Travel Technology - Happy with my switch from Apple to Android!

I've been a big fan and supporter of Apple products dating back to my little Mac that I bought in 1986! But I am impressed with how other systems and platforms are catching up and giving serious competition.

I was up for a new phone with ATT as my 3GS iPhone was well used and I decided to go with the new Samsung Galaxy 3s. A very nice phone and for my aging eyes which see less well in low light and without reading glasses the big and bright screen is a big plus.

I've also wanted to move more to pads for travel instead of my laptop and decided to stay with Android since I can use many of the same apps I pay for or have. I got the new Asus Transformer TF700 with the optional keyboard dock and couldn't be happier. It does everything I need on a trip such as games and reading but also has the email and internet browsing capabilities as well as nifty apps for other things. I am a photographer and I can download my camera using the USB connection and back up images to a portable drive. I also found an app for viewing CR2 Raw files and one where I can even tether the pad to the camera for operating it which is handy in a studio situation or where clients want to see things from the camera view.

One other plus is that ATT now allows you to unlock your out of service iPhone so I will take it abroad and purchase a Sim card and top the phone up for use in the country I am in.

I agree with you on the iPad issue of lacking ability to transfer pictures from CF cards even via their cable.

I did the same with my old AT&T phone. Unlocked it and I'm using it when travel abroad.

iOS is fine, but yes I agree Android is much more liberating. Ice Cream Sandwich finally caught up to iOS, and IMHO Jelly Bean blows it away in every way.

Android is constantly innovating and that's pissing Apple Big time and with Steve Jobs gone...apple is no more innovating...just my two cents

BTW, I have a Kindle fire which I am going to trade up for Google nexus...LFTT

Android is constantly innovating and that's pissing Apple Big time and with Steve Jobs gone...apple is no more innovating...just my two cents

I agree, I think Apple has lost its vision. It didn't take long, either.

How's the battery life on the Galaxy 3? That is my biggest concern in making the jump. I occasionally need to be able to go 12+ hours w/o having to recharge which isn't a problem on my iPhone 4.

How's the battery life on the Galaxy 3? That is my biggest concern in making the jump. I occasionally need to be able to go 12+ hours w/o having to recharge which isn't a problem on my iPhone 4.

Its true that iphone 4 will last 12+ hours initially but after couple of months, it drops to 8-9 hours and that's without using the location service. If I use the locations services...it lasts 4-5 hours MAX.

How's the battery life on the Galaxy 3? That is my biggest concern in making the jump. I occasionally need to be able to go 12+ hours w/o having to recharge which isn't a problem on my iPhone 4.
But remember: Most Android phones have removable batteries. So in a pinch, those of us who use Androids can always carry a spare.

But I am impressed with how other systems and platforms are catching up and giving serious competition.
Android has largely caught up, which is good for users of both platforms.

The question is -- why did it take that long?

Its true that iphone 4 will last 12+ hours initially but after couple of months, it drops to 8-9 hours and that's without using the location service. If I use the locations services...it lasts 4-5 hours MAX.

Mine is 2 years old and I can make it through an entire day on a single charge. And that is with location services. I check for email every 15 min in lieu of using push email and I've turned off a bunch of unneeded notifications as I read that polling for those could consume battery.

Anyhow, I'm really impressed w/ my new Nexus 7 and will wait to see what the next Nexus Phone is like before deciding on iOS or Android.

You guys are comparing apples to oranges for battery life. The screen on the iPhone is 3.5in while the Galaxy 3 is 4.8in.

Even on my old Moto Defy phone with a 3.7in screen, the battery lasted a full day - easy. The biggest culprit of battery usage is the screen.

Mine is 2 years old and I can make it through an entire day on a single charge. And that is with location services. I check for email every 15 min in lieu of using push email and I've turned off a bunch of unneeded notifications as I read that polling for those could consume battery.

Anyhow, I'm really impressed w/ my new Nexus 7 and will wait to see what the next Nexus Phone is like before deciding on iOS or Android.

BigMoney...is your phone iphone 4 or 4s? I have iphone 4. Maybe something is wrong with this piece...pls let me know

You guys are comparing apples to oranges for battery life. The screen on the iPhone is 3.5in while the Galaxy 3 is 4.8in.

Even on my old Moto Defy phone with a 3.7in screen, the battery lasted a full day - easy. The biggest culprit of battery usage is the screen.

WOW...galaxy 3 is 4.8 in...awesome....just waiting for my contract to get over and then I cab switch....

BigMoney...is your phone iphone 4 or 4s? I have iphone 4. Maybe something is wrong with this piece...pls let me know

4...I've been eligible for an upgrade for a few months but have been holding out for the either the 5 or the next Google Nexus phone.

How's the battery life on the Galaxy 3? That is my biggest concern in making the jump. I occasionally need to be able to go 12+ hours w/o having to recharge which isn't a problem on my iPhone 4.

I'm on the Galaxy 2. I picked up 2 spare batteries and an external battery charger for $35 on Amazon.com I swap them out as needed. With the three batteries I can go more than 12+ hours of *heavy* use (covering car shows or other media events where I tweet, take pics, and facebook a lot)

How's the battery life on the Galaxy 3?

Excellent by smartphone standards (though these are not exactly impressive). A lot better than my last phone (HTC Desire HD), which was about the same as the previous (Samsung Galaxy S), which was a bit better than the previous (iPhone 3GS). I'm a very heavy user (mostly email and web), and it's the first smartphone I've had that I can take off the charger when I get out of bed and it will last until I get into bed.