IPhone to Droid X: Impressions of a Data Pig(designbygravity.wordpress.com)
designbygravity.wordpress.com
IPhone to Droid X: Impressions of a Data Pig
http://designbygravity.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/iphone-to-droid-x-impressions-of-a-data-pig/
50 comments
I'm not sure if it's the most common smartphone multitasking scenario.
Considerably more common than that,I want to leave an application and come back to it without navigating from the beginning. For example, if I'm in twitter and I go to a link in the browser, I can come back to where I was in twitter. And I can do this with the back button.
Do you really check for directions while on phone calls often? Perhaps it's just me, but people don't call me for directions that much.
I do agree that the author's word choice of "niggle" is troubling and slightly outdated, especially if you look up it's etymology.
Considerably more common than that,I want to leave an application and come back to it without navigating from the beginning. For example, if I'm in twitter and I go to a link in the browser, I can come back to where I was in twitter. And I can do this with the back button.
Do you really check for directions while on phone calls often? Perhaps it's just me, but people don't call me for directions that much.
I do agree that the author's word choice of "niggle" is troubling and slightly outdated, especially if you look up it's etymology.
> "niggle" is troubling and slightly outdated, especially if you look up it's etymology.
Could you expand on this? I can't find anything other than it dating to the 1500/1600s, probably from Norwegian "Nigla" (to be penurious) or cognate with "Niggardly". As with "niggardly" I don't think there's any racial connotation to the term other than its sound?
Could you expand on this? I can't find anything other than it dating to the 1500/1600s, probably from Norwegian "Nigla" (to be penurious) or cognate with "Niggardly". As with "niggardly" I don't think there's any racial connotation to the term other than its sound?
The word "niggardly" and it's cognates are not preferred language not just due to their phonetic similarity to a word which unfortunately has awful connotation, but also because sophomoric racists have unfortunately appropriated these terms to have this sort of racial meaning. I should have said "recent etymology" above.
For this reason, magazines and newspapers avoid the term: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%2... (see the bottom)
I might be dating myself here, but "niggardly" and "niggle" used to be used quite often to imply racial meaning even if none technically exists. Perhaps we shouldn't avoid the term just b/c some ignorant folks used them in racist ways, but in this case I don't see the harm in avoiding it considering there are so many other ways to say the same thing. Unfortunately, once racists use these words to mean something other than their dictionary definitions, you run the risk of raising eyebrows amongst people who may have experienced these terms in these secondary contexts.
In England, this is likely a different story.
And would you really use "niggardly" to describe something in America in 2010? Really?
For this reason, magazines and newspapers avoid the term: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%2... (see the bottom)
I might be dating myself here, but "niggardly" and "niggle" used to be used quite often to imply racial meaning even if none technically exists. Perhaps we shouldn't avoid the term just b/c some ignorant folks used them in racist ways, but in this case I don't see the harm in avoiding it considering there are so many other ways to say the same thing. Unfortunately, once racists use these words to mean something other than their dictionary definitions, you run the risk of raising eyebrows amongst people who may have experienced these terms in these secondary contexts.
In England, this is likely a different story.
And would you really use "niggardly" to describe something in America in 2010? Really?
It just blows my mind that there exist people who would discourage the use of the word 'niggle' because of the fact that it is etymologically related to a word that sounds a bit like a derogatory term.
But you're ignoring the part about people using it in racist ways already. That's the rub here:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=niggle
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=niggle
Urbandictionary! A palpable hit! I retire from the field of combat...
Out of the 15 definitions, 5 of them are extremely racist.
Do you really doubt that American people have used the word "niggle" in various racist ways and that I have heard it used in these ways? I don't know what else to tell you, but some of these words have ugly histories outside of their dictionary definitions. I cited urbandictionary precisely b/c it's the best resource to illustrate to someone unfamiliar with street usage of some of these words.
There's really no harm in avoiding it. It strikes me odd that people downvote this sort of thing, but it makes me happy that many folks here have never been exposed to this sort of nastiness.
