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Will Android last ?

Vendettav2b

Newbie
Feb 18, 2010
13
0
Hey all had my G1 from release date and pretty sure (well I was) that Droid is my next handset. But the android market place just seems lacking. Alot of the apps are just copys of another app but theres nothing that really stand out. I know the market is young compared to Iphone (dont like iphone/itunes apple etc) but is there any promise the Android market is going to get better ?
 
Dude, have you looked through the apps for the iPhone? I'd say 99% of them are utter cr@p. To my eye, give me a flexible OS and a half dozen to a dozen great apps and I'm as happy as a clam.
Thats true

I think its down to the G1 really, I see people playing with the iphone and everything runs so smoothly (probs down to no multitasking lol) but my G1 sometimes feels laggy and slow

I totaly want the droid (milestone) but cant find any info on uk release/contracts
 
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What kind of "promises" exactly are you looking for? A stone tablet signed by Eric Schmidt that says "Yes, Android will last and the market will get better, WE PROMISE." Consider: over 60k Android phones are, apparently, shipping every day. Not any particular unit, but phones that run Android in general--and that's a lot of phones. More and more brands are adopting Android as a ticket to an instant app market they don't have to work on themselves. Lots of Android phones with powerful specs are being released this year.

Oh yeah, and Google was throwing free Droids and Nexus Ones at people registered for the Game Developer Conference 2010. Take that as you will.
 
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What kind of "promises" exactly are you looking for? A stone tablet signed by Eric Schmidt that says "Yes, Android will last and the market will get better, WE PROMISE." Consider: over 60k Android phones are, apparently, shipping every day. Not any particular unit, but phones that run Android in general--and that's a lot of phones. More and more brands are adopting Android as a ticket to an instant app market they don't have to work on themselves. Lots of Android phones with powerful specs are being released this year.

Oh yeah, and Google was throwing free Droids and Nexus Ones at people registered for the Game Developer Conference 2010. Take that as you will.
Yes that is exactly what I want. [Removed by Phases]
 
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The only threat to android is Linux folk threatening recently to kill off the android branch.
Android code removed from Linux kernel - The H Open Source: News and Features

I have been saying this for awhile, but i am hated because I have pointed out some of the mess android is in, it apparantly makes me an apple fanboy. Google is not in this whole heartedly, and their big experiment will affect, you the early adopters, and consumers. A lot of you don't mind, being geeks, it will always exist in some form to play with. But for mainstream people like us, we will get the shaft. they are not in love with android as you, the users are. thats the sad part of it all. thats a good but sobering article.
 
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But for mainstream people like us, we will get the shaft. they are not in love with android as you, the users are. thats the sad part of it all. thats a good but sobering article.
I am really missing something here. Motorola, Sony Ericsson, HTC, Samsung, etc have all JUMPED on as handset manufacturers. Actually, what I think I'm witnessing is the Mac vs PC war from the 1980s. The Mac was BY FAR the superior platform but their closed BS basically isolated everyone else. Consequently, the hardware makers developed products quickly for Windows OS. We see how that ended. Complain all you want but the Mac OS is still a niche player.

Now here we are again with closed iphone vs Android. Having played with both, I'll admit that the iphone is smooth. But Android has a rich layer of features that make it pretty exciting for vendors to work with. As already mentioned, the vendors don't have to build their own store, share in development of the OS across hundreds/thousands of coders, and can constantly swap in devices that are more powerful and better able to extract goodness from Android. I'm not so much a fanboy as just excited to have something that can be adapted to the way that I want to use a phone...which may differ from someone else. Different homescreens, open apps (Google Voice anyone), and the luxury of swapping the exact same OS from one cool device to the next over time has me giddy.

Meanwhile, just where is Blackberry. Man, it's like they are standing still. I noticed they finally tested their Webkit browser yesterday. Still slow.
 
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I am really missing something here. Motorola, Sony Ericsson, HTC, Samsung, etc have all JUMPED on as handset manufacturers. Actually, what I think I'm witnessing is the Mac vs PC war from the 1980s. The Mac was BY FAR the superior platform but their closed BS basically isolated everyone else. Consequently, the hardware makers developed products quickly for Windows OS. We see how that ended. Complain all you want but the Mac OS is still a niche player.

