Unless you've been living under a server farm for the past few months -- subsisting on Ethernet cables and waste heat -- you're probably aware that the iPhone 5 is likely to be released within the next month or so.
Android users might switch to iPhone
RUMOR HAS IT: iPhone 5 rumor rollup for week ending Aug. 24
While many Android users likely wouldn't buy an iPhone under any circumstances, plenty aren't as wedded to that ecosystem. Here, then, are some possible ways Apple can draw users away from the Google platform.
See also: 10 ways Apple could spend Samsung's $1 billion
See also: Apple iPhone 4S vs iPhone 5 comparison review
1 - Latest and greatest syndrome
Regardless of the exact feature set the iPhone 5 launches with -- will it have 4G LTE? What about an outsized battery? -- there's no denying that Apple rollouts generally have no small degree of "wow" factor about them. Even if the finished product isn't substantially more technically impressive than, say, the Samsung Galaxy S III (arguably the current cream of the Android flagship phone crop), Apple's smooth integration and eye-catching design could sway some less gung-ho Androidians.
2 - Sick of the upgrade grind
The now-common Android user predicament of having a modern, high-end device that nevertheless runs a badly outdated version of the operating system is a frustrating one. Thanks to the glacial pace at which wireless carriers approve updates to existing Android devices -- Verizon has yet to update its Galaxy Nexus phones to the latest standard, which was the express design goal of those phones -- means that you could be stuck with Gingerbread (Android Version 2.3) for a good long time, regardless of how cool Jelly Bean (Version 4.1) is. It's entirely possible that some users could get frustrated enough to ditch the ecosystem entirely -- particularly if the iPhone 5 lives up to its hype.
3 - Interface
All but the most partisan of Android fans will admit that, whatever else they can say about Apple, their interface design is tweaked and polished to within an inch of its life -- almost every task you can do on an iPhone is handled in an intuitive, straightforward manner. If you don't think that's a big draw for the less technically savvy among us, there's a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.
Android is certainly capable of similar feats, and, in some cases, is arguably superior to the iPhone. (See: stock Jelly Bean, some of the better custom ROMs.) Sadly, however, most users aren't running stock Android or a custom ROM -- they're running the version of Android their OEM and carrier have agreed is the best choice for them. This, almost without exception, means bloatware and a UI re-skin done more to differentiate the product from competitors than to improve the user experience.
4 - Clouds
Google's done a lot of work on the Play Store of late, transforming it from the old "Android Market" for apps only into an iTunes-style general content hub, offering books, movies, TV shows and all sorts of other stuff in addition to software. It's an important step on the road to cementing Android as a viable competitor to the Apple juggernaut.
Even with the gap closing quickly, however, it's tough to argue that the combination of iTunes and the App Store isn't still a bit more robust than the Play Store in terms of media content. If you're serious about music, TV and movies on the go, the iPhone could be too tempting.
5 - Finally, an iPhone with 4G
For a company that prides itself on being at the leading edge of technological innovation, Apple's sure taken its time coming up with a 4G-capable phone. It's easy to cast the iPhone 4S's lack of LTE connectivity as a sop to cellular partners like AT&T, who swear up and down that their poor networks are creaking under the strain of greedy smartphone data hogs, but 4G/LTE is now an expected feature at the high end. Releasing another 3G+Wi-Fi-only device would effectively cede the LTE segment of the market to its competitors -- which, to my mind, makes it unlikely that Apple will do so.
So, in all likelihood, the iPhone 5 will be the first of its line to boast 4G connectivity -- removing one of Android's differentiators and (potentially) pulling some Android users into the Apple camp.
Email Jon Gold at jgold@nww.com and follow him on Twitter at @NWWJonGold.