Do you really doubt that American people have used the word "niggle" in various racist ways and that I have heard it used in these ways? I don't know what else to tell you, but some of these words have ugly histories outside of their dictionary definitions. I cited urbandictionary precisely b/c it's the best resource to illustrate to someone unfamiliar with street usage of some of these words.
There's really no harm in avoiding it. It strikes me odd that people downvote this sort of thing, but it makes me happy that many folks here have never been exposed to this sort of nastiness.
I've been around the block quite a few times and have never heard "niggle" used in a racist way.
added to long list of things I can't say because somebody got offended by the way somebody else, who I don't know or would care to know, used a word improperly simply because it happened to sound semi-phonetically like a word we are not actually supposed to use and with an emphasis implying discriminatory undertones and without entering the common tongue to a point that persons up and down the economic scale would have ever heard or could relate to
I'd call it a "black list" of words but I have a feeling that might go over wrong in the context.
I really really really hope the word "the" never gets used in a racist rant by some 2-bit undereducated smeg head looking for a phony birth certificate.
sigh
added to long list of things I can't say because somebody got offended by the way somebody else, who I don't know or would care to know, used a word improperly simply because it happened to sound semi-phonetically like a word we are not actually supposed to use and with an emphasis implying discriminatory undertones and without entering the common tongue to a point that persons up and down the economic scale would have ever heard or could relate to
I'd call it a "black list" of words but I have a feeling that might go over wrong in the context.
I really really really hope the word "the" never gets used in a racist rant by some 2-bit undereducated smeg head looking for a phony birth certificate.
sigh
Even Confuzatron isn't denying that it's used in this way. His stance is that he doesn't think it's wise to stop using a word because morons are mis-using it. That I understand and I respect considerably more than a position that simply denies that it's happening because someone hasn't seen it happen.
I'm actually coming around to the Confuzatron position. If we let idiots and racists dictate what words mean, our language suffers for it.
But again there are 5 definitions in the link above. Racist people use the word to describe African American babies or as a substitute for another considerably more offensive word. And again, I didn't say that nobody should use it ever, just that the word evokes a troubling reaction in me because of the racist ways in which it is used. I completely understand that many won't have the same reaction, but my take is it's wise to avoid the words precisely so that you avoid these sorts of awkward conversations.
I'm actually coming around to the Confuzatron position. If we let idiots and racists dictate what words mean, our language suffers for it.
But again there are 5 definitions in the link above. Racist people use the word to describe African American babies or as a substitute for another considerably more offensive word. And again, I didn't say that nobody should use it ever, just that the word evokes a troubling reaction in me because of the racist ways in which it is used. I completely understand that many won't have the same reaction, but my take is it's wise to avoid the words precisely so that you avoid these sorts of awkward conversations.
I acknowledge that you aren't saying "people! stop using Buffie! It's racist!".
But it gets a bit silly when a random group of people, a very small socially marginalized one, can co-opt any random word for a stupid reason and then we all have to tip-toe around it because we might accidentally offend somebody who wears their "offend me" button on the outside.
Check out http://www.reference.com/browse/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethn... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_racial_slurs
It's amazing the length of the list of words that have been historically used as ethnic slurs. If I had to keep a mental rolodex of these words around, I'd probably never be able to talk about pretty much anything. According to the list above, even some cherished dances from part of my cultural heritage are now considered racial epithets as is the first name of President Lincoln!
The reason newspapers and the like try and avoid these words has nothing to do with their usage by racist assholes. If that were the case, all you had to do force newspapers into all kinds of pretzels would be to just start using random verbiage as slurs. The reason they avoid those words is that people get offended by being called those random things. Offended readers can be vocal readers and vocal readers can cause trouble.
If "salad" suddenly started being used as a racial epithet for African-Americans tomorrow by the KKK, would newspapers the world over have to stop using it? That's silliness and that's the point we're collectively trying to make.
