Ignoring app selection and device availability, Android is the least pleasant

[desura]

OS. Even with Jelly Bean it isn't as responsive as Windows Phone or iOS, scrolling feels clunky and hindered for some reason, the software keyboard stinks, media music playback isn't as integrated into the device as the other two, it has these weird little laggy periods where it hangs up for microseconds, and it's got the equivalent of the Windows XP notification tray clogging up the top of the device.

So on like a pure OS level standpoint, ignoring business differentiations, Android is the worst mobile OS, just based on the tactile feel.

I'm comparing a Moto X to an ipod touch 5g and a nokia 820. So the android phone is technically the best specced of the three.

 

[ControlD]

Hooray for opinions!

Everyone's anecdotal evidence will be different. The worst mobile OS experience I have had on a modern device is an iPad 3 running iOS7. I could go on about how iOS7 is the worst mobile OS but from such a limited set of data to work from it just seems silly.

 

[zerogear]

Man, you just don't get tired of rehashing this old conversation over and over again, do you?

 

[bearxor]

Ok.

 

[Oyeve]

Well yay you, move on.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Android is the worst mobile OS, just based on the tactile feel.

Good thing that is far down on the list on what determines how good a mobile OS is, behind: functionality (Android wins), app selection (Android 2nd to iOS), flexibility (Android wins), and diverse device options (Android wins).

 

[Graze]

OS. Even with Jelly Bean it isn't as responsive as Windows Phone or iOS, scrolling feels clunky and hindered for some reason, the software keyboard stinks, media music playback isn't as integrated into the device as the other two, it has these weird little laggy periods where it hangs up for microseconds, and it's got the equivalent of the Windows XP notification tray clogging up the top of the device.

So on like a pure OS level standpoint, ignoring business differentiations, Android is the worst mobile OS, just based on the tactile feel.

I'm comparing a Moto X to an ipod touch 5g and a nokia 820. So the android phone is technically the best specced of the three.

Cool story brah!

 

[Ravynmagi]

Also ignoring app selection/quality and device availability... I've been thinking lately I really love Windows 8.1 on tablets. I love that most of the navigation is done with swipe gestures, it just feels so natural and easy on a tablet.

Android with it's huge navigation bar hogging up screen space and need for 3 on-screen buttons just feels so out of date. Though I would still rate it my second favorite because it's an open OS and many complaints are usually fixable. On my rooted Android devices I can install an app to auto hide those big ugly navigation buttons and just swipe them up when I need them.

iOS would definitely be my least favorite OS when apps are being ignored. It's closed and I can't change it to fit my desires. And I can't add files to it normally without using iTunes.


I can't comment much on Windows Phone 8 though. I have a Nokia 521 with a 4 inch 800x480 display and while Windows runs well and seems nice on phones, it's still hard to really appreciate it on such a low end device.

 

[BoberFett]

I upgraded my iPhone to iOS7 and it is awful. The new interface is trash. The touch feedback is terrible. It's ugly.

I got a new LG G2 however, and Android is phenomenal.

The OP is simply wrong.

 

[desura]

Good thing that is far down on the list on what determines how good a mobile OS is, behind: functionality (Android wins), app selection (Android 2nd to iOS), flexibility (Android wins), and diverse device options (Android wins).

Eh, I've found that I don't really bother using most apps from sites anyways. So like, I'm more likely to use the yelp website than use the yelp app.

Which makes a good web browser, good keyboard, good ui more important than good app selection.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Eh, I've found that I don't really bother using most apps from sites anyways. So like, I'm more likely to use the yelp website than use the yelp app.

Hmm... that's certainly you. Most of the time I'd much rather have a local touch optimized app that is faster and easier to use. Though there are some exceptions. Most forums I usually prefer using the browser instead of an app like Tapatalk. But for services like Yelp, a quality app would definitely be my preference.

Which makes a good web browser, good keyboard, good ui more important than good app selection.

Those are all things that bug me about iOS by the way...

I understand that Apple doesn't allow for third party web engines to be used and that all the browsers available are just using Safari underneath without the Java optimizations. Chrome is my favorite iOS browser, but apparently even it's just Safari with a Chrome shell.

The iOS keyboard is okay, but I wish it had swipe like typing. Android allows me to swap out the stock keyboard with dozens (maybe hundreds) of third party options. And I kinda hate Windows 8's keyboard and wish I could swap that POS out with something else.

And Android allows for dramatic customization of the UI. Some of the cooler stuff requires rooting the device, but even without rooting there are many launchers that have a big impact on the look and feel of the tablet.

 

[jacktesterson]

Android is by far my preferred OS for mobile devices.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Eh, I've found that I don't really bother using most apps from sites anyways. So like, I'm more likely to use the yelp website than use the yelp app.

See I am the other way around. If you look at my battery usage the top of the list (besides the screen) is all apps. Mobile games can really only be done at the app level, and I prefer to use Tapatalk for forum browsing.

Plus with Android's great app selection and customizability I can do things on my tablet or phone that otherwise would have to be done on a computer. The line between phone and computer is blurred for me.

If you are using a smartphone for the same basic stuff I was using my 2007 iPhone for (web browsing, calling, texts, etc.) then you are correct that Android is the worst platform.

Which makes a good web browser, good keyboard, good ui more important than good app selection.

