Chris Pirillo - Android is currently the most overhyped piece of technology.

[avenuePad]

Just thought I'd post this for some chuckles. I really do try and like this guy, but then he posts videos like this. In the video he's having a conversation with some guy, and he asks Chris "What is the most hyped tech product available right now?". Chris immediately goes to Android, making the same three or four year old claims that Android is immature and needs to be a closed system, like iOS. He even goes on to say that Android is even taking points from Apple by locking down "current versions of Android" - i.e. Honeycomb. He obviously didn't watch Google's I/O conference, which was presented the same day as this video was uploaded, where they stated that Ice Cream Sandwich will be completely open source.

Anyway, I thought I'd share this with people that might have an urge to get annoyed. lol

YouTube - What is the Most Overhyped Piece of Technology Today?

 

[jroc]

What is more hyped than the iPhone or iPad?

Android is just everywhere. I dont think its the most hyped. I think the Kinect might be more hyped on tech blogs than Android.

The day when someone thinks Android is more hyped than the iPhone or iPad....I said it before when I heard there were Android fanboys in the world giving an iPhone user grief...

Android has finally arrived!!!

 

[mttfrog13]

He makes good points. Android phones are already fragmented enough. Imagine how screwed up apps will get when ported to tablets. Open source doesn't work smoothly as a major platform meant for commercial sales. He made a good point when he said that android is only "interesting for geeks". My friends who don't really understand tech have all kinds of issues with thier android phone, not that the iphone and wp7 don't have their issues. For example my roommate is always having problems with space for apps and his droid eris slowing down. My sisters huweia ascend (is that spelled right) is has slow down issues with her phone and doesn't even know how to sync music to it. I don't even want to get into the gps and lag issues i have with my galaxy s captivate. I think the only reason for android success thus far is because it is a "bargain smartphone" option to the iphone. It also offers a few different hardware things some people may want like 4g capability, peripherals, or larger screens.

Android needs:
-Universal syncing application like itunes or zune
-Better music player
-Higher hardware standards such as cpu speeds, and minimum amount of space for apps available
-Standardized screen resolutions for screens in tablets and phones. Maybe 2 options for each phones and tablets
-More android market quality control and malware surveillance

I do think that things like the kinect for xbox may be more overhyped, but that's the same thing they said about the Nintendo wii.

 

[davidchsw]

If all of those suggestion were implemented Android would be just like ios. What would be the point? One ios is enough.

David

 

[Bnice]

He makes good points. Android phones are already fragmented enough. Imagine how screwed up apps will get when ported to tablets. Open source doesn't work smoothly as a major platform meant for commercial sales. He made a good point when he said that android is only "interesting for geeks". My friends who don't really understand tech have all kinds of issues with thier android phone, not that the iphone and wp7 don't have their issues. For example my roommate is always having problems with space for apps and his droid eris slowing down. My sisters huweia ascend (is that spelled right) is has slow down issues with her phone and doesn't even know how to sync music to it. I don't even want to get into the gps and lag issues i have with my galaxy s captivate. I think the only reason for android success thus far is because it is a "bargain smartphone" option to the iphone. It also offers a few different hardware things some people may want like 4g capability, peripherals, or larger screens.

Android needs:
-Universal syncing application like itunes or zune
-Better music player
-Higher hardware standards such as cpu speeds, and minimum amount of space for apps available
-Standardized screen resolutions for screens in tablets and phones. Maybe 2 options for each phones and tablets
-More android market quality control and malware surveillance

I do think that things like the kinect for xbox may be more overhyped, but that's the same thing they said about the Nintendo wii.

First off your friends phones are low end android phones so you are not going to get the best performance as you would from a high end android phone. Second this chris pirillo anyone who ever see his videos, the guy never has anything good to say about android. Third we all know the iphone is the most over hype devise.

 

[avenuePad]

If all of those suggestion were implemented Android would be just like ios. What would be the point? One ios is enough.

David

Agreed. And not all Android phones are bargain phones compared to the iPhone.

As for the 'fragmentation' between tablets and phones, Ice Cream Sandwich will do a lot to ease that problem.

There are several great music players on the market for Android.

As for syncing, why do you need it on Android when you can drag and drop? I'm honestly being sincere when I ask that.

