Droid destined to fail?

[jamo]

I was reading this article

Can Android survive its forks and fragments? | Molly Rants - CNET News

and wondered what everyone with a Droid thinks about this. I am loving my Droid right now. It truly is like having a computer, gps, phone, and mp3 player all in one portable device. The new OTA update for the N1 doesn't bother me much, I have never missed not having MT on my device. However, I'd hate it if in a year Motorola has released the N2, or similar device, and my Droid still hasn't been updated. I'm just wondering how Apps and updates will be handled when, in the same household, there could be an N1, Droid, and Eris...all with different hardware and software requirements. I'd honestly like the Night Mode in GPS more than MT, btw.

 

[Needsdecaf]

I really don't give a crap about what phone gets what upgrade. As long as people keep cracking it and I can get it rooted, who cares.

But for the long term sake of ANDROID, not any one particular platform, Google better get their crap together. I think it was a mistake for them to jump in as a seller. It boxes them into corners they otherwise might not be boxed into.

And that woman is right about it being horse pitoot about not having the HP to run multitouch. For crying out loud the ERIS comes stock with a multitouch gallery as part of HTC sense.

 

[jfe]

Of course it's doomed to fail, all phones do. Unless you have a cult following like the iPhone, then you basically look at the best phone out there at the moment, and you buy it.

I had no allegiance to motorola, google, and partially to Verizon, as it's the only carrier that works by my house.

In two years, when my contract is up, I will look for the best phone on the Verizon network, it very well could be the Nexus Two, but who knows.

I am just enjoying the phone right now, even it could, and probably has, become obsolete.

 

[gwlaw99]

I really think this is overblown. Did windows fail because people have different levels of computing power.

 

[square]

you're worrying about nothing. and you can get night mode in google nav now. (a bunch of us did it yesterday).

 

[potatolover1102]

I completely agree that having so many different software versions available is killing or I should say not allowing android to grow. I am afraid that this will continue to keep android behind app wise

 

[jamo]

Yeah, I'm just wondering if I'm say, Sling, and I'm wanting to make an app, like the iPhone app, to watch your videos. Which version and/or phone would support it, 1.6, 2.01, 2.1? It seems like this might scare away larger companies and their money, hurting the app store and Android overall.

 

[AndroidsOfTara]

I completely agree that having so many different software versions available is killing or I should say not allowing android to grow. I am afraid that this will continue to keep android behind app wise

Not allowing Android to grow?

According to Wikipedia, Android has been available to the public since October 22, 2008 with the release of the G1.

Look where Android is now. Look how well the Droid has sold. All the major carriers in the US except one has Android phones. There's going to be a Motorola / Android commercial during the Super Bowl. I'm seeing more and more random people carrying Android devices.

The average person buying an Android phone (or any other smartphone) simply does not care what version of the operating system the device has. They buy on style, feel, price and what it will do for them at the time they buy it. They don't know an update is coming until a notice shows up on their phone.

The people on this forum and reading other Android info are the exception to the rule.

 

[alostpacket]

I really don't give a crap about what phone gets what upgrade. As long as people keep cracking it and I can get it rooted, who cares.

But for the long term sake of ANDROID, not any one particular platform, Google better get their crap together. I think it was a mistake for them to jump in as a seller. It boxes them into corners they otherwise might not be boxed into.

And that woman is right about it being horse pitoot about not having the HP to run multitouch. For crying out loud the ERIS comes stock with a multitouch gallery as part of HTC sense.

You know, regarding Google's decision to sell directly, I actually used to think they made a bad strategic decision too but I have since thought about it more. When you consider that in 10 years or so wireless will be so fast that there will be almost no need for a hard wired cable for a TV, phone or internet, and consider that netbooks and smartphones are really gaining ground as a the main internet connected device, really the future looks bright indeed. Nevertheless, the big threat to all this is contract lock in. So, to me, selling an unlocked phone is possibly brilliant or idiotic, or maybe some of both.

 

[Tas71]

Not a fan of multitouch. Why use two fingers (hence two hands) when u could use one finger. Is that really what makes the iPhone or any other phone that much better. I love this phone and I haven't even rooted yet.

