Most of the mobile phones on the market today are really coming into their own. Previously, once I decided to get a smart phone, the iPhone was really the only option. Most other mobile operating systems were two or three years behind what Apple had accomplished. Apple's phone and os were so polished and so well thought out that everything else seemed clumsy and stale. But now, Android has made nice progress over the past few years. Microsoft's doing some exciting things on the software side of things, and the hardware is starting to look down right sexy...well, for a phone anyway. A couple I got my eye on now is the HTC One, Motorola Razr, and the new Nokia Lumia 900. They are all really nice and full-featured mobile phones. The hardware is on par with what Apple has put out, and the os for each are comparatively just as polished and buttery smooth. Case in point, my cousin had a YouTube vid he wanted to show me of a guy who tests guns. He set up a shooting range where he puts each gun through it's paces. Well, my cousin has the Samsung GS II and was able to pull up the guy's channel from pocket to playing in a matter of seconds; something my iPhone couldn't have done any better.
I like the phones. I like the os. So what's keeping me from taking the plunge? Apps apps apps...that's really the name of the game now-a-days. Over the years, I've purchased a number of apps from Apple's app store. All of which, in one way or another, help to make my life easier and more enjoyable. Do I really want to start all over on a new platform? I will admit that I only use about a dozen or so third party apps on an everyday basis, but I do have several that I've downloaded for specific purposes; ones that only come in handy three of four times a month, but without them I'd have to figure out some type of cumbersome, and time consuming workaround.
What could help me make the decision to switch...I can think of two ways:
1) I can get myself an iPad with 32gb and 3G.
This way I wouldn't feel like I've lost anything. I'd still be able to use any of my Apple app store purchases at any time I choose. As it stands now, I do have an iPad 2, but it's only 16gb and there's no 3G connectivity. A wifi only iPad 2 with the limited amount of space is something I didn't have the foresight enough to think could be a problem down the road. Since I did already own an iPhone 4 with 32gb I didn't think the extra money I'd be spending on the iPad was worth it. To me--size difference aside--they would have been the exact same device. But an iPad with all the bells and whistles would indeed allow me to both have my cake and eat it too!
2) Gift card to the new app store.
As I mentioned earlier, there are about 12 or so apps that I use on a daily basis. Most others are games and such that I use occasionally, only when it suites me. If I were to also receive an in-app store credit with my new phone purchase, I'd have to give that some serious consideration. Most apps that are available in Apple's app store are also available (or soon will be) on other platforms as well. But instead of having me rebuild my collection from the ground up, give me an 'app springboard' to get me started. I think that would go a long way towards having the same core functionality from day one with the new platform as I did with the old one. I'm not talking some outrageous amount...somewhere around $25-$30 should give me enough latitude to purchase the apps I use regularly, keeping me from having to find that workaround.
Although, the competition has succeeded in producing viable options, they are going to be hard pressed to get me, and people like me out of their walled garden.
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