Not a troll/flame: Android fans - Now what is missing?

[cheezy321]

If a feature enables both legal and illegal activity, then it's still a feature. There a numerous legal uses for mkv files, for flash, and torrents. If you refuse to count features because they may be used for illegal purposes in addition to all their legal uses, then good luck with that. I suppose that's why Apple doesn't even allow you to access the file system on your phone, whereas every other OS in the last 40 years had at least that much basic functionality. Again, I will vote with my wallet every time for more freedom as opposed to nanny sitting.

There you go ignoring my questions. You were the one who compared MKV's to MP3's, so please show me a store online that sells legal US movies / TV shows in the MKV format...

All emulators are illegal. There are no legal uses for a nintendo, SNES, genesis, N64 emulator. None.

 

[cheezy321]

Okay, so you admit that it is possible that someone made MKV files of movies that he legally owns. I've done that myself. But you then say that MKV is a "pirate format" or something and therefore being able to play it is not a feature? MP3 is a format of choice for pirates too, doesn't mean all MP3 files are illegitimate. Even torrents have a lot of legal uses; a ton of non-copyrighted material is shared via BitTorrent.



Actually that's not true either. I believe emulators are legally distributable as long as they don't include a copy of the original system's BIOS. So if the emulator requires a BIOS dump you'll have to extract it from an original system yourself if you want to stay in the clear, and you'll also have to extract any game files from cartridges/discs that you own. Of course, the vast, vast majority of people don't do that and instead just download copyrighted BIOS files and games, but it is possible to use an emulator legally. For disc-based systems, it's theoretically easier since you don't have to find a rare, possibly discontinued cartridge reader.

This is why its an opinion. You can call it a feature all you want. I call it a way to enable illegal activity in the easiest possible way. That's why there is rampant piracy on android devices.

 

[AstroManLuca]

There you go ignoring my questions. You were the one who compared MKV's to MP3's, so please show me a store online that sells legal US movies / TV shows in the MKV format...

That's funny, your argument was that because MKV is often used illegally, Apple is justified in not including MKV playback in iOS. I don't see how buying digital files is somehow "more legal" than making backups of DVDs or BDs you already own. They're both legitimate uses. I don't know of anywhere that sells legal MKV files but I don't see why that makes any difference.

All emulators are illegal. There are no legal uses for a nintendo, SNES, genesis, N64 emulator. None.

That is incorrect.

 

[ponyo]

Emulators are never legal. Streaming movies/sports/whatever using flash is illegal.

I am all for doing whatever you want. Saying its a 'feature' of one phone to enable illegal activity is ridiculous.

So when I watched game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Heat the other night on my AKOP Touchpad while in bed, I was engaging in illegal activity? I was using Flash and streaming the game from the ESPN3 website. I guess I'm going to jail since I plan on watching game 2 tonight using Flash and ESPN3.

Same with shows and movies I stream using Flash from Amazon Prime streaming. I didn't know it was illegal to stream Flash videos on my phone and tablets from Amazon.

 

[Munky]

There you go ignoring my questions. You were the one who compared MKV's to MP3's, so please show me a store online that sells legal US movies / TV shows in the MKV format...

Why are you limiting it to online distribution? I can make copies of my own media in mkv format, just as I can copy a CD to mp3.

All emulators are illegal. There are no legal uses for a nintendo, SNES, genesis, N64 emulator. None.

As has already been explained to you, it's only illegal to emulate a product you don't own. If my PS2 craps out on me some day, and Sony tells me I can't emulate a product that I paid for, then they're stealing from me, not the other way around.

 

[cheezy321]

So when I watched game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Heat the other night on my AKOP Touchpad while in bed, I was engaging in illegal activity? I was using Flash and streaming the game from the ESPN3 website. I guess I'm going to jail since I plan on watching game 2 tonight using Flash and ESPN3.

Same with shows and movies I stream using Flash from Amazon Prime streaming. I didn't know it was illegal to stream Flash videos on my phone and tablets from Amazon.

I was referring to UFC fights, boxing matches, etc.

WatchESPN is on the iPhone as well. So as it pertains to this discussion this feature is not 'missing' from iOS

 

[ponyo]

I was referring to UFC fights, boxing matches, etc.

WatchESPN is on the iPhone as well. So as it pertains to this discussion this feature is not 'missing' from iOS

You did not say that. You said "Streaming movies/sports/whatever using flash is illegal."

Do you use WatchESPN app? Have you tried it or read the fine print?

