Another Friday–this week has seemed hectic to me although I’m sure my schedule would seem slow and boring to many.
I’m going to be upgrading my cell phone in the next few weeks and I’ve got a choice to make. We are Verizon wireless customers, mainly due to the superior signal strength and overall coverage in the local area. This is important as our cell phones are also our home phones — haven’t had a land line for years. I know I want a “smartphone” and I’m trying to decide between an Apple iPhone or one of the latest Android based phone by Motorola or HTC.
It may seem strange that I’m even considering anything besides an iPhone since I’m totally committed to Apple computers and even have an iPad but I’m not blinded by brand loyalty. I think Android has both advantages and disadvantages and bottom line is I want the best phone for the best price. I also want it to be a good phone with decent reception and clear loud sound — maybe I’m asking too much.
If anyone’s got personal experience that may be helpful in making this decision, feel free to comment!
This image is from the shore at Kitty Hawk, NC looking northward. As you can see the beach is very developed — all awaiting the next big hurricane along the East Coast to do a little rearranging. I would think insurance on these homes would be terribly expensive.
Have a good weekend everyone!
While flying along the east coast I regret I never made the effort to visit Kitty Hawk. It so intrigues me.
Have no experience with the Android but I do still have the first iphone 3G. The only reason I own one was due to price. When I lost my Windows CE based smart phone a couple years ago I found it cheaper to buy the iphone. I have been pleased with it. When I work I normally only carry my iphone rather than lugging along my laptop and dealing with TSA. I find it does almost all I need. I’m not so sure you would go wrong with either one. I think they both have prttty good camera capabilities. Happy shopping.
Perhaps you chance to visit Kitty Hawk will come again, and you can always add it to your bucket list.
I think you’re right about not going wrong with either choice on phones. I know more about the iPhone as I’ve had a iPod Touch and us an iPad regularly but I’m a techie at heart, no really, and the Android OS attracts me as it allow a little more customization.
I still have a “dumb” phone, but I will be most interested in what you choose. Periodically, I flirt with the idea of a smart phone, but cannot justify the cost for myself. It would be an indulgence. I know I would not be interested in switching from Verizon.
I’ll be interested in what I choose too, Anita! Currently I’m leaning a little toward an Android phone but it will be the first part of July before I’m ready to made a decision and who knows how many times my mind can change between now and then. ;-)
Interesting shot of an overdeveloped beach. You’re right — those houses look like sitting ducks for the next big storm.
PJ, I think of them as hurricane bait and one of these days a big hurricane is going to come along and “take the bait.”
Having adopted very early into the Android System, I can only comment on Android OS since I’ve never owned an iPhone. The Android OS had grown leaps and bounds in just a short number of years and 2010 was a huge step in terms of functionality. I’m pretty sure that Verizon Android phones carry version 2.2 OS in them, meaning it’s the latest release outside of actual Google Branded phones which are version 2.3 (Nexus 1 and Nexus S both GSM).
As far as ‘apps’, there might a couple of apps specific to the iPhone that hasn’t been ported over to the Android Market yet, but other than that, most apps of all flavors are available so you wouldn’t be losing anything in that respect.
The thing I love the most about my Android Phone is the turn by turn GPS. Having used two TomToms for years, finally having a device that does it all…is amazing. I do so much with my phone, it’s actually insane. It reminds me to do everything and anything. I track hikes, runs, geo tag photos… the possibilities are limitless. Heck I can even track the Milky Way for Astro photography!
Now to the BAD. Knowing that you’re going to buy your phone from Verizon, they are notorious for bloatware. They’ll shuv apps and crap that you don’t need in your phone without the ability to remove them, unless rooted which can void warranty. But these ‘smart phones’ are only as smart as the owner. The Android OS is very easy to work with and it took me no time to get use to the interface and figure out the phone. I currently have the Google Nexus 1 and I can’t ask for a better phone.
Something worth noting is that, there are several phones coming out that have Dual-Core capabilities. Most of the phones released so far are the 1Ghz version, although a couple of different manufacturers. There are phones that run at lower frequencies and don’t carry such a high premium, but also run earlier versions of the Android OS.
