| The Real Test - iPhone vs. Android G1 vs. Blackberry Storm |
| Written by Joshua Leonard | |
| September 23, 2008 | |
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So, let's be honest folks - we have gotten a little complacent lately. After a little over a year of "iphone killer" duds, we have gotten a little fat and happy at the top of the smartphone heap.
We have watched the iPhone destroy competition with one hand tied behind its back. Essentially, the iPhone is superior despite it often having fewer features than its competitors. The iPhone leads through its ingenious combination of smooth software, sleek hardware, and a connection to the best media supply chain in digital world. Over the next couple months, the scene will change a bit. On a couple fronts, the competitive advantage of the iPhone will be challenged by two new entrants: The Blackberry Storm, and Google's first Android driven smartphone (potentially named the G1). These two phones will be perceived as iPhone challengers because they share its most well known, and well loved, feature - a large touch screen. What makes these two phones different than the other weak touchscreen offerings that have made it to the market to thus far has more to do with the names on the outside of the devices than the guts within them.
The G1 will bring Google's relatively open, widely adopted software prowess to a smartphone operating system for the first time. The G1 will also pack that software into what looks to be a pretty sweet hardware package, including a large, haptic touchscreen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard (for those who can't live without one), and a built-in compass. Less is known at this time about the Blackberry Storm, but we do know that it will also have a haptic touchscreen, more robust media playback software, and an entirely new user interface. Google will eventually connect the G1 to its rapidly expanding array of really useful cloud services and its ad-based search network. RIM will connect the Storm to its trusted email and Exchange network. While neither of these devices is likely to undo the supremacy of the iPhone in the short term, the long-term impact is difficult to predict. I generally trust Apple to keep the iPhone above the curve - succeeding through ease-of-use and vertical integration where others fail to recognize the power of making complex features more simple (and fun) to use. What do you think? Do we iPhoniacs have anything to worry about?
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Hell yes we do. I hate the iPhone touch keyboard. So much that I would switch to Android if it had all the cool apps.
Votes: +4
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I'm not really worried. I love my iPhone, and as long as Apple continues to diligently pursue their software upgrades and add new features, I will continue to be happy. I think if anything, BlackBerry and Google should help Apple spur more innovation. However, I am very intrigued by the possibilities with Android's open platform, but much remains to be seen.
Votes: -3
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For me walled gardens have a limited life span. They're useful to build a market in a controlled way to such a point when it's inherent features and user base are big enough to sustain outside influences and still maintain integrity. After that point I think its best to open it up in order to get that real explosion of energy, participation and community necessary to turn it into a mass-market phenom.
Votes: -2
With the iPhone for me the core features are UI methodology and control being consistent across the usage experience making it easy to manipulate and control all software on the device with little need for reference such as manuals or guides as well a leaning towards simplicity. We can see from the app store those ideals are largely being maintained by much of the serious software. Thus my sense is that the time will soon come when the combination of active installed user base, familiarity with the UI concepts and active development commnuity point towards opening it up. The problem? iTunes. It's simply too important a walled garden to risk putting an official conduit in the wall, via the iPhone to make this realistic. report abuse
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I think the new iPhone 3G is a way better than Blackberry or Android though they're also highly competitive smartphones. The point is that Apple obviously puts more efforts striving for iPhone's perfection. The developers are constantly working on software improvement and produce hundreds of cool applications. So the new 3G version came out with new features that make iPhone one of the coolest smartphones ever. I simply love it cause it's my personal lovemark!
Votes: -5
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I think the fact that Apple continues to not make the battery none removable will continue to be the down fall of the Iphone.
