Re: Additions to the iOS/Android Features Document

Alan wrote:

On 2024-05-18 05:59, Andrew wrote:

sms wrote on Fri, 17 May 2024 18:22:21 -0700 :
>

    For portable storage, it's much easier to plug a (compatible)
memory-stick into the USB or Lightning port. There are many such
memory-sticks, most with dual plugs of different types (USB-A, USB-C,
Micro-USB, Lightning). Yes, more expensive than a MicroSD card, but
much, much more convenient.

>
And then carry around a separate device?!
>
If you like to store large quantities of photos, music or audiobooks or
video content on your phone then the MicroSD card expansion is great.
That said, none of the phones I currently use have a MicroSD card slot.

>
Keep in mind that "portable" storage means different things, none of which
an iPhone can do, but all of which an Android phone with an sd card can do.

 Keep in mind that that which follows is pretty much all bullshit...
 

>
#1. Sure it means "expanding" the memory - but almost nobody does that
     (as it's too slow and limiting in a variety of ways we all know about).

 "almost nobody does that" would mean "almost nobody does" virtual memory...
 ...and both Android and iOS definitely DO employ virtual memory.
 

>
#2. And just as sure, it means "extending" the memory - but everyone knows
     that also - which is what most people do to store pictures & videos.

 And now the doofus mixes his use of the term "memory".
 "memory" on a computing device has always been used to refer to "random access memory" which is volatile and where data is store when being access by the CPU to execute instructions.
 So MEMORY is NEVER used to "store pictures & videos": that is STORAGE.
 "Storage" is used to refer to the non-volatile medium used to store data long term.
 But more on the reference to '"extending" the memory' in a moment.
 

>
#3. Also, just as surely, it means popping the card into another device
     (usually a PC) for the purpose of backing up or moving data.

 Hmmmmm...
 If you "extend" the "memory" (actually storage)...
 ...wouldn't that mean that only SOME of the data is on the removable storage?
 

>
#4. But what very few people understand it also means you can swap the
     card out of your old phone into your new phone and EVERYTHING works!

 And wouldn't it also mean that "EVERYTHING" isn't ON the removable storage?
 

>
None of that can an iPhone do (which is one reason iPhones are severely
limited, not only in lack of software functionality, but hardware too).

 My iPhone backs itself up to the cloud, but if I preferred, I could have it back up to my computer.
 

>

You're pretty much limited to very low end phones if you want a MicroSD
card slot and/or a headphone jack, with the exception of the Sony XPERIA
phones (which can cost more than an iPhone Pro Max model).

>
  *The best Android phones with expandable memory*

 Storage not memory.
 

  <https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-phones-expandable-memory-696913/> >
>
Sony Xperia 1 V
MSRP: $1,399.99

 So to transfer between devices as you suggest...
 ...you have to disable your phone twice (once to take it out, once to put it back in)...
 ...because:
 'microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)'
 

>
Sony Xperia 10 V
MSRP: 449.00 Euros

 Same.
 

>
Samsung Galaxy A55
MSRP: $470.00

 Same.
 

>
Samsung Galaxy A35
MSRP: $400.00

  Same.

>
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024)
MSRP: $299.99

 At least this one has a dedicated slot...
 

>
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
MSRP: $200.00

 ...but then we're back to a slot shared with the SIM!
 And having to temporarily deactivate the phone's most important functions just to transfer data seems...
 ...pretty impractical to me.
 And to put it in perspective, less than a quarter of the Android phones released in the last 3 years have separate card slots for storage.
 And only about 60% have any kind of storage card support at all.

Did any early iphones ever support storage cards? I never had iphone till 2021 (SE2020 model). Never had an android either.
My iphone does have a really slow primitive lightning port that works with old usb2 flash drives. I had to buy the special apple gadget that allows using a flash drive or camera on the lightening port. No usb3 speed. Why the hell do they call something this slow "lightning"?  It's also real clumsy with the files app, but it does actually work if you are persistent. Not really worth the effort.
But the phone works really well. Reminds me of my first computer in 1982, an Ohio Scientific single board with 6502 microprocessor running at 1 Mhz. (no storage card either, just 300 baud cassette tape)
I just use all apple garden supplied stuff. iCloud, apple account, app store, iTunes, etc. It's a hell of a lot easier that way. Too much work to try to use any other way. I have never done a "jailbreak", nor even peeked over the garden wall.
I can say it works very well, but sometimes I feel like I am in the year 1980 when I power on my trusty iphone. Still, it works, so I'm not whining, I just take it for what it is ... as reliable as any modern pocket "telephone".