Droid vs Iphone

[SaraJayne]

SJ. I read LOTS of magazines on Apple products and they all say that Apple puts "MOST" programs through a check to see if there is malware. They claim that that is one of the reasons that they take such a big cut of the software price - because they don't just sell everything that developers want to sell, but do security checks. And yet, I have a Droid.

And I have noticed in the Droid app store reviews that people will point out apps that they think have malware on them.

I have yet to see a single Apple app review that says they suspect malware within an app SOLD FROM THE APPLE STORE..... because you can get iPhone apps at other venues.

Thanks for the info. Thank you everyone for the info! I didn't realize you could get iPhone apps from other sources.

 

[FireDancer]

I personally don't like closed platforms so I won't buy into any. There is also a false sense of security from them. Even if you hand the source code to Apple and let them read it line by line, which developers don't do by the way, you can have malware, viruses, or even unintended bugs in the app. It is nearly impossible for even the best programmer to read code and determine exactly how everything will work once it is run.

Apple also doesn't only deny apps that can be harmful, they sometimes decline apps because they don't like their function. They blocked the Google Voice app for a long time just because they didn't like how it functioned. It didn't do any harm but even if you as the consumer wanted the app you were denied it. There have also been multiple examples of people designing apps that were said to do one thing yet did another and they made it through the Apple screening. Most weren't harmful (they had a tethering app for example the masqueraded as a flashlight app) but if you can get those through the screening you can also get malware through the screening. Sure, they keep porn out of the app store but they also build and include on the iPhone an app that has access to not only legal pornography but to child pornography. It is called the Safari Web Browse.

As we learned from the recent tracking issues with the iPhone just because you vet apps or software doesn't mean they work how they were intended and don't leak information.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't by an iPhone, I only speak for myself, but in reality the iPhone is not going to be any less prone to viruses or malware then an Android phone because the main entry point for both will be the web browser as the platforms mature, not apps in the respective app stores. If in the end the Apple model suits you better go for it but don't do it based on bad assumptions about security.

 

[SaraJayne]

I could be wrong, but I think that's only the case if you jailbreak the phone. The normal, everyday user isn't going to jailbreak their phone so all their apps will be from the Apple App Store.

If it's going to be a company phone, I don't think DH will be doing any jail-breaking! I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know what that is.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I could be wrong, but I think that's only the case if you jailbreak the phone. The normal, everyday user isn't going to jailbreak their phone so all their apps will be from the Apple App Store.

No, you can buy / get legit apps away from the store that are not sold by Apple. One of the magazines gives you a link to their app in every issue. But yes, most apps that you buy for an iPhone that you get at other places are for phones that are jailbroke. < sp? >

 

[mjkacmom]

So the Droid has a slide Qwerty keyboard, but the iphone's "keyboard" is on the touchscreen?

Yes, the one I got has a slide down real keypad (plus it has the touch). I played with them at the verizon store, and I'm not ready for just a touchscreen.

 

[SaraJayne]

Yes, the one I got has a slide down real keypad (plus it has the touch). I played with them at the verizon store, and I'm not ready for just a touchscreen.

Thanks.

 

[ChrizJen]

I love my iPhone and my next phone will be another iPhone .

Me too!
I waited far longer than I should have because I was under contract. Once I was able to, I switched to AT&T and got the iPhone 4G and I honestly had no idea what I was missing!! Before, I had both an Android phone and a Windows Mobile phone. Neither of them ever came close to the iPhone in terms of ease of use and dependability.

I LOVE my iPhone!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I have a Incredible (running Android), my partner has an iPhone.

The battery life is better on an iPhone, but the battery also is not user replaceable. The connections on an iPhone for charging/sync are proprietary, so they are unique and you need to buy special cables. Downloads of apps over 20MB require you to connect to a computer, they cannot be downloaded over the air. The GPS is a little less accurate than my Incredible (and most Android based phones).

