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Is that because not many people are using Android phones around you, or because they're using garden variety handsets with Android and you just don't notice the

Is that because not many people are using Android phones around you, or because they're using garden variety handsets with Android and you just don't notice them because a) they don't have that distinctive iPhone style, or b) people don't feel the need to flash their Android phones around like they do with iPhones? I'm not trying to be snarky about it, but I've noticed multiple times in public that peolpe have Android phones just because I recognize one of their distinctive ringtones or notification sounds. I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.

tvon 16y ago
> I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device. I really don't understand this perception of the iPhone as a fashion device or a status symbol. Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that, and it works really well which might be why people have it out and ready to use. At least thats why at a bar or casual restaurant I'll have mine out 8 times out of 10.
- jeebusroxors 16y ago
  Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that I don't think scarcity is a prerequisite to fashion. See those big sun glasses. Many people had them but I would consider that a "fashion statement". I do agree with having the phone out. I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, but with the ability to check email/text/wiki/web and the fragility of the devices there is little reason not to.
  - tvon 16y ago
    Good point on the fashion bit. > I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, (...) But why? People have been pecking away at their blackberries for years, who gives a damn if you have a modern smartphone on the table?
- sprout 16y ago
  > Everyone has one How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points? Most people have dumb phones or feature phones. In the smartphone crowd, most people have Blackberries. Not even close to everyone has an iPhone. The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol. The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones.
  - tvon 16y ago
    > How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points? Well, my comment was more than three words, and those three words you picked were not meant to be taken completely literally. > The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol. I don't think most people feel that way. > The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones. With the exception of the Droid, the Android phones I keep reading about tend to look like iPhones.
Lazlo_Nibble 16y ago
* I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.* I'd love to know how you're determining this. Does Swarovski offer a brooch-mount case or something?
tkahn6 16y ago
I think without the statements about the iPhone as a fashion item, your comment is insightful.
- detst 16y ago
  Agreed but it was probably the 9/10 part, as that makes it a personal dig at many here. The reality is that it is a fashion item for many people. I think if you're in the tech community you may think everybody has one but they don't and many that do have it to show off. Even if everyone around you does have one, that doesn't mean it can't be a fashion item; no different than "keeping up with the Jones'".
starkfist 16y ago
Maybe you don't see them because the Android's battery is dead, so the phone is still in their pocket.
- DrJokepu 16y ago
  While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek comment, it is true that one of the main problems I had with my Android phone (it was a G1, the first Android phone) was the appallingly short battery life. Even when it was brand new it wasn't uncommon at all to have its battery depleted by midday. After only a year and a half, its battery became completely useless, it dies seconds after disconnecting from the charger. In contrast, I only have to put my iPhone 4 on the charger every second day at the moment.
  - djb_hackernews 16y ago
    counter anecdote, My ~2 week old htc hero hasn't been charged in 34 hours and has 60% battery left. This is with wifi on and mild data-heavy app usage.
hockeybias 16y ago
I think there is no denying that (on top of being a very useful gadget) the iPhone is a status symbol for many; regardless of how many have it.
SnowLprd 16y ago
I completely disagree with the assertion that the supposed 90% of iPhone users who keep their phone out and visible are doing so for fashion cred rather than for more functional reasons. Other, much-more-likely reasons: 1. The iPhone isn't some tiny device that fits comfortably in a pocket -- particularly when seated. When I'm at a restaurant and wearing jeans, you can bet your ass I'm going to take my iPhone out of my pocket and put it on the table. Why would I leave it in my pocket? So I can struggle to fish it out when it rings? 2. Since the iPhone does more than just make/receive calls, it's often handy to have the phone out for email, text messenging, web searches, and other functions. (While none of those are particularly socially-acceptible behaviors, they are probably forgivable when the other member(s) of your party take a bathroom break.) 3. Crikey -- do you really need a third reason? ;) Of course, this would likely apply to all smartphones that have similar form factors and data communication abilities -- including Android-powered phones. Since I find it hard to believe that owners of Android-powered phones are somehow unaffected by the above factors, I left with no other reason for your contention other than a distorted lens.

