Switching to Android: A Fresh Experience

It has been almost three weeks since I made the switch to Android. After using iPad and iPhone for a few years, I felt it was time to explore something new, especially considering the direction iOS7 was heading. Android offers a level of customization and personalization that goes beyond the “it just works” mantra, allowing me to tailor the experience to my preferences. With this post, I want to share my journey and express my satisfaction as an Android user.

Discovering the Google Play Edition

My interest in Android piqued when I stumbled upon an article on Prismatic about the Google Play Edition (GPE) of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. Although I had initially been invested in the iOS ecosystem, I had heard about the heavily modified UI and bloatware that often accompany Android devices. Moreover, the marketing efforts from manufacturers sometimes overshadowed the pure Android experience, flooding it with unnecessary features and gimmicks.

Thankfully, Android being an open platform allows users to replace the stock ROM with alternatives like CyanogenMod (CM), which offers a nearly stock experience with some valuable enhancements. However, the official release of the Google Play Editions, featuring the two best Android smartphones without the burdensome UI modifications and bloatware, provided a consistent experience for users who desired stock Android without having to resort to Nexus devices or tinkering with their own ROMs.

To fully embrace Android, I concluded that I would opt for either a Nexus device or a Google Play Edition. Unfortunately, I found the Nexus design unappealing, and the HTC One did not justify itself as my first Android phone. After extensive research, I settled on the One X, HTC’s flagship from the previous year and their first quad-core phone.

Enter the HTC One X: A Switch for the Tech Enthusiasts

To tailor my Android experience, I ventured into creating my own ROM based on this repository, having spent some time with the stable version of CyanogenMod CM10.1 and the nightly build of CM10.2. While the stock Android Open Source Project (AOSP) ROM offers fewer features compared to CM, it stays true to the essence of Android.

One of the greatest advantages of Android’s open-source nature is the ability to modify and customize it to suit one’s preferences.

Compiling the ROM with a premade kernel took six hours, but the effort was worthwhile as it instilled confidence in me to eventually build my own ROM or even design my own phone. I made minor tweaks, such as replacing some stock apps with Chrome and Gmail, and performed a few modifications here and there. Perhaps when time permits, I will delve deeper into hardware-level tinkering.

Migrating from iOS

Fortunately, my cautious approach towards cloud reliance made the transition easier. I had most of my data readily available, with contacts stored in the Address Book app. Importing them into Android’s People app was a breeze. I never used iCloud, opting for local backups and Wi-Fi syncing with iTunes. As for iMessage and Facetime, I had already established alternative methods, relying on a free SMS plan and Skype. Since I utilized Gmail for my email and calendar, there were no major concerns when moving away from iOS.

I must admit, though, that I had developed an emotional attachment to iOS.

Finding Alternatives for Prismatic.

Apart from missing some of my favorite iOS apps, such as Mailbox and Prismatic, I felt a void in terms of syncing capabilities. Managing my music and photos with iTunes and iPhoto made keeping my devices in sync effortless. However, I am confident that over time, I will find suitable solutions to address these aspects.

Living with Android.

Stock AOSP 4.2.2: Simplicity, Elegance, and Speed

Adapting to the Android system was a smooth process. The presence of physical capacitive keys added an intuitive and user-friendly element. I quickly grew accustomed to navigating the system and performing various tasks without struggling to locate menu options. If I ever found myself lost, a simple tap on the home button would bring me back to the home screen. The larger form factor of the device may pose challenges for one-handed use, but once familiar with the system, such concerns diminish.

While the stock AOSP doesn’t offer the extensive customization found in CM ROM, which comes with its own launcher (Trebuchet), I haven’t missed those features. In case I need a more robust launcher, I can always replace the stock launcher with Trebuchet.

A Tap Away from the World’s Best Search Engine

The search functionality on Android is just a tap away, allowing for both local and global searches. Typing a query or using voice search is incredibly convenient. I appreciate the ability to control search results, including content from other apps. For example, I can search my tweets from the Twitter app or access notes from Evernote.

While the stock Calendar app may lack a visually appealing UI and icon, the Agenda view simplifies event viewing through intuitive up-and-down swiping. Synchronizing with Google ensures that any events created on my MacBook or web browser appear on my phone and trigger appropriate notifications.

I must admit, I ended up with two Calendar apps installed—one from Google and another with a more aesthetically pleasing icon. Oops!