BTW http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=niggle&search... the etymology of "niggle" comes from the Norwegian "nigla" - "to be busy with trifles". Urban dictionary is probably the best place to go if all you're trying to be offended by a word.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=salad at least half a dozen uses of the term with a sexual connotation. I can just see my Mother the next time we go to the Country Kitchen Buffet. "'Salad' Bar?! Cover the children's eyes and ears, we're outa this place!!!!"
But it gets a bit silly when a random group of people, a very small socially marginalized one, can co-opt any random word for a stupid reason and then we all have to tip-toe around it because we might accidentally offend somebody who wears their "offend me" button on the outside.
Check out http://www.reference.com/browse/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethn... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_racial_slurs
It's amazing the length of the list of words that have been historically used as ethnic slurs. If I had to keep a mental rolodex of these words around, I'd probably never be able to talk about pretty much anything. According to the list above, even some cherished dances from part of my cultural heritage are now considered racial epithets as is the first name of President Lincoln!
The reason newspapers and the like try and avoid these words has nothing to do with their usage by racist assholes. If that were the case, all you had to do force newspapers into all kinds of pretzels would be to just start using random verbiage as slurs. The reason they avoid those words is that people get offended by being called those random things. Offended readers can be vocal readers and vocal readers can cause trouble.
If "salad" suddenly started being used as a racial epithet for African-Americans tomorrow by the KKK, would newspapers the world over have to stop using it? That's silliness and that's the point we're collectively trying to make.
BTW http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=niggle&search... the etymology of "niggle" comes from the Norwegian "nigla" - "to be busy with trifles". Urban dictionary is probably the best place to go if all you're trying to be offended by a word.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=salad at least half a dozen uses of the term with a sexual connotation. I can just see my Mother the next time we go to the Country Kitchen Buffet. "'Salad' Bar?! Cover the children's eyes and ears, we're outa this place!!!!"
I read about the etymology -- we concluded that early on in the discussion but the point was that there's a recent usage different from it's dictionary definition. I think urbandictionary is perfect to illustrate this sort of secondary usage.
Also, the salad example is a bit weird as sexual innuendo and racist slurs are beasts of a different kind as there's usually a specific target to ethnic slurs as opposed to innuendo like "laying pipe" or "tossing salad."
But I agree that there's a limit to such sort of political correctness. In this case, for example, it's clear that I'd never ever use "niggardly" in any context whatsoever (and I'd find a writer that does tremendously ignorant) but I can see that the word "niggle" is a bit more on the fence. And I've seen it used on Engadget & other blogs, even if magazines and newspapers won't do it.
Personally, I think it's wise to avoid it as I have heard it used in a tremendously racist way. And again, everyone has different experiences in this regard. I do think, however, that it's a bit odd to get offended when someone points out this kind of usage. At the very least, we know that it's happening.
Also, the salad example is a bit weird as sexual innuendo and racist slurs are beasts of a different kind as there's usually a specific target to ethnic slurs as opposed to innuendo like "laying pipe" or "tossing salad."
But I agree that there's a limit to such sort of political correctness. In this case, for example, it's clear that I'd never ever use "niggardly" in any context whatsoever (and I'd find a writer that does tremendously ignorant) but I can see that the word "niggle" is a bit more on the fence. And I've seen it used on Engadget & other blogs, even if magazines and newspapers won't do it.
Personally, I think it's wise to avoid it as I have heard it used in a tremendously racist way. And again, everyone has different experiences in this regard. I do think, however, that it's a bit odd to get offended when someone points out this kind of usage. At the very least, we know that it's happening.
I would appreciate it if you would stop requesting people to not use a harmless word just because there are morons in the US who misuse it. I find it extremely offensive.
Also, stop using the word 'black' please. Some of the definitions of that word on urbandictionary are racist, so therefore according to your laughable criteria the word is off limits.
If people start using the word 'salad' in a racist way, do we have to stop using it?
