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Android owners aren’t real smartphone owners

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 · 11:38 am · 65 Comments

“Compared with iPhone owners, Android owners are less likely to shop with their phone, use it to browse the Internet, or watch video with their phone,” Nicholas Carlson writes for Business Insider.

“Why do Android owners even bother buying smartphones?” Carlson writes. “Probably because they don’t actually buy them.”

Carlson writes, “Search for ‘Free Android Phone’ sometime. I just did, and amid all the offers from carrier I even found this ad from Domino’s pizza.”

Hilarity.

iPhone owners, Carlson writes, “spend money to get a personal computer in their pocket. Android owners, for the most part, are just looking for a new cellphone, and will take whatever is handed to them at the store that doesn’t cost any extra money.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: We carried an article yesterday that asked, “Where are the Android users?“

There are many answers to that question, including:
• Repeatedly driving around the block burning $4 gas, looking for that one empty spot with a paid-up parking meter.
• Joining CD-of-the-month clubs, copying them, then selling the original CDs.
• Filling their pockets with ketchup, salt, pepper, and sugar packets at McDonald’s.
• Practicing how to surreptitiously and quickly peel off and transfer price tags.
• Ferreting toilet paper out of the office bathroom for home use.

Feel free to add your own in the Comments below.

As we wrote last November:

Android can have the Hee Haw demographic. Apple doesn’t want it or need it; it’s far more trouble than it’s worth.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]

Categories: News

Tags: android, Android cheapskates, Domino's Pizza, ios, smartphones

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Comment Feed

65 Comments

1 2 Next »

rdiddly

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 11:43 am · Reply

Busy washing windshields at the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.
- Truth
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:18 pm · Reply
  
  Joking at the expense of those less fortunate than yourself makes you the punchline. JERK
  - rdiddly
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:25 pm · Reply
    
    Hmmm. I suppose that any punch line we could possibly come up with here would put us at risk of incurring your wrath since only those less fortunate than ourselves in one way or another are those upon whom Android is being foisted. Whether its those who are unemployed (which, BTW, I am currently), or those with a more active amygdala and a less active insula, whatever the circumstance, we should not make fun of Android buyers. Is that what you’re saying?
    - Truth
      
      Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 2:25 pm · Reply
      
      NO, I don’t think you should mock Android users either. If you stubbornly believe for a single moment you can stereotype Android users, well you are the fool. I know plenty of them, plenty of smart,informed people who CHOOSE to use Android. Why do you care what someone else uses? I would no sooner make a judgment about a person based on their toaster or brand of HVAC equipment.
      
      Nice brain reference BTW. I like smart snark. So you have a brain, you just lack compassion.
      - billyjackblack
        
        Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 6:32 pm · Reply
        
        We mock Android users because it’s fun. Some may be smart but it doesn’t take away from the fact that they are using stolen goods.
      - bataylor
        
        Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 8:11 pm · Reply
        
        That’s just it Truth, iPhonies identity IS tied into the products and gadgets they use and they wouldn’t choose or even entertain any alternatives if their skinny jeans, scarves, thrift store hats and sweaters depended on it.
  - Steven
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:29 pm · Reply
    
    I don’t care about strangers who are less fortunate than me when there’s not a medical reason for their misfortune. NOT joking about them just makes you “reserved”. I worked for what I have, and they should have too. Rising from ruin is not an impossible task. If a guy washes windows for 30 years at minimum wage them he deserves to be made fun of. It’s amazing what ANYONE can do with student loans and monster.com
    - Truth
      
      Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:18 pm · Reply
      
      Good for you! I’m doing well myself. However, your analogy is a steaming pile of misinformation and anecdotal opinion.
      
      The old: “I did it, so it means anyone can” mantra. What a crock of shit. Having worked in inner city schools, let me assure you. NOT EVERYONE CAN, and in the case of the impoverished, MOST CAN’T. The deck is stacked against them.
      
      You can debate political points all you like on the matter, the fact remains: When you belittle others based on your screwed up caste system, you are a tyrant jerk.
      
