My Move To Apple from Android

I recently took the plunge and decided to jump into the world of Apple!

This is my story...

I have been quite strong in my feelings towards Apple products and services in the past.  I always felt that it was a total lock into their ecosystem, and once in there would be no going back.

I prefer the openness of Google, which is why I've been an Android user for the last couple of years.  Before that, I was quite immersed in the world of BlackBerry.

However, one day, a few of weeks ago I made a decision.  I decided to buy myself a MacBook Pro.

Yes, I know it was a dramatic decision; but I needed to get a personal laptop for work, and as much as I wanted to use my Chromebook (which I still love, by the way), it just wasn't up to the task at hand.

I knew I didn't want to buy a Windows laptop; I've been burned many times before with the endless updates and sluggish performance; not to mention virus checking!

That left me with one viable option. Apple.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I have never been anything less than complimentary about their design.  Beautiful machines.

I was only concerned with their walled garden approach to the environment.

However, it was pointed out to me that most of what I do is “in the cloud”, so really, what's the issue?  I could continue to work the way I want, without being restrained by a closed ecosystem.

So it was, one Saturday afternoon when I went to our local Apple store and bought a MacBook Pro. Why the Pro?  Why not the Air; or even the MacBook?

Simple - I needed an HDMI port.  That was it.  The new MacBook as no external ports; and the Air doesn’t have the HDMI.

MacBook Pro - First Impressions

I found the learning curve from Windows OS to be quite steep.  To begin with, the keyboard layout is different, and there are many other nuances.  You could argue that the Chromebook keyboard is also different; but the controls are the same as a Windows version.

My muscle memory is learning to adapt to the changes and I no longer use CTRL+C etc to copy and paste. I also like the on screen view of the various keyboard views, which has helped to find certain characters.

Regardless of the layout; the keyboard is one of the best I've used - just the right amount of travel, and with the back-lit keys in a dim room, there are no arguments from me.

Overall, the build quality is phenomenal.  The aluminium casing just reeks of quality and the retina screen is clear and bright.

Trackpad gestures are also very useful, and the multiple desktops allows for a more organised working environment.

Swipe in from the right and notifications are presented.

All in all, a very pleasing and polished experience.

Transition from Windows complete, I then thought about moving from Android!

Going All In

I knew I was setting myself up for ridicule. As I mentioned earlier, I have been quite vociferous in my feelings about the Apple “world” and changing now would only serve others the chance to make fun of me.  I have even said, in the past, that I’d never have an iPhone!!

Well.  Never say “never”!

Here's the thing. I'm big enough, and ugly enough, to admit I may be wrong.

Two weeks after buying the MacBook, I went back to the store and bought an iPhone 6s!!

I should add that I was quite very nervous about it. I like the way that Android gives freedom and flexibility to set the phone up how I like.  Using widgets on the home screen and quick actions to get things done, not to mention a first class notification centre.  How would I cope with being told how to use my phone?

To prepare myself, I replicated an iOS screen on my HTC one m8.  I removed all widgets, moved apps out of folders (well, most of them) and cancelled all shortcuts. I then continued to use my phone.

Surprisingly, I didn't miss the widgets and found I could navigate quite easily.

Still, nerves nipping away at me, I headed for the store. I questioned the sales guy, told him my concerns and he blew them away.

Totally. I mean, I know he's in sales, but that was incredible.

10 minutes later, phone in my hand, I was heading home to get it set up.

iPhone - First Impressions

Two weeks on and what's the verdict?

Well - set up was a breeze; at least the phone part.  The installed apps automatically updated, Siri switched on and I was busy downloading the apps I need to use my phone efficiently.

The major sticking point was in setting up email.  This was not as intuitive as I had hoped.

Sure, setting up my Gmail account was simple, as was my work Exchange account. The issue came when setting up a POP3 account for the Cub group I run. That was, and still is, troublesome.  I never get notifications about my emails, they just appear as read… So if I don't check regularly then I miss them.  Not really acceptable.  However, until a change happens; and I’m not hopeful of one in the near future, this seems to be an age-old problem, I'm learning to live with it.

From an app perspective, it's no surprise that 99% the apps I've used before are available and in that respect there's no change.

