Iphone or Android? [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

horace

09-04-2011, 10:13

Hi folks

It's been a while since I've posted on AoS. I've currently nowt of interest to say on the subject of hifi, but am hoping there are a few Iphone and/or Android phone owners here to give me some pointers....

Having been a Windows mobile user for quite a few years (and a Pocket PC user before that), the time has come to move on. My current phone contract with O2 is finished, so I'm considering my options.

Iphone or Android? Android or Iphone? Dunno...

I tried the Nokia N8 - wonderful hardware, but the OS is a bag of spanners. I wanted to throw the bloody thing out of the window within about 20 mins of picking it up. Not for me.

I've also played with the Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire, both of which impressed me. The Desire seems to have the better interface while the Galaxy S has a nicer screen and few more gadgets.

I had crossed the Iphone 4 from my list, as I wasn't prepared to pay £200 up front on contract when the other phones were available 'free' (OK, I know there's no such thing as a free phone, but you know what I mean). However, O2 have just offered me an Iphone 4 16GB for nowt on my current contract (£30, if I want the 32GB version). No doubt this has something to do with the impending release of the Iphone 5, but i'm not complaining.

So, as things stand I'm rather tempted to get an Iphone 4. Quite a departure from Windows Mobile - how I will miss waiting 5 minutes for a web page to load, before resetting the device and stabbing relentlessly at the screen in the vain hope that it will one day respond :).

OTOH, I'm sure I could be happy with an Android phone - I just happen to love the experience of using the Iphone.

Anyway, a couple of Iphone-related concerns (grateful for some advice here):

I used Itunes (briefly) about five years ago. It was OK, I suppose. Probably much better these days? Is itunes still a prerequisite for Iphone use?

Most of my music has been ripped to FLAC (and I'm not wasting a single further second of my short life re-ripping, converting or otherwise messing about with it). Will an Iphone 4 play FLAC?

Similarly, my DVDs have been ripped to disc as AVI/DIVX files. Will these be playable on the Iphone?

If it can play FLAC and DIVX, then I'll probably get the Iphone. If not, I'll have to think hard about whether playing FLAC and DIVX on a phone is really something I should be worrying about in the first place :) (or get an Android).

Grateful for your thoughts.

Cheers

Martin

Stratmangler

09-04-2011, 10:24

horace

09-04-2011, 11:04

iPhone no play FLAC in any shape or form.
Just one of many reasons to hate the company of fruit based computing.
There might well be a hack for this issue, but you'd void your warranty installing it.

You could get dbPoweramp for ripping - it will quite happily rip to pretty well any format you could wish to use, and that includes ALAC (Apple Lossless).
It also has a simple file converter, so you could convert FLAC files to ALAC for use on the iPhone.

My phone runs Android, but as I've only got an 8GB card installed my music files are AAC@320kbps - FLAC and ALAC files need a lot more storage space.:)

Thanks Chris

I decided to rip my CDs to FLAC because I bought a Squeezebox. I suppose I could convert to MP3 before transferring to the Iphone, but it sounds like a right PITA TBH.

If Android has an advantage over Iphone, it's defo the lack of hamstrung codec support, it would seem. But the Iphone just seems to work so nicely.

And the Galaxy S2 is out soon.....but I really need a phone now, as mine is on its last legs.

Hmmm, decisions....

Cheers

Martin

Beechwoods

09-04-2011, 11:07

There is a FLAC player for iOS called FLAC Player (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flac-player/id390532592?mt=8), which I use and which is great, though it helps if you have your flac files and artwork named consistently in terms of easy loading onto your phone (ie. Albumname - Track).

There is a VLC Player (http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2011/01/08/vlc-for-iphone-pulled-from-app-store-now-available-on-cydia/) for iOS which was available on the official store for a short while until it was pulled due to licensing issues. It's available on Cydia the 'unofficial' iOS app store.

Personally I use Handbrake (http://handbrake.fr/) to transcode my video to the iPhone native formats. Just because I prefer having everything in one place via iTunes.

I have an iPhone4 and love it. I can live with iTunes for syncing, and the app availability and quality is excellent. Jailbreaking your iPhone is also pretty easy these days and opens up additional possibilities. I haven't felt the need myself.

The Lifehacker always up to date guide to Jailbreaking your iPhone (http://lifehacker.com/#!5771943/the-always-up+to+date-guide-to-jailbreaking-your-ios-device)

lurcher

09-04-2011, 11:08

I have a Galaxy S with 2.2 on it. Very happy. No 2 Daughter has a Xperia X10, she is also very happy with that, No 2 Daughter has Xperia mini, same story.

