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"An iOS (unknown version) user migrates to Galaxy Nexus (unknown Android version) (c. November 17, 2011)." At least several of these are not issues (eg. having

"An iOS (unknown version) user migrates to Galaxy Nexus (unknown Android version) (c. November 17, 2011)." At least several of these are not issues (eg. having Chrome and Browser apps or unable to disable keypress feedback) in Android 4.2.1; I can't really speak to earlier versions.

zeffr 14y ago
I've been living on 2.3 for the past 2 years. Haptic feedback has always had an option to disable. I'm pretty sure I've seen settings to even change the intensity of said feedback. In fact, most of this guys issues are either a) apps I want aren't available or b) I don't know where that setting is located. I will agree though, the android settings browser is a bit of a train wreck. Not bad for me, but trying to explain any of this to my father, for example, is an effort in futility.
- drivebyacct2 14y ago
  >the android settings browser is a bit of a train wreck I have to say, I really don't understand this criticism. I go to settings and I have really simple categories: Sound, Display, etc with the settings inside. I guess I don't know how it could be easier... I wonder if this person is aware of the swiping keyboard. No mention of that, easily one of my favorite 4.2-specific features.
  - jack-r-abbit 14y ago
    I don't have a particular issue with the settings system. I forget which category some settings are in sometimes but I'm not sure I can really blame the system since I also forget where I left me keys sometimes. And I've been using Swype on my 2.x phones for a couple years too. It is a good one for devices that don't have the latest OS.
- mdwrigh2 14y ago
  If you haven't seen the Settings app in 4.1 / 4.2, it got a lot better, IIRC.
  - zeffr 14y ago
    I have, and it certainly is an improvement in my eyes, however the biggest difficulty when doing UX is, to put it bluntly, getting yourself in the mindset of an absolutely clueless user. My dad is over 60 and loves his nexus 7, but trying to explain to him how to clear an application's cache is about as effective as educating him on the underpinnings of posix threads. Do I know a better way? Hell no. Were it up to me, everyone would be forced to learn a CLI before they even get to THINK about a file browser.
    - king_jester 14y ago
      > My dad is over 60 and loves his nexus 7, but trying to explain to him how to clear an application's cache is about as effective as educating him on the underpinnings of posix threads. This is interesting, as it highlights one of the big differences between iOS and Android for me. With Android, a lot of appliance-like convenience was given up for more flexibility and control, which makes it more like a general computer. iOS, on the other hand, takes a more curated approach to UI (not to mention hardware options) and is easier to use since it is a more appliance-like experience. The ability to even clear app cache for an Android app shows that you are using a computer, and with that comes the complexity of operating one (granted Google is making attempts to make things easier in default cases).
      - thezoid 14y ago
        There is a way to clear the app cache in the same manner as iOS. Simply uninstall the app and re-install it.
      - mdwrigh2 14y ago
        Except I think this is a terrible thing to highlight the differences. The user should never have to think about clearing the application cache, or what that even means, and in my experience on Android, you don't have to. I can't think of a single time I've had to outside of trying to reproduce a bug for my own app. The fact that his father had to think about it indicates that someone, somewhere along the line screwed up.
    - 14y ago
- pkulak 14y ago
  iOS is way worse. Maybe not if your used to it, but the categories are totally random. And every setting is either on the top level or in "General", apparently decided by a coin flip. And then the app-specific settings that only some apps actually use so you have to check two places half the time? Gross.
timwoj 14y ago
I'm confused by most of this list really. - A few of his complaints are about apps on the store (1Password, Tweetbot, Circa, Reeder). I'm not sure how these are "Android" problems. - Ads in apps are the responsibility of the app author to provide a free/pay model to remove them. Again, not an "Android" problem. - The settings menus make complete sense to me, but I will agree with him about the toggles-as-buttons thing. That had me wondering where wifi settings were for a few minutes. - Keyboard vibrate is an option in the keyboard settings in every single version of android I've ever used, and every single third-party keyboard too. - Jumping to a specific screen (the "home" screen) is usually an option in the settings. I'm not sure about on 4.2, but I know that it is on CM10, which is based on 4.1. It might be their third-party launcher that provides this though. It's in Settings -> Launcher -> Homescreen -> Default Screen.
- perbu 14y ago
  He is referring to Android the platform, as opposed to Android the OS. Any WP8 review will be pretty harsh on the lack of decent apps.
  - bdcravens 14y ago
    Indeed. "It's the app developer's fault, the OS rocks!" is a bikeshed argument in my opinion.
    - jff 14y ago
      I'm not sure you know what bikeshedding is.
- nicholassmith 14y ago
  Terrible apps in the Android store is kind of a problem with the Android platform, even if they aren't a problem with Android directly. So for a user going "Why can't I just pay for this?" that's distinctly an Android platform problem.
  - OriginalSyn 14y ago

zeffr 14y ago

I've been living on 2.3 for the past 2 years. Haptic feedback has always had an option to disable. I'm pretty sure I've seen settings to even change the intensity of said feedback. In fact, most of this guys issues are either a) apps I want aren't available or b) I don't know where that setting is located. I will agree though, the android settings browser is a bit of a train wreck. Not bad for me, but trying to explain any of this to my father, for example, is an effort in futility.

