Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Dick Rees

Dick Rees

Curmudgeonly Scandihoovian
Jan 11, 2011
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St Paul, MN
I'm travelling with my Dell laptop computer. Obviously there are lots of SLFS devices on the market now. Looking for advice on whether to go with a phone or a tablet. I don't game or do the social media stuff. I just need the basics of Email, Google and down the line the ability to go wireless to tweak an SLive Presonus from out in the house.

I currently use Verizon.

Thanks


DR
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Dick Rees said:
I'm travelling with my Dell laptop computer. Obviously there are lots of SLFS devices on the market now. Looking for advice on whether to go with a phone or a tablet. I don't game or do the social media stuff. I just need the basics of Email, Google and down the line the ability to go wireless to tweak an SLive Presonus from out in the house.

I currently use Verizon.
Thanks


DR
Click to expand...

I would say getting an iPhone was probably one of the best business decisions I could have made. Tablets are pretty cool but the ability to have email, maps, weather, phone, texting and a host of other applications that fits in my pocket is invaluable to any sound company owner. Save the tablet for later down the road as a Christmas gift to yourself ;-) The phone is more portable and generally comes with a dataplan bundled. A Tablet needs wifi or you have to pay for an additional data plan. If you don't have a smartphone like an iPhone or Droid, that's the first thing to buy IMHO. In fact I'm posting my reply to this thread on my phone!
 
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Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

+1

I was already with Sprint so I went for the HTC EVO and haven't looked back. Very useful and flexable device. Plus, (for a fee) you can tether a laptop/tablet to extend internet access to other devices (I think true of most upper-tier smartphones...not just the EVO).
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Dick Rees said:
I'm travelling with my Dell laptop computer. Obviously there are lots of SLFS devices on the market now. Looking for advice on whether to go with a phone or a tablet. I don't game or do the social media stuff. I just need the basics of Email, Google and down the line the ability to go wireless to tweak an SLive Presonus from out in the house.

I currently use Verizon.

Thanks

DR
Click to expand...

An Iphone or an Android 2.2+ device (I have an HTC Inspire 4G) is the way to go. The iPhone still has the slicker looking UI, but I am preferential to the Android for the way it handles multi-tasking, and for a range of behind the scenes app development details you undoubtedly have no interest in.

As it stands today (to the best of my knowledge about the current version of iOS4), the android phones are much more tightly integrated into the larger Googleverse than iPhones.

Examples: Android phones receive over the air (OTA) software updates, while iPhones sync with iTunes. Google contacts, calendars, rss feeds, podcasts, google voice, pictures, etc. all sync tightly to the "cloud" from your Android device. You can use "Chrome to phone" to send websites from chrome wirelessly to you Android device. If you pick an app from the google app market on your laptop/desktop, it installs automatically to the phone. Android 2.2+ also includes native tethering/hotspot capability.

I'm fairly certain you can make an iPhone do most of the above, but I don't know how baked in these features are. Some Android apps are not near as polished as the iPhone counterparts, and their are still some weird UI quirks in Android 2.2. I eagerly await 2.3 for my phone.

One thing to not about the Android phones is that not all of the manufacturers skins over the OS are created equal. In my opinion they range from mediocre (Motorola) to pretty good (HTC). I personally would only consider android phones from HTC and Samsung at this point, but maybe the other Android manufacturers will improve their UI skins.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

I agree with everything Phil has to say except one thing. Go with whatever phone has the best keyboard/typing interface for you. I had HTC for years before my latest phone, but the HTC keyboard pales in comparison to the Motorola one for me. My last HTC android phone I had to change the keyboard out for the moto version as my typing style fit it better. This time around I just went with a Moto option that fit the bill (Droid 2 Global)
 
Phil Graham said:
An Iphone or an Android 2.2+ device (I have an HTC Inspire 4G) is the way to go. The iPhone still has the slicker looking UI, but I am preferential to the Android for the way it handles multi-tasking, and for a range of behind the scenes app development details you undoubtedly have no interest in.

As it stands today (to the best of my knowledge about the current version of iOS4), the android phones are much more tightly integrated into the larger Googleverse than iPhones.

Examples: Android phones receive over the air (OTA) software updates, while iPhones sync with iTunes. Google contacts, calendars, rss feeds, podcasts, google voice, pictures, etc. all sync tightly to the "cloud" from your Android device. You can use "Chrome to phone" to send websites from chrome wirelessly to you Android device. If you pick an app from the google app market on your laptop/desktop, it installs automatically to the phone. Android 2.2+ also includes native tethering/hotspot capability.

I'm fairly certain you can make an iPhone do most of the above, but I don't know how baked in these features are. Some Android apps are not near as polished as the iPhone counterparts, and their are still some weird UI quirks in Android 2.2. I eagerly await 2.3 for my phone.