You know, as part of that awesome app selection you can choose a new web browser, keyboard and UI (via a launcher) if you hate the defaults. That is the real magic of Android- what you get out of the box isn't what you are stuck with.

 

[Red Storm]

If you are using a smartphone for the same basic stuff I was using my 2007 iPhone for (web browsing, calling, texts, etc.) then you are correct that Android is the worst platform.

Agreed.

 

[s44]

LOL, this headline looks like something the Apple-loving, Android-criticizing press would write when they're not all using Androids.

 

[dawheat]

I actually find iOS7 on my wife's IP5 a bit annoying - it doesn't seem to respond as well as prior versions of iOS and I get the annoying hiccups or delays that used to plague Android.

- iOS7 seems less responsive (very slightly) than my Note 3 running 4.3
- the iOS keyboard makes me want to kill myself vs. swiftkey on my Note 3 (with dedicated number row via the beta app)
- I like the pull down notifications in Android, especially with the smaller DPI I use which make each row very compact. It's useful to be able to pull it down while in any app. I'm not sure how iOS7 aggregates notifications so jury's out.
- Can you clarify more what integrated music playback means? I have my music and playlists in Poweramp which work for me, and music starts automatically when my headphones go in. Not sure what else I'm missing.

 

[desura]

I actually find iOS7 on my wife's IP5 a bit annoying - it doesn't seem to respond as well as prior versions of iOS and I get the annoying hiccups or delays that used to plague Android.

- iOS7 seems less responsive (very slightly) than my Note 3 running 4.3
- the iOS keyboard makes me want to kill myself vs. swiftkey on my Note 3 (with dedicated number row via the beta app)
- I like the pull down notifications in Android, especially with the smaller DPI I use which make each row very compact. It's useful to be able to pull it down while in any app. I'm not sure how iOS7 aggregates notifications so jury's out.
- Can you clarify more what integrated music playback means? I have my music and playlists in Poweramp which work for me, and music starts automatically when my headphones go in. Not sure what else I'm missing.

integrated music playback means that like when I press a volume button in windows phone, it brings up a little control for the music player, which is on top of whatever is going on at the time, allowing me to pause, or skip around.

If I want to do the same thing in android, I have to literally track down google play music and tell it to pause or whatever. It's only a little more clunky, but definitely noticable.

I've spent some time trying out different android keyboards. Never liked swype at all. Never understood it. And all of them...don't seem as responsive or immersive as the default Windows Phone or iOS keyboard...which I think is probably a fundamental computer engineering thing. Generally, I am noticing that my touch typing is noticeably worse on the android keyboard compared to the other two.

 

[desura]

Hmm... that's certainly you. Most of the time I'd much rather have a local touch optimized app that is faster and easier to use. Though there are some exceptions. Most forums I usually prefer using the browser instead of an app like Tapatalk. But for services like Yelp, a quality app would definitely be my preference.

The thing is...I don't spend enough time per service to justify firing up a whole app for it. So I just use the mobile site to get what I need, then I'll bounce to some other site.

I have found that native maps applications are miles better than browser ones though. But that's a special case.

I remember when slate.com came out with an app...and it seemed to load slower, get updated less often, and crash more often, than just going to their mobile website.

So that's why.

 

[iahk]

I thought all music players pretty much have lockscreen and notification pulldown controls now?

 

[ControlD]

I thought all music players pretty much have lockscreen and notification pulldown controls now?

Every one I have used does. Also, pretty much every Android music player or service has a widget so you can control the media without needing to switch to the app.

 

[ChronoReverse]

And there are plenty of apps that add things like using a gesture no matter what app you're in to control your music.

 

[Red Storm]

Every one I have used does. Also, pretty much every Android music player or service has a widget so you can control the media without needing to switch to the app.

I don't think the OP truly cares.

 

[poofyhairguy]

To be fair, OP has a good point. For basic use, the out-of-the-box experience with Android is not the best. I think that is because of trade-offs that allow the platform to be more flexible and powerful.

For me it is a lot like your average PC. Out of the box they suck- they have all sorts of malware preloaded to lower the cost and the Office version installed on there is a just a trial. It takes time and know how to clean all that stuff off and load a full version of Office- for a very basic user that just wants a web browser an iPad gives a better out-of-the-box experience. Of course the difference is that your average PC (much like your average Android device) can do much much more than that iPad once someone with experience has configured it.

We run to Android's defense because we appreciate the functionality and the flexibility, but that doesn't change the fact that a 4 year old can more easily use an iPad than a PC (or honestly your average Android device) or that grandma is probably better off with the iPad if you aren't willing to clean off the malware for her and setup anti-virus protection.

 

[npaladin-2000]

integrated music playback means that like when I press a volume button in windows phone, it brings up a little control for the music player, which is on top of whatever is going on at the time, allowing me to pause, or skip around.

If I want to do the same thing in android, I have to literally track down google play music and tell it to pause or whatever. It's only a little more clunky, but definitely noticable.

Umm, whenever you're playing music Google Play Music will put music controls into the notification area, and you can add a control widget to the home screen. Same deal with Samsung and LG's custom music players, Pandora, etc, etc. Some of these also appear on the lock screen when music is playing, so you can control the music without even unlocking the phone.

So basically, you're just here to ignore Android and declare it the least pleasant because it's not Windows Phone or iOS.

 

[shortylickens]

My Note 2 is fine. I think its just you bro.

Also, I can do way more from the lock screen and the home screen than an iphone.