Dumping iPhone - AirPlay alternative?

ambiophonics

So I'm looking at dumping my iPhone 5 and sprint and getting a new service provider and android phone. I'm tired of the iPhone's short battery life and sprint's failure to provide decent service in my area. The problem is I use AirPlay a lot. I have an Apple TV I use to stream audio to my main stereo and two airport express units in other rooms. Has anyone used any of the AirPlay apps (some involve rooting) on android and had success? It's not clear to me how easy they are to use, or if they would provide CD quality streaming (I stream with Tidal HiFi). Are there other options I should be looking at outside of the AirPlay protocol? Thanks for any advice.

tonyb

I'm no apple expert, but I don't believe you can mix and match apple devices with android.

AsSiMiLaTeD

What kind of battery life are you looking for? Why not just get a current model iPhone? I have the 6 and it's never failed to make it a whole day even under heavy use, the 6 Plus is even better and can easily make it two days.

There are several alternatives to AirPlay, you've got whole systems like SONOS and then standards like Bluetooth and the new protocol from I think Dolby or DTS called PlayFi.

Tony is mostly correct about mixing Apple and Android. It can be done in some cases but honestly the most compelling reason to go Apple is because all their stuff works so well together. When you start breaking that up their products begin to lose some of their appeal. If I went the Android route I'd also likely ditch the Apple TV and go with their box.

ambiophonics

I didn't realize Apple had improved the iPhone 6 battery that much, my 5 has trouble getting through a day, especially after the recent OS updates. I'll look into the 6 with Verizon. The phone that was tempting me is the Sony Experia Z3. Waterproof and a 2 day battery life.

jeremymarcinko

Get the HTC one m8. That is what I use. HTC has a feature called HTC Connect that works like airplay and works with the airplay in my Yamaha Avr. I just swipe two fingers up on my phone and the music starts playing through the stereo.

ambiophonics

Have you ever tried the AirPlay function with something like an airport express? I wonder if it is using AirPlay to the receiver or DLNA?

AsSiMiLaTeD

As much as I love the materials and styling of the HTC I'd suggest your do some research before getting it, as it has several drawbacks.

ambiophonics

Can anyone comment on battery life on the iPhone 6 compared to the 5?

EndersShadow

I moved from a iPhone 4 to a HTC One to a iPhone 6 plus. I am on my phone most of the day and can still get ~1.5 days a charge out of it (but if I am close to a charger why not just charge it).

I've never gotten CLOSE to running from 100% down to under 20 in a day. And lets be honest, how often do you go a full night without charging?

My wife's got the 6 and she gets at full day out of it as well and she watches netflix lots at work (yeah I know must be nice) on her phone.

ZLTFUL

I went from the 5 to the 6 plus and haven't regretted it one bit. In fact, I went all day Thanksgiving day, all day the day after and into that Saturday before needing to charge with moderate use. Surprising to say the least coming from a 5 that wouldn't make it a day with little/no use.

Like Assimilated said, stick with one or the other as things get cludgy when you mix "brands". Sure you can make them work but why deal with duct tape and bailing wire if you don't have to?

ambiophonics

@ender - thanks for the feedback. With my current iphone 5 I can kill it before lunch if I'm on it a lot, the new OS really took a hit on battery life.

jeremymarcinko

I agree if you're already deep into Apple territory, then keep going. But if you are ready to try android, the lastest HTC one m8 , will likely give you the best experience. And no I have only used the airplay on my Avr with the HTC.

tonyb

EndersShadow wrote: »

I moved from a iPhone 4 to a HTC One to a iPhone 6 plus. I am on my phone most of the day and can still get ~1.5 days a charge out of it (but if I am close to a charger why not just charge it).

I've never gotten CLOSE to running from 100% down to under 20 in a day. And lets be honest, how often do you go a full night without charging?

My wife's got the 6 and she gets at full day out of it as well and she watches netflix lots at work (yeah I know must be nice) on her phone.

Not to be a fly in the ointment.....ok, guess I am....but, you do coding at work yet your on the phone most the day ? Your wife watches Netflix...at work...on her phone ?

Nah, your not addicted to that little gadget. LOL There's a time and a place to play with your toys, work isn't one of them.

RamZet

There isn't a setup as easy and clean as apple TV and airtunes. Just order a iPod touch.
Chromecast is garbage.

txcoastal1

ambiophonics wrote: »

I'm tired of the iPhone's short battery life and

FYI- more than likely the battery issue is due to recall and free replacement.
Had the same issue. Got it swapped for free at Apple store and phone is golden

[Deleted User]

Battery life on any phone is also highly dependent on your signal strength. The weaker the signal, the faster your battery will drain.

I don't know where you live, but any service carrier will not matter if you choose one with a weak signal where you are. An update on OS will not automatically make your battery better, just the reception. With stronger signal attenuation will also come with it, higher demand on power.

Anyhow. If you have and earlier version of Apple TV, jailbreak it, stuff XBMC on it, and sell it for a couple g's.

Now. How many androids do you want? Haha

Halen

EndersShadow

tonyb wrote: »

Not to be a fly in the ointment.....ok, guess I am....but, you do coding at work yet your on the phone most the day ?

Tony, my phone usage at work is running music out of my iPhone into a headphone amp while I code. I pick a genre and just let it ride for the day. Keeps me from getting distracted by my cube mates.

tonyb wrote: »

Your wife watches Netflix...at work...on her phone ?

She more "listens" to her TV shows with a earbud in one ear when it gets slow (customer service @ a callcenter). Dont know how often it happens she does this, but at times shes not taking calls just working paperwork and thats when she does this mostly.

Mikey081057

I chose the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.... I has great battery life in normal mode and can last a week in uber battery saving mode.... Great apps great audio great screen... Really nice device. And if I want to upgrade the battery or get a spare to swap I can and I can add all the memory I can fit. I hate that Apple won't let you change your battery or add memory. And it doesn't have bloatware.