* Bright House Networks, Comcast, Time Warner Cable & Verizon FiOS TV - ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU are available to fans who receive ESPN as part of their TV package
* Verizon High Speed Internet - If you do NOT receive TV service from an above provider, but receive high-speed internet from Verizon, you will have access to ESPN3

I have Charter cable internet. I can't use the iOS or the Android app because Charter isn't one of the supported companies. Flash allows me to get around the app restriction. There's no restriction on ESPN website streaming. Dolphin browser set to desktop mode and Flash is all I need on Android. How will I watch the game on iOS device? What magical app?

 

[Mopetar]

How will I watch the game on iOS device? What magical app?

The jailbreak variety?

 

[cheezy321]

About ESPN 3:

In the U.S., the network is available to individuals who receive their high-speed Internet connection or cable TV subscription from an affiliated service provider.

Some people are restricted from using ESPN 3, even though they have a 'magical' android device. What's your point?

Just like someone else already said, Apple users can get this same ESPN 3 stream with a jailbroken device. Again, this feature is not 'missing' from iOS.

 

[ponyo]

About ESPN 3:


Some people are restricted from using ESPN 3, even though they have a 'magical' android device. What's your point?

Just like someone else already said, Apple users can get this same ESPN 3 stream with a jailbroken device. Again, this feature is not 'missing' from iOS.

"The only reason people jailbreak iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch is to steal paid apps."

Apple TV is excluded since it can't access the app store.

 

[Mopetar]

"The only reason people jailbreak iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch is to steal paid apps."

LOL burned

To be fair, half of the 'illegal' stuff that's being argued about is only illegal because the MPAA/RIAA bought a bunch of legislation so they can keep making people pay them money for content that they've essentially stolen the copyrights to from the actual artists.

Under the original copyright laws, most of that stuff should be in the public domain by now.

 

[lothar]

"The only reason people jailbreak iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch is to steal paid apps."

Apple TV is excluded since it can't access the app store.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

using phone as usb drive.
widgets.

USB drive is the biggest thing for me. Fuck itunes.

 

[iahk]

I just thought it was funny that one person wanted things from the stock Mobile OS whereas the other essentially said the opposite.

MotionMan

Stuff like playing an mkv file from stock os doesn't exactly have a clear cut answer for it.

Technically, with android, this can happen.. for example with a Samsung Galaxy S phone. Touchwiz has an extremely large amount of codecs that it supports so you can play mkv files without downloading any 3rd party video players.

That's one of the beauties of android. Even if google doesn't address something, the os is open enough that oem's and to an extent, app devs, can address it in their own way. That's why things like "twitter integration" or "facebook integration" isn't exactly a breakthrough feature in android.

 

[QueBert]

USB drive is the biggest thing for me. Fuck itunes.

There are literally a dozen different programs that allow you to drag and drop files to an iPhone, but with Android there's no stock program to easily sync music/videos. Unless you use a crappy ass 3rd party iTunes clone like DoubleTwist. I'll take drag and drop + iTunes any day of the week, but hay that's just me. Android with iSyncr's about the closest Android will ever get to having good music management.

 

[Zaap]

Heh. Heh. This thread is entertaining.

I won't get into the puny screen size thing since we're talking software, but software wise I'd love to see an iPhone with:
Widgets.

Third Party Keyboards.

Auto rotation on the homescreen, and support for car home launchers that activate when docked in the car. Seriously, it's downright primitive and comical to me when I've attempted to use my wife's iPhone in the car the same way I use my DX.

I want it mounted logically- in landscape. But the damned OS is sideways which is doubly-distracting.

Now, I'm sure those that want their phone to be their nanny will say "well you shouldn't operate your phone in the car anyway!" And I don't, while it's actually moving. But dammit, sometimes while sitting at a light or something, yes, I'd like to simply be able to easily launch a needed app, check a notification, or what-have-you.

Tasker-type functionality. Can't deal for long with any device without it.

Access to the file system on the device. It's silly to pretend its not there or not needed.

Really those are my big things. I don't know what the new features of iOS6 are, but the above is what would sway me. (On a decent sized screen that is.)

 

[Zaap]

Hmm... okay, read the list of features I'm supposed to care about in iOS6... didn't see a whole lot I really cared about. Siri being able to launch applications is cool. (That is, if you can actually get Siri on your phone.)

Chuckled when I read this:

Siri created waves after it was announced last year, and soon enough became the most talked about and envied feature, compelling Google to start working on a voice assistant functionality.

Heh. Mark my words, some day I'll bet anything I'm going to read this type of statement:

Maps created waves after it was announced last year, and soon enough became the most talked about and envied feature, compelling Google to start working on Maps functionality.