The Incredible has a user replaceable battery, although I don't typically run into issues last a full day on a charge, but if you are a heavy user, you will probably need to tweak the settings to reduce the power consumption. The connections are all pretty much standard micro-USB (or is it mini-USB, I always confuse the two), so it allows for great flexibility. I can pretty much download anything I want to the phone over the air, with no PC connection, thinking of which, I've never connected my phone to my PC to sync or anything, there's no reason to, which is the not the same as an iPhone.

App store to App store, I think it's a moot point, most developers now develop on both systems because that's where the market is and at some point, the number of apps doesn't matter that much, because there are options out there.

I've heard about the whole viruses on Android based phones, but I've never seen one, but there is just as much risk in an iPhone, in my opinion.

 

[AndyLL]

There have been plenty of apps from the apple store that were 'other then advertised' or sent information elsewhere.

There was a flashlight app that actually was a tethering app... how that one passed their review I don't know.

On the droid the user OKs the list of permissions that the app requests at install time... so if you have a game asking for permission to text you know something is up.

Which to get a a personal choice.

The iphones seem to be more user friendly. ( however my wife had no issues with her droid x)

The tradeoff for that is that you have to live with apples choices on how things should be done:

Some Examples:

• Screen size - 3.5 is pretty small but Jobs says it's big enough.
• Stock Apps - You have to live with Apples keyboard, email, and texting programs.
• Flash - Jobs says here will never support flash on an iphone.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a Incredible (running Android), my partner has an iPhone.

The battery life is better on an iPhone, but the battery also is not user replaceable. The connections on an iPhone for charging/sync are proprietary, so they are unique and you need to buy special cables. Downloads of apps over 20MB require you to connect to a computer, they cannot be downloaded over the air. The GPS is a little less accurate than my Incredible (and most Android based phones).

The Incredible has a user replaceable battery, although I don't typically run into issues last a full day on a charge, but if you are a heavy user, you will probably need to tweak the settings to reduce the power consumption. The connections are all pretty much standard micro-USB (or is it mini-USB, I always confuse the two), so it allows for great flexibility. I can pretty much download anything I want to the phone over the air, with no PC connection, thinking of which, I've never connected my phone to my PC to sync or anything, there's no reason to, which is the not the same as an iPhone.

App store to App store, I think it's a moot point, most developers now develop on both systems because that's where the market is and at some point, the number of apps doesn't matter that much, because there are options out there.

I've heard about the whole viruses on Android based phones, but I've never seen one, but there is just as much risk in an iPhone, in my opinion.

Accessories (cables, etc) would be at company expense, but would our iTouch and iPod cables/chargers work, or is it something even different from that?

 

[HonnyDipp]

So the Droid has a slide Qwerty keyboard, but the iphone's "keyboard" is on the touchscreen?

I have the Android Epic It has a touch keyboard and a full slide out keyboard. I LOVE this phone! Very fast, and NO dropped calls, unlike my iPhone!

 

[SaraJayne]

I have the Android Epic It has a touch keyboard and a full slide out keyboard. I LOVE this phone! Very fast, and NO dropped calls, unlike my iPhone!

Honestly, I think DH is going to be shocked at the customer service and call quality of his new phone.

We've been customers of US Cellular for 13 years and in that time, we've only had a handful of dropped calls.

Moving to a different provider is going to be an eye-opening experience for him for sure.

 

[HonnyDipp]

Honestly, I think DH is going to be shocked at the customer service and call quality of his new phone.

We've been customers of US Cellular for 13 years and in that time, we've only had a handful of dropped calls.

Moving to a different provider is going to be an eye-opening experience for him for sure.

oh yeah. I experienced ALOT of dropped calls with the iphone via at&t. My sis has the iphone with Verizon, same thing. She never complained when she had the blackberry with Verizon, now that she has the iphone with Verizon, her language is very colorful! I have the android with sprint LOVE it! I've had it for almost 6 months, and I'm very happy with it!

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Honestly, I think DH is going to be shocked at the customer service and call quality of his new phone.

We've been customers of US Cellular for 13 years and in that time, we've only had a handful of dropped calls.

Moving to a different provider is going to be an eye-opening experience for him for sure.

