Android Holds the Future of Smartphones

[KnightWRX]

So tell me, how many 2.5-3 year old Android phones will run Gingerbread? I think it is unrealistic to expect any new OS to run on that old of a phone.

One good point to Android though is that since it is an open source initiative, once a manufacturer stops support, the community can pick it up. As such, the HTC Dream, one of the very first Android phones (known as the T-mobile G1 to you US peeps) got to run Froyo (Android 2.2).

Of course, specs of a device sometimes make it downright ridiculous to run the new OS, but seriously, why did the iPhone 3G struggle so much with iOS 4 and didn't even get Wallpapers of all things, when the jailbreak community has had wallpapers on the darn thing in like forever running at decent speeds. It makes no sense, unless you're willing to accept Apple was simply trying to force upgrades on 3G owners by "fragmenting" their own ecosystem.

 

[ucfgrad93]

If Apple can't even support 2 of the 4 phones they've made, how reasonable is it to expect Google to support the 100s that Android is on?

Again, how many almost 3 year old Android phones will continue to get updates from Google? While I use an iPhone, I do like several Android phones. However, the rate that they are put out by the various vendors (HTC, Samsung, LG, etc.) and the various form factors do cause problems when a new OS is introduced.

 

[ucfgrad93]

One good point to Android though is that since it is an open source initiative, once a manufacturer stops support, the community can pick it up. As such, the HTC Dream, one of the very first Android phones (known as the T-mobile G1 to you US peeps) got to run Froyo (Android 2.2).

True, the Android community has great developers that really help Android users. However, I'm sure that there are many Android users that know nothing about them or how to use the updates etc.

 

[Mac.World]

There are 3 main problems with Android-based phones, preventing me from ever buying one:

You are dependent upon the hardware manufacturer to provide you with OS updates. This may mean 30 days, a year or never from when Google provides the update, depending on the phone and manufacturer. When Google releases the latest OS, I want to be able to download it. Why should I be dependent upon HTC, Samsung or (fill in the blank manufacturer) to tell me when I can have the update? I know the reason for this, and again the word "fragmentation" comes to mind, but this is a reason for me not to buy a Droid-based phone.

Malware. I shouldn't have to have virus-protection on my phone because Google doesn't protect, secure or verify the apps in its store. Google recently used the kill-switch to kill 58 malware apps. Google is becoming the Microsoft of the OS arena.

Adverts. I don't want adverts on my phone and on every app I download. It's one reason I hate Lite versions of apps on the iPhone. Pop-up adverts or adverts that take up screen real-estate, are a headache.

What I wish Apple would 'steal' from Google:
Notifications, active desktops, ability to alter my folders and untethered OS updates.

 

[SevenInchScrew]

One good point to Android though is that since it is an open source initiative, once a manufacturer stops support, the community can pick it up. As such, the HTC Dream, one of the very first Android phones (known as the T-mobile G1 to you US peeps) got to run Froyo (Android 2.2).

There are builds of 2.3.3 running on it.

It makes no sense, unless you're willing to accept Apple was simply trying to force upgrades on 3G owners by "fragmenting" their own ecosystem.

BLASPHEMY!! (or so I've been told)

Again, how many almost 3 year old Android phones will continue to get updates from Google?

When October comes around this year, I'll let you know.

However, I'm sure that there are many Android users that know nothing about them or how to use the updates etc.

You mean like my girlfriend and her mother, who aren't techy, and don't understand why they can't have 4.3 on their phones?

There are 3 main problems with Android-based phones, preventing me from ever buying one:

....

Adverts. I don't want adverts on my phone and on every app I download. It's one reason I hate Lite versions of apps on the iPhone. Pop-up adverts or adverts that take up screen real-estate, are a headache.

I've never once had a full-screen pop-up ad on my phone. That isn't an Android issue. It is app dependent, same as it is with iOS.

 

[KnightWRX]

True, the Android community has great developers that really help Android users. However, I'm sure that there are many Android users that know nothing about them or how to use the updates etc.

