Seven ways PC World is wrong about the iPhone-Android matchup
Android's new features in the upcoming version 2.2 (aka "Froyo," announced this week at Google I/O) are certainly intriguing, but some sections of the press have gone off the deep end in their analysis of what this means for the iPhone and the smartphone market in general. PC World's piece, "7 Ways Android 2.2 Froyo Tops Apple's iPhone," is a perfect example of this phenomenon, and it reads like it was written by someone who's never even held an iPhone. All seven of their points are easily debunked, even leaving aside the fact that they're comparing today's iPhone with the as-yet-unbuyable Froyo phones of tomorrow.
Read on to find out why -- and bring marshmallows.
1. Tethering
PC World's take: "Want to use your phone as a broadband modem for your computer? With Android 2.2 you can do it. With the iPhone you can't."
Oh really?
Android fans are parading this tethering option in Froyo around like it's something totally innovative; it's not. And don't kid yourselves -- carriers aren't going to give away Android tethering for free on US carriers any more than they do for any other phone. The excuses will be the same as they are for the iPhone: "Our network just can't handle that many users at once, so we're (not enabling tethering for Android / charging an arm and a leg for tethering with Android)."
2. It turns your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot
I can do essentially the same thing with my iPhone right now via internet tethering (again, this isn't possible in the US without workarounds, but that's not the same as saying you can't do it at all). Tether your iPhone to a Mac via Bluetooth (thus meeting PC World's "no USB cables" requirement) and turn on Internet Sharing in System Preferences. Now multiple Macs (or Wi-Fi only iPads) can piggyback off the tethered Mac's connection to the iPhone. I did this during a lengthy vacation last summer, and it allowed my wife and I to both use our Macs to get on the internet even in fairly remote parts of New Zealand.
The only advantage the Android setup confers is that you don't need to use a Mac or other PC as an intermediary, but the only time that would come in handy is if you're not using any Macs or PCs at all in your setup, only an iPhone and iPad. In that case, the better option is to just get an iPad 3G and not worry about setting up Wi-Fi hotspots with your phone -- the data plan for the iPad 3G is going to be cheaper than any Android plan.
3. It plays Flash
First off, according to our own informal polling, a plurality of iPhone OS users consider the lack of Flash support a feature rather than a hindrance. 27% of people we polled said they were outright glad the iPad doesn't have Flash support; another 21% didn't care if it had Flash or not. Only 10% of poll respondents said they weren't buying an iPad specifically because of its lack of Flash support.
Second, reports of Flash support on Android are mixed. Many reviewers have said the playback stutters on even moderately demanding video content, crashes fairly often, and the handset gets "piping hot" and takes a significant hit to battery life after only half an hour of use. Hmm, sounds familiar... almost as if someone laid out a logical argument against including Flash on the iPhone for precisely those reasons.
Reviewers have been careful to note that the version of Flash running on Android is only in beta, with no support for hardware acceleration. Note that this is as far as Adobe's been able to come with Flash on Android despite 100% access to the platform and 100% co-operation with Google in its implementation after plenty of time to work on it. And once Google's got Flash's big boulder chained to their foot, good luck to them when they try to update Android without having Adobe constantly in their business.
PC World's claim that Android's Flash support gives Android users access to "far more content" than the iPhone is particularly amusing -- many sites (such as Hulu) don't work on Android either, even with Flash support. Other content providers, like ABC and CBS, are either switching their sites to iPad/iPhone-friendly HTML5 or building dedicated viewer apps for the iPhone OS.
Flash is a sinking ship; if your OS's main point of differentiation from iPhone OS has nothing to do with your own tools, then bon chance, mon ami.
4. It has open apps
PC World's take: "On the iPhone you can only download apps that Apple wants to let you download."
Yes: which means those apps are guaranteed to run on your iPhone without any need to configure your phone to work with them, or worry about your phone being bricked by tremendously poor code. It also means the apps are vetted by Apple, which means zero chance of malware disguised as a "Bikini Girls" app being loaded on your phone.
"On Android, you can download any app you want," PC World says. Guess what? I can on my iPhone, too. With over 200,000 apps on the App Store, I have yet to run into a situation where I said, "I wish there was an app that does (x)" without being able to find one. Maybe I'm not as demanding or discerning as the average Android user, but nevertheless, I've got nearly a hundred apps on my iPhone that enable it to do almost anything I can think of.
I have yet to hear any "open" evangelist tell me what advantage an "open" platform like Android gives a user like me. For developers it's undoubtedly a better deal, but what can the average user (read: non-geek) get from an open architecture that they can't get from the App Store (besides stability and security risks)?
5. It multitasks
This one is just flat-out dumb. "Want to run multiple apps simultaneously on an Android phone? Sure. Go crazy," PC World says. "Want to do it on an iPhone? Sorry, you can't do it."
Oh really (again)?
