Technology catch-all thread

[Y2HH]

Apple's stock email program sucks. But when I installed the gmail app it's flawless just like the Android app or using gmail on the computer (it's hard to convince me there is a better web-based email than gmail)

 

So let's say I go to gmail and I add Y2HH's phone number to my contacts. On my HTC Sensation, within a few seconds it will load your name and phone number to my phone (because I have that as my default contacts list, in Google's cloud). How do I get this to show on my iPad's contacts list WITHOUT hooking the f***ing thing up to iTunes? The less I have to use iTunes (for anything), the better.

 

I use it all the time and have no issues with it...then again the function you wish to use isn't really implemented fully.

 

It IS one of the faults I have with Apple, in that they don't allow you to set other browsers or email application as defaults. This is protectionism which I dislike, but for my specific uses it happens to not matter...but for others it would be annoying. I believe Microsoft is going to follow suit on this with WM7 and WM8, unfortunately.

 

You are comparing Apples to Oranges here, however. Google owns Gmail...so of course their native Gmail app is better on their OWN operating system versus what is available via iOS. The reason is the iOS functions are still in "beta" according to Google, and have been for over a year. The known workaround to this is to install your gmail as an "exchange" account on iOS. Don't ask why...but people have found it works. It's unnecessarily complicated and stupid, but it's the best available at the minute. Note that Google Calendars works fine with iOS, but their Contacts don't...why? Who knows. I sure don't.

 

Detailed Instructions: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_t...one_or_ipad.php

Edited September 13, 2012 by Y2HH

[lostfan]

I use it all the time and have no issues with it...

 

You are comparing Apples to Oranges here, however. Google owns Gmail...so of course their native Gmail app is better on their OWN operating system versus what is available via iOS. The reason is the iOS functions are still in "beta" according to Google, and have been for over a year. The known workaround to this is to install your gmail as an "exchange" account on iOS. Don't ask why...but people have found it works. This isn't necessarily an Apple problem, Apple has to work with what Google allows them to work with. Note that Google Calendars works fine with iOS, but their Contacts don't...why? Who knows.

 

Detailed Instructions: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_t...one_or_ipad.php

Where I was going with this is to say that Google and Apple don't play well together. For obvious reasons.

 

I wasn't referring to the native vs. the iOS version, I mean the actual gmail app vs. the account within the settings menu that you have to add. That thing sucks ass, I couldn't ditch it fast enough. It's like using Gmail on MS Outlook, it just feels... wrong

[Y2HH]

Where I was going with this is to say that Google and Apple don't play well together. For obvious reasons.

 

I wasn't referring to the native vs. the iOS version, I mean the actual gmail app vs. the account within the settings menu that you have to add. That thing sucks ass, I couldn't ditch it fast enough. It's like using Gmail on MS Outlook, it just feels... wrong

 

Yea, it's functional, but not for contact synching, and I don't really understand why.

 

Android has it's benefits and flaws, just as iOS and WM8 have. It comes down to personal choice and function. If Apple devices cannot do what a person wants to do...don't get one. I don't really understand why people force themselves to use technology that isn't useful for what they need.

 

This is like using a wrench to hammer in a nail...when you could have used a hammer.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Y2HH

[lostfan]

Yea, it's functional, but not for contact synching, and I don't really understand why.

 

Android has it's benefits and flaws, just as iOS and WM8 have. It comes down to personal choice and function. If Apple devices cannot do what a person wants to do...don't get one. I don't really understand why people force themselves to use technology that isn't useful for what they need.

 

This is like using a wrench to hammer in a nail...when you could have used a hammer.

Since I have an iPad I feel like having an iPhone would be redundant. But I've had Android phones since the G1 and I keep using them just because it's what I know. An iPhone pretty much does all the same things. At time the fanboy arguments get funny to me.

 

For me, I'm cool with this heated competition because it means better phones for me when I go to the store.

[Y2HH]

Since I have an iPad I feel like having an iPhone would be redundant. But I've had Android phones since the G1 and I keep using them just because it's what I know. An iPhone pretty much does all the same things. At time the fanboy arguments get funny to me.

 

For me, I'm cool with this heated competition because it means better phones for me when I go to the store.

 

I agree with this completely.

[lostfan]

And also I use Google everything so I'm inclined to use an Android to begin with

[RockRaines]

I don't know how many times you've said this, but it's like Steve Jobs and now Tim Cook have hardcoded this into your brain.