Battery life.  Much has been written about the iPhone being wall huggers. That it's not possible to go very long without charging.  I have to say I don't find that to be the case.  I'm not a light user, I also don't play games, but I have found to be able to go a day without plugging into the mains.

Conclusion

Am I pleased to have jumped onto the iOS bandwagon?

I was more than interested to hear the announcements at WWDC16. It seems there's some good stuff coming.

As for now. It's still early days and it may be a little while longer before I'm totally comfortable, but each day that passes brings me closer to a resounding “Yes”.

One From The Archive - What did we do before....Mobile Phones

First introduced in the mid 80s; the first UK call was made from Trafalgar Square.... it was on the Racall Vodafone network. Now just Vodafone.

We've all seen pictures of the big, bulky, phones, that weren't very portable!  How technology has moved on.

However, has the invention of the mobile phone had a positive impact on our daily lives?

From a business perspective, it means decisions can be made more quickly, resulting in quicker turnaround of ideas/products.  Undoubtably, in an emergency, a mobile phone can help to save lives.




From a personal security point of view, having a means to communicate gives us peace of mind.
The smartphones we see today, also have access to email, news feeds, countless apps; as well as being media players, with built in cameras, to capture the moment, before uploading to your favourite social network.

However; being available all the time means bosses expect you to speak to them whenever they want.  The intrusion in public places is disrupting... listening to one half of a conversation is annoying; especially when they have a loud voice.  They help to make arrangements, but in the past, wouldn't you just wait until you got home?  If you're running late; so what? Once upon a time, you'd just be late!

Much is written about the operating system, from Apples' iOS, open-source Android, the revitalised BlackBerry and Windows Phone too.  There is much to suit everyone - I'm not going to spark further debate in this post about what's best.

With the advent of social networks, such as facebook, twitter, snapchat, instagram etc, we are increasingly 'dependent' on our mobile.

Personally, I know that I depend on my phone.... I'm also accused of not putting it down!
I'm not arguing for a return to how it used to be.
Some would call it progress.

We managed before, but nowadays I don't think we'd manage too well without.

Review - HulloMail

It's review time once again, and this time it's for an app that can be found across the various mobile platforms; Apple, BlackBerry, Android and 'others'.

HulloMail is a voicemail service with a difference.  All the usual services apply; you can record your own greeting, for instance.  However, the beauty is in the delivery.  There are a number of options.

1. Standard notification, via a HulloMail icon, that there is a message waiting

2. Notification by email, with a link to play the message

3. Listen to your message on the HulloMail website

The main selling point is the fact you can 'see' who has left you a message, without listening to the pre-amble of the mobile operators.  You know the thing - "You have 3 new messages... first new message... message left yesterday at 3:01pm..."


With HulloMail, the visual display will show the name (if the caller is in your contact list), a picture (if associated in your contact list) and the date and time.  You can then choose which message to listen to, in whatever order you like.


Another big benefit is the ability to send HulloMail messages to anybody in your contact list.  So long as they have an email address, they will receive a voice message from you.  It's a great way to say something, that might be difficult to put in words; and as you can add meaning with the tone of your voice, there is less chance of mis-understanding an ambiguous message.

As I mentioned at the beginning, HulloMail is available on all mobile phone platforms, and you can either sync the contact list with your phone, or, if you have one, your Google account.

I've been 'playing' with the system for the last couple of days, and I'm impressed.  Especially as the message retrieval (from your phone) is via a standard landline number, so it comes from any inclusive call time; unlike others which charge to listen to voicemail.  If you have a data plan, you could use that too.

Once you've listened to a voicemail message, you can reply either via a Hullo, a text message or an email.  The on-screen menu makes it easy to do.

HulloMail is available to UK, Ireland, Canada and USA mobile users; however there are some caveats, so check first.

All in all, this is an impressive service.  There are two versions (as per the norm these days!) The free version is ad-supported (although on the BlackBerry there are no adverts!)  On the iPhone version (which I've installed on my iPad) there are small ads.  For the annual sum of £3.99, you can get rid of them.  Personally, I wouldn't bother; although the folk at HulloMail do suggest that paid apps get new functionality first!!


If you prefer to 'see' who has left you a voicemail, before you dial the operator and listen to the whole rambling; then this is the service for you.


Definitely a 5 out of 5 application.