You have to be trolling. I'm too flabbergasted to continue this discussion.
Also, stop using the word 'black' please. Some of the definitions of that word on urbandictionary are racist, so therefore according to your laughable criteria the word is off limits.
If people start using the word 'salad' in a racist way, do we have to stop using it?
You have to be trolling. I'm too flabbergasted to continue this discussion.
You also can't use "teapot" or the name for the martial art "Sambo" or refer to various types of chocolaty deserts either -- just FYI.
Oh, and "Buffie the Vampire Slayer" was a thorn in the side of the African American community for years until it went off the air. "Buffie" is off limits.
You also can't refer to the fruit of the palm tree, or certain types of common darkly colored birds, there's a famous actor from the 30s to the 60s (starred in "It Happened one Night") who's last name is a slur, most species of non-human primates, the Bantu word for "person", certain farming tools, a common nickname for CIA agents, the Hindi word for "day laborer".
Interestingly, some of these, either exactly in or slight variants also cannot be used in front of the Irish, and some slurs go between races. Like "smoked Irish" is a slur for a person of African Descent while a phonetic variant of the "n-word" was originally used to refer to the Irish. So watch that as well around both camps.
edit: yes I'm just having a spot of fun. In a multi-cultural, multi-national message board all have to agree to a social contract, nobody is intentionally racist, and nobody is overly offended if somebody accidentally uses something that might perhaps in some circles in some small regional dialect in some particular part of the world, on occasion, be a slur.
Oh, and "Buffie the Vampire Slayer" was a thorn in the side of the African American community for years until it went off the air. "Buffie" is off limits.
You also can't refer to the fruit of the palm tree, or certain types of common darkly colored birds, there's a famous actor from the 30s to the 60s (starred in "It Happened one Night") who's last name is a slur, most species of non-human primates, the Bantu word for "person", certain farming tools, a common nickname for CIA agents, the Hindi word for "day laborer".
Interestingly, some of these, either exactly in or slight variants also cannot be used in front of the Irish, and some slurs go between races. Like "smoked Irish" is a slur for a person of African Descent while a phonetic variant of the "n-word" was originally used to refer to the Irish. So watch that as well around both camps.
edit: yes I'm just having a spot of fun. In a multi-cultural, multi-national message board all have to agree to a social contract, nobody is intentionally racist, and nobody is overly offended if somebody accidentally uses something that might perhaps in some circles in some small regional dialect in some particular part of the world, on occasion, be a slur.
I don't think you understood or read my original point. I never said folks "can't use" any word. I said the word is "troubling" because racists today are using it to describe African American babies. And that magazines and newspapers have avoided the words at question here for the same reason (check out the wiki link about the controversy).
I was just pointing it out. I'm not really offended by it but I do agree with many that the words "niggardly" and "niggle" would preferably not be used where other words suffice. Otherwise you end up in silly conversations like this one.
And Buffie has nothing to do with anything and isn't really a valid analogy though I appreciate the humor here. If you can show me actual usage of those words in the way you describe, then yeah I'd avoid those too. Again, go ahead and use them if you want.
I was just pointing it out. I'm not really offended by it but I do agree with many that the words "niggardly" and "niggle" would preferably not be used where other words suffice. Otherwise you end up in silly conversations like this one.
And Buffie has nothing to do with anything and isn't really a valid analogy though I appreciate the humor here. If you can show me actual usage of those words in the way you describe, then yeah I'd avoid those too. Again, go ahead and use them if you want.
"And Buffie has nothing to do with anything and isn't really a valid analogy though I appreciate the humor here. If you can show me actual usage of those words in the way you describe, then yeah I'd avoid those too. Again, go ahead and use them if you want."
I do hope you see the humor I'm trying to get across. I'd be hard pressed to find a current usage of the word used as a slur. I'm just as hard pressed to find one for "niggle" by that standard btw.
