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From iPhone to SGS2...Now what?!

Money_Mark

Well-Known Member
Oct 23, 2011
100
11
Nor. Cal
Hello all! After 3 years, I've finally left Apple and have decided to give Android a try. The SGS2 vs. the unflattering iPhone 4S finally tipped the scales. After 72-hours, I am impressed with the phone (mostly the screen, and dual core speeds), but I do have several questions that I am seeking help on. This will be an on-going thread for me, and any other Android newbs that are looking to see what type of potential the SGS2 really has. Thanks in advance, for all your help and guidance. I am hoping to become very familiar with my phone before my 30-day trial period end.


1. iTunes used to sync my contacts with Outlook. Saving me alot of time getting my contacts in order. Does Android have a similiar function?

2. How can I transfer my music from iTunes onto my SGS2?

3. What are those blank buddy icons on the Facebook page?

4. Can anyone reccommend a dock charger?
 
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Ah... We're in the SAME boat but about 2 weeks apart!!! I got my SGS2, October 9th... Here are the answers you seek:

1. Yes, it's a Samsung program called KIES, when installed it will provide the correct SYSTEM device drivers for Windows XP and Windows 7 and will allow you to SYNC to MS Outlook. Just think of this program as Samsung's itunes replacement. Here's the URL:

What's new for Software & Manual SAMSUNG

2. With KIES installed you can use it the same way as itunes did, by importing it to Kies Library first OR you can do something we could NEVER do on Apple, OPEN the phone via "EXPLORER" option at top of KIES screen and DRAG & DROP your music files directly to the folders on the phone!!!

3. Don't know *EXACTLY* but in one thread I was told to *AVOID* these like the plague because these widgets along with AP Mobile suck up a LOT of data and will cost you if you go over your DATA plan on AT&T even with the UNLIMITED plan... Do *NOT* use... If anyone knows better please do CHIME in!!!

4. I'm still looking for a DOCK charger myself on EBAY... Just be sure to get one that specifically says SGH-i777 (AT&T) Galaxy S2 ATTAIN, and not the SGH-i9100 (International) version. Because most of these DOCK chargers found online are for the International one and comes with a battery as well... and that *international* battery is not 100% for our AT&T SGH-I777... (think re-boot of telephone, if you plug in the USB charge/sync cable...)
 
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Kies has a love-hate relationship with the people that use it. Some dont like the way it works or can't get it to work properly.

So for your contacts, if you have your contacts loaded into gmail, you can always use the website to manage your contacts. If you dont have them in gmail, then you should spend the time to make sure they are. If you have your contacts in Outlook, just export them as a CSV file and go to gmail and import the CSV. This is the very first and most basic step of any android phone to ensure your contacts are backed up and easily manageable.
 
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Welcome to Android.

I would highly recommend importing your contacts to your gmail account, your phone will automatically pick up on it and then will import the contacts to your phone. The reason you want it with your gmail account is because when you switch phones in the future your contacts will show up as soon as you sign into the new phone.

Also I would recommend the simple drag and drop method for music. Hook your phone up to your computer, put it in usb mode and just transfer over the music.
 
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Welcome to Android.

I would highly recommend importing your contacts to your gmail account, your phone will automatically pick up on it and then will import the contacts to your phone. The reason you want it with your gmail account is because when you switch phones in the future your contacts will show up as soon as you sign into the new phone.

Also I would recommend the simple drag and drop method for music. Hook your phone up to your computer, put it in usb mode and just transfer over the music.

Dynasty, Harmless, Coming from iphone after 3~4 years of IOS, I preferred to use outlook. Been a Microsoft/Enterprise user for over 15 years and all my personal contacts are stored locally. Google does not have my personal nor corporate contacts... I really don't want to give up that *privacy* hence the reason I spent time searching for KIES to work out that relationship.