How does the Amazon Store compare to Zune or iTunes?

 

[lunatic59]

I think the only reason for android success thus far is because it is a "bargain smartphone" option to the iphone. It also offers a few different hardware things some people may want like 4g capability, peripherals, or larger screens.

Oh boy. RBC Capital Markets Equity Research estimates that by the end of 2011 there will be 449 million "smartphones" worldwide, up from 300 million at the end of 2010. Of those, 33% (currently) are comprised of Android devices, which would put 150 million consumers in the "bargain smartphone" category? Oh boy.

When the iPhone took off, people tried to downplay its success, and now that Android is skyrocketing, there is no shortage of naysayers. It appears no one likes a winner. Still you can't argue that they are incredibly successful.

Android needs:
-Universal syncing application like itunes or zune
-Better music player
-Higher hardware standards such as cpu speeds, and minimum amount of space for apps available
-Standardized screen resolutions for screens in tablets and phones. Maybe 2 options for each phones and tablets
-More android market quality control and malware surveillance

No sir. By universal syncing applications, I assume you mean iTunish and WP7ish mandatory sync'ing applications. There are already several apps that will let you sync files, while the other sync is handled in the cloud.

Higher standards would be nice if you don't mind alienating a good portion of your market. Minimum standards do exist and while minimum may not be up to your expectations or requirements, there are many many people who are perfectly suited to the minimums.

You are projecting your preferences on the rest of the world by suggesting limiting screen sizes or hardware spec's. Others would have differing needs and therefore a different suggested set. Why not keep the current "fragmentation" and allow enough choice to find the right match?

The problem with more market surveillance is who is to make the hard calls on arbitrary criteria like "quality" and "polish"? Out of 100 people you'll find 100 different opinions and all of them are remarkably correct for each individual.

 

[novox77]

IMO, the concept of "syncing" to transfer files from one device to another is horrendous.

Why? Because the very concept of syncing implies that the two devices must contain identical data. Why should there ever be such a restriction? With iTunes, if I delete a file off my computer, on next sync, it deletes it off my phone. In the iOS world, it's impossible to remove your synced files without iTunes. So if you're not near your iTunes computer, you're SOL. When computers try to get smart, they just end up being stupid.

I want full control over when something gets added or removed from my device. That's why I love Android's ability to mount device as a USB mass storage device. Then I can just select what I want to move over. And the Android OS auto-detects my media no matter what folder I choose to stick it in. I can use a file explorer app, a terminal app, or even SSH into my phone to manage my files.

Hate iTunes. Started out as a music player and is now this massive, unintuitive piece of bloatware that tries to do everything.

 

[jroc]

When the iPhone took off, people tried to downplay its success, and now that Android is skyrocketing, there is no shortage of naysayers. It appears no one likes a winner. Still you can't argue that they are incredibly successful.

I think you are right. No one likes a winner, everyone roots for the underdog.

You are projecting your preferences on the rest of the world by suggesting limiting screen sizes or hardware spec's. Others would have differing needs and therefore a different suggested set. Why not keep the current "fragmentation" and allow enough choice to find the right match?

The problem with more market surveillance is who is to make the hard calls on arbitrary criteria like "quality" and "polish"? Out of 100 people you'll find 100 different opinions and all of them are remarkably correct for each individual.

Whats funny is I just posted something that had the top 5 selling smartphones out right now. This list should be in order:

iPhone 4
iPhone 3GS
Droid X
EVO
Incredible

Yea.....2 of the phones are 4.3"...lol

 

[mttfrog13]

Oh boy. RBC Capital Markets Equity Research estimates that by the end of 2011 there will be 449 million "smartphones" worldwide, up from 300 million at the end of 2010. Of those, 33% (currently) are comprised of Android devices, which would put 150 million consumers in the "bargain smartphone" category? Oh boy.

When the iPhone took off, people tried to downplay its success, and now that Android is skyrocketing, there is no shortage of naysayers. It appears no one likes a winner. Still you can't argue that they are incredibly successful.



No sir. By universal syncing applications, I assume you mean iTunish and WP7ish mandatory sync'ing applications. There are already several apps that will let you sync files, while the other sync is handled in the cloud.