tvon 16y ago

> I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device. I really don't understand this perception of the iPhone as a fashion device or a status symbol. Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that, and it works really well which might be why people have it out and ready to use. At least thats why at a bar or casual restaurant I'll have mine out 8 times out of 10.

jeebusroxors 16y ago
Everyone has one, there isn't much status to that I don't think scarcity is a prerequisite to fashion. See those big sun glasses. Many people had them but I would consider that a "fashion statement". I do agree with having the phone out. I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, but with the ability to check email/text/wiki/web and the fragility of the devices there is little reason not to.
- tvon 16y ago
  Good point on the fashion bit. > I feel a bit pretentious when I have my phone out on a table/bar, (...) But why? People have been pecking away at their blackberries for years, who gives a damn if you have a modern smartphone on the table?
sprout 16y ago
> Everyone has one How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points? Most people have dumb phones or feature phones. In the smartphone crowd, most people have Blackberries. Not even close to everyone has an iPhone. The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol. The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones.
- tvon 16y ago
  > How does a flat-out falsehood like that get to 9 points? Well, my comment was more than three words, and those three words you picked were not meant to be taken completely literally. > The fact is, a smartphone of any stripe is a status symbol. I don't think most people feel that way. > The thing about most Android phones is they blend in and tend to look just like feature-phones. With the exception of the Droid, the Android phones I keep reading about tend to look like iPhones.

Lazlo_Nibble 16y ago

* I've also noticed that 9/10 people who keep their phone out and visible are basically wearing their iPhone as a fashion item rather than a functional device.* I'd love to know how you're determining this. Does Swarovski offer a brooch-mount case or something?

tkahn6 16y ago

I think without the statements about the iPhone as a fashion item, your comment is insightful.

detst 16y ago
Agreed but it was probably the 9/10 part, as that makes it a personal dig at many here. The reality is that it is a fashion item for many people. I think if you're in the tech community you may think everybody has one but they don't and many that do have it to show off. Even if everyone around you does have one, that doesn't mean it can't be a fashion item; no different than "keeping up with the Jones'".

starkfist 16y ago

Maybe you don't see them because the Android's battery is dead, so the phone is still in their pocket.

DrJokepu 16y ago
While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek comment, it is true that one of the main problems I had with my Android phone (it was a G1, the first Android phone) was the appallingly short battery life. Even when it was brand new it wasn't uncommon at all to have its battery depleted by midday. After only a year and a half, its battery became completely useless, it dies seconds after disconnecting from the charger. In contrast, I only have to put my iPhone 4 on the charger every second day at the moment.
- djb_hackernews 16y ago
  counter anecdote, My ~2 week old htc hero hasn't been charged in 34 hours and has 60% battery left. This is with wifi on and mild data-heavy app usage.

hockeybias 16y ago

I think there is no denying that (on top of being a very useful gadget) the iPhone is a status symbol for many; regardless of how many have it.

SnowLprd 16y ago

I completely disagree with the assertion that the supposed 90% of iPhone users who keep their phone out and visible are doing so for fashion cred rather than for more functional reasons. Other, much-more-likely reasons: 1. The iPhone isn't some tiny device that fits comfortably in a pocket -- particularly when seated. When I'm at a restaurant and wearing jeans, you can bet your ass I'm going to take my iPhone out of my pocket and put it on the table. Why would I leave it in my pocket? So I can struggle to fish it out when it rings? 2. Since the iPhone does more than just make/receive calls, it's often handy to have the phone out for email, text messenging, web searches, and other functions. (While none of those are particularly socially-acceptible behaviors, they are probably forgivable when the other member(s) of your party take a bathroom break.) 3. Crikey -- do you really need a third reason? ;) Of course, this would likely apply to all smartphones that have similar form factors and data communication abilities -- including Android-powered phones. Since I find it hard to believe that owners of Android-powered phones are somehow unaffected by the above factors, I left with no other reason for your contention other than a distorted lens.