"The Woz" says Android better than iOS in some ways
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Woz made headlines in late 2011 by picking up a Galaxy Nexus straight from Google headquarters, but apparently has settled on the Droid RAZR as his Android handset of choice. For staunch fans of all things Apple it may sound like blasphemy coming from Woz, but he says that along side Android’s extra complexity comes a lot of superior implementations.
Some items may come as no surprise to long-time readers of PA; for example Woz prefers the turn by turn navigation that Google has implemented on Android. He also cited the recent battery problems that many have complained about on the iPhone 4S as a negative. But one of his biggest gripes may surprise you: Woz doesn’t like Siri.
He says he was a big fan of the predecessor app when it was separately available in the App Store. But ever since Apple bought it out and integrated it into the iPhone 4S, he says the results are significantly worse. According to Woz:
“I used to ask Siri, ‘What are the five biggest lakes in California?’ and it would come back with the answer. Now it just misses. It gives me real estate listings. I used to ask, ‘What are the prime numbers greater than 87?’ and it would answer. Now instead of getting prime numbers, I get listings for prime rib, or prime real estate.”
He also dislikes it being connected to Apple’s backend servers. He says he frequently finds that Siri can’t connect, robbing him of simple voice controls like asking the phone to dial his wife. He says the voice controls on Android never have this problem, since they control the phone without having to contract a server. He also indicated that voice search on Android now returns better results than Siri does, saying “that really bothers me.”
The Woz wasn’t endorsing Android as superior to iOS – he says in particular that people who want an intuitive device, or dislike computers in general, should choose the iPhone, which he still feels is the best all-around smartphone on the market. But the respect Wozniak has for Android and Andy Rubin’s team is an excellent reminder that right now there isn’t a mobile OS that is head and shoulders above all the others, what it comes down to is what you want to get out of your phone.
source: The Daily Beast
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75 Comments
26. commentor1 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 18:24 2 15
he was prob just JK when he said these things and android fanboys jumped the gun! :D or maybe some people just can't understand sarcasm
58. Mr.Best posted on 17 Jan 2012, 03:21 6 3
Where do you see sarcasm in that article? Please enlighten us and quell our ignorance. Check Apple's website I think they're releasing a new product called the iDiot!
2. bossmt_2 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 15:56 27 0
I would agree overall with his assessment, if you don't like computers, iOS is superior cause it is simpler. But if you like playing around, and customization, Android is better. It still amazes me the things you can do on Android.
10. clevername posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:26 7 13
Which things amaze you? No flame war here, I'm just wondering because I haven't been amazed yet.
12. Muhannad posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:51 17 4
The simplest of stuff can amaze you, like Android 4.0 was ported to the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1) which is the first Android phone released and also has a lower than 600MHz processor. I don't see any 1st gen iPhone with iOS 5.
33. christianqwerty posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:04 3 6
I find that hard to believe when phones like the LG nitro stutter with dual core processors
48. LoneShaolin posted on 16 Jan 2012, 21:05 3 0
WUT!? I'm gonna go root my Dream now
51. bossmt_2 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 21:53 4 0
Plenty of things, like integration of simple features that are great such as ICS letting you customize to a degree the apps that are at the bottom of all the homescreens, being able to kill running apps from your running apps screen, Easy ability to switch from mobile first browsing to desktop like browsing. Lots of fun stuff that you learn when you tinker.
54. clevername posted on 17 Jan 2012, 00:21 0 1
I like all that stuff, don't get me wrong. I'm just waiting for something that's actually mind blowing. Idk maybe I have high expectations. I really like the OS. Even if it does need some polish.
62. KingKurogiii posted on 17 Jan 2012, 09:01 0 0
yeah but i'll be able to do that in a month or so on a Razr anyway so might as well get what i can have the best of both worlds on.
56. anywherehome posted on 17 Jan 2012, 00:59 4 1
you havent tried, you are just trolling like a little baby ;-)
70. clevername posted on 17 Jan 2012, 11:02 0 0
Relax bud. I'm far from trolling. I am in no way bashing Android. I really like what it does for me and like it more than I used to in fact. Why would I troll against Android and own and Android phone? I'm just saying that few things the platform does make me say "wow". If that upsets you or the balance of you're world perhaps you need to reevaluate some things. commentor had it right. Amaze is a strong word.