Thanks for the input, NR. I’m doing a lot of research trying to make an informed choice of not only which OS but also if Android which model. I’ve heard about that Verizon app bloat but I don’t have the option of changing carriers at the moment and I’m not sure any of the others are better overall.
Great image, Earl. Flood insurance is usually cheap unless you need it. These places need it.
I don’t have a smart phone but people I know all have the same complaint, regardless of brand – short battery charge. But some folks are glued to the phone, watching videos and surfing, and that drains a battery. I don’t know if they publish specs on battery life but, if they do, it might be a concern if you intend to use it constantly.
Yeah, Ken, the price we pay for all that power and convenience…shorter battery life. I don’t think I’ll be a heavy, heavy user so I can probably deal with it if I can get a full day or perhaps a day and a half out of a charge. It’s seldom now that I don’t recharge my phone every night just out of routine.
Thanks on the image!
I’ve had a Droid Incredible for a while now and have had no problems with it. Reception is very good and app selections are too numerous to mention. As mentioned, the only downside is battery life. If you use the thing a lot during the day, you’ll need to recharge at least once a day. You can, however, buy a “bigger” battery. If you’re using something like GPS or even surfing the web (using the standard battery), you can practically see the battery level dropping. I don’t know how this compares with the iphone, but I’m betting that they’re not all that different in that regard.
We’ve spent a fair amount of time down at the Hatteras end of the Banks. Whenever we’re there, we always have the “hurricane” conversation. All those big, beautiful houses might as well have bullseyes painted on the roofs! Sooner or later, bad things are going to happen. That’s just the way it is with barrier islands in hurricane – prone locations.
Who knows – you might someday be able to get another image to go with this one. Kind of a “before and after” the storm comparison. I really hope that never happens, but I wouldn’t bet against it.
Paul, one of the models I’m considering is the “Incredible 2,” the updated model.
Have you been satisfied with the reception/signal strength and call quality on this phone? It’s primary function for me will still be a phone.
I certainly hope that there’s no “after” image for this photo, but like you I think it’s not so much a question of if, but of when and storm insurance on these homes must be costly if they can get it.
Generally speaking, signal strength, call quality, and reception are excellent. We have no complaints. The only places we’ve had problems with these phones are out in the middle of the Nevada desert or other such locations. But I’d guess most phones would out in the middle of nowhere. If you look at a map of Verizon coverage, there are definitely some “empty” spots in the desert southwest!
Thanks, Paul, that’s good to know.
Well, being the computer tinkerer you are, I can see some of the appeal of the Android phones for you, since I think they allow a lot more tweaking than the iPhone.
But since you are so invested in Apple’s ecosystem, I have to say the iPhone will be more seamlessly integrated with the rest. I don’t know what to expect from their iCloud offerings yet, but it will probably lead to even more integration between devices all around.
I would be a bit concerned about fragmentation of the Android hardware market. I have read from numerous developers that is the one reason they prefer developing for Apple vs. Android. They don’t have to worry as much about hardware issues and conflicts, and ultimately it is a lot less costly for them in support and manpower to have an iPhone app vs. one on Android.
The camera on the iPhone4 is pretty decent. Not anything compared to the S95 of course, but decent nonetheless. There are a ton of photography apps for it.
If you can hold off, I am thinking we are going to hear something about the next iPhone probably in September.
Mark, I hear all your points loud and clear. The recent iOS 5 and iCloud announcements by Apple certainly made the iPhone more appealing in general. I’m not certain I can push off a decision till September awaiting news of iPhone 5. Thanks!
That’s a beautiful sunset – I particularly love the gentle transformation from the bright golden tones into the dark marine hues on the far right hand side. Nevertheless, looking at the seascape more intensely it feels like something is about to happen and that wonderful sunset all of a sudden carries some impending notes.
Martina, thanks. I agree there is a feeling or at least a sense of energy in the darkening seascape. It wasn’t an element of this shot that I’d planned but it’s there never the less.