Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
sparkyguy
Newbie

Do you use a Mac?  Are you considering an Android device, or (better still) did you actually buy one?   If so, I'd like to hear from you.

 

I've been with Verizon for 5+ years and am very happy with the service and network, and (until recently) have been very unhappy with their choice in phones.  My contract is up next month and I'm very ready to upgrade my Blackberry Pearl.  Until I heard about the Verizon Android phones a month or so ago, I'd planned to (reluctantly) leave Verizon so I can get an iPhone.

 

I'd like to think that these Android devices actually give me another option, but as a Mac user, I don't think they do.  All my contact information and calendars are on my Mac (I'm running Snow leopard) and I need to have portable access to these.  Until now, I've had an iPod Touch with the contacts/calendars, and my phone has been a separate device.  Next iteration, I want everything on one device.

 

Integration between the iPhone and my Mac is, of course, seamless.  But with an Android device?  I don't think it works.  I spent several days trying to export my Mac Address Book and iCal data (under Snow Leopard) to Google for two-way sync, and I couldn't get it to work, not at all. 

 

So I'd love to try out the Eris, but can see what I'll be up against right from the start.

 

There must be some Mac users out there.  How are you handling this?

 

Thanks.

 

 

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
Packet
Enthusiast - Level 3

I have a Mac.  (Several, really.)  I have a Droid.  (Just the one!)  No problems so far.  I can sync music and photos to the Droid using doubleTwist from the Mac, and all my data is properly synced with my Google account, so calendar and contacts stay up-to-date automatically.

 

Now, admittedly, this is not my first walk around the block with Android, so all my syncing stuff had been sorted out long ago, even pre-Snow Leopard.  I used SpanningSync to keep my calendar and contacts in sync between the Mac and Google for quite some time, so the data was all already in my Google account.  (BusySync would also work well for this, if you have trouble with Apple's own OS-builtin Google syncing.)

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<sorry>
sparkyguy
Newbie

I left out: i meant to specify that I've been trying to accomplish two-way sync with Google contacts and Google calendar, and can't get it to work.

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Re: <sorry>
randomocity
Newbie

The answer to your question is yes, two way sync is absolutely possible under mac. CalDAV is used to sync your google calendar with iCal,  and it works very well. Link to instructions are here: http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=99358#ical.

 

As far as contacts, http://www.zaphu.com/2008/05/29/how-to-enable-mac-address-book-syncing-with-googles-gmail-contacts-w... should still work as far as syncing gmail contacts with address book.

 

As a previous iPhone owner that ditched ATT when the droid came out, I'm happy to say that the droid has been the best phone I've ever owned. Its not the most intuitive thing in the world, and if you want dead simple i still recommend the iPhone. But with a little patience and about an hours worth of work, the Moto Droid is now my phone of choice. As far as transferring files to the phone and drivers, it acts as a standard USB drive, so that shouldnt be an issue either.

 

Good luck.

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
Packet
Enthusiast - Level 3

I have a Mac.  (Several, really.)  I have a Droid.  (Just the one!)  No problems so far.  I can sync music and photos to the Droid using doubleTwist from the Mac, and all my data is properly synced with my Google account, so calendar and contacts stay up-to-date automatically.

 

Now, admittedly, this is not my first walk around the block with Android, so all my syncing stuff had been sorted out long ago, even pre-Snow Leopard.  I used SpanningSync to keep my calendar and contacts in sync between the Mac and Google for quite some time, so the data was all already in my Google account.  (BusySync would also work well for this, if you have trouble with Apple's own OS-builtin Google syncing.)

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
sparkyguy
Newbie

Thanks, Packet.  When the time comes, I'll give SpanningSync a try.  I'll have 30 days, I guess, to figure out whether it works or not.

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
ivorycruncher
Contributor - Level 1

As the owner of an iPod Touch, and now an Eris, I can guarantee you that the HTC Sense interface and included default apps completely blow the iPhone OS right out of the water, no contest.  Apps are still a bit lacking, but that problem won't last for long.  I can't speak for a Mac itself, since I'm a Windows guy on the desktop, but in terms of the phone itself, it's awesome.  Of course, it's not perfect, but then neither is the iPhone.  :smileywink:

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
baristabrian
Newbie

YOU say: "Next iteration, I want everything on one device."

 

Well, that pretty much rules out the Droid, now doesn't it? How can you realistically expect the Droid (or any NONApple phone) to replace the iPod? Really? I don't. I've resigned myself to the idea of having *two* devices. Like having a blender *and* a food processor in your kitchen, it's something *I* take for granted.

 

YOU say: "Integration between the iPhone and my Mac is, of course, seamless."

 

Of course it is. That's what you would expect --- from Apple.

 

"So I'd love to try out the Eris, but can see what I'll be up against right from the start."

 

Which is, what? The Eris was *one* phone I thought had possibilities to replace my VZW MOTO RAZR. So far, I haven't seen *anything* I like. However, I am resigned to carrying two devices. As far as I am concerned, nothing can replace my iPod. I want a new PHONE, not a "smart" phone or "Crackberry" or whatever.

