iPhone G3 vs G4 vs iPod Touch
Byeka
Name changed from Freak83Toronto Join Date: 2003-03-13 Member: 14484Members, Constellation
Name changed from Freak83Toronto Join Date: 2003-03-13 Member: 14484Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Which one to get?</div>Hey so as the title says I'm getting one of these but I don't really know a heck of a lot between them... I'm hoping you guys can enlighten me with your worldy knowledge of technology :D
Here's about all I know:
- iPod touch is cheaper (no data plan) but cannot make calls or take pictures
- Besides those two functions, an iPod touch is basically the same as an iPhone (I think?)
- G3 is cheaper than a G4
- G4 has been getting a bad rap cause it doesn't work well as a phone (so I've heard anyway)
- iPhone's typically don't make great phones
Input please! I'm not exactly tech savvy either lol
Here's about all I know:
- iPod touch is cheaper (no data plan) but cannot make calls or take pictures
- Besides those two functions, an iPod touch is basically the same as an iPhone (I think?)
- G3 is cheaper than a G4
- G4 has been getting a bad rap cause it doesn't work well as a phone (so I've heard anyway)
- iPhone's typically don't make great phones
Input please! I'm not exactly tech savvy either lol
Comments
I like my iPhone 3GS: it's fast, the touchscreen is miles ahead the other smartphones (at time of purchase, ie. September 2010). The data plan is very nifty, and obviously the apps are quite overall useful on the move, with things such as AroundMe, or other tools that probably depend on where you live: for example, restaurant reviews on the move, Newspaper Push notifications, subway+bus maps and trip planners, etc.
The advantage of the iPhone obviously is that it is actually useable on the move, contrarily to the iTouch's WiFi (as most of these apps depend on an internet connection)
Some other things that are nice about the iPhone over the iTouch:
-You don't need to carry a phone plus an mp3 player
-Texting is very nice on an iPhone
With that being said, be sure that you are looking to have an iPhone because it suits your needs, and not because it's an iPhone.
Other companies also have gotten their act together, and the iPhone's advantages aren't necessarily obvious. In fact, in Canada, Blackberries should be more common and available cheaper.
The camera on the 3GS is only for show, it does take pictures and video, but no zoom and no stab. It does do the occasional fun picture, but don't expect quality. Again, I use it when I don't want to carry phone+mp3+camera+gps+netbook...
Smartphones in general are very nice devices, but depending on what you're doing, it can range from nice (push mail, giving directions) from agonizing (surfing...)
Main problems about the iPhone are the sound quality (then again, I am sure it's above average for a smartphone, though well under par for an mp3 player) and the battery life (needs charging every day)
Data plans are nice so you can do internet stuff as well. iPod touch is an iPod you can play games on. And of course text messaging, which the Touch would lack.
The real question is, what will you use it for? iPhones are pretty good in terms of being a phone. Not the greatest, but still pretty darn good. Really it's the network that most have issues with (and the oopsie on the G4 antenna that they're fixing). Granted, it's way more expensive, and maybe you just want games and music.
Other companies also have gotten their act together, and the iPhone's advantages aren't necessarily obvious. In fact, in Canada, Blackberries should be more common and available cheaper.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
QFT.
My sibling have Blackberries and are quite happy. Granted, not touch screen games for them.
My dad has a Pre, and it's pretty sweet as well. A few software bugs, but catching up quick on the iPhone.
Also, I graduated from business and live in Toronto where there's always plenty of stuff going on. I imagine I'd want to use it for some some fun stuff (I know there's the app that let's you find out what a song playing is) and things like restaurant reviews would be handy too.
I also imagine that video-conferencing on a phone would be incredibly useful for business which is something that I didn't even realize the phone was capable of doing.
If I went with the touch I'd be getting an upgraded phone soon, but it still comes down to figuring out which would be more convenient to have. From what you guys have said, the G4 is sounding much better now.