Believe it or not, I do understand where you are coming from, and trying to use humor to address it. But it is a real problem if we let the tail wag the dog (as you put it) with respect to language usage.
I do hope you see the humor I'm trying to get across. I'd be hard pressed to find a current usage of the word used as a slur. I'm just as hard pressed to find one for "niggle" by that standard btw.
Believe it or not, I do understand where you are coming from, and trying to use humor to address it. But it is a real problem if we let the tail wag the dog (as you put it) with respect to language usage.
The only person I've ever heard use the word "niggle" to describe an african american baby was an african american adult. In fact the "n bomb" itself is now mostly used by black people, with guidos and rednecks following far behind.
I never requested anyone stop using any word. I said I found the word troubling for what racists have done with it and that I avoid it (and that many magazines and newspapers do the same).
Most offensive words are only such because morons use them as such. If you like it, use it. But don't get offended because someone shows you that people are doing this. To be clear, you're getting offended that I'm "troubled" by the usage of a word which is being used by racists to describe African American babies.
And again I didn't ask people to stop using it. I just said it's troubling due to what some folks have done with it. Nothing you or I say here changes the fact that racists are still (mis)using the word and that there's a controversy around it now. I like that at least we agree that these people doing this are ignorant morons.
And since this is off topic here, if you want to continue this conversation via email, I'd be happy to do so.
Most offensive words are only such because morons use them as such. If you like it, use it. But don't get offended because someone shows you that people are doing this. To be clear, you're getting offended that I'm "troubled" by the usage of a word which is being used by racists to describe African American babies.
And again I didn't ask people to stop using it. I just said it's troubling due to what some folks have done with it. Nothing you or I say here changes the fact that racists are still (mis)using the word and that there's a controversy around it now. I like that at least we agree that these people doing this are ignorant morons.
And since this is off topic here, if you want to continue this conversation via email, I'd be happy to do so.
The fact that you got down voted and he has 12 up votes (currently) has really kind of changed how I see the hacker news community. Socially I always knew i didn't "fit in" with the people on this site but the one thing that connected us all was learning about technology and a love for sharing what we learn. Because of that I thought that there was enough general respect amongst us all not to use a word like "niggle" or "niggardly" and certainly not to defend it's use. I know you all wont agree with me but lets be honest for a minute; I am a black male and if you were in a conversation with me face to face you would not use that term because if you did we would have a problem.
Yeah, same sort of amazement here that people are upset at me for pointing out the controversy (and that you're getting down-voted as well). I am a brown male who grew up in Jamaica, Queens and then New Jersey and saw a lot of interesting mixtures of culture growing up. It was mostly good but I realize that I've seen more racism up close than most of my friends.
I honestly don't blame them though -- they are right by the books and I understand this stance if you've never seen or experienced the words used in that way.
Though the definition has nothing to do with race, but once you know racists have associated the two, what I don't get is why would you get upset at the person that tells you and shows you that racists are doing this?
Check out the dude below -- he's all worked up and offended that I pointed out that people are doing this. And he's offended at me for saying it's troubling and wise to steer clear of that mess. At least he agrees that they are morons.
And yeah this is definitely a bit disturbing. I don't think it's outlandish at all to avoid certain language once racists start using it to hurt people. If he's fine using word that we've experienced racists use to describe African American babies, that's his call. I don't understand why anyone would be offended or flabbergasted that the word itself has some controversy around it. It's not like there aren't other words to use.
I honestly don't blame them though -- they are right by the books and I understand this stance if you've never seen or experienced the words used in that way.
Though the definition has nothing to do with race, but once you know racists have associated the two, what I don't get is why would you get upset at the person that tells you and shows you that racists are doing this?
Check out the dude below -- he's all worked up and offended that I pointed out that people are doing this. And he's offended at me for saying it's troubling and wise to steer clear of that mess. At least he agrees that they are morons.
