CNET to the Rescue Ep. 42: iPhone vs. Android!

-- -- -- Welcome to CNET to the rest your weekly show where we try to dispel some of the fear and -- -- -- and -- and using tech products. Today we're going to be talking about eight common fear. If I get the iPhone should I have gotten an Android phone if I get an Android phone what I have been better off with an iPhone and to discuss that I'm joined by Kent German. Sell -- a cell phone died design. And that's I think the grandiose title and he -- obvious Nokia -- yet it anyway thanks for joining us -- we're going to be talking about. IPhone vs Android we're going to be taking your questions including several really interesting questions. Them. That relate to what we talked about last week with the -- breach with -- Allen nor a lot of questions held over. From how to deal with email spam in the Epsilon breach. And we've got a couple quick road tests and some other questions as well. As usual we get into our main topic were going to be doing road tests. Remember -- some knowledge EDS 411 slim server and at NAS that was making thumbnails for the last two months. It finally finished. It only took literally eight weeks to churn through my archive of photos photos and videos and it's finally finished making thumbnails and -- put some new ones in their equipment or data make those but I just wanted to say for those of you who were on the -- your seat. Waiting for that product finished doing its thing it has and it still of the product. Mostly. Other road tests. I didn't have anything else I will say this my 82001. Tara Moran's SR nineteen AV receiver which is fantastic -- that doesn't have HDMI need to upgrade. Has a broken left speaker channel gets -- renowned animal for repair shop if anybody knows -- -- good shop for fixing -- 810 or eleven year old. AV receiver. Let me know and according to Kelly. This is the wrong period of time from which to buy an AV receiver because the new ones are awesome and the old -- -- -- fantastic. But in the interim. 1980. Chrysler K cars there in between. Good stuff from the old days and modern good stuff right. Yet if -- trying to -- would like to go just to see it while actually ran into a guy at that CES in January and asked them with and questioned the -- and efforts out. I was on elevator at the Moran's badge on his -- handset -- good timing. -- -- -- And it's at hand in there five floors -- elevator pit that's Francis. Or New York -- -- new York and -- -- -- -- that they don't ship -- eighty -- a year cross country but maybe that's after the anyway -- right and can't use -- -- if you've got some cool new toy yes. I have amber in a couple things this week pointing the -- now. The problem you're probably saying to -- users and yet in a clothing yes they do. And I know I'm not announcing from the right people in the UK and I'm in his opponents came out of mobile congress last -- with -- -- in the what congress is so much there are these really high and fancy devices. And this phone was one of the arcs the show and they have a little Booth outside -- -- -- with a big pool money and people were in this thing constantly seeing its idea. What a clinics a special unit is solar powered so you can charge a regularly with the normal alternative has a big solar panel on the back. -- of the phone arm -- yes. We -- -- for the Samsung blue earth. But this is our answer I was gonna tragedy habitable today -- which means -- can't -- -- -- today but where's my phone when it is not being used. In my pocket. Yes so I see a problem like with with solar wrist watches you know by Verizon because when you're carrying it around -- -- meaning it that makes me a little -- -- in just a -- your gadgets you have a better in the hot -- now -- I bring with me sorry but I'm. I have a video video posts later today in the review policy content that I'm. I think it's a neat idea it seems to work somewhat I haven't just haven't really got around to getting a nice sunny day in San Francisco -- had them -- They're doing it all wrong what they need to do is have that solar panel B detachable and multiple on a hat. Which you wanna wear -- -- public. Well would you want solar powered phone in public economy. It's kind of fun it's got these sports Endesa has a GPS tracker for you buy it for recycling for when you run mean. Has a compass on it I mean it's kind of a -- Joost it's not a Smartphone is not designed to be -- -- But it is a quirky kind of fun and I felt like the styling -- -- operating -- you feel like it's an irony here people -- actually and it's nice. It's serious -- institute -- seriousness here. Where you want a solar powered phone. Developing nations -- countries. Where access to reliable AC it is actually that's at any point -- and I think that they committed. The commitment is a -- human -- -- it's not really designed for US market back to him it's I think it's an interest in device cool. Is -- an Android phone. It is not but it has -- hundred features you actually can. Pulled on a status bar from the top the screen you get all this stuff just like a number messaging -- -- -- are. Let's talk about Android vs iPhone -- it's a standard. Topic of discussion yes that's absolutely especially now that you if you're a Verizon user customer you now have a real choice. And so the question is you know the cocktail