Overview

In this nostalgic episode of Tek with Josh, Josh takes you back to the golden age of smartphones and breaks down the four devices that defined their eras: BlackBerry OS, Palm OS, iOS, and Android. These weren’t just popular phones — they were the ones that hit different and truly shaped what we know as modern mobile tech.

Drawing from firsthand experience working in the wireless industry during these launches, Josh shares stories, specs, and moments that you probably forgot about… or never knew happened. From BBM and push email to Palm’s gesture-based interface and early cloud backup, plus the iPhone 4’s game-changing design and Samsung’s feature-packed Galaxy S4, this episode is a full tour through smartphone history.

📌 Key Topics & Highlights

📱 BlackBerry OS Era

• Why BlackBerry was the business phone

• The beauty of the physical keyboard

• BBM: The original iMessage

• Push email and the iconic BlackBerry data plan

• The BlackBerry Pearl vs. Curve vs. 8300 Series

• Early smartphone limitations: no Wi-Fi, cameras, or touchscreens

📱 Palm OS & The Palm Pre

• Palm OS roots from the 90s

• Beaming contacts and apps through infrared

• HotSync vs. ActiveSync vs. BlackBerry Device Manager

• The Palm Pre launch story: lines, hype, and being part of the event

• Palm inventing:

– Wireless updates

– Built-in cloud backup

– Card multitasking

– Gesture navigation

• Why WebOS died, and how it lives on through LG TVs

📱 iPhone 4 — The Modern Smartphone Blueprint

• Why the iPhone 4 was such a massive leap over the 3GS

• Retina display and the shift to premium materials

• The leak that exposed the entire phone before launch

• Antennagate explained

• Front-facing camera + the birth of FaceTime

• The moment Apple changed the smartphone design language forever

📱 Samsung Galaxy S4

• Samsung’s rise from “number two” to Android king

• Why the S3 was good… but the S4 was legendary

• 1080p AMOLED screen in 2013

• Expandable storage, removable battery, and feature-packed TouchWiz

• Group Share: Samsung’s pre-SharePlay era innovation

• Why the S4 was the peak “fun era” of Android

🎙️ Personal Stories

• Josh’s time working for Sprint during major phone launches

• Being part of the Palm Pre media preview

• Using BlackBerry as a young rep and experiencing push email

• Carrying spare batteries before power banks existed

• That unforgettable moment when Apple reinvented the smartphone

💬 Why These Phones Still Matter

• Each device introduced a feature we now take for granted

• They pushed the industry forward in completely different ways

• They represent a time when smartphones were exciting, unique, and experimental

🔗 Josh’s Other Content

If you enjoyed this episode, check out Josh’s other podcasts:
Books by Josh Audio Immersion & Manga with Josh

Read more tech posts and writing at booksbyjosh.com
Support Josh on Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

In this Holiday 2025 episode of Tek with Josh, Josh delivers a detailed and real-world comparison of iOS vs Android OS for anyone choosing a new smartphone. As someone who uses both an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, Josh breaks down what each mobile operating system does better—from everyday performance and apps to battery life, customization, and ecosystem features. If you’re researching iPhone vs Android, Apple vs Samsung, or simply deciding which phone to buy next, this episode provides clear insights based on more than a decade of hands-on use with both platforms.

Topics Covered:

Apple / iOS Advantages

Why Josh uses the iPhone as his primary device

Strength of the Apple ecosystem (MacBook, iPad, AirPods, HomePods)

iMessage vs RCS and messaging reliability

App performance and exclusive apps (Instagram, Blackmagic Camera, Final Cut, Scrivener)

iOS setup experience and seamless device transfers

Limitations of iOS: file management, multitasking, and third-party app restrictions

Android OS Advantages

Customization options: widgets, launchers, themes, icon packs

Samsung Work Profile for business vs personal separation

Foldable phones and true multitasking

Android fast charging (80W–100W) and high-refresh-rate displays

New battery technologies like silicon-carbide

Gaming and emulation benefits

Downsides: bloatware, duplicate apps, inconsistent experiences on budget phones

Devices & Tech Mentioned

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (Z Fold 7 series)

HTC G2 / HTC Hero

OnePlus 3T

Nexus 6P

Samsung Galaxy S8+

MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iPad Pro, AirPods Pro, HomePods

Key Takeaways

iPhone is best for users who want a polished ecosystem, reliable apps, and simple setup.

Android is best for users who want customization, fast charging, foldables, and gaming flexibility.

Budget Android phones often suffer from bloatware and lower performance.

iOS offers excellent long-term updates and app quality, while Android offers freedom and flexibility.

The right platform depends on your tech needs and how you use your phone daily.

Services, Apps, and Platforms Mentioned

Apple Music, Apple Books

Google Play Books, YouTube Music, Google Movies

Delta emulator (iOS)

3DS emulators (Android)

Josh’s Books (by Joshua A. Rodriguez)

Private Eye: The First Adventure of Jason Streak

Still Here Somehow: Poetry From A Dark Place

More at booksbyjosh.com

Connect & Support

If you found this iOS vs Android comparison helpful, follow Tek with Josh on your favorite podcast platform. New episodes cover smartphones, tech reviews, and honest breakdowns of the devices you use every day.