[Chinaren]

Yes, I too fail to see most of this ‘innovation’ the fanbois brag about. Nearly everything Apple does has been done before, often years before, and often, but not always, better.

It’s only “innovation” I can see from recent years for the actual first iPhone concept and app store, and that was only because Nokia had its head up its ass.

[Chinaren]

I see this sort of comment all the time, and mainly from iPhone users, but they never give reasons why they like it better. It may only be personal preference of course, but a reason would be nice.

Personally I prefer Android devices because: Many (mine at least) are better speced than the Iphones. They are more open and more customizable. They have widgets, which I use quite often. They are easy to connect to – basically not locked in to iTunes and Apple.

Finally they have USB connections and SDCards to expand and connect more easily.

[Chinaren]

For some reason Pandaapp didn’t work on my (or my wifes’) Galaxy Note II.

You can also download Blackmart (search for the .apk file), depending upon your principles regarding cracked software.

I bough the European version of the N2 (easily available in China if you go to one of the big tech malls. The HK version is fine too) and it does have the Play store on, but even so many apps say they’re not available in my region. Sigh. You can get around this sometimes by installing a VPN, assuming you can find one that works now. Recently China ‘improved’ the Great Firewall so many are still broken as a result.

You can also find many .apk files on websites for aps if you do a search. All you have to do is download the .apk file to your phone, or download it on your PC and transfer it, then find it using a file manager app and run it to install.

[Chinaren]

I have a stylus (okay: s-pen) with my Note II, and I rather like it. That said, I don’t use it very often, but the handwriting recognition on the N2 is really good, so I do sometimes write any long text messages with it, as it’s a bit faster than the usual fashion.

It’s also nice to use when making notes and drawing.

However, it’s not essential and I probably wouldn’t really miss it if I didn’t have it. Then again, I bought the Note over the S3 partly because of the stylus.

[Chinaren]

I don’t agree that they’re too big to fit in your pocket (at least the Note II). I have the II, and it fits in my pant or shirt pocket just fine. I think people underestimate their pocket sizes!

I agree with Lindy, above. The Note II is an absolutely excellent device, I’m very happy with mine. The battery life is good, the phone is really fast and responsive, the camera is really fast and the handwriting recognition is fantastic with the s-pen! It also has more features than you can shake a stick at. Truly recommended. And don’t worry about the size, there’s really no problem with it.

[Chinaren]

I have an Asus Transformer, which I can heartily recommend.

I wouldn’t buy just a tablet, I couldn’t justify the cost for the amount I would use it (not a lot), but I was looking for a replacement laptop, and the Transformer fit the bill.

Massive battery life (14 hours on my old 101, 18 hours on my missus’ new model), decent keyboard and, with a bit of experimentation, all the functionality of my old windows machine.

Plus the screen detaches as a pad when I need that.

[Chinaren]

I don’t think anything is going to improve for the better anytime soon, sad to say.

It’s very annoying all round. It makes buying Android devices a bit trickier. Now I always ensure I get the non-Chinese version when I do, after buying the Chinese version of my Asus Transformer and discovering it lacked the Google Play store. I eventually hacked the device, but it was a real pain.

Recently I bought a Samsung Note II (Really good device) for both myself and the wife. However, she wanted the dual sim one, and the only version available was the Chinese one. As she was Chinese, and I could work around the limitations of the lack of Google Play store, we bought it. Mine is the European version.

After playing we discovered mine had several features that the Chinese version doesn’t! (For example voice entry – when taking a picture with my camera I can say ‘shoot’ and it takes a picture, no such feature on hers).

It just adds that little extra frustration.

[Author]

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