And there are many iPhone 3G users that would love to have a community even remotely capable of hacking ROMs for it. Yet, nope, they're stuck upgrading the hardware to run the latest software... or to resort to jailbreaking and using 3rd party hacked together solutions (hey, who cares about running Apple's own multitasking when you've got backgrounder!).

It doesn't matter that many people don't know about Cyanogen. It matters that Cyanogen can do what he does.

Malware. I shouldn't have to have virus-protection on my phone because Google doesn't protect, secure or verify the apps in its store. Google recently used the kill-switch to kill 58 malware apps. Google is becoming the Microsoft of the OS arena.

At least Google kills and removes malware from the market. You can write the same kind of trojans for iOS, and there's probably plenty in the store right now. We'll never actually know because Apple isn't as opened as Google about it as kdarling pointed out earlier.

Adverts. I don't want adverts on my phone and on every app I download. It's one reason I hate Lite versions of apps on the iPhone. Pop-up adverts or adverts that take up screen real-estate, are a headache.

iOS and Android are both equivalents here. I don't see how this is a negative towards Android.

 

[KnightWRX]

double.

 

[Melrose]

I think what Melrose was talking about is the confusion of what devices will be able to support a new OS. For example, when iOS 4.3 is released, it is pretty certain that the iPhone 4 will support it. However, when Gingerbread was released there was delays getting the update out through the various carriers.

That is just my point. Android devices can be so tailored to a specific handset that if/when a fancier master version/update is released by Google, it may not work on your device - even if your device is brand spanking new.

I'm trying to be subjective, but apparently that's not enough for a select few Android lovers. I'm simply pointing out that open-source software (Android, in this case) forks and branches whereas a closed system offers an inherently better experience. It is perfectly capable of creating as many problems as it solves because every handset maker and his brother is tinkering around with it, each, sadly, trying to give it some proprietary feature or spiffy look that the competition doesn't have (resulting in not only market saturation of a million and one different looks and features but a million and one different versions of the OS, enough to confuse most of your average buyers and making it like early browser wars all over again). That's not to say some Android devices aren't splashy and functional, but they're still based on a system that may not support the latest version of it's own operating system without some patience waiting for the handset manufacturer; You can't just go to Google HQ and download it and it runs blemish-free.

You use what works for you..

edit..
Not to mention, if/when problems arise, who do you call? Google is notoriously horrible on customer service, and the handset manufacturers aren't the ones who made the OS so they won't be able to resolve every problem that comes up. It plagues Windows users to this day: Problem w/ Computer. Call Dell. Dell Says Call Microsoft. Microsoft Says Call Dell. It confuses the hell out of people are not über-obsessed tech geeks like us. There's always the question of Will it Work? that Apple completely removes form the picture. You got a new iPhone? Great. It works.

 

[SevenInchScrew]

Not to mention, if/when problems arise, who do you call? Google is notoriously horrible on customer service, and the handset manufacturers aren't the ones who made the OS so they won't be able to resolve every problem that comes up. It plagues Windows users to this day: Problem w/ Computer. Call Dell. Dell Says Call Microsoft. Microsoft Says Call Dell. It confuses the hell out of people are not über-obsessed tech geeks like us. There's always the question of Will it Work? that Apple completely removes form the picture. You got a new iPhone? Great. It works.

Really, this is what it's come to? When all else fails, scare the people with Windows. Goodbye thread.

 

[Melrose]

Really, this is what it's come to? Goodbye thread.

...what was that you said about silly smileys? I forgot.

edit: nice Ninja Edit goin' on there

 

[KnightWRX]

edit..
Not to mention, if/when problems arise, who do you call?

Same as with any other device. You call the manufacturer. Just take a note : Someone sold you something, it is being problematic, call that someone.

This applies to anything in life, including Apple products and any other electronics/mecanical objects/clothing/appliances/furniture/accessories.