iPhone, Android or Windows Mobile??

[straitman]

For anyone interested Catch Of The Day has the Acer Liquid E Smartphone for sale at $199 at the moment.

 

[drewbles]

How about rectangular, black, rounded corners.
You know, same as a iPhone.

You forgot the battery, and the fact that you can make calls!*


Providing you're not on Optus, Vodafone or 3

 

[Deleted User]

Just been trying to split hairs between Samsung or HTC; then there is Android vs. Windows Phone 7 to be considered too.

+1 for the HTC

Having a HTC Desire for the past few months "Everything just works"

And I mean EVERYTHING :shock:

 

[serfty]

Of course, there's another "big brother" issue that has recently come to light with the iPhone (or iPad) tracking and recording the location of the device.

While this has been known for some time and you can set the phone not to make this information available to one, none or all apps, this data is still stored.

When syncing to another device (say with iTunes) this information can get copied as well.

News Distribution Network - Shared Video

No too much of an issue though; you can easily remove the data (you just can't stop it accumulating): Iphone Data Remover - Digg One just has to remember to do so.

 

[samh004]

Of course, there's another "big brother" issue that has recently come to light with the iPhone (or iPad) tracking and recording the location of the device.

While this has been known for some time and you can set the phone not to make this information available to one, none or all apps, this data is still stored.

When syncing to another device (say with iTunes) this information can get copied as well.

News Distribution Network - Shared Video
No too much of an issue though; you can easily remove the data (you just can't stop it accumulating): Iphone Data Remover - Digg One just has to remember to do so.

Another beat-up, the information has been there in previous version of iOS software, just under a different name. People have known it’s been there for a while, but I do agree, encrypting certain files I would have thought would be beneficial. Though I’m sure there’s be something wrong with doing that too

 

[serfty]

... the information has been there in previous version of iOS software, just under a different name. People have known it’s been there for a while, but I do agree, encrypting certain files I would have thought would be beneficial. Though I’m sure there’s be something wrong with doing that too

But why store the data in the first place? It's not like you can turn the storage on/off; if you could it would not be as much of an issue.

The only option one has with an iPhone is to tell it which of your loaded apps can or can't access the data.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Interesting that in one article I read one researcher expressed concern that the information could be used to track "where they might be going — and what they might be inclined to buy when they get there"

Rather ironic seeing that one of the most popular iPhone apps is Foursquare-which people use to deliberately advertise where they are.
Of course the issue is that using Foursquare is something a user can do by choice not because the phone is keeping a log without permission but it does make me wonder how many people are really that bothered about it.
Cheers
n'oz

​

 

[samh004]

But why store the data in the first place? It's not like you can turn the storage on/off; if you could it would not be as much of an issue.

The only option one has with an iPhone is to tell it which of your loaded apps can or can't access the data.

Interesting that in one article I read one researcher expressed concern that the information could be used to track "where they might be going — and what they might be inclined to buy when they get there"

Rather ironic seeing that one of the most popular iPhone apps is Foursquare-which people use to deliberately advertise where they are.
Of course the issue is that using Foursquare is something a user can do by choice not because the phone is keeping a log without permission but it does make me wonder how many people are really that bothered about it.
Cheers
n'oz

​

The way I’ve read it is that some of the data is used to support iAd’s, so they’re able to target advertising a little better, but the data isn’t passed onto the advertisers. I don’t see an issue with that, as a lot of the apps are free and ad-supported.

I could see it being an issue for anyone that’s been jailbreaking their phone, but only because the majority of them do so because they want to pirate apps, so they obviously wouldn’t be a fan of ads.

In short, it doesn’t worry me in the slightest, and I do have a fairly private life, contrary to what you can see on here.

I see all those people on the news who’re all suddenly alarmed when interviewed, yet probably don’t know the first thing about their phone other than they plug it into their computer to charge it. It’s all just a little bit of scaremongering.

 

[oz_mark]

The issue, as I see it, is less that the devices are collecting the data, and more about why they are collecting it.There is no real disclosure of why they are collecting it.

 

[serfty]

Some more on location data collection. (BTW, it states Android devices regularly transmit location information 'back to google'.)

iPhone or iTrack: Apple under scrutiny - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

iPhone or iTrack: Apple under scrutiny

Posted Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:37pm AEST
An Apple iPhone sits on a table
...
British security researchers say the popular iPhones and iPads made by Apple are tracking the movements of their users and keeping a record of everywhere they have been.