      Your simpleton logic merely implies that you do not care enough to think deeply on the matter, hence your poorly thought out justification for being a dick.
      
      You said: “If a guy washes windows for 30 years at minimum wage them he deserves to be made fun of” Last I checked addiction was a medical condition, mental illness is a medical condition. Both are likely reasons for the guy washing windows. Maybe he is just slow and this is the work he can do. Tell me again why he deserves anyones derision? Why does he need to be mocked for not sharing your goals and ambitions? Maybe you could just say “thank you” and respect the fact that he is doing something and not be a sanctimonious prick.
      
      I gotta ask: Did you vote for Mitt by any chance? I see a striking similarity between Mr. 47% and your twisted thought processes.
      - rdiddly
        
        Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:36 pm · Reply
        
        I think someone needs to speak Power to Truth. Relax Truth, the people to whom we’re referring here will not be reading this. Really. It’s okay. Calm down. (But this is getting to be sort of fun.)
      - ban6dit
        
        Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 7:55 pm · Reply
        
        Look out everyone its about to get messy.
        Sounds like some has got his panties in his twist.
        Addiction is NOT a mental illness. You CAN’T get rid of an illness with will power. Addiction is a behavior and you can control behavior. Most people simply choose not to. CHECK AGAIN.
        If someone really wants to get out of the ‘inner city” they can. Yes the deck is stacked against them but there are way to get out, especially for younger people. They may have to make some difficult choices and do things they don’t like but they can. If you are saying they can’t then it sounds like you have given up on them. and then I ask “why are you teaching?”
        It if funny how you call someone a “sanctimonious prick” when you appear to be doing the same thing.
        
        Back to the topic at hand please. People who “choose” Android are choosing a stolen product (software) and and bad copy at that. Those who use Samsung phones are choosing to use both stolen hardware and software. Then complain about all the issues they have. They are supporting criminal behavior they do not deserve any respect or quarter. They are generally the targets of the jokes.
        
        Also many statements (not all) said about Android users are facts not opinions can be supported with surveys reports and data. Most Android users are looking for “cheap” phone. There are both cheap and expensive Android phones. with many people getting lower end phones. Many people replace their old feature phones for android phones they may not even want an android phone but they can be as cheap or cheaper than feature phones so they get one. Also there are the buy one get one free deals. Many android users don’t shop on their devices, or surf the internet or use any of the apps or “smart” features. So they use it like a feature phone and not like a smart phone. Many of the supposed features of Android aren’t truly features and aren’t useful they are just gimmicks.
        
        many of the things android phones can do iPhones can do. One great this is google software runs on iOS devices but not the other way around. iPhones can use both google voice and Siri, iPhones can use google doc, iPhones can use google search. etc.
        
        My last thing for now. Many Android users use Android simply because its not Apple which is just freakin stupid. These people hate apple as much many people here love Apple. FEW other companies have such following of devoted supporters and haters. Often people at the top are hated simply because they are at the top regardless if they earned that position or not. This irrational and illogical Apple hate is what draws in the criticism and poking fun at Android users.
        
        Truth
        
        Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 11:48 am · Reply
        
        Let’s start with the on topic portion:
        
        you said: “Many Android users use Android simply because its not Apple which is just freakin stupid. These people hate apple as much many people here love Apple.”
        
        Which is funny given the tone around here towards ANYTHING not APPLE.
        
        You might as well have said: Many iPhone users use iPhone simply because it is made by Apple, These people hate Android simply because it isn’t Apple.
        
        The “stolen” is debatable, when Google starts cutting court ordered checks, call me. Apple didn’t invent multitouch, and quite frankly Tech patents are out of control, I could care less if Android can pinch to zoom. The reason it is intuitive is because it is the natural and logic way to do it with multi-touch.
        
        All this crying over patents is useless. There is a clear and simple way for Apple to best them. Innovate & outperform the competition. Apple could stand to offer some new design. To me the strength of the iPhone was never the IVE-gasm hardware design, it was the integration, the software. iOS needs updating, feature lag is apparent if you pick up an Android phone and spend some time with it.
        