Higher standards would be nice if you don't mind alienating a good portion of your market. Minimum standards do exist and while minimum may not be up to your expectations or requirements, there are many many people who are perfectly suited to the minimums.

You are projecting your preferences on the rest of the world by suggesting limiting screen sizes or hardware spec's. Others would have differing needs and therefore a different suggested set. Why not keep the current "fragmentation" and allow enough choice to find the right match?

The problem with more market surveillance is who is to make the hard calls on arbitrary criteria like "quality" and "polish"? Out of 100 people you'll find 100 different opinions and all of them are remarkably correct for each individual.

What proportion of high end to low end android phones do you think are selling? Of the 8 people I know that have android phones including myself, 4 of them could be considered high end. On top of that at least 2 of these high end phones, including my captivate, were bought for less half the standard upgrade price of $200. The other 4 low end phones were probably bought new for $100 or free with and upgrade. The iphone 4 still sells from at&t for $200 with an upgrade. There is no doubt that part of android's success, is a result of pricing.

I simply believe android will become the "standard" alternative to the iphone. It's like saying that 5 years ago, the standard flip phone sold more devices than the iphone. This is an extreme analogy, but the same idea. Of course there are still high end android phones, and even flip phones in some cases.

What I mean about quality and polish on apps is that they shouldn't be able to send ads through your notification panel, like apndroid had for a while. Or blatantly malicious apps shouldn't be arriving on the android market every once in a while, requiring google to pull them after the fact. Also, they should work on the devices they are available for. I have paid apps that literally just don't work as they should as described by the developer. Games that are too laggy to play, apps that don't automate things they claim they will or save settings.

Also I NEVER said google should limit screen size, I said there needs to be a standard progression towards higher resolutions. If you read my signature, you will see I have a phone that has a 4" screen which was the deciding factor in my decision to go to android. Didn't know it would be at the cost of a working gps chip. Anyway, for example, TVs progress from 480p to 720p to 1080p. Android phones do no abide by any similar system. There are phones with resolutions that are more or less wide than others leading to games and apps that don't fit screens and require constant tweaking from developers and problems for users. Having slow phones available at all is just stupid. It's like shipping windows vista with 512mb of ram. It's bad for android's image because people will see it and think all android phones are slow. I really think M$ found a good balance between allowing variability in screen sizes, hardware features, but setting minimums in the processor arena and requiring dedicated camera keys. Very smart on their part.

About the syncing situation, personally I prefer dragging and dropping, but there still needs to be an optional system provided by google, instead of them relying on other software developers. I doubt, (seeing as how most people on this forum are good with tech and their phones) less than 10% of the people on this forum use the default messaging app, and less than 25% use the default android music player app. The android software sucks honestly. Nothing but google apps like gmail and maps and such are any good. I also can't stand how music files from soundtracks to games and picture files show up in my gallery and music player. It's just kind of sloppy to me.

To me, I sometimes feel like google just wants to put one foot in and not totally dedicate themselves to android and all they care about are shoveling out tons of free apps to gain loads of ad revenue.

 

[Dark Jedi]

If all of those suggestion were implemented Android would be just like ios. What would be the point? One ios is enough.

David

THen Steve Jobs would be suing google for turning android in to an IOS clone.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Who the hell cares what this dweeb thinks???

I have iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad 2. I also have several Android phones, Android tablets, Blackberry, MS Mobile. My favorite platform is Android.

I couldn't care less what this dufus thinks. I wonder why people listen to him when he clearly is so biased and has very little clue on reality.

 

[lunatic59]

What proportion of high end to low end android phones do you think are selling? Of the 8 people ...

What I think is irrelevant. 8 people out of 149,000,000 is less than irrelevant. Anecdotal observations may make good cocktail party small talk, but it's hardly statistical data. For the record, the magic price point for high end smart phones under contract is $200. It's what the top of the line iPhone costs and top of the line Android. The Atrix on AT&T and the Thunderbolt and Incredible 2 on Verizon are right in line with iPhone pricing. The fact that older technology is discounted is a fact of retailing shown by Apple selling the 3GS for $99. All those Android customers could have an iPhone if they wanted one.

I simply believe android will become the "standard" alternative to the iphone.