 

Apple has buzz words and phrases down to a tee and it seems like the people who use Apple products just take what they see from the ads and keynotes. And you know what the worst part is? When you ask people who like Apple why they like Apple. The response is..."IT WORKS". Really? It better work for the amount of money you paid. Want to be a little more specific? You'll get answers like "It's so intuitive" and "it's so seamless". It's not like I don't own an Apple product. I do and I don't find them THAT intuitive or THAT seamless.

 

Here's a great example of something that I go through on a regular basis:

 

I want to download my daily lecture notes for a class. I go on Chrome and oh guess what, Apple's stupid anti-competition policies don't allow Chrome to download the file. No jailbreak = no downloads on Chrome. The even worse part is that even with the Chrome downloader, I can't download Powerpoint files. Okay, I'll just go on Safari. So I download the Powerpoint and guess what? I can't open it with my note taking app. Alright, fine, I'll go get an app to print it to a PDF or just use QuickOffice (yours for a $15 value) to convert it. Alright, done. BUT HOW THE HELL DO I OPEN IT IN MY NOTE TAKING APP? Oh, yeah, you have to go to iFile and find the file in the mess of folders and then you can open it up in your note taking app. And oh, you need a jailbroken iPad for iFile. I go through this process at least twice a week and it takes me a good 5 minutes to finally start taking notes. SO INTUITIVE, SO SEAMLESS. I only needed 4 applications and a jailbroken iPad to start taking notes on it like I'm supposed to. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. And it's the perfect example why a closed ecosystem like iOS can restrict a device's usability. Thank goodness for the iOS hacking community. Otherwise, my iPad would be nothing more than something I can watch baseball games on.

 

Before you ask why I don't just sync the lectures through iTunes...

1. Slides usually don't go up until an hour before class. Professors are busy/lazy.

2. Who the hell wants to sync anything through iTunes?

 

LOL, no I know that because I work in technology with some of the most bleeding edge software programmers in the industry as well as visit just about every Fortune 1000 company in the marketplace. I know from experience.

 

Second, I dont have any of those problems you cited whatsoever. We have over 300 people using macs with chrome with zero issues. I also use my ipad for day to day work and presentations seamlessly, I also take notes on my ipad in every meeting I am in and share them with co-workers realtime.

 

Sounds like user error to me.

 

[RockRaines]

Apple's stock email program sucks. But when I installed the gmail app it's flawless just like the Android app or using gmail on the computer (it's hard to convince me there is a better web-based email than gmail)

 

So let's say I go to gmail and I add Y2HH's phone number to my contacts. On my HTC Sensation, within a few seconds it will load your name and phone number to my phone (because I have that as my default contacts list, in Google's cloud). How do I get this to show on my iPad's contacts list WITHOUT hooking the f***ing thing up to iTunes? The less I have to use iTunes (for anything), the better.

Mine works just fine with gmail if you use your native email client and do a sync. I add and delete contacts real time constantly and the native email client on my iphone works perfectly with gmail. You have to make sure you use the exchange function and not the gmail function.

 

I dont think the iphone client sucks at all, I would rather use that than the web-based gmail client on my mac or PC.

[Y2HH]

LOL, no I know that because I work in technology with some of the most bleeding edge software programmers in the industry as well as visit just about every Fortune 1000 company in the marketplace. I know from experience.

 

Second, I dont have any of those problems you cited whatsoever. We have over 300 people using macs with chrome with zero issues. I also use my ipad for day to day work and presentations seamlessly, I also take notes on my ipad in every meeting I am in and share them with co-workers realtime.

 

Sounds like user error to me.

 

He's taking about using PowerPoint presentations on software that doesn't support it. This would be like trying to open PowerPoint on windows in notepad. It's using a wrench when he needs a hammer.

[RockRaines]

He's taking about using PowerPoint presentations on software that doesn't support it. This would be like trying to open PowerPoint on windows in notepad. It's using a wrench when he needs a hammer.

Yeah you cant do that unless you have an app that opens powerpoint in the first place which I have, I also heavily use google docs.

 

Definitely user error.

[Balta1701]

He's taking about using PowerPoint presentations on software that doesn't support it. This would be like trying to open PowerPoint on windows in notepad. It's using a wrench when he needs a hammer.

Plus everything Microsoft makes sucks so much that it infects everything else tht tries to work with it.

 

 

[lostfan]

Mine works just fine with gmail if you use your native email client and do a sync. I add and delete contacts real time constantly and the native email client on my iphone works perfectly with gmail. You have to make sure you use the exchange function and not the gmail function.

 

I dont think the iphone client sucks at all, I would rather use that than the web-based gmail client on my mac or PC.

