Garmin S4 Notifications on Android

**hendog** · December 16, 2014

Searched all over the forums but could not find a definitive answer.

I have a Galaxy S4 phone running Android 4.4.4. Will the Garmin S4 talk to it? Make or break for me on this device. Thx!

**mvmac** · December 17, 2014

I think just for iPhone.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/golfing/approach-s4/prod140528.html

**Valleygolfer** · December 17, 2014

Any company that can't integrate with all mobile devices is behind the 8 ball. I would not buy it just because of their idiotic commercial. Why don't you just call Garmin and ask? I am sure they have a solid tech support service.

**billchao** · December 17, 2014

Any company that can't integrate with all mobile devices is behind the 8 ball.

You realize how difficult this task would be? Android phones aren't like iPhones. There are so many different types of devices and versions of the OS out there that developers would have to troubleshoot that most don't even bother (or have the resources to try).

**Valleygolfer** · December 17, 2014

You realize how difficult this task would be? Android phones aren't like iPhones. There are so many different types of devices and versions of the OS out there that developers would have to troubleshoot that most don't even bother (or have the resources to try).

Many other companies do it without issue. It's just transfer and display of information.

**billchao** · December 17, 2014

Many other companies do it without issue.

[spoiler=OT]I doubt that they integrate with all mobile devices without issue. More likely, they target the most popular or more likely scenarios and work on them. If you're running Android 2.2 on a 5 year old phone, you're probably SOL on a lot of apps, but if you have that combination then you probably don't care about apps in the first place.[/spoiler]I agree that the easy thing to do seems to be to contact Garmin.

**Fourputt** · December 17, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Any company that can't integrate with all mobile devices is behind the 8 ball.

You realize how difficult this task would be? Android phones aren't like iPhones. There are so many different types of devices and versions of the OS out there that developers would have to troubleshoot that most don't even bother (or have the resources to try).

More Samsung phones are sold worldwide than iPhones, along with LG, Nokia, etc (not to mention tablets), and the majority are on Android. It should be in Garmin's best interests to port to Android - they should certainly have the resources to do it, and do it right. If they don't somebody will jump to fill that need, and Garmin will be seen as little more than an Apple subsidiary - not good for the reputation they have built as the leader in consumer GPS. Most of the small planes I've flown in around the world have Garmin GPS on the instrument panel. They should certainly be able to program for Android.

**billchao** · December 17, 2014

More Samsung phones are sold worldwide than iPhones, along with LG, Nokia, etc (not to mention tablets), and the majority are on Android. It should be in Garmin's best interests to port to Android - they should certainly have the resources to do it, and do it right. If they don't somebody will jump to fill that need, and Garmin will be seen as little more than an Apple subsidiary - not good for the reputation they have built as the leader in consumer GPS. Most of the small planes I've flown in around the world have Garmin GPS on the instrument panel. They should certainly be able to program for Android.

Yes, Samsung owns the largest share of all Android device producers. It would be odd if Garmin is not supported on a Samsung device.

***iacas*** · December 17, 2014

More Samsung phones are sold worldwide than iPhones, along with LG, Nokia, etc (not to mention tablets), and the majority are on Android. It should be in Garmin's best interests to port to Android - they should certainly have the resources to do it, and do it right. If they don't somebody will jump to fill that need, and Garmin will be seen as little more than an Apple subsidiary - not good for the reputation they have built as the leader in consumer GPS. Most of the small planes I've flown in around the world have Garmin GPS on the instrument panel. They should certainly be able to program for Android.

You're not a developer. There is a reason, and Bill wrote about it above, why many, many apps are available on the iPhone first and/or only.

Android is highly fragmented. More "Samsung" phones are sold, yes, but they need to account for all manner of hardware AND software combinations that simply aren't anywhere near as plentiful as on the iPhone/iOS devices.

**hendog** · December 17, 2014

The thing that baffles me is that it is just Bluetooth and that is a specification that is independent from the OS or hardware. What is most likely happening is that Apple adds features or slightly modifies the spec to keep some accessory market share for itself and partners. This then forces companies like Garmin to either pick one or potentially over extend themselves from an IT perspective to support both.