party conversation is even if you if you tell anybody -- at CNET wanna get a Smartphone what should I get. -- -- -- -- Well and I and I don't I am. And I don't think that will -- releasing this is what you should buy absolutely. So you take into a carrier -- -- an -- to this entry and how it's well first it's really a -- carrier and a do you like your carry you wanna stay there you willing to switch. If they wanna stay -- an announcement -- the question. I'm contaminants throughout AT&T -- your choices through your tree -- if your time you switch then I'm gonna have to broaden the choice orbit. But I very much like an Android and iPhone choice and -- some from. A cat and just that one that windows phone seven we're not go that today that's another Phillies don't throw -- in right now to -- -- but. It really depends on what -- want from your phone experience because it is very you have to think about what Android and iPhone trying to -- the iPhone. Slick very user friendly has a great apps you are very -- into an Apple wants he used to the user experience. Android -- Q you are allowed more choice with the -- going to -- -- -- jingle all these different carriers include US cellular and cricket. You can. You can get third party apps easier -- and AT&T in there you can edit and customize the phone better it really is more how you -- trees in the front really in a way it's about like Mac and PC battle it's. One is that it's time -- this you know the one around in ninety's about like. Furniture is iPhone or furniture is operating systems and my Mac foreigners like. It's like it's pretty but you can only arrange a Mac for metro one how you know it wants to be eaten but with the PC furniture you can do -- -- -- -- and an Android it is very much -- do you want. A device that is that you open -- at the box. Yours in -- how to use it you don't need separate you don't need -- instruction manual with Android. There are more choices it's not quite as intuitive in some ways is intuitive and -- and union agreements about this but. It isn't quite as. The interface is the standard over devices if you have -- of students in some ways to enter into the race and declared to anything on it -- See you have to think about the phone more and you are allowed more choices when it. Now it's funny you should talk about. The iPhone being slicker and more walled off then Android. Because for me and the first -- all I got my Smartphone and iPhone before and -- -- for a but. For me. What I want is a lot a lot of apps a lot of flexibility in front so much a question of being able to -- with the U lie in his settings and all that is question of maximum flexibility whenever somebody comes out with a fun new app I want it -- And that's why I am happy with the iPhone and is the Android there yet in terms of the quirky little apps -- -- an old. Anger is everywhere just doing there is getting there but that that the -- -- the -- about Android is that you can as long as somebody. You get you download the -- -- -- -- SDK -- for Android you create the app you can -- up there and unless somebody complains about it they say well what's announced its malware. In its not it's doing summing it says it doesn't do it's a -- Then -- doesn't really go in and look at it and say okay they don't evaluate it they don't have the process where Apple has with him evaluated and -- not. What would bet that the fragmentation problem when it comes to apps when people hear about that all the time and it does come up in -- -- party chatter I hear about Android fragmentation should I care about that I'm. You should because and coming -- front I mean that's probably that's more -- developers have to worry about because they have to create different versions. I mean you do have to worry in the user front may be that particular app isn't -- for -- area that are and a -- government be. But the -- a bit the issue with the with the fragmentation on the user front -- -- -- phones are out there they come out they aren't don't necessarily have the latest version available and all users -- told us it's coming it's coming it's coming from him. It's and they don't took a -- carriers and manufactures don't do a good job of saint. It's coming and this is the date you're gonna get it this is how you can again. And the other issue is is that there's not it -- enter in particular. Nobody really takes responsibility for women -- that update is coming school doesn't -- they're role they just make it available. And then it's not really manufacturer and its its really ultimately -- carrier but the carrier sort of pulls back sometimes it's just. Well we put it out there in the manufacture -- -- -- manufacturer works on the device and so there's only super kind of parties working -- -- capitalists like you're responsible for delivering the update. That's your issue you need to do it -- So -- so if somebody's say somebody is either area a AT&T or Verizon customer so they and they're not gonna change carriers but that on those -- they have the choice. What's the best what if they wanna -- iPhone -- -- -- iPod as an iPod if they wanna go Android what's the best in your recommendation the best phone on eighteenth investment rights. Well I think right now we really I think in Houston and keep -- -- -- changes almost weekly. But I think on the AT&T