Why I can never switch from an iPhone

it has gotten point, staying iphone no longer preference. every single day things on phone either impossible on android, or dramatically better on iphone. has become part of expect phone. it's more quality of life issue feature-bullet-list issue honest.

@ point, couldn't switch android if wanted to...

i'll go through last week of usage, , maybe here can tell me if conclusions off-base, , fine on competitor's device.

i've made list, , think makes sense categorize apps , go through them 1 one:

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morning

mornings aren't fun, i'm not morning person stretch of imagination. use app called motionx sleep wake me up. unlike other apps, motionx sleep not need run in foreground in order track sleep cycle. here's example of output:

app full replacement of jawbone up used use, ios only, without hardware issues. tracks steps throughout day, , can nudge me when detects i've been sitting still long. while cool, don't use last 2 features.

other morning app use place clock. i've configured app set off series of alarms if detects i'm oversleeping work. alarms go off @ predetermined times, if still @ home. i've programmed few alarms detect when i've taken lunch break, , go off after i've been gone 30 minutes, reminder work

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work

@ work use few apps productivity, notably audionote. find myself in long meetings 100 things write down, , 15 tasks assigned me. audionote records meetings, , syncs them written notes. when going through notes, click on wrote down, , app plays being said @ time. makes easier decipher notes , remember need do.

quick tasks need perform throughout day, use clear. it's far easiest , quickest task application i've found, , 1 in appstore satisfied girlfriend's requirements in task app. have multiple projects, multiple tasks within each project, , can see completed tasks crossed out @ bottom of each list.

more long-term tasks, require lots of notes, use pocket informant. syncs ipad , online toodledo account. first app open @ work, intelligently combines tasks , work-calendar. oh yea, ios seamlessly links work calendar system, vpn , wifi. remember android co-workers having trouble that, don't think able it.

lastly, i've programmed prowl integration our ticketing system. whenever assigned me, or added case, pop-up on iphone , ipad, informing me of update. can either dismiss pop-up, or click ok button, automatically launch safari , load referring case. can't tell how cool hear phone ring in other room, know it's you, , few seconds later see phone , tablet alarm go off, automatically linking case.

active trader of financial markets, use prowl alert me of conditions in market. i've set different alerts different situations, , have marked urgent, wakes me if it's during time i've scheduled prowl app not give me alerts. ability invaluable trader has day-job.

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lunch

on monday started watching youtube video of starcraft game-cast (yes – nerd) @ work during walk home lunch. upon arriving @ home, pushed 1 button , video switched phone, hdtv via wireless airplay. when break ended, pushed button switching feed phone, , continued work.

on tuesday put bluetooth headphones on, pushed button , said “play iris”. siri proceeded through 64gig harddrive, looking song named iris. when didn't find it, searched through of songs home computer (matched itunes match), see if i've ever had song. found song in icloud account , started streaming headphones. within few seconds of saying “play iris”, playing.

when got home, pushed 1 button , song feed switched headphones, on surround sound system. seamless. don't have think when left work , if i've been gone long, place clock handles me

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photography

1 of make-or-break categories. can't have dslr me, need camera that's me i'd want use. result, there few apps cannot without.

icloud – of photos automatically backed cloud, , last 1000 photos syned computer , ipad amazing.

hdr photo camera – app takes 3 photos in under second, each @ different exposure levels. can either choose 1 best, or use hdr processing app merge them together. app better others, because takes exposed photo. way if hdr photos extreme usable, you'll still have normal photo use hdr apps i've tried on platforms have been slow, taking long time both process scene, take photos, finish can take more shots. app in class of it's own.

make sure click on gear on bottom right -> advanced settings -> low light bracketing -> on, best results.

slow shutter cam – low light photography isn't worth without app, it's good. last weekend @ romantic dim-lit restaurant girlfriend, , able hand-hold long shutter-speed photo of us, without using flash. if flash needed, have used it, natural-light scene captured mood of restaurant. if 1 of moved during shot, app gives slider can move point of exposure weren't moving, , save shot.

