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Android updates vs. iOS updates
- Thread starter dmelgar
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Although I've been very vocal against Apple these days, I have to applaud them for the way they roll out their ios updates.
They announce a date and bam, everyone receives it at the same time.
Android really needs to get their **** together with the upgrades. It's been over 3 months since Jelly Bean released on the Nexus 7 and the most popular Android phone (Galaxy S3) still doesn't have it (probably less than 5% of the S3 handsets have it).
You can blame the carriers, Samsung, etc. Whatever.
The fact of the matter is that the users are the one who are getting shafted.
And yes we all know about rooting, etc. whatever. There shouldn't have to be a workaround to get an OS update.
They announce a date and bam, everyone receives it at the same time.
Android really needs to get their **** together with the upgrades. It's been over 3 months since Jelly Bean released on the Nexus 7 and the most popular Android phone (Galaxy S3) still doesn't have it (probably less than 5% of the S3 handsets have it).
You can blame the carriers, Samsung, etc. Whatever.
The fact of the matter is that the users are the one who are getting shafted.
And yes we all know about rooting, etc. whatever. There shouldn't have to be a workaround to get an OS update.
Android is a different model with a different approach, different strategy. It wants to proliferate more than be exclusive. The good thing about this model, that is, the good thing about not being afraid to upgrade in major ways is that you sometimes get major leaps forward in changes and improvements (think ICS). Apple's fear of fragmentation and their insistency on keeping legacy devices in the loop, so to speak, prevents them from making any major updates to the OS (which it ironic because sometimes even one year old phones don't have the mainfeatures of the latest upgrade. Think iPhone 4 and SIRI).
It's just a different beast.
If updates are important to you, you said the answer in your own post. Nexus. One phone a year, guaranteed updates. Sound familiar, doesn't it?
I get all OS updates in a timely manor no problem.
For my iPhone they come from Apple.
For my Nexus they come from Google.
Simple & straightforward.
For my iPhone they come from Apple.
For my Nexus they come from Google.
Simple & straightforward.
I care about specs. So then, at this point in time. I have to settle for a 4.65 inch screen phone with a dual core cpu, no sd slot, to get OS updates in a timely fashion?
Maybe i want a phone with a bigger screen, sd slot option, faster cpu? Well I guess I can't.
It just seems a bit off-putting that the top of the line premium Android handsets have to wait decades for an OS update.
Samsung announced Jelly bean was coming to the S3 months ago. And yet here we are months later with nothing.
Isn't that the same conditions as the iPhone each year? Each year, it's whatever model Apple offers. So you're happy Apple offers timely update, but you're unhappy about the conditions that are required to achieve that?
Don't get me wrong. I'm with you, mate. I wish carriers and manufacturers got their game together and made updating easier and timelier. They have gotten better when compared to the past few years, but there's definitely room for improvement.
I'm simply saying, you can't have everything. It just isn't realistic. I want what you want too, but if you enjoy multiple manufacturers competing with specs, you're going to have to expect more parties involved in the updating process.
Android needs to get their sh#$ together? Android is an OS, made by Google and they do put their stuff out in a timely manner. Apple is the only company to control when hardware and software get released. They have control from start of manufacturing to point of sale to the consumer. At least Samsung has something similar for the Int'l version of the S3 to do mass updates around the world. N America gets shafted because of the carriers. You don't like having to wait on a carrier, buy an int'l S3. Problem solved.
So which is better? Waiting a year or more for a phone that likely won't change and will maybe get one update to the OS or go with various phones from several manufacturers, in various configurations, and get numerous updates at both the UI and OS level several times in the course of a year?
Good job jumping to conclusions.
I have an Intl s3. Mass updates around the world?
I'm here in Korea where we have the beefiest s3 and guess what.. still no jellybean.
Not just here. Only a few select countries and models got the jellybean update.
And way to read my post. I said it doesn't matter who is to blame here. U can blame Google , Samsung, or the carriers. It's the customers who get shafted.
What's the point of announcing an OS upgrade when the majority are going to have to wait months and months to get.
Yes, there are mass updates via this little program called Keis by Samsung. You may have heard of it?
And yes, I read your post. You believe the customer is shafted by Google or Samsung or the carriers because we have to wait a few months for an update. Which is why I asked you if you thought Apples once a year or longer update schedule was better? I guess YOU didn't read my post.