Yes, even with IOS at the time, I knew I could sync to GMAIL/GOOGLE first but I wanted to keep my contacts private. Sounds like here on this forum and XDA, I'm in the minority... But then again, that's the beauty of Android right, you have *CHOICES* :)

OP - Glad this worked out for you, only *YOU* can decide if you wanna go the MS Outlook route vs. the Google's cloud based solution! :)

Enjoy!
:D
 
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Left my iphone behind for the S2 last week. Promptly rooted it (no problems) because wifi tethering is important to me. I love the phone so far. I'm very happy with going the Google contacts route. As far as tethering goes, I became very frustrated trying to get the Android WiFi Tether ap to work. Tried the Barnacle ap and it worked worked the first time.
Paul
 
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Well, I downloaded KIES and synced it to Outlook. I use Outlook since it is more widely used in office situations and scheduling purposes. It (KIES) worked flawlessly the first time I connected. I couldnt be more happier and would definitely recommend it to anyone that is already on Outlook.

I think it's interesting that nobody chimed in about PC Studio or PCS.

Now my next project will be to transfer over my music to my phone. I think DoubleTwist sounds intriguing. I'll follow up and let everyone (that may be interested) know my thoughts on DT.
 
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I'll chime in even though I'm in a very similar boat. Switched from the original iPhone to the SGS2 last Thursday. I can only speak to 2 and 3 though since I already used Google contacts and haven't looked into dock chargers yet.

Like others have mentioned, I went with DoubleTwist for iTunes syncing. I had iTunes set up to only sync specific playlists with my phone, and this feature worked in DoubleTwist as well.

I believe the blank buddy icons are the "Buddies now" widget and are part of Samsung's Social Hub app. You can assign a contact to them and have quick access to call, email, text, facebook, tweet, etc them. It also displays their current FB status. I've found them rather useful and am curious about the reasons to avoid them. I still have an unlimited data plan, so the data usage doesn't bother me, though I'm also trying to track down what's keeping my phone awake for periods at night and haven't tried removing these yet.
 
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Im thinking about picking up an Unlocked white s2, I am on the IP4 now, with IOS5 and its the sleekest setup I have used to date. The kick for me and android is how your main information just pops up on screen, you look at your home page and weather, clock, calander is all right there. However, apple has their stuff together so tightly that its a joy to use. I was sick of TryING to get this or that to work, i got the iphone, and it just flows so nicely.

As I said, im going to ebay an unlocked S2 to try tho. only thing is, finding a SIM/Microsim adapter....any ideas on that one?
 
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Im thinking about picking up an Unlocked white s2, I am on the IP4 now, with IOS5 and its the sleekest setup I have used to date. The kick for me and android is how your main information just pops up on screen, you look at your home page and weather, clock, calander is all right there. However, apple has their stuff together so tightly that its a joy to use. I was sick of TryING to get this or that to work, i got the iphone, and it just flows so nicely.

As I said, im going to ebay an unlocked S2 to try tho. only thing is, finding a SIM/Microsim adapter....any ideas on that one?

Don't forget the Removable battery and Micro SD slot for memory expansion!!! This has ALWAYS been a pet peeve of mine when I was running on an iphone 3G from day one... When my iphone's battery finally started to wane this year (3+ years later)... I was sitting on the fence between the S2 or the iphone 5 (LOL! Since the iphone 5 wasn't announced and Apple limped up to the finish line with an iphone 4S that just EQUALS the hardware specs of the S2, I decided the BIGGER 4.3 screen (LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the removable battery and MicroSD card were just too GOOD to pass up!!!)

Sorry but I *LOVE* the S2 some minor APP envy because IOS gets developers attention first but MOST 1st string apps are available... :)
 
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Replaceing the battery on the IP4 is easy. much easier than on the earlier versions. I find the S2 is to big for everyday useage of lugging it around, its almost the size of a friggin tablet. however, take it on the plane in my attache and it would be good for watching movies etc on. I have to admit, I hate anything other than apples OS tho. but having one of each is fun! execpt when it comes to windows on PC's...it drives me nuts with all the pop ups etc...I have none of that on my mac. As for the apps, Yep, apple has that side of things nailed. My youngest son has autism, the amount of really useful apps on the IOS system is insane compared to the droid market. He uses my old HTC hero as well with some apps I found, but the ones on the apple system are very well integrated.

