OT-Smart phone/tablet help

[OburgCuse]

I posted this on the off-topic forum, but I wasn't sure how much traffic it gets over there so thought I'd post it here too. It will prob get buried in the Fine mess or if mods want to take it off of here no prob.

Ok so I'm upgrading my original Droid now and may also be in the market for a tablet around Christmas time. I'm not a very techy person so I'd appreciate any help/suggestions from others who may have similar uses.

Phone- My service is through Verizon so the options that I'm looking at are the Iphone 4s, Droid Bionic, Droid Razr, Samsung Stratosphere, Revolution by LG among others. Primary uses will be internet browsing when out and about and streaming pandora at work. Possibly streaming some video from time to time if phone is capable, but won't be a huge deal.

I was interested in trying the I-phone out, but a little hesitant because some of the others seem to have better specs (3g vs 4g, screen size, etc). I also believe you can't get flash with the iphone and I'm assuming that will greatly limit a lot of the video streaming possibilities. Do videos on espn360 or orange all-access video or audio work on i-phone or do the videos require flash? My tech savy friends are very pro-android but I'm interested to hear other's opinions here. Pretty much everyone that I talk to that has I-phone love them so I'm sure you really can't go wrong either way.

Tablet- I've just started to do a little research on tablets and still have a lot to learn. It will be primarily used by me for internet browsing, streaming video, maybe movies. Our laptop is kinda big and bulky so looking for something else that's a little more portable and easy to use if just lounging around on couch, etc. but is bigger and easier to view than strictly phone. Video would be important for the tablet though.

Some options include ipad2, samsung galaxy, HP touchpad, among others. Does the ipad2 have flash? Are people able to watch games on espn360 on it? I will pretty much only be using it at home or in places where wireless is available so I don't think it will be necessary to get the data plan network. Another factor that may matter some is the external storage options that some of the windows or android options have. I would prob get the 16gb Ipad2 if I got it and I'm aware that they don't have memory cards or flash drives. This would limit movie watching (not a huge deal) whereas the others have memory cards where I could store some movies and replace if necessary. I'd be interested in hearing other's experiences with tablets. Thanks and appreciate the responses.

 

[Cusefan95]

IPad doesn't have flash, but you can download the ESPN app and link to your cable/sat account to watch the ESPN channels you have, including ESPN3.
Your tech-savvy friends may prefer android, but I think not techy people prefer iPhones over droids - just tend to be simpler to figure out.

 

[Jeepers]

Not much help, but my gf got the HP touchpad for $99. I think they were about to stop making them, but the killer price cuts resurrected it. Edit: For only $99, I definitely like it.

Personally, I'd get an iPad. There comes a point where things just become the market leader. So even if another device is better across the board, the leader just has too many developers making stuff for it (apps, etc). Also, you should always go here before buying any Mac products. http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

 

[thebigeast44]

The 4 main Android phones that will be out soon are: Galaxy Nexus, Droid 4, Droid Razr and the HTC Rezound. The last 2 are already out and the other 2 may be out on 12/08. All are 4G phones. The iPhone 4s is not and for that reason and the smaller screen, I would stick with Android on Verizon. Only the Nexus will be Android 4.0 at the start, although the others should hopefully receive it early in 2012. I'd go to the Verizon store once the Nexus and Droid 4 are out and give them all a trial run. Can't go wrong with any of them.

As for the tablet, the iPad2 is the best. However, it does not do flash. Not sure if it can access ESPN360. There will be Android tablets to challenge it in the future. And Windows 8 tablets will be out later next year. But for now, the iPad2 is the unquestioned king imho.

 

[Cusee44]

I'm personally waiting for Galaxy Nexus and have been for weeks. It's the first Android phone with the newest OS and it's a Google phone, meaning that you'll get any and all Android updates as soon as they become available. If you don't mind the size of the phone (ie. big screen size), Galaxy Nexus is the way to go.

If you want to keep things simple and blend in with the crowd (not trying to suggest that this is a bad thing at all), feel free to get the IPhone. As you said, you're not very techy so an Iphone may be enough for you.

 

[Toga]

I'll forward to my son who is a Verizon sales rep

 

[44cuse]

Just left Droid on Verizon (worst phone I have ever had). Switched to iPhone 4S and it is arguably the best device I have ever had. I am a heavy user...unlimited minutes and (formerly) data as I am on my phone all the time. I cannot say how much I absolute hated my Droid. It was awful.

