Declaring this week “Android week”
February 9th 2010: The last day I used my iPhone. Or: The day I discovered Android. Or: The day I switched to the Google Nexus One. Well… You get the idea.
I was an iPhone user from the moment it came out. Before I continue this post, I want to repeat what I’ve been saying all along: Apple has done a fantastic job with the iPhone. I was very happy with my iPhone and never thought I would last more than a few days without it. Especially since I was so accustomed to having all my apps and my music there. But you know what…? Most of the apps I often used are also available on Android. And in all honesty… some of those apps look better on Android than they do on the iPhone.
Take Tripit for instance. If you are a frequent traveller, Tripit is your best friend. It was the first application I installed and when I first launched it, I immediately noticed how sexy the UI was. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the iPhone UI isn’t sexy. Trouble is that every app that uses the iPhone design guidelines looks just like the next one. It’s refreshing to see application designers/developer being creative with their UIs again. (And yes, I do know that there are some very creative UIs on iPhone apps as well). In this particular case, the app even becomes easier to use. The icons, dates and times are a lot clearer compared to the iPhone version.
Even though I (and some of my colleagues) thought I wouldn’t last longer than a few days without my iPhone I am now entering my 14th week without it. But back to the title of this post… With Google I/O just a few days away and some really exciting announcements coming up, I officially declare this week “Android week”. I am going to blog about Android at least once a day and you can even win a Google Nexus One on my blog this week!
So… Happy Android week everybody!
Also read “Android week: On switching to Android“.
19 Comments
Feel free to follow me on: 
IMHO Android is the future on the mobile market. Apple will not losse it`s sexiness on the desktop, but will lose it in the mobile market, when more Apps are available, that do not look like there are designed by Masters of Science. Android is missing some good designed apps so far. Usabillity is still a big problem. TripIt maybe a good one, but there are too many out there that look horrible. The Appstore is still crappy. That needs to be improved.
But thumbs up for Android. Open and safe for the future. Can´t wait for Notion Ink´s Adam to be available. Then we have an great Device for Reading and mobile working.
“… and you can even win a Google Nexus One on my blog this week!”
Ok, you have my attention.
Same here, I loved my iPhone, but Android on the Nexus One feels a lot more “next generation”. Open always wins.
Surely having similar UI across applications is a GOOD thing, as it is on the web. Life get’s a lot harder when you don’t have conventions. Familiarity helps smooth that learning curve of learning how an application functions.
Where would you be if your browser didn’t have a back button top left?
@Neil: I did not say it was a bad thing. In this particular case it works better. I love that app designers are being creative again while maintaining the ease-of-use.
Interesting point with UI designers being creative again. Made me smile :)
And you got my attention too with “… and you can even win a Google Nexus One on my blog this week!” :)
I love Google.
I love Android.
I love freedom.
PS: And I want to win your Nexus One!
Cool Serge!!
Any other site reporting news in android week?
I has to agree at the ui point, on iphone you had top of the screen always filled eith bar for back button and so on. Too much valuable space being wasted for some geeky button and where iphone screen is smaller.
N1 on other hand has bigger screen / space thanks to static backbutton.
Iphone is like 50 year old man, experience, got potential and are wise, otoh. they are crumpy and unwillig to adapt.
Android is like you teen, dum, fresh, not full- developed and when it gets there, it will pwn oldie :P
ok, andrd it actualy just steped into his first adult years :P
UUhhh, Android week! Sounds very nice. Let’s hope that the weeks final post is about releasing Air for Android?
I would love to see that coming :-)
i’m wondering what is the best android for development ? Is there any restrictions by using the the verizon Incredible or the upcoming sprint Evo ? Also, if I bought a Nexus One for ATT could I just swap the sim from my current iphone (first gen) to the Nexus without changing my data plan ? And swap back and forth between phones at will ? Plus, (so many quesions) how about a discount on the android for flash/flex/cs5 owners ? and… can the android be used for development without a phone/data plan, just using wifi ?
Hallo Serge! Really cool advertising. I just think that if Google with Android + Adobe want to be the leaders in the Mobile Mark, is so easy. First Adobe have to made Free the tools for that target ( specific FB4 or another one ), seconds the Android store is really amateur -crappy-. Apple give the tools free Xcode and others and just when you have a potential application that want to put in the Appstore you have to paid (one time by year 99 USD)
I don’t be Iphone frick or Android, I just be a developer that want to be part in those Markets.
I celebrated AIr in Mobile specif Andoid, (I have ready a Application for this, by now just as Desktop waiting for the Air 2.5 SDK ).
Mobile Mark Is a really big chance for developers, but without the support of Adobe (with free tools) and better Marketing in AndroidStore the chance is so far. I hope that Tomorrow in the Opening of Goole I/O bring goods news.
Best,
Ramón
@dbmuse not quite sure about States cell providers, using wifi is the same as using cell, but it is more stable and faster. If you already have a dataplan then it should workd on whatever device (at least it does in EU, could someone disprove me?)
I think if you use 3G sim it shouldnt matter which device you use (it has to support 3G as well), that sim should work on any device supporting 3G
I was so dissapointed that I was not the one that got the Nexus One during your talk at FFK10… so you have my attention ;-)
Had a colleague ask me how an Android compares to an iPhone. Best I could come up with was “The Android is the iPhone with the training wheels taken off”. Been quite happy with mine.
I’ve been sitting patiently waiting for my Windows Mobile phone contract to expire so that I can upgrade to an Android device. The iPhone has looked tempting for a while and I even own an iPod touch for development testing, but I just don’t want all the Apple baggage on a device that I use everyday. Android has sooo much potential it amazing! As soon as they release Flash for it, the thing is going to explode!!!!!!!
This all sounds awesome! Especially being able to win a Nexus One! BTW – is there any way to stop data flow to flash player when the app loses focus? @John: Apple is like garanimals… match the blue lions together and everything works. iPhone + PC + iTunes + Flash = issues. http://www.garanimals.com/how.htm
:)
@Birago: Yes there will be a way to detect when your app loses focus.
@Serge: Awesome! I imagine that any app using a long continuous stream of data (video) might be ‘turned off’ when the user accepts a call, etc. or simply puts the phone down. This could help with lowering the amount of unattended data transfer. Especially if you have an expensive data plan – like the ones being created for tablet devices. I look forward to your posts during week. Cheers! :)
Happy birthday Serge!!! :)
Hope you to have one of the most memorable days in your life!
Danel