My DH has a second generation IPhone and it is just now starting to have some issues. Having said that, I am getting him the new IPhone with Verizon for his bday coming up (shhhh!) I went back and forth with droid vs IPhone, and we are choosing the IPhone. We run a video production company so all but 1 of our computers are mac. We have several Ipods and the IPad and ITouch. I considered Droid strictly based on the fact that AT&T customer service is the worst I have ever seen. So that's why we settled on Verizon. From Mac's "Mobile Me" you can import contacts and mail to your droid, but not your calendar. You need an IPhone for that.

But if you are working off of a Windows system, that shouldn't be an issue!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Accessories (cables, etc) would be at company expense, but would our iTouch and iPod cables/chargers work, or is it something even different from that?

I know the iPad and iPhone share the same connector, not sure about the other "i" toys out there, but I would think the iTouch would be the same.

 

[Kimberly]

I've had both. In the simplest of terms: Droid = tool, iphone = toy.

If you travel internationally, an Iphone doesn't work on a GSM network, only CDMA ones. Only the Droid 2 Global has this option, as far as droids go though (The Iphone does have a GSM model, but only available internationally). I like the direct link the droid has to gmail a bit better as well. The phone just feels better integrated than the iphone does. I still like a physical keypad on phones better too, even though I don't use it all the time. When sending a long email (or typing a response on the DIS), it is much easier on my fingers and hands.

The Iphone typically does have a longer battery life than the Droid 2 though. 8 hours, and my droid is typically toast. I usually always have an extra battery in my purse as a result. Supposedly the Iphone 4 lasts about the same time... but you can't swap in a new battery when you're running low.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I have the Verizon iPhone...I absolutely, positively love it. I had a Droid X and I dumped it. The Droid X was a good phone, but I just really wanted an iPhone. I had one on AT&T, but coverage was so poor, that I switched to Verizon before the iPhone was available. I thought it would never happen, so I sacrificed having the phone I wanted for better coverage, but when Verizon has the iPhone, it is a total win/win situation.

There is nothing wrong with the Droid, I just like the feel of the iPhone, I like the fact it has iTunes and it syncs perfectly with my Mac. Syncing the Droid X was a very unpleasant task.

I really hated the Droid media player, I even tried using DoubleTwist, but it was still a failure. It was difficult to find anything and stuff disappeared and reappeared, and the controls were awkward. In contrast, iTunes just works perfectly for me.

Besides the media player shortcomings, the Droid X is a good phone. It is fast, has a nice camera and video camera.

I was under the impression too that with an upgrade, the Droid X was going to be able to play Farmville....that didn't happen. Also, Droid X never got the Netflix app.(Both of which ARE available on the iPhone)

As an entertainment device, the iPhone has it all over the Droid... as a functional communication device they are pretty much equals.

The AT&T network was the worst thing about the iPhone, but now that they are on Verizon WOW it is epic cool. I noticed I was carrying around my old iPhone as an iPod touch, and using my Droid as a phone. I didn't like carrying two gadgets so I sold my Droid, AT&T iPhone, and old iPod and bought the iPhone and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[pixiewings71]

I went with a Droid X, it had a better camera and a slightly larger screen. I have to say I am quite happy with my choice!!! The Droid X is GREAT!!! I love downloading apps, have never had anything malicious on my phone either, it's a great phone and I love it! I've never had any problems with music or playback on my Droid. True it doesn't sync as easy as an iPhone would but I don't regret my choice at all!

 

[LoraJ]

I have a Droid Incredible and love it! I have never had an iPhone but do have an iPod and I have barely touched it since I got the Incredible.

One thing I love that my Droid can do that the iPhone can't is it supports Flash on websites. So I can see/use just about any website.

Next year when I am ready for a new phone, I will definitely get another Droid with 4G.

 

[CowboyCO]

I've got a Droid (Samsung Galaxy S) and I love it. I've had an iphone and the Samsunbg kicks tail all over it. The uphone doesn't support flash and doesn't multi-task. The screen on the iPhone is much smaller and cracked screens are common. The Galaxy S has a Gorilla Glass screen and is pretty indestructible.