        It feels like Apple is resting on it’s laurels, they seem very unfocused right now. The next 6 months will tell us a lot about what Apple is going to be like under Tim. Better be one hell of a WWDC. IOS needs help, OS X needs help.
        
        Addiction is a disease: http://archives.drugabuse.gov/about/welcome/aboutdrugabuse/chronicdisease/
        
        Impoverished children have no recourse for leaving their situations in most cases until they reach adult age IF thy reach adult age. In many poor demographics they are dead or incarcerated prior to that, never able to escape the vicious cycle.
        
        I’m not a classroom teacher, I am an IT director. I run 1:1 programs and have the opportunity to work with Teachers and Students on a daily basis providing technology support and instruction. I do it because I love it. I could make much more money (and have) in the private sector, but it isn’t nearly as rewarding. Why don’t I just quit ? It isn’t in my DNA, that’s why. I could share hundreds of gut wrenching stories of kids unable to escape their situation, DESPITE the best efforts of those of us who care at the school.
        
        Understand, my position does not come from naiveté, and I wish your assertions were true, that it is all so simple and just a matter of making a choice. But it isn’t. When your whole support structure is at school, the environmental influence is hard to overcome. More FAIL to make it out than succeed.
    - Grifterus
      
      Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 2:14 pm · Reply
      
      You don’t live in a 3rd World Country for sure.
      
      What would you do WITHOUT student loans, monster.com, PLUS a society where your family background is more important than your academic or intellectual achievements?
      
      There ARE people less fortunate than us. And not by choice. Sometimes the environment makes all the difference. Other countries are not “the US with less money”. The USA is great because it creates opportunities. Other countries… well, they are not so great.
birdy

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 11:44 am · Reply

But the wallstreet journal said….
- ken1w
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 4:55 pm · Reply
  
  Yes, it’s not too smart to willingly become the “eyeballs” that Google sells to their TRUE customers. Android users don’t pay the bills at Google HQ, advertisers do.
What???

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 11:46 am · Reply

Someone thought they left out a space in the title.
- RePlay
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:02 pm · Reply
  
  Ha! +1
- quiviran
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:48 pm · Reply
  
  Extra letters. Didn’t need “phone users”
darknite

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:02 pm · Reply

There is a slight error, let me fix it for ya.

“Android owners aren’t very smart”

You’re welcome, thanks for shopping, and have a nice day.
- Predrag
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:15 pm · Reply
  
  Exactly that was posted above by What???, only a bit more circumspectly.
MEES

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:06 pm · Reply

Article is mis-titled. It should read, “Android owners aren’t smart owners”
- Truth
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:23 pm · Reply
  
  Stereotype much?
  
  Seems you are just the sort of lemming depicted in Apple’s famous commercial. Content to take only what the master provides and to denigrate all else.
  
  I remember when Apple users were better than that. Apple is stumbling lately and have squandered the hot hand. iOS is lagging and iPhone is slipping. The sooner we all admit that and put pressure on Apple to improve the better off we will all be.
  - rdiddly
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:28 pm · Reply
    
    Take a chill pill dude(tte).
  - Daddyfreddy
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:15 pm · Reply
    
    Stereotype much? Pomposity seems to be your strong suit. Save your analysis for the schoolyard. You ain’t no Horace Deidu.
  - coolfactor
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:02 pm · Reply
    
    So Apple = its ingorant userbase? Interesting. Hey Apple, you have a message from Truth about how to be. Come and listen. It’s very entertaining.
    
