I can do way more useful things on Android than I can on iPhone, things you’d have to jailbreak the iPhone for. There’s a reason iPhones are popular with grandmas, teens, and others who just want a phone that does phone things easily, and there’s also a reason they are not that popular with hardcore nerds who like to fuck around with their devices. It’s a phone that targets a specific type of person. There’s nothing wrong with that. People see “usability” differently. Some people see it as “ease of use”. Others care more about what is possible to do with it. It’s just like the Windows/Linux thing.
This is a genuine question that I’ve asked android users and never had a response that isn’t vague and hand-wavy.
What things do you do on your android device that can’t be done without a jailbreak in the apple ecosystem? I’m looking for things beyond visual changes or things that a user would only use once in a blue moon.
I would love a better understanding, please and thank you
Fairly certain these can’t be done on iPhone but correct me if I’m wrong:
Multi window/split screen -AFAIK you can only do this on iPad
custom home screen/launcher: the icons on a grid both bores and overwhelms me, so I use a minimalist launcher with a few shortcuts and app drawer for the rest
removable SD card. Sure, storage is getting better on phones, but the ability to pop a 2TB micro SD in my phone and keep offline copies of whatever I like for times I have no service is absolutely crucial to me (SD slot depends on what phone you have ofc, some manufacturers ditched it)
home screen widgets
notifications are superior on android
USB 3.0 speed data transfer with no additional software, to any device that can accept a USB stick
third party apps and app stores
being able to install apps I develop for my own personal use without paying for a developer account, having to list it on the store, or having to reinstall it every few weeks
ability to run Firefox with extensions
multiple accounts for the same app without needing to log in and out
USB OTG
game emulators
can safely browse tor
Depending on what model and manufacturer you go with,
What things do you do on your android device that can’t be done without a jailbreak in the apple ecosystem?
I mentioned having to jailbreak them to be able to do some of the things stock Android can do. Sideloading and the ability to be used like a flash drive and have direct access to the filesystem when plugged into a computer are some of the things I use regularly.
Jailbreaking is also risky. It’s a good way for Apple to have an excuse to brick your shit on the next update if they decide to for “security” reasons.
Inside the apple ecosystem the iPhone can also be used as a flash drive. Between airdrop, connecting it directly to my mac and iCloud Drive I have never once not been able to get files on or off my device (with no need for third party apps I might add)
You mentioned side loading. What are you side loading? Give me examples of what you’re installing? I want a compelling reason to ditch my iPhone so I’m not paying what amounts to the cost of a computer every few years.
And there’s the rub. The entire world doesn’t use Apple. I need to be able to plug it in at work or something, have the Windows PC there automatically recognize and mount it, drag files to it, take it home, and then plug it into my Linux box and grab the files.
As for your second question, it’s usually “naughty” apps like Youtube Vanced, IT utilities and tools made by individuals who only offer an APK download and aren’t in the store, or my own little hobby project apps.
A big one for me is Youtube Revanced. It has become invaluable for me as it is actually better than Youtube Premium because of the SponsorBlock integration. I’m also able to still be logged in and have access to my “watch later” list and feed.
Both of these things can also be achieved by Firefox with full extensions support on Android, but the App’s usability is higher and supports 60FPS video out of the box, unlike the Firefox solution.
Yes, Apple targets a particular type of person that happens to be the majority of the population. For us, usability just means frictionless ease of use.
Apple’s build quality and usability still curb stomps anything within miles of the same features.
I can do way more useful things on Android than I can on iPhone, things you’d have to jailbreak the iPhone for. There’s a reason iPhones are popular with grandmas, teens, and others who just want a phone that does phone things easily, and there’s also a reason they are not that popular with hardcore nerds who like to fuck around with their devices. It’s a phone that targets a specific type of person. There’s nothing wrong with that. People see “usability” differently. Some people see it as “ease of use”. Others care more about what is possible to do with it. It’s just like the Windows/Linux thing.
I agree but I think they meant ease of use and ability to “just do” things
This is a genuine question that I’ve asked android users and never had a response that isn’t vague and hand-wavy.
What things do you do on your android device that can’t be done without a jailbreak in the apple ecosystem? I’m looking for things beyond visual changes or things that a user would only use once in a blue moon.
I would love a better understanding, please and thank you
Fairly certain these can’t be done on iPhone but correct me if I’m wrong:
Depending on what model and manufacturer you go with,
I mentioned having to jailbreak them to be able to do some of the things stock Android can do. Sideloading and the ability to be used like a flash drive and have direct access to the filesystem when plugged into a computer are some of the things I use regularly.
Jailbreaking is also risky. It’s a good way for Apple to have an excuse to brick your shit on the next update if they decide to for “security” reasons.
Inside the apple ecosystem the iPhone can also be used as a flash drive. Between airdrop, connecting it directly to my mac and iCloud Drive I have never once not been able to get files on or off my device (with no need for third party apps I might add)
You mentioned side loading. What are you side loading? Give me examples of what you’re installing? I want a compelling reason to ditch my iPhone so I’m not paying what amounts to the cost of a computer every few years.
And there’s the rub. The entire world doesn’t use Apple. I need to be able to plug it in at work or something, have the Windows PC there automatically recognize and mount it, drag files to it, take it home, and then plug it into my Linux box and grab the files.
As for your second question, it’s usually “naughty” apps like Youtube Vanced, IT utilities and tools made by individuals who only offer an APK download and aren’t in the store, or my own little hobby project apps.
A big one for me is Youtube Revanced. It has become invaluable for me as it is actually better than Youtube Premium because of the SponsorBlock integration. I’m also able to still be logged in and have access to my “watch later” list and feed. Both of these things can also be achieved by Firefox with full extensions support on Android, but the App’s usability is higher and supports 60FPS video out of the box, unlike the Firefox solution.
Half of my apps are side-loaded including the one I’m typing this on.
Yes, Apple targets a particular type of person that happens to be the majority of the population. For us, usability just means frictionless ease of use.
No