When I originally tried to do this I thought it was going to be self-explanatory.

[lostfan]

Y2HH I just blatantly plagiarized one of your posts on my Facebook status, lol

[RockRaines]

When I originally tried to do this I thought it was going to be self-explanatory.

It is if you google that specific functionality.

 

When I started at my current company I moved form outlook to gmail and I needed some help to do this, and I found a video we had in our portal for it but really it was on youtube.

[Y2HH]

Y2HH I just blatantly plagiarized one of your posts on my Facebook status, lol

 

I read it, doesn't seem very plagiarized to me.

[lostfan]

I read it, doesn't seem very plagiarized to me.

It was in the comments. "Use the device that does what you want it to do" or to that effect.

[lostfan]

It is if you google that specific functionality.

 

When I started at my current company I moved form outlook to gmail and I needed some help to do this, and I found a video we had in our portal for it but really it was on youtube.

When I think about Apple products I don't think "you have to Google this to learn how to use it." I had always been under the impression that everything done on any Apple product was something any dummy could do intuitively, that was the whole selling point of the original iPhone. My point was that I didn't find this to be true like I thought it was. Using that standard, I think the high-end Android phones are actually easier. JMO.

[RockRaines]

When I think about Apple products I don't think "you have to Google this to learn how to use it." I had always been under the impression that everything done on any Apple product was something any dummy could do intuitively, that was the whole selling point of the original iPhone. My point was that I didn't find this to be true like I thought it was. Using that standard, I think the high-end Android phones are actually easier. JMO.

Lol, yes google and apple don't interop very well. Just like iTunes and android. However with a little tweaking both can work just fine.

 

Everything else on an iPhone has been copied for a reason, its straight forward and simple. Press an icon and you get what you want. Companies all the way to enterprise software have ripped that off.

[kev211]

My upgrade is December 6. I will be buying the iphone 5 that day.

 

 

 

Note: I posted this to upset Joe.

[chw42]

This post makes no sense at all. Allow me to rip it to shreds now.

 

How could you open a Powerpoint Presentation in an app that didn't license the use of the MICROSOFT owned technology? Answer: You legally can't. So blaming Apple for this is nonsensical and silly.

 

You are talking about proprietary technologies owned by third parties. Powerpoint isn't owned by Apple, so Apple would have to license it for a note taking app to open it...and since Microsoft doesn't allow that for just any old application, they couldn't if they wanted too.

 

This has nothing to do with Apples "closed system", it has everything to do with the technology you are speaking of being owned by someone else.

 

In all seriousness...you are using the wrong device for the specific function you wish to use it with. So I ask, why would you do this? Get a Windows Mobile 7/8 phone and these issues you are having with a proprietary Microsoft own technology would go away. But b****ing because Apple devices aren't seamless at opening technologies they aren't legally allowed to open is a pretty silly example of something being nonintuitive/seamless.

 

How is this non-sensical? You're honestly biased as hell when anyone posts anything regarding Apple's products. Either that or you didn't even read or get my point.

 

First of all, you CAN open Powerpoint files legally on iOS. You just have to pay $15 to do it. Second, a huge reason I am complaining is because Apple protects its filesystem. If I wanted to do the exact same thing on Android, I can easily go to my favorite file explorer (which can be had for free and I don't need to jailbreak to use it) and open the file I just downloaded up. Everything is tied together and apps can share data with each other through intents. But with iOS, I have to jailbreak it in order to just take some notes on a Powerpoint file? WTF? Why should anybody have to go through that route to do something as simple as note taking?

 

And why would I buy a Windows phone to take notes?

[chw42]

LOL, no I know that because I work in technology with some of the most bleeding edge software programmers in the industry as well as visit just about every Fortune 1000 company in the marketplace. I know from experience.

 

Second, I dont have any of those problems you cited whatsoever. We have over 300 people using macs with chrome with zero issues. I also use my ipad for day to day work and presentations seamlessly, I also take notes on my ipad in every meeting I am in and share them with co-workers realtime.

 

Sounds like user error to me.

 

I'm not talking about Chrome on Macs, I'm talking about Chrome on iOS. Chrome on iOS is crippled. It can't download files unless you get a downloader extension through Cydia, which requires you to jailbreak your iDevice. It also can't run JavaScript well nor can it be made the default browser. All thanks to Apple since third party apps are limited to the UIWebView and not the newer Nitro JS. This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm talking about when I say closed system. Apple doesn't want a superior browser taking over on their device so it intentionally cripples other web browsers. They're scared of competition.

 

Just curious though, what exactly do you do?