Maybe Samsung should only bother with updates once a year, regardless of when Google announces a new OS? This would make you happier? After all, it is what Apple does.
You mean Kies? Mass updates? You mean those tiny incremental upgrades apple does as well for minor fixes.
And in case you've been living under a rock as far as releasing one major update every year. Android and Samsung have been doing the same exact thing.
ICS was released oct 2011. It's oct 2012 and jelly bean is still not here. Theyre actually faring worse than apple here.
At least apple promptly delivers an update when they say they will.
What ridiculous thing do you have to say now?
Android is just a different beast. It's that simple.
Thankfully, there are still options to satisfy update-loving people: Nexus.
Again, you cite Apple as the role model of updates. There's an exact line that does it the same exact way. The Nexus' model is precisely one phone a year with whatever specs Google offers, and guaranteed updates. That's the same options you get with Apple and the iPhone, yet somehow they're better at it? Somehow you're upset you can't play the spec-game with Android phones, but you don't have the same problem with Apple offering only their specs for the iPhone?
The only difference between Nexus/iOS updates are that they're released at different points of the year.
Like I said, I get your gripe, but if you're going to use Apple's update model to compare, use the right comparisons and compare fairly.
Thankfully, there are still options to satisfy update-loving people: Nexus.
Again, you cite Apple as the role model of updates. There's an exact line that does it the same exact way. The Nexus' model is precisely one phone a year with whatever specs Google offers, and guaranteed updates. That's the same options you get with Apple and the iPhone, yet somehow they're better at it? Somehow you're upset you can't play the spec-game with Android phones, but you don't have the same problem with Apple offering only their specs for the iPhone?
The only difference between Nexus/iOS updates are that they're released at different points of the year.
Like I said, I get your gripe, but if you're going to use Apple's update model to compare, use the right comparisons and compare fairly.
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I know what you are saying. But I think you are missing one of my key points.
Samsung announced in August that jellybean was right around the corner for the s3's. It's just about the end of October and practically nowhere to be found.
Forget about the US which will take even longer. They mentioned this for the Intl s3's. It's nearly the end of October and practically no one has it.
I'm saying when apple announces something it's clear. When any other android seller announces it, it's up in the air.
History does not seem to confirm that nexus devices get timely updates over a long period of time. It has not consistently happened. It has not occurred at least as often. Repeating googles line doesn't make it so. This has been discussed earlier in this thread.
Its not really a great option when they only offer up a 16GB phone with no Microsdslot. Id LOVE to get a Nexus phone but they keep making it with lacking specs. If it had a MicroSD slot, then ok, but it dont.
So you gain timely updates but lose specs. Its a tradeoff and so far im not willing to lose specs since i can root and flash a ROM to get JB if i have to. And it looks like thats what ill end up doing to my GS3. I been waiting for the Nexus news on their newest phone and its rather disapointing to me.
I dont get why Google wont step it up and tell the makers to give it more when they know the Nexus is gaining in popularity.
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They get them as long as Apples do if not longer. When Google updates their Nexus, it gets the whole update which includes the OS and apps.
Apples dont.
The Nexus S has JB. Not sure if the first Nexus does.
Yeah, the Nexus line is far from perfect. I, too, wish Google would step up the Nexus program, as there has certainly been tons of growing pains. Since the Nexus 7, however, I feel like they're on the right track.
Hopefully they're starting to figure it out...
Hopefully they're starting to figure it out...
Fully agree. I think it comes down to them knowing the Nexus line isn't going to sell as well as say the iPhone, so they invest less to minimize risk. Same thing happened with the Nexus 7. But as you mentioned, the Nexus line and branding is beginning to take off (I've never seen so many Galaxy Nexus in public before as I have these past few months. They're surprisingly common) so hopefully we'll eventually see a 32GB Nexus 4. And hopefully, in the future, from the start.
There are definitely growing pains with the Nexus program.