Votes: +6
people want a phone that will be available when you need it all day and night just for the day at work? also the software that the G1 phone has will in time make the Iphone software look to locked. report abuse
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So far, the non-removable battery hasn't been much of an issue for me (or for the millions of other iphone owners for that matter). Apple has always sacrificed simplicity and sleekness for hardware and software bloat and has done so to great success. You have to remember that openness, like most everything else, has its downsides. My treo was completely open, but had system-wide crashes all the time. The trick is finding the balance between openness and stability/simplicity. I believe that Apple has done that better than anyone else. We have had "open" smartphones for a long time, but beyond a few geeks (like me) no one downloaded a single new application for them. The iphone changed all that in a heartbeat. Now (non-geek) people come to me all the time showing off their new favorite iPhone app. That is a game changer - and it happened not because the iPhone is the first smartphone with third party software, but because it was the first one to do it right.
Votes: +3
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It's valid comment but as Josh says I too have had very few times when I've actually run out of juice. The fact that I know the battery isn't removable means that I usually have a cheap usb charging cable anywhere I have a pc (home work on the move etc) so I usually have the iPhone plugged in. It's a habit now I never run out of juice.
Votes: +1
That not to say I wouldn't like a removable battery - it's certainly useful in some situations - but I'd prefer in a slimmer form factor in all situations thats all. A longer battery life...? Thats a different story. ~ Simon report abuse
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What you all are forgetting is that if you do install a non apple approved software package...and then upgrade to the latest firmware your phone is locked and useless. I know cause this happened to me before. Apple is as restricted as it comes. I understand the comment from before in regards to keeping it semi-restricted, but at the same time...there are millions of programmers out there making tons of software that can do things you can only imagine. I would take the G1 any day. Only cause you can save a snapshot of your os before installing a software package, and if that package messes up your phone...you revert to that snapshot. Look around the days of closed off operating systems are slowly going away...heck even microsoft signed a deal with novel so they could get there hands on a linux os.... IPHONE IS SLOWLY GOING TO BE DEAD!!!!
Votes: +0
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That may be true. The Palm is a similar semi-open platform albeit not parented by Google. The PalmOS has thousands of applications available for it that can all sort of things - granted not as many, maybe, as Android, but the problem isn't for lack of coders nor platform capability... it's lack of standards both technical and GUI.
Votes: +3
Whilst Palm have an approval program is pales to insignificance since only the biggest developers that ever avail themselves of it. What you're talking about is fine for semi-technical people but the I believe the majority of users, the true mass market, just want something that works. They're not tinkerers or optimizers, they're users. I remember on my Treo getting used to the crashes and frequent need to soft-reset and, sometimes, hard reset. I got used to it and figured my way around incompatible apps or deleted badly behaved apps. This is becoming unacceptable - as the defections from PalmOS based smartphones demonstrate. The iPhone is designed to be a consumer electronic device. Android is semi-consumer oriented.. maybe prosumer. Apple don't want apps to crash and then to have normal consumers hard-reset. They just want them to work and the only way to do that is to control quality (and other things - which is what most people don't like). The best model for this (without the license fee) is the games console world where apps are guaranteed to work. Behind this lies an enormous hierarchy of technical requirements, submissions and approvals processes that occur months and months before a game hits the streets. A cut down version of the games model is what I think the smartphone world is heading for if it is to move in the the mainstream cellphone space - cellphones rarely crash or reboot during a call. For software publisher having a single app store (as bad as it is for the rest of the iPhone ecosystem) means a trusted software distributor and single revenue relationship on the one side but on the other it's guaranteed exposure to EVERY single iPhone owner and much higher try-out/install rate (conversion rate is really dependent on the quality of the software of course). Thus I can see it as being extremely attractive to those who write software commercially/professionally. For a consumer it's a single source of software of a certain quality with a single tool to manage the installation, single billing mechanism, OTA install and better compatibility than software build 'outside' the system. ~ Simon report abuse
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I really love my iPhone. The only bad thing I found on it so far is that Apple didn't make it with A2DP bluetooth and I have to use an adapter to pair it up with my Bluetooth wireless headphones. This is not a big deal since they both work great with the adapter, but does anyone know if the Android G1 or Blackberry Storm have A2DP Stereo Bluetooth. Thanks!
