Apple Tries To Acquire Dropbox for $800 Million, Dropbox Refuses

[Graham]

Originally Posted by stonetools

I have an iPad-I don't own a digital camera
My sister has an iPhone-she doesn't have a digital camera
For a lot of folks-especially younger ones-their phone IS their digital camera.
I would say that techno-sohispicates and serious photographers know SD cards and understand that they come in different flavors, etc. But that's not the average phone user.

We obviously live in different worlds. I walk down the high street and in the shops there, or those in airport and railway outlets, or in malls and consumer superstores I see rack after rack of SD cards for sale. And not just in electronics or camera stores. You can buy them in newsagents, stationers, pharmacies and department stores.

My impression is that most people understand that you stick them in the device and save stuff to them.

Sometimes it's a bit more complicated - I agree with the comments on the the way older versions of Android prevented installing apps, rather than data, to cards - but nothing that the average person can't figure out. And mostly it's not more complicated.

You stick the card in the device and save stuff on it. If you stick it in a computer a folder pops up showing you your stuff, just like the other folders.

Dropbox is wonderful, I use it all the time, but I'd happily take the bet that more of my friends and family know how to use an SD card than Dropbox.

Graham

[kjk]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

The user interface complication does not come from it being an SD card, but from having multiple different storage options.

And for anyone not somewhat techy, the initial Android approach to SD cards *was* a bit odd in how it was implemented at first, at least according to some enthusiasts, including some right here who are definitely techy. And a phone (or tablet) is certainly a bit more complex in how it deals with storage than a camera, including what should and shouldn't be stored on the SD.

And as noted before, obviously implementing SD storage isn't trivial-witness Motorola's difficulty in getting their SD slot activated on the XOOM, and the issues WP7 users struggled with.

As you said-not rocket science, but pretending it's been a slam dunk experience on mobile phones and tablets is stretching it (esp. compared to other consumer devices that use SD Cards)

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by stonetools

I have an iPad-I don't own a digital camera
My sister has an iPhone-she doesn't have a digital camera
For a lot of folks-especially younger ones-their phone IS their digital camera.
I would say that techno-sohispicates and serious photographers know SD cards and understand that they come in different flavors, etc. But that's not the average phone user.

I guess you are implying the the "average phone user" can no longer figure out how to put a CD or a DVD in a player and punch the START button.

Using a SD card really should be no more complex. If it is, (or there are compatibility problems), that is the problem of the OS writers, not the users.

[stonetools]

I think that people who own digital cameras are very familiar with SD cards. People who don't own digital cameras-not so much. Even now-in fact, especially now- people just use ththeir cameras as phones, and most non-smartphones don't have SD cards slots.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by stonetools

I think that people who own digital cameras are very familiar with SD cards. People who don't own digital cameras-not so much. Even now-in fact, especially now- people just use ththeir cameras as phones, and most non-smartphones don't have SD cards slots.

It should also be noted though, that in order to get the photos off those non-smartphones the standard way is to connect them to a PC, up pops the folder, drag off your stuff... essentially the same action but shifted to a computer - which is what we're arguing that your average user could figure out when using a tablet.

(Points above regarding poor implementation accepted.)

Graham

[stonetools]

Using a SD card really should be no more complex. If it is, (or there are compatibility problems), that is the problem of the OS writers, not the users.

Note "should". It apparently IS more complex, on mobile devices. Android seems to have made a hash of it, Microsoft implemented SD card capability with limitations, and Apple avoided the problem altogether. All different and (defensible) design choices.

A certain lazy person (guess who?) said, "things should be made as simple as possible , but no simpler." That sums up nicely Apple's approach to design. Apple's way is to figure out the best and simplest way to do something , and implement only that way. With Android, you get every option, and its up to the consumer to choose an option. Microsoft is kind of in the middle.
Apple's approach to storage is simple: internal storage only, three levels , and three price points. Not much flexibility, but you know in advance what you are getting.
Android gives you a base level, but removable storage options. You can mix, match, and change -but you might also have to do research, go on forums, and figure out which SD card works best. If you are a techie, you're fine with that. Non-techies prefer Apple's "appliance" approach. There you have it.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by Graham

It should also be noted though, that in order to get the photos off those non-smartphones the standard way is to connect them to a PC, up pops the folder, drag off your stuff... essentially the same action but shifted to a computer - which is what we're arguing that your average user could figure out when using a tablet.

(Points above regarding poor implementation accepted.)

