Did you really pick your phones based on the order of the hardware buttons? You certainly have the right to do so, but I would be shocked to learn that many people do this.I am glad that they all look and act a bit differently. With lots of different options it is easier to find one that works well for me.
They can't even shape them the same, put the contacts in the same spot or keep them one size.
you're glad that the user experience and consistency between devices is horrible?I am glad that they all look and act a bit differently. With lots of different options it is easier to find one that works well for me.
your analogy doesnt align at all.
They can't even shape them the same, put the contacts in the same spot or keep them one size.
he didnt pick his phone based on the order, he's trying desperately to defend this fragmentationDid you really pick your phones based on the order of the hardware buttons? You certainly have the right to do so, but I would be shocked to learn that many people do this.
To me, it seems like this should be a standard. All they are doing is shuffling these buttons around and not really changing the functionality.
you're glad that the user experience and consistency between devices is horrible?
agreed, this topic still has merit though. hardware inconsistency is just another problem.I think the idea of the thread could have been aimed better.
I agree with actual hardware fragmentation, not hardware button differentiations.
I mean... really. Why are companies still throwing out 'new' android phones using 2-3 year old tech?
agreed, this topic still has merit though. hardware inconsistency is just another problem.
You can have variety with consistency for the best experience.Not for me, I prefer it.
I don't think of it as inconsistent, I think of it as heterogeneous.
Variety, I like.
if youre on the android platform, you shouldnt have to relearn the buttons if you replace your phone.I don't agree and the hardware fragmentation argument is a little weak. Apple is the one that started the whole "let's keep EVEYTHING" the same and very vanilla looking. Just because Android did not duplicate that idea does not mean it's a bad thing. In fact, it has a ton of advantages. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. And the disadvantage that there is is quite minor. Yes, Microsoft is deciding to make requirements for all their phones. That's great, but not something that would sway me over to a WP7. Not saying I don't like WP7, it's just that the button layout is NOT a disadvantage of Android phones. Their button layouts are still quite similar. Close enough for ANYONE who is familiar with Android to figure out what buttons to push without much of a learning curve. Now if say one manufacturer makes a phone and puts all the buttons on the side, another on the top and another on the bottom along with totally different buttons then yes, I would say you would have an argument. But they are ALL in the same location with the same buttons. Just because the '4' buttons are in a different order for only a few phones is that really a major issue? What vehicle do you drive? Are ALL the buttons and switches in that vehicle in the EXACT same layout with ALL buttons being identical? Even for the same manufacturer? No! Heck, they even change from year to year for the same model. BUT, do they all have similar buttons in similar areas? Yeah. Just like Android phones.
Now to address the ADVANTAGES, it allows for different phones for different people. And from the feedback from the public, this has been a HUGE advantage. It allows for price point phones, mid level phones and top of the line expensive phones. This allows for more people to have an Android phone. It allows for bigger screens, smaller screens, brighter more colorful screens, front facing camers, different cameras and different sized phones. Huge benefits to making an operating system that has, at it's disposal, the power of being on such a wide variety of phones. Big Big Big advantage.
So let's reverse this, let's talk about the disadvantage of an OS that doesn't have the capabilites or the option to be on different phones. I would say that that is just one of the problems with the Iphone.
If this is an issue for someone (the button topic) then maybe a smartphone isn't for them. Just saying......
You can have variety with consistency for the best experience.
windows phone 7 has variety. android is a mess.
Did you really pick your phones based on the order of the hardware buttons? You certainly have the right to do so, but I would be shocked to learn that many people do this.
To me, it seems like this should be a standard. All they are doing is shuffling these buttons around and not really changing the functionality.
Consistency between devices is irrelevant to users, except those with multiple devices. Those with multiple devices (as myself) enjoy the variety and it improves the experience.
Fail. But thanks for playing.
oh ok, so according to you, people stay with the same phone forever.
its called an experience.
I'm going to have to agree with phonebash on this part. I'm not planning on staying with the same phone forever. So the some consistency would be nice. The buttons not being the same is not a HUGE deal, but it would be nice if they were the same. I play around my friend's Android from time to time, and it's a bit weird to get used to the different button layout. But again, it's not a huge deal, but it's something that would be nice if they were the same (or more similar to each other) in my opinion.
We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.