Interacting with Apps from the Notification Drawer. (CM 10.1)

A notable feature of Android is the ability to interact with apps directly from the Notification Drawer. I find it incredibly convenient to reply to text messages or emails without launching the respective apps. In cases of notification overload, a simple tap dismisses them all at once. Unfortunately, incoming notifications lack functionality beyond producing a sound. To enhance notification management, users may resort to third-party apps or rely on LED blinking, although it’s important to note that not all Android devices support this feature. Once notifications are dismissed, tracking them becomes challenging without opening the respective apps. In contrast, iOS displays the number of notifications on app icons, providing a quick glance at the notification count.

Apple introduced a similar interaction feature with the Notification Center in iOS 7. While the previous Notification Center mainly displayed a list of notifications and offered quick tweeting or posting to Facebook, the latter feature did not make its way to iOS 7.

Chrome’s Syncing Feature: A Game-Changer

To enhance my browsing experience, I replaced the stock browser with Google Chrome. The syncing feature is an absolute game-changer, allowing me to seamlessly continue browsing from any tab open on my MacBook to my phone. While I haven’t found a Gmail app alternative as compelling as Mailbox, I’ve managed with the available options. Boomerang didn’t quite meet my needs, but I’m open to exploring other alternatives.

Moreover, Android allows users to set third-party apps as default actions, providing flexibility beyond stock offerings.

Stock AOSP Camera: Simplicity with Satisfying Results

Due to the lack of Sense framework in the AOSP ROM, I couldn’t fully utilize the dedicated image processing chip in the One X with the stock camera app. However, the simple interface of the stock app doesn’t require additional features. Less time spent on settings translates to more time capturing photos. It’s worth mentioning that Sense ROM comes with various presets that enhance the shooting experience and produce higher-quality output compared to AOSP.

I’m impressed by the camera’s speed when launching and getting ready to capture photos. While it takes a few seconds for processing, it’s still fast enough for continuous shooting without relying on Burst Mode.

Duke highway. (Taken with One X’s AOSP camera)

Muar river. (Taken with One X’s AOSP camera)

Regarding image quality, I must admit that the results I obtained with the AOSP ROM were somewhat mediocre. However, it’s important to note that this could be subjective since I was using the ROM without any proprietary libraries from the manufacturer. From my understanding, GPE devices still retain all the optimizations provided by the respective manufacturers.

So, if image quality is a top priority, it may be worth considering a GPE device or a ROM that includes the manufacturer’s optimizations.

So Much for Beats Audio

Like most HTC phones since 2011, the One X comes with Beats Audio integration. However, Beats Audio doesn’t offer much beyond an audio profile aimed at enhancing bass production, and it only functions when headphones or earphones are connected. The AOSP ROM doesn’t include this feature by default due to its proprietary nature, but it’s present in the GPE version of the HTC One, as well as the standard Sense ROM. For those seeking alternatives, DSPManager provides superior tuning without the limitation of the 3.5mm output. Alternatively, users can flash audio mods to reintroduce Beats Audio functionality.

The built-in speaker performance of the One X impressed me, given its slim form factor. Not only is it loud and clear, but it surpasses the audio quality of any other mobile phone I’ve used. I can play music video clips at an open view restaurant, and it remains clear enough for me and my friends to enjoy the music without maxing out the volume. The speaker mode couldn’t get any better than this. I can have conversations without relying on earphones, especially when driving. It truly blew me away.

However, Android could benefit from an improved stock music app. The current one is lackluster. CyanogenMod did a better job with Apollo, and unfortunately, I couldn’t install the Google Play Music app due to unsupported country restrictions.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, I’d like to sum up my experience without any bias, steering away from the fanboy mentality. Just because I purchased a particular device doesn’t mean it’s perfect and all other devices are inferior. It’s not that simple.

I chose what works best for me. For now, it’s Android.

Android provides a level of personalization and customization that surpasses other platforms. However, I don’t want customization to be an everyday chore. At its core, it’s still a phone, and I expect it to function seamlessly as one. If you’re seeking the best out-of-the-box experience, iOS is the way to go. It’s great, and there’s a possibility that I may return to iOS in the future. Don’t be swayed by rumors about iTunes and the App Store; experience them firsthand. I should mention that it took me the first four hours with the One X to set it up correctly before truly using it.

If you enjoy a larger screen, a better camera, and easy file transfers through direct mounting, then Android is the answer. These are the primary factors that most people compare between Android and iOS. I won’t delve into app availability or various specs here, as they don’t significantly impact the overall user experience. Better specs only translate to faster app performance, not necessarily improved quality.

Live a Better Life without Carrying a Portable Charger

I’m aware that battery life is a concern for some Android users. However, I managed to achieve remarkable battery life on my device without resorting to third-party power-saving apps. If you’re experiencing subpar battery life, it’s likely due to the bloatware installed by the manufacturer. Get rid of it and stick with stock Android. You’ll have a more enjoyable experience.