In a previous post or two, I noted that I was thinking of moving from Apple to Android in the world of smartphones. After much trepidation, I pulled the trigger and got an HTC One. How did it go? I am the proud owner of an iPhone 4S.
You might ask what the heck was wrong with the HTC? Do you really want a review? You do? Suit yourself.
1) Transferring info from the iPhone to the One was presented as an easy thing to do. Just click the synch button on the program downloaded into your Mac and voila! Instant synch. NOT. I actually had to download two programs and manually move everything into the HTC. On top of that, the AT&T bloatware that is unremovable caused lots of problems with my address book and photostream. Fail!
2) The main screen that cannot be changed has a "feature" that is constantly updating with your Facebook, Twitter, news, etc. It's big, and ugly, and after five minutes I wanted it gone. But wait! You can't! It's part of the HTC operating system laid over Android. Fail!
3) Creating ringtones is supposed to be easy. You just go to your music, find a song, click "make a ringtone", change the start and finish points, and there you go! Not. There are two ... count 'em ... two music players on this phone, and when you find the right one, they make it impossible to figure out how to slice and dice! The speakers and sound are great, when you can find the song you want. Fail!
4) The Google Play store is a mess, since they allow anyone and everyone to put apps out there. Some look like the app you want, but if you look at the creator you find that it isn't the right one. Deceptive, opportunity for viruses, annoying, and ... yes ... Fail!
5) Downloading a document is easy. Finding it once it has been downloaded is virtually impossible. Fail!
6) Fail! (Just because.)
Between yesterday evening and this morning, I spend about 6 hours playing with the phone, trying to like it. I didn't. So, at noon, I went back to AT&T, got my money back (less a restocking fee ... criminals), and had the sim card put back into my old iPhone 4S. At which point, I went on to Gazelle.com, got a quote of $220 for the phone, clicked "Accept", and began my wait for the shipping materials to be sent to me. I have until the end of September to send it, by which time I will have either an iPhone 5, 5C, or 5S (6?). There may not be many new bells and whistles to the new iPhone, but I'll wager to say that it works, works well, and makes sense.
I usually learn my lessons by getting hit by a two by four with a nail in the end. Chalk this one up to another scar made by that rusty old nail. I am, and for the foreseeable future will be, an iPhone fan. Win!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Clarification and Rants
Wow. If more people read this blog, I think that I would have caused an internet meltdown with my last post. One thought it was a joke ... at first. Others who know the gist of it are still wondering if my brain has been taken over by little robots. (Robots ... Androids ... get it?) (crickets chirping)
Anyway, just to update my thinking here. I still love lots of things about my iPhone, including the backup method and how it "talks" effortlessly to my other Apple devices. I guess I'm just a bit miffed at the rumors coming out of Appletown that are telling folks that the only changes coming with the new phone are a possible fingerprint reader, a gold color option, and a cheaper version with a plastic back. Excuse me while I "yay" sarcastically with a yawn. I'm trying to justify plopping down an extra $100 or more for that over a different phone. And no, I can't just wait for another year. My iPhone gets hot enough to boil water (or skin) as it is, so keeping this phone for another 12 months isn't an option.
Therefore, some time in the next couple of weeks I am going to walk into an AT&T store and look at the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One to see what they are like. Then, on September 10, I am going to find out what Apple is doing with the next incarnation of the iPhone. By that afternoon, I will either have my order in for the next iPhone, or will be waltzing down to the store to get an Android.
The ball's in your court, Apple. Impress me.
Other notes:
Kings: Chris Hansen (of Seattle trying to steal the Kings fame) gave money to an anti-Sacramento Arena movement, AFTER the NBA decided to have the Kings stay in Sac. Hansen, you are a complete wanker and have harmed the chances of Seattle getting an expansion team. Go throw yourself on your sword ... now. Back out of the ownership group to get the Sonics back so that city at least has a chance now. Scumbag.