 

[bearxor]

This is not intended as a troll or flame, though I can see it happening quickly and the thread being locked. This is a serious question that I would like serious and thoughtful answers to:

Android fans, with the impending release of iOS 6, now what is missing from iOS vs. Android (other than "openness")?

For reference:

92 New Features in Apple's iOS 6

Top 10 iOS 6 features

iOS 6 Features You Might Have Missed

40 iOS 6 Features You’ll Actually Care About

MotionMan

For me, the biggest disappointment is that there is still no quick reply for text messages. It almost fells like that feature is becoming make or break for me because jailbreaking the hardware is becoming harder with every release.

Having said that, I have a ICS touchpad and am actually posting this from a RAZR right now and I don't think there's anything right now that could get me to switch.

 

[JustMe21]

Here are some of the things I would like to see.

Both - The ability to lock contacts and email without having to lock the phone entirely. For an enterprise person, it's annoying to have to type in a password all the time just to use the phone to make a call.

iPhone - Memory card slot in their phone and the ability to operate independent of iTunes.

Android - iPhones seem to have more bluetooth devices created for it, so it would seem reasonable if an effort was made by Google to try and get vendors to include Android support.
Also, better app management in the Play store and allow Google Play to be installed easily onto any Android tablet, such as the $99 Archos Arnova G3 tablets.

 

[ControlD]

About ESPN 3:


Some people are restricted from using ESPN 3, even though they have a 'magical' android device. What's your point?

Just like someone else already said, Apple users can get this same ESPN 3 stream with a jailbroken device. Again, this feature is not 'missing' from iOS.

I think if it requires a jailbreak then by definition it is missing from iOS. Adding features that users consider to be missing is pretty much what jailbreaking is all about.

 

[bearxor]

Both - The ability to lock contacts and email without having to lock the phone entirely. For an enterprise person, it's annoying to have to type in a password all the time just to use the phone to make a call.

I know it's not baked in, but try Touchdown for Android. It basically operates as a stand alone client not integrated in to the OS. You won't get contact integration throughout the OS, but it will independently as for a PIN code when you set it up and launch it to check your work email.

 

[basslover1]

There are literally a dozen different programs that allow you to drag and drop files to an iPhone, but with Android there's no stock program to easily sync music/videos. Unless you use a crappy ass 3rd party iTunes clone like DoubleTwist. I'll take drag and drop + iTunes any day of the week, but hay that's just me. Android with iSyncr's about the closest Android will ever get to having good music management.

Have you heard of Google Play Music? Upload your music from your home PC and it's available to your Android device OTA, for free, hell it even lets you stream it too, or download it directly to your handset. Not only that but once my library is uploaded into the cloud I can get it from anywhere I have computer access, not just from my phone. I don't think Apple does that, honest question. Do they?

Now, as far as video syncing, that I don't know. However, you can upload videos taken with your device automatically to Google+, but as far as syncing videos not from your device I.E. movies on your computer, I don't know.

 

[bearxor]

Have you heard of Google Play Music? Upload your music from your home PC and it's available to your Android device OTA, for free, hell it even lets you stream it too, or download it directly to your handset. Not only that but once my library is uploaded into the cloud I can get it from anywhere I have computer access, not just from my phone. I don't think Apple does that, honest question. Do they?

Now, as far as video syncing, that I don't know. However, you can upload videos taken with your device automatically to Google+, but as far as syncing videos not from your device I.E. movies on your computer, I don't know.

iTunes Match, except instead of uploading your songs, it just matches the fingerprint to whatever iTunes has. If you have a song iTunes doesn't have it will upload it. And it costs $25/yr.

 

[basslover1]

iTunes Match, except instead of uploading your songs, it just matches the fingerprint to whatever iTunes has. If you have a song iTunes doesn't have it will upload it. And it costs $25/yr.

Ahhh yes, forgot about that, well it's free on Android but you have to go through the work of uploading your entire library, which does take a while. But once it's there it's there and it'll automatically upload new songs you buy from Play Music, or new songs you add to your library at home.

 

[TheStu]

Ahhh yes, forgot about that, well it's free on Android but you have to go through the work of uploading your entire library, which does take a while. But once it's there it's there and it'll automatically upload new songs you buy from Play Music, or new songs you add to your library at home.

How much space do you get for free on google play? I looked into it when it first came out, but the idea of uploading my entire 30gb library (actually, it might be closer to 35-40 nowadays) didn't appeal to me.