“Despite Google’s presence all over iOS, thus far, Apple hasn’t really made much of a mark on Android,” Michael Simon writes for Macworld. “But there are some areas that could use a little iOS ingenuity.”
“I recently took a month-long vacation from my iPhone to try out the Nexus 6P, and on iOS, the messages I sent on Android are basically in a void. It’s bad enough that everyone I contacted was forced to read my messages inside gross green bubbles, but now that I’ve switched back, those exchanges are forever locked inside my Nexus,” Simon writes. “But it wasn’t just the continuity I missed on Marshmallow—the whole messaging experience was inferior to the one on iOS. Android’s Messenger app has none of the charm of Messages, and on more than one occasion I was forced to reboot my phone in order for incoming pictures to load. And a couple times texts simply refused to send.”
Simon writes, “With an Android version of Messages, Apple could create an network overnight that rivals WhatsApp and establish a colony in enemy territory, all while showing Android users just how much better texting can be.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: There’s nothing more annoying on the messaging front than trying to deal with some random doofus on Android. It’s just so much better with iPhone/iPad/Mac!
Oh the problems of a dumbed down user…
I work in an assembly plant with terrific wifi and crappy cell coverage due to the overhead conveyors. When I attempt to communicate with colleagues who have iPhones I can communicate via messenger or FaceTime audio, but those pesky android users always force me to stand outside or walk forever to find a signal. It’s infuriating.
Most mobile operators now support WiFi calling and texting. You don’t need to use Apple’s proprietary communication channels (iMessage or FaceTime); as long as you use the built-in calling / texting apps, and have WiFi calling enabled, your phone will use the WiFi network instead of mobile/4G.
I have been using this functionality since iPhone 5S on T-Mobile, which had it for almost two years now.
The key is that your carrier supports WiFi calling (and that you enable it in your settings).
When you enable WiFi calling on your phone, the carrier signal stength indicator will say “T-Mobile WiFi” (or whatever is the case for your carrier). The phone works exactly as if on a 3G / 4G mobile connection (makes and receives calls, sends and receives SMS texts and MMS messages, etc), the only difference is that it is connected to a WiFi network instead of the carrier’s mobile network.
In my experience, this works flawlessly, except when it doesn’t. For me, the only time it doesn’t work is when I’m in the Fairway supermarket store; the one in Manhattan gets no carrier signal in its underground level (who knew?), but they have their own free WiFi. I could never get T-Mobile to connect via this WiFi, and always had to use Skype or FaceTime to connect.
Re: MDN’s Take
Being that Android is an open platform, someone can write an App that blocks sending messages to iPhones IF Apple is open enough to send a “No texts from Android” flag.
And iPhone identification signal.
Yes, that was sarcasm.
I think we’ll see iCloud versions of Messenger, Maps, and Spotlight long before anything is released for Android. It’s obvious Apple is building a new web-based platform with iCloud, so we’ll see yet another SDK from Apple in the next few years for developing iCloud apps. (Although we may have to wait for a Swift replacement of Javascript.)
The only logical way I can imagine Apple can ‘take on’ lousy Android is to sell cheap phones with hobbled iOS, limited cell bandwidth and lots of imposed adware. Seeing as that is a seriously awful prospect for Apple, masters of quality technology, I can’t imagine it will happen.
But what if Apple spun off a side business, let’s call it ‘Phony Phones‘. Let them foist the cruddy, crippled not-really-an-iPhone gear into the market and take the heat for it. Apple can simply turn their heads and say that ‘Phony Phones’ is merely a subsidiary with their own management, not directly approved by Apple. Blahblahblah.
:-Q***** –Me hurling at the thought.
I have Apple and android. I’m not blinded by Apple faith. The Galaxy s6 edge is a more advanced phone than the iPhone. Better screen,camera, storage, looks, curved screen, don’t be so singular. It won all the top awards regardless of sales. I hate Apple fanatics.
I hate malware. I hate fragmandroid. I hate people who go to computer platform websites only to tell everyone there that they ‘hate’ them, while being anonymous cowards. So predictable, old and boring. Ask the person in the mirror what’s the point of your hate mongering.
“The Galaxy s6 edge is a more advanced phone than the iPhone. ”
Sure, if you want to cherry pick the few areas that it may be slightly better. Given that you included the camera and the iPhone recently beat out all the android handsets in a blind test in photo quality, it would seem your list is highly suspect.