Im pretty well leaning to having all the new gen tech goodies...because im a tech nerd ha ha...I love gadgets etc. I tried the HTC flyer, not impressed with that tab, so samsungs 7" is next. I have an ipad2, ipod nano, iphone 4, and a bunch of macs. as well as two acer notebooks. I may toss on linux on this machine im on now to see how thats working now...
 
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I'd also recommend doubletwist and would recommend upgrading for $5 to air twist so when using wifi at home you can sync over wifi to your comp. I prefer this over the phone brand-specific sync software (i.e. HTC Synch or KIES) for if I change phone, I needn't change sync software.

I use gmail primarily so contacts aren't an issue plus you have the added bonus of google+ for automatically uploading your photos to the cloud.
 
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Replaceing the battery on the IP4 is easy. much easier than on the earlier versions. I find the S2 is to big for everyday useage of lugging it around, its almost the size of a friggin tablet. however, take it on the plane in my attache and it would be good for watching movies etc on. I have to admit, I hate anything other than apples OS tho. but having one of each is fun! execpt when it comes to windows on PC's...it drives me nuts with all the pop ups etc...I have none of that on my mac. As for the apps, Yep, apple has that side of things nailed. My youngest son has autism, the amount of really useful apps on the IOS system is insane compared to the droid market. He uses my old HTC hero as well with some apps I found, but the ones on the apple system are very well integrated.

Im pretty well leaning to having all the new gen tech goodies...because im a tech nerd ha ha...I love gadgets etc. I tried the HTC flyer, not impressed with that tab, so samsungs 7" is next. I have an ipad2, ipod nano, iphone 4, and a bunch of macs. as well as two acer notebooks. I may toss on linux on this machine im on now to see how thats working now...

Hi Steve,

While the iphone 4 and presumably the iphone 4S may make it easier to change batteries that the earlier 2G (original) or 3G & 3GS models, it is by default from APPLE for all intents of purposes a SEALED unit. Apple designed phone to not have a user accessible battery cover. Apple's stance is that if you *OPEN* the phone in any way shape or form your warranty is *VOID*... It doesn't stop me from performing MODs to the phone but *REALLY* why couldn't APPLE have designed a battery cover??!??

It just makes no sense what so ever, how many over MOBILE devices other than iphones have a SEALED unit that does not have a USER friendly battery cover?!??
 
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Form over FUNCTION... Sorry I was able to live with the iphone as a mobile portable device for under $200 without removable power source but now a laptop that costs over $1000 is also sealed?!???

UNACCEPTABLE...

Lol. Go around and find out how many people actually carry around an extra battery.... I would rather have longer battery life in the first place than have the ability to change batteries.
 
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Lol. Go around and find out how many people would love to give up the option of replacing a battery (for whatever reason) without voiding the warranty on any of their portable devices. To say "apple provides superior battery" is one thing but to defend sealing a product for no reason is a bit weird. I think answering any phone call without asking an Apple representative for permission should void the warranty as well. That's the next logical step.
 
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Lol. Go around and find out how many people actually carry around an extra battery.... I would rather have longer battery life in the first place than have the ability to change batteries.

That is true, I would rather have a battery that lasts longer than to have one to be replaceable. But just think for a second, what if the iPhone had half of the capabilities that android has (widgets, better backgrounding apps, 4G/LTE etc.), I wonder how long the battery would last? Of course in android, you can turn most of these elements off, and presto! Longer battery life.

Also, the beauty of android is choice, we can CHOOSE to change to a longer battery in the future if need be. You may think carrying around an extra battery is stupid, but I know quite a bit of people who actually do that (i.e. those who travel, especially to foreign countries, and just regular joes). But I wonder how many iPhone users would like to have that OPTION without risking voiding the warranty?
 
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Lol. Go around and find out how many people actually carry around an extra battery.... I would rather have longer battery life in the first place than have the ability to change batteries.


I take the battery out of my laptop all the time. Reduces heat output and the battery lasts longer if it's not constantly being charged (when the laptop is not on). I had one laptop battery last only 3 minutes before being flat because I left it plugged it all the time and the constant charged burned the battery out in just over a year. Of course this is not applicable to mobiles.
 
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