fried really and half ago with the HX the I do think that's a great device -- -- it's got a lot of features. -- although the laptop -- is expensive I absolutely nothing I think that is just to. Something and it's like the matrix is in the -- -- is on the slots into the back of this dumb terminal keep that system but with fingers -- it is. I like it. It's how much is it. Well if it was less expensive it would be better but it's sweet -- to -- -- earlier you get products for free maybe it's cool but I forget what it is for. But anyway -- -- go beyond that yet it's got it. It's got -- got -- -- expects that statement I make this camera is its front facing camera HDMI port so. Got acute quarter HD display so it's a really good device. The only thing issue right now is that AT&T hasn't turned on. -- quote unquote four G speeds. With so this is that four G capable phone and eighteenth he hasn't turned on -- Yeah and Bonnie -- opera are all about -- is that -- she wasn't getting a four G speeds on the phone and keep in mind that their brand for a G. Orgy but at the -- going on key lines. Well no I don't really lock and T-Mobile is using the same clout they're the ones that started this whole argument with a disputed plus button. That's orange but I'm a AT&T says oh well it's not -- -- heartily and -- we just haven't activated via so. -- -- Excellent but it doesn't count as hobbling the leg -- the lake is is is not is not thought -- writes out. They I can't boot -- -- that hasn't put on there are saying they're turning it on. They just haven't told us what. Okay Verizon Verizon. -- -- really have to go with and -- -- Really really really really fast. It is really it's got a great screen all the features and lines include about quality I'm. Bonnie who doesn't like this time I gave distillery. On the top customer she has -- what's the best carrier for an -- You know I would say the T-Mobile and Verizon. Have the best selection. And and especially when you break about okay GSM verses AT&T. Team all the -- first Android -- been pretty aggressive on they've gone to cases where they haven't had the greatest selection in periods but. They have the -- US and particulate they have the myTouch four G they have the G two. The galaxy S for -- -- that's a great device but what when I talk about best carrier if they -- whatever phone I have as the phone I have so now we're talking about. Reliability. Coverage speed and type of thing. I'm definitely. That's a question that it depends where you are -- In mentioning about AT&T has a lot of the use a lot of other phones and you know quite always have the problems you have with the iPhone as far as the special case it's -- -- well yeah I just it's just think experience is different days ago on a phone. AT&T. AT&T likes to say they have the -- four -- but that doesn't mean that just because it's theoretically -- -- many people using it that doesn't mean that is in the past history. -- Yeah I've used TT mobile and I know they are where shaky as you go outside of urban areas but I think when -- in the city and there and it worked pretty fascinating -- pretty reliable yet. What about the the antenna gate issue which -- your video demonstrating how you know holding an iPhone a wrong way when it first -- out really. Kills -- signal quality was with stellar to other phones have that similar issue. Well that's a funny thing is the thing about the iPhone I think there was a story about that is they're just seems to be this one area and we really found this -- that when you touch that area and it did affect it and then Apple came mountains and bouts that's every -- and then you -- -- -- you. When gripping the phone line just like they're gonna squeeze it to that and that's something completely different I mean this was let's say this is the iPhone there's a -- You just test like that and you seem and you noticed a difference so. Other phones I didn't know quite that -- Cherokee take almost any phone and you grasp that you take in -- you -- Yeah you're gonna see an effect with the iPhone it was a little bit. Now you -- you're demo Ing that on a very -- little phone there we were talking here about phones -- recommended this is a phone that just came out which is. That the -- -- -- phones and Internet recently when he got their cam and this is the Kyocera -- -- have to think about in Houston and because it's not as there had noted is the -- -- -- came out right before mobile congress this year. It was a in the sprint had big event foray. And into the plane and he said it's an industry first and then that the phone kind of drop to -- that. -- I dropped it no I mean make it just like they dropped from imminent -- put it out there now because it looks -- boring but then you go like this. And you have to displace allow. Now we've seen this in some netbooks and stuff like that so when you have to -- and this is an Android phone yes it is an Android phone. Lands the whole point behind this is the biggest -- behind this is the camp on certain applications you can use to -- -- -- -- have. It's only certain things but like your contacts could be here and in your messaging could be here. In other modes you have may be an app running and and then you have a I like user control so the thing -- -- most comfortable was. You had going to charity is you if you're