Comments on: Why Android Needs To Pick Up The Update Pace, And Why The Time Is Right

By: Yacko

Yacko — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:20:49 +0000

“When I buy an android phone, I expect that I would update it
by buying an entirely new body

For me, the hardware+OS package upgrade cycle feels much
more exciting”

You’re right, wanton waste is exciting. Well reasoned.

By: Yacko

Yacko — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:17:32 +0000

Umm…Apple bought the company that wrote Siri, which means Apple owns the IP including patents and has hired the management and coders, at least for the short term, who worked to integrate it with the OS. It isn’t just about buying an app and slapping it on the flagship phone, though that might seem to be kind of shallow move that an android user would expect and appreciate. On the whole, Google has been just as avid about purchasing companies and their IP.

“The 3GS and iPhone 4 do but with features missing.’

The 3GS is slightly over two years old. Compare that to android support levels.

By: Jameslepable

Jameslepable — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:38:29 +0000

The is no fragmentation issue, I have owned two android devices (low end to middle end devices) and they worked perfectly, no bugs with the low end it got an upgrade to 2.1 and it went even better, but I wanted more, so when I tried CM7 for it. It was cool but it had 250mb of ram (low end device after all) so constantly rebooted but its was £60 can’t complain. But that’s just it that phone couldn’t handle a modded stripped down android gingerbread so I didn’t expect it to get official. but at 2.1 it was awesome. My new mid range device is at the current OS but I don’t expect ICS because its slow processor won’t handle it. It runs gingerbread just fine so why mess with that. Same reason I use XP everything works so I don’t need the new one just because its new.

And iFanboys can say that they have iOS 5 but unless you got iPhone 4s you ain’t getting siri. It was an app on the app store whom apple bought then pulled it and added it so you MUST get the new shinny thing for this app basically. That worked fine before hand on the old phone. Even iPad 2 which has same processor doesn’t have it.

The is no big problem with fragmentation of OS just some people want a higher number that is all.

And really, open source there search algorithms? they are the leading search engine for a reason. They change that algorithm daily and it is the best. The is no reason to open source it. It is a search company after all and has lots of open platforms. Chrome, android etc

By: LarryVandemeer

LarryVandemeer — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:52:04 +0000

The Android update situation is just fine. Here Apple can’t even update its phone and all they got is 4 models and one manufacturer and one type of CPU design that they themselves produce. Yet the millions of iPhone1 users are stuck with iOS3 and the millions of iPhone3G users are stuck with iOS3 or a lobotomized iOS4, never to be able to upgrade to iOS5. Then you have the most popular Windows OS software in the world with millions running Windows XP, millions running Vista and millions running Windows 7 and soon Windows 8. That is the mother of all Fragmentations. Or Mac OS… millions more running about 10 different versions of the OS…. but you know what? IT DOES NOT MATTER. Cause if the OS runs the software you need, it’s fine. And 98% of all Android apps will run just fine with Android 2.1+… and 97.5% of the 190 million Androids out there are running 2.1+… and that’s more than I can say for Windows OS, Mac OS or for that matter the fascist 100% control of hardware and software of iOS. It is you Apple loving stock holding Apple friendly media folks that are making a bigger issues that this is. Google does not have to do a single thing than they already are doing. They are releasing the open source code so OEMs and an army of developers can get it and use it… FOR FREE…. How much it used to cost you to update Windows OS or Mac OS every time the last 10 years??? Now we are down to FREE OS updates…. and if you don’t see it from your OEM try http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices
They have a hell of a lot devices updated to the latest and greatest… and that’s a lot more than the 4 devices, that Apple with their $80 billion in cash that they got from people buying their junk devices, yet they can not update them ALL to the latest and greatest of their OS5.

By: Tom Krazit

Tom Krazit — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:08:19 +0000

I think you’re right that that’s how Android works now. Speed was definitely the priority in the first few years. But I think over time that Android partners will want at some point to make customers perceive more value in the devices. One way to do that is by promising software upgrades over time.