Don't you mean iPhone is the alternative to Android? It is usually the market leader that is the standard. Android has already surpassed iOS in smartphone marketshare and continues to widen the gap.

What I mean about quality and polish on apps is that they shouldn't be able to send ads through your notification panel, like apndroid had for a while. Or blatantly malicious apps shouldn't be arriving on the android market every once in a while, requiring google to pull them after the fact. Also, they should work on the devices they are available for. I have paid apps that literally just don't work as they should as described by the developer. Games that are too laggy to play, apps that don't automate things they claim they will or save settings.

I agree to a point. Apps should behave as advertised and malicious apps should be nuked from orbit, but these issues are all dealt with. Apple has had its share of problems, too, even with the draconian stranglehold it has on the app store. But buggy apps are between you and the developer. It is not Google's job to be your nursemaid and wipe your nose after a tantrum. If Apple wants to assume that posture, that's fine, just don't assume it's the best way of handling problems.

Also I NEVER said google should limit screen size, I said there needs to be a standard progression towards higher resolutions. If you read my signature, you will see I have a phone that has a 4" screen which was the deciding factor in my decision to go to android. Didn't know it would be at the cost of a working gps chip. Anyway, for example, TVs progress from 480p to 720p to 1080p. Android phones do no abide by any similar system.

I was referring to limiting the number of screen sizes, not the size of screens, as I thought were you. Actually the screen resolutions on most handsets do follow a standard. What you are perceiving as a problem is that they are not progressively getting bigger. In other words, you can still find phones with an assortment of resolutions being sold as current.

Having slow phones available at all is just stupid. It's like shipping windows vista with 512mb of ram. It's bad for android's image because people will see it and think all android phones are slow.

That's just silly. That's like saying having small TV's or economy cars is just stupid. What is "stupid" is buying a low end phone and expecting it to perform as a top line model. No one would expect a Dodge Neon to be able to perform like a Corvette, but you seem to think a Wildfire should run like an Atrix.

About the syncing situation, personally I prefer dragging and dropping, but there still needs to be an optional system provided by google, instead of them relying on other software developers. I doubt, (seeing as how most people on this forum are good with tech and their phones) less than 10% of the people on this forum use the default messaging app, and less than 25% use the default android music player app. The android software sucks honestly. Nothing but google apps like gmail and maps and such are any good. I also can't stand how music files from soundtracks to games and picture files show up in my gallery and music player. It's just kind of sloppy to me.

You are imposing your personal preferences on everyone else and making gross assumptions based on a vocal minority. For example, I use the default music play, the default messaging app and haven't even rooted my phone. All your complaints are easily addressable but it appears you want these things to be default behaviors rather than configuring your phone to suite you. Android does not aspire to be iOS and it should be expected to.

To me, I sometimes feel like google just wants to put one foot in and not totally dedicate themselves to android and all they care about are shoveling out tons of free apps to gain loads of ad revenue.

Google provides the platform. It's up to the manufacturers, carriers and developers to provide the fit and finish. It's a model that offers choice and variety with the potential for both greatness and crap. If that's not your cup of tea, there are alternatives.

 

[cds0699]

Who the hell cares what this dweeb thinks???

I have iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad 2. I also have several Android phones, Android tablets, Blackberry, MS Mobile. My favorite platform is Android.

I couldn't care less what this dufus thinks. I wonder why people listen to him when he clearly is so biased and has very little clue on reality.

This, I personally could care less what his opinion is, and I disagree with him fwiw.

 

[mttfrog13]

What I think is irrelevant. 8 people out of 149,000,000 is less than irrelevant. Anecdotal observations may make good cocktail party small talk, but it's hardly statistical data. For the record, the magic price point for high end smart phones under contract is $200. It's what the top of the line iPhone costs and top of the line Android. The Atrix on AT&T and the Thunderbolt and Incredible 2 on Verizon are right in line with iPhone pricing. The fact that older technology is discounted is a fact of retailing shown by Apple selling the 3GS for $99. All those Android customers could have an iPhone if they wanted one.

You're missing my point. Are you trying to say that cheap phones do not make up a large portion of android phone sales? And the 3gs is nearly two years old. Android phones from last spring/summer are already free with and upgrade. You're just proving my point even more.

