Anyway I thought I'd share a review I watched from Phonedog on the Galaxy S3. I seldom check out reviews from a lot of sources, some times its because they aren't very detailed, some times its because the reviews are from sites that are Apple-bias or Android-bias which I try to steer away from cause reviews may be skewed.
Aaron Baker's reviews to me are some of the best, because he really thinks through whenever he makes a review. Understand that he is an iOS user himself, and has always praised Apple for its fluidity with its devices over Android and Windows Mobile. He does, however, have both positive and negative comments about the different devices he's used including his iPhone, and really make an effort to go through other devices, not just Android, but Winmo, Blackberry and Symbian to try his best and give an non-bias opinion about those systems.
He's been doing a couple of 30-day challenges for the past few months, trying out other devices to see if they appeal to him, and although he has a lot of good things to say about some of the devices, especially the Galaxy Note (which he had no idea he'd be hooked onto considering its size) and Nokia Lumia 800, he always finds himself back with his iPhone again cause it didn't sport the fluidity he'd come to enjoy from iOS.
He's recently started using the Galaxy S3 though while he's only into day 7 of the device, he's been enjoying something he hasn't seen in most Android phones to date, fluidity like the iPhone. Not only that, I'm quite impressed with the tonne of features Sammy has put into the S3 on top of ICS...hardware is nothing without good software, and Apple has proven it from time to time. It seems Sammy has followed in those same foot steps and managed to come up with a device that's feature packed.
Check out the video below to see his full review of the device, and if you're interested, you may follow his 30 day challenge as well to see his review of the phone in a more real-life scenario.
Impressed as I am with the phone, I'm rather happy with the Nexus, and will probably hold back and see what's available with the upcoming iPhone, Google's Jellybean, and the next generation Nexus device.
12 comments:
I was curious about the hype of the S3 so I watched both videos!
The only 2 features which I wished the iPhone has is the shutter burst and the photo buddy share.
The other major difference I can see is the widgets pane. This one is tricky. I can understand why geeks like that. It is like how the first OS X introduced widgets. I spent a lot of time exploring and setting up widgets but after some time, it is just nice to have and I rarely use it now except for currency conversion. If trying to put myself in the eyes of steve jobs, I think he will say the panels of widgets just look like clutter. Nice to have but really no need for it.
He did stress a lot on the fluidity and speed, looks sweet but I don't really swipe my iPhone all that much to see how smooth it is. Maybe for him, it was a huge jump over the earlier droid OS?
The other features I won't bother to compare lah because they can't differ by that much anyway. If an app is good enough, it will eventually be available on both platforms. Data syncing part, iOS has iCloud, droid has Gmail. They work about the same but aesthetically wise, just login into Gmail then you login to iCloud to compare. Apple designs, Google engineers, Same same but different. Btw, you can get a free me.com email now since you are on Lion.
The S3/droid phones is certainly great phone on its own and if you use it as it is. What about content like TV shows and movies? For geeks, I think it is safe to assume they are constantly tormenting so its not much of an issue. Which serious droid user doesn't torrent anyway?
I kinda enjoy the whole package and experience the iOS provides, getting books, movies (can rent!), tv shows in perfect quality with closed captioning and almost instantly. Cost is reasonable and it is legal. Free of course lagi better but I am happy for pay for convenience and quality (at times). I have no qualms about renting movies, rather do that than to spend time torrenting. Other iOS users rely even more like newspaper and magazine subscription, etc.
So even if you exchange with AL for 30 days but if you don't go beyond the iOS and use it as how it was designed meant to be, integrating with the mac, you probably won't find it as life changing. Ok maybe for you still got chance because you have a mac, for users like Tim, think they are better off with droid.
When I first got into the whole widgets thing, I thought the main thing that would get my attention is the mail widget, but after some time, I realised that I prefer not to have it as a widget cause it felt like an immediate invasion of privacy if someone else had my phone. The widgets that did catch my attention though turned out to be the ones I didn't expect to use, especially the news one in the front of my phone. I'm one who sadly isn't likely to pick up a book as often as you, Al, or even Hans, and some times it's the news headline that flashes across my widget that captures my attention. I actually read news more regularly now with this feature. Another widget that I found really useful were the instant access to shortcuts. Eventually though, the other widgets I use aren't very impt, twiter and fcbk.
