android hardware fragmentation

[carrier1]

they cant even get the buttons in the same place

 

[sitlet]

And this matters why?

 

[Aypse]

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.

 

[Swizz]

They can't even shape them the same, put the contacts in the same spot or keep them one size.

 

[lordofthereef]

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.

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.

 

[lordofthereef]

They can't even shape them the same, put the contacts in the same spot or keep them one size.

This has been a frustration of mine (having to buy different batteries), however battery differences do make sense, at least from the standpoint of voltages and sizes (don;t think I would want a watch powered by a 12v, for example). I don;t really think the same argument can be made with hardware buttons.

 

[Thefoodman52]

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?

 

[phonebash]

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.

you're glad that the user experience and consistency between devices is horrible?

 

[phonebash]

They can't even shape them the same, put the contacts in the same spot or keep them one size.

your analogy doesnt align at all.

consumer devices of the same family should have consistency for the best user experience. windows phone 7, for example, has hardware requirements to have the buttons in the same order in the same place. This takes away any confusion that a consumer will have, and makes the experience between devices of the same OS the same.

 

[phonebash]

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.

he didnt pick his phone based on the order, he's trying desperately to defend this fragmentation

the fact is, with the "openness" comes problems like these. inconsistency will continue to bite this platform

 

[lunatic59]

you're glad that the user experience and consistency between devices is horrible?

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.

 

[phonebash]

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.

 

[lifeonmtv]

Not for me, I prefer it.

I don't think of it as inconsistent, I think of it as heterogeneous.

Variety, I like.

 

[5280Man]

agreed, this topic still has merit though. hardware inconsistency is just another problem.

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......

 

[IOWA]

Actually as someone who switches between several android devices it would be nice if the hard ware buttons were all the same.

 

[sremick]

The knobs, buttons, and levers in my friends' cars aren't in exactly the same place or work exactly the same way either when I borrow their cars, but I hop in and drive off anyhow all the same, and in a few minutes have adjusted just fine and get on with my life and the task at-hand.

Choose your battles.

 

[phonebash]

Not for me, I prefer it.

I don't think of it as inconsistent, I think of it as heterogeneous.

Variety, I like.

You can have variety with consistency for the best experience.

windows phone 7 has variety. android is a mess.

 

[phonebash]

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......

if youre on the android platform, you shouldnt have to relearn the buttons if you replace your phone.

its a pathetic and archaic model. just as archaic as the trackball on the nexus one.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

I switch between my Evo / Epic all the time, the different menu buttons don't bother me at all.

 

[Kekkle]

You can have variety with consistency for the best experience.

windows phone 7 has variety. android is a mess.

WP7 has variety? Except for the look. All phones are exactly the same!

 

[Aypse]

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.

I assumed that when he said hardware he meant more than just the buttons. Android devices have a variety of CPUs, memory, gpu, etc and that creates needed variety for consumers in product and price point. If he is talking about just the buttons....lul.

 

[Eugene]

You want to see fragmentation, try using windows mobile. My old phone I let my kids play games on, try finding a game for it. You have to choose WM 6.1 out of 6.5, 7, 5.x and older, etc. Then standard or professional. Then .net version x, y or z then find out .net version y and z don't support standard, version x doesn't support 6.1, etc

 

[marefin]

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.

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.

 

[lunatic59]

oh ok, so according to you, people stay with the same phone forever.

Of course not, but they don't change phones like they change their socks either. The average cell phone user keeps the phone for one to two years, changing according to the carrier subsidy upgrade cycle. By that time, phones have changes so much fundamentally that minor variations in what was released 18 months prior is irrelevant.

its called an experience.

Sure that's why all auto manufacturers put all the controls for trivial things like headlights, windshield wipers, etc. all in the same place across every make and model of vehicle. Because people cannot fathom the idea of a button being six inches from the place where they learned it should be. If your personal experience is that it is hard to adjust based on a minor variation,I would argue that is your shortcoming, not the manufacturers.

And to be fair, if their is any criticism to be made it should be laid squarely at the feet of the manufacturers since Google doesn't make the phones.

Next time you smash your face into a glass door because you expected it to say "push" when it was clearly marked "pull", I'd file a grievance with OSHA, ADA and the local building inspector.

 

[lunatic59]

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.

One man's fragmentation is another's variety and choice. I would venture a guess that there are people who absolutely hate, despise and abhor the "back" button to the far left. Other's will believe it's the perfect location. By "standardizing" you satisfy one group and alienate the other. Perhaps if they were all soft buttons that you could assign and arrange, it would "solve" this "problem" however it would create others. Frankly I don't think it's worth the effort just to appease some naysayers.

Some phones have trackballs while some have trackpads. Others have a four-way rocker and some only have a single hardware button. Some use micro usb while others use mini and some are proprietary. If we follow the OP's logic, whe might as well all just get iPhones because you're going to have to sacrifice something to get that kind of industry-wide consistency.