Android vs Windows? or Phone vs PC? - 2020

Some years ago when I worked with my good friends at Coolsmartphone, I wrote a piece on Android vs Windows. https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2016/07/29/android-vs-windows/

I surmised that it wasnt actually the platforms that were the problem, but that the UI’s made the phone superior then the computer in many ways.

We are now in 2020, a new decade. Is that premise still true? In fact is it even MORE true? we have an insane amount of computing power in our phones now compared to 2016 when I first wrote the article. Well-Known Youtuber Juan Carlos Bagnell AKA @SomeGadgetGuy did a recent video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbL5Qk3Pilo ) in which he argued that actually you can now do more, and with greater efficiency on your phone then your laptop. Frequent travellers especially would find this interesting. So i decided to revisit this.

SCENARIO 1

I like to think of myself as an aspiring comedian, so when the Harry Meghan Megsit Saga was unfolding a few weeks ago, I decided to make a video overdubbing Prince Charles complaining about the whole situation (in Urdu). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvezjHi8qhM

YesNow I’m not just shamelessly plugging my anaemic YouTube channel. I agree it probably isnt the best video out there, the lip-syncing is wrong etc etc.

BUT

This was all done on my OnePlus 7 Pro in about 45min. That is recording a voice track, finding a video sample of a Prince Charles Speech, editing the video, changing the audio, rendering and then posting it on Youtube. All on the phone using mobile apps

FORTY-FIVE minutes, I didnt even switch my laptop on.

SCENARIO 2

I have been involved in some interviews and investigations in my role at the hospital. I also go to many courses and meetings. Windows 10 has great Inking and Stylus support and the OneNote App is great.

The other day, i just had to open a file, review the pdf, amend, and sign. Time for my trusted Lenovo Miix. Something that this device wouldve been built for right? Yes….

BUT

For some reason Windows had difficulty connecting to my Wifi, and in the end i just gave up and used my Galaxy Note Tab A + Spen (not the most common tablet out there, but a bloody good one, snap one up if you can) and in the time Windows finally connected and downloaded the files, I had already done the necessary edits, signing, inking and emailing. Max 10 minutes.

AND YOUR POINT IS?

in 2016 when i first discussed this topic, it was true of “quick” tasks like emailing and quickly editing a file. Now in 2020, in addition to those. Proper content creation can be done mobiles. On the go, no specific extra equipment required. I have even heard of a an Indian News Channel (NDTV) doing some of their studio filming on a Galaxy Note 10!

Juan is right. Maybe the phone in your pocket is all the computer you need.