    The Truth is that Apple is on fire… slow and steady progress. They don’t church out a dozen different models of their products like the competition. They don’t cut corners. They don’t rush into the marketplace just to be first. But sometimes they are first, with the best. The iPod proves that. The iPhone provides that. The iPad proves that. Heck, in a way, even the Mac proves that, although it required a reboot. It is still built on the same principles established in the early Apple days. Apple is true to their principles, and they won’t compromise for market share or some gold star of approval handed out by Truth.
    - coolfactor
      
      Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:03 pm · Reply
      
      ignorant, churn… sure wish we could edit post here.
  - noibs
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:09 pm · Reply
    
    Living your parent’s basement when you’re 45 must really suck. Sorry dude.
  - denismboucher
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 5:26 pm · Reply
    
    @Truth: Have you looked at Samsung ads lately? Do you also roam Androids-friendly websites and leave that kind of comments about stereotyping? If so, could you point me to a few? Just curious…
tom

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:07 pm · Reply

Had iphone 3gs, 4S, and the 5 the day it was release, but recently wanted something more so got me a S3 and so far very happy with it. While I still like the iphone and alll(still have a ipad and ipad mini) just wanted to be able to play around and customize a little more. Now granted I am an advanced user so the switch wasnt that much of a pain..
- dsect
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:11 pm · Reply
  
  Wow. Google translate from Korean to English works really well!
- twodales
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:15 pm · Reply
  
  Verbs are your friend.
- Dresden Sparrow
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:18 pm · Reply
  
  Hey, why would you down vote such a post. WTF. Although it may not be obvious, the stars are not for rating how pro Apple each comment each.
  - Jim
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:55 pm · Reply
    
    Aw, crap.
- Really
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:39 pm · Reply
  
  Even when I had an iPhone I didn’t surf much. Its just not my thing I usually have things to do.
  
  This site and one other are rare exceptions.
  
  Sent from my Droid DNA.
Dresden Sparrow

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:14 pm · Reply

It is amazing how Google has achieved in mobile OS what Windows did with the PC, but in a mere fraction of the time.
- Predrag
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:26 pm · Reply
  
  I wouldn’t call it fraction of time. Windows first came out in 1985, and MS had acquired dominant market share in about the same number of years: from about 30% in 1985, to about 90% in 1990. It has kept the dominant position, and the market share stayed above 90% for well over a decade.
- iJah420
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:31 pm · Reply
  
  What do expect from an unethical CEO mole @ the time? Willful IP infringement is an understatment when it comes to both Gaagle & SamScit. They STOLE the very essence of the user experience of iPhone 2007…. Slide to unlock, Rubberband, Pinch to zoom…. Etc… THEY STOLE APPLES IP. THIEVERY is how they were able to gain marketshare. The story is a Global tragedy and it’s rotten to the bribed core.
- coolfactor
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:05 pm · Reply
  
  So market share = status and importance? That is amazing.
greggthurman

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:20 pm · Reply

“Android can have the Hee Haw demographic. Apple doesn’t want it or need it; it’s far more trouble than it’s worth.”

That being the case, and I think it is, then Apple doesn’t need a cheaper iPhone. Apple isn’t in this to sell hardware, they’re in it to sell content, which Android users don’t buy.
- mxnt41
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:32 pm · Reply
  
  Apple are in it to make a profit on everything, most notably hardware. iTunes sales are now much more than they were, but historically it was a break even business. Apple are fundamentally a hardware company, but whereas most other companies are looking for volume, Apple are looking for profit.
  - 1Racer
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:49 pm · Reply
    
    Ther is profit in them downloads. Apple has the best of both worlds – profiting from hardware and software. This willingly increase as more hardware is sold and more users enter the Apple ecosystem.
- coolfactor
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 3:07 pm · Reply
  
  Apple is a solutions company. End-to-end solution. That takes both hardware, software, and now services in today’s connected world. Any company that only focuses on one, but is dependent on other companies for the others is doomed to irrelevance. That’s why you see the big boys all doing both hardware and software now. The old approach is aged and broken.
iJah420