Now here we are again with closed iphone vs Android. Having played with both, I'll admit that the iphone is smooth. But Android has a rich layer of features that make it pretty exciting for vendors to work with. As already mentioned, the vendors don't have to build their own store, share in development of the OS across hundreds/thousands of coders, and can constantly swap in devices that are more powerful and better able to extract goodness from Android. I'm not so much a fanboy as just excited to have something that can be adapted to the way that I want to use a phone...which may differ from someone else. Different homescreens, open apps (Google Voice anyone), and the luxury of swapping the exact same OS from one cool device to the next over time has me giddy.

Meanwhile, just where is Blackberry. Man, it's like they are standing still. I noticed they finally tested their Webkit browser yesterday. Still slow.

This has nothing to do with Apple, It's just that when I point out these things about Android, I get flamed because I critisize the platform. I don't care if it's open or closed platform, I do care about standards though. I was also just pointing out that choices are great to have, and that it was the confusing mish mash of OS and handsets and the carriers having ultimate control over os upgrades, that now, most people have come to expect to get when they buy an expensive smart phone. I am not even saying it should be free, Id pay for upgrades to software, just give me the choice to do it.
 
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Meanwhile, just where is Blackberry. Man, it's like they are standing still. I noticed they finally tested their Webkit browser yesterday. Still slow.
I came from the Blackberry world and I agree, I liked the blackberry then I saw ANDROID. It's like going from a VW to a Lamborghini. Everything is just huge and amazing I still am in the honey moon stage with Android. If I had the talent I'd learn Java and write apps for it.
 
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You're getting software upgrades. How often does the competition upgrade their platform? Google has gone from 1.5 to 2.1 in a flash. MS is still figuring out if WinMo 7 will come out before hell freezes over.

the carriers decide if we get the upgrades and how long we will continue to get upgrades for a particular handset. I did not have anyone deciding for me with my previous phone.
 
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Grainysand: Obviously you are not in Canada! ;-)

We have been fighting with Rogers Wireless and HTC since November to get updates to our HTC Dreams and Magics. In the end, the Dream is getting nothing (still stuck on 1.5) and the Magic recently got 1.5 with Sense UI, and will be getting 2.1 later this year (if they keep their promise). But to be clear, if we hadn't made a fuss, we wouldn't have received anything.

When Rogers bought the Dream (G1) and Magic (MyTouch) from HTC, they didn't understand Android, that it is an OS that requires updates, and so they didn't negotiate updates into the contract. They did, however, have HTC customize the OS for them (with some dumb Rogers marketing crap). As a result, updating became as issue because they would have to pay for it.

Only Google-branded phones are guaranteed updates OTA at no cost (provided hardware supports it). Owners of carrier-branded phones only get updates if the carrier negotiated as part of the contract.

See my blog in my sig if you are interested in knowing more about the crap we went through (and are still experiencing because of the 911 bug that was fixed by Android 1.6, but which we didn't get because we didn't get 1.6!)

Also, see the Rogers sub-forum of these forums.

There are three types of users: 1. Those who don't care if they have a smart or dumb phone; 2. "Common" users who just want a cool smart phone that works, and can't be bothered with _how_ it works (or customization); 3. tech geeks who understand that smart phones are mini-computers and who want to get in to every part of their "Smart phone".

I think it's safe to say that most of the people in these forums are from group number 3, but if Android were to become as big as iPhone, we would be the minority. Most of the "Common" users will opt for iPhone because Apple controls it (and those users don't care since they aren't interested in tweeking and customizing) and they know it will "just work" (not that iPhones don't have their problems, but they just have to go to am Apple store and say "my phone doesn't work").

With Android splintering because of manufacturers and carriers modifying the OS, there will be, and already are, instances where the user experience will be so different from one Android phone to the next that it will lead to a negative user experience.

The refrain I usually hear in response to the issue of Android splintering by manufacturers is to "just root it, it's easy".

Yes, it's fairly easy for most of us in these forums, but NOT for the common user. Unless the common user can download an official app from the store and press a button to have it done for them, they simply... won't... do it! No matter how easy you think it is, the common user (who is a part of the majority) will not.

The capitalist system of supply and demand is where we live. If Android is to succeed there must be not only an initial growth period, but sustained demand. For sustained demand you need a majority of common users to adopt and keep the system, but if they have to deal with the headache of OS splintering, they will abandon the platform and return to what they know will always be the same... iPhone.