Edited September 13, 2012 by chw42

[Y2HH]

How is this non-sensical? You're honestly biased as hell when anyone posts anything regarding Apple's products. Either that or you didn't even read or get my point.

 

First of all, you CAN open Powerpoint files legally on iOS. You just have to pay $15 to do it. Second, a huge reason I am complaining is because Apple protects its filesystem. If I wanted to do the exact same thing on Android, I can easily go to my favorite file explorer (which can be had for free and I don't need to jailbreak to use it) and open the file I just downloaded up. Everything is tied together and apps can share data with each other through intents. But with iOS, I have to jailbreak it in order to just take some notes on a Powerpoint file? WTF? Why should anybody have to go through that route to do something as simple as note taking?

 

And why would I buy a Windows phone to take notes?

 

It's non-sensical for the reasons I posted. You are going to have a hard time finding people here that agree with you that I'm biased about Apple products...I'm one of the first people that tells people to use what works for them, I don't just recommend Apple to everyone/anyone without knowing what they need it for. I'm not biased to Apple. I'm biased to facts. When I see a weakness in something Apple, I'll say so. As I have in the past, and as I will in the future.

 

Here is why your original post was non-sensical...repeated for your READING pleasure:

 

First, you are simply doing it the wrong way...as RR said...user error. The way/method you've chosen to download files (using Chrome) doesn't work well with iOS...so why would you do it that way? Again, I've pointed out you're using a wrench to hammer in a nail, when you should just use the hammer.

 

Second, I never said you couldn't open powerpoint files in iOS, I said you couldn't open them in the application you wanted to open them in. Even in Android, despite having a "file finder/explorer" you STILL need an application installed that can open/read powerpoint files...this point seems lost on you. You keep ignoring the fact you are using a proprietary/owned technology and if you want to open and use those files, you will probably have to pay for it or download some free alternatives that are limited to viewing them.

 

Wow, look at that, I typed powerpoint into the Apple App store, and a bunch of *FREE* viewers or paid editors for powerpoint popped up that can read and display and/or edit them. Even Apples Keynote which can view AND edit powerpoint files is only 9$.

 

I never said buy a windows phone to take notes, I said buy it and you'd stop having issues with any sort of file/program owned by the company that makes it. Once again, reading failed you.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Y2HH

[Y2HH]

I'm not talking about Chrome on Macs, I'm talking about Chrome on iOS. Chrome on iOS is crippled. It can't download files unless you get a downloader extension through Cydia, which requires you to jailbreak your iDevice. It also can't run JavaScript well nor can it be made the default browser. All thanks to Apple since third party apps are limited to the UIWebView and not the newer Nitro JS. This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm talking about when I say closed system. Apple doesn't want a superior browser taking over on their device so it intentionally cripples other web browsers. They're scared of competition.

 

Just curious though, what exactly do you do?

 

Chrome on iOS is crippled, in a few ways. One, it's not allowed to use the nitro java engine as you correctly pointed out, so it's slower by default, and two, you cannot change the default browser on iOS, again, as you pointed out. This IS a drawback to iOS unless you jailbreak it. I don't like this, but it's not a deal killer for ME...if it bothered me that much, I'd buy a different phone (Android). For others, if it was a sticking point to them, I'd recommend they get an Android phone...because jailbreaking is stupid. You shouldn't have to jailbreak a modern device to get it to work the way YOU need it to work...when alternatives exist can can already do that by default.

 

That said, it IS a operating system weakness in the closed and tightly controlled iOS. (Hey, that was me being biased for Apple again!) Oh, wait...no...it was me pointing out a glaring deficiency in iOS. This is why calling me biased about Apple continuously falls flat.

 

Another weakness of iOS, no file viewer/access to the file system...as an advanced user, this would be nice...but I understand why they lock it down for the majority of their users who are surely not advanced and would only break their phones with this kind of access.

 

Edit: To say Apple is scared of competition is just a fallacy. They have a ton of competition around them, from Android, Windows, etc. What Apple does is go out of it's way to keep it's OS universal so when users call in or come in for tech support, it's all the same defaults/same basic layout. This has nothing to do with being afraid of competition. Android has the opposite problem or too many alternative defaults, making support a massive hassle. Even Microsoft locked down Windows Mobile 7 and 8 for the same reason as Apple...it's easier to support internally, and it's cheaper to fix when a problem arises.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Y2HH

[StrangeSox]

And also I use Google everything so I'm inclined to use an Android to begin with

Same

[G&T]

Yes, I will be getting the new iPhone. Yes, it is because it is an iPhone.