 

[DaygosDankest]

You know, regarding Google's decision to sell directly, I actually used to think they made a bad strategic decision too but I have since thought about it more. When you consider that in 10 years or so wireless will be so fast that there will be almost no need for a hard wired cable for a TV, phone or internet, and consider that netbooks and smartphones are really gaining ground as a the main internet connected device, really the future looks bright indeed. Nevertheless, the big threat to all this is contract lock in. So, to me, selling an unlocked phone is possibly brilliant or idiotic, or maybe some of both.

You sir, hit the nail on the head.

 

[alostpacket]

You sir, hit the nail on the head.

Heh thanks, when I thought about it there just seemed no way Google could be so boneheaded but then I realized they have always had long term goals and I needed to think what those were.

 

[bdal1]

I personally think that it is similar to apple vs windows. android will crush iphone, not the droid. more phones is a good thing.

A good example is when flash comes out. how do you think the sheep will respond when they find out they can play farmville on an android phone. All while apple calls adobe names like lazy.

 

[alostpacket]

I personally think that it is similar to apple vs windows. android will crush iphone, not the droid. more phones is a good thing.

A good example is when flash comes out. how do you think the sheep will respond when they find out they can play farmville on an android phone. All while apple calls adobe names like lazy.

So insane that Jobs called Adobe lazy. Apple would have gone out of business in the late 90's and early 2000's if it were not for PhotoShop.


The guy has lost his mind completely.

 

[Bxrider11]

I think that other than Iphone users, Android users have no loyalty. Due to the popularity of the Android OS we are going to see an overflow of Android phones this year and if the popularity increases we can expect more in 2011. With that said, the top Android phones in the US market are the Moto Droid and the Nexus One. Because of the promise in the sales model of the N1, I would expect to see more phones put out by Google. In regards to the Moto Droid, this phone is going to be a signature phone like the 1st Iphone. I can see the Moto being able to last a very long time and should be capable to handle an upgrades that come out for the next few years. But because this OS has no signature phone and it is an open market, I think every 6 months to a year, there is going to be a hotter phone that can do just a little more than the previous one.

As for me, I can see myself sticking with my Moto Droid. This model phone reminds me of my 1st Razr phone. It is sold sturdy and maybe not that sexy, but buit to last.

 

[darreno1]

I think some of these tech journalists enjoy manufacturing problems where there aren't any. If you read the dev comments halfway down the list, you'll see why. It takes little effort it seems to ensure an app works with all versions.

I also think there's an ever increasing element of impatience amongst the Droid community. Our updates will come in due time. Enjoy the phone now and stop the wild speculating. If you are that impatient, root and install the available roms. That's the beauty of having choice.

 

[alostpacket]

Agreed about the journalism.

 

[xmr405o]

I'm not sure if I can correlate this article with the failure of our phone. But I do understand her point. Google has so many OS's still active and all the phone manufacturers are using all of them. I don't think that's a way to obtain consistency.

 

[radikal]

Hey OP its been 4 months since droid came out! if i was that worried i would say my wii and ds are doomed to fail too! but numbers say otherwise, still supported, still selling! just GIVE IT TIME! Less updates is usually good, means no bugs! But we will get 2.1 eventually and then there will prob be no MAJOR updates til 3! maybe 2.5 will have something cool!

But hey! if there is a nexus 2, or a droid 2 or a blah blah blah named device, if you have root, its likely that you will be able to port over what ever functions you like most! in two years when technology is super advanced, i will get the best of whatever is next!

 

[Hegemony]

While I usually think Ms. Wood is spot on, I think she's reaching here. She might be more sensitive because she owns a Droid. I think we should wait and see what the 2.1 update brings. For all we know MT will roll out with it. Frankly, I see no reason that it shouldn't. The milestone has it, so Moto certainly wants to do it. If Google is now fine with it in the US, it should happen.

 

[Bramsy]

Not a fan of multitouch. Why use two fingers (hence two hands) when u could use one finger. Is that really what makes the iPhone or any other phone that much better. I love this phone and I haven't even rooted yet.

me agree with this a bunch!!