The first time I saw an iPhone in person was on a flight from Phoenix to Dallas in 2007. The guy sitting next to me had just gotten one and he was eager to show it off. The design was so cool. I couldn’t believe how big and bright the screen was. We watched a movie on it and I couldn’t avert my eyes. It was, by far, the coolest piece of technology I had ever seen. Within days of that flight, I had bought one for myself, and I have owned an iPhone ever since.
I looked on with amusement when the Android phones came along. As I bought each new generation of iPhone, countless new Android handsets would appear on display at the phone store. Copycats – how cute. When I added an iPad to my arsenal, I certainly felt as though Apple had achieved technological superiority, the likes of which Google could never match with Android. Better OS, better hardware, better app store. As my clients have approached me for advice, I have always been confident in my iPhone recommendation. Until lately…
I’ve noticed that Android screens are getting bigger and bigger. Android apps seem more plentiful. iPhones are getting mocked in TV commercials. Enough is enough! I can live in ignorance no longer.
A Little Background
I’ve been a Mac user for most of my life. Call it an occupational hazard of doing graphics work for a printing company while in school. I’ve always appreciated the attention to design, the ease of use, and the thought and care that go into each Apple product. They’ve just always seemed better to me.
These days, I own an IT support company. We make our living helping our clients with their Windows networks. I help business owners make technology decisions everyday about how to best run their businesses.
Most of my clients have iPads. Many use iPhones. A few use Macs. Most use PCs. I move in and out of the Apple world regularly. But, I’ve never had any real experience with the Android platform. I’ve played with a friend’s Android phone and I’ve looked at the handsets at the store. To be honest, my initial impression was that Android is a very confusing platform full of widgets, apps, and contacts all swirled together on a disorganized collection of screens. A neat grid of little square icons just makes more sense to me. But I digress… The point is, I can admit to having a blind-spot regarding Android, and I’ve decided to do something about it.
The 30 Day Experiment
The concept is simple enough – what would it be like for a business owner and iPhone user to make the switch to Android for 30 days? What would be missed? What would be better? I decided to take the challenge. Apple’s carefully constructed iOS universe has often been referred to as a “walled garden.” For years, I’ve comfortably existed inside those walls. It’s time to venture outside and see how the other side lives. Starting today, I’ve turned off my iPhone in favor of a Samsung Galaxy SII Android phone. This is my story.
I’m jumping in with both feet. Total immersion. Cold turkey. Over the next 30 days, I’ll write about the experience from a number of perspectives; from the conversion experience to media and entertainment. I’ll try to cover it all. My goal is not to declare a winner. The iPhone vs. Android debate will rage on. But, I hope to gain an appreciation for the Android platform, and to understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
An experiment like this is not easy to pull off – at least not without buying a very expensive Android smartphone that I may not ultimately like or need. I couldn’t do it without the help and cooperation of AT&T, who has been great to work with. When I first walked into the AT&T store and told them what I was trying to do, I was met with some blank stares. But, I ultimately got connected with the right people, and they set me up with the Galaxy SII Skyrocket. So far, it seems to be a great phone. I’ll take a look at the hardware in-depth in Part 2. Stay tuned.
Read More – Part 2
Follow Andy’s 30 day Android experiment on Twitter: #androidfor30