Disney: I am so rampantly "I don't like Disneyland" that you could bottle the hatred and sell it as mouse poison. But I have to say, a couple who shall remain nameless just got back from their honeymoon which they spend at the House of the Mouse, and the groom (who is also a Disney disliker) says that they had a great time and were treated incredibly well since they were honeymooning there. So ... well played, Disney. But I will not be so easily won over.
Doctor Who: As much as I like Matt Smith, I'm okay with the choice of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor. Sure, he's older, but there have been older Doctors before. This allows the writers to play with other aspects of the Doctor's personality, and change the tone again. Trust me, folks ... it's fine. I've been a fan since Tom Baker, and the changes have always worked. (See Colin Baker to Sylvester McCoy.) Enjoy the ride.
DirecTV: Oh DirecTV... how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I have had the service for one year, have not been thrilled with the channel lineup, and a couple of weeks ago I found out that my rate was jumping $40 a month, not the $10 promised. Long story short? Paid the early termination fee on principle and had Comcast come out and get me back on cable. No, Comcast isn't perfect, but I'll take that old familiar and reliable cable service than the snotty little satellite company that not only overcharged me, but won't even come and take their dish down! I have to do that myself! Jerks...
Anyway, just to update my thinking here. I still love lots of things about my iPhone, including the backup method and how it "talks" effortlessly to my other Apple devices. I guess I'm just a bit miffed at the rumors coming out of Appletown that are telling folks that the only changes coming with the new phone are a possible fingerprint reader, a gold color option, and a cheaper version with a plastic back. Excuse me while I "yay" sarcastically with a yawn. I'm trying to justify plopping down an extra $100 or more for that over a different phone. And no, I can't just wait for another year. My iPhone gets hot enough to boil water (or skin) as it is, so keeping this phone for another 12 months isn't an option.
Therefore, some time in the next couple of weeks I am going to walk into an AT&T store and look at the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One to see what they are like. Then, on September 10, I am going to find out what Apple is doing with the next incarnation of the iPhone. By that afternoon, I will either have my order in for the next iPhone, or will be waltzing down to the store to get an Android.
The ball's in your court, Apple. Impress me.
Other notes:
Kings: Chris Hansen (of Seattle trying to steal the Kings fame) gave money to an anti-Sacramento Arena movement, AFTER the NBA decided to have the Kings stay in Sac. Hansen, you are a complete wanker and have harmed the chances of Seattle getting an expansion team. Go throw yourself on your sword ... now. Back out of the ownership group to get the Sonics back so that city at least has a chance now. Scumbag.
Disney: I am so rampantly "I don't like Disneyland" that you could bottle the hatred and sell it as mouse poison. But I have to say, a couple who shall remain nameless just got back from their honeymoon which they spend at the House of the Mouse, and the groom (who is also a Disney disliker) says that they had a great time and were treated incredibly well since they were honeymooning there. So ... well played, Disney. But I will not be so easily won over.
Doctor Who: As much as I like Matt Smith, I'm okay with the choice of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor. Sure, he's older, but there have been older Doctors before. This allows the writers to play with other aspects of the Doctor's personality, and change the tone again. Trust me, folks ... it's fine. I've been a fan since Tom Baker, and the changes have always worked. (See Colin Baker to Sylvester McCoy.) Enjoy the ride.
DirecTV: Oh DirecTV... how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I have had the service for one year, have not been thrilled with the channel lineup, and a couple of weeks ago I found out that my rate was jumping $40 a month, not the $10 promised. Long story short? Paid the early termination fee on principle and had Comcast come out and get me back on cable. No, Comcast isn't perfect, but I'll take that old familiar and reliable cable service than the snotty little satellite company that not only overcharged me, but won't even come and take their dish down! I have to do that myself! Jerks...
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Why So Late? Wedding! (Not Mine!)
OK. I apologize again, but between being out of town two weeks ago and preparing for, and taking part in, a wedding, my mind hasn't been on this blog. But I'm back for now.
Today I would like to make a confession: I like Apple products. I always have.