Not sure if this has been mentioned, I dont think it has
What about features added with these updates, how does Android/iOS compare, if they are hardware limitations then fair enough
iPhone 4, didn't get Siri when iOS 5 came out
iPhone 4, doesn't have turn by turn with iOS 6
When JB gets updated onto older models do they get Google Now or is this restricted to newer models only
Regular updates at a set date, as apple do are good, but not very exciting when features are not included in them
What about features added with these updates, how does Android/iOS compare, if they are hardware limitations then fair enough
iPhone 4, didn't get Siri when iOS 5 came out
iPhone 4, doesn't have turn by turn with iOS 6
When JB gets updated onto older models do they get Google Now or is this restricted to newer models only
Regular updates at a set date, as apple do are good, but not very exciting when features are not included in them
Yeah, besides the rollout date, iOS updates aren't one to be that envious of.
Sometimes even just one year old devices miss out on the main feature of an update. As others have mentioned, the best example is the iPhone 4 and SIRI.
Likewise, the fact that Apple insists on keeping legacy devices in the loop prevents them from making any major changes and improvements to the OS.
Whereas with Google, sure, they don't rollout perfectly, and it's even more complicated when you start getting other manufacturers and carries involved, but because they don't fear "fragmentation," every now and then we get major leaps in OS upgrades (think the ICS overhaul).
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Well, if that's what you're saying, that's slightly different than the point I was speaking against. I'm in agreement here. Samsung's ambiguity is off putting.
Having said that, at least once you get it, you'll know you'll have every feature JB has to offer.
With Apple, sure they're clear with their rollout date, but the update itself isn't really all that. Look at the iPhone 4. It got skimped on SIRI and now it's getting skimped on turn by turn. These are main features of their respective OS numbers. :\
Sometimes even just one year old devices miss out on the main feature of an update. As others have mentioned, the best example is the iPhone 4 and SIRI.
Likewise, the fact that Apple insists on keeping legacy devices in the loop prevents them from making any major changes and improvements to the OS.
Whereas with Google, sure, they don't rollout perfectly, and it's even more complicated when you start getting other manufacturers and carries involved, but because they don't fear "fragmentation," every now and then we get major leaps in OS upgrades (think the ICS overhaul).
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Well, if that's what you're saying, that's slightly different than the point I was speaking against. I'm in agreement here. Samsung's ambiguity is off putting.
Having said that, at least once you get it, you'll know you'll have every feature JB has to offer.
With Apple, sure they're clear with their rollout date, but the update itself isn't really all that. Look at the iPhone 4. It got skimped on SIRI and now it's getting skimped on turn by turn. These are main features of their respective OS numbers. :\
IIRC both 3 and O2 have received the Jelly Bean update in the UK so far, other countries have preceded this roll out. There are a few apps included by O2 that I have deleted, Google Now is present as are some other enhancements and widgets, I am loath to say it is smoother because on ICS my experience was of a very smooth interface, the placebo effect would also cloud my judgement. What I will say is that all is good as far as Im concerned.
This is the second update I have received in the 3 months that I have owned the S3.
This is the second update I have received in the 3 months that I have owned the S3.
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Android users are more likely to upgrade their hardware out of cycle I think, as is evidenced by all the hype surrounding "better specs" for the SG3. I doubt software/OS matters as much to them. They grow bored easily when they aren't carrying the latest specs so the device makers just keep pushing new hardware rather than supporting the old with OS updates. They just throw out a new device with marginal spec improvements over the last and Android fans jump on it just like.....well......just like Apple fans.
Either that or, being that they are Android users, they don't even notice that they have an old, outdated OS in the first place. Given how fragmented things remain I'd say this is more likely. The majority of the users don't realize they are missing an update as for them new OS=new handset purchase.
Look at how many people still run WinXP.
Either that or, being that they are Android users, they don't even notice that they have an old, outdated OS in the first place. Given how fragmented things remain I'd say this is more likely. The majority of the users don't realize they are missing an update as for them new OS=new handset purchase.
Look at how many people still run WinXP.
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I am jealous =(.
As I mentioned earlier I'm in the homeland of Samsung and still no jellybean upgrade for the LTE versions. =(
I think Google limits the Nexus hardware for two reasons. First, it's supposed to be a developer phone so in theory it shouldn't need expandable memory or a large amount of on board storage, top end camera or the best screen. Utility and function over design and options. This could obviously change in the future but I don't think it will because of my second reason. If Google were to release a loaded to the gills Nexus phone with top notch features, how do you think that would go over with the other manufacturers? Superior hardware and timely updates--would essentially be cutting their partners off at the knees. Not only are they competing with Apple, now they have to fend off the provider of their OS as well.
Just my $0.02.