Must I Get an iPhone?

[atquinn]

I've had a couple of smartphones over the past 4-5 years, both Samsung Galaxy Series Androids. It's time to get new phones and my wife (who currently has an Android with a slide out keyboard; a dead breed at this point) is going to go for an iPhone (I'll suggest one of the models that will be announced tomorrow) since Android phones are increasing designed for people with oven-mitt-sized hands. Is there any reason for me not to do the same?

I still prefer the Android OS, but I'll have to be helping my wife with her phone anyway and us both having iPhones would allow us to do some things that we couldn't do if we had different OS's. Also, a couple of the things that made me prefer Android phones (removable batteries and expandable storage) have apparently been phased out as Google, like Apple, wants everyone to put all their data online for easier access to dataminers and hackers . Not to mention the vastly superior music possibilities (in terms of creation and recording) an iPhone presents.

At this point, I can't see any reason to stick with Android. Can anybody give me one?

-

Austin

[ptm1diver]

I have an iPhone 6plus for personal use and a Galaxy Note 4 for work. I prefer the iPhone, but in my opinion, which is not worth much, phones are like guitars and amps. It's all what you like, personal preference. Be happy and get what you prefer and are comfortable with.

[BadgerDave]

This is based completely on a seminar I attended last year, so please let me know if it's BS.

According to one of the presenters, who leads the data security team at NSA, smartphone applications acquired through the Apple App Store are rigorously vetted for malware, viruses and unauthorized data mining. Android apps are "open sourced" and are not screened at all, so according to her, a very large percentage (I think she said 90% or more) contain stuff you absolutely do not want on your phone. Especially if you do any online banking or shopping with your phone or store any financial information.

She also mentioned that virtually every flashlight application available as an android app contains code written in eastern Europe, and most contain data mining malware.

She did not appear to be a nut case, had solid credentials and other panelists agreed with her. At one point, she asked for a show of hands of those who used iPhones. Every panelist who was in the data security field raised their hand.

Personally I use an iPhone because I love how it integrates seamlessly with my iPad and Mac. I actually like iTunes - especially how it automatically downloads purchases to all of my devices (unless I choose not to).

[atquinn]

This is based completely on a seminar I attended last year, so please let me know if it's BS.

According to one of the presenters, who leads the data security team at NSA, smartphone applications acquired through the Apple App Store are rigorously vetted for malware, viruses and unauthorized data mining. Android apps are "open sourced" and are not screened at all, so according to her, a very large percentage (I think she said 90% or more) contain stuff you absolutely do not want on your phone. Especially if you do any online banking or shopping with your phone or store any financial information.

She also mentioned that virtually every flashlight application available as an android app contains code written in eastern Europe, and most contain data mining malware.

She did not appear to be a nut case, had solid credentials and other panelists agreed with her. At one point, she asked for a show of hands of those who used iPhones. Every panelist who was in the data security field raised their hand.

Personally I use an iPhone because I love how it integrates seamlessly with my iPad and Mac. I actually like iTunes - especially how it automatically downloads purchases to all of my devices (unless I choose not to).

Don't know about those statistics, but I know what Benjamin Franklin would say about it

The Android environment is certainly more open than the Apple one. Google would like you to get all your apps through their Play Store interface, which is screened, but you can get apps in other ways as well (without having to root your phone).

-

Austin

[Armitage]

Including tons to watch pirated movies etc...

[atquinn]

Hmm, looks like it will be the 6S's then

-

Austin

[LordsoftheJungle]

I'm keeping my dumbphone as I'm waiting for the next new smartphone to come out. Which is the exact same line of reasoning I'll be using (again) after the most recent next new smartphones come out.

I love my pay as you go dumb-phone,,, only costs me about $10 a month and I don't care if people make fun of me.

[fractal]

Count me in as an iPhone user too. I really like the stability of the thing, and it is rock solid for at least the duration of the contract. (Our last ones lasted three years, and then we just decided to upgrade for features.)

[hrtatak]

My current personal phone is a Blackberry Passport and I had Blackberry Z10 before it. If something happened to my Passport, I would buy another one.

My last iPhone was a 4 and I just don't ever see going back to an Apple phone. I have a Samsung S5 Active that I am supposed to use at work. I am not a fan of it at all, so It sits on my desk all day, with a voice mailbox message to call my personal phone if you really feel that it is necessary to bother me.

As far as security goes, BB10 crushes all the other mobile phone operating systems.

[oldskoolrulz]

Another iPhone fanboy here, but I'm also a Mac and Mac Pro user and just more comfortable on Apple's platform. Everyone has made good points so not much need to elaborate except for a couple of things: I really dig the fingerprint ID on the 6's. No more need for a PIN number to unlock the phone, just your fingerprint. Doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but for me it's a great feature. PayPal now uses it also, and I'm sure more will jump on board in the future. Apple Pay is cool also, even though I'm still having a hard time finding merchants set up for it. Again I feel it's something that will get more and more common as time goes on...

[killerteddybear]

Gentlemen, quit your bitchin'.

I grew up with something like this:

...so features and screen size are relatively unimportant in the big picture.

[specialk]

Gentlemen, quit your bitchin'.

I grew up with something like this:

...so features and screen size are relatively unimportant in the big picture.

Then you'll be wanting something like this:

[Armitage]

Ha! That's great!

I'm an Android guy and couldn't be happier.

[alantig]

Gentlemen, quit your bitchin'.