That's not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I am an avowed Apple preferer. (Is that even a word?) But as of today, I am going to give many people coronaries, or at least dirty drawers after this announcement: I may buy an Android phone next.
I will wait until you have all calmed down. Okay? Let me explain.
I currently own an iPhone 4s. I like it a lot, but it is time to move on. The iPhone 5 has been out for awhile, and the next incarnation of this phone is on its way. But the rumors about the next iPhone have me checking out the competition. It isn't that the next iPhone won't be cool. It will be just as cool as the 5. And therein lies the problem. Apple has thrived upon innovation. The kind of innovation where people would go to the Apple announcement events and go "ooh" and "ahhh" over the surprises that Jobs had in store for us. But now Apple seems to have lost its way, at least temporarily.
The company recently announced iOS7, and there appear to be some good things about it, but the majority seems to be cosmetic. Oh, Siri will gain some more voices and will learn to pronounce strange words, but one writer described it as when Windows changed to Vista. He said that when the big change is that the borders have gone slightly transparent, there's more look than innovation. I have to agree with that. Sure, iOS7 looks nice, and I'm okay with the clearer icons. But what else is there? On top of that, the new iPhone is rumored to have a fingerprint sensor (very cool for password avoidance), more speed, and better battery life. Cool, certainly. But innovative? Enough for me to plunk down another $300 on the latest and greatest? I'm not so sure.
I have looked at phones like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active, and am impressed with some of the features there. Sure, there are many things that the iPhone does better, but $100 - $200 better? Yes, I would hate to lose the games and such that I already have, but would it hurt me that much?
I'm not sure what the future holds for Apple. An iWatch perhaps? Apple Glass? Something no one has even imagined, perhaps. But seriously, is the iPhone 5s or 6 or whatever it is being called going to be enough bells and whistles-y to make me drop a chunk of change on it? We'll see. But for now, I have to go pick my friends off the floor after the opening announcement. I won't even mention the Galaxy tablet that looks nice.
Today I would like to make a confession: I like Apple products. I always have.
That's not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I am an avowed Apple preferer. (Is that even a word?) But as of today, I am going to give many people coronaries, or at least dirty drawers after this announcement: I may buy an Android phone next.
I will wait until you have all calmed down. Okay? Let me explain.
I currently own an iPhone 4s. I like it a lot, but it is time to move on. The iPhone 5 has been out for awhile, and the next incarnation of this phone is on its way. But the rumors about the next iPhone have me checking out the competition. It isn't that the next iPhone won't be cool. It will be just as cool as the 5. And therein lies the problem. Apple has thrived upon innovation. The kind of innovation where people would go to the Apple announcement events and go "ooh" and "ahhh" over the surprises that Jobs had in store for us. But now Apple seems to have lost its way, at least temporarily.
The company recently announced iOS7, and there appear to be some good things about it, but the majority seems to be cosmetic. Oh, Siri will gain some more voices and will learn to pronounce strange words, but one writer described it as when Windows changed to Vista. He said that when the big change is that the borders have gone slightly transparent, there's more look than innovation. I have to agree with that. Sure, iOS7 looks nice, and I'm okay with the clearer icons. But what else is there? On top of that, the new iPhone is rumored to have a fingerprint sensor (very cool for password avoidance), more speed, and better battery life. Cool, certainly. But innovative? Enough for me to plunk down another $300 on the latest and greatest? I'm not so sure.
I have looked at phones like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active, and am impressed with some of the features there. Sure, there are many things that the iPhone does better, but $100 - $200 better? Yes, I would hate to lose the games and such that I already have, but would it hurt me that much?
I'm not sure what the future holds for Apple. An iWatch perhaps? Apple Glass? Something no one has even imagined, perhaps. But seriously, is the iPhone 5s or 6 or whatever it is being called going to be enough bells and whistles-y to make me drop a chunk of change on it? We'll see. But for now, I have to go pick my friends off the floor after the opening announcement. I won't even mention the Galaxy tablet that looks nice.
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