One thing to not about the Android phones is that not all of the manufacturers skins over the OS are created equal. In my opinion they range from mediocre (Motorola) to pretty good (HTC). I personally would only consider android phones from HTC and Samsung at this point, but maybe the other Android manufacturers will improve their UI skins.
Click to expand...

iOS 5, OSX Lion and iCloud are bringing most of these things in the coming weeks and months. I've been an iPhone user since the original version and it's hard to look back now. I'm still a bit of a computer geek at heart but Apple makes it pretty easy to buy a couple devices and get on with your life and they are successfully locking customers in with ease. I think both sides will continue to innovate and copy to the point that differences are a matter of time (waiting) for the inevitable catchup rather than an outright A vs B set in stone as you'd have with Digital consoles. Apple will always be more paternalistic - whether and how that's a bad thing is up to the user to decide.


Posted via Tapatalk app - lower standards may apply.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Marlow Wilson said:
iOS 5, OSX Lion and iCloud are bringing most of these things in the coming weeks and months. I've been an iPhone user since the original version and it's hard to look back now. I'm still a bit of a computer geek at heart but Apple makes it pretty easy to buy a couple devices and get on with your life and they are successfully locking customers in with ease. I think both sides will continue to innovate and copy to the point that differences are a matter of time (waiting) for the inevitable catchup rather than an outright A vs B set in stone as you'd have with Digital consoles. Apple will always be more paternalistic - whether and how that's a bad thing is up to the user to decide.


Posted via Tapatalk app - lower standards may apply.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marlow,

I figured iCloud would add a number of these features. I'm not religious about these devices, my initial jump to Android was a consequence of carrier (T-Mobile). Since that time I switched over to AT&T when I joined my wife's plan. She is an ex iPhone user, and still has mixed feelings about Android. What I do know is that her iPhone 3G was hopelessly slow on iOS 4, she misses her iPhone apps, but she appreciates the way the HTC integrates with her work Exchange servers.

I also know that the free HTC Android 4G phones were a welcome relief in the face of medical and wedding expenses.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Phil Graham said:
Thanks Marlow,

I figured iCloud would add a number of these features. I'm not religious about these devices, my initial jump to Android was a consequence of carrier (T-Mobile). Since that time I switched over to AT&T when I joined my wife's plan. She is an ex iPhone user, and still has mixed feelings about Android. What I do know is that her iPhone 3G was hopelessly slow on iOS 4, she misses her iPhone apps, but she appreciates the way the HTC integrates with her work Exchange servers.

I also know that the free HTC Android 4G phones were a welcome relief in the face of medical and wedding expenses.
Click to expand...

The 3g with iOS4 should never have been. IIRC, the processor and memory in the 3g were carried over from the 2g and were really current when released let alone later. I will suggest that anyone thinking about an iPhone hold off until the fall when it is likely that an iPhone 5 will be released alongside iOS 5. Remember Apple never releases anything late in the fall but rather likes to have the products launched and shipped before black Friday.

If you are considering dabbling with an iPhone, just try one. My last trip to the US had me discover that my old unlocked 2g which had traditionally been used for those trips would no longer hold a useful charge (I left it plugged in for 6 months!). I bought a mint 3gs 16gb iPhone for $240 off Craigslist and activated an AT&T gophone card with unlimited talk & text plus a 500 mb data plan, which works once you change the APN profile. For most intents and purposes the 3gs is a good phone and received the much needed processor and memory upgrades (though they were improved once again in the iPhone 4). If after a few months you love it get an iPhone 5. If you hate it go in another direction without a service agreement or other commitment. Another benefit to having an older phone is not having to worry about the overpriced computer in your pocket. I've always used older iPhones like this for my girlfriend who over the past four years has destroyed 3 or 4 phones, and myself prefer travelling with older models because they are exposed to moisture, sunscreen and sketchy places. If you unlock your old iPhone it makes a great travel companion and you don't void the warranty on your new device.

I was sure when I started on iPhones and they were still viewed as toys that I would one day own a Blackberry. This looks like it will never happen unless RIM miraculously reverses its fortunes. I may still one day own an Android phone, but with the changes in the smartphone market being as rapid as they are, I'll put my crystal ball away for anything more than 6 months out.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

While this advice is probably going against the grain, if you are replacing a laptop I would recommend a tablet. Especially for a sound guy.

Here's my reasoning:

1) Smartphones are very cool, very portable devices. However, I find that there are four things I just can't live without (in a portable setting). Email, contacts, calendar, and Google Maps. The specific form factor of a phone can be helpful or a hinderance. The hinderance mainly being ability to input data and read large documents on such a small screen.

2) Most every regular phone (non-smart) in the world will give you a calendar and contacts. Two of the very critical features, but they won't sync to an outside source usually. Maybe you could find a way to sync them up, but it probably involves cables and hassle. If you find one that will sync over the air to your master contacts and calendar, this is a very good compromise IMO.

3) The reason I've ever needed any of these features on a phone is because my laptop either: a) wasn't with me b) battery was dying with no access to power or c) to lazy to fire a laptop up, log in, etc.

4) A tablet provides access to all four of the critical features I listed, AND provides way more. a) It's nearly as portable as the phone especially if you are traveling and have a bag or briefcase with you b) it's easy to access things on like a spartphone (i.e. dedicated apps) c) the screen is much larger which makes reading webpages and better yet *manuals* about 100 fold easier and d) if you get an iPad you will have support for mixing applications for Presonus, Yamaha, Allen and Heath, and possibly others.

