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Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of

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On Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:30:44 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote :


>> All the functionalities Chris listed are available on Android, whether
>> natively, via OEM tools, or through third-party apps. 
> 
> Then it's not an Android functionality is it?

Heh heh heh... 

You're desperate to prove me correct that there is only one thing on all of
iOS that isn't on Android, and that's the use of the privileged port 445.

The question is and was always what you can do on each platform without
rooting it. That was the only stricture. Most people don't root/jailbreak.

But other than rooting, everything else was fair game.

If you want to play the game of what's native, that's fine; but that's a
completely different question given the ecosystems are very different.

>> The distinction lies
>> in meaningless branding, not in the existence of the features themselves.
>> 
>>  Apple Feature             Android Equivalent(s)
>>  --------------------------------------------------------
>>  FaceID                    Face Unlock (Pixel, Samsung Intelligent Scan)
> 
> I accept the Pixel 9 has depth perception. 
> Samsung is still 2D only so insecure. 

Heh heh heh... 

If it's on any Android, it counts, just like if it's on any iPhone, it
counts. Same rules for both platforms should be equally applied to all.

It would take forever if we judged whose was better since most things on
Android are far more functional & most on iOS are far easier to use.

You don't seem to comprehend that they're two different ecosystems.

Although we all would likely agree that there are major players, where,
surprisingly, Google doesn't rank in the top 5 around the world (but Google
is number 4 in the USA by units sold - so it's complicated as you know).

Worldwide Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo & Vivo are the top four, although in the
USA the ranking is Apple, Samsung, Motorola & Google as the top four.

So I'd initially focus on that set of Android phones to compare iPhones to.

>>  Universal Clipboard       SwiftKey + Windows Cloud Clipboard, Gboard
> 
> Requires a third party account and so allowing a third party to see
> everything you type and copy is deeply unsatisfactory. 

Heh heh heh ... 

Might I remind you that almost everything on iOS requires that account.

If you want to play the game of what doesn't require an account, that's
fine; but that's a completely different question given everything on iOS
requires an account (which has been proven many times in other threads).

>>                            Clipboard, Samsung Link to Windows
>>  Backtap                   Quick Tap (Pixel), RegiStar in Good Lock
>>                            (Samsung), Tap Tap (third party)
> 
> Good to see Pixel catching up. 
> However, third party apps elsewhere aren't going to work well. 

Heh heh heh... 

The whole point of Android is for 3rd-party apps to supplement the system.
You're gerrymandering what was a very simple set of rules to compare with.

The only constraint was jailbreaking/rooting was forbidden because most
people don't do that - but everything else is fair game in this thread.

>>  Geofencing and Shortcuts  Tasker, MacroDroid, Samsung Modes and Routines
> 
> This party tools and you've already shown that geofencing doesn't work. 

Geofencing works fine. What I show is only what can be done for free
and without accounts and without ads - but that's my personal restriction.

You really don't want to apply that rule to the iPhone, Chris, as if you
remove just the fact that the account is needed, nothing will work on iOS.


>>  HomeKit Integration       Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
> 
> Are they integrated into the OS or simply an app?

It doesn't matter because the functionality is there, Chris.
You're focusing only on Apple's implementation of the functionality.

Google Home integrates with Android OS features like voice assistant and
routines but it's an app, while Samsung SmartThings has OS hooks as it
comes preloaded with Samsung devices, and Home Assistant is a bit different
from both of those - but the point is that the functionality exists.

This thread would never end if it was just which apps we like best.
 
>>  Centre Stage              Auto Framing in Google Meet, Instagram Body
>>                            Frame, Samsung/Pixel tablet auto framing
> 
> App specific. Centre stage works with all apps not just Apple ones. It is
> core to iOS. 

While Apple's Center Stage is integrated into iOS and works system-wide,
Android offers auto framing too, just through a different architecture.

Everything you say is proving my point for me, Chris. 
And that's good.

Because it means you'll soon be ready to learn why.


>>  Find My                   Google Find My Device including Bluetooth
>>                            tracker support for Pebblebee and Chipolo
> 
> Nothing matches Find My for utility and ubiquity. 

It isn't about which one you like best, Chris, and it never was about that.

While Apple's Find My is tightly integrated and benefits from ubiquity
across Apple devices, Google's Find My Device offers equivalent
functionality for Android users.

Both locate phones, tablets, etc.
Both have bluetooth tracker support.
Both use a crowdsourced location network.
Both have a map view + sound alerts.
Both have offline tracking.
etc.

The fact you're picking things that you know are on Android means you're
desperate to find something - but that's good as it proves my point.


> Pebblebee and Chipolo in
> fact use the Apple Find My network. They aren't an alternative. 

That used to be true, but now both Pebblebee and Chipolo support Google's
Find My Device network natively. So Android users get the same tracking
functionality — just through a different ecosystem.

Everything you claim simply nails my point home, Chris.
Soon you may be ready to learn why.
	
> 
>>  Family Account Settings   Google Family Link
>>  Visual Voicemail          Google Phone (carrier VVM), Google Voice,
>>                            YouMail, HulloMail
> 
> Application specific. Doesn't work with traditional carriers. 

While Apple has tighter OS-level integration, Google Family Link offers
equivalent core parental controls for Android users. It even adds unique
features like instant device locking and app approval revocation.

Both platforms have visual voicemail inboxes, voicemail transcription and
carrier support while Android has extensive third-party app support but
this isn't about which one is better. While iOS integrates it into the
Phone app, Android matches the functionality and even adds transcription
and cloud sync via apps like YouMail and Google Voice.