I grew up with something like this:

...so features and screen size are relatively unimportant in the big picture.

How'd you take selfless????

I still have a rotary dial Snoopy phone in the garage.

[tbonesullivan]

I had a Samsung Intensity III dumb phone with a keyboard until a few months ago. I have verizon as a carrier, and they started dangling this $200 off an iPhone 6 coupon when I logged on, So I upgraded to a single line plan with 1GB of data, unlimited talk/text, and got the iphone 6 with 64GB (which cost me an extra $100).

I can say, it has been a pretty easy transition. I already had an iPod, so it was just another thing to add to iTunes to keep updated. The apps are nice, and it also allows you to pretty RUTHLESSLY control app access to your data, location, notifications, etc. Apps keep wanting to turn on notifications, but they can't do it themselves. malware for iPhones is pretty much unheard of.

I tried to help a coworker out with his samsung smartphone running android, and the amount of crap and bloatware that was everywhere pissed the hell out of me. Sure they can customize the hell out of it, but can't they at least make it arrive set up simply without bloatware. The Iphone arrives almost bare bones, so you can add things as you learn more about it. I feel it was a great choice for my first smartphone.

[alantig]

malware for iPhones is pretty much unheard of.

This is true - unless the phone is jailbroken. Every few weeks, the tech blogs will breathlessly proclaim "New malware for iPhones discovered" or some such headline. Then, buried six paragraphs deep in the article, they mention that the phone has to be jailbroken to install the app w/the malware.

[tbonesullivan]

This is true - unless the phone is jailbroken. Every few weeks, the tech blogs will breathlessly proclaim "New malware for iPhones discovered" or some such headline. Then, buried six paragraphs deep in the article, they mention that the phone has to be jailbroken to install the app w/the malware.

Exactly. iOS has app "sandboxing" which makes it very hard for malware to operate. I have no desire to jailbreak my phone, as I don't want that level of control. People who do should just get an android. For me, I want it to WORK, and do what I got it for. I don't care if I can't transform it into something else.

[scottcald]

As far as the stores go, the Apple App Store requires developers to be registered with them and provide signed apps so you know they're coming from who they say they're coming from. The Google store I think is starting to get with the program. There are many apps on their store that are malware of some form or another.

The iPhone has a lot of great recording and guitar related apps. Hell, you can use it as your rig with the right interface and a bluetooth footswitch. The battery isn't removable for two reasons: design and most people don't carry a second phone battery with them.

[gorch]

Actually, I'm happy it doesn't fall appart accidentally. For another battery you need another loading equipment too to make sure the second battery is loaded when you need it. That's to much hassle IMO.

[mc2]

I'm a longtime Mac and IPad guy but my phone is a pre-pay Samsung G4 with some basic Apps....because I hate big phones and view cell phones as a necessary "annoyance." Half the time I just leave my phone at home or, when I'm at home, out in my car. I also like that I can open them up to change batteries and SIM cards in an emergency.

The guys at my local T-Mobile store laugh because my phone is like 3 years old. The only time I upgrade is if it gets broken/stops working.

I keep separate phones/numbers for NY/New Orleans/etc. because, generally, you cannot get callbacks from gov or utility companies, etc. with out-of-town area codes. My only gripe with that is, if you do not use the phone for 60 days or so, sometimes they kill off your phone number/SIM and recycle the number and you need to get a new one.

*** Does anyone know of a phone and carrier that permits multiple AREA CODE NUMBERS on the same phone? I found a cell phone that you can load two different SIM cards/numbers into but not one that allows them to be for different area codes.

[mrjamiam]

...

*** Does anyone know of a phone and carrier that permits multiple AREA CODE NUMBERS on the same phone? I found a cell phone that you can load two different SIM cards/numbers into but not one that allows them to be for different area codes.

Must be a carrier thing. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini dual-SIM phone that I've had SIMs from different countries in simultaneously. When I first got it and tried it out before traveling I had SIMs from Net10 and H2O in it, and it worked fine. I got the unlocked phone from eBay and bought SIMs independently.

[alantig]

FYI - Modern Portables is running a sale this weekend. 20% off with the code POWERBANK20. They have a few nice power packs that end up being under $14 plus shipping.

[Mitch]

There are many apps on their store that are malware of some form or another.

Really? Like what?

[gorch]

There are many apps on their store that are malware of some form or another.

Really? Like what?

Some of them mal stuff are useful apps, like boobies organizers etc.

[hrtatak]

I'm a longtime Mac and IPad guy but my phone is a pre-pay Samsung G4 with some basic Apps....because I hate big phones and view cell phones as a necessary "annoyance." Half the time I just leave my phone at home or, when I'm at home, out in my car. I also like that I can open them up to change batteries and SIM cards in an emergency.

The guys at my local T-Mobile store laugh because my phone is like 3 years old. The only time I upgrade is if it gets broken/stops working.

I keep separate phones/numbers for NY/New Orleans/etc. because, generally, you cannot get callbacks from gov or utility companies, etc. with out-of-town area codes. My only gripe with that is, if you do not use the phone for 60 days or so, sometimes they kill off your phone number/SIM and recycle the number and you need to get a new one.

*** Does anyone know of a phone and carrier that permits multiple AREA CODE NUMBERS on the same phone? I found a cell phone that you can load two different SIM cards/numbers into but not one that allows them to be for different area codes.

You might check out getting a Google Voice number from those other cites/area codes and then just forward any calls to them to your normal phone number.