pro hdr – icamerahdr – 2 best hdr apps i've seen anywhere. i've yet see hdr processing done easier, or better in these 2 apps.

autostitch – same app i've been using years on desktop, has mobile app. autostitch can output panorama @ 18 magapixels, more enough 20x30 prints i've made

360 panorama – creates 3d virtual photo lets user pan around photo. combined gyroscope, it's errie how realistic is. conveys feeling you're *in* picture.

iphoto – best mobile photo editor. if weren't enough, lets create awesome online photo journals share, here's sample:

https://www.icloud.com/journals/sample/

biglens – app changed how @ mobile photography. lets add depth of field photo, if taken expensive dslr.

645 pro – closest thing raw photography you're going see on mobile device (uncompressed tiff)

filterstorm – best implementation of layers i've seen on mobile device.

other photography apps couldn't without – nightcap, snapseed, photoforge2, colorsplash, photogene2, retouch, lenslight, lensflare, anticrop, rays, light, groupshot, autopainter, hipstamatic, instagram, chromacam, picframe, fast camera, mozaikr

here of shots...

original (normal camera app)

added dof

cropped

friend sent me photo:

removed tree fun (10 second job) , added dof

1 worked on:

original

added dof , sunrays through window:

here known iphoneographer souichi furusho:

here links galleries:

http://www.eyeem.com/u/3725
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfurusho/

, link other inspiring iphone shots:

http://www.iphoneography.com/journal/tag/through-the-lens-of-an-iphone

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video

far aware, iphone 4s phone hardware video stabilization. if you've ever seen video camera phone, you'd know how big deal is.

slopro – true 60fps hd recording, along nice slow motion feature. you've got see understand how cool is:

http://sloproapp.com/60fps/slopro_60fps_video_for_iphone_4s.html

imovie – best mobile video editor i've used. making trailers fun

magisto – app wow'd me when first saw it. app intelligently analyzes videos, , edits them you, along song of choosing in background. example, selected 6-7 minutes of boring video birthday weekend (so long wouldn't want watch it), , edited down minute , half, while including parts wanted see! stabilizes video, increasing watchability. words can't explain app, here's demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=otwji0f8c1s

vidify – viktor – if want bit more control on editing, still want done me, use 1 of these apps. aren't @ *telling story* magisto, if you're choosing random video, works ok.

goodplayer – app plays format throw @ it, allowing me transfer videos/songs wirelessly 1 of computers, straight app.

air video – absolutely best video streaming app i've seen. uses ffmpeg on backend, automatically changes quality depending on how bandwidth changes while streaming, , lets me install on linux server

others – hbo go, netflix

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security

security big deal me, android fails on front. top articles i've found recommend installing anti-virus software on android, alone keep me going platform. see no security issues on windows phones, or other competitors, however.

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updates

iphones have historically received updates 3 years after phone released. considering 2 year carrier agreement, important.

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audio

remote – have computer hooked speakers throughout house. control what's playing through itunes remote.

mpod – if whatever reason linux server connected instead, use control music throughout house.

music – ability seamlessly download songs cloud (itunes match), controlled via siri, make best music app anywhere.

isub – if want listen, either on phone or on speakers, music directly linux server. useful if haven't uploaded songs cloud yet.

spotify – have 320k streaming, app changes game. can no longer have phone without app. unfortunately, reviews android spotify app seem indicate doens't work.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.mobile.android.ui&hl=en

audible, downcast, npr news – of apps listen on long runs.

airplay – being able wirelessly push of these apps stereo system amazing.

tunein radio – listen sports games live.

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navigation

tomtom – i've come rely on iq routes technology, it's better defunct dash express used have. uses historical traffic data give routes based on how busy roads typically @ specific time. combined tom squared paste 'n go, google search location, , can copy-paste address tomtom. there no better navigation software out there.

