Android phones, apps and tablets

I am on spotify, I never really used iTunes, hate it.

My justification for NOT buying it is:
I have a laptop at home, a smart phone and a desktop at work; all Apple.
so a. single eco system (dont know how much that matters) b. where exactly will I use the tablet? I cycle to work and when I go home I use the laptop.

My justification for buying it is:
It's £159 so there is hardly anything that can go wrong with the purchase. I want to explore android both personally and professionally because it is an exciting eco system for a person who makes (Mainly iOS) apps and mobile websites.

...

It's a truly awesome device.

If you're not into iTunes and don't have all your music invested in Apple... then the Nexus really comes alive and doesn't restrict you.

It just gets even better if you use Gmail and Google Calendar.

I'll buy you a pint if you buy it.
this makes the phone even more compelling to me. All my music is still MP3, i use gmail and i truely hate itunes with a passion

If you use Gmail then Android is just a no-brainer.

To get the ability to flag Spam, to Label within the app, to navigate the labels, to search the mail on the remote server, to use the integrated contacts... if you use Gmail then just use Android already.

As for the tablet, I've found that it fitted a niche between phone and laptop.

If you've got an Air, perhaps it will do so less (but then the iPad would also be similarly low value in the face of an Air).

But in essence... it's when you're on the sofa watching TV. It's propped up in the kitchen displaying a recipe. It's used to control Spotify or my Squeezebox server.

If I go out to meeting and don't know whether I'll need a computer, I take the Nexus. It's just large enough to be effective at displaying anything. And with the WiFi bubble off my phone or a WiFi hotspot the lack of 3G is irrelevant (I've not found a single instance that I felt I needed it).

The Nexus (or any small tablet) is a new thing in addition to phone, laptop and desktop.

It's far more a content consuming device. Perfectly sized for idle browsing of the internet and touch based games.

Just get it already.

the only reason you might want to wait is if you think that the new 32GB version would be better for you.

But I can't see why it would be unless you fill it with games.

Girlfriend is getting a new laptop for xmas, trying to sway her towards a nexus 10 instead.

Again, what you say VB rings true... I have a Transformer tablet already so i am already on JB Android.

So last night while my PC had to re-install stupid iTunes, i was lying on the bed surfing on the tablet.

Decisions. S3 or iPhone? (or something else?)

Basically iPhone wins on size (and niceness, ease of use - neither too important as S3 is nice and easy to use), S3 on everything else. What am I missing? Primarily buying it as a phone and amp concerned that S3 might feel too big.

Also, related...

I use Thunderbird as my email client on my laptop and love it. I have a yahoo account and my own .co.uk domain email addresses running through a firm called 123 reg.

Any suggestions changing email client for perfect integration between smart phone and PC laptop - and how does this affect my decision re: S3 or iPhone?
nexus?

Decisions. S3 or iPhone? (or something else?)

Basically iPhone wins on size (and niceness, ease of use - neither too important as S3 is nice and easy to use), S3 on everything else. What am I missing? Primarily buying it as a phone and amp concerned that S3 might feel too big.

Also, related...

I use Thunderbird as my email client on my laptop and love it. I have a yahoo account and my own .co.uk domain email addresses running through a firm called 123 reg.

Any suggestions changing email client for perfect integration between smart phone and PC laptop - and how does this affect my decision re: S3 or iPhone?

The bigger android phones are surprisingly easy to get used to. I have a HTC Sensation XL and a Samsung Galaxy Note, when I first got both phones and opened up the box I thought "Oh-o made a mistake here, this is far to large to fit properly in my pocket" in both instances within a week I did not notice it. To be honest I now don't think that I could go back to a phone with a smaller screen as the bigger screens make it easier to use smartphones for email, browsing etc on the go.

they're basically promising longer battery life than any other Android phone with the Nexus 4.

I'll believe that when I see it.

The bigger android phones are surprisingly easy to get used to....... when I first got both phones and opened up the box I thought "Oh-o made a mistake here, this is far to large to fit properly in my pocket" in both instances within a week I did not notice it. To be honest I now don't think that I could go back to a phone with a smaller screen as the bigger screens make it easier to use smartphones for email, browsing etc on the go.

+1
Girlfriends iphone 5 looks too small now

iPhone 5 is very tiny next to an HTC One X, and ridiculously narrow!

I'll believe that when I see it.

I agree.

Until a battery can last a good 2 days and 1 night inbetween, the incremental improvements mean little.

It's also hard to quantify... 2100mAh should last longer, but better screen with Quad core CPU will use battery faster... so does it last longer or not?

I'm waiting to see what real-world tests say on the matter.

If you want to "avoid Google where possible" then Android is not for you.

I remember my HTC G1 (the original android handset) thinking that was big at the time. Then the same again with my HTC Desire. Now I've got a galaxy and thought the same with that when I got it out the box. But within a week the size doesn't even bother you.

I'd have probably been OK with the note too but didn't want to risk that too much. Although saying that I always laugh at my friend trying to fit the Note in to his saddle bag when we go out cycling.

Sorry, I'd rather avoid Apple where possible as well.

Then let me show you this Nokia.

Jeez -- don't get the S3. The size isn't a problem, you get used to that very quickly. You can ride with it the front pocket of a pair of jeans and not know it's there. The screen real estate is useful. It's a bit awkward to use one-handed sometimes, but mostly okay.

But the S3 is a Samsung re-skin of Android. They've made it worse by sticking a load of branding and bloatware on the phone. Also, the updates are on a different cycle and you're reliant on Samsung not Google. Samsung has screwed up the latest Jellybean update, for example, and delivered it 6 months late.

The new one out in a couple of weeks -- Nexus 4 ? -- looks like the one to go for, and is cheaper.

I think "Get the Nexus 4" will be the refrain around here for a while. As long as the hardware is up to scratch, it's a no brainer. The fact that ICS runs smoothly on a 2 year old Nexus S is enough to make me consider buying the new one.

I have decided not to go for Nexus 7 16GB, although I have reservation on the last one of the whole currys/PC world stock for £169. If anyone is interested to get that one PM me, the store is in North London

gabe is just saying: Get the Nexus 4, the software on that beats the iPhone, whereas Samsung's skin of Android makes it second rate compared to iPhone.

With apologies for those S3 owners hurt by these insensitive comments.

If you don't like TouchWiz, root, and go Vanilla.

Agreed. I've got the S3 and wouldn't recommend it. It's not a bad phone. In many ways its amazing, but it's a quite a bit of money. The Nexus 4 (made by LG, I think, another Korean outfit) looks a better deal.

If you want the best value phone get the Nexus. If you want the easiest to use out of the box, get an iPhone. If you're trying to spread the love around, get a Windows 8 phone.

The Nexus launch has stalled the S3 love in the Android camp.

If you don't like TouchWiz, root, and go Vanilla.

What ROMs are good for an S3? Because Samsung stuck an iPhone-esque home button on it, doesn't that mean you're more limited in what you can stick on there?

Mind you, I've given up flashing phones. It's like going down the rabbit hole. Also, not good for talking about at dinner parties.

My next phone will be a full-on Google handset, fuck HTC, Samsung, carrier bollocks... Never again...

And Apple can >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>