But this isn't about which is better.
It's about what major functionality does iOS have that Android doesn't.

So far nobody has found anything other than the use of port 445 on iOS that
isn't already on Android. Once you figure out that is the answer, then, and
only then, will you be ready to learn why.

>>  FaceTime Hand Gestures    Meet, Zoom, Snapchat, Instagram filters and
>>                            reactions
> 
> Limited to app capability. Hand gestures are global in iOS/macOS. 

We all know Apple's gestures are baked into the OS, but Android users still
get expressive reactions and filters in apps like Meet, Zoom, and Snapchat.
The experience is app-driven, but the functionality of visual reactions
triggered during video calls is absolutely there on Android.

Notice how you end up proving my point, which I knew would happen, Chris.
I'm trying to teach you something you are resistant to learning, Chris.

> Claiming that instagram and snapchat are equivalent is funny. 

It's not about being one-to-one identical, Chris. It's about functional
parity. Snapchat and Instagram offer real-time AR effects, reactions, and
filters that are often far more dynamic than Apple's preset gestures. 

For users who care about visual expression, Android has it also.

>>  Scan to PDF and Annotate  Adobe Scan, Xodo, PDFelement, Google Drive Scan,
>>                            OEM camera doc scan
> 
> All third party and from experience usually require an online service. 

Most Android scanning apps work offline, including Adobe Scan and OEM
camera apps. The fact that they're third-party doesn't limit functionality.

In fact, those Android tools are far more powerful tools than Apple's
built-in options, as they have bulk OCR and advanced annotation.


>>  Sidecar (iPadOS)          Duet Display, Splashtop, Spacedesk, Samsung
>>                            Second Screen (Windows pairing)
> 
> Third party. 

Third party doesn't mean less capable. Android Duet Display and Spacedesk
have flexibility and support for Windows with full touchscreen interaction.

These are key things your beloved Sidecar doesn't even support. 
You hate that Android functionality is there, and often more powerful.

Sidecar is great if you're locked into Apple's ecosystem. But Android users
get the same second-screen experience - and more - through apps that work
across platforms and offer wired + wireless options.

It's not about which one you like, Chris.

It's about the fact there is nothing but a single port that iOS can do that
Android doesn't already do - and once you realize that - only then can you
begin to understand Apple's strategy.

> So it seems that third parties attempt to fix many Android weaknesses while
> introducing others when compared to the core functionality of iOS with no
> third party deficiencies.

I wonder if you realize you've proved my point in spades for me, Chris?

The goal was to compare whether iOS offers any functionality that Android
lacks - not whether it's built-in or third-party. And across the board,
Android delivers the same core features, usually with more flexibility and
customization. Whether it's auto framing, Find My, visual voicemail, or
second screen support, Android users have access to all of it - no rooting,
no jailbreaking - but anything else was always said to be acceptable.

If you remove the need for accounts, almost everything on iOS breaks, as
you can't even load an app or run your beloved Apple native tools, Chris.

> Also good to see some of the Pixel hardware catching up, however the
> battery performance doesn't win any prizes. Maybe the 10 will improve on
> that?

This is a separate topic, where T-Mobile is offering me a free Pixel 10 so
I just might look into it, although I hate phones missing key hardware.

But looking only at the battery, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is 5,200 mAh, but
that's only 200mAh more than my free 2021 Samsung Galaxy A32-5G phone.

Back to the main topic, if your only critique left is that Android uses
third-party apps to achieve the same functionality, then that means there
is nothing on iOS that isn't already on Android - which means you're ready
to start to begin to understand why this is the case.

Remember, the whole point was that I knew the answer but you do not.
I'm trying to teach you why, but first you have to understand iOS.

You need to try harder to find a key functionality on iOS that isn't on
Android, as you are resistant to learning what Apple's strategy really is.

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Thread

The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-13 22:30 +0000
  Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-08-14 06:53 +0200
  Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-14 05:55 +0000
    Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-14 16:50 +0000
      Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-08-14 10:38 -0700
      Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-14 18:03 +0000
        Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-19 11:58 +0000
          Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-19 14:26 +0000
            Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-20 07:10 +0000
              Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-20 16:57 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-20 21:17 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-21 00:11 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-21 07:14 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-21 21:30 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-22 02:03 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-23 11:56 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-24 01:22 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Tom Elam <thomas.e.elam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-23 16:22 -0700
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-24 01:31 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of -hh <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> - 2025-08-24 17:14 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-25 01:26 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of -hh <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> - 2025-08-25 14:41 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2025-08-26 10:00 +1200
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-26 03:06 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-26 16:26 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-27 00:48 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-27 16:43 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-28 03:13 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-28 19:23 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-28 23:48 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-29 15:28 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-30 22:22 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-08-31 16:59 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-31 18:32 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-09-02 12:32 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-02 22:03 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-02 22:50 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-03 15:28 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-03 17:11 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-08 18:55 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-09 00:13 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-09-10 15:58 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-08-27 15:38 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Tyrone <none@none.none> - 2025-08-27 21:16 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-28 03:24 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> - 2025-08-25 19:17 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-26 01:57 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-08-26 09:19 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of -hh <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> - 2025-08-26 09:23 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> - 2025-08-27 08:40 +1200
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-28 03:42 +0000
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-08-28 16:17 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> - 2025-08-28 16:19 -0400
                Re: The 11 iOS features that Arlen is ignorant of -hh <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> - 2025-08-29 10:46 -0400

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