And yeah this is definitely a bit disturbing. I don't think it's outlandish at all to avoid certain language once racists start using it to hurt people. If he's fine using word that we've experienced racists use to describe African American babies, that's his call. I don't understand why anyone would be offended or flabbergasted that the word itself has some controversy around it. It's not like there aren't other words to use.
* Check out the dude below -- he says he's actually offended that I pointed this out*
You're right. Being offended by words is absurd. Doubly-so when they are not even uttered with an offensive meaning. This may be too subtle, so I'll clarify: I was taking the piss out of your position.
You're right. Being offended by words is absurd. Doubly-so when they are not even uttered with an offensive meaning. This may be too subtle, so I'll clarify: I was taking the piss out of your position.
No, no need to clarify your position. I understood it the first time, though I wish you'd go back and read what I wrote such that you could at least understand mine. I said that I find the word "troubling" b/c of how racists are using the term & that many newspapers and magazines are avoiding it for the same reason. I didn't write the wiki page or create the controversy, I just pointed it out to you and said I'd avoid it altogether. Apparently that offended you.
I see your argument though and I'm somewhat sympathetic to it. It reminds me of a recent south park where they talked about another word with a lot of controversy around it as it's recent usage is different from it's dictionary definition. I'm all for people using the words they want to use, but I don't think I've done anything wrong by pointing out that ignorant people are mis-using the words to hurt people. And I'm perfectly willing to accept that there are different opinions on this. I think what you don't get is the subtle difference between something troubling me enough for me to find it wise to avoid it and me being offended by it.
I see your argument though and I'm somewhat sympathetic to it. It reminds me of a recent south park where they talked about another word with a lot of controversy around it as it's recent usage is different from it's dictionary definition. I'm all for people using the words they want to use, but I don't think I've done anything wrong by pointing out that ignorant people are mis-using the words to hurt people. And I'm perfectly willing to accept that there are different opinions on this. I think what you don't get is the subtle difference between something troubling me enough for me to find it wise to avoid it and me being offended by it.
Avoiding "niggardly" is far from a sign of respect. I'm taking a precaution against a listener flying off the handle in ignorance, so it's actually a critique of their education and emotional stability as I perceive them. And it never would have occurred to me that we now have the same problem with "niggle" until reading this.
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> Do you really check for directions while on phone calls often? Perhaps it's just me, but people don't call me for directions that much.
No, but people do call me and ask me for feedback on an email they just sent, and I'm able to look at it. They call me and ask me how a stream looks. And I'm able to play it. They call me and ask me if a web page is suitable to share with a client. I check and say it is.
I work online. People call me about things that are online. If I'm at my desk, I'm using a landline. If I'm away from my desk, I'm not by a computer.
So yes, my most common multitasking use case on my mobile phone is to look at something online while on the phone.
While I can do that on Android on AT&T, I can't do that on Verizon.
No, but people do call me and ask me for feedback on an email they just sent, and I'm able to look at it. They call me and ask me how a stream looks. And I'm able to play it. They call me and ask me if a web page is suitable to share with a client. I check and say it is.
I work online. People call me about things that are online. If I'm at my desk, I'm using a landline. If I'm away from my desk, I'm not by a computer.
So yes, my most common multitasking use case on my mobile phone is to look at something online while on the phone.
While I can do that on Android on AT&T, I can't do that on Verizon.
No back navigation on iPhone from browser to Twitter? You mean this back button here that's only there when you need it? http://yfrog.com/86px1kj
Is that the full standalone Safari or an embedded Safari within the twitter client? It looks like an embedded browser within the twitter client.
On my iPod touch, if I left my twitter client to go to Safari, I could not come back to exactly where I was in tweetdeck. But I have not tried 4.0 in this regard.
On my iPod touch, if I left my twitter client to go to Safari, I could not come back to exactly where I was in tweetdeck. But I have not tried 4.0 in this regard.
