I bought an iPad2. Here's why:

Ok stop, before any of you start forming opinions and sh*t, let me explain my reasoning. This post is NOT a rant thread, nor is it a hate-on-Motorola post. I had a long, drawn-out argument on Facebook that went absolutely nowhere. So this is going to be ME explaining myself before the Android community that reads my pitiful blog.

Let me start off with Android. If you haven't realized already, I love the Android platform with a passion. I really do. I've owned 3 Android phones since October 2009, and I've loved the rollercoaster ride ever since. I've been hopelessly addicted to the software, and I absolutely LOVE getting involved in all the Android gossip regarding future developments from Google and the developer community. It's awesome. I prefer the open-sourced Android platform, as opposed to the Big-Brother iOS. Have you seen the title of this blog?

However, there are a TON of things that Google needs to work on with their Android platform. Eric Schmidt, who I saw walking up to his office not 12 hours ago, even said that the platform itself was unfinished. Two of the main things that concern me are gaming and music, two things that Apple has suddenly become prominent in.

In this post, I'll discuss the MUSIC aspect, so I can try and stay on topic. The Android's native music system is seriously the same as having a basic SD-card-based mp3 player. [Plug in phone into computer, drag and drop files into SD card, hope and pray that the file is copied correctly, change mp3 ID tags if needed, enjoy at your own risk]. I mean, there ARE alternatives in the Android market, like Doubletwist, which is REALLY NICE. But that requires you have the app installed on your phone AND on your computer. Relying on 3rd party applications in order to get the full experience out of a device is basically saying "Look at what someone else does" instead of "Look what I can do!" And as everybody knows, having multiple different processes running in the background of ANY system uses more resources, which in turn depletes battery. When you have DoubleTwist installed on your device, you have not one but FIVE processes running in the background [Android Music, DoubleTwist, DoubleTwist sync, AirSync/Play, and WiFi Screen ON]. Google has a LOT left to work on in the Music department.

Now, I know that Google has taken a step forward in the music direction with their Cloud-Based music storage and streaming situation, and it TOTALLY tops Apple at this point in time. HOWEVER, the application is for Honeycomb [as of March 2011] and for select Android devices [thanks to some crafty developers]. But even then, that adds on 2 more processes to your system, which is BAD NEWS if you have a phone that has HORRIBLE battery issues [ahem HTC EVO, etc]. Google has the potential for a good music system, they just need to implement it.

That being said, let me get to my FIRST reason as to why I'm buying an iPad2...

1.) Giant. Music. Player.

Three simple words. Yes it's big. Yes, it shall play my music. If I haven't told you all already, I washed my iTouch in the washer. I did. And I'm still bitter about it to this day. Since then, I have used my phone [with appropriate 16GB SD card that I bought for 20 bucks on Amazon--great deal] for music, which has been a good and bad thing.

The good thing was that I had one less device to worry about. I had my music and my phone all in one nifty place. So I could seriously get out of class, respond to the emails and text messages, then plug myself in and walk to my next destination. Easy, flawless, transitions. However, the BAD side of this was that the battery was affected in a major way. On Wednesdays, when I am alone at work with a giant stack of papers to grade and no students to attend to, I plug myself in and get to work. After three hours, using stock battery, the total power has dropped 30%, which basically guarantees that my phone will die by the time I'm off work and on my way home [between 8:30pm and 9pm]. I mean, I have an extended battery and stuff, but I mainly use it for going on long trips [like San Jose trip I am on now--music has been playing almost all day, HD2 is at about 20%--booyah]. The extended battery has become a hassle as well, since I have to remember to flash a compatible kernel, as well as having a phone that is two times thicker than normal.

So I need a separate music player. Yes, one separate music player. Preferably a BIG GIANT ONE, so I don't wash it in the f***ing washer again. [No I'm not bitter.]

On to reason two...

2.) Organization Organization Organization

Have you ever used iTunes? If you haven't, then you've probably lived under a rock for the past few years. In my honest opinion, it is the most organized, fully functional, and dependable music player I have ever used with any computer. Everything is organized one click, and the ID tags AND the cover art is found in the application with a few clicks. Easy. No soul-searching for hours on end. It's all done for you. And when you plug an iTunes-compatible device in, your stuff is transferred from iTunes to your device. Quite ingenious. And efficient.

Android needs that. It really does. And I can guarantee that if Android HAD a reliable, native, and fully-functional music player I would most definitely have the Xoom in my hands right now. But I don't. I have an iPad2 in the mail.

That being said, I have now exhausted myself. I have yet another long car ride in the morning, and I need as much sleep as I can before I go on this trip.

So, good night Internetz. Stay classy.

FUN FACT: Walking around the Google campus in the Silicon Valley, employees had two of the following devices on their persona [from what we saw]:

~Nexus S [SUPER SAD FACE, YES EVEN AT YOU MISTER ERIC SCHMIDT]
~MacBook Pro [17 inches, either newest model or model from early 2010]
~iPad2 [with 3G, most likely Verizon--HOW all of them got one is a TOTAL mystery to me]