Why aren't all Androids the same?

Much like computers, android devices differ mostly based on hardware, but also every device has a different "theme" which we phandroids refer to as an oem skin. This skin mostly affects how it looks because OEM's have a desire to differentiate their devices from each other, but also can add or change additional features to the device as well. Just like PC's, you have entry level, mid range, and high performance devices based on their hardware, and usually price is a good indicator of that.

As far as running all the same apps and functions, not all devices are considered equal. Certain apps have been optimized to work on certain hardware, such as nVidia Tegra chips and should be denoted if they do. Also, some apps are only optimized to work on certain screen resolutions as well. Generally if an app isn't compatible with your device, it won't even show up in the play store.

If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask

 

Edit: I missed that you said that they run the same android version (and thus deleted everything I typed in lieu of this edit). In that case, we go to a lower level. Hardware drivers might not be supported. Like jhawkkw said, if it was designed to run using a particular type of hardware accelerated chip then chances are it'll only run on those. I'm not sure if this is a thing now on Android but on your normal PCs, say an app is designed for a fast single core but provides no concurrency on slower multi cores then it too can suffer in performance.

Edit2: I guess it's also worth noting that the developer can decide which devices his/her app supports (screens of certain size, of certain density, etc) whether it will actually run in real life or not. Maybe it just looks ugly and the dev doesn't it out there lookin ugly .

 

Well a lot of the price can be part of the hardware in some cases andbin software for others. Great screens dont come cheap especially in R&D. Have u seen the resistive screen android 2.2 tablets? In most cases they are cheap but terrible to use. On the other hand, ppl like samsung might put in stupid amounts of money designing touchwiz, something that may or may not increase value in the users eyes. This accounts for some of the price differences. (Disclaimer, I dont actually kno how much time/money samsung puts into that, just an example). Also, frankly this is a large market. Some devices might exist solely to undercut other devices so Its not so clear cut.

From a performance standpoint like for games, developpers dont really get to pick what devices are released right. U are correct, if they design their software for such a narrow variety of devices, they very well might be starving themselves of an audience, but thats a risk some developers take to try to hedge bets on being 'most advanced' or some other latest greatest thing. We (ArcDatum) personally prefer coverage of dvices over using the latest hardware accelerated things (just as an example) using features that may or may not become standard or widespread. That ofcourse totally dependent on the app. Its like developing a really great piece of software using webgl. It just hasnt been tested thouroughly with consumers yet.

Also, not sure if im misunderstanding u here, developers dont change the android OS. Atleast not that we're aware of. Thats reserved for the custom rom guys and OEMs.

 

The price of tablets varies for the same reason as other electronics (pcs, tvs, phones, etc.). Not all Android devices use the same screen technology. Tablets with nicer screens (AMOLED, tempered glass, etc.), larger screens, or higher resolution screens will be more expensive. Just because processor speed is similar does not mean that processing power is equal. Newer, high end CPUs will be more costly, as will tablets with high end GPUs. Other things like amount of storage and RAM, number of cameras, NFC, docks, and size of battery would factor into the cost as well.

I'm not sure if the cheaper tablets you're talking about are name brand or knockoff. You'll probably pay more for name brands. The more expensive tablets could have better build quality and use better parts. The bigger OEMs probably put more effort into porting Android to their Hardware and getting it to run smoothly; as well as putting their own modifications in the OS (for better or worse). The more popular (usually high end) devices typically receive better support from the manufacturer, and from devs. You may have trouble finding accessories for cheap tablets.

So, the difference comes (mostly) down to hardware. Tablets running the same version of Android should be able to run the same apps, with the exception of some games. The difference will be in the user experience, and the long term performance.

 

You also ask "if they run the same version of android". That's very much not a given, especially if you think longer-term. A cheap tablet is probably not only running an old version of android, but will probably never get an upgrade, since the upgrade has to be built and distributed for the tablet by the manufacturer, and the people who make the cheap tablet are unlikely to do that (it doesn't pay them to do so). This is part of what Italo says about getting better support from the high-end devices (and "devs" means custom software provided by enthusiasts, again more likely with a popular, high-end device).

If keeping the software up to date is important to you, a Nexus is your best bet since Google will provide updates for those for as long as the hardware is up to it.

 

on a similar topic....

let's say currently a phone has an official release: 2.3.4 (just as an example ). why wouldn't it be possible to install the stock android OS version of gingerbread? Or is the "skin" or drivers on the phone the "glue" that makes the phone work in general?

That is, I always hear about all the bloatware that carriers install or the skins that manufacturers put on the phone that may/may-not clutter up the overall experience.

More details surrounding my question - so I have the Motorola Atrix4G (and trust me, I'm not asking for a "How To" - more like a "Why not?" type of question), and as you may know Motorola uses MotoBlur.
I'm not saying I like or dislike MotoBlur - I'm not sure to be honest - this is my first Android phone.
But I see a common trend among Android users is they they either like to Root and/or install a custom-ROM.
So my question is, if the Stock Android OS is "good" then why couldn't I just wipe the phone out and install the relative gingerbread stock OS on the phone? Similar to a PC, when you want to re-install Windows or something.

For example, the Atrix4G has the microHDMI port - but to output it to a TV or monitor, I'd have to use the Atrix media docking station. My assumption is that Motorola purposely locked users out from using the microHDMI port for entertainment/sharing purposes so that they'd have to buy the media docking station.

 

It's possible to install "almost" stock Android. CyanogenMod is an example of putting stock Android on almost all supported phones. However, these ROMs are custom because of the difference in hardware components. Unlike Windows where the drivers are commonplace, easy to download on the internet and are separate from the system, Android drivers are embedded into the OS, meaning the Android installer for say, a Galaxy Nexus won't work on a Nexus 4 because of the difference in embedded drivers. And since Google only releases the official Android for Nexus devices, ROM developers have to get these files and alter them for specific devices.

As for the docking station, yes you are correct. Manufacturers often add stuff so that you will have to use their products.

 

Pretty much, the customs skins are the manufacturers' ideas to differentiate their hardware/software from their competitors.

Ironically, consumers look towards the customizations as a con and would much rather have the stock Android OS on their devices instead.