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The problem is, no-one’s in the market for a Windows phone.

2 days ago on Windows Phone overtakes BlackBerry to claim third place in 2013 smartphone shipments 1 reply 1 recommend

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;-D

11 days ago on A Month With The iPhone 5

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As an Android user I read this post with interest. Having only used iOS briefly enough to get frustrated with what it can’t do, it’s nice to see where long-term iOS users feel it is ahead of Android. I don’t deny that the interface smoothness and polish/attention to detail of iOS is better, and apps are generally better.
The things that irk me are many as well:

1. The deliberate and pervasive blocking of interoperability with anyone or anything else. I don’t want to use iTunes (it’s a joke on Windows), and I don’t want to my media encrypted in some way that no other device can make sense of it. Nor do I want to not be able to move it easily between my phone and more than one computer. I know Apple wants to make sure you are locked into their eco-system and hence extract all the money they can from you, but it would be nice if they at least tried to play nice sometimes.
2. No intents for default apps. I don’t want to get kicked into Safari rather than my browser of choice when clicking a hyperlink, etc, etc. Also no ability to directly share things to any app you want. That’s a pain.
3. No way to replace the default keyboard. I’m a big Swype user and have been for a long time – once you get past the learning curve it’s just way faster and more accurate than anything else. Even the similar version in the standard Google Android keyboard is pretty decent and allows me to enter text faster than tapping away. This was a big deal for me
4. No downloads from the internet – this annoyed the hell out of me. I often browse music blogs and the like, and often want to download an mp3 that’s being offered. Sometimes these downloads are limited to the first 100 or whatever, and hence waiting til I get home isn’t always an option. On iOS I just had to miss out, but for no good reason
5. No actionable notifications in the notification drawer. I’ve gotten used to deleting or replying directly to sms and emails, without having to go into the app. It’s just quicker.

Perhaps there are ways to circumvent these issues, but to do so would require just as much tinkering as many people complain about having to do with Android, so I’d rather just be able to do it natively.

Incidentally, the OP’s account of downloading an official update onto a rooted phone and then being surprised when it was no longer rooted afterwards, well what was expected? Do you install an Apple update to your jailbroken iPhone and expect it to remain jailbroken?

Anyway, nice writing, thanks for the read :)

12 days ago on iPhone Man's Adventures in Androidland 1 reply 1 recommend

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I love the way you call 1280×720 “mid range” resolution, when it’s clearly higher res than 1136×640! I agree that Apple needs to do something if it’s going to up the screen size.

12 days ago on It’s Time to Kill the ‘Apple Doesn’t Innovate’ Argument'

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You don’t consider having your email inbox or perhaps your Twitter feed right there on your home screen, for quick glance-able info to be of any use? Fair enough.

12 days ago on iPhone Man's Adventures in Androidland

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That is an abomination.

12 days ago on iPhone Man's Adventures in Androidland

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This is a real douche reply. The parent gave you real examples of when a spare battery comes in handy, and you responded by saying “You shouldn’t need one”. Grow up. Accept that other people have different use cases than you, and having the option to swap out a spare battery is an option many users are happy about.

14 days ago on Samsung says microSD slot makes up for Galaxy S4's storage shortcomings 1 reply

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What’s unsafe about Whatsapp?

16 days ago on Alone together: will one messaging app rule them all? 1 reply

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So true. What damn idiot came up with the name “Whatsapp”? It’s criminally bad.

16 days ago on Alone together: will one messaging app rule them all? 1 reply 15 recommends

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Same here. It’s incredibly convenient to just glance over at my phone and know what the notification is without having to touch it.
I never really got Lightflow to work properly on my GS3 though, which was a total pain. Since moving to an AOKP ROM the integrated LED control has made my life better :)

24 days ago on Lightflow (LED) has changed my hardware expectations for my next phone 1 reply

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Removable batteries preserve the thin profile and low weight of your phone, which is important if you’re using it for hours a day. Carrying a spare battery in your pocket is better than carrying it in your hand (ie. using a battery case).
Anyway, options are good – the more the better, in my opinion.

24 days ago on Samsung Galaxy S4 review

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But you have to leave it plugged in. Rather just swap out the battery, personally.

24 days ago on Samsung Galaxy S4 review 2 recommends