Five Ways Google Android Phones Beat Apple iPhones
March 4, 2010 2:16 PM (Thursday)
Author: andrew
The app store deck is stacked heavily in the iPhone’s favor to the tune of 150,000 iPhone apps to Android's 20,000 but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things Android has over the iPhone, especially the fast and high resolution Nexus One. Here are some things we think Android has over the iPhone. Feel free to share your opinions and tell us about Android features and applications that make those smartphones look better than iPhones. 1. Better Twitter Apps
There is no shortage of Twitter apps for computers and smartphones but a recently launched version of Seesmic for Android and BlackBerry phones has been getting glowing reviews from everyone who tries it. It supports multiple accounts, has a built in spellchecker and a slick interface that makes it easy and fun to use. Other highly rated Twitter apps on Android you might want to check out are Twidroid Pro and Tweetcaster which have also received good reviews.
2. Great Google Apps like Google Voice and Google Maps The competition has heated up between Apple and Google so we don't expect to see a lot of support for Google apps on iPhones like these apps which look particularly great on the new Nexus One.
Google Navigation
Google Navigation is based on Google Maps and is free on Android phones. It offers turn by turn navigation and looks very good on the higher resolution screen and zippier processor of the Nexus One. Google Sky Map on the Nexus One is also very cool. Google Voice Even though it's available on some Android phones by invitation only (Nexus One buyers get an account with their phone), it's not available at all on iPhones. Not only can you save a lot of money on international calls but Google Voice offers many cool features like message transcriptions. Check out this one minute video:
More from Google Labs We didn't even mention Google Goggles that adds information about what the phone's camera sees. We suspect we'll see more cool stuff like language translators and other Android apps emerge from Google Labs.
3. Cool Home Screen Apps Like Slidescreen
No question, the iPhone OS is fun and doesn’t interfere with getting things done but you have to admit paging around all those apps can be a drag. With this very cool new Slidescreen app, you not only get a directory of apps but lots of very accessible info about everything going on with your phone.
4. Apps That Turn Your Phone into a WiFi Hot Spot Yes, we know you can tether an iPhone to a 3G phone as long as you're willing to jailbreak your iPhone but with apps like PdaNet you can use your 3G connection to get online for free (PdaNet also sells a version to access secure sites) via USB or Bluetooth. Here's a video on how to set up PdaNet on the Motorola Droid:
5. Cool and Fun Apps Yes, we love all the fun apps available on the iPhone and have written about many of them but that doesn't mean we're not impressed with some of the cool apps available for Android.
Recognizr
This augmented reality app from the Swedish company, Polar Rose uses their mobile face recognition library from FaceLib to turn your Nexus One into a Cyborg.
Ringoid Ringoid is an app that lets you create your own ringtones from all kinds of sound files. It's simple to use with a "record" button that lets you save recordings and turn them into ringtones.
More Cool Apps Here's a roundup of some "essential" Nexus One Apps including some we've mentioned:
Retrevo Speaks Android Whether you're shopping for your next smartphone or checking out the latest HDTVs don't forget Retrevo has reviews and manuals for all the latest gadgets and gear including laptops, cameras, HDTV and more.
I love the potential for some of the apps that you show at the bottom, but the article was a real stinker at the start. So, assuming that Google's own fun runs its own apps better than Apple's phone does, are we to assume that Google's android phone really stinks for its inability to run Safari, iTunes, and otehr Apple apps? At least compare apples to apples here (no pun intended)! How does Google's Android phone compare to other people's Android phones, for instance? Since you're soo keen on only one companies' phone versus another, I'll give you one way in which it is dramatically inferior - SALES! So make up your minds. Are you comparing Google's phones with Apple's? If you are, you've got a tough row to hoe in order to be fair to either company. I'll bet Windows 7 doesn't run Android apps all too well, either.... Are you comparing the Android OS to the iPhone OS? You might have something there.
Do you get a kickback from Google, or are you really just an Apple bigot? Before you get your panties in a bunch, I do have an iPhone, but also use a Mac, a laptop with (gasp! Windows Vista!) and my main computer, running Ubuntu 10.04 Alpha... so I'm not out to slam on anyone- I'm just saying that as cool as what you've shown here is, I think that your personal opinion was more evident than any facts were.
Here's a question for Retrevo. I want a backlighted screen for a
e-reader, so I can read w/o external light & I want to carry it in
my pocket. I currently use my Palm T/X, which is very good, but I also
have to carry a phone. If a phone had a good e-reader app, however, plus
calendar, to-do, etc - I could ditch one of my gadgets. I have never
seen a review of any phone - Android, IPhone or other - which rates it
as an e-reader (clarity, ease, battery time, wi-fi access, etc) and as a
replacement for a PDA. Let me know when you do one
I have a G1 Android, which I bought outright, and are currently using it on Optus 3G with no dramas. Very happy with the result. Better coverage in fringe areas then others who are currently using Blackberry curves. Signal is on par with collegues iPhone.
But G1 will NOT work with Telstra NextG!!
(As far as I am aware, there are no Android phones capable of 850mhz???????)
C'mon, really? It's a good idea to show some of the cool capabilities of the new Google Android phones. But to pitch it as ways they beat the iPhone is a bit much! You don't list apps that "beat" the iPhone, only apps that compare to iPhone apps (and some of them don't even do that too well).
Steven, let me guess, you own an iPhone, right? I have to say I don't agree with you. Show me an app that customizes the "home" screen of an iPhone. Show me tethering on a non-jailbreak iPhone, show me google voice on an iPhone. Show me seesmic on an iPhone.
@andrew iphones is thethering just fine here in Denmark with mobile operators Telia and 3. So it can hardly be a phone issue, but rather operator related.
This is a great comparison article. The Nexus1 is a major competitor to the iPhone and I would be willing to cross over if one thing is there : Flash. I need access to Flash media on the internet which the iPhone OS does not support. If the Android OS has it, I'm there in a millisecond. Really. That is the only frustration I have with the iPhone and I will dump it for the competitor that has it.
I love how people come out of the woodwork. I'm a long-time Apple fan, I owned more Macs than I can count. However, I own an Android phone, and I made that decision for a few reasons. Five of them are above. Open source apps is another. AT&T and its lack of, how shall I put it, ability to work in the NY Metro Area without dropping all my calls is another. But I would like to point out that the iPhone has its merits as well. So for all you iPhone vs. Android people out there, don't make this a Mac vs. PC thing...they both do what they do, and they do it well. It's a personal choice based on needs and wants, plain and simple. Can't we all just get along??
Do you really believe that google phones can beat apple? first of all the presentation done on You tube please I am not sure or my be you just winding people up. As always there are people with bad taste I won't have an android for free, I will pay any price for apple
The app store deck is stacked heavily in the iPhone’s favor to the tune of 150,000 iPhone apps to Android's 20,000 but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things Android has over the iPhone, especially the fast and high resolution Nexus One. Here are some things we think Android has over the iPhone. Feel free to share your opinions and tell us about Android features and applications that make those smartphones look better than iPhones.