It's a fully functional browser that loads from the app, yes. All developers have this at their disposal. This isn't a problem precisely because apps rarely need to "leave" to display a browser. One just comes in modally, displays the content of a page, and that's that. If you were using a Twitter client that yanked you out of Twitter to show a site, you were using a bad client.
Then I want to email the link to that page, so I have to open the full Safari, then do the email link which opens my mail client, then close the mail client which goes to my home screen, go find my twitter app and open back up to pick up where I left off!
I like my iPhone but it has it's flaws just like any other device.
I like my iPhone but it has it's flaws just like any other device.
You're wrong. http://yfrog.com/1ssz0p
This is a free app. It's up to the app's designer and isn't endemic to the device or OS, unlike the inexplicable permanent presence of a physical back button on Android devices.
This is a free app. It's up to the app's designer and isn't endemic to the device or OS, unlike the inexplicable permanent presence of a physical back button on Android devices.
Nah, Tweetie (the iPhone Twitter client in the screenshots above) also has a built in email client for sending links. No need to leave the app.
And yes in iOS 4 if you DID need to exit the app it would be in the state you left it when you returned.
And yes in iOS 4 if you DID need to exit the app it would be in the state you left it when you returned.
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Calling it "the most common smartphone multitasking scenario" seems like pretty extreme hyperbole. I don't even know if my phone (N900) can do this, because it's never occurred to me to try.
I imagine that would be an annoying limitation. Although like you said, that's carrier specific, not OS. On my TMobile N1 I've got no problems using my data connection while talking on the phone... I do it pretty frequently actually to send and receive emails while sitting on conference calls for work.
Does rooting the phone get rid of it, or does the problem lie on the network / back end?
The Mail reader that ships with Froyo is actually useful. k9 never seemed much better than the useless junk that took up space in 1.5/1.6. With the exception of not being able to move a message to a different folder, it's actually a useful piece of software.
The built-in one doesn't support IMAP Push (IDLE). K9 does.
i just recently went from iPhone 2G to Samsung Captivate and i can not stress enough just how easy navigating around android is. the back button, the search button, and the notification bar are the killer features.
this author fails to find use of the search button, but for me this is an essential item. you can be in any app (contacts, im, mail, etc.) and hitting search will search that currently open app. if you hit the search button again, you can search the whole phone. i don't think i could ever go to a device that did not have this functionality.
this author fails to find use of the search button, but for me this is an essential item. you can be in any app (contacts, im, mail, etc.) and hitting search will search that currently open app. if you hit the search button again, you can search the whole phone. i don't think i could ever go to a device that did not have this functionality.
holding the home button for a second pulls up a sort of task switcher of open/recent apps - once I discovered this a few weeks ago on my Droid Incredible, I've been using it nonstop
I just switched from iPhone 3GS to Android (Galaxy S). My first impression is that it's not as polished as the iPhone, but the overall gain in functionality is worth the switch.
IMO the biggest pros (that iPhone lacks):
- Micro SD card storage
- Mount the phone as a USB drive or as a modem (hallelujah, why did it take so long for phones to get this?!)
- Swype (reminds me of T9 on non-smart phones, sweet, although useless in foreign languages)
- Task management, like the OP said
- Sweet AMOLED screen
- Widgets, surprisingly useful
- Mail client allows multiple attachments (why the iPhone doesn't have this is beyond me), that aren't just pictures or videos
- Access to filesystem (yay!)
Some cons (as compared to iPhone): - Apps and the OS sometimes appear to hang when loading or when pressing buttons (it would be nice to add "loading..." screens)
- CRAPWARE - why can't I remove useless AT&T apps I will never use? This is where Apple has a definite edge. Plus they all get loaded during boot, which is a major PITA
- Lack of decent headphones (Samsung Galaxy S specific, I think).
- Power button on the side (just a minor annoyance)
- Android Market not as organized as the App Store.
IMO the biggest pros (that iPhone lacks):
- Micro SD card storage
- Mount the phone as a USB drive or as a modem (hallelujah, why did it take so long for phones to get this?!)