As far as tablets go...IMO, there is only one: iPad.

44cuse

 

[Czar]

Wait for the Nexus.

 

[orangejunkie]

My two sons both have I-Phones and think they are great. They've shown me some of the features and they are impressive. They have had absolutely no complaints. Go for the gold standard. I believe the useage fees are the same so I don't see a downside. I have to say, while my kids don't have other Mac products, I do and am very happy with them. I own an I-Pad and they are terrific. Also, I just bought a SONOS high fidelity speaker/internet system for them. The interface is seamless. I can play my CD's that have been digitized in my Mac on the speakers. Also, internet radio is terrific...

 

[HeaterCuse22]

iphone and ipad are best options. droid razr and surprisingly the acer iconia with droid os is great as well.​

 

[SourShoes]

You all realize that Adobe themselves have killed off flash correct? The company that created it has abandoned it as being not viable and has embraced HTML 5. Flash is awful on andriod phones and tablets. Apple was correct in their stand against it.

If you want an iPad 3 wait til jan/feb when the iPad is rumored to be released (or graba 2 now they are great!) and the iPhone 4s is the cat's meow. Best devise ive ever owned

Whatever you do, do not be fooled by fancy hardware specs. Wheat all other companies forget is the quality of software and how tightly it is integrated into the device. They are all years behind Apple.

 

[upperdeck]

adobe didnt kill flash.. they stopped with future enhancements to flash mobile products.. most sites dont work well on small devices anyway whether its html5 or flash really didnt matter.

 

[brandokc]

I would go with the Galaxy Nexus and the ASUS Transformer Prime. Actually you might even look at a Kindle Fire.

Sent from my Evo Shift via tapatalk

 

[qdawgg]

I'll offer a little different opinion so that you have something to think about. My wife and I have had about 6 mac computers in the last 12 years - the last 3 have been labtops, so we obviously like our mac's. For christmas last year my father-in-law bought her a Ipad and she goes months without using it.

2 main reasons that it's not useful for her. She likes to go out on the back deck and watch something or read a book, she can't do this with the Ipad because of the glare. At least at our house she can't - others might have different experiences. It's also a little heavy and bulky to sit with unless you have the right accessory that will prop the Ipad up - if that makes sense. For my wife she likes to sit in a reclining seat on the deck so she is forced to hold on to it while she tries to read and it gets a little tiring.

Just trying to offer a differing opinion based on experience. I think it really comes down to how you are going to use it most of the time. If you are going to use it at work and buy an accessory where you can "stand" the ipad up then it should be fine. I know many people who use their Ipad all the time but I know quite a few people who have bought one and never use it.

 

[themorey]

If you purchase content from Apple iTunes then go with iPhone and iPad.

If you just want to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, etc then go with a cheap Android tablet. I have the Motorola Xoom and Kindle Fire. The Fire is nice for watching videos or if you want to purchase content from Amazon and store it on their cloud service. Otherwise I prefer the full tablet experience that the Xoom provides. The Operating System on the Xoom is behind the iPad but I suspect that will be much improved when Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich) is available to it in the next few months.

If you want 4G now then go with an Android phone, probably the Galaxy Nexus if it ever comes out. Don't buy the iPhone4S now unless you don't mind going 2 years before upgrading to 4G or paying an early termination fee.

 

[Jeepers]

Good point, qdawgg. I almost prefer my laptop over a tablet because at least you can prop it up on your legs. The tablets are at that weird size that you can't really prop them, but you also can't just hold it over your head like a newspaper.

I work on iPad/Nook/Fire stuff, and still don't personally own a tablet. Never bought one 'cause I know I'll never use it. The only thing I'd personally want one for is to have a big fancy "remote control" for my entertainment system.

Also (just my opinion) Mac apps, for the most part, are a gimmick. You'll have a ton of fun for a couple of weeks and then just end up using the basic features of your phone/ipad. All I'm saying is, if you can't picture yourself using lots of apps, don't feel like you have to go Mac.

 

[Orangemen]

Good point, qdawgg. I almost prefer my laptop over a tablet because at least you can prop it up on your legs. The tablets are at that weird size that you can't really prop them, but you also can't just hold it over your head like a newspaper.

I work on iPad/Nook/Fire stuff, and still don't personally own a tablet. Never bought one 'cause I know I'll never use it. The only thing I'd personally want one for is to have a big fancy "remote control" for my entertainment system.