6. It has better browsers
PC World's take: "Android's built-in browser is excellent, but if you don't like it, you can always use another one, such as Opera, and eventually Firefox." Eventually Firefox. Just like Flash will eventually run on Android crash-free, with hardware acceleration, and without sucking the life out of the battery. Or Android will eventually have free(*) internet tethering. (*Free only outside the US.) Or Android will eventually disarm nuclear suitcase bombs with its handsets' dedicated "MacGruber" buttons. Normal people don't buy into platforms based on what they can eventually do. They buy into what can be done today, or at the very most, what you can prove the platform will do tomorrow -- not the day after tomorrow, and not eventually.
PC World's assertion that the only web browsers available for the iPhone are Safari and Opera is also incorrect. There are many alternative browsers available in the App Store other than Opera. True, all of them are based on WebKit like Safari, but that doesn't mean they don't count.
7. It gives more carrier choice
Again with the US-centric perspective. The iPhone I have sitting next to me here in New Zealand is unlocked and available for use on any GSM carrier in the world (except, ironically, AT&T, because of their lame carrier restrictions). My iPhone came completely unlocked out of the box. Again, just because that's not the state of affairs in the US thanks to AT&T doesn't mean that the iPhone is somehow artificially limited while Android is not.
Let's also not pretend that Apple loves AT&T so much that they could never, ever see themselves going with another US carrier like Verizon. In fact, as of June 1 AT&T will raise its early termination fees for smartphone users from $175 to $325. The timing certainly seems a little too coincidental; the next iPhone is almost certain to come out in June or July, and industry rumors point to a fall release for a Verizon iPhone. (Yes, I realize this makes me just as guilty of PC World of using an "eventually" argument, but nobody's perfect.)
Listen, I'm glad Android exists. I'm not going to switch to the platform, because the iPhone already does everything I need a smartphone to do, with far simpler and more pervasive integration with my Mac. But even though I may spurn Google's platform, I'm glad it's around, because it'll certainly be a kick in the pants to drive innovation in the iPhone OS.
On the other hand, let's please stop pretending, like PC World and other sources of breathless punditry, that Android's new features mean the iPhone is going to follow the Atari version of E.T. en masse into New Mexico landfills. Despite the innovation Android's exhibited in Froyo, which I'll admit is impressive, the "worst" that's going to happen is the two platforms will exist side-by-side, with each platform spurring innovation in the other. Android is not the "iPhone killer" -- if anything, Android's existence only ensures that the iPhone OS will continue to get even better than it already is.
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Android's new features in the upcoming version 2.2 (aka "Froyo," announced this week at Google I/O) are certainly intriguing, but some...
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Poorly written, US-centric, and a flat-out boring read. C-.
June 01 2010 at 4:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI don't know if this has been posted yet, but I just have to say it...
Android has free tethering RIGHT NOW, and has had it for a LONG TIME. PDAnet is totally free, available in the app store, and installs on any Android device. No rooting, no hacks, nothing. Just install it, and you can tether for free.
What Froyo is adding is the ability to turn your device into a wireless hotspot- for free. Meaning, your phone turns into a WiFi router and 5 devices can connect to it.
If you wanted to pay for that, you don;t have to wait for Froyo. The HTC Evo has a built in hotspot app that allows 8 devices to be connected to it over WiFi- and this device is not running Froyo.
As far as Flash goes- Android has Flash Lite RIGHT NOW, and has had it for a LONG TIME. This allows Flash websites to be displayed in the browser just like your desktop computer. What Froyo is adding is the full version of Flash 10.1 (which includes controls not available in Flash Lite, among other things). So Flash support is not something people are waiting for at some point in the future- Android devices have already had it for a LONG TIME. Froyo is just adding much better Flash support. Also, you can turn Flash off in Android if you don't like it.
As for browsers- there are PLENTY of browsers on Android. yes, Firefox is "in the future" but there is the native Android browser, Opera, Dolphin, and Skyfire right now. Incidentally, Skyfire plays Hulu...
As for multitasking, android has been doing it for a LONG TIME, and it is much better implemented than the fake multitasking Apple is planning "in the future."
I find it funny that there is not one feature on the iPhone that andoid users are looking forward to getting "in the future" yet here is an obvious iPhone fanboy talking about what they will have "in the future" (multitasking, tethering, etc.)
Do yourself a favor and try a modern Android device. That should have been a requirement before you wrote this article.
lol you guys are such apple fanboys...
Android has so much "innovation" you just couldn't handle it, you call your phone a smartphone, but really it's just a nice feature phone. android has widgets... does the iPhone? nope...
android has true multitasking, where apps run even while others run, not going to pause mode, does the iPhone? no, nor does 4.0 do this, it pauses the other apps.
you say eventually is a bad thing to have but guess what... HTML5 will.... wait for it.... EVENTUALLY be the standard, but NOW it's flash, and it works on android, i can play flash games and guess what... HULU does work on 2.2 thank you sir.
can you install apps not on the market? no! android can, and don't say that is bad because guess what... YOU DON'T HAVE TO!
do you get options with android? yes! there are something like 60 different android phones! keyboards, no keyboards, budget phones, high end phones, big screens, small screens, AMOLED, SAMOLED, TFT LCD, what's wrong with choice? i know you apple lovers like to let Jobs pick things for you and not let you decide what you want but the rest of the world that likes to think for itself would prefer choice.