typing a message for instance. You could have the you can have the writing area up top and on the bottom you could have. And if the Nintendo DS. You can have -- writing area on top and then you can have a keyboard on the bottom. So that was kind of that was a comfortable thing to -- about -- anywhere that spam will display when you get hold it you can tilt at likeness. I just wish they had done more with these two screenings you don't assert its use certain features with in the future -- lackluster there's no four G doesn't have them a good dozen of the most brilliant screen and they say two screens to screens -- an impact most brilliant screen and and a just. No wonder it's kind of gone this is a phone it's all about a design that's the only story written and some of the usability enhancements are -- -- -- shattering but then. As you very get an illness but as you move on it insists you get past that display in its current -- -- this this whole mechanism. These these are plastic right here. It it just makes me worry that -- stand up to use like a long term use -- whoever somebody spent a long time working on -- it is and I know that they I mean I am sure that Sarah put that through torture testing they wouldn't it's not they wouldn't do that but. I don't know opening close I think several times a day days and days out -- -- -- access -- Aren't we gotta move bombing attempts that talk about the -- -- What about -- congrats on the questions -- do one more they think this is an issue as people who have watched the showed no. My old iPhone for the button the top button died and I took it into an Apple Store. And in seven minutes I was in and out with a new phone I took my phone home think that and about 98%. Of my apps and settings were recovered. When I think that with my iTunes computer. That was an incredibly good experience can you do the same thing we have the same experience with an Android phone. If the phone has -- -- well. -- As far as the service or any at a store that's -- and that's that's gonna be up to the carrier and what your warranty is and whether you paid for it and you can't insurance you're not make me feel the -- -- And in their memory with Apple you're dealing with the manufacturer you're not gonna go to Motorola stories today. You know help you with this you're going to a carrier -- -- you have to go to data that level with the sinking. I as long as you -- are going to some like iTunes of course but if you have everything. If you have all your apps are -- I'm. Contacts tease me. And all that -- -- on your computer that's should be able to work the problem and and the apps you -- joining us the right and Android market doesn't have a real web portals -- -- have to. Yet go into your phone. Yeah I mean its its its recorded that you have it but -- you have to -- -- I -- I don't know. Right. I know I'm stamps that I've been after all this I I know more about Android phones I would feel more comfortable with them and stick with my opponent -- compact. Just -- Let's go on to listener questions. Here's one this is that we have some -- questions here. -- -- from Roseville I Jimi says my question is in regard to the security of information on a Barnes & Noble Nook Color. I'm just about ready to purchase one and his -- -- -- using -- mostly on public Wi-Fi hotspots. When using it I will be doing casual Internet surfing Netflix streaming. Whenever they -- -- Android app and of course watching often below podcasts. When I'm on since none of this would require exchanging sensitive information should I be concerned about using the Nook Color on public Wi-Fi hotspots interest in question. My answer to that. If you should always be concerned when you're using a public hot spot no matter what device you're using whether it's than milk. Or an iPad or -- Smartphone or whatever as long term public Wi-Fi. You can exchange sensitive information between a device and and the Internet without realizing it for example if you have a device that is doing email polling in the background and that's not encrypted if if it's not encrypted nothing it isn't but if it's not encrypted. If somebody sends you an email with confidential information that could be sniffed. On the other real threat in especially on a public Wi-Fi hot spot in a in a well traffic area may be even -- not. Is a hijack of the of the Wi-Fi hot spot so the when you go to a site. It is -- what you think it -- for example you go to Twitter or you go to FaceBook. And it looks like FaceBook in the address -- says FaceBook dot com and -- -- -- Internet username and your password. And it says oh sorry please try again. -- try again and works well what's just happened is you've gone to a site that looked like FaceBook it captured your username and password. And then it -- -- over to the real FaceBook so everything you don't you're none the wiser meanwhile. Your information has been active because the person who owns that Wi-Fi hot spot has hijacked it and stolen and -- for. Nation from. Guerrilla it -- -- as a feature where you can -- throughout the texts. A number and mouse and -- like a one time password FaceBook using improving its its its security tech networks but it's something like right there are also more sites are using SS self which is a secure way to inking. Transmit information between a browser