 

YOU say: "There must be some Mac users out there.  How are you handling this?"

 

I'm waiting. And waiting. Loyal VZW customer. WAITING.

 

Droid is ugly. Has a physical keyboard.

 

What's wrong with the Eris? Does it *not* sycn "seamlessly" with a Mac?

 

My advice is to do what I intend to do . . . today or this weekend ... go to the local VZW store and actually find/buy:

 

1) a *phone* that is a phone (not a wannabe laptop computer replete with *physical* keyboard)

2) a *phone* that is not FUGLY

3) a *phone* that is not too heavy and feels good in my hand

4) a *phone* that is *easy* to use and . . .

5) a *phone* the syncs "seamlessly" with my Mac --- right out of the box. True plug and play.

 

If I get home and find that --- after playing around with it --- I can't "seamlessly" sync it with my computer/data, then I'll take advantage of the 7 day (or whatever) grace period and go back to VZW store and throw it through their plate glass window.

 

Just kidding. I'll politely say: "this doesn't meet my needs and expectations" and then run, not walk, over to ATT and get an iPhone.

 

I'm tired of waiting.

 

 

 

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Re: <sorry>
baristabrian
Newbie

"As a previous iPhone owner that ditched ATT ..."

 

You now have "paperweight," right? Your iPhone?

 

Want to sell it? Cheap? It's not doing you any good, right now.

 

Unless, after going "Droid," you have buyer's remorse!

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Re: Gmail syncing . . . without iPhone
baristabrian
Newbie

Read the instructions at the URL provided.

 

This is a *very* Kludgy (not Mac-like) "solution" that has some significant drawbacks and issues, including:

 

1) Having to deal with the Terminal

2) Corruption of "suffixes"

3) Duplication of Contacts

4) ???

 

Again, inelegant, inadequate workaround.

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Re: Should we Mac users even consider an Android?
supitsmike
Specialist - Level 2

baristabrian wrote:

YOU say: "Next iteration, I want everything on one device."

 

Well, that pretty much rules out the Droid, now doesn't it? How can you realistically expect the Droid (or any NONApple phone) to replace the iPod? Really? I don't. I've resigned myself to the idea of having *two* devices. Like having a blender *and* a food processor in your kitchen, it's something *I* take for granted.

 

No offense, but you seem to be putting Apple on a pedestal. They have earned their right to be called a good company, they donot deserve the right to be a layout pane for how things should be. Or else everything would look like the iPod's layout. The only thing that Android's OS can't do that Ipod's can is play Videos. Aside from that I get everything I need, my music sorted through artists, playlists, songs, albums. Most of what makes it so snazzy on the iPhone, is the UI. And while I will be the first to admit that UI is very important, it's not everything.

YOU say: "Integration between the iPhone and my Mac is, of course, seamless."

 

Of course it is. That's what you would expect --- from Apple.

 

They are Apple Devices, this does not support your claim to much anything nor does it really help any argument. That's obvious they would sync.

 

"So I'd love to try out the Eris, but can see what I'll be up against right from the start."

 

Which is, what? The Eris was *one* phone I thought had possibilities to replace my VZW MOTO RAZR. So far, I haven't seen *anything* I like. However, I am resigned to carrying two devices. As far as I am concerned, nothing can replace my iPod. I want a new PHONE, not a "smart" phone or "Crackberry" or whatever.

You're not forced to do anything. Just because you don't get the same experience on the the Droid, it does not mean it does not make it a valid contender at all. Just because you like your bottle, it doesn't mean it's not okay to drink out of a different one from time to time.

 

YOU say: "There must be some Mac users out there.  How are you handling this?"

 

I'm waiting. And waiting. Loyal VZW customer. WAITING.

 

Droid is ugly. Has a physical keyboard.

 

What's wrong with the Eris? Does it *not* sycn "seamlessly" with a Mac?

 

My advice is to do what I intend to do . . . today or this weekend ... go to the local VZW store and actually find/buy:

 

1) a *phone* that is a phone (not a wannabe laptop computer replete with *physical* keyboard)

2) a *phone* that is not FUGLY

3) a *phone* that is not too heavy and feels good in my hand

4) a *phone* that is *easy* to use and . . .

5) a *phone* the syncs "seamlessly" with my Mac --- right out of the box. True plug and play.

 

If I get home and find that --- after playing around with it --- I can't "seamlessly" sync it with my computer/data, then I'll take advantage of the 7 day (or whatever) grace period and go back to VZW store and throw it through their plate glass window.

 

Just kidding. I'll politely say: "this doesn't meet my needs and expectations" and then run, not walk, over to ATT and get an iPhone.

 

I'm tired of waiting.

 

 

 This is all within opinion. You say the keyboard is Ugly. That's your opinion. The Droid is only marginally larger than the iPhone 3GS, the Eris has a sleek design, neither phone feels cheap at all, [edit]


{please keep your posts courteous}

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