In case anyone is wondering... no, I do not own an iPhone. In fact, I don't own any Apple products. I also hate "Fan Bois".

For Android to be successful amongst common users, it needs a common version of the OS, which is what the Nexus One as the "Google phone" tries to do.
 
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I've got an N1 actually, hence the "straight from google is fun that way" comment. Was just saying that as a counterpoint to "carriers don't decide when my previous phone/iPhone gets an update." :) But most of the world don't actually suffer from carrier-branded phones in any case--so it's not a matter of carriers deciding, but whether Samsung, Motorola or HTC is releasing an update. Same crap, slightly different flavor.

Yes, it's fairly easy for most of us in these forums, but NOT for the common user. Unless the common user can download an official app from the store and press a button to have it done for them, they simply... won't... do it! No matter how easy you think it is, the common user (who is a part of the majority) will not.

On that note, how "difficult" is jailbreaking an iPhone anyway? Having just rooted my N1, I found the process relatively straightforward as long as you follow instructions.
 
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But most of the world don't actually suffer from carrier-branded phones in any case--so it's not a matter of carriers deciding, but whether Samsung, Motorola or HTC is releasing an update. Same crap, slightly different flavor.

In our battle with Rogers and HTC to get an update, we were told repeatedly by HTC that it was up to Rogers to ask for an update, and then we were told by Rogers that HTC had no intention of creating the update. What it comes down to is that if a carrier has the manufacturer customize the ROM (as Rogers did) then it is likely the case that the carrier must pay the manufacturer for any future updates, since the manufacturer would have to incur time & cost to customize the update.

So in our case, the carrier had everything to do with the update. If we had asked HTC instead of Rogers, HTC would have done nothing. IN fact when we asked HTC we were told that Rogers has to request an update. We had to ask Rogers for an update, and Rogers had to work it out with HTC, thus the carrier was deciding whether or not we got an update.

We had the same issue with the LG Eve, but after seeing the PR nightmare wee put HTC and Rogers through, LG and Rogers came to an understanding much faster, promising 1.6 for the Eve.

At this point we have heard nothing about the Samsung Galaxy on Bell, or the Hero on Telus getting any updates.

On that note, how "difficult" is jailbreaking an iPhone anyway? Having just rooted my N1, I found the process relatively straightforward as long as you follow instructions.

Yes, if you read my initial post to the end, you'll see I already covered this. Since you are a member of this forum, chances are your understanding of computers and smart phones is greater than the common user, thus putting you in "group 3", so it is understandable that you would find the instructions easy to follow along.

I was referring to the people in "group 2" who make up the majority. These are the people who ask the people from "group 3" for computer support when they can't find something or make something work. They say things like "My internet program doesn't work" when they refer to their web browser, or any other simple thing people from group 3 take for granted.

No matter how "easy" you think the instructions are to follow, people from group 2 will either find them difficult, or will refuse to try because of a perception that they might be difficult because these people are not technically inclined. They will find it as difficult as some of these people find it to use a simple web browser. (It drives me crazy when I ask someone to type a URL into the "address bar" on their browser, and they say "a what?!?", and once I explain it they type it in to a google search box, instead of the address bar, and get confused by the results.)

These people from group 2 are the majority, and the success of a platform depends on these people. That's why the iPhone is successful.

By the way, I am NOT saying that I am better than these people (in group 2) or that they are stupid, far from it. It's the difference between computers and cars. I know a lot about computers. My brother asks me for computer help all the time. But I know next to NOTHING about cars, and when I need help with my car (even simple stuff like cjecking tire pressure) I ask him.

It's about specialized knowledge, and the majority don't want to have to possess specialized knowledge to use a smart phone.
 
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Grainysand: Obviously you are not in Canada! ;-)

We have been fighting with Rogers Wireless and HTC since November to get updates to our HTC Dreams and Magics. In the end, the Dream is getting nothing (still stuck on 1.5) and the Magic recently got 1.5 with Sense UI, and will be getting 2.1 later this year (if they keep their promise). But to be clear, if we hadn't made a fuss, we wouldn't have received anything.

When Rogers bought the Dream (G1) and Magic (MyTouch) from HTC, they didn't understand Android, that it is an OS that requires updates, and so they didn't negotiate updates into the contract. They did, however, have HTC customize the OS for them (with some dumb Rogers marketing crap). As a result, updating became as issue because they would have to pay for it.

