I switched to a Google pixel. However, I could be back iOS.

I currently rock an old iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020 model). However, I attempted a Pixel 5 prior to this. There are indeed some nice features about Android in general, though I am still under the belief that whatever works for each person, is 'that' persons best system. Personally Apple owns me because I can never leave the rotor or the customizable gestures on iOS. Now, I realize that Android also has custom gestures.... kinda sorta. And even a rotor-esque feature (Flick down, then up quickly, and vice versa), but it just doesn't compare to IOS's rotor/custom gesture combo.

Thanks for posting the above though, I'm sure it will help give a little insight to anyone thinking of switching from one to the other. 😎📱

Call me jaded if you want but for most things android and iOS really aren't that different, especially if you're using a pixel. Give it a little time, maybe go customize your talkback gestures some kind of way that seems good to you and one thing about android that might be a little weird at first is it really helps to know where all the icons are on the screen. Flicking around works but it's not as easy as you're probably used to with voiceover, there are lots more things to flick through so I'd suggest exploring your screen especially in new apps, it gets easier with time but it was really weird to me at first. I can't really help you with new apps getting put on the bottom of your screen because I'm always using a braille display or Braille screen input so it's faster for me to just open up the search box in my recent apps list and go from there but I bet there's a way to do what you want.

The following link is based off of the Pixel 3, but it might help with the 'new apps on bottom' issue you are experiencing.

Link: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/137539432/how-do-i-remove-the-bar-recently-opened-apps-at-bottom-of-home-screen-pixel-3-android-12?hl=en

To summarize, there should be a setting called 'Home Screen Suggestions', disable this to win. 📱

HTH. 😃

Why do you refuse to look through your posts before posting them?

I understand that on android it's a bit harder to edit but this is a blindness forum where we need to understand what is being said as clearly as possible.

I don't want to get into this again so am only asking once more and will drop it afterward but please try to at least edit your posts because at the moement it says paul instead of pore and there are lodes of little mistakes.

I'm not saying this is your english homework but you need to try at least. I'm telling you man, if you want a job in the future to do with computers and you just use voice to text and don't check your spelling; your boss is more likely to fire you because of these little errors.

I could ask you through email but feel like putting it out here will hopefully stick more than just an email you can delete and throw away.

Anyway, if you're thinking of switching back to the IPhone, I think you need to do it within 30 days of buying it.

As for the bottom row of apps, you might be able to get a launcher that changes that but i've not used android enough to let you know about a good one. I have heard nova launcher is good but you'll have to try it and see for yourself.

Thanks for the pro/con list. Why did you get the Pixel phone if you prefer iPhone?

I'd honestly consider getting the Pixel myself, but I love AirTags and my AirPods. And just waiting for the Pixel watch to get better.

@Brad because it's Dominic who will never listen - just check the title of the post, and also because AppleVis doesn't make it a requirement. As far as this very post is concerned, I stopped in the middle because of the frequency of errors and maybe because I have little appetite for yet another hackneyed iOS vs. Android comparison with more substance or flesh.

Perhaps it's a bit fiddly but it's doable. Anyway like I said, that's the last I'll say on this.

From my understanding about android you should be able to use the xp sounds for your start up and shut down sounds, I'm not sure about talkback sounds but it wouldn't surprise me if you could do that too.

You probably have to find the files, then rename the xp files to what you want, then paste them into the folder with the exact same name then replace the files if it asks you to. It hsould be quite simple.

like my 13 pro, iPad 9 and series 7. iPad is OK but not great with a external keyboard. Never will get a Mac due to using windows and prefering it.

And that's a good justification for continuing to maintain so many errors in posts. By the same token, not everyone wants to tolerate so many semantic, spelling and grammatical issues upon reading posts, so it's up to you - I'm done with the topic, too.

Probably the most useful feature of voice over in my opinion is the two finger magic tap.
I’m pretty sure android now has an equivalent to play and pause media, and hang up phone calls, but as far as I know, it doesn’t incorporate being able to start and stop dictation.
Does android have its own custom gesture to do this?
Also, it’d be interesting to hear more about androids equivalent to the voice over rotor, something which I can’t imagine myself doing without.

Basicly you make a l shape, part of a square, then once you've done that, a menu will pop up, you then choose to move by characters, words and so on, then I believe you can use the phone buttons to do so.

I've not used Android in a year or so so it might have changed a bit but i definetly prefer apples way of doing things.

You still refuse to check and edit your posts. good luck and if you come back to iOS learn how to fix your posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's an easier way to do the rotor (navigating by headings, words etc) - just swipe to the left or right with 3 fingers. So much easier than iOS.

From what I remember about the Pixel 5 I had for a very little while; yes the 'L' shape is how you access additional functions. I cannot remember which does what, but for example if you:
• Swipe down, then immediately right (without lifting your finger) then release, you get one set of options.
• Down and left gives another.
• Up and left... up and right...
• Left and down, right and down... and so on, etc.

There is a rotor-like function as well, though I forget what it is called on Android, but it is similar to iOS's rotor; where you:
• Flick down, then immediately up, and vice versa.

Not as intuitive as iOS, but not terrible.

I will forever be an Apple fanboy however, as I am too in love with the iOS rotor, custom gestures, the shortcuts feature and a certain medical device I use that currently only works with VO on iOS.

HTH. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Hi, The Equivalent for Android is the reading controls. Basically it's the same as IOS, but with a few less opptions. There is a much easier way to access the TalkBack menu. just tap three fingers and a list of commands and options will show up. Regarding voice input the two finger double tap does not work. However, it can pause and play media. The only way I found to activate voice typing is slide your finger to the voice input button and lift your finger. Do the same action to stop voice typing.

Dominic,
Have you considered composing and editing your forum posts and comments using a hardware keyboard on either a Mac or Windows computer? In my experience, typing and editing with a hardware keyboard is easier, more reliable, and less error-prone than dictation on any platform. In addition, proofreading and editing your posts before submitting is likely to make them easier for others to understand and engage with.

which is better? I am looking for something that is better than VO and is relatively as fast as an iphone 13 or 14.
I have been really considering the switch to android but have been avoiding it because the most recent version of android that I have used was either v4 or v5.
I have assumed android has changed a lot since then.
Just posting here looking for advice.
also, any resources on switching or talkback are verry useful for me.

Personally i'd say talkback is as good as voiceover,, but you need to remember it's not the same.

i'd highly recommend checking out a phone first if you can.

As I said in your thread, i'd choose voiceover and apple over Talkback and android because of the OCR stuff apple does.

The latest google pixel in a couple years might do the same thing, AI will have improved hugely since then, but for now apple is the only one that does the on the fly text and picture recognition.