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I'm using the Google G1-Android ...whatever it's called...right now. I've always had Sidekicks. This phone is awesome! I love it. So far the only thing I don't like about it is how fast the battery dies. But otherwise, this phone is more than I ever expected
Votes: +2
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im really interested in buying either the igoogle or iphone but i do have tmobile but i was thinking about switching to at&t just for iphone so what should i do??
Votes: -3
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Well you're asking on an iPhone blog so we're bound to say get an iPhone. It's super easy to use but a bit more expensive up front. If you can find an iPhone v1 you can unlock it and use it with your current carrier (you can do the same with a 3G but it will cost you more than u might be willing to pay for the freedom). Google QuickPwn to find an app that will unlock a v1 iPhone, iPhone 3g will soon be unlockable with the same app too.
Votes: -1
That said the G1 does have it's advantages if you like free markets and you like fiddling with your phone. If you just want it to work, play music and use your phone I'd get an iPhone. If you like tinkering experimenting and running a great many apps without the hassle and worry of unlocking your iPhone each time a new firmware is released the expandable, open nature of the G phone may suit you better. report abuse
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o well thanks so much simon that info really helped but i think i might just stick with getting an G1 just because i have tmobile already and i really messing my phone haha but i love the phone to!! thanks- ellen
Votes: +0
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Hey guys. First off. no phone or mp3 is loder than the apple department. Although my G1 is maybe only 5 db off. Now I really do appreciate both phones. But I have owned 3 sidekicks. I'm just used to the qwerty keyboard. Now if the g1 gets an app created to use a touch keypad as well. That would be awesome. As far as the battery. I have my home charger. Usb. And I have a car charger suppoprting. Usb hook up. The open source platform is realllly awesome. Some of the apps are completely useless. Just like apples fireplace. Wtf. But some are really useful. SUCH AS.... the ringtone app where you can cut a segment from your favorite .mp3 and use it as a ringtone. Now that's a user want. Free ringtones. The lack of 3g in my area is a bummer. But the majority of places I frequent have free wifi. So its not too bad. I pre-orded my phone and received it the day before launch on the 21. I've seriously been on this phone every chance I get. I wish it had flash and video. But hey. Neither does the iphone. Suppose to e a qualcomm. Chip for release in a later. Date to support flash and flash lite, would be friggin dsweet if its true. Well that's about it. Srry if there are any typos. I'm am on the phone right now.
Votes: +4
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No worries forest, glad you're liking it. Flash would be great on both phones, bad battery drain though, most flash apps like to run at full whack which is tough for ulv mobile processors - you'll find your phone heating up and the battery draining surprisingly fast.
Votes: +0
The iPhone is 'sort of' *cough* jailbroken *cough* open source just not officially supported and thus really for those more confident owners out there. I have to say the AppStore does create a big incentive for developers to create higher quality apps because it's the single official source for apps and thus the market is huge, combined with a 70/30 rev share, one tap purchase, download and install and you've got a great billing and delivery system developers can rely onto continue funding their premium software apps. report abuse
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I've switch from iPhone to G1, and am very glad for the switch. Here's how they compare:
Votes: +3
- G1's Android software is roughly on-par with iPhone - iPhone hardware is way better than the G1 - Android apps rock, already on par with iPhone - The keyboard makes the G1 better than an iPhone Apple makes way better hardware than anything build by HTC. The iPhone screen is much bigger, and the phone is thinner and more elegant. The G1 camera sucks big time, and it's non-standard headphone jack was designed by morons. The headphones you get from T-Mobile suck. However, with the addition of the keyboard, I prefer the G1 to my old iPhone. With the keyboard, it's not just a phone - it's a micro-laptop. IT people and hackers will love it, with it's incredible ssh-shell, open-source development, telnetd root access, Eclipse Java development, and so on. The G1's ease of use for Skype, SMS, and e-mail blow away the iPhone, and it comes with voice-dial. Also, it works great with Windows and Linux - not just Macs. Google's Android OS will crush Apple's iPhone, just like IBM PCs and Windows rolled over Apple in the '80s. It's a repeat of history in the making as Steve Jobs jealously controls all hardware and software on the iPhone. Google will dominate through it's control of the new operating system - Android, just like Microsoft did before. G1 clones from many vendors will run this new operating system, greatly expanding the smart-phone market. Apple will be left where it was before - catering to people with lots of money to spend on less-functional but pretty devices, designed to be easy to use by stupid people report abuse
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G1 kicks ass. This phone my mini laptop. I can get connection practically anywhere. The keyboard is sweet. I get asked all the what kind of phone I am using.