- Swype (reminds me of T9 on non-smart phones, sweet, although useless in foreign languages)
- Task management, like the OP said
- Sweet AMOLED screen
- Widgets, surprisingly useful
- Mail client allows multiple attachments (why the iPhone doesn't have this is beyond me), that aren't just pictures or videos
- Access to filesystem (yay!)
Some cons (as compared to iPhone): - Apps and the OS sometimes appear to hang when loading or when pressing buttons (it would be nice to add "loading..." screens)
- CRAPWARE - why can't I remove useless AT&T apps I will never use? This is where Apple has a definite edge. Plus they all get loaded during boot, which is a major PITA
- Lack of decent headphones (Samsung Galaxy S specific, I think).
- Power button on the side (just a minor annoyance)
- Android Market not as organized as the App Store.
You _can_ remove the AT&T apps if you root the phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=712546
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/3319-stock-apps-that-can-...
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/1950-galaxy-s-has-been-ro...
I'm very close to switching from an iPhone 3G to the Galaxy S (captivate), so I'm glad to see someone confirming what I thought would be my impression: not so smooth but more functionality. Not sure if I should wait a few months though for an Android 3.0 lineup.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=712546
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/3319-stock-apps-that-can-...
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/1950-galaxy-s-has-been-ro...
I'm very close to switching from an iPhone 3G to the Galaxy S (captivate), so I'm glad to see someone confirming what I thought would be my impression: not so smooth but more functionality. Not sure if I should wait a few months though for an Android 3.0 lineup.
Rooting your phone just to remove ads is like removing an engine from your car just to get rid of hubcaps -- they should just snap right off.
But seriously, a new iPhone costs $199 with 2 year contract. My Galaxy S (Captivate) cost $229 with 2 year contract. You would think that for a higher price than the iPhone -- which is heralded as the end-all-be-all of smartphones, and which doesn't have ANY bloatware whatsoever -- Samsung could afford to not preload an otherwise awesome phone with so much crap.
But seriously, a new iPhone costs $199 with 2 year contract. My Galaxy S (Captivate) cost $229 with 2 year contract. You would think that for a higher price than the iPhone -- which is heralded as the end-all-be-all of smartphones, and which doesn't have ANY bloatware whatsoever -- Samsung could afford to not preload an otherwise awesome phone with so much crap.
I agree, I don't like the AT&T pre-installing crapware either, and it should be easy to uninstall. Your gripe on that point is caused by AT&T, not Samsung though (as coderdude mentioned).
I think on Verizon the Galaxy S doesn't have as much bloatware.
By the way, if you buy online from AT&T the Captivate costs $150 instead.
I think on Verizon the Galaxy S doesn't have as much bloatware.
By the way, if you buy online from AT&T the Captivate costs $150 instead.
Ah, didn't know about the online price. I couldn't wait for it to ship anyway, I needed pretty much the same day (for travel). Still, I guess don't get it at Best Buy ;)
It sounds like some of your issues are specific to your Android device and carrier (power button on the side and AT&T apps). Verizon + Droid has been an amazing experience for me.
Somewhat related, any advice on whether I should get an HTC Incredible, or a Droid X? (or something else?)
I have an Incredible and have used an Evo in person - I haven't seen the X yet. I would say go check out the size of the Evo/X in person and see if that size of a phone is too big... it was for me. The pixel density of the Evo screen was also lacking a bit, and I understand the Droid X is similar in resolution and screen size. I hear the X has the best battery life of the three though.
related question for those who have experience: what do you think is the best phone and carrier combo on the market right now (or that will be on the market soon)? i'm about to be a free agent and i want to get myself into the best of whatever is out there.
This isn't an Android vs iPhone issue: on AT&T my HTC Aria can handle a call while checking for directions on Google Maps just fine.
It's interesting how total failure to support the most common smartphone multitasking scenario is glossed over as a "niggle".
"So where is that?"
"Let me hang up, check, and call you back."