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Comments
PeterBlood said: I have no doubt the amount of ripped off Android apps FAR outweighs any Apple apps The pirating inclination of klepto-Android users much more prevalent Your own idyllic bubble has been burst clueless one
PacoBell said: Right like its so hard to find cracked ipa packages right along side the cracked apk files Keep living in your little idyllic bubble
redstringuitar said: One day Apple will release a totally patented device called the Macass It will be an ingeniously proprietary toola physical manifestation of global marketing dominance in the form of a backside in a box with the words kiss on one cheek and me on the other All you will need to do in order to engage with and become a part of this peerless organisation this autonomous state of totality for the superiorly discerning is surrender your bank detailsThose with a propensity to pucker-up and take nourishment from the deepest possible regions will be dancing a jig as they get on down
PeterBlood said: iPhone 4s processor has worked great with its original iOS 4 and now 5 I didnt notice any slowdown at all If youre lucky youll get 2-3 major iOS upgrades to Androids usual one Yes the original iPhone and 3G did slow down noticeably after upgrading but those are now ancient phones After that its harder to advance the tech anyway with a legacy anchor issue Its usual a happy day to upgrade your tech
PeterBlood said: By the way Tony you can call me a FactBoy if you like as I prefer facts over your geek tech fantasy spin Also the Galaxative S3 will easily be beat to a pulp by the iPhone 5 Heck the iPhone 4 beats it Samsung is free too to patent any designs they havent simply copied slavishly and willfully from Apple Yeah I know so unfair
PeterBlood said: Stop placing your ignorance on display for all to see Apple does not copy but they do design their own take often on technology in ways no one ever thought of before and then companies like Samsung slavishly copy them disingenuously claiming everything Apple does is obvious If its so obvious then why didnt they think of it You dont have to reinvent the wheel to design a car and when you design a Mustang others cant claim it looks obvious and make Mustangs for themselves All of Samsungs tablet designs are also stolen from Apple The 785 iPad will look like a smaller iPad not a smaller Shamdung tablet Learn your history before looking foolishly ignorant Whoops too late
PeterBlood said: More sparkling analysis and observation from the usual babbling idiots here Men Certainly you arent talking about yourself man-child Peter Blood is a pseudonym btw You might be surprised to know who I really am I daresay youve even seen my work Not that any of that matters Actually in this column my irritation level at the people here is much higher than usual Tech is like politics on Facebook few are converted to another way of thinking so like the Borg its futile and a waste of time Oh wait I hear your Mommy calling Dont forget to dry yourself behind the ears
Apple said: Peterblood interesting name Does that mean you would spill blood for apple You are someone who could not get a job with Jobs So go play with the children outside and let the men talk ok
Matt Egan said: I like the idea of a Faustian Bargain Im pretty sure the correct term is Faustian Pact but your way you get to haggle a little Nice
PeterBlood said: You clearly dont understand much of anything and like many fools who try to elevate themselves to superior status when there is no such attribute on display Dont flatter yourself You use the tried and true childish method saying things like Im not self-deluding you are Im not a Faustian fool you are Such witty repartee Soviet block style Boy are you ever overstating things by a country mile using cliches The iPhone OS was a shock to the marketplace when it came out in 2007 NOTHING like anything else out there UNIX is a foundation that Linux iOS and OS X use but its what you do with it that matters a little thing called design you know like the designs that Samsung rips off from Apple and gets called on the carpet for No moral compass apparently in the Android universe including Google whos CEO Schmidt stole iPhone designs while on the Apple board before recusing himself The file system is fine for my purposes I dont need anything more but Apple will probably improve this for others who do I dont deny you your choice at all even kids like you should get whats coming to them but most people do not have the same need as an uber geek to micro-control their own little universes Thanks for the patronizing childish pap on your summation Just makes you look stupid
hoggleboggle said: You clearly dont understand thedefinitionof aFaustianBargain- If you did then you would see that it ispreciselywhat you do when you join Apples ecosystemAs for my initial comment I believe it was you who started spouting the broad and self-deluding declarations The ability to access a centralised file system alone is a major advantage for Android along with a broader range of devices to suit a broader range of tastes and needs You know that little thing called choice that is the driving force of all modern economies unlike the old soviet block style one size fits all of AppleOh and iOS wouldnt exist if it were not for Palm Windows Mobile Blackberry Nokia Sony and Unix the programming platform that also forms the heart of AndroidI understand you are angry with yourself for getting stuck in the quagmire that is iOS ecosystem with its average hardware and limited OS functionality reliant on numerous Apps cobbled together to do something as basic as save an attachment from an email so I will give you a break and overlook you usual nonsensical rantingsThere there dont worry your pretty little head and look at the shiny things - they sparkle nicely dont they
PeterBlood said: True my iPhone doesnt have floppy drives serial ports and other such advanced geek features Too bad you fail to list any such advantages only broad and self-deluding declarations You also fail to appreciate all the iPhone advantages or understand all the Android disadvantages Your loss I dont care what you use I only care to use what I want to use and I use the best overall TOTAL experience available today Im not going to quibble over some minor feature that isnt important to me Youve made a Faustian bargain with Android just face up to it All Android users have Android itself wouldnt exist without Apples influence So just kiss the Apple ring in appreciation and be on your clueless way And yes I do peek in occasionally on the Android market including the Shameless Galaxy S III and wow what a fantastic POS A Boogie board in your pocket
PeterBlood said: Children arent allowed to post here so please stop
Andy Whitmore said: apple are trying too hard to be number 1 and in my opinion they are failing the look of the phone hasnt really changed The interface has never really changed whereas Android phones have acustomizableinterface giving it a much more personal feel so give me a good and valid reason to change from Android
Addict8 said: Wow someone got out of the bed on the wrong side this morningSD cards good but as far as battery changes go really Youll have your phone for less than two years probably one in most cases so changing the battery really isnt an issue
hoggleboggle said: you obviously havent used any other smartphone in the last 2 years then My budget HTC Mozart 7 WP7 makes the iphone look amateurish and the HTC One X and GS3 are in a whole different league The iphone 4S couldnt even touch the GS2 despite coming out half a year later
hoggleboggle said: Mr Molez you seem to have a real problem withreplaceablebatteries Did you get beaten up by one when you were a child You do realize that areplaceablebattery is smaller and more portable than a charger pack
hoggleboggle said: The last part isnt quite true The iphone 4s was and is available for free on monthly plans they were however initially higher priced plans than the top end android and WP7 phones
hoggleboggle said: you might be in luck - it looks like Samsung are releasing a s3 variant for windows phone 8
Zombieslow said: Sorry Not for me