Don't you mean iPhone is the alternative to Android? It is usually the market leader that is the standard. Android has already surpassed iOS in smartphone marketshare and continues to widen the gap.

I believe I did just say that android would be the standard, did i not? Anything besides what a person is referring to can be an "alternative". Android is an alternative to iphone, iphone is an alternative to android. Android will be the standard.

I agree to a point. Apps should behave as advertised and malicious apps should be nuked from orbit, but these issues are all dealt with. Apple has had its share of problems, too, even with the draconian stranglehold it has on the app store. But buggy apps are between you and the developer. It is not Google's job to be your nursemaid and wipe your nose after a tantrum. If Apple wants to assume that posture, that's fine, just don't assume it's the best way of handling problems.

I also aggree to a point. I'm not sure where the balance should be with the android market, but it could be better.

I was referring to limiting the number of screen sizes, not the size of screens, as I thought were you. Actually the screen resolutions on most handsets do follow a standard. What you are perceiving as a problem is that they are not progressively getting bigger. In other words, you can still find phones with an assortment of resolutions being sold as current.

I was mostly referring to Motorola who doesn't follow by most android phone standard resolutions.

That's just silly. That's like saying having small TV's or economy cars is just stupid. What is "stupid" is buying a low end phone and expecting it to perform as a top line model. No one would expect a Dodge Neon to be able to perform like a Corvette, but you seem to think a Wildfire should run like an Atrix.

You're missing my point. A dodge neon gets the job done. It's acceptable for everyday use. The way that some of these android phones perform that i've used is ridiculous and looks silly next to an iphone 3gs.

You are imposing your personal preferences on everyone else and making gross assumptions based on a vocal minority. For example, I use the default music play, the default messaging app and haven't even rooted my phone. All your complaints are easily addressable but it appears you want these things to be default behaviors rather than configuring your phone to suite you. Android does not aspire to be iOS and it should be expected to.

Anyone who still uses the default messaging app, or even the music player in some cases should give handcent a try or a music player like doubletwist or music player. While I do like these apps enough, it would be nice to have a native app that does a job well.

Google provides the platform. It's up to the manufacturers, carriers and developers to provide the fit and finish. It's a model that offers choice and variety with the potential for both greatness and crap. If that's not your cup of tea, there are alternatives.

Maybe my standards are just a bit higher since I've used iOS for a while. Obviously I like android more, I have a galaxy s. All I'm saying is that android isn't the best at everything and android isn't undefeatable. Also, I'm speaking from a business perspective. Like I said, I really like that Chris said that android is fun for geeks. But for the general public who don't know how to download an alternative messenger or music app or lagfix their galaxy s, or speed up their phones with task killers or whatever, iOS might have an advantage.

 

[Ncaissie]

If all of those suggestion were implemented Android would be just like ios. What would be the point? One ios is enough.

David

One word. Competition
I have an iPod touch, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2 and now an experia play.
So far the driod phone is more complex. The iPhone cost me almost $1,000 and that is a lot of cash for most people. Even on contract the iPhone is $450 and the play is $99. I purchased both with expectations of great gameplay.
So far I love games on the play. But I'm worried about spyware and stuff. Also I haven't hooked it up to the pc for music and movies yet.

One thing that is bothering me right not is when I'm home it still uses 3G instead of my wifi. My iPhone switches all the time.

If someone can make a cheap iOS experience they will take the market by storm. And not MS they aren't trusted.

 

[lunatic59]

You're missing my point. Are you trying to say that cheap phones do not make up a large portion of android phone sales?

No, I was refuting your statement "I think the only reason for android success thus far is because it is a "bargain smartphone" option to the iphone.". There is no doubt that Android's success is due in large part to the wide variety of devices it's available on, however, the assumption that pricing alone determines quality is erroneous. Apple controls the pricing of their phones, where the carriers determine what the subsidy will be for other devices. Mind you, I am not saying there are NOT cheap, underperforming Android devices, only that price is not the determining factor. The carriers have a far greater incentive to generate new or extend existing contracts. If you look at the retail price of the Captivate, at $449.00 it's less than many of the top end phones, so it's more profitable to discount that deeper and sell more contracts.

And the 3gs is nearly two years old. Android phones from last spring/summer are already free with and upgrade. You're just proving my point even more.