Regarding the original question, I have seen no where on the internet that explicitly confirms the support (first hand user experience), even on Garmin's site. The best I found was this page:

http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7bbbfc9660-8f77-11e3-d5f4-000000000000%7d

This would lead most fair minded people to believe the Approach S4 WILL work on Android for the listed devices.

In the end I opted to go with the Bushnell Neo XS. I decided simpler was better. I don't need a smart watch, just a number to the center. (If I want a smart watch I'll grab a Samsung watch which I am tempted to do...)

Thanks for the discussion.

**Valleygolfer** · December 17, 2014

What is most likely happening is that Apple adds features or slightly modifies the spec to keep some accessory market share for itself and partners. Which is why I stay away from apple products.

***iacas*** · December 17, 2014

What is most likely happening is that Apple adds features or slightly modifies the spec to keep some accessory market share for itself and partners.

Which is why I stay away from apple products.

Uhm, no. BTLE is BTLE.

iOS products are a better target. Their users are higher income, the platform and API are more consistent, etc.

**Fourputt** · December 17, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

What is most likely happening is that Apple adds features or slightly modifies the spec to keep some accessory market share for itself and partners.

Which is why I stay away from apple products.

Uhm, no. BTLE is BTLE.

iOS products are a better target. Their users are higher income, the platform and API are more consistent, etc.

I need to see you back up that statement. My Galaxy S5 (Verizon) was in the neighborhood of $600 - a bit less with a 2 year contract. You aren't likely to find them with many people on the government dole.

***iacas*** · December 17, 2014

I need to see you back up that statement. My Galaxy S5 (Verizon) was in the neighborhood of $600 - a bit less with a 2 year contract. You aren't likely to find them with many people on the government dole.

Back to the topic, please.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/technology/apple/android-vs-ios-how-users-are-the-biggest-difference.html

Let’s start with the basics: According to research reported by DazeInfo, iOS users are more loyal than Android users, in terms of who intends to stay with the operating system following their next smartphone upgrade. iOS users also have more spending power than Android users, have higher income than Android users, and the average iOS user spends a lot more time on the internet than the average Android user. But here’s why iOS users are more profitable for Apple: Android owns 80.2 percent of smartphone market share worldwide, while Apple owns just 14.8 percent. Apple focuses on the premium customer in a mature market, while Android is used everywhere, by every type of customer.

http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Blog/Android-vs-iOS-User-Differences-Every-Developer-Should-Know

iPhone Users are Slightly Younger and More Affluent
iOS is popular among a slightly younger demographic than Android users, with 18-24 year olds representing 19 percent of all iPhone owners compared to 16 percent of Android owners. That said, Android users on the whole skew younger than the total U.S. mobile market, indicating that they still have a very attractive profile on this dimension. Another important demographic difference is average household income, with 41 percent of iPhone owners falling in the $100,000+ income segment vs. 24 percent of Android owners. With iPhones selling at a higher average price point than most Android phones, this difference should not be a complete surprise. Still, it may be an important differentiator for marketers.

There are a bunch more articles out there about this.

And @Fourputt , c'mon, you're one data point.

**Valleygolfer** · December 18, 2014

[SPOILER=OT][quote name="iacas" url="/t/78675/garmin-s4-notifications-on-android/0_20#post_1086062"] Uhm, no. BTLE is BTLE. iOS products are a better target. Their users are higher income, the platform and API are more consistent, etc. [/quote] Android is a stellar platform and people who want some freedom in their phone use it plus it works just as well for noobies that do nothing with it. Apple may have function over PC but it has nothing over an Android. Company perception that iphones are more advantageous to cater to for product due to media exposure is a mistake. You will be left behind if you only stay with one platform. Garmin is failing here if they don't have Android accessibility.[/SPOILER]

***iacas*** · December 18, 2014

Android is a stellar platform and people who want some freedom in their phone use it plus it works just as well for noobies that do nothing with it.

So, having been caught in a blatant lie, now you're just sharing your opinions (yet stating them as if they're universal truths). Okay.

Apple may have function over PC but it has nothing over an Android. Company perception that iphones are more advantageous to cater to for product due to media exposure is a mistake. You will be left behind if you only stay with one platform. Garmin is failing here if they don't have Android accessibility.

A lot of companies don't feel that way. There are still a lot of companies who release for iOS first and some who release for iOS only.

Again, let's stick to the topic, please.

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