I took the 2nd one back and got an iPhone. It is fantastic. I liked Windows, but now I am thinking that all the standard criticisms about Mac sound a lot like what I heard about iPhone–none of which was true. Again, I tried android both an HTC and a Droid.

And the iPhone 4 is way faster, much, MUCH better app selection (this is what I liked about PC), and the antenna is awesome, that whole antenna thing was BS.

Finally, now Mac runs ALL the Windows and Linux AND the Mac software (nothing to sneeze at-apparently), so my next laptop or desktop will probably be a Mac

Stop the hatred. Free your mind and your ass will follow.

However, the best part about Android is that it tells you what the Application has access to upon install (albeit a little verbose at times). Unlike most other platforms, you have no idea where your contact list is going, or even what the application is doing. And no, the App Store cannot protect you very much. They let slip a tethering application through a flashlight app. The only reason why it was discovered was because it was far too well known. No reviewer was wondering why it was (probably) larger than the other similar applications, or even wondering why there’s wifi API calls? God knows where your information has gone to.

P.S. I like this app: http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.smart.taskbar . From anywhere (in app, home screen, settings), I can slide my finger from the right side of the screen and open up a frequently used task list. It could use some UI work, but it’s free, and the developer is responsive and updating things.

I have been considering getting a NexisOne as a 2nd phone (with no intention of getting rid of my iPhone). But as a consultant who works in digital marketing / advertising, I’m not the typical user.

What typical user wants is ease of use — where the iPhone is the clear winner.

The only other criteria that may sway some over ease of use is price, and that’s one game we can be sure Apple will not play.

As for the non-removable battery issue. As I’m sure you know, Apple has made a conscious decision to have non-removable batteries on everything, not just iPhones but even their laptops. This is because the mechanics of having a removable battery (springs, latches, clasps, isolating the battery enclosure from the other electronics, etc.) take up at least 1/3 of the space needed for the battery compartment. Instead, Apple can do one of two things: 1.) Use that extra space to give the device a larger battery and therefore longer life between charges, or 2.) Use that space to make a slimmer, more compact device. We’ve gotten to the point where a quality manufactured rechargeable battery should have a lifetime as long as the device it powers. If for any reason it fails, the warranty should cover it’s replacement. Provided it is reliable, I suspect most people (including myself) would rather have the longer battery life and/or the slimmer device, rather than a removable battery.

Certainly in time, Android is going to give Apple fierce competition. Like deja vu all over again — Android could very well prove to be the modern day mobile equivalent to the early 90s Windows vs Mac OS on the desktop.

As for myself, I believe competition is good. I don’t want to see any one platform completely dominate the industry (the way Microsoft has owned the desktop for the last two decades). Not Apple, not Google, not anyone. I’d like to see at least at least three or more platforms fighting it out (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Palm, etc.). This will mandate some degree of interoperability between platforms, it will ensure pressure for competitive pricing, and it will ensure that all competitors stay on their toes, innovating.

Thank you for the informative article.

cheers,
Chris