Mobile OSs Android M?

[Michael Goff]

A single device on Android is hardly a choice--especially when the Nexus phones are NEVER the best hardware available. Even worse when the only choice is a super-sized phablet that will most certainly not appeal to many people.

I'm sorry but I find it frustrating that the best hardware and latest software are rarely found together on the same device on Android.

Motorola also seems pretty good about updates. The funny thing is, though, that lower end devices (Android One, budget Motorola devices) are likely to see M before the people paying 600$+ if they're not the Nexus 6. >_>;

 

[tbayrgs]

Also a lot of the material design apps are available through the playstore. No need to upgrade when most of the features are already available.

I care less about whether third party apps have adopted a new design language but definitely 'advantage Android' when in comes to individual core application updates. Problem is this doesn't cover all features and functionality introduced with a new version of Android, else we would never see these 'when will my phone get xxx version of Android' threads.

And while iOS users have to wait for OS updates to see changes to individual apps, at least we know in most cases it will be across the board to ALL iOS devices (yes, I know there are always a small number of features that aren't available on older devices). If a person can't afford to get the latest and greatest iPhone, they'll at least see the update on their older phone or have the option of buying a used previous version and see the latest update. I don't have that choice with Android in most cases.

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Motorola also seems pretty good about updates. The funny thing is, though, that lower end devices (Android One, budget Motorola devices) are likely to see M before the people paying 600$+ if they're not the Nexus 6. >_>;

Yup, loved seeing Motorola lead the push for timely updates--I think some of their devices actually received Lollipop updates before some Nexus devices. Let's hope that continues now that I believe Lenovo has fully taken control of Moto.

 

[jamezr]

I care less about whether third party apps have adopted a new design language but definitely 'advantage Android' when in comes to individual core application updates. Problem is this doesn't cover all features and functionality introduced with a new version of Android, else we would never see these 'when will my phone get xxx version of Android' threads.

And while iOS users have to wait for OS updates to see changes to individual apps, at least we know in most cases it will be across the board to ALL iOS devices (yes, I know there are always a small number of features that aren't available on older devices). If a person can't afford to get the latest and greatest iPhone, they'll at least see the update on their older phone or have the option of buying a used previous version and see the latest update. I don't have that choice with Android in nearly all cases.

I will accross the board agree that Apple handles updates in a more timely fashion. I have also had those IOS updates brick my iphone too. I have yet to have an Android update brick a phone.
But how did this become Android versus IOS?

 

[Michael Goff]

I will accross the board agree that Apple handles updates in a more timely fashion. I have also had those IOS updates brick my iphone too. I have yet to have an Android update brick a phone.
But how did this become Android versus IOS?

I assume you aren't new to the internet. Everything is a versus battle.

 

[jamezr]

I assume you aren't new to the internet. Everything is a virus battle.

LOL...i don't know if you meant "virus" or not but it fits just the same!

 

[tbayrgs]

I'm stunned the resident Apple zealots (I consider myself more on the fringe ) haven't chimed in claiming Google is copying a slew of Apple features and functions (sorry if I just broke that dam wide open). I don't care how similar they might appear, just that they work well and enhance competition or widespread adoption (in the case of Android Pay).

I have to admit I'm really excited to try out Google Photos, specifically because it looks to function so similarly to Apple's Photos applications. Even more exciting is the cost--free for unlimited photos and videos? That's awesome. Really hope this pushes Apple to lower their iCloud storage pricing.

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I will accross the board agree that Apple handles updates in a more timely fashion. I have also had those IOS updates brick my iphone too. I have yet to have an Android update brick a phone.
But how did this become Android versus IOS?

Sorry, really not trying to turn it into a comparison--my fault and my apologies. Intention was just to illustrate why the Android update cycle can be frustrating, both in regards to existing and new devices. There are advantages to both methods for certain.

 

[epicrayban]

Side note: The Google team is quite a diverse group (in terms of ethnicities). That's nice to see.

Also, still no multi-window feature and still no customizable quick toggles? Or did I miss those?

Why not, Google?

 

[Michael Goff]

Side note: The Google team is quite a diverse group (in terms of ethnicities). That's nice to see.

Also, still no multi-window feature and still no customizable quick toggles? Or did I miss those?

Why not, Google?

I'm assuming performance. Remember, they have phones out there with 512mb of RAM. If they threw that on there, it'd work like crap.

 

[tbayrgs]

Side note: The Google team is quite a diverse group (in terms of ethnicities). That's nice to see.

Also, still no multi-window feature and still no customizable quick toggles? Or did I miss those?

Why not, Google?

A lot can change between now and November. IIRC, quite a bit was different between the initial developer preview of Lollipop and final release. Fingers crossed that we see both of these.

 

[Michael Goff]

LOL...i don't know if you meant "virus" or not but it fits just the same!

