Switching Sides: A Journey from Android to iPhone and MacOS to MS Windows

Introduction:

It’s a lot easier to stick to what you get used to and feel relatively comfortable. It had been at least a decade I had been sticking with Android and MacOS. Yes, although I had been using Macs for so long, I never stuck with iPhone altogether. In the past, what made me choose Android was the difference in price when Apple had no local manufacturing and Samsung had (nowadays Apple does have local manufacturing for many iPhone models which makes price tags between Apple and Samsung similar). For this reason I did stick with Android and saw the feature wars between iOS and Samsung Android for many years. It was interesting to see how catch up on features worked between the OSs. Back then, to switch from Windows to MacOS was almost a no brainer: Windows was clunky, buggy and the search for a device driver was a nightmare. The grass was greener on the MacOS, everything seemed cleaner, straightforward and quicker. Also, Apple hardware back then was more reliable than the myriad of Windows notebooks.

Reasons for Switching:

The catalyst for change came from within my own family. One of my daughters has a Microsoft Surface Pro for a long time already, it runs great and the hardware is intact. My other daughter had tried to switch from iPhone to Android but it didn’t last long, she decided to return to iPhone. Some months ago my wife was supposed to get a new iPhone and switch from a Google Pixel but she didn’t have the patience to make the move. So suddenly I had a brand new iPhone at my disposal to do the move. And I also felt bad that every time that someone asked me something about Windows, I was more and more ignorant about the matter, dealing so many years only with MacOS.

Challenges and Preparation:

The transition process was not without its challenges. Migrating accounts, from Google to iCloud and beyond, required meticulous planning and attention to security details (taking note of Google account, recovering your iCloud account and your corporate and personal email accounts). The part that you really need to place close attention is security, you have to take note of passwords, phone numbers, alternate recovery email accounts, trusted contacts, MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) methods and pay very close attention in the migration process which account data is being asked for. Backing up data and adjusting to new interfaces demanded patience and perseverance. Yet, after two days of focused effort, I bid farewell to my Android phone and Mac, embracing the unknown ahead.

Transition Experience:

Initial impressions with my iPhone were mixed as everyone tags iPhone as being super intuitive. However, familiar tasks using iPhone suddenly seemed daunting, requiring frequent Google searches for guidance. Simple things like selecting photos and using a bilingual keyboard are very different. Yet, I found solace in the superior bilingual capabilities of Siri and the seamless music experience on iOS. The integration of Google apps alongside iCloud eased the transition, bridging the gap between familiarity and novelty.

Similarly, my experience with Windows proved pleasantly surprising. Gone were the sluggish performances and driver issues of the past. Instead, I marveled at the swift boot times and intuitive features, such as facial recognition login. The Microsoft Store provided a wealth of applications, mirroring the convenience of the Apple App Store. Notably, the discovery of an iCloud app for Windows further streamlined my transition from Android to iPhone.

Comparison of Platforms:

Comparing iPhone and Windows to their Android and MacOS counterparts revealed both similarities and differences. While each platform had its strengths and weaknesses, I found myself embracing the versatility of a leaner Windows and the refinement of iOS.

Conclusion:

In retrospect, I am glad I made the leap. By remaining technology agnostic, I opened myself up to new experiences and perspectives. While it's easy to become entrenched in one ecosystem, it often obfuscates your ability to see if the grass in the other side is greener. Yet, by embracing change, I expanded my knowledge and appreciation for the diversity of technology. So, as I settle into my new devices, I do so with a renewed sense of curiosity and adaptability.