Votes: +1
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I totally dig my android G1 - except for the battery life. But, I still really, REALLY, like it.
Votes: +0
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I recently bought Blackberry Storm and I am seriously amazed to see how great looking it is and an amazing software it comes with. Storm is truly, purely, realistically far better than iPhone. I have used iPhone but there are lots of things missing, but in Storm you can't name a single thing which is missing except just wi-fi which is not VERY useful for everyone. Storm's screen quality is better, software is simple superb, no problem in MMS, Emails and anything. Clickable screen which really gives you real feeling of buttons. Lots of useful application use and most important thing turn by turn navigation. Battery time is far better than iPhone too.
Votes: -3
And probably most of the people will not agree with my one point that Storm is even better looking. Well I think that. Both phones are infront of me atm, and Storm looks even better. I was iPhone lover and I still like that, but if we compare both phones, Storm is far far better. report abuse
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I just recieved my Blackberry Storm yesterday and so far there has been no problems with it. I have not had any problems with the 3G network so the whole no wi-fi thing is not an issue to me. I have a Ipod touch that i really like but when I attemp to write something with it I always ended up hitting the wrong key, but with the Storm's new clickable touch screen I haven't hit a wrong key yet. With all of the crazy things you can do on it, such as having built in blue tooth speaker, I never miss a call or message. Besides, the e-mail setup is five times better than the iphone's e-mail system. Even though the iphone has other cool things such as the apps store which the Storm doesn't have yet, i would have to take the Blackberry Storm over the iphone anyday.
Votes: -2
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The G1 will succeed in gaming, software, and mp3 player support and features and here's why: the G1 has a qualcomm processor running at 528Mhz with a video accellerator, and qualcomm's "adreno" graphic chipset. This will bring mobile gaming graphics at a landmark, and new mp3 player features such as visualizations, graphic UI's, etc. I personally think the IPhone is bad ass, but the restrictions that jobs put on everything is slowly but surely crumbling the IPhone. As for the person with the camera issue, the camera is very unique on the G1. It works like a digital camera, remember, it has autofocus, press the button lightly, the autofocus kicks in, press it harder. The shutter takes the picture. HTC's hardware is actually pretty durable. I had a HTC Juno and it has been through water, drops, dings, slams, and it has never let me down. My girl using it right now.
Votes: +1
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Ha ha ha .. I work for Verizon and have a Storm as part of my employment.
Votes: +0
It does not even come close to the iphone. Major problems include instant battery drain touch screen works but is subpar when it comes to zoom, and smoothness. Storm has the worst texting system ever The click touch keypad only slows fast texters down, which causes errors everytime. Even adjusting the sensativity does not help. The iPhone is much thinner the Storm will sometimes go to a fuzzy screen and lock up the accellerometer does not function correctly all the time some times when you flip the phone it could take more than 5 seconds to re-adjust or even just lock in place. I am on an old edge iphone so I can't compare the turn by turn navigation. We have a 30 day trial on all VZW phones and have numerous people bring the storm back in the test drive period and opting for the iPhone. Storm does have a nice clear hi res picture but that's probably part of the batt drain problem. obviously being able to sync business applications is the key for the device. The iPhone is much more advanced and way smoother in operation report abuse
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I'm not even sure why people are still debating over the subject. Look at the sales figures and the reviews of the products everywhere. Ask people who own an iphone 3g how happy they are with the product, and ask those who own a storm how satisfied they are. Of the people I know, those who own even first gen iphones are still incredibly happy with their phone even despite the lack of 3g capabilities. For the most part, the individuals I know that opted for the BB storm were unsatisfied. The ones that said they were satisfied were the kind of people that refuse to use any computer that doesn't have a Win OS on it because they're not familiar with it and change scares them.