Also (just my opinion) Mac apps, for the most part, are a gimmick. You'll have a ton of fun for a couple of weeks and then just end up using the basic features of your phone/ipad. All I'm saying is, if you can't picture yourself using lots of apps, don't feel like you have to go Mac.

Don't own a tablet, but have Iphones for a few years. I agree that for the most part, the apps are gimmicks. I'll down load them, and use them for a while, but in time they all fade out. 90% of the time I use the web, and the rest is split between email or texting, and of course phone calls.

 

[OburgCuse]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Obviously lots of differing opinions based on preferences and uses.

 

[qdawgg]

Good point, qdawgg. I almost prefer my laptop over a tablet because at least you can prop it up on your legs. The tablets are at that weird size that you can't really prop them, but you also can't just hold it over your head like a newspaper.

We do the exact same thing with our labtop, which is why the Ipad is never used

 

[SourShoes]

adobe didnt kill flash.. they stopped with future enhancements to flash mobile products.. most sites dont work well on small devices anyway whether its html5 or flash really didnt matter.

That stopped further support for flash = Killed it

 

[upperdeck]

no they stopped support for mobile products.. so phones will only get the next version and then it will end.. which means the phones coming out 1 year from now will either support the 4.0 version or none at all..

 

[orangecuse]

If you purchase content from Apple iTunes then go with iPhone and iPad.

If you just want to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, etc then go with a cheap Android tablet. I have the Motorola Xoom and Kindle Fire. The Fire is nice for watching videos or if you want to purchase content from Amazon and store it on their cloud service. Otherwise I prefer the full tablet experience that the Xoom provides. The Operating System on the Xoom is behind the iPad but I suspect that will be much improved when Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich) is available to it in the next few months.

If you want 4G now then go with an Android phone, probably the Galaxy Nexus if it ever comes out. Don't buy the iPhone4S now unless you don't mind going 2 years before upgrading to 4G or paying an early termination fee.

Looking at new phones myself. Was leaning towards iphone 4S, but should I wait for the iphone5? Will that be 4G and when is that do to come out? Thanks.

 

[Jeepers]

orangecuse, see my macrumors link above. That site has a status for each mac product and when and when not to buy. My guess is iPhone5 is quite aways away, so unless you're in no rush I'd just buy a 4s.

 

[thecuseman]

We do the exact same thing with our labtop, which is why the Ipad is never used

I agree with the others. The IPad2 is pretty cool, but the lack of flash sucks. Plus, it's awkward as an e-reader because of the weight and glare. Most apps don't get used and it's tough to use it to watch movies, etc. I think it's highly overrated (although I'm using right now to reply). Now, if you travel a lot, then I'd get one.

 

[SyracuseFan]

IMO

Apple has nice fit and finish but your not buying luxury furniture your buying technology and you better buy newer if you want it to remain relevant. Apples software is quick and polished but the new droid software will be the future. Always choose open source, always have the ability to watch flash until its gone in 3 years. Droid phones with keyboard docks and the below tablet is the future and now.

I use a xoom with work and it is a nice machine that will get better with the update.

Best Tablet and Most impressive technology out there.
Asus Transformer Prime scores positive reviews, arriving December 19

quick glance
Initial thoughts
Dock to go

There is an older cheaper dual core version as well. also check out their sliders, very nice.

Other options for tablets... (pricing is 20 days old) find deals at www.slickdeals.net:
Archos 101 G9 8GB 10.1" Multitouch Screen Android Tablet
bad viewing angles but nice prices
http://www.jr.com/archos/pe/AHS_501889/
$349.00
http://www.amazon.com/ARCHOS-101-In...W5QO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1321300938&sr=8-5
----
Toshiba Thrive 10.1-Inch 16 GB Android Tablet AT105-T1016
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Thrive-10-1-Inch-Android-AT105-T1016/dp/B0052P6DQI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
$355.55
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Galaxy Tab
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-10-1-Inch-16GB-Wi-Fi/dp/tech-data/B00519RW1U
$489.79
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-10-1-Inch-32GB-Wi-Fi/dp/B00519RWI8
$579.75
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Acer Iconia Tab A500-10S16u NVIDIA Tegra 2 1.00GHz 10.1" 1GB DDR2 Memory 16GB Flash Tablet
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215077
$382.99
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xoom
http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-XOOM-Android-10-1-Inch-Wi-Fi/dp/B0045FM6SU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321301406&sr=1-1
$440.51