Author's opinion on the motives for switching from iOS to Android.
In the past few years, the world of consumer electronics has seen, although no, it would probably be more accurate to say 'happened' two separate events. There has been a shift: once synonymous with innovation, products Apple have lost their luster, and the company has chosen to rest on its laurels, while the once untidy and chaotic competitor in the face of Google was able to release relatively better products that are one thing to use. As a result, we got a twofold situation: for a start, all the applications preinstalled on my iPhone applications were replaced with analogues from Google, and then for the first time in my life I realized that in the future I was ready to make a choice in favor of a device with an OS from Google, not from Apple, and this choice represents not a one-time experience of buying a device, but rather the first 'sighting' step outside the ecosystem Apple and, as a result, a break in my shameless worship of the 'apple'.
Yes, I am considering moving to Android. Nothing special. I follow in the footsteps of many other users. But, abstracting from my personal choice, you can see an interesting trend around: growing discontent Apple (especially among former ardent fans) and at the same time gaining momentum for Google's work, especially with regard to the design approach. In many ways, it would be wrong to compare these two companies, but many admit that today they are the ones opposed to each other.
I thought about it and decided to try to get to the bottom of the details. What has really changed? Not to say that Apple has stopped making cool products, but that zest is gone, is it? Remember the launch of the new MacBook, iMac, iPhone, or almost any product? One could feel the excitement and the anticipation was always rewarded. Year after year we have seen constant innovations Apple, whether it is a completely new product line or updates to the current ones, but recently all this has been received with minimal enthusiasm. Where does this feeling come from? Maybe the reason for its occurrence is that Apple, having achieved success, has become predictable? Or maybe it's a matter of certain, rather insightful business decisions, according to which Apple decided to hone and improve the existing products as much as possible, abandoning experiments, which affected the lengthening of the life cycles of the design of smartphones and computers of the company? Of course, one cannot help but mention many strange decisions regarding proprietary connectors that the company has been making over and over again, the last such decision was the abandonment of the 3.5 mm connector in the upcoming smartphone. Discontent was growing and the most notorious apologists Apple began to doubt their loyalty.
At the same time, Google gained weight as a competitor Apple with each announcement and continued to bring something new. You can start by creating better versions of your own apps Apple. And in terms of design, Google actually made good headway: Material Design looked promising at the time of the announcement, and over the years has become a solid platform for bringing the company's many software products together. Of course, at times the execution of such products looks dry and formulaic and, perhaps, it is easy to praise Google for the new, more mature exterior of the programs, because until recently the company's web applications looked terrible. But the complexity of creating a system that works in so many scenarios, both in terms of aesthetics and interaction, cannot be underestimated.
Underneath these aspects lies another one that made Google more trustworthy – infrastructure. Yes, you can understand the concerns that information about us is carefully studied in order to provide us with relevant advertising offers, but who will I trust in terms of reliable synchronization with the 'cloud' – Apple or Google? Who do I trust to back up and store my photo library – Apple or Google? Whose infrastructure do I trust with my email, documents, calendars, and so on – Apple or Google? Honestly, in the last example Apple you can replace it with any other service provider, but the point is that Google has so deeply 'rooted' in the Internet infrastructure and our lives that it often becomes ridiculous to transfer 'control' to everyone this is in the hands of Google.
My point is, if the Google experience can be that good in the competition's OS, how much better in the home environment? Lately this question has come to my mind more and more often.
Android used to serve as iOS for less well-off segments of the population, but it has changed a lot since then. Unfortunately, from the very beginning of the platform's existence, fragmentation has been a problem Android and the main reason why I still cannot seriously think about a full-fledged transition, but here's what is interesting: in connection with the release of Google in cooperation with OEMs Nexus devices have the option to get a 'clean' version Android without preinstalled software. Google is also working on fixing a strange feature whereby third-party devices can only work on a specific version Android. Thus, the company is trying to get on the same level with Apple: to control both the hardware and the software. And it works.
It is this vision Android – the phone from Google in its purest form – that pushes me and many others to make the transition. Such an opportunity may appear very soon, at least if rumors about new Nexus smartphones are to be believed. Or maybe not. The new one iPhone is also coming soon. Maybe it will turn out great. Maybe he will bring the best combination of hardware and software to the world. Maybe key applications, services and running a red thread through the entire ecosystem iOS / macOS / tvOS experience will help the company to reach the next level and I will look at this post as a sacrilege. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the 2016 Apple is capable of this.
Original material by Elliot J. Stokes
No, the material is not about holy wars. The author, it seems to me, rather deliberately and carefully described the dilemma that faced him. Moreover, judging by the materials, the person is quite actively using gadgets, especially the products he has Apple. Are Apple really so 'lazy' that people are ready to change their habits for the sake of something new and more exciting? Or is there an effect of marketing mechanisms and the funds invested in them by manufacturing companies Android – devices? Be that as it may, in our realities, the predominance of iPhone does not threaten anything yet, unless the new versions of the devices will be completely faceless.
There was a moment when I myself wanted to switch to iOS, but then I realized that there was no particular point in this, I do not need any special work programs yet, deep integration with services somehow passed by, so far such there is no urgent need. I am sure that among the readers of AMR there will be those who have repeatedly made such a transition. I propose to share your experience in the comments, only without the 'holivars'. Do you think that Google's proposed user experience on the Nexus 6P and 5X could entice users Apple to break the 'sacred' alliance with the Cupertino-based products? Or is Apple really not the same?