Home Another Top-Tier Apple Fanboy – Andy Ihnatko – Jumps To Android

Another Top-Tier Apple Fanboy – Andy Ihnatko – Jumps To Android

One by one, many of Apple’s biggest, loudest, best-known fans are jumping ship. First came Guy Kawasaki, who has become not only an Android fan but now is consulting for Motorola. Then Robert Scoble made the leap. Now Andy Ihnatko, a tech reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, has switched to Android. Moreover, he’s writing a series of articles for TechHive explaining, in great detail, all the reasons for his move.

Frankly, on this one, I’m kind of stunned. I know Andy and I like his work. He’s one of the best Apple reporters out there, and a guy I’d kill to have writing for us at ReadWrite. He’s also about as rabid an Apple fanboy as anyone I’ve ever known. 

Ihnatko cops to that love of Apple in his article, writing that, “My positive reviews of new iPhones and new editions of iOS have always been sincere… Sometimes they’ve been downright florid. I’ve been so enthusiastic that I’ve often been accused of saying those things because I’m an Apple fanboy.”

It’s Just Better

But now Ihnatko has switched to a Samsung Galaxy S3 (the same phone I use and love, by the way) and he says he’s not going back. Why the switch?

“Here’s what changed: Android got great. The OS got great, and the hardware got great,” he writes.

I encourage you to read the whole article, but to summarize, Ihnatko cites a couple of big advantages:

Better keyboards, like SwiftKey and Swype, that let you type by dragging your finger from one letter to the next. I’m with Andy on this. Once I started using Swype there was no going back. 

Big screens. Again, I’m with Andy. Once you go to the GS3, it’s really hard to go back. Writes Ihnatko: “People whom I know, and respect, and even consider to be friends have dismissed large phone screens as a cheap marketing gimmick that targets gullible consumers in the showroom, and which doesn’t offer any practical benefits. Yikes. That’s so incorrect, so far out of whack with reality as I experience it… that I can’t even mount an argument against it. I can’t think of anything to say other than, `Nope. Wrong.'” 

Why This Matters

Among the kind of people who take this stuff seriously, Ihnatko’s defection is a big deal. This is the kind of thing that invites abuse. I know that sounds sad and pathetic, and it is. But look at the comment string under his article. Or look at this article on MacDailyNews, which includes the following:

“Andy’s lack of patriotism and morality aside (really, Andy, rewarding blatant thieves?), this sort of thing should be a wakeup call to Apple that iOS 7 and future iOS hardware should be not just a step, but a leap forward.”

And little by little, the circle of Apple fanboys who remain in denial grows smaller and smaller …  

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.