71. clevername posted on 17 Jan 2012, 11:03 0 0
Relax bud. I'm far from trolling. I am in no way bashing Android. I really like what it does for me and like it more than I used to in fact. Why would I troll against Android and own and Android phone? I'm just saying that few things the platform does make me say "wow". If that upsets you or the balance of you're world perhaps you need to reevaluate some things. commentor had it right. Amaze is a strong word.
57. Commentator posted on 17 Jan 2012, 02:06 0 0
I actually agree with clevername, and people should watch the words they use. "Amaze" is defined as "to overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly" (or thereabouts, depending on the dictionary you're using.) I've been using Android for about 2 years now and, while I can say I've been pleased and, dare I say, delighted by many of the features, I can't say I've been overwhelmed by surprise. However, maybe this is just because I set my expectations too high.
28. ardent1 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 18:32 1 11
> if you don't like computers, iOS is superior cause it is simpler.
You will find the OEMs are guilty for making the computers much more difficult than need be. These OEMs builtd product for a profit -- Apple was innovative (give Steve Jobs the credit) for thinking of the end user first.
> But if you like playing around, and customization, Android is better.
Android is DIFFERENT. For example, the skin on android from one OEM is vastly different than the skin on android from another OEM. If you are like Samsung with the Galaxy S, it can't be upgraded to ICS due to Samsung's software demands. In summary, customization doesn't always mean better, it means different or unable to upgrade to the latest android OS.
30. Forsaken77 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 19:20 6 0
I disagree that skins from one phone to the next are vastly different. The os and the foundation of every phone is pretty much the same across the board. I have a Samsung GS2 Skyrocket and my friend has an an HTC G2X and we can immediately take each others phones and easily navigare all the menus and features with extreme familiarity. Because all Android phones have the same universal functionality. Mine may have a few bells and whistles that his doesn't, but they are pretty much operate the same way and are interchangeable between users very easily.
31. Dmann posted on 16 Jan 2012, 19:33 5 0
This still enters on the argument that is better with people who likes computers.
I don't have any doubt that there will be many roms with ICS for the Galaxy S.
For us it is so easy to root and change roms. But for those who enters the "don't like computer" zone, it would be a nightmare.
55. anywherehome posted on 17 Jan 2012, 00:57 3 0
you dont need to customize Android so Android is simple too and mainly Android has widgets and microshc, simple mass storage....so Android is definitely easier to manage...
3. JeffdaBeat posted on 16 Jan 2012, 15:57 30 2
BLASPHEMY!
In all seriousness, although I'm on the iOS side of things, no one can doubt the innovation that has come from Android. That's what I love about this war. Android is out to prove that it's just as good as iOS. Manufacturers pack some really awesome features into the phones because of it. But Apple doesn't want to be outdone by anyone, so they put more into their end. And for us, no matter what side you're on, we all win.
Android is definitely stronger in some areas. iOS is stronger in others. But in the end, I think we all have some pretty sick smartphones.
6. TechDroid posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:11 0 4
In this "war", I don't think anyone is out to prove that they are just as good as someone else, but actually better. If not, what would be the point?
8. mozes316 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:16 6 2
If most people on these sites could all undestand this, we could all enjoy ourselves a little more on these sites and debate, rather than flame and troll.
17. protozeloz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:17 2 0
indeed I think both have their strong points and weak points, its good to see companies trying to make these weakness less wide and in the end we see better phones from both sides.
glad to see he is enjoying another OS in the end his opinion might end up helping both to Google and moto as a patting hand for things that were done right for apple some details he would like they improve and the gap between the OS will keep getting closer and closer we both bet better. hope the companies commit to make even better quality products this year this could be awesome
18. Baseballer posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:17 3 0
Finally someone who says something like this! instead of arguin over whats better. This gets like 1,000 thumbs up!
4. Dark4o90 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:06 7 2
it's not in some it's in every way it real OS not like the iapp launcher hahaha
14. rasinhussy posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:55 1 3
The function of an OS is to act as an intermediary between apps and hardware and to manage resources.
iOS is just as much of a "real" OS than Android is. Both trace their roots back to UNIX.
32. Lucas777 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 19:39 3 2
oh cool dude u get a clock widget before going to the app launcher..
53. chadrick0814 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 23:54 1 0
clock widget, calendar widget, music player widget, favorite contacts widget, email widget, messenger widget, photo gallery widget, weather widget.........
66. Lucas777 posted on 17 Jan 2012, 09:43 0 0
haha i know there is obviously more, but saying a clock widget is like saying ios is just an app launcher
5. 9_HeLLs_oF_DrOid posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:08 9 3
And who can forget the drop down notification system of Android that Apple, so called 'the innovator', was compelled to implement in iOS, of course with some little amendments!
