| 2012.05.21 |
I really like the HTC One X.
Overall, I'd give it eight out of ten stars. If I overlook availability of apps for both platforms
being an issue, I can say that I can do almost everything on the One X that I can on my iPhone 4S
— some things better, some things not.
iPhone History
I've been an iPhone user since the original iPhone 3G. I originally switched because I was sick
and tired of having to use a stylus for everything on my Windows phone — even just dialing the
unit was a pain in the keester. Apple gets interface — and they realized that a smartphone interface
must be finger-friendly. They earned my business. Unfortunately, AT&T has effed up nearly every
major rollout of Apple product since then.
Apple vs. Android
I got into Android development a couple of years ago. One thing I really enjoy about Android
development is that the platform is far more exposed for third-party development. For example:
AUTOreply, my most recent Android release, is an SMS responder which can engage and disengage itself
based on your rate of movement. I'll probably never be able to develop an iOS-based counterpart app
because Apple doesn't allow third-party access to their SMS API. As a consumer, I suppose I can
appreciate Apple locking down the functionality, because it minimizes the chances of a data
compromise. As a developer, I'd love to be able to build that app for the iPhone because I want
to use it there.
Generally speaking — for me as a user — the major advantage that Android has is in its native
abilities to naturally extend Google's mail (GMail) and calendaring capabilities. Apple's handling
of Google's calendar is not the best. I can update my Google calendar on the Web and see those
updates in near real-time on my Android unit; not so with my iPhone.
It's the classic battle between closed and open systems. On the one hand, the closed system is
risk-adverse, but its rules prevent departure from the standard it set. On the other, the open
system allows for greater flexibility but at a higher risk of data compromise and complications.
The HTC One X
The HTC One X has a very slim and inviting form factor, with a slight curvature. It's actually
so slim that when it slipped out of my hand in my car, it slid straight down between my seat and
the center console. Happily I was able to retrieve it from under the seat! The handset is longer
and wider than the iPhone — there's a lot of talk about an iPhone 5 being made larger than the
current production units (recent reporting noted the current iPhone's dimensions were driven by
a person's ability to reach all points of the screen with one's thumb.) The One X is available
in white and in black — just like the iPhone. And, for what it's worth, the ZAGG screen protector
for the One went on absolutely flawlessly. I can't say the same for the protector on my iPhone.
Ice Cream Sandwich
The One runs the latest version of the Android operating system, named "Ice Cream Sandwich."
ICS
looks beautiful. It features resizable widgets and "folderable" shortcut icons (mimicking one of
the most notable features of the original iOS 4 upgrade, in my opinion). Even the basic, retro
font on the unit looks sweet.
Voice Command
Another notable change over Gingerbread is
the addition of voice transciption. One might be tempted to compare this with Apple's
"Siri" functionality. ICS won't respond to you in a female voice, but I have noticed
it will add your spoken text in near real-time. That's mostly what I use Siri for, but my wife
uses it far more extensively. I don't believe ICS' voice command implementation is as capable as
she might require. Iris is a third-party app meant to address the gap. It sounds awful — though
it is still in alpha. The bottom line here is though Apple's iPhone 4S blows away ICS' voice command
capabilities, clearly Google is thinking about voice command.
Face the Music
One of the big things Apple has going for it is iTunes. The iTunes store has an amazing catalog of
music available for consumption. Google Music allows one to upload music files and access them
from their Android phones. The result— and advantage— is your music available on whatever unit
WITHOUT taking up storage space on the unit. The trade-off is an occasional pause while tracks are sent
to the phone. Worth it. The HTC One X ships with Beats Audio, which essentially appears to be a stripped
down audio equalizer. For what it's worth, the iPod's/iPhone's equalizer is far more robust.
Smile for the Camera
As a camera, I LOVE the One. The camera aboard the iPhone 4S creates brighter photos than its
predecesor. But the Android O/S includes multiple filters which allow you to take lovely, large
photos with effects right out of the box. For the iPhone? Well, there's Instagram.
Apps
For the One, I especially recommend:
- Phone Schedule is a great utility app that lets you create tasks oriented around various OS
objects. For example, I have a daily workday schedule that switches the unit into silent mode at
8:00 AM and flips the ringer back on at 5:00 PM. The app is free from Google Play.
- Beautiful Widgets is an app that features highly customizable skins for Android Widgets (which are
applets that run on the "desktop.") Beautiful Widgets has a counterpart app that must be loaded for
the animations to run. It cost $2.79 from Google Play.
I am grateful for the multiple apps I use that come both in Android and Apple flavors —
particularly those of the social networking, banking and debt variety. These apps will perform slightly
differently depending on the platform. Foursquare, for example, includes a map on the Android version
that it doesn't have on the Apple version. Facebook and Localmind appear virtually identical.
I have a wish list for iPhone apps that I really want for my Android:
- Forkly — a lovely foodie app
- Newser — consise news, working smarter, not harder
- Spellsword — super-fun platform game in retro style. Crazy addictive.
How About Reception?
Now, a number of varying factors may be involved here, but overall I think I get better performance
from my iPhone 4S in my area than I get from the One. The problems are just enough to be irksome.
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