But even if I did accept your phony list, then you seem to be neglecting the massive security difference, with 99% of mobile malware targeting your platform, with even new and insidious forms of new malware such as “ransomware” in which malicious software hijacks and bricks your phone unless you pay them to unlock it for you. Let’s not even mention all the software that secretly steals your data and keystrokes and makes any form of secure transactions on your phone exceedingly risky.
I didn’t even mention the lack of upgradability, the lack of after purchase support, the lack of any assurance of privacy, and add on top of that, the fact that many android handset manufacturers are barely making any profit putting them in financial distress, putting a big question mark whether they will exist in a few years to continue supporting your phone.
But by all means, enjoy your phone. Keep telling yourself that you made the right purchase and that it is superior to the iPhone and that Apple fans are all iSheep hypnotized by the shiny Apple logo.
So what new security horrors are going on in Fragmandroid world today? Check it out:
Got a Nexus? Google has five critical Android security fixes for you
Have any other Android device? You’ve got five new gaping holes
Google has fixed 12 security bugs in its Android source code – including five that would allow miscreants to achieve remote code execution or root access.
The Mountain View giant said its January Android security update includes patches for five CVE-listed security vulnerabilities it rates as “critical” risks, two considered “high” security risks, and five flaws rated as “moderate.” The upgrade is being pushed to Nexus gadgets as over-the-air downloads – so check for updates and eventually they will arrive and install. . . .
Google itself is only releasing updates for its Nexus devices. Other Android handsets and tablets will have to be updated by their respective vendors and carriers, so you’ll have to wait for them to get round to it. Google said it sent out the updates to all of its Android partners back on December 7.
Will YOUR Android phone be updated? Or will it suffer Total PWNage? Only your phone manufacturer knows for sure. 😆
At least with Windows, you know every modern PC is ABLE to be updated with new security patches. With Android: Nope! BIG problem there Google! Worse-Than-Windows. That’s quite an accomplishment.
Microsoft, Apple and Adobe feature on top vulnerabilities list of 2015
Read more: http://www.itproportal.com/2016/01/04/microsoft-apple-adobe-feature-top-vulnerabilities-list-2015/#ixzz3wOhZ1nxk
Much as I enjoy a controversial article, seems this one is a very early April Fools one based on its date. (^_^)
Read my most recent Mac-Security post. I directed readers to The Register’s coverage of the CVE count for 2015. The Register got it right, pointing out that measuring security by the number of CVEs makes NO sense. The article you linked points out the SAME thing.
What’s actually useful is to count the number of successful malware and exploits as well as the attitude of the various companies toward their own security. You’ll my critical summary of Apple’s attitude toward security in 2015. It will blow your mind because you believe ‘Apple fanatics’ are all mindless sheeple. NOT the case. We’re actually the most critical tech gear purchasers on the planet. We demand the best and are the first to blast Apple when they screw up. They screwed up a lot in 2015. Just not in any way worthy of wringing hands, FUD horror hysteria. BSD UNIX, including OS X, continues to be the safest computer OS platform currently available. Deal with it.
I would add that in order to really make a apples to apples comparison comparing each ‘app store’ to each other would be of use.. Apple vs Amazon vs Google Play vs etc. due to less tech savvy users never checking “Unknown sources” allowing them to download apps from sites other than the ‘main’ one (Amazon or Google Play). It’s unfortunate that the ‘cleaner’ stores are affected so much by the reputations of the ‘dirtier’ ones by being lumped together.
Microsoft, Apple and Adobe feature on top vulnerabilities list of 2015
Read more: http://www.itproportal.com/2016/01/04/microsoft-apple-adobe-feature-top-vulnerabilities-list-2015/#ixzz3wOhZ1nxk. I have Apple and android. Don’t make out iOS is safer. If it is prove it? Android is much further down than Apple. Sent from my iPad Air 2
“Apple hasn’t really made much of a mark on Android.” Umm. Full screen touch interface, pinch to zoom, swipe to unlock, etc. it’s amazing how quickly people forget before the iPhone was released.
All had been done before
Though I admire your cheerleading, I think the main article’s point was that Apps and services for MS and Google are available for iOS but the reverse is not as true for Apple services on the other platforms. Should Apple decide to open those services to other platforms perhaps they would gain in those areas.. IMO Apple doesn’t do so for good or bad as a possible incentive for users to switch to their devices and ecosystem.
Why should Apple make their better app available for a crap-riddled OS? Especially with insane number of variants. Let the sufferers figure it out someday – or not.
There’s a principle in business — “Speak only to your best customers”. There is nothing to be gained by chasing the last few percent of profit.