You're right to say fluidity has increased significantly from Android 2.3. Fluidity was at best, tolerable, at worse, horrible on older Android devices, tolerable in a sense that people put up with it because of the other core functions Android offers, not so much 3rd party apps which help zhng the phone, but actual core features it has which some have come to rely on a daily basis. I remember in another video review, Aaron Baker made a comment on fluidity which made a lot of sense - "If an OS isn't fast and smooth, so what if it takes lesser steps to get sth done on Android as compared to the iPhone? If the lag of Android is bad, iOS may end up being faster at accomplishing the tasks despite the additional steps. Agreed too that Android is a modder's haven, however like you I hardly fiddle with modifications, but I do rely a lot on Android's core features as do the other guy's review on the Verge so I guess his article hit closer to home.
For videos though, I understand that Android actually has Google Music store, video rentals and purchases as well, it's certainly no iTune which carries a really huge range. However, this service is only available in USA and hence you are right that even if you want to do it the paid way, it may be harder from a non US Android user standpoint. I could be wrong , but I figured just like buying from iTunes, movies and such can only be purchase from a non-SG acc right? Without a doubt though, I think cause it's hard to purchase iTunes songs and movies locally, it's safe to assume most people locally who carry iPhones do fall into the piracy category as well.
I really do want to give iOs a try cause as an Apple user I have no doubts about how well Apple does its products, plus I feel that although I've read a lot on both OS to make a comparison between both devices, it still wouldn't be fair of me to pass judgement on iOs until I actually handle one, in fact I think iOS's fluidity and performance puts OSX to shame, although of course its not fair to compare a phone os with a full computer system. With Apple, whether you agree with their philosophy to keep iOs close, you know that they have their reasons and that they've proven that it works for them. I remember my reason for getting an Android phone when I first got the Galaxy S, was cause I wanted to ditch my Creative Zen player and didn't want to spend hours converting my avi videos to watch on my phone. Android solved those for me, and back then I had never even thought I'd see other potential in the phone until I started using it.
I had initially told myself the ideal scenario would be to carry an iPhone, and get a Android tablet if I had the extra cash, I want the best of both worlds, but after checking out that iOS vs Android user's video on his iPad vs Android Tablet review, it made me realise that Android wasn't mature enough yet for a tablet environment...well...perhaps at least with the Tegra 3 processors. The review on the Verge also made me realise carrying an Android phone and iPad might make more sense
I think one thing I genuinely like about Android is that it's usable on both Windows and Mac...I may not be an iOS user, but Google has me covered on my Mac too, it's a shame what happened between Steve and Eric when they parted ways, but I try not to let that affect my decision when it comes to supporting a device or company. Google makes great products too, I think if they hadn't given us this many free products and services, many users will still be stuck with Hotmail's terrible interface, and relying on sites like Yahoo to get mediocre search results. I also like to think as Google being a good company because they are avid Mac users. I find it ironic that Android fanboys mock Apple when during Google I/O, every developer up on stage were sporting macbooks and iMacs. It really shows that all this hate towards Apple seems to be coming from a consumer level, but at a management level up, they really couldn't care less. Call it hippie mentality but I guess it's better to love all than to hate one in my opinion, and I love both Apple and Google in their own ways. I'm up for a 30 day exchange with anyone though, so offer still stands. =)
No doubt most people locally with iPhone fall into the piracy category. I have more pirated stuff than legit content. Based on the sales in the iTunes store, people are really paying man!
There is no way Apple can be the only one to come out with a smartphone OS. Who are they trying to kid?! And frankly, I think Google is the next best choice. No doubt they have some of the best brains there.
It was only after reading the pdf article I sent you guys that reminded me that while the droid works great and perform as it is, it is not design driven.
Most people are not particular about such stuff lah. I am not trying to emulate like Steve either and I actually don't know him that much till I read the book. Part of the reason why I don't have a bed in my room because I haven't seen a nice bed frame yet so it isn't worth my already limited room space.
My impression on the droid and windows fanboys changed a lot after reading the book. There is really nothing to hate about and those who do so really look silly now.
You're right about the design part, Google has never really "got it" with design over the past few years. I think one of the reasons why ICS is now coming in with some fierce competition is because they finally had a designer work on its UI, Martias Duarte, hence making it look more consumer friendly than it was before.
iOs or Android aside, I do admire Steve, he may be a control freak but it works for him. Why I say it works for him is cause anyone can be a control freak, but if their ideas suck, it would go downhill, Steve had great ideas.
