My switch from iPhone4 to Captivate

[enjoimark]

I drove an hour to a different town on launch day for the iPhone 4. I get it in my hands, and was excited for about 2 days. Then I realized, I'm not going to use video calling, the front camera sucks, and the LED flash is cool... but I don't use my phone for taking pics primarily. Then i soon realized that the antenna issue is VERY REAL. That pissed me off. The proximity sensor problem is real, and that pissed me off. The wasn't anything "new" about the iPhone apart from all the others. I have owned every iPhone, and really... they are all the same, just the newer one is a tad bit faster than the previous. That pissed me off. So I gave it to my girlfriend. I have/had 1 of only 17 i4's in my town (according to AT&T) and people couldn't believe that I didn't want it. When AT&T told me my line could not be upgraded, I was sad. Then they said, "Tell you what... renew your line another 2 years and we'll let you have the Captivate for $249.99". Sold. Took me about a day to get used to the Android OS, but I love it. I love the widgets, I just love thinking up things to do and/or customize on my phone, and then BAM!, making it happen.

I recommend anyone that is tired of Apple's proprietary bullshit to switch to Android. I waited and waited for AT&T to get a nice Android phone, and it has finally happened.

So... you ask "should I switch?"

My answer is...

You're god damn right you should.

 

[getDange]

Thanks for a nice insight and welcome to Apple-free world.

 

[HX_Guy]

So... you ask "should I switch?"

My answer is...

You're god damn right you should.

...if you like ugly UIs and inconsistency in your apps/fonts/ colors.

But as a phone, it's worlds better than the iPhone 4...not dropped calls, much better signal in areas where the iPhone was "Searching..."

 

[Futang44]

I too chose the captivate over the iPhone. I believe that the iPhone has a wonderful userland, but true customization can only be achieved through android!

 

[Baldilocks]

iPhone still scores MUCH higher in the following areas:

1. Apps. They are consistent and they all work the same way. No learning curves with new Apps. (A lot less fragmentation in other words.)
2. Consistent fluid interface thru the whole system.
3. Ease of use.

Other than that, you can't beat the customization that the Android platform offers.

 

[Intervenient]

Android is a great OS, I prefer it to iOS, but I am getting very tired of people saying "I hate being tied down to Apple". With Android, you're tied to Google's OS, the phone manufacturer's slow and painful update processes, and then finally your network providers even slower tampering of the update. I'd rather be tied down to 1 source than 3. Hopefully Google can find a way to combat this problem.

 

[picklesNICKLES]

How is the iPhone 4's battery life compared to the captivate?

My captivate's battery is abysmal and I don't know how much more I can take of it.

 

[Intervenient]

How is the iPhone 4's battery life compared to the captivate?

My captivate's battery is abysmal and I don't know how much more I can take of it.

What's your set up bro?

I have a mostly black wallpaper (I believe it's a stock one from Android), running ADW launcher, and use a task killer (I know people don't recommend this, but it does help as long as it's not done too frequently). I'm getting about 30-35 hours average from this, and about 6 hours of actually usage. Have you let your battery drain as well?

 

[picklesNICKLES]

Ya I try to go from 100% charge down to very low before I recharge. Using a very dark wallpaper, not a live one, low light, and I've probably even been abusing my task killer. ADW launcher by the way.


However, today I have minimized my widgets which seems like it might be helping, the only problem is I really like using widgets.

Seems like the biggest battery hog (besides the display) is browsing the web.


Also, what do you mean when you say it might be bad to overuse the task killer? I don't want to cause myself any problems.

 

[Intervenient]

Ya I try to go from 100% charge down to very low before I recharge. Using a very dark wallpaper, not a live one, low light, and I've probably even been abusing my task killer. ADW launcher by the way.


However, today I have minimized my widgets which seems like it might be helping, the only problem is I really like using widgets.

Seems like the biggest battery hog (besides the display) is browsing the web.