Don’t forget that this is also a security issue, something that iOS doesn’t have to worry about. Google and its partners can push out patches without a full release, but in general you’re the most secure when running on the latest version of software.

By: Blueglacia

Blueglacia — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:34:28 +0000

Here is a bit of psychological perspective on why fragmentation
seems to matter less for Android buyers. For a buyer, iPhone has one model. A
newer body is perceived generally as next iteration – a refresh, similar to a
Honda Accord has 2008, 2009, 2010 models. A new car buyer does not choose to
buy 2008 model in 2010.

Android in my mind as a buyer does not refer to a specific
car model. It refers to a different universe of choices – on every level. And
new choices become available every month, not once a year.

When I buy an android phone, I expect that I would update it
by buying an entirely new body and software package next time, going from a
Honda Accord to a Lexus LS400. Maybe a SUV next time.

For me, the hardware+OS package upgrade cycle feels much
more exciting and rewarding in the fast moving and diverse Android world. As a
matter of fact, as a new phone owner, I like that feeling of having moved onto
not only better but more unique body and soul. Otherwise, my new phone would be
the same as everyone else’s 2 year old phone, only runs faster.

As a result, I tend to think that Android buyers in general
are tempted to upgrade the hardware more frequently than iPhone buyers would
be. Neither is better or worse. Just different worlds.

The OS upgrades on any given Android phone in the meantime,
to me, feel optional. My “old” phone remains as effective as it was 6
months ago and I don’t see much downside being almost two generations behind.
The Android universe is evolving at breakneck speed, and I am more excited
about my next Android purchase experience – a Lamborghini, this time. I like
this type of fragmentation as long as the app developers do not have to work
too hard to keep up with it. I believe, that is what ICS is supposed to
address.

By: Thomas Burke

Thomas Burke — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:08:48 +0000

I was surprised to see DeGusta claim that the original iPhone runs ios4, much less 5. Then I read more of his blog posts and his agenda became clear, he purposely misleads. But your point is well taken, I would love to upgrade my G1 (running Froyo) to even a crippled ICS. If I had the original iPhone that upgrade wouldn’t even be conceivable, so to my eyes it is iPhone buyers who have paid a price.

By: Rich Allen

Rich Allen — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:11:46 +0000

Fanboy Babble. Not real.

By: MicroNix

MicroNix — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:50:45 +0000

@rob said: “fractured market, friends with android phones can’t update them because
of wrong software versions or complexity, they are all switching to
iPhones, esp now that the new one is out”

Ok, so would you say the developer of PowerAMP which has over 500,000 unlock purchases at $4.99 each would say Android doesn’t pay? A little bit of math shows this guy has already made over a million on this ONE app. Of course he made an app that kicks and people want. What was your app(s)?

I also find the complete opposite of your statement regarding Android folks going to an iPhone. Everyone I know personally either has purchased a Bionic or are waiting for the Nexus. Why would they want to go to a company that takes an app that was available to current phones (SIRI), purchases it, and then makes you pay $200 for a new phone just to be able to use it again? Hmm….

iPhones are fractured now as well. You can’t tell me for a minute that the original iPhone runs iOS 5, or that the 3G does. The 3GS and iPhone 4 do but with features missing. WHAT A MESS! How can one know which iPhone gets what features???? OMG, a true disaster.

By: Rich Allen

Rich Allen — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:26:40 +0000

Seriously, this is a non issue. This is the iPhone fanboys last desperate attempt to produce bad media for Android. A phone lasts a couple of year at best, and you buy it for a set of features, that certainly won’t change with or without upgrades. If you are smart, you get HTC, as my EVO has gotten every upgrade. When I replace it, I’ll select a phone that has upgrade potential. It is always the low end phones that don’t get the upgrades, and if you $50 bucks for your phone, don’t expect the latest coolest fastest.