I am not really interested in gaming whatsoever but some things just simply amaze me at times. Before I was amazed by what iPod Touch 4th generation can do with its updated specifications such as the 1GHz A4 Processor with a powerful GPU and the Retina Display. The games were running seamlessly and comes in great detail. Take for instance the game title “Real Racing 2”. I got that game after playing its predecessor, Real Racing, though the Golf GTi (Free) Edition. I was amazed by the level of detail that they can put on such games especially that I am a fan of the Gran Turismo series and I love cars that look realistic. Other games that became famous in the older iPod generations run like clock work and produced better view of the game.
Then here comes the new kids on the block. The Android platform is an open source operating system, pretty much like the Linux to Windows. It took time before devices running on Android platform received the “Core” upgrades and now, most of the Android-running devices are packed with on-par graphics that the iPod Touch 4th Generation was packed with. But how are these gadgets with hidden talents really come into reality? Well, as a person who doesn’t like to fiddle with manufacturers’ settings, I’m here to tell you my story about these games and how are they like to live with.
I got the iPod Touch first before I got an Android Device. Although I’ve been fiddling with Android devices since, I wasn’t holding something pretty much on the same level as the iPod touch. Oh, let me just remind you that the iPod Touch is just like an iPhone with the phone and some minor features removed. So the whole chipset behind this device just have two major tasks: Multimedia playback and Application ops. From experience, this 4th generation is really a gigantic leap from the older ones simply because of what it can do. Just check this image for example, which is a screenshot from Real Racing 2:
That game runs just slightly below 60 fps and running the same game on an older gen iPod touch would make it a bit laggy and it gives you great reflection and object detail in the package. So with this specs, there should be no problem with your portable gaming but for me, there are some problems. First of all, if you’re one of those people who are afraid of the word “JailBreak” (like me), you’ll be forever crying over these games unless you have a credit card, willing to spend or you have someone to buy it for you. If you want to jailbreak your iPod then I guess there should be no problem with that but I am not the sort of person who want to fiddle with stuff that is already in a good operating condition. So cost of the application is a problem unless you fiddle with your iPod’s OS. The danger with fiddling with OS’s of devices is pretty apparent during the times when people try to put custom firmwares on PSP’s : Brick. Which means this business is risky so you’ll end up buying your apps or get nothing.
But there’s no fiddling with the Android platform. Before, they had to perform the same action as jailbreaking because of the introduction (probably) of the Android Market but some developers are quite clever. Now, the developers leave your favorite full version apps for free but with ads. Now, for me who’s not very meticulous about such stuff, games with ads are fine. Although in the market, you can still buy the full version without the ads, just like the ones from iTunes store. Moreover, new versions of Android OS now lets you install applications that are outside the Market. Which means, you can go wherever you want, download the application file, download an application installer app(whut?!) and then install your much awaited app in no time. Also, the graphical performance is pretty much the same as the iPod touch’s. The speed is also quick and seamless. Sometimes it lags but you’ll realize that it’s because of one important feature that iPod touch doesn’t have to worry about which is the phone feature. I downloaded the Asphalt 6 and I got the HD as the compatible one for Desire S, which is the one also suitable for iPod touch 4th gen. 😀 Yipee.
Sounds clever?
Problem is, if you try to look at the price of the iPod touch compared, let’s say to the Android device I’m using which is a Desire S, iPod touch is cheaper as a multimedia tool. What’s more, iTunes offer the application download in package which makes it compatible to most of its devices. Android Market does the compatibility check as well but if you download outside the market, you’d still have to check compatibility issues with regards to your device. I’ll give you an example, it took me weeks to get the proper version of Asphalt 6 HD on the Desire S. Since it’s a new device, not much all of these applications are compatible with it. You’ll have to deal with specifications such as what phone you’re using, what chipset/processor/GPU it is using, it is horrible if your patience is short for that! Also, since Android platform is not as famous as iOS platform, and that Android is considered to be “easier to access”, most developers put their money on the iOS platform. Only a few games from the iOS platform were ported to Android devices.
Seems like the iPod Touch gaming wins? A simple jailbreak would do a lot but were talking here about not fiddling with your phone’s OS. So from that standpoint, for me, the Android wins. All I did was just find the right version and you can even consult the Android Market for it. Aside from that, you can even do some experiments of installing different versions and see which one works and it won’t damage your phone.
AND I THINK I can save the Android device from the cost issue. The reason why iPod touch is cheaper is because of iPhone. 😀 Get an iPhone and you’ll spend whopping chaching more than the price of the iPod. The Android devices have reasonable price because of their phone capabilities as well as open-ness to different application business. 😀
So, where would I stay? I guess I’d go for the Android device. Sneaky me, of course, for getting the cracked apps from the internet rather than buying from the market but, if you think about it, why would they offer the app installer in the market for free? why would there be an option to allow you to install application downloaded outside the market? Apple can charge you lotsa money from iPod and iPhone in the same way that Aston Martin can charge 140,000 pounds off the Rapide: because they can. They have an appeal already, they made a good start. I’m always saying this that Apple devices are starting to become fashion items rather than gadgets to marvel at. Android devices charge you expensive prices at high-end units because of the hardware and software developments, such as the HTC Sense. You can see the development from the Android devices because they give you all of the information, just like when you buy a computer. 😀 You can see their progress and because Android platform is being used widely by a lot of companies, the competition for developing better products is pacing so fast that it can actually catch up with the iOS.
Come on, iOS is oooooooooooooooooold. 😀
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Devices used:
iPod Touch 4th Generation (iOS4)
HTC Desire S (Android 2.3 Gingerbread)
HTC Desire S image courtesy of Engadget.
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