different technology in my hand.

So, I put the key in the lock, unlocked the door, and let the system reset itself.

But, still, I prefer to us the "automatic Caution door" method when my hands are full.

msj · August 1, 2012

Samsung is currently the top smartphone maker in the world and Android has almost 60% marketshare so more people are enjoying the freedom Android offers.

My opinion is that the customizability Android offers makes it the better platform. Widgets are great! You also don't have to wrestle with iTunes for everything.

A few of things on this:

1) Talked to my BIL the other day and he is still complaining about his android phone (it's a work phone).

As he said, I will be getting an upgrade on iOS before he ever gets an upgrade to ice cream sandwich.

He's still waiting for it from his carrier (because the carrier has to tweak the OS for whatever reason before releasing it on their network).

I thought that was rather interesting and told him that maybe he'll get onto ICS by the time kumquat or lollipop comes out. :lol:

2) I'm not into hacking phones - too lazy, don't see the point. I have better things to do. But lifehacker seems to think that the iPhone isn't too bad for this.

3) Battery life. My BIL hates his phone for lack of battery life. The lifehacker person in the link above mentions battery life being an issue with Android (which is why certain tweaks are needed - to help preserve battery).

Boges · August 1, 2012

A few of things on this:

1) Talked to my BIL the other day and he is still complaining about his android phone (it's a work phone).

As he said, I will be getting an upgrade on iOS before he ever gets an upgrade to ice cream sandwich.

He's still waiting for it from his carrier (because the carrier has to tweak the OS for whatever reason before releasing it on their network).

I thought that was rather interesting and told him that maybe he'll get onto ICS by the time kumquat or lollipop comes out.

2) I'm not into hacking phones - too lazy, don't see the point. I have better things to do. But lifehacker seems to think that the iPhone isn't too bad for this.

3) Battery life. My BIL hates his phone for lack of battery life. The lifehacker person in the link above mentions battery life being an issue with Android (which is why certain tweaks are needed - to help preserve battery).

Depends what phone he has and what his carrier is. My GS2 got ICS in June. If it's an older phone it may not. I don't anticipate I'll get Jellybean for awhile, if ever, but if I wanted to be a rebel and root my phone I can already get the main feature that makes Jellybean worthwhile (Google Now)

The control over the OS and and OTA hardware update is an advantage Apple has because it only has a handful of devices that'll receive the update. Android has a multitude of handsets from a wide variety of price ranges so it's impossible to keep them all on the latest OS. Especially since the OS is being updated frequently.

But with the openness of the the software development it's easy to find Theme and Launchers that mimic most of the features of ICS are capable of.

The main advantage to ICS is the ability to use NFC. (Near Field Communication) At this point, in Canada, NFC is rather useless. I haven't really found any practical reasons to have it but I know it's coming.

Right now Rogers only really offers NFC for purchasing stuff on Blackberries.

Might I ad no iPhone has NFC, The iPhone 5 should have it but that's really late to the game.

As for Battery life. When you have a 4" or larger screen and the ability to use LTE (both things the iPhone doesn't have currently have) it does use juice a lot. There's an App called Juice Defender that really works to keep your battery life and data usage down. You can also get a better battery. Samsung phones allow you to swap batteries in and out, unlike Apple.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Boges

Boges · August 1, 2012

Also, assuming your b-i-l has a Samsung Phone, the ICS upbate won't just come to you OTA. You'll have to download Kies software from the Samsung site and connect to a normal 'puter via USB. It was a bit of a pain for me to get the update. It would be similar to getting an update over iTunes however.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Boges

msj · August 1, 2012

The main advantage to ICS is the ability to use NFC. (Near Field Communication) At this point, in Canada, NFC is rather useless. I haven't really found any practical reasons to have it but it's coming. Right now Rogers only offers NFC for purchasing stuff on Blackberries.

Might I ad no iPhone has NFC, The iPhone 5 should have it but that's really late to the game.

I think it's okay to be late to the game when no one is using NFC.

The rumour mill is that the iPhone 5 will have it so by the time anyone may want it they can have it.

For me, I don't even use Bump and all I need for a remote control is the remote that I already use on my phone to control my music (don't have a TV and don't watch much TV even on the computer/phone/iPad).

As for making payments - yeah, it will come in handy but I doubt any store near me will have NFC payments for at least another couple of years so, once again, if no one is using it yet why do I need it now?

Boges · August 1, 2012

As for making payments - yeah, it will come in handy but I doubt any store near me will have NFC payments for at least another couple of years so, once again, if no one is using it yet why do I need it now?

Many places have NFC using the chip on your credit card currently. The tech will be transferrable.

When I use my Mastercard at the Gas Station I just tap a sensor and the payment is made. I can also do that at Loblaw grocery stores for purchases under $50.

GostHacked · August 1, 2012

do you think it's possible to become addicted to smart phones?

Yes. Simply take a walk down the street, or in a mall. How many are looking at their smartphones instead of looking where they are walking?

People need to constantly check it for the latest message. My sister has a hard time putting it down.

GostHacked · August 1, 2012

Many places have NFC using the chip on your credit card currently. The tech will be transferrable.

When I use my Mastercard at the Gas Station I just tap a sensor and the payment is made. I can also do that at Loblaw grocery stores for purchases under $50.

This is all good if the technology works. When it fails, you will want cash.