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working out

ismoothrun – gps running app i've seen incorporates accelerometer when gps signal low. there's tunnel on normal running route other apps mess on. app uses gps (when signal good) calibrate accelerometer readings, when gps goes out, shouldn't affect stats.

ipersonaltrainer – workout weight-lifting app i've seen intelligently increases workout based on able lift last time. example, have 3 pre-made workouts monday, wednesday , friday. when start new week, app looks @ reps , weight did last time, , increases bit. reminds me of weight lifting trainer in college

streaks – helps me keep track of days i've worked out, , motivates me keep going. don't want break streak!

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games

won't go detail here, i'll list games consider requirement on phone:

galcon, uniwar, infinity blade 2, real racing 2, gta3, gears, chrono trigger, dark meadow, wesnoth, modern combat 3, max payne, myst, mass effect, superbrothers: sword , scorcery, , bunch more i'm forgetting. nova 3 released today, (only on ios right now) , it's pretty fun far.

graphic examples:

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siri

use siri everyday, multiple times day. play specific songs, either on phone or streamed via cloud, set reminders, send text messages, make calls, make notes, set timers, , quick calculations (what's 270/7 example). pleasently surprised first time said, “when's next meeting scott?” , siri answered it. easier searching through work calendar. have use understand capabilities. i've said things like:

“remind me show dad cool on ipad when place.”

“remind me call girlfriend tomorrow @ 2pm” , reminder comes (on both phone , ipad) call button.

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other

photon browser – lets me watch flash sites. went verizon store near me compare android phone native flash, , experience better on iphone.

icloud – syncs of contacts, reminders, bookmarks, notes, photos, , data cloud, ipad , computer if applicable.

find iphone – i've used many times locate phone when can't find (usually in couch or something). can make phone beep, send message , locate on map.

itunes university – i'm taking 1 of free yale classes, , love notes sync ipad app. have full access videos , content class, on phone watched anywhere.

find friends – while app great events friends, girlfriend , have put great use. i've used find when car got flat tire, use weekly gauge when other going arrive (long distance relationship), parents don't have call @ 3am see if i'm home yet, if we're picking in city...etc. try not call girlfriend around time might driving. doesn't have bluetooth , doesn't need more distractions on road, if see she's driving, won't call. coolest thing works siri. “where's dodgev83” work.

notable example of how app changes things, bought nice flowers , made 4 hour trip see girlfriend. used find friends figure out should go (is working late?), without tipping off coming, , positioned myself surprise her. knew when coming, , had flowers out camera rolling came around corner.

it's little things

facetime – used daily. magic long distance relationships, , family lives far away. don't have explain how login skype, nor have make sure logged in...etc. we'll on call, push 1 button, , we're on video call. simple that. better, iphone 4s facetime runs incredibly smooth, looks 60fps smooth. i've yet see video call go simple, , level of quality.

imessage – sends higher resolution photos , videos normal text, , tells when other person typing. if have iphone, imessage automatic, has it. comparing other offerings comparing facebook google plus. sure google plus better...but no 1 uses it!

alien blue – best reddit app available anywhere. alien blue better reading on desktop...i lost hour while typing because got lost in app

istudious – 1 of better flashcard apps. has system helps remember flash cards got wrong.

mail – i've seen of other mobile e-mail clients, none of them handle threaded conversations elegantly. important e-mail, couldn't imagine using less.

sayhi translate – played last week co-worker, , impressed. while haven't tried in real-world situation yet, seems destroy language barrier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdm43omekl8

remote access – logmein, teamviewer, webex, these apps have saved me few times having leave restaurant , go work when boss called.

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accessories

jawbone up – act , release device doens't break, i'll buy again!

charging case – have mophie charging case, doubles battery life.

external battery – i'm trying out 1 of mophie external batteries. when charge gets low, plug in quick charge, works pretty well.

of these apps available on android, either crippled versions filled bugs (spotify , gta 3 notable , high profile examples), or not available @ all. expect (and encourage) people post list of android apps think full replacements apps i've mentioned above. that's part of reason made thread, ask research before posting , calling me idiot. last time did this, posted android app , called me idiot saying found in 20 seconds...only app literally had none of features referring to.

please, post away, research