Also, what do you mean when you say it might be bad to overuse the task killer? I don't want to cause myself any problems.

That's very interesting, you might just have a bad battery. I can browse the web, use the mp3 player, play some GBC games and send some texts in the morning, and be at 92% or so 1 1/2 hours in.


As for task killers, Android has a robust system of multitasking and is optimized to be able to run as fast as it can at all times. Using a task killer potentially kills all apps. If you have thing that sync, widgets, etc, they will have to use extra battery in able to start up again.


Also, have you removed the AT&T bloatware?

 

[DT]

...if you like ugly UIs and inconsistency in your apps/fonts/ colors.

The UI (as in the home screens, etc.) is pretty outstanding looking, but because of the flexibility, it gives people the ability to design less than appealing aesthetics (but hey, they like it!).

I agree the apps can be pretty inconsistent. I'd like to at least see the Android bundled apps using the same design.

Android is more like Windows, there's a core UI, but the individual apps tend to roll their own design (at least across manufacturers). Example: MS vs. Adobe vs. Google vs. <the other 10 million>.

Android phones feel more like a desktop OS, where the iPhone feels more like a phone OS.

 

[Intervenient]

Android phones feel more like a desktop OS, where the iPhone feels more like a phone OS.

This is another feature of Android's I will most certainly hate to leave behind if I switch. I love having access to my files. It feels like a little bitty computer and it's awesome.

 

[dsjr2006]

How is the iPhone 4's battery life compared to the captivate?

My captivate's battery is abysmal and I don't know how much more I can take of it.

My iPhone 4 got roughly twice the battery life of my Captivate, which is why I'm getting a 32gb i4 and returning this as soon as I can.

 

[ric3bowl]

I also switched from iphone 4 to the Captivate. The biggest reason is for Google voice and the widgets. The feeling that this is a little computer is great.

 

[DT]

This is another feature of Android's I will most certainly hate to leave behind if I switch. I love having access to my files. It feels like a little bitty computer and it's awesome.

Yeah, that's a *huge* thing with me, but I understand it's of no value to some folks. I need a little more "OS Exposure"

 

[ArainLA]

I too returned my iphone 4 to try the Android world.
Unlike you I didnt have issues with the iphone 4 reception.

I also have an ipad but that as far into apple products I will go.
I would never buy a Mac, Im a PC/Microsoft guy all the way.


I love the widgets, active wallpaper of the Captivate. I also think the camera is great and video looks real bright and nice on the device.
I also like the thin and lightness of the device.
I had tried a friends EVO and I think its too big.
The Captivate is perfect compromise in size between Evo and iphone.


The pains Im feeling and hope to get help on.

EMail: I hate the way subfolders are at the top in alpha order.
I have 15 email subfolders and in Outlook some RSS folders.
So I get the 15 folders plus each RSS folder at the top in alpha order.
Well good luck to my to get to my email in the top 4 folders I work 90% in.

I would rather not have to buy an app to manage email. I think its rediculous to spend money on apps that should be just right and in there by default.


The Apps grid: Can I resort the apps grid from other than alpha, like the iphone?

Keyboard: Where is swype, heard about it and wanted to try but searched in market and didnt see. Saw lots of other keyboard apps..again have to buy. No thanks that should be good right from the get go. And no spell correction? And certain things like AT&T dont auto capitalize?

UPDATE: Found SWYPE...didnt know where to check.

LAG!: I often hit power button and then the home icon but there is a lag in having the phone respond. I got Advanced Task Killer and it helps a bit but still not perfect.

Battery Life: I started at 7:30AM with full charge and was getting warning by 3:00PM. I read about turning off wallpaper which sucks since the beauty of the screen is so wasted without the cool moving wallpapers...BTW where can I get more? Do I have to buy those too?

Ok sorry for rant but being perfectly honest and I do hope I end up keeping the phone. I will give the phone a fair shake and decide to return or not.

Thanks for any help in the above areas so I do keep the phone.