GostHacked · August 1, 2012

Why? My home PC is way easier to use and has a 24 inch screen. There's very little I need to research or check out while I'm out and about.

RIM's problem is it moved away from its core business - enterprise communication, to try and take advantage of all those people who thought that since BBs were being used by all the important people they wanted one too - to be cool. Well, the cool people moved on.

This is true. Blackberry rules the business world and that is where they should keep their focus. It's the most secure platform for enterprise email on mobile devices. iPhones simply cannot by design be that secure.

Blackberrys are tools, iPhones are toys.

msj · August 1, 2012

Many places have NFC using the chip on your credit card currently. The tech will be transferrable.

When I use my Mastercard at the Gas Station I just tap a sensor and the payment is made. I can also do that at Loblaw grocery stores for purchases under $50.

Yes, that's right. Some gas stations do have it though I have never used it.

In BC we have to pay for our gas before we start pumping it so I always end up following the instructions on the screen, swipe my card and pump as fast as I can.

msj · August 1, 2012

This is true. Blackberry rules the business world and that is where they should keep their focus. It's the most secure platform for enterprise email on mobile devices. iPhones simply cannot by design be that secure.

Blackberrys are tools, iPhones are toys.

I run a business.

I switched from Blackberry to iPhone back in May.

All the things I was doing on my BBY I now do on my iPhone.

But then I don't bother to log on to the server from my phone (although I can) because I find working on a < 3" screen to be pointless for what I do.

Boges · August 1, 2012

This is all good if the technology works. When it fails, you will want cash.

I almost never use cash for necessities like gas and groceries. If I need cash there are bank machines a plenty.

msj · August 1, 2012

I almost never use cash for necessities like gas and groceries. If I need cash there are bank machines a plenty.

I'm the same way except that I likely have hundreds, if not thousands, of loonies and twoonies floating around in various jars in my house.

Those are being saved for the apocalypse along with a little bit of gold, canned items, some good knives, a bow with some arrows, and a samuarai sword.

Guess I should get a gun but I just don't like them.

GostHacked · August 1, 2012

I almost never use cash for necessities like gas and groceries. If I need cash there are bank machines a plenty.

How do you expect to withdraw money when the technology fails? Also think of the hoops you need to jump through if you chip card does not work?

I try to carry some cash on me at all times.

Boges · August 1, 2012

How do you expect to withdraw money when the technology fails? Also think of the hoops you need to jump through if you chip card does not work?

I try to carry some cash on me at all times.

I like to carry cash with me too. But I don't use it for gas, groceries, departments stores etc.

Credit Cards have the benefit of giving you at least 3 weeks to pay and some benefits whether it be cashback or some form of loyalty points.

I do worry about losing my phone with such vital information on it but it never leaves my pocket.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Boges

GostHacked · August 1, 2012

I run a business.

I switched from Blackberry to iPhone back in May.

All the things I was doing on my BBY I now do on my iPhone.

But then I don't bother to log on to the server from my phone (although I can) because I find working on a < 3" screen to be pointless for what I do.

The main reason a business goes with Blackberry is secure email.

http://cloudcomputingtopics.com/2012/02/blackberry-vs-iphone-why-it-causes-office-wars/

Security
Quite possibly the biggest reason to get a Blackberry is for its security. Whether you are using the Blackberry messenger, your lightning fast internet provided by one of the many wireless internet service providers or sending a message or an email, the security provided by a Blackberry phone is unmatched.

On the other hand, there is the iPhone. Many people think that an iPhone is not as secure as a Blackberry many digress. With the technological advancements that have been made in the 21st century (and recently), an iPhone has become safer than ever before.

When you are accessing your files from your office’s server, it is important to have maximum security. This ensures that sensitive information does not get into the wrong hands. In this regard, blackberry owners really have an advantage – one they boast about in the office.

Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia had confronted RIM to get them access to the servers in order to snoop on their people. That right there tells you about how secure the system is.

I am not sure I would own a Blackberry as a personal device (or any smartphone for that matter), but as a business device, security is everything, or you risk theft of your data/emails and intellectual property.

msj · August 1, 2012

The main reason a business goes with Blackberry is secure email.

http://cloudcomputingtopics.com/2012/02/blackberry-vs-iphone-why-it-causes-office-wars/

Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia had confronted RIM to get them access to the servers in order to snoop on their people. That right there tells you about how secure the system is.

I am not sure I would own a Blackberry as a personal device (or any smartphone for that matter), but as a business device, security is everything, or you risk theft of your data/emails and intellectual property.

In the real world employees are using more Androids and iPhones than BBY for email.

I highly doubt that sending an email through my phone is that much more/less secure than from my computer.

There is also the matter of mobile banking.

Once again, I don't know but I highly doubt that my phone is any more or less secure doing it than if I continued to use my BBY or if I used my laptop.

IOW, I suspect that BBY claims have little value in a world where security seems to be good enough and people are going to use their devices for what they want anyway.

This is why RIM is not going to be around much longer - they cannot rely on the paranoid sky-is-falling crowd to buy their phones in sufficient numbers. Especially since BBY gives the information to any government that asks.

These crazies don't like that at all.

Boges · August 1, 2012

I feel bad for RIM. BB's are solid devices and I still see lots of people using them. It's just they were way to slow to innovate.

The delays on BB10 will likely kill them. When you get new Android phones every few months, people are going to switch if there isn't a spiffy new BB when their contract is up.