drivebyacct2 14y ago
>the android settings browser is a bit of a train wreck I have to say, I really don't understand this criticism. I go to settings and I have really simple categories: Sound, Display, etc with the settings inside. I guess I don't know how it could be easier... I wonder if this person is aware of the swiping keyboard. No mention of that, easily one of my favorite 4.2-specific features.
- jack-r-abbit 14y ago
  I don't have a particular issue with the settings system. I forget which category some settings are in sometimes but I'm not sure I can really blame the system since I also forget where I left me keys sometimes. And I've been using Swype on my 2.x phones for a couple years too. It is a good one for devices that don't have the latest OS.
mdwrigh2 14y ago
If you haven't seen the Settings app in 4.1 / 4.2, it got a lot better, IIRC.
- zeffr 14y ago
  I have, and it certainly is an improvement in my eyes, however the biggest difficulty when doing UX is, to put it bluntly, getting yourself in the mindset of an absolutely clueless user. My dad is over 60 and loves his nexus 7, but trying to explain to him how to clear an application's cache is about as effective as educating him on the underpinnings of posix threads. Do I know a better way? Hell no. Were it up to me, everyone would be forced to learn a CLI before they even get to THINK about a file browser.
  - king_jester 14y ago
    > My dad is over 60 and loves his nexus 7, but trying to explain to him how to clear an application's cache is about as effective as educating him on the underpinnings of posix threads. This is interesting, as it highlights one of the big differences between iOS and Android for me. With Android, a lot of appliance-like convenience was given up for more flexibility and control, which makes it more like a general computer. iOS, on the other hand, takes a more curated approach to UI (not to mention hardware options) and is easier to use since it is a more appliance-like experience. The ability to even clear app cache for an Android app shows that you are using a computer, and with that comes the complexity of operating one (granted Google is making attempts to make things easier in default cases).
    - thezoid 14y ago
      There is a way to clear the app cache in the same manner as iOS. Simply uninstall the app and re-install it.
    - mdwrigh2 14y ago
      Except I think this is a terrible thing to highlight the differences. The user should never have to think about clearing the application cache, or what that even means, and in my experience on Android, you don't have to. I can't think of a single time I've had to outside of trying to reproduce a bug for my own app. The fact that his father had to think about it indicates that someone, somewhere along the line screwed up.
  - 14y ago
pkulak 14y ago
iOS is way worse. Maybe not if your used to it, but the categories are totally random. And every setting is either on the top level or in "General", apparently decided by a coin flip. And then the app-specific settings that only some apps actually use so you have to check two places half the time? Gross.

timwoj 14y ago

I'm confused by most of this list really. - A few of his complaints are about apps on the store (1Password, Tweetbot, Circa, Reeder). I'm not sure how these are "Android" problems. - Ads in apps are the responsibility of the app author to provide a free/pay model to remove them. Again, not an "Android" problem. - The settings menus make complete sense to me, but I will agree with him about the toggles-as-buttons thing. That had me wondering where wifi settings were for a few minutes. - Keyboard vibrate is an option in the keyboard settings in every single version of android I've ever used, and every single third-party keyboard too. - Jumping to a specific screen (the "home" screen) is usually an option in the settings. I'm not sure about on 4.2, but I know that it is on CM10, which is based on 4.1. It might be their third-party launcher that provides this though. It's in Settings -> Launcher -> Homescreen -> Default Screen.

perbu 14y ago
He is referring to Android the platform, as opposed to Android the OS. Any WP8 review will be pretty harsh on the lack of decent apps.
- bdcravens 14y ago
  Indeed. "It's the app developer's fault, the OS rocks!" is a bikeshed argument in my opinion.
  - jff 14y ago
    I'm not sure you know what bikeshedding is.
nicholassmith 14y ago
Terrible apps in the Android store is kind of a problem with the Android platform, even if they aren't a problem with Android directly. So for a user going "Why can't I just pay for this?" that's distinctly an Android platform problem.
- OriginalSyn 14y ago