and a server somewhere if you have an SSL connections APEC into a bank and you're actually are connected that bank and not a a fake one. And that is SN SSL encrypted -- actually fairly safe you're safer connecting to your bank. Then you are connecting to some social network that's not using HTTP yes. Oddly enough. That's why by the way some financial sites when you log on they have this process that goes like this you go to the site. You give -- your username and -- your password. The inhibitor then you get a second page and on that second page -- putting your password but before you put in the past -- you see there's little picture. And that picture is one that you -- for example. The Golden Gate Bridge -- you select from bunch that picture is the site's password to use and the picture comes up wrong you know. That that is not the real site because they don't know -- your picture and I think that question a couple times that's why they do that program. It's -- just be careful now my advice is and this is expensive. The best -- when you're out in public is -- not use Wi-Fi. -- the use of portable hot spot like -- overdrive or MiFi because the cellular carrier -- controls the DNS and it's more secure. That's unfortunate that's an expense -- -- it's much safer could be pestered him. -- it depends yeah. OK another question here. We -- a couple questions that the Epsilon reached for talked about last week a watcher so this is Vanna. -- -- to -- some of the advice I heard about the show but I did not quite understandably upset about making multiple accounts with a business' name in Gmail -- -- like how to do that. Here's how you do it. What I was talking about my Gmail -- -- -- -- at gmail.com. So if you wanna send if I want to say have all my email from target. Filtered. I tell target that my email actress is Rafe dot -- -- plus target at gmail.com. The plus. Is transparent to the email address -- scheme which means that my email will still come to rate -- -- and at gmail.com it'll have this thing in the address. Field which I -- and filter on. And do that by going to -- your logo on Gmail settings filters create new and in the -- thing you say address plus whatever target. And then the next step is apply a new label. Which will be six stores last target and then archive or skip the inbox so that's that's just -- straight -- the archive. Now better way to -- this -- to get other inbox which is a free service that'll do this for you automatically without requiring -- -- -- -- So they -- I'm gonna put that in the show -- you can read it later. And here's a fun question on retaliation for the excellent -- -- yet. I suspect that in -- name on this one I suspect my email -- got caught up in the -- and Epsilon is there some way. That I can bounce the spam mail back to the sender to us to fill up their inbox and force them to remove me from their list or group of email at the I've heard of this being done -- haven't found out now. How you do this would appreciate. -- This is the revenge and -- the right here. We don't -- going all wanna do that used to get spammers airman of spam me back Meir and defense is actually going to there house and does not different -- Via an arrest having arena and that running and then when they opened the door the -- big fuzzy blob there via -- big blue bottle blue pills. They have to pay for. It. So now sadly it's simply not worth it it will not work. There inbox the spammers -- -- is nothing like your in box and doesn't exist you send an email back to that return address which may be forged anyway. Even if it does get to their computer it's going straight into the trash it's never take -- any disk space it's not going to any logs. It's just an operating so forget about it retaliation like that doesn't work you have to dig deeper like Kent says. Find out where they live -- your plane ticket to Russia and local. Anyway. I don't reply. And -- while -- work. The best retaliation -- -- retaliation for spam is it is. It's so much work you have to realize when you retaliating to a spam message that the effort. That the person on the other end of that or the mafia or the Russian mob or whatever criminal elements or -- -- are sending you spam. Or even if -- the marketing company -- the effort than they took to send that email to you is you know one you know. Micro micro micro -- no energy at -- And -- you. Spend more than a tenth of a second. That takes the press the delete button. -- that a filter quickly if you do anything more than that. You are outspending them in energy and -- by eight million to one it's not worth it just delete and move on to life. -- says. Auto routing in Singapore says and another related -- question. You're talking about fun and also about last past my question is one of last pass -- reached last passes that password manager. Where you enter one password on your computer -- your phone. And that it does it -- all the passwords for all sites you visit one of last path that's reached. Just like what happened to Lifehacker and its larger network not only do you now have to change all your passwords right away. But you may not even know the password the password for certain sites. If you generated them last -- please tell users not used last -- for important web sites like banks. Unless I'm wrong. -- you are wrong but this is