It kills me to be another sheep. I love the idea of the Android platform, but the implementation by manufacturers has created a situation where the user experience is lacking (something I could tolerate) and the phone doesn’t work (emails don’t get sent).
So today, it was back to Apple with the purchase of the iPhone 4 on Verizon.
When my contract on AT&T was up, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to switch to Verizon. I knew that doing so would mean I’d be giving up my iPhone. I was ok with it. Mostly, because, well…the iPhone was a horrible phone. The AT&T network was horrendous; especially in Chicago. I couldn’t take the dropped calls anymore. In addition to the AT&T infrastructural problems that existed, I had a big philosophical problem with Apple, Steve Jobs and the walled garden approach to the iOS platform. I believe in open. I think open is good. I think open wins the day.
The first phone I switched to from the iPhone was the Google Nexus One. It was nearly flawless and honestly opened my eyes about what a smart phone could really be. I was hooked on Android. I loved the innovation that was happening. I loved the options – well I loved options period…something you didn’t get with Apple. My first phone on Verizon was the HTC Incredible. It wasn’t an iPhone killer. It showed promise. But, poor battery life and some strange ergonomics stopped it from being a real keeper.
Up next was the Samsung Galaxy S. This was so close…so close…so close. As I wrote a few months back:
Here’s the deal, the Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate had all the makings of being a great and legendary Android phone. But, Samsung let Verizon dictate far too many decisions. Additionally, Samsung made a number of puzzling decisions regarding email. Those decisions have an adverse impact on the end user experience and make it tough to recommend for corporate phone users. If you’re looking for a great Android phone with amazing battery life and are planning on using the phone for non corporate activities, this is a great choice. But, for you power users out there, I recommend looking at the HTC Incredible or the Droid X.
Lastly, let me say, if Samsung works out the Bing issue with Verizon and makes the needed updates to the mail app, this is a clear cut winner and would be the best Android phone on the market for Verizon and in my opinion, even the best across all carriers.
I’m on Galaxy S phone #2. My first one went through the washing machine and didn’t survive. I have a love hate relationship with the phone. I love the screen. I love the size. I love ergonomics. I hate the battery life. I hate the bloated pre-installed and un-installable software.
But, here’s what I hate the most and what has me looking at the iPhone, now that it’s on Verizon: the lack of commitment to software upgrades. Samsung Galaxy S owner are running Android 2.2. Many of the competition are already running Android 2.4 and Google is already demoing Android 3.0. Samsung and many of the other Android manufacturers (HTC, Motorola, etc.) have been rather mum on when updates will happen…if at all. Had the Google Nexus S (also made by Samsung), which in my opinion is the BEST Android phone ever built, been launched for Verizon, I’d be switching to that right now. It’s a perfect phone. Flawless. But, it’s only available for AT&T…and we already covered my feelings on that network 
It’s a shame really, because the Samsung Nexus S shows that Samsung can make a great phone when they aren’t being hamstrung by the carriers.
The lack of software upgrades and commitment to refining the customized flavors of Android created by cell phone manufacturers, leaves users like me feeling left out and working with buggy out of date software. All of that basically means we’re working with inferior phones.
When you talk to Apple iPhone users they often say, “it just works.” That “it just works” comes with a price and a tax. That price is limited customization. That tax is the iTunes store. But…it just works. Well damnit, I want something that just works too.
I won’t be doing the iPhone 4 though. Nope. No need to pony up the dough for out of date technology that is inferior to the Galaxy S. I’ll be waiting for the iPhone 5. I have a feeling it’s going to be a killer phone and on a network (Verizon) that actually works.
The last few days I’ve observed some interesting behavior. Well, it’s interesting to me…maybe I’m late to the game. Our cell phones have become our most prizes and sacred possession. As the industry evolved from feature phones to smartphones, our cell phones have become the center piece of lives. Our contacts, connections, tools, notes, messages (text, email, etc.) and access to the world (via apps like Facebook) all fit in the palm of our hands. People would rather give you their house keys than their cell phone.
A few weeks ago I was in Las Vegas, waiting in line to ride the roller coaster at New York New York. I observed a very interesting exchange between a married couple. The wife wanted to use her husband’s iPhone. He was obviously hesitant. She was a bit inebriated (I’m being nice) and expressed to him that he need not worry, because she wasn’t going to read his emails, she just wanted to make a call. Think about that. They are MARRIED and he doesn’t want to share his phone. Say what? You gave her a ring, signed up for life together, but you won’t share your phone?
The past few days, I’ve observed similar behavior, even between myself and other people. A friend was showing me something on her phone, but the angle was poor. I went to grab the phone and adjust the angle. You would have thought that I was some random crazy person, because the speed and ferociousness used to pull the phone away from my fingers was legendary. She apologized…explained it was a gut reaction and then ever so slowly handed over the phone. While I was holding the phone and looking at the screen, it was clear she was extremely uncomfortable with the situation. Keep in mind, we’ve known each other for about 6 years.
Crazy. But, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Information is valuable. And the information contained in our cell phones is unique, specific to the owner and sometimes irreplaceable. For me though, I’d like to be in a relationship with someone where I don’t even need to password protect phone and would trust them (and vice versa) to use it ad hoc. I can dream.
Do you know what the problem with advertising is? Do you know why most people don’t trust what’s said in ads? It’s quite simple really, most companies stretch the truth so far that really what they’re doing is telling a lie. Companies like AT&T spend millions of dollars trying to convince the public that their “network” is as good, if not better than Verizon’s. One of the benefits they tout is the consumer’s ability to multi-task on their phone. For example you can talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time.
I’ll let the ad do the real talking:
Technically, what AT&T is saying is true. I say technically, because so long as you are on the AT&T 3G network you can multitask. Of course the problem is that AT&T’s 3G coverage is horrendous. This isn’t a debatable question. The map doesn’t lie:
My belief is that it’s cheaper to simply be the company you want to be instead of paying millions of dollars to try and convince the public that you’re something you really aren’t. Think about it this way. Instead of dumping 10s of millions of dollars into advertising why not put that money into making the network better…into increasing coverage…into ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM.
In the movie, Lord Of The Rings, there’s a very poignant scene when Gandalf tells Eragon “become who you were born to be.” Amen! To paraphrase, companies, become the company you should be instead of trying to convince the public you’re something that you aren’t. Trust me on this one…it’ll be cheaper in the long run.
The other day Michael Gartenberg, one of my all time favorite people who I’ve yet to meet, and I were having an exchange on twitter about an article he wrote for Engadget regarding the iPhone’s ability to be both a tool for work and play leading to it’s success. Our exchange, eventually lead to my asking Michael “If Motorola came out with the iPhone, would it be as well loved?” Michael’s response was, “if they did the same job as apple with hardware and software. Of course.” This got me thinking. It got my brain working overdrive. Here’s what I think.
Apple, isn’t perfect. Apple, in many ways is more flawed than Microsoft and other large companies. But, Apple has passionate followers (bullet point #1) that continue to offer a baked-in audience ready to create a Groundswell of support for any Apple product. It’s that reason why I think if Motorola had created the iPhone, it would have flopped.
What do you think?
Head of Social Media at Walgreens. Interactive marketer, innovator, boat rocker, continuous learner, movie lover, risk taker, dad and all around good guy. I'm always up for a spirited conversation. These are my thoughts and ramblings, not those of my employer.