I've never owned an iphone, but most of my friends do. I've spent probably more time on the apple app store than they have and my conclusion is that the only app i would ever want to own is WordsWithFriends. other than that, from my experience every app is at most interesting for an hour, on average not interesting at all.
The apps on Android, while some of them are a bit worthless, have a lot more freedom to use the system. They aren't restricted by Apple's policies or API, the entire phone operating system is open source so the apps can change anything about the phone at all. A perfect example is <a href="http://slidescreenhome.com/" target="_blank">Slide Screen</a> which completely redefines the home screen from the <a href="http://skattertech.com/media/2009/11/verizon-motorola-droid-os.jpg" target="_blank">original</a> interface. This would be entirely impossible on the iPhone. While you might not want a new home screen, this still means that the apps on Android have a lot more freedom and power than the iPhone apps.
(edit: i'm not sure how valid the provider issue is since your thing says you live in Toronto, take it or leave it.)
Plus with Android you have the benefit of being on any about provider you want, and a much wider selection of phones, not just AT&T which is widely regarded as the worst provider out there.
I have the Droid on Verizon and I'm extremely happy with it. If I were to get another phone today, I would go for most likely the Evo 4g on Sprint, or maybe the Nexus One. I think Sprint is the best provider out there and generally has the best prices as well, and the Evo 4g seems pretty awesome, the only bad thing about it is that it has a custom interface, which is really not bad at all.
I know a lot of people go for the iphone because it doesn't require any tech savviness to use, but I've had plenty of non tech savvy people use my phone without any trouble at all.
I've also read that the iphone 4 is getting recalled slowly and quietly, though I'm not sure how much truth there is to that.
In short, i think this video sums it up quite nicely: (note: while this does bash the iPhone a lot, I also think it points out several valid points in the difference between the iPhone and Evo 4g. in a comedic fashion no less. I'm not trying to turn this into a war, so please don't take it that way.)
<center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FL7yD-0pqZg"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FL7yD-0pqZg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
Gizmodo seems to be saying that's true. Send it to the store, they give a brand new one that doesn't have the hardware bug anymore.
Anyways, 6john is right. The Android and Pre and HTC are all pretty baller and you should give them a thought if you want a full-fledged phone.
Everyone has multi-touch nowadays, and cameras, and stuffs to use so in terms of raw basic functionality they're all about the same now. Sure certain apps only appear on certain ones, but most savvy developers are making copies for all platforms. The only major difference is that the iPhone has had a few extra generations to get their stuff together, whereas sometimes I hear some of the other ones have some software issues. That's not saying the iPhone is perfect software, but reports from hearsay on friends seems like it's more stable/detailed/etc. overall. But not by huge margins.
I got my droid mostly 4 Grooveshark. Stream any song for 3 dollars a month. i don't need to own mp three's anymore.
Honestly though, if there's no particular feature of any phone you're looking for, an iphone or an android will probably get the job done just the same
I used to jailbreak my iphone for grooveshark and multitasking, but what really kicks ass on android is the way all of your services are delivered through a unified notification system that is very non-intrusive to any app.
btw, those of you who like grooveshark/spotify and who have decent broadband and a large music collection.. check out subsonic. You can make your entire collection at home available on your phone or any web browser.
I've heard of this, it sounds really awesome and i've been meaning to check it out. I've also read that Google is going to be providing this same service at some point in the future as well.
Add another vote for Android (and John6 beat me to that video).
I'm still on my 'clunky' G1, and open development keeps updating my OS far beyond what HTC says it should be able to support... on a network it isn't supposed to run on (AT&T).
Mostly still sticking with the G1 though as I need to be able to remotely administer servers for work no matter where I am. Onscreen keyboards SUCK (even Swype) when you need to type in non-sentences (*NIX commands), and it's the best physical keyboard available on any Android-based phone... though I'm hoping the Samsung Galaxy S Pro will change that and let me update to something with a little more 'under the hood'. <i>Free</i> open-source apps for RDP, SSH and VNC connections are just gravy. As is being able to switch between SD cards almost instantly... and far cheaper than the 'bigger gee bees' premium Apple charges.
