Form Follows Function

Ignoring specific apps for a moment, here are a few highlights of similarities and differences between my DROID and my iPod Touch.

1. Bluetooth
I might as well start with a pet peeve. Bluetooth is frustrating enough to being with. On the DROID I find I'm connecting promiscuously to every device in range EXCEPT for my headset(s). The iPod Touch doesn't want to connect to anything at all.

Part of this is a beef with Bluetooth on other devices. For example, my old Plantronic headset connects instantly and easily to the DROID for the most part. The newer Jawbone needs to be put into pairing mode by manually putting it into pairing mode (despite what the documentation says).

The problem with the iPod Touch is that it will only connect to advanced Bluetooth audio devices without microphones and will not connect to ones using the Hands Free protocol. This means that to use it with Skype I have to use a plug in headset and mic. I wish Apple wouldn't make so many decisions for me.

BTW, iPhone can use regular hands free headsets.

2. Supplemental Gadgets
I suppose it's not fair to put this second in line, but there is no doubt that the iPod / iPhone wins hands down on this one. Some of this is just time. Still, I go to Frys and find a whole aisle of iPod / iPhone related speakers and protectors and cases and anything you could think of.

The DROID has a little section over by the telephones. I found two accessories: a GPS / Voice Navigation mount for the car and a sort of charger that turn the DROID into a large clock with weather, music, pictures, and alarms.

The car mount is a great success. The clock thingy is incredibly limited. Even the alarm times are pre-set to fixed hours to go off. Useless. I took it to my office so that I can monitor weather, listen to music and see a big clock.

The snap on covers / protectors for the DROID come in 3 colors: pink, blue, and clear. My favorite color is red. I ordered clear.

The iPod and iPhone have colors and patterns galore. For Christmas, my niece gave me a red cover for the iPod Touch that also comes with a little stand that is surprisingly useful. Every time I start having critical thoughts about the iPod, I look over and smile.

2. Screen size
The DROID has a higher resolution but the iPod Touch is a bit larger and also does have better overall design and look to apps and icons.

3. Keyboard
The iPod Touch (and the iPhone) only have an on-screen pop-up keyboard. Versions of Android differ. For the Motorola DROID, there is also on on-screen keyboard and also a slide-out keyboard. Initially I thought this would be a big plus factor and it is in some cases, but not as much as I had thought, mostly because I don't send much in the way of email from these devices, so most text requirements are light.

4. Touch pad
Equivalent. There are even some applications like Google maps that now recognize the Apple "pinch" for zoom functions. Some applications on the iPod will also provide a magnification "bubble" if you press and hold your finger over an area of text. Not usually critical but a very nice feature.

5. Accelerometers, etc.
Included on both, this is a feature that I adore. Accelerometers allow the device to know whether you are tilting, rotating, waving, or otherwise moving it around. This provides some very basic features like switching from portrait to landscape viewing (often inadvertently) for applications. But it also provides the basis for a number of the coolest applications, many of which are available for both. More on this type later, but a few quick examples are Bump (bump to exchange contacts), Labyrinth, and more.

In general, aside from the basics (phone, email, calendar, contacts....) the applications I enjoy the most are ones that are truly made for this device. Form follows function. Games and whatnot that I am willing to play on my laptop are generally strict translations and not very compelling. But the ones that are platform specific are often great.

6. Connectors
OK, so why is it that everyone thinks they need their own special, unique plug? Don't answer. I think I know why for Apple. They are all about locking in and control. For the DROID, I need to use a micro USB connector. This is a standard-ish connector for USB, but not as common as the mini. I'm sure Motorola had their reasons but it does look gratuitous.

7. Camera
The DROID has a 5 MP camera and it does do a great job. The iPod Touch doesn't have a camera but the latest version of the iPhone is somewhat lower at 3 MP. I haven't had a chance to check quality aside from that.

8. Sound and Voice
The quality of my Motorola DROID is significantly better than my Motorola Q, both on Verizon, when it comes to calls. I also get good coverage and have never dropped a call. Everyone complains about the iPhone. That being said, I don't see how people can live without a landline or high quality VoIP for doing real business. The quality of cell calls is still atrocious under the best of circumstances.

On the other hand, it is telling that listening to music and other sound features on both units is really delightful. I am not a sound weeny, so I am less qualified to judge, but both are really terrific to my ears. And - getting ahead of myself - Pandora is a wonderful, wonderful app (available on both).

9. Controls
The iPod (and iPhone) have only one button which is for on/off and getting back to the main screen. Along the bottom of the screen there are a set of permanent app icons.

The DROID has a row of soft keys across the base of the phone for Last, Settings, Home, and Search. I like these but my fingers are always drifting over one of those when I don't want to. This can be very disruptive. Unlike the ones on the iPod, the ones on the DROID are very close to the edge so that it is easy to hit by mistake, plus the ones on the iPod are not as disruptive.

10. GPS
This is the last for the moment but another one that is dear to my heart and I'll dedicate a whole posting (or more) to GPS with both fun and practical things to do with it soon.

I'm sure I've overlooked more features but those will out eventually.