Graham

You'd be surprised how few people know how to get their photos off their phones. A lot of people just take photos, keep them on their phones, and share those photos by handing their phones to somebody. The average user isn't quite as techie as techies believe.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by stonetools

Note "should". It apparently IS more complex, on mobile devices.

I can't think of a simpler way than what Android does. You connect the phone to your PC, and green android appears on your screen, you touch it, your SD card is mounted and you see it on your PC. When you're done, you eject from the PC and off you go. Yes, it is simpler not to have an SD card and have no file transfer capabilities (other than a convoluted way via iTunes), but if you want the extra capacity, SD card is the way to go.

[Graham]

Well, at least among the younger generation I'd hazard a guess that they know how to get the photos off and up to Facebook. But I won't argue the percentage as neither of us can really know.

However, out of interest:

Originally Posted by stonetools

Android gives you a base level, but removable storage options. You can mix, match, and change -but you might also have to do research, go on forums, and figure out which SD card works best. If you are a techie, you're fine with that.

Originally Posted by stonetools

You'd be surprised how few people know how to get their photos off their phones. A lot of people just take photos, keep them on their phones, and share those photos by handing their phones to somebody. The average user isn't quite as techie as techies believe.

Are you counting the people who read the little booklet that comes with the phone which explains how to use it (and which SD cards to buy), or who wonder what the USB lead is for, among the 'techies'?

Graham

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Graham

Well, at least among the younger generation I'd hazard a guess that they know how to get the photos off and up to Facebook. But I won't argue the percentage as neither of us can really know.

However, out of interest:





Are you counting the people who read the little booklet that comes with the phone which explains how to use it (and which SD cards to buy), or who wonder what the USB lead is for, among the 'techies'?

Graham

Assume that they can read. Sadly, in the US today, there is no assurance of that...

[ST-One]

Originally Posted by stonetools

I have an iPad-I don't own a digital camera
My sister has an iPhone-she doesn't have a digital camera
For a lot of folks-especially younger ones-their phone IS their digital camera.
I would say that techno-sohispicates and serious photographers know SD cards and understand that they come in different flavors, etc. But that's not the average phone user.

I'm sorry, but you are making Apple users look like imbeciles - which most of them most certainly are not.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by afv011

I can't think of a simpler way than what Android does. You connect the phone to your PC, and green android appears on your screen, you touch it, your SD card is mounted and you see it on your PC. When you're done, you eject from the PC and off you go. Yes, it is simpler not to have an SD card and have no file transfer capabilities (other than a convoluted way via iTunes), but if you want the extra capacity, SD card is the way to go.

What can I say? I did not have that happy-clappy experience with SD cards when I installed and tried to use an SD card on my Android phone. Maybe because it was a pre-2.2 phone? Maybe I had the wrong type of SD card? I don't know . It wasn't simple for ME.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by stonetools

What can I say? I did not have that happy-clappy experience with SD cards when I installed and tried to use an SD card on my Android phone. Maybe because it was a pre-2.2 phone? Maybe I had the wromg type of SD card? I don't know . It wasn't simple for ME.

Well, you weren't alone. Lifehacker did a roundup of their biggest Android annoyances, and SD card operation was right up there.

On "stock" Android phones, the USB mounting process is multi-step (plug, pull-down, click, click, wait, wait more, go). On customized Droids and HTC phones, you've either installed special Windows/Mac software to recognize your phone, or it's the same kind of annoyance.

Lifehacker's readers tend to be on the more technical side, as well.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by Graham

Well, at least among the younger generation I'd hazard a guess that they know how to get the photos off and up to Facebook. But I won't argue the percentage as neither of us can really know.

However, out of interest:





Are you counting the people who read the little booklet that comes with the phone which explains how to use it (and which SD cards to buy), or who wonder what the USB lead is for, among the 'techies'?

Graham

Look, I don't know what you are arguing here. If you are trying to show that SD cards work all the time, that ALL mobile devices should have SD card slots on them, and that Apple is wrong for not including them on mobile devices, well, that's your opinion.
I think what you have are different design choices and you pick the one you like, understanding that others have different opinons , life experiences, and levels of technical knowledge. I'll just leave it there.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by ST-One

I'm sorry, but you are making Apple users look like imbeciles - which most of them most certainly are not.

Well, it appears that you like SD cards and think that anyone who doesn't share your preference for them is an imbecile. Says more about you than about Apple users, really.