Just finished the read, nice write up, really enjoyed it, thanks a lot for the share!
The entrance of Martias is half a step. Next, they need a team of such calibre.
Lastly, they need someone on top of them willing to breathe down their necks constantly, tell the team how much they suck, that they are bozos and ready to fire them at anytime.
Unfortunately, it is not socially acceptable to berate someone when their work are already good enough.
I think that's where Android will take a longer, if not, almost difficult time to reach that calibre. You're right about the team they need to reach such calibre. I believe Martias has the ability to do it, his portfolio stands out pretty well in terms of the design department, now he just has to whip the engineers into place.
Still, Android is just an OS, and Google doesn't make the hardware, this is where the issue comes in.
The biggest "issue" is the reason why Jobs made Apple a closed system, building the OS, and the phone. Google may have a team working on the OS, but physical designs and custom skins (TouchWiz, HTC's Sense) are left to the phone companies.
The good thing about Android is that it is an open OS, offered free to phone companies. Yes we may argue that Google benefits indirectly from its other services used on the phone, but it really isnt much as per this suggests. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/mar/29/google-earns-more-iphone-android).
If this is true, it means that Google hasn't put sales volumes in front of its agenda, they focus on the software, and leaves the sales portion to the phone companies to worry about, I think that's the reason why they never really decided to make their own phone, even afte they purchased Motorola.
Perhaps that's where it has a chance of going right, or going terribly wrong. Phone companies, of course, are in the business of making money, and some adopt the microsoft mentality, producing half baked phones, some, on the other hand, get it right, and manage to deliver a good product (Samsung for Phones, Asus for Tablets)
I think that's ultimately the reason why I suggest iPhone to users, they have less headache to deal with having to pick the "right" Android phone, that or sometimes I just say "get the best Android phone loh, now it's the Galaxy S3, no one is complaining, so they must be doing something right"
The iOS-Android battle aside, here's my 2cents on the Samsung-Apple fight:
This has been a critical year for Samsung, they have been gaining a lot of converts from iPhone, first from the Note and followed by the S3. The 4S didn't look 'hype' & new to those 3GS owners whose contracts were expiring and the larger screens on these Samsungs were also a big draw, not to mention the aggressive marketing on Samsung's part. I think Jobs' death resulted in Apple choosing the safer choice to release an 'S' instead of a bolder upgrade.
At present Samsung needs to make sure they are able to satisfy these newly converted consumers with proper support for the next 1-2years. If they don't get the Jellybean update or even the one after, I suspect these peeps are going turn their heads once again when Apple updates the design of the iPhone/iOS.
My believe is also that eventually, Apple will likely gain back its popularity, or if not, another brand will come along and wear the "crown", and it's nothing to do with the company at times, it's just the general human nature of wanting something new, something different, this rule has applied in all sorts of businesses and has been observed from time to time I feel.
You're right about Sammy, they definitely need to make sure they satisfy the newly converts. Compared to Apple, Sammy's an amateur in tackling the craze Apple has managed so well for the past few years, do it wrong, and they fail, and we all know how unforgiving consumer can be towards bad products (As seen with the fall of the Sony empire).
My personal theory is that the iPhone 4S was indeed the prime product, when you look back at Apple's history, they've always done things their way and never give in to the public opinion. Just cause the public feels there should be a redesign doesn't mean Apple needs to comply, I think that's what other phone companies have given into, having to stress over making new models every year to meet customer expectations.
My worry, is in fact with Steve gone, Apple will start giving into consumer demands, and become just like everyone else, join the rat race and become another victim of the corporate industry.
Apple always has a few ready-for-production prototypes for each release. There were leaked parts of a tear-droped shape iPhone which I believe to be what was intended to be the next-gen iPhone at the point in time.
IMO, there was too much risk in the next-gen iPhone (possibly with different screen size/aspect ratio) and the timing of Jobs' death + the CEO handover most likely resulted in selecting the safest choice (4S) for production.
Perhaps you're right. Anyway regardless I did think although people complained about the design, what Apple did provide last year were really good features added to the iOS ecosystem, including notifications and Siri.
I do think it'd be too much if they think they can pull off with the same design for a third year in a row, I'm sure that won't be the case. If the current leaks are true, the new iPhone's backing looks pretty darn cool, matte backs are the new "gloss"!
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