9. WirelessCon posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:19 2 2
I don't like itunes, otherwise I'd probably have an iPhone. Then again I really love screens that are 4-5 inches.
Nokia 900? I don't know. But I do want to play with one. I mean, it looks great and I hear good things about Windows Phone.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my Android, quite a bit.
If Apple or Microsoft got smart they could win me over. It's looking like ICS isn't fully baked yet.
11. The_Miz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:30 2 16
Maybe it was Opposite Day when he said that? Or maybe he wasn't thinking straight.
15. protozeloz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:11 4 0
or maybe he just can tell that android is a good OS too, and simple with time has become better unlike some haters here that still call it android 1.0
19. ibap posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:18 2 0
Woz is tech, not marketing. To retain his (considerable!) cred in that area, he can't just be an Apple mouthpiece.
37. InspectorGadget80 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:45 2 0
I think you're the ONE THAT'S NOT THINKING STRAIGHT. Woz is a TECH GEEK likes all TECH not just Apple.
13. biophone posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:54 10 0
I wish the woz would be apple ceo not tim cook. Imagine what ios would be like.
40. KingKurogiii posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:52 2 0
this kind of stuff is probably just why Woz isn't CEO. -.-
52. biophone posted on 16 Jan 2012, 22:51 3 0
True. Its just that Woz gets it and he could be even a greater ceo then jobs.
65. KingKurogiii posted on 17 Jan 2012, 09:32 0 0
living up to ol cranky would be pretty hard but i sure wouldn't have minded seeing him try of all people. o:
16. TKFox007 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:14 6 0
Woz is a lover of technology and isn't blinded by the "magic" that Jobs said Apple's products had
68. InspectorGadget80 posted on 17 Jan 2012, 10:48 2 0
Unlike YOU The_Miz. Woz knows software and hardware. He says "dislikes it being connected to Apple’s backend servers", Siri can’t connect, robbing him of simple voice controls like asking the phone to dial his wife. He says the voice controls on Android never have this problem, since they control the phone without having to contract a server. He also indicated that voice search on Android now returns better results than Siri does. Learn to GROW THE FCK UP
20. protozeloz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:20 4 0
HA to those Blur Haters! he has a RAZR!!!, no wonder... John V also likes that phone over the Nexus
*prepares the cue music for sigs to dance* B-)
23. Sniggly posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:36 2 0
The only advantage the Nexus has over the Razr is ICS, which wont' be a factor in a few months. I also don't mind the hardware buttons. (I seriously want the Razr, lol. I want I want I want)
41. The_Miz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:52 0 9
I think the Nexus phones are trash, but I'll take those over any Motorola phone any day and that's a fact because Motorola phones are horrible.
43. Sniggly posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:56 2 0
And once again you make a statement without justification. What was the last Motorola phone and when?
46. protozeloz posted on 16 Jan 2012, 21:00 1 0
Its not like this isn't news its all he post about how trashy android is and how "superior" iOS is
50. Sackboy117 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 21:16 4 0
His justification is "I hate Motorola cuz they stole the logo of McDonalds, my most favorite restaurant!!!!"
69. InspectorGadget80 posted on 17 Jan 2012, 10:49 0 0
I think YOU ARE TRASH and you talk too damn much. Motorola is slightly better and thinner than the iPhone.
73. atheisticemetic posted on 18 Jan 2012, 10:03 0 0
i would take a moto over samsung any day! my samsung phones have been garbage in terms of reception. Beautiful screens and clean interface, but horrible hardware...
i think you're "mizzzing" something here...some may call it logic
21. darkkjedii posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:20 6 0
DUHHH!!! And I'm an iOS guy. Apple needs to get their stuff together,cuz all the upcoming phones I want (galaxy note,galaxy S3,and skyrocket HD are android devices).
I'm waiting to see what the iPhone 6 is like,but I'm not excited. I have the iPhone 5 now,its called the 4S.
72. SlimSoulja86 posted on 17 Jan 2012, 13:29 0 1
lol, im still using my iPhone 4S and im happy with it, im also waiting for iPhone 6, cos how will ppl know i have upgraded. Cos iPhone its all about status.
22. theBankRobber posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:30 0 0
Later PA will post a article saying he never said these things, Just like before in the past by other corps who like androids features. Somebody high up will be like WTH, then they say 'I never said such things ' and blah blah blah.