Only Google-branded phones are guaranteed updates OTA at no cost (provided hardware supports it). Owners of carrier-branded phones only get updates if the carrier negotiated as part of the contract.

See my blog in my sig if you are interested in knowing more about the crap we went through (and are still experiencing because of the 911 bug that was fixed by Android 1.6, but which we didn't get because we didn't get 1.6!)

Also, see the Rogers sub-forum of these forums.

There are three types of users: 1. Those who don't care if they have a smart or dumb phone; 2. "Common" users who just want a cool smart phone that works, and can't be bothered with _how_ it works (or customization); 3. tech geeks who understand that smart phones are mini-computers and who want to get in to every part of their "Smart phone".

I think it's safe to say that most of the people in these forums are from group number 3, but if Android were to become as big as iPhone, we would be the minority. Most of the "Common" users will opt for iPhone because Apple controls it (and those users don't care since they aren't interested in tweeking and customizing) and they know it will "just work" (not that iPhones don't have their problems, but they just have to go to am Apple store and say "my phone doesn't work").

With Android splintering because of manufacturers and carriers modifying the OS, there will be, and already are, instances where the user experience will be so different from one Android phone to the next that it will lead to a negative user experience.

The refrain I usually hear in response to the issue of Android splintering by manufacturers is to "just root it, it's easy".

Yes, it's fairly easy for most of us in these forums, but NOT for the common user. Unless the common user can download an official app from the store and press a button to have it done for them, they simply... won't... do it! No matter how easy you think it is, the common user (who is a part of the majority) will not.

The capitalist system of supply and demand is where we live. If Android is to succeed there must be not only an initial growth period, but sustained demand. For sustained demand you need a majority of common users to adopt and keep the system, but if they have to deal with the headache of OS splintering, they will abandon the platform and return to what they know will always be the same... iPhone.

In case anyone is wondering... no, I do not own an iPhone. In fact, I don't own any Apple products. I also hate "Fan Bois".

For Android to be successful amongst common users, it needs a common version of the OS, which is what the Nexus One as the "Google phone" tries to do.

I live in the US and we have the same problem, carriers decide and they really do not want to get into the software end of this, the costs, the time and resources to test, it's not something carriers really want to delve into long term. They just want to sign people up on contracts. They will piss people off with this crap. Smartphone platforms are expected to get updated and to be available, paid or not. Personally i would not mind paying for any software upgrade, just make them available. I wouldn't rely on Google being in this long term either, I don't trust them. i think this is all just a big experiment. I do not see any passion, commitment or heart and soul in this endeavour. I truely believe this platform, unless there is direction and commitment from google, will fall away to the geeks to play with. Google has already dropped the ball on the code, which tells me they really do not care about any of this.

Google's Android code deleted from Linux kernel ? Register Hardware

PS I have cdma hero with cellular south, if anyone knows how to get this thing rooted, and have it work properly, let me know. I have tried several times, will not root. I am a tech person and it is extremely hard. the average user, the masses that could bring android to the mainstream, will not be doing this. I work tech support a lot for people with their office pbx phones, that sit on their desk, the same phone they have had for years, and they do not even know what their freaking extension is. They will not be rooting.
 
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Someone in group 2 (i.e. like my Mom), wouldn't be online reading android forums and wouldn't even know what version of Android their phone ran and if they had the latest or not. And they would be happy with the phone and the functionality that they have that existed when they got the phone. In a year or two, they would get another phone with a newer version of Android if they were happy with their carrier and the phone's features.

So all this talk about the group 2 people being upset over the version of Android really seems like a moot point to me.

BTW, I'm anxiously awaiting 2.1 for my Hero and I know there are apps in the market that I won't be able to install or even see until I get 2.1. This kind of thing is the only potential issue I see with a group 2 person--someone telling them about an app and them not being able to find it.
 
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Android makes some good phone.. I had a G1 and it was a very buggy phone.. mines kept shutting off for no reason.. got rid of it and purchased an iphone.. after I got the iphone which is a good phone I had a problem, couldn't send videos through mms I was pissed!!! sold my iphone and now have a motorola cliq.. I love this phone! The best android powered phone I ever owned.. I love android, and I respect and love this company and their phones.. so straight out android is here to stay:).
 
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