I am a long time Linux user so my bias is clear.

Ali Tait

09-04-2011, 11:22

+1 for Android. I use an HTC Desire. I think it's a great bit of kit. Squeezecommander is great too, and there are now apps to play FLAC on the phone.

Stratmangler

09-04-2011, 11:25

+1 for Android. I use an HTC Desire. I think it's a great bit of kit. Squeezecommander is great too, and there are now apps to play FLAC on the phone.

I use Squeezecommander too, and it gets a thumbs up from me.:)

Mark Grant

09-04-2011, 11:34

Another +1 for Android.

I have the HTC Desire.

It's like the Mac v Windows PC debates :)

A flac player for android is andless

http://www.appbrain.com/app/andless/net.avs234

It's Free on the 'market' screen on an android phone.

If apple made a flac app would it be free ;)

Also consider a Desire HD
http://www.htc.com/uk/product/desirehd/domore.html

Maybe a bit large though, so see one in the flesh before ordering.

A flickr photo group with some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1575055@N22/
-

aquapiranha

09-04-2011, 11:36

I have Android on my SE X10 mini. I like it, plus I do not need more bloatware in the form of itunes, like a bloody virus it is :lol:

horace

09-04-2011, 14:36

s70rmp

09-04-2011, 15:02

you can tranfer applelosses to the iphone which I have done.
32gb phone.
awaiting iphone 5 mayube later in the year

Beechwoods

09-04-2011, 15:44

Thanks everyone - plenty of food for thought there.

Does 'jailbreaking' an Iphone free it from the shackles of Itunes and allow drag and drop?

Am I right in thinking that the process is easily reversible (thus negating any warranty concerns)?

Cheers

:)

Martin

Yes and yes... Jailbreaking does enable a whole load of functionality that the official OS doesn't. You can always restore the official firmware if you ever need to take it back to the shop, just make sure you've backed up / sync'd your data before you do :)

horace

09-04-2011, 21:14

Yes and yes... Jailbreaking does enable a whole load of functionality that the official OS doesn't. You can always restore the official firmware if you ever need to take it back to the shop, just make sure you've backed up / sync'd your data before you do :)

Thanks - that's encouraging.

Will do some googling,

Cheers

Martin

Vinyleyes

10-04-2011, 03:45

I did some googling on this ... there are loads of sites which promise to jailbreak and unlock the Iphone 4 ..... they want some money of course ! .. Has anyone ever used one of these sites and could give a recommendation.
I upgraded to Iphone aftre being long time Nokia user .. I am not enjoying the experience .. but I would like to unlock it and also do some "jailbreaking" to get the most out of it while I wait for my next update ...

Has anyone got the SamsungGalaxy Tab .. now that looks interesting! as does the big HTC ...
Thanks

Beechwoods

10-04-2011, 06:35

You don't need to pay anything... just follow the instructions here, assuming your machine is iOS 4.3.1 http://lifehacker.com/#!5771943/the-always-up+to+date-guide-to-jailbreaking-your-ios-device

The Vinyl Adventure

10-04-2011, 08:19

iPhone no play FLAC in any shape or form.
Just one of many reasons to hate the company of fruit based computing.
There might well be a hack for this issue, but you'd void your warranty installing it.

Tut tut tut - no void warranty here ...
Ive never felt the need to jailbreak mine ... I'm surprised there isn't a app to wipe your ass ... It does almost everything else!

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/1f714728.jpg

I personnally think the iPhone wins ... On build alone, the iPhone 4 is ahead of the competition ... Not to mention screen quality, easy of use, battery life, good(ish) camera ...
After recently having to fork out nearly 4x more for a mac laptop than the pc equivalent it almost pains me to say it ... But ime of them mac still have the upper hand in smart phones in terms of hardware ...
iPhone 5 in June too probably

WAD62

10-04-2011, 08:40

The Vinyl Adventure

10-04-2011, 08:47

Does anyone ever feel like they have been drawn haplessly by manufacturers into another X vs. X argument ... Ignore my previous comment ...
Go into a phone shop or 2 and buy an iPhone OR Htc desire based purely on which one you think is prettier ... That's about the only way to compare them, they probably do about the same stuff, with equal amounts of short falls!
You will get used to what you have in no time ... Then inevitably end up arguing for that side within a month or 2.

horace

10-04-2011, 08:54

Another vote for Android, but on an HTC, their additional sense interface makes a big difference...and the Desire is probably the best all round device. IMHO :)

Just put a 32Gb card on it, I can play FLAC via powerAMP, turn by turn navigation from google maps, auto sync with multiple gmail & other accounts, along with your gmail calendar, Google apps support, FLASH 10.1 support, SqueezeCommander for my SB network ...Oh and it's much cheaper than an Iphone ;)

Why would anyone choose apple? :lol:

Ironically, the Iphone 4 is actually less expensive with O2 at the moment - they offered me the iphone for free whereas the Desire or Galaxy S (on the same contract) both attract small up front charges. That would not have been the case a few months (or even weeks ago).