If you're into Foursquare, picplz is neat as you can photo-tag your check-ins. Shazam works perfectly. Google Navigation is one of the best phone-navs on the market. Google Goggles lets you search reality. And Torrent-Fu... well. Remote uTorrent management, and bar code searches for books/movies/music- to make them easy to buy legitimately, of course- on the spot is just awesome out loud.
Oh, and full <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg3NjEzODI5" target="_blank">Dropbox</a> integration... no need to pull out your SD card or fiddle with SMS or other file transfer methods when you take a picture, record a voice note, shoot some video, or want to take a document from your computer along to read on your commute. It's already there on your desktop/phone. Makes life SO much easier.
If you roam often, I would think that GSM is the better choice.
I use dropbox and es file explorer for file access, and subsonic to sync music.
I have *never* synced my android with a computer in anyway whatsoever... not even to copy music onto it.. this is such a freedom after being chained to itunes on the iPhone.
Don't get me wrong, the iPhone is a good option for a certain kind of customer, but for anyone even remotely tech literate, android is 100% the way to go.
Like I said at the start I know almost nothing about different types of phones. I've been stuck with an incredibly old phone for the last five years and have never even dealt with apps before. From what you guys have posted I'm really liking the sound of this Android.
I also found <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/iphone-4-vs-htc-evo-4g/" target="_blank">http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/iph...-vs-htc-evo-4g/</a> which offers a comparison of the two. Without a doubt the Evo 4G seems to be the best way to go right now. When I say I'm not tech savvy I generally mean not as much as most of you guys on here, but still know a little more than the "average" person. :P
Also, I love Google. Apple.... not so much.
And lolfighter - maybe I am.... maybe I am....
EDIT: Looks like the HTC Evo 4G isn't available in Canada... *cry*... wonder what's the next best that's available here =/
That's a bit of an exaggeration ^^; Part of why I went with the iPhone was their i18n support and handwriting recognition for Chinese characters.
Take care where you place your love. Don't forget that Google's motivation, same as any other corporation, is their bottom line and nothing else.
Also, be careful even when looking at a GSM phone; if you get one from the US it may work with EDGE, but (as in my case) T-Mobile uses a funky frequency for their 3G that's incompatible with all other carriers down here. Bit me, as I unlocked a T-Mobile G1 for use with AT&T. Works perfectly... except for no 3G connection <i>ever</i>. And EDGE sucks for doing *anything* online... relegated strictly to background email sync, IM and emergency Google Maps lookups. Any time I want to use the browser, it's either make sure I'm connected to wifi, or be ready to wait 3-5 minutes for a single page to load.
KFDM: That's because you use that crazy moonspeak, and don't <u>require</u> a physical keyboard.
puzl: Still have as of yet to try out subsonic. I should sometime soon, as I've heard good things... but the above-mentioned lack of 3G is a concern, as is any subscription fee; I tend to dislike 'rentware'.
lolf: Compared to my feelings for the iDrone Legion, I'd say that I love Google. No pretentious fad-mongering, artificially limited supplies to increase consumer demand, jackass man-in-charge, or cloud of hipster smug just because your device has a given logo on the back and cost WAY too much.
But what am I saying? She'd never hurt you. Right?
"The Nexus One is no longer available for purchase directly from Google."
Apparently you can only order it directly from Vodofone from the following countries:
Australia
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
The guy at Best Buy was pretty helpful though, basically right now looking at a Moterola Milestone (which is HTC) or a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. Both are on Android networks. I'm also planning to do an international internship in the coming months (though I don't know where yet) so I figure the best thing to do would be to buy the phone outright and get it unlocked so I can purchase a SIM card wherever I end up going and use it there.
Does this seem like the most logical option?
edit: also look at this: <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-best-android-phones/" target="_blank">http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-best-android-phones/</a>
you want to check the specs of the phone you get. I wouldn't go for anything less than a 1Ghz snapdragon processor or an equivalent.