I've been considering going the straight phone route with a tablet for a while, my only problem being the syncing of the phone's contacts and calendar.

The best solution IMO is a cheap smartphone with OTA syncing, maps, and email that has the WiFi hotspot feature *AND* a full featured tablet. You pay for one data plan, share the data with the tablet over WiFi when necessary and use normal WiFi hotspots on the tablet when you have access to one. You get an ultra portable device in the cheap smartphone and a full featured mobile experience on the tablet, all with one montly data bill. Sadly, I can't recommend any cheap smartphones with mobile hotspot features. There is the LG Vortex from VZW for $79 and the Palm Pre 2 for $49. I just haven't used them, and they aren't very popular.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Adam Whetham said:
I agree with everything Phil has to say except one thing. Go with whatever phone has the best keyboard/typing interface for you. ...
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I use Swype on my HTC Incredible, and it's by far the fastest keyboard I've ever used, especially for one-handed typing. I hate phones with full QWERTY keyboards since they're always so small I can't hit the keys, but Swype has completely eliminated that concern.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Silas Pradetto said:
I use Swype on my HTC Incredible, and it's by far the fastest keyboard I've ever used, especially for one-handed typing. I hate phones with full QWERTY keyboards since they're always so small I can't hit the keys, but Swype has completely eliminated that concern.
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I use Swype on my EVO 4g and I agree...the fastest way I've seen to type on a phone. My wife has the EVO Shift and loves that little slide-out keyboard...I hate it. Different strokes..
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Yep, I tried Swype and it just didn't fit the way I typed. I have a few friends that love it though. It is something to try with the devices though, as it is a different way of typing.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Dick Rees said:
I'm travelling with my Dell laptop computer. Obviously there are lots of SLFS devices on the market now. Looking for advice on whether to go with a phone or a tablet. I don't game or do the social media stuff. I just need the basics of Email, Google and down the line the ability to go wireless to tweak an SLive Presonus from out in the house.

I currently use Verizon.

Thanks


DR
Click to expand...

Whatever allows you to wirelessly mix is what I'd get.

I'd still get a netbook for e-mail
Really do not like touch screen typing
The Ipad e-mail ap only does one e-mail account. Have to do web mail for multiple accounts
There are many other reasons than an I-pad is far from a replacement for a computer, however...

The Ipad is worth it just for the wireless mixing ap
and I'd buy one again in a heartbeat, even if it couldn't get on line at all.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Steve Hurt said:
Whatever allows you to wirelessly mix is what I'd get.
The Ipad e-mail ap only does one e-mail account. Have to do web mail for multiple accounts
Click to expand...

I have my personal and business accounts both within the mail app of my iPhone. I'm sure the iPad allows this as well.

I agree about needing a keyboard, but you can get one for the iPad for longer emails and typing if that's the only shortcoming. I think with iOS 5 apple is really pushing the iPad as a standalone machine, though I'll be using a real laptop for the foreseeable future for a number of reasons.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Steve Hurt said:
Really do not like touch screen typing
The Ipad e-mail ap only does one e-mail account. Have to do web mail for multiple accounts
Click to expand...

The new keyboard option in iOS 5 (split keyboard for two-thumb typing) should make typing a bunch easier. Aside from that, in landscape mode, I've grown fairly comfortable with full two-hand typing. Just takes some time and getting used to.

You CAN do multiple email accounts in the iOS mail application. I have 4 accounts on it right now.

We ended up getting an iPad at home for what we thought would be just basic browsing. As it is right now, the ONLY time we use our desktop at home is to manage our media library, for me to mix music, and to act as a host for AirPrinting documents from the iPad. The iPad has taken over for all other tasks for home use.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

I'll have to mess with mine more then and check on the multiple accounts.

When I realized I can't password protect e-mail, I gave up considering it as useful as a computer replacement and have treated it as a toy
You can't leave it lying around the house and let friends use it. (unless you want them to have access to your banking and other personal e-mails)

other things...

I cannot delete e-mail on mine (I use IMAP e-mail, not POP)

iAd....don't you love it.

Not going to pay for another data plan so 3G or whatever that version is, is out of the question



Still, it is absolutely worth the money just for the wireless mixing ap
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Bennett Prescott said:
Steve,

You can password protect the phone, thus keeping your friendly associates from screwing with it. I also use IMAP for several accounts on my phone and I can delete messages just fine.
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iPad, not a phone

I only want e-mail password protected, not the iPad.
I want people to be able to play Angry Birds, but noty be able to read my e-mail.

iPad is a one-user device.
 
Re: Smaller, lighter, faster, smarter......

Bennett Prescott said:
Steve,

I think you're supposed to buy more for other people who want to use one.
Click to expand...

That's partially why I'm still holding out from buying the first one. My wife already wants hers.

If the iPad had bluetooth and phone capabilities, so I could replace my phone, even if it meant having to use a bluetooth earpiece I would jump on it. I am happy with a good laptop and phone, why add a third if one can be absorbed? So far, the iPad is a cool remote and fun toy; I love using it, but it hasn't replaced anything for me yet.
 
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