Hamish makes a good point - I may well end up[ deciding based on which phone feels best in the hand, as most of the features will go unused (eg how often will I actually connect my phone to my TV?).

OK, so which phone plays Angry Birds best? I'll just get that one :).

Cheers

Martin

WAD62

10-04-2011, 09:01

Ironically, the Iphone 4 is actually less expensive with O2 at the moment - they offered me the iphone for free whereas the Desire or Galaxy S (on the same contract) both attract small up front charges. That would not have been the case a few months (or even weeks ago).

Hamish makes a good point - I may well end up[ deciding based on which phone feels best in the hand, as most of the features will go unused (eg how often will I actually connect my phone to my TV?).

OK, so which phone plays Angry Birds best? I'll just get that one :).

Cheers

Martin

Get a cheap nokia then...and a nintendo DS for angry birds ;)

horace

10-04-2011, 09:12

Get a cheap nokia then...and a nintendo DS for angry birds ;)

Yeah, but can I connect a DS to my telly? I mean, I may never actually do it, but I'd hate to think I'd bought something that isn't capable of doing it anyway :eyebrows:.

Back to square one.

Here's a thought: Totally random, I know. You'll all think I've lost the plot when I tell you....

Why don't I just buy the phone that has the best call quality?

See? told you I was a loon.

Time for my medication.

:)

Martin.

Vinyleyes

10-04-2011, 09:45

You don't need to pay anything... just follow the instructions here, assuming your machine is iOS 4.3.1 http://lifehacker.com/#!5771943/the-always-up+to+date-guide-to-jailbreaking-your-ios-device

Nick .. It appears I am running 4.2.1 ,,, can you upgrade it anywhere. Also I do not see anywhere on that site how to UNLOCK the phone ... can anyone help ..
Cheers ...

Jac Hawk

10-04-2011, 11:06

Just to throw a spanner in the works chaps, the iphone 5 is apparantly going to be released at the end of the summer, maybe this is why the iphone 4 is such a good deal at the moment;)

Beechwoods

10-04-2011, 13:33

Does anyone ever feel like they have been drawn haplessly by manufacturers into another X vs. X argument ...

:lol: I know what you mean. No point knocking anything else when I'm happy with what I've got! Life's too short!

shane

10-04-2011, 14:06

I spend my days working for a well known fruit-themed mobile phone company, answering calls from people having problems with smartphones, and as far as I can work out, the rules are as follows:

1) If you want it mainly for email, get a Blackberry.

2) If you want a cool toy, get an iPhone.

3) If you detest dancing to Steve Job's tune, and want the freedom to have your phone do what you want it to without faffing about with iTunes, get an Android.

4) If you want the best Android phone (this week, at least) get an HTC Desire HD.

shane

10-04-2011, 14:19

OH yes

5) Avoid Windows 7 phones.

6) Nokia don't do smartphones. They just think they do.

7) Avoid anything that looks like a Blackberry but isn't.

These are my personal opinions, in case management is reading this!

shane

10-04-2011, 14:23

And finally

8) iPhone 5 is unlikely to be significantly different from iPhone 4 in any meaningful way.

Beechwoods

10-04-2011, 15:28

Biggest change looks likely to be a dual-core A5 processor, as per the iPad2 - twice as fast as the iPhone 4, and a faster GPU capable of 1080p... possibly a bigger - edge to edge, and 4" versus 3.5" - screen. I doubt it'll look much different at first glance though. Not like the 3GS > 4 redesign.

Thing Fish

10-04-2011, 18:25

I'm told the iPhone 5 will have a slightly bigger screen. Which will be nice.

I also heard it will have an OLED screen but have since heard it may not. Which isn't nice.

Hey ho...

shane

10-04-2011, 18:42

The other rumour going the rounds was that the SIM card will be built in, which would mean that it would not be possible for it to be locked to any particular network.

Due to vociferous complaints from the mobile industry and threats not to stock the phone, they seem to have backed down, but watch out on Ipad 3 when it comes along!