Why I’ve jumped ship from Apple to Android

My first cellular phone was, in October 1985, hardly mobile, as it needed a fixed power supply and the call dropped if one left large towns and cities.

In the following 24 years, I had a succession of NEC, Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson devices, latterly alongside Psions and then Palms, but my first “smartphone” was an HP iPaq.

Having used CP/M, MSDOS and Windows from 1980 and never being an Apple fan (although I am now typing this on a Mac Air), I observed the introduction of the first iPhone with interest. I jumped on the bandwagon (with glee) with the 3, followed by the 3GS and then 4S. The 5 interested me, but is it too big? What is novel? Why did Apple not only ignore the EU directive to use micro-USB, but force everyone to buy new power supplies or adaptors for the Lightning connector?

And as a programmer from the early 70s and a hardware designer from even earlier with a good Computer Science degree, what was I doing supporting a closed environment and not moving to the much more flexible Android platform?

Under peer pressure (which I traditionally ignore, along with clothing brands) I decided to investigate further and then run an Android (Google Nexus 4, 40% of the cost of an iPhone 5, to start with) alongside my Apple.

Within a week, I had loaded all the apps I needed, coupled it to our Hosted Exchange and was ready to move over the SIM. Followed soon by numerous apps that Apple forbids – for instance disabling screen locking, when the phone is paired to my car’s Bluetooth. That may seem minor, but escaping the Apple universe allows so much flexibility.

So, what will I miss, when the 4S is recycled? Battery life is shorter, apps often don’t behave as one expects, no Bluetooth LTE means my heart rate monitor is another fad, but the richer platform, bigger screen size, standard power connectors etc have won the battle for me.

However, with the new iOS just being announced. I wonder…..?

Camdata has worked on many projects where there is potential to interface with an Android phone or tablet via RFID, Bluetooth or USB, such as the avalanche safety emitter.

If you have a project idea that involves the use of the Android platform contact us to discuss how we can help facilitate.

Previous Blogs:

Visiting the Mobile World Conference

The Internet of Things