OH Yeah..Google Voice rocks!

 

[jrdoll28]

Is battery life really that big of a deal? I'm used to charging my phone every few days, but since my phone might have started to die at any time I would often forget to charge it.
Most people need to fully recharge after a day, so you just charge it before you go to sleep, making it actually a routine and easier to remember. As long as the phone makes it through the day I don't see how there is a problem.

 

[DT]

The Apps grid: Can I resort the apps grid from other than alpha, like the iphone?


UPDATE: Found SWYPE...didnt know where to check.

I'd say the apps grid is kind of "master repository" and if you want organization (like logically group "related" apps, or commonly used apps), then make short cuts and/or folders on your home screen(s).

Unlike the iPhone that kind of combines the home, tray and app grids, Android keeps things a little more discreet.

FYI, I'm not sure if you just used the default KB in the configuration area, but you can tap-and-hold on most text inputs and you'll get a dialog where you can select your Input Method. It's handy if you're in an app that might be better suited to a specific KB model.

 

[ArainLA]

On the battery issue: I had it plugged in and started day with full charge.
I am not in one spot long enough to charge. Work on a big capmus with sperate buildings. Im bringing USB cord to charge...kinda lame.

Yes I found that imput method change. I like the Android keyboard much better.
Swype will take some getting use to but I can see the potential.
Thanks!

I see what you mean about the grid.
I got pro launcher and its great and I will make my folders and organize tonight.
This phone is like a construction project.
Open the box and build it...can be good for people who have time to tinker.

I over see over 100 cell phones as part of my job...I cant imagine this phone being used by 80% of them. Its too techie, which is why I like it.

 

[enjoimark]

This is my first post here, and I enjoyed reading all the comments.
How many if you have used an iPhone since 2007 and have had every model put out, like myself?
They are all the same... which isn't exciting. The point of getting the new model is basically for wow factor for your friends.

I never said I was being tied down to apple. But there are a TON of things I would like to do on the iPhone and I just simply couldn't. Point blank.

My battery life is OK... could be better. I used the iPhone 4 for about 3 weeks or so and honestly they seem the same.

 

[ArainLA]

I felt that the iphone 4 was faster than my 3GS and in my amateur testing it seemed to be.
Using Navigon GPS app startup was much faster and GPS lock was obtained and held much better.

 

[myrv]

Don't have access to my phone at the moment but I think you can arrange the apps on the app screen by changing it from Alphabetical Grid to Custom Grid. I actually prefer Alphabetical list, though I can see why some might not like it. Just go to the Apps page and I think it is menu button which brings up the option. Sorry for the vagueness of this post but again, don't have my phone handy.

 

[Loco Leeep]

The Apps grid: Can I resort the apps grid from other than alpha, like the iphone?

open the App drawer, hit the menu button (bottom left) then "view type" then "customizable grid"
Now you can rearrange your apps.
FYI, new apps are automatically put in the right hand pane. I wish I had realised this when I rearranged mine. I put all the bloatware to the right and my important apps to the left. Now I'm too lazy to rearrange them all again.

 

[baddress]

What good is all the fancy stuff you can do on a Captivate, when you can't actually do any of it or the battery will die in 6-8 hours? If you have to turn off all the fancy stuff just to make it through the day then it is no better than having an iPhone. And on the iPhone the GPS actually works. This makes me mad because I really want open source!

 

[ArainLA]

baddress: I am 100% with you. I love the cool wallpapers that move but if I have to have a black background to save battery power it sort of makes the cool wallpapers useless. I still run them but charge more.

Captivate email handling is killing me.
I depend on subfolders and mail to sync timely.Subfolder sync is not always timely and I am the IT director for a hospital I cant screw around missing emails or spend lots of time trying to get to subfolders. I cant even move emails between folders.

I can get by till software update on 90% of the issues but email management should have been rock solid on day 1. I think its better for Gmail...but lets get real corporations use Exchange, not Gmail.