an important questions -- taking it for that reason that's not how last -- works. Last pass. Keeps a highly encrypted. Version of your passwords on its servers. And that data is only. If last -- is breached personal they don't store I believe this to be true American security people -- looked into this name they recommend last -- because last past. Does not store your passwords in an un encrypted format. And does not store your passport and your master password. So you can use it much more safely then entering passwords are keeping a record of your -- and some other less secure way. So even if last past goes down -- Or that the databases stolen. And -- they have been removed a super duper mega computer of the -- they can't get your passwords. I believe that -- And where it. -- -- Here's a question that I speak. -- says since all ISPs are capping data now. I was wondering if connecting your computer to a networked hard drive for using the airplay feature for Apple products uses data. I figured since everything is locally stored it should not but since it is all connected to my router and sometimes there's a question asking me for my IP address I just wanna make sure if he stated it would definitely suck. It would definitely suck but you're safe. Don't worry about it only traffic may actually make that out of your home's router. And goes to the -- its -- counts. And most of the traffic -- traffic and laden never -- store traffic doesn't if the IP -- talking about starts with 192 -- 168. That's local. There's no place that moment to balance its -- accurate -- when you're not one thing in a -- -- -- home that's your home networks local address. In IPP four. And have the data that goes that subnet in your home does not count against the -- -- he quotes so don't worry about. Or use your. You can't use -- might buyers right they -- data -- -- Idea producer. That's -- -- we got one more here -- that should surely do the super duper ultra geeky products and that the question this is down I think that there really Altman category. TC wrote I was hoping it your advice on a purchase we plan to make this week my husband -- -- are trying to decide between Cisco Linksys 4200 maximum performance simultaneous dual book dual band wireless N router. And of the net -- and 75400. Minute fifty megabit per second wireless dual band Gigabit router WNDER. 4000 which of these would you recommend. Normally we don't take very specific questions like this but I just haven't -- -- this -- over -- dome. Who actually knows the difference between these two Prada and this is why we like -- we love him because I would not -- -- this question. Neither did he said I would recommend the 4200. Or any type of true dual band in the Linksys. 3000 3200. Or 4200. They are much better than the W York he 400 and also come with a very good -- OS with quality of service engine. Users might need to know how to configure the QOS if afterward about that. The have to use web interface hopefully there won't be need for that as the streaming seems to work fine with the new ease. ES's so there you go. -- that information to your local retailer. Quick feedback here we got -- in Toronto says if you're looking for a good mp3 tiger one of the -- that -- -- MP3 -- scanner which is on download.com. It does everything and -- windows only though. And John Campbell says I just want to submit a tip about the headphone wire not problem. Generally when I have my little earbuds buds in a nice neat ring I grabbed the little -- not -- Where the two -- lines are joined to the main line and letting the rest the wires drop down if done right most the time it will untangle itself. To which I say send me -- video or I don't believe you. That's the other -- I know is on right back to my office and throwing it on the industry. Are you yes I knew you were here what we. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The headphones for this them and I'm wearing right now -- bundled up and in -- neat little bundle. When I used to work at electronic store once upon a time in the repair department actually -- computer repairs once upon a time. Come early in my career we have -- go there with the big leads stripping down and I found that this -- leads -- down on the floor unsightly. So I did but I thought I was with the -- -- -- up and I wrapped that leads all nice and tight. Cinched down put -- back man did I get yelled -- Because you know with test leads you want them to be flat and no kinks and when he wrapped things up they they hold the curves don't. -- men never do that -- and electronics to test leads headphone wires maybe athletes. -- -- All right that is it. For this week's CNET to the rescue our will be -- next -- the others -- -- to the rescue next week have you back week after that can thank you mean. Spring break for the -- okay -- Thank you -- it's great. Kelli thanks for producing I will be here on Friday though pending jury duty got this all the stuff impinge in my life. If I do not have jury duty on Friday that I will be here and we will be with Donald bell and Nicole -- talking about reams -- future. About the playbook about the Blackberry operating system that everything that's going on rim was sent to experts here from -- will be discussing that. Until Friday. Or. A week from Wednesday. Thanks for watching -- you --