you can't even change the background or pick the location of where your app buttons go! how fuking sad is that!!!!! LMAO every freakin iphone in existence looks the same software wise, it's pathetic, sorry but i'm not into being a sheep :/
and if you have to jailbreak to get this doesn't that kind of say that the OEM DOESN'T want you to do this else they would have allowed it... they WANT you all to be the same and be a cult like you are, your brainwashed, it's really sad.
you say there are apps for everything you need... realllly? you must like all the 250 fart apps on the market... how about the mirror ones that just turn off your screen and use your reflection that you have to pay $.99 for? lmao who does that! you have some big developer companies making good apps, the rest are crap. on android apps are cheaper to make, have more options, now they utilize JIT so they are CRAZY fast... its all great for the consumer like me.
iPhone is on ONE carrier in the states... ONE, android is on EVERY SINGLE ONE! now people actually get to choose what they want... avoiding some crappy prices from ATT while at it.
CHOICE is good, there is NOTHING wrong with choice, everything you've written is typical apple fanboi fashion... you want ONE thing... for example your discussion of flash... you say it's better to NOT have flash then to have the option to turn it ON and OFF like you can on android...??? WTF is wrong with you?!?! everything you stated is easily debunked... more so than you claim the PCworld review can be debunked...
i feel quiet bad for you i really do... take a look around, look at the phone in your hand... it is the exact same as everyone else that has one... how fun is that?!?!?! i don't want to be like everyone else... i want options, options are good, with apple you get ZERO options, none, nada, zilch... i honestly don't get how in the world you think that is cool?!?
you said that article looked like it was written by someone who had never touched an iphone, well this is worse, this looked like it was written by someone who hasn't even HEARD of android... opens your eyes to the world my friend, get out of your little box and embrace change, opurtunity, free will, and choice, because THOSE are the things that make this world great!
good day sir!
You can totally fit more angels on a Android phone than an iPhone.
May 27 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt does irk me that Android is so often seen as anti-Apple, and not based on its own merits. The iPhone is an excellent device, with an excellent ecosystem built around it. But it requires iTunes, and you can't even install your own apps. Android is just as good, with the flexibility that you'd expect from an open-ecosystem OS. But it's still premature and lacks many solid features.
Both have their own pros and cons. It's up to the user to decide. If I want an Audi, I get an Audi. If I want a BMW, I get a BMW. I don't see the problem here.
All the venom towards Apple is simply amazing. It isn't about fanboy-ism it is about technology.
The whole idea behind the iPhone and it's marketing is brilliant. iPhones rock so get over it. They have since they first came out and will continue to for a long time. Stop your constant whining. They move things forward. Your supposed to be technology enthusiasts not close minded bigots. Enjoy the technology. If it isn't your cup of tea then drink coffee. Get an Android. Enjoy the fact we have stuff like Androids and iPhones and iPads,etc,etc.
Just stop the constant whining...
Just sitting here, wifi hotspot active, using froyo, not paying a penny more to T-Mobile, using flash if I want to, turning it off when I don't. Reading the NYTimes like it should be, watching youtube vid links in my browsers RSS reader.
So far the world hasn't come to an end due to using any of these great features.
the last time i checked, the name of this site stands for "The Unofficial Apple Weblog". that means it is a web log, AKA a "blog". this is a BLOG written by people who know and like and use Apple products. this is not a news site. it does not have to be "Fair and Balanced". it does not have to use the Fairness Doctrine. it does not have to present both sides of an argument. it does not have to be unbiased.
a blog = an opinion site, very similar to editorials, which are Opinions. if you do not like the opinions on this particular web log, then why are you reading it? if you hate apple and/or its products and/or its philosophy, then again i ask, why are you here? and if you detect a bit of "pro-Apple bias" on this site, it is probably because the people who write for this site (a site with Apple in its title), LIKE APPLE PRODUCTS. you may find that shocking, i know, that an apple weblog written by people who like and use apple products may have some love for apple. if you sense some bias, that is probably because it does exist. again tuaw.com is a blog, an opinion site, not a news site.
i like apple products. i use apple products. does that mean that i eschew all non-apple products? no. (i am writing this on a PC, not a Mac). does that mean apple is perfect? no. does it mean that apple can do no wrong, and every thing that Steve Jobs speaks is Law? no. does it mean i like every single thing about apple and its products? no, it does not. does the fact that i love my iPhone mean that Android sucks? no. in fact, i think 2.2 (Froyo) is freakin sweet, and if iphone didn't exist, i would be all over an HTC Evo with Android 2.2. (aside: Evo is not released yet, i know)
the irony is that if iphone didnt exist, neither would android and neither would phones like the droid, the incredible, or the evo.
p.s. i love the browser speed comparisons between this year's (2010) HTC phone with a brand new OS (froyo), versus last year's (2009) iphone with last year's (2009) iphone OS. which the 2009 iphone wins. LOL. you can see the video on gizmodo or pocketnow.com.
It's "Bonne chance" and not "bon chance" BTW
May 25 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYes it sounds like this site has a bias. It's as if it's some sort of unofficial apple weblog. Froyo can be hot stuff on other websites, but I do believe it's ok for an apple-flavored website to side with apple products and software.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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