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:21 pm · Reply

Out in the real world it is so blatantly obvious as to the utter & total ignorance of an Android user. You can spot them just by their sudo superiority complex that is near equal = to or greater > than the age old IT DUFUSSES in the corporate world hanging onto the belief that WindV8ista is somehow going to magically fix itself through more patches and added on viral protection. Hey, Fck EM who gives a rats ass, my setup is seemless and oh IT WORKS. I overheard a guy the other day telling his friend in a liquor storev that HE LOST EVERYTHING!!! on his OH so SmartDroid phone. He worked with the carrier for OVER 5HOURS to no avail his info was GONE!!!! Pictures, contacts etc.. POOF! Most AssDroid users have a similar mindset & fail to implement a backup strategy. You can lead a horse to water BUT…….? Oh BUT THE PHONE WAS FREE!!!!! How much is your time worth to you? The LAST THING I want is to spend 5hours at a Sprint or Verizon store. Fck them too. Rant done. Apple has something big up its sleeve.
- Dresden Sparrow
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:25 pm · Reply
  
  super user do?
  - Predrag
    
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:30 pm · Reply
    
    I have a feeling that when he said “sudo superiority complex”, he really meant “pseudo-superiority complex”…
    - iJah420
      
      Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:35 pm · Reply
      
      UNIX
- Bill
  
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:29 pm · Reply
  
  Calm down, nobody’s going to take your Apple toys from you. ‘Cos who the hell would want them?
Steven

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:34 pm · Reply

Since everyone keeps re-titling the article, here is mine: just remove “smartphone owners”; “Android owners aren’t real”.
Agent Provocateur

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:40 pm · Reply

What I’m seeing with Android are a couple of groups:
1- The LINUX Geek’s phone
2- The Too Cool for Apple since it is popular crowd.
3- The clueless.
4- Those who really do not care and let the sales person pick it for them (whatever Phone is being pushed that month).

I work in a hospital and see a LOT of women using Androids. They rarely ever use the browser, but use the hell out of the FaceBook app and a few games- the rest they do is standard feature phone stuff.
bjr001

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:40 pm · Reply

One place you will never find an Android, Windows or BB users for that matter, is waiting in line every year or every other year for several days without bathing, little food, only leaving the line for a bathroom break just so he/she can purchase a new phone to replace their year or two year old phone that will load the YouTube of the day video 5 seconds faster. Such an accomplished life these individuals live.
- FUD
  
  Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 7:49 pm · Reply
  
  Transient Fandroids like bjr001 get so upset when an iPhone line takes up space on their “home”.
Ferdinand

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:44 pm · Reply

Honestly, I do agree to the point that Apple doesn’t need a cheaper phone. Those who wants a cheaper phone doesn’t want to pay for content. What is there to sell when Apple aims to make the hardware only the beginning to its relationship with its customers, and yet they stop at just buying that cheaper phone?

I am a developer, and I am serious about this. Making a cheaper phone brings Apple nowhere. In fact, it just shows how dumb they have become, and just blindly following the market. I love Apple because they always gave their best in making quality products, and providing quality service (even though I don’t have an Offical Apple Store here in Singapore). It’s not about the quantity (number of functionalities) but the quality (how good, secure and easy to learn/use is each service). It’s never how many you sell, but how many customers end up happy with the quality of the product and service!
noodlesnoodlemann

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 12:56 pm · Reply

While I agree with article, I see plenty of people on iPhones that have no clue of everything that they can do. Too many people on both platforms that don’t really need a smartphone. But if paying $70.00 per month so they can look at youtube videos on their phone is worth it to them, whatever.
bataylor

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:00 pm · Reply

wow…really…this one gets Goolge-cal’d.
interlopering

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:08 pm · Reply

Oh gosh, there goes Domino’s stock.
BlueMax

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:50 pm · Reply

splitting 2 ply toilet paper to double up?
MacFreek

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:54 pm · Reply

iPhone afficionados who bought Apple shares at $750 a pop are the real idiots. Maybe you will see a bump in your portfolios after WWDC this year.
Tflint

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 2:16 pm · Reply

The Android owners that I know can barely figure out how make a phone. None of them know what an app is.
ken1w

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 2:29 pm · Reply

A typical Android phone is today’s “feature phone.” It has the features it comes with, never to be upgraded by the provider or willingly enhanced by most owners.

I use an original iPhone that I bought used about two years ago (used VERY inexpensively with a pre-paid plan). And, although it only runs iPhone OS 3.1.3 and can’t handle most brand new apps, I’m STILL finding ways to make it more useful as the little computer in my pocket.