Escaping the Apple

This week I've done something that isn't that common for an iPhone owner - I've switched to using an Android phone.

I've been pretty happy with my iPhone since my purchase of the 3G a couple or three years ago. Deep down I always wanted to be a 'Google phone' user; the mindset is closer to my techie, open-source mind. Sadly when I was making my first steps into the smartphone market, Android based phones were leagues behind the offering from Apple.

So I knowingly entered Apple's walled-off ecosystem.


Over the last few months I've been getting increasingly discontented with Apple's lack of innovation, their boring 'look at this lovely grid of icons' and the general stifling feeling from being forced to do things their way, or not at all.

Meanwhile, I've been keeping my eye on the evolution and development of Android phones; both the hardware and software. This year both hit the tipping point for me to be interested in taking a risk.

My first toe-dip into the Android waters was in August when I jumped on the Nexus 7 bandwagon. A shiny, affordable tablet that was a substantial amount cheaper than the iPad.

The hardware was lovely, especially when I finally found a case that suited me, and with the release of JellyBean Google had finally made a mobile OS that I was happy to use. Sure, it's not perfect, but it's more than good enough for me, and I can live with any 'niggles' while the OS and ecosystem catches up with the booming demand for Android consumers.

In October I was happy and settled with my n7 ... and they announced the Nexus 4. Could this be? A phone-sized version of the tablet I was enjoying so much? And how cheap?

I updated my radar to include information and articles about the n4 ... the device looked lovely, it would also run JellyBean, it would fit into the Google based world I've been sliding in to for some time. It's more fenced-than walled with Google  (If Google go 'evil' and do nasty things with my accounts, I'm screwed; but that's slightly less worrying than being bricked in by Apple).

The worrying thing around the time of the announcement was the reported low battery life. It looked like everywhere was reporting that it was a terrible battery and I was concerned enough to increase my caution level to see how things settled down.

After I realised that 'everywhere' was really a number of sites re-reporting the information from the AnandTech review I was less concerned about the battery. [I think the review now has updated information about the battery]. There are still various pages and articles discussing the battery life.

I decided it wasn't an issue any longer - I'm used to living my life around power sockets and opportunities to recharge. How much worse can it be?

So, when I heard that the Nexus 4 was going to be back on sale I made a special effort to try to order one. I was lucky and yesterday I took delivery of my first non-Apple phone in years.