Votes: +3
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i have an iphone my mom has the storm and my sister has the g1..all have strong points and weak points. we all agree the iphone is better. many reasons why the iphone is blowing these others out of the water. but like i said each are good and not so good in their own way.......so depending on what you want your phone for one might be better then the other in YOUR situation. as for me IPHONE IS THE REIGNIN CHAMP
Votes: -2
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Hey folks, I just jumped on this board because I ordered the G1 yesterday and was looking for compare and contrast feedback. I am really surprised how many people came out in favor for the G1; my daughter has the New iphone (second iphone) and absolutely hates it; so much so, she just went back to her Samsung Black jack; she said she would take that over the iphone anyday and she is super tech savvyy soo.. I sure hope I like the G1 I had some reservations about the physical attributes but in the end the GPS sold me I already have an ipod and a nice digital camera so I can live with those functions being mediocre
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I am a G1 user and I have to say that I love it!!!!! The free aps is just great . For all of you who have the iphone it is a really cool phone, I have nothing bad to say abou it. But I will have to say that the G1 is awnsome..........
Votes: +1
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Hey I got the g1 and is freaking awesome better than the storm
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I honestly think android is better for just a few key reasons. Bsquare has already announced that android will be the first platform that they are going to release their flash integrated browsers on. also Androids Open OS is its biggest strongpoint, considering that with the iphone the only way to make it open source is by "jailbreaking" your phone which can be complicated for users who want that functionality but couldnt hack a phone to save their life. Plus even after you do jailbreak your phone, if you download an out-of-market application that has a lot of bugs, it can be frustrating trying to get rid of that app. Because of androids flawless Open Source, applications constantly 1up eachother to provide the best applications possible. The iphone does run a little smoother than the G1, but there are many many many phones on the line of production that are taking advantage of Android OS. On top of all that we even have applications that can integrate everyday living. for instance, Ford and GM both have announced their future release of Android Operating Cars. Smart homes can also benefit from this technology. Ive seen a few comparisons of the browser speeds of both the G1 and Iphone and pretty much they run about the same. I think iphone users are simply going to have to get used to not being the biggest and best there is.
Votes: +1
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I just recently got the g1 afer having a sidekick and I love it. I needed me keyboard mostly! The only thing is if ur constantly using it the battery life sucks but I always have my charger with me and a car charger 2.... also for g1 users there is a free app u can download so u can heve video...when I found it I was happy because I thought there was no possible way 2 record video! I'm very satisfied with my g1 and there are sooooo many free apps that u can customize ur phone however u like!
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How do you type on the Blackberry Storm?? Touch screen or keyboard?? I was thinking of getting the iphone but too expensive. The Blackberry is cheaper and so is the G1. But how do you type on the Blackberry?!?!!?
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Hello I have a g1 I'm using it now for this. Android users rejoice there's a new os dubbed cupcake think of every single thing the iphone does and the storm does and we do all of that is cupcake 1.5 wow just wow my clunky qwerty allows me to type this faster than any iphone out there also the camera being a 3mp has better res than both iphone and storm plus the new os has video recording. Also the one touch share is there all the apps that iphone has I got plus some other ones like my metal detector why I need it idn but I got it cupcake is delicious
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I love the G1. New applications come out all the time and I haven't paid for a single one. I also have google voice which is awesome. I was one of those people that bought the BB storm and took it back in within 30 days. From now on, only android OS for me. I'm thinking about getting the mytouch but I like the physical keyboard.
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