I am not sure about this. Just because Apple's introduction rate for new devices is every two years doesn't mean that other handset manufacturers are doing consumers a disservice by releasing upgrades every 6 months. The problem with accelerated releases is the length of the contracts. However, it is my experience that the upgrade Cycle is much shorter than the contract length.

I believe I did just say that android would be the standard, did i not? Anything besides what a person is referring to can be an "alternative". Android is an alternative to iphone, iphone is an alternative to android. Android will be the standard.

My mistake. I read that wrong.

I also aggree to a point. I'm not sure where the balance should be with the android market, but it could be better.

And it will be better ... eventually. I suppose it's more a matter of philosophy. Release as soon as possible and let the chips fall or refine and delay.

I was mostly referring to Motorola who doesn't follow by most android phone standard resolutions.

Then isn't your beef with Motorola and not Google?

You're missing my point. A dodge neon gets the job done. It's acceptable for everyday use. The way that some of these android phones perform that i've used is ridiculous and looks silly next to an iphone 3gs.

But if you were towing your boat with a Neon, you have difficulty getting the job done, just like trying to play a graphics intensive game on a phone with no dedicated GPU. BTW, a Neon does look pretty silly next to a Corvette, even if it does get the job done.

Anyone who still uses the default messaging app, or even the music player in some cases should give handcent a try or a music player like doubletwist or music player. While I do like these apps enough, it would be nice to have a native app that does a job well.

I've tried handcent and some of the other medial players, but the default is just fine for my use. They do the job well for me. The most I use the media player is in the car, and that is usually streaming podcasts via bluetooth. If I want to rock out, I've got a Flash drive with 16 GB of music in the console, a 6 disc changer and satellite radio, any one of which beats the quality of audio from a phone.

Maybe my standards are just a bit higher since I've used iOS for a while. Obviously I like android more, I have a galaxy s. All I'm saying is that android isn't the best at everything and android isn't undefeatable. Also, I'm speaking from a business perspective. Like I said, I really like that Chris said that android is fun for geeks. But for the general public who don't know how to download an alternative messenger or music app or lagfix their galaxy s, or speed up their phones with task killers or whatever, iOS might have an advantage.

It's human nature for people to desire the familiar. Coming from iOS it's no wonder you wish Android was more like it. I think Android *can* be fun for geeks, but it's just as functional for your general consumer. The advantage Apple enjoys through it's tight control of the OS is that every device looks and operates the same way. An alternate messaging app or Launcher or music app is just as easy or difficult as downloading an app from Apple's app store. If they'd have trouble on Android, then they'd have trouble in Apple's app store, or Microsoft's, too.

 

[Ncaissie]

"which would put 150 million consumers in the "bargain smartphone" category? Oh boy."
I'm guessing more than that.

 

[mikedt]

Chris Pirillo - Is an overhyped self-opinionated Youtube twerp. Pay him no heed.

 

[Ncaissie]

He is an advanced user. Lol

 

[takeshi]

Anyway, I thought I'd share this with people that might have an urge to get annoyed.

I don't really care what others think of the products I use. I selected them based on my criteria -- not the criteria of others.

The one thing that does irk me is people that think "hype" is something that is universal. It's yet another highly subjective matter. If you don't get something it will obviously seem over hyped. I'd say the word overhyped is overhyped. Or at least, very heavily misused when the person using the term really means "not suited for me" or "I don't get it".

What I don't get is why we think we need to post threads for every inane comment regarding Android. I guess I also don't get why I click on these threads and post in them...

Chris immediately goes to Android, making the same three or four year old claims that Android is immature and needs to be a closed system, like iOS.

I stop listening any time an "expert" (whether the person is a professional analyst or an armchair analyst ranting on a forum) states that a company needs to be like another company. People like that obviously don't understand market niches. Again, they're assuming that all options out there need to meet their particular preferences. Android and iOS serve different communities even though their products are similar. A good analyst needs to be more objective IMO.

I think the only reason for android success thus far is because it is a "bargain smartphone" option to the iphone.

There's a range of Android products. Even if Android was only a "bargain smarpthone" there's obviously very strong market demand for it. I don't see why that's surprising. Are the high-end automakers the only option out there when you go car shopping?