I meant versus and Safari autocorrected my mistake to virus. XD

 

[epicrayban]

Interesting, the app drawer now scrolls up and down... apparently? With a search bar on top, too...

http://www.androidcentral.com/googles-got-crazy-new-launcher-android-m-developer-preview

 

[Michael Goff]

Interesting, the app drawer now scrolls up and down... apparently? With a search bar on top, too...

http://www.androidcentral.com/googles-got-crazy-new-launcher-android-m-developer-preview

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Also, is that a new font I see?

 

[epicrayban]

And what's that bar of apps at the top just under the search bar.

Frequently opened apps?

Strange new world...!

 

[Vegastouch]

Google photos with unlimited storage and detachment from google plus is nice.

Curious though how many phones will actually see an update to Android M when lollipop is only on roughly 10 percent of devices out there.

I know mine will(GS6), just a matter of when.

 

[Michael Goff]

I know mine will(GS6), just a matter of when.

If it comes out later this year (October, most likely), you can count on it like being out for the S6 by February.

 

[Vegastouch]

Then buy Nexus. Seriously, how is this an issue for anyone? No one is forced to buy any phone. If your requirements demand the latest OS, you have options. Either buy Nexus or an iPhone (and soon Windows Phone).
People know going in that if the buy a Samsung phone, they aren't going to get timely updates.

Not everybody buys multiple phones. I sure dont and im also not a huge fan of pure Android though it didnt suck. It could be better though.

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I'm stunned the resident Apple zealots (I consider myself more on the fringe ) haven't chimed in claiming Google is copying a slew of Apple features and functions (sorry if I just broke that dam wide open). I don't care how similar they might appear, just that they work well and enhance competition or widespread adoption (in the case of Android Pay).

I have to admit I'm really excited to try out Google Photos, specifically because it looks to function so similarly to Apple's Photos applications. Even more exciting is the cost--free for unlimited photos and videos? That's awesome. Really hope this pushes Apple to lower their iCloud storage pricing.

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Sorry, really not trying to turn it into a comparison--my fault and my apologies. Intention was just to illustrate why the Android update cycle can be frustrating, both in regards to existing and new devices. There are advantages to both methods for certain.

LOL, yeah sure. How did Googles free 20,000 songs on Google Music affect Apples music pricing? How many do you get for free?

Theres your answer.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Not sure what you guys expected? It is a "Developers Conference" centered around coding.

I suppose it's because we've been spoilt over the years with nexus 7's and chromecasts been debued at google I/0. The best year was 2013, nexus 7 and the chromecast were shown off that year. I remember the excitement.

 

[tbayrgs]

Not everybody buys multiple phones. I sure dont and im also not a huge fan of pure Android though it didnt suck. It could be better though.

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LOL, yeah sure. How did Googles free 20,000 songs on Google Music affect Apples music pricing? How many do you get for free?

Theres your answer.

I hear ya but $25/yr for iTunes Match (which also affords you the opportunity to trade in your crappy low bitrate MP3 rip for a higher quality file and ad free use of iTunes Radio) is different than spending $120/yr for iCloud storage. I don't expect Apple to offer it for free but maybe trim their rates a bit. Original iCloud storage rates were higher before they released the Photos app and iCloud Photo storage. You're probably right but you never know.

 

[Vegastouch]

I hear ya but $25/yr for iTunes Match (which also affords you the opportunity to trade in your crappy low bitrate MP3 rip for a higher quality file and ad free use of iTunes Radio) is different than spending $120/yr for iCloud storage. I don't expect Apple to offer it for free but maybe trim their rates a bit. Original iCloud storage rates were higher before they released the Photos app and iCloud Photo storage. You're probably right but you never know.

$120 is ridiculous. Thats Apple for ya.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Side note: The Google team is quite a diverse group (in terms of ethnicities). That's nice to see.

Also, still no multi-window feature and still no customizable quick toggles? Or did I miss those?

Why not, Google?

Well it makes a change from the all white males we see at apple conferences but it wasn't that diverse, it was just white males and Indian males and female, but it's something I suppose. Or maybe there was more diversity. I stopped watching when they started talking about intiatives for developing countries.

 

[tbayrgs]

$120 is ridiculous. Thats Apple for ya.

Don't judge too quickly. Guess how much Google charges for 1TB of storage for photos and videos that aren't retouched?

 

[MRU]

Love the new Photos app. When you have a plethora of devices having a decent app that works on nearly all of them is so handy.

Its vast improvement over photos from G+ especially on iOS

 

[Michael Goff]

Love the new Photos app. When you have a plethora of devices having a decent app that works on nearly all of them is so handy.

Its vast improvement over photos from G+

I can definitely agree to that last part. Not sure if I'm going to use it, though.

 

[jamezr]

Installed the M preview. Booted up just fine and now it is installing all my apps from Google backup. I will report back after it is done.

 

[MRU]

Installed the M preview. Booted up just fine and now it is installing all my apps from Google backup. I will report back after it is done.

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How do we do that? (Install M Preview?)