5 initial thoughts after switching from Android to the iPhone

I've been an Android smartphone user for several years. I've owned a few different Android smartphones running almost every version of Android. In parallel, I've been an iOS user with an iPod touch and an iPad. So, you can say that I've been living in both worlds.

I recently decided that it was time to make the transition from an Android smartphone to an iPhone. I had been debating this for a while since the iPhone 4S is not on the 4G network. However, I wanted to hang on to my "unlimited data" on Verizon wireless for as long as possible, so I decided to use up my device upgrade and get the iPhone 4S.

Here are a few of my initial impressions:

1. I don't really miss the fact that I no longer have 4G. I'm not a heavy user of uploading/downloading content, plus I can simply switch to Wi-Fi to sync my photos and videos.

2. Compared to most Android smartphones that have larger screens, the font on the iPhone 4S is tiny. The screen on the iPhone is smaller (3.5 inches vs. 4+ inches on Android devices). That 1/2 inch can really make a difference. I find myself pinch-to-zooming more just to read my emails on my iPhone. I never had to zoom to read emails on my Android.

3. Battery life on the iPhone 4S is not sufficient. Then again, most Android smartphones aren't either, but at least you have the option of getting an extended battery. I've concluded that I need to carry my iPhone 4S in a battery case (which adds to bulk and weight).

4. I really miss certain features on my Android. I miss the free GPS turn-by-turn navigation provided by Google Maps. I'm using the MapQuest app on my iPhone, but it's not nearly as nice. GPS navigation is coming in iOS 6, so let's see how that works. I also really miss the fact that my Android had a built-in microSD slot so that I could switch cards and move files around very easily. I also really miss the navigation buttons my Android: Menu, Back, Search. These buttons really improve my productivity and workflow. The Apple iOS is designed to be simple, which is great for most people. Sophisticated users may get frustrated by the simplicity of the Apple iOS. In that regard, I'm probably more like Steve Wozniak and less like Steve Jobs.

5. Finally, it's nice to have access to a wider range of apps on the iPhone. Of course, Android is catching up rather quickly, but Android developers are definitely behind when it comes to professional medical apps. Most popular consumer apps are available on both iOS and Android.

I'm still hanging on to my Android smartphone because I may switch back. I'm going to use the iPhone for a few weeks before I make that final determination. If I decide to go back to Android, the only substantial thing I'll really miss is the inability to carry around an ECG in my pocket (because I carry my iPhone 4S in an AliveCor iPhone ECG case).