The two security researchers who examined the devices discovered a file which is stored on the phone and on the computer with which it is synchronised.
...
It contains precise details of wherever the phone and its owner have travelled during the handset's lifetime.

Already, some have expressed dismay at being tracked without their knowledge.

But deep within Apple's 15,000-word terms and conditions is a clause warning that the company may collect and share location data, though without identifying individual customers.
...

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Google's Android smartphones also regularly transmit their locations back to Google.

Google and Apple are storing location information to help them tap the $2.9 billion market for location-based services, according to the paper.

In a statement, Mr Markey said Apple "needs to safeguard the personal location information of its users to ensure that an iPhone doesn't become an iTrack."
...

 

[oz_mark]

Some more on location data collection. (BTW, it states Android devices regularly transmit location information 'back to google'.)

It's opt-in on Android. There is a check-box in Google Location Services.

 

[serfty]

It's opt-in on Android. There is a check-box in Google Location Services.

Here's to customisable OS's.

 

[lovestotravel]

I do laugh at people who are frantically still buying iPhone4, just because it's an iPhone. :shock:

The phone has been out for 9 months and they are still snapping them up like Hotcakes.

The Samsung Galaxy 2 is far far superior and due in Australia within a month.

iPhone 5 is delayed until at least Sept/October, probably later for us here in Australia.

 

[drewbles]

I do laugh at people who are frantically still buying iPhone4, just because it's an iPhone. :shock:

The phone has been out for 9 months and they are still snapping them up like Hotcakes.

The Samsung Galaxy 2 is far far superior and due in Australia within a month.

iPhone 5 is delayed until at least Sept/October, probably later for us here in Australia.

Delayed? It hasn't even been announced!

Different strokes for different folks. I'm more than happy with my iPhone 4, and I've used a lot of android handsets. They just don't do it for me.

Give Android 12-18 months, and they'll be a serious contender (quality wise and user experience) to iOS. Until then, iOS is streets ahead.

The main problem for most developers with Android is the lack of standardisation and the fact every handset is slightly different. In addition, whilst people complain about the 'closed' App store Apple has done, it's saved a lot of headaches (recall that Android Marketplace had several hundred malicious Apps pulled recently, something that Apple's store should not have to contend with).

 

[samh004]

I do laugh at people who are frantically still buying iPhone4, just because it's an iPhone. :shock:

The phone has been out for 9 months and they are still snapping them up like Hotcakes.

The Samsung Galaxy 2 is far far superior and due in Australia within a month.

iPhone 5 is delayed until at least Sept/October, probably later for us here in Australia.

While I agree most are cluelessly buying them, others might have a thousand apps they’ve bought for their iPod touch or iPad and simply want to keep running them on their next phone.

I haven’t tried the Galaxy 2, but can bet it wouldn’t be as seamless as my current experience with my iPhone is, so I’d buy what’s right for me when I need it, like many others

So is it the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 4S in September?

 

[simongr]

I do laugh at people who are frantically still buying iPhone4, just because it's an iPhone. :shock:

The phone has been out for 9 months and they are still snapping them up like Hotcakes.

The Samsung Galaxy 2 is far far superior and due in Australia within a month.

iPhone 5 is delayed until at least Sept/October, probably later for us here in Australia.

I personally don't see me ever moving away from the iPhone now - all of my apps and data are interlinked between iPhones, iPads and iMacs - many people will be like me in some of that.

Does the Galaxy interface with iTunes as all of my music is in iTunes? It is no longer just about the phone it is about the mobile technology solution

Also to reiterate what someone else said - how can something that hasnt been announced be delayed?

 

[serfty]

... Also to reiterate what someone else said - how can something that hasnt been announced be delayed?

Maybe there was a rumour it was to be available around a certain date. Now there is a rumour any availability will be at a later date. Perhaps there was another rumour this was to up-spec the device to compete with competing devices.

Possibly that's all rumour.

Does the Galaxy interface with iTunes as all of my music is in iTunes? It is no longer just about the phone it is about the mobile technology solution

Homepipe is your friend here - for music and other files.

 

[simongr]

I realise that - I check Mac Rumors: Apple Mac Rumors and News You Care About most mornings before I have had my tea...

I just think it is wrong of the competitors to crow about delays to products that haven't been launched. If you want to pick on anything pick on the white iPhone

 

[simongr]

Homepipe is your friend here - for music and other files.

iTunes is my friend and unlikely to be replaced

 

[serfty]

iTunes is my friend and unlikely to be replaced

Of course, those with both android devices and iTunes accounts may like to consider it.