Okay, all...
Story time
I just could not do it.
I have been kind of looking into the iPads for a time now, since before christmas, but they where so hard to get. I could not decide on if I wanted the mini with the outdated specs that seemed kind of portable, or get the powerhouse iPad 4 with retina. Being a photographer, getting the iPad 4, would be good. The radar maps for when I do storm chasing was good too, the portability of the thing though kind of put a kink into things. The Mini, is out dated for what it is. Underpowered, but attractive nonetheless.
But I could not make my mind up! I kept jumping from the mini to the iPad 4 from wifi to LTE from 16 all the way up to 64gb and I still could not make my mind up. I even thought about an iPhone 5!
I kept trying to figure out a way to integrate everything, but I could not come to a solid decision about which device. Even though I wanted to experiment with something new, I just could not find an iDevice to do so with. The iPhone, I almost keep dropping them, and did an 4s, it almost hit the floor. Just way too small. Outdated. etc
Even some of the recent complaints I have had toward android, I just could not do it.
Then, my Dad became interested in my Moms galaxy note. After explaining some things to him, and simplifying dialing out for one of us while we where out and a quick overview of google now, he actually liked the device! Not only that, he digs the stylus for playing a few games on the smaller screen.
Being disabled, and visually impaired, and not a techy, I set up direct dial, so if we are out, he can get ahold of one of us quickly, so, he ended up with Moms galaxy note.
Since I was looking to upgrade the one x anyway (I was thinking iPad with LTE) and my mom was a little daunted by the note, I worked something out.
The poor little one x just can't find the love around here. If only it had more storage…
Since the iPads did not fill the bill for me, I did not want to add yet another line (even if it was data only) and I had a spare phone laying around not getting use and I found that spare phone (the one x) very limited for what I, and my mom wanted to do. And since there was an upgrade for it anyway, I used the upgrade.
It was not hard. The iPad mini with its lowballed specs and probably not quite portable due to the 4:3 screen, nor is the iPad 4, then apples outdated, rehashed operating system for it and deciding an iPad would be yet ANOTHER device to carry during storm chasing.
Not only that, switching between apps in a hurry, namely radar and maps to keep from getting lost, or rolled up in the thunderstorms core, where often times I would need two devices, or switch between programs, which can be a bit of a pain sometimes depending how intense things get, and trying to operate a camera, and navigate and try not to get caught up in the storm… the less switching and less devices the better.
I did a little bit of research and came across something that looks like it would be a huge asset for my extracurricular activities.
I picked up a Galaxy Note II.
-The stylus. Great for pointing out interesting radar stuff, or pointing out features in a photo
-Multi window (when I get the update) Radar on one, twitter / maps on another.
-Performance. This thing destroys the iPad mini, and it fits in my pocket, for sure.
-A huge TON of space. Spare micro SD cards are decently priced. I wonder if my camera would pitch a fit if I stuck a micro SD card in a SD adapter and shot with it. Though, getting the back off the phone and putting the card in to pull the images off is a little obtrusive. An eye fi card would probably be the better bet.
-Size. Sure, its "only" slightly bigger the the SIII, but more screen size for the photos and radar maps, the better.
- More cool tricks I found, like in maps, I can circle something, and text it to someone, or post it to twitter or what not! Very cool.
So, there you have it. I am giving up my SIII. It will go to my mom. Its a little easier for her to handle. Has a bunch of space for her photos, large enough for her to keep an eye on the weather as well, but small enough to go with her and hopefully very useful.
The SIII has been pretty good to me, so, I hope its good for my mom, too. At first it was going to be the one x, but the limited space on the thing. Now, the SIII, I can shove in a new 16-32gb card and let my mom go shutter happy with out worrying about running out of space. And we can set it up the exactly the way she wants it.
She is not the hardcore user like I am, but should be really nice for her anyway.
As far as the one x? I think I am going to return it to stock as much as I can, and possibly put it up for sale.
Oh, and I don't plan to root this one. I plan to keep this one pure.... at least for now
The long and short of it?
EDIT:
Okay, it feels as if I just can't win. Seriously! I was all hyped over this multiwindow feature, but I guess it was too good to be true. Only certain apps work with it. And not the ones I wanted to use. Maps does, but I cannot load the radar up on the other. Fail on me.
I sold myself on this device for this feature! I can't believe this. I am really dejected over this.
Rooting may work, but I wanted to hold off on doing so because I kind of grew tired of it.