Android platform too fragmented?

They needed to iterate quickly to catch up with the iphone ecosystem. Now that they essentially have, progress will come in bigger chunks less often.

I'm guessing the next phase will be focused around fit and finish. They might also put some work into the fragmentation issue.

Innovation is cool.
 
Last edited:
No it's never enough! I've had my android for 6months now and have flashed it with every Rom available. You keep on getting something new each time and the custom Roms is even better. It’s the way to go! Keep the pace!
 
The best way to control these updates is to buy a HTC phone supported by Leaf, they can't produce one update!
 
I think Google has lost the plot for mainstream phone users. While a smartphone is a computer these days most consumers want it to be a phome. It should just work. I don't want to upgrade firmware, or fight with version conflicts.

My phone is primarily a communications tool that should just work.

I'll upgrade it when my contract expires.
 
Last edited:
And here we are .......... My Desire is still stuck on Ver 2.1 with a promise by Leaf to get Ver. 2.2 sometime soooooooon... Can you say Ver 3.0 in 2012 !
 
The Android SDK/API is the same for all the versions. The only difference is that certain functions within the API are only available in later releases. Each release is numbered, and the API calls state from which number it is available from.
 
Locked into a two year contract without local update support in sync with the droid mothership makes this problematic. Makes it a geeks only phone in SA as the user must get into DIY ROM's. With Apple I get the latest firmware when it becomes available when I connect my device to iTunes. With Blackberry I also get new versions through the desktop software when connecting (although not nearly as frequent as it should). This is why people prefer Apple: KISS.
 
Swift-wp said:
The Android SDK/API is the same for all the versions. The only difference is that certain functions within the API are only available in later releases. Each release is numbered, and the API calls state from which number it is available from.
Click to expand...

True...if you develop in 1.1 it's compatible all the way up...stupid developers code for 2.2 then don't label it properly allow 1.6 etc to download the app.....FC....
develop in 1.6...safest...
 
More importantly, each of these versions has a different API (Application Programming Interface) version which makes it particularly difficult for developers to cater for all eventualities.
Click to expand...

Do this imply that API backward compatibility are broken? Specially for minor versions ? I'm just guessing here, but can't believe it is the case, and therefore a non issue for Application developers.

I think it is probably an issue for phone producers that do AndroidOS "low-level" modification/customization and has to go through lots of testing to prove to the carriers that the updated OS won't screw with their network.



The scary thing for me is the pace that phone manufactures are able to produce enhanced models. This is whats stopping me from buying an new Android phone cash and rather wait an see what's hot when I renew my contract.

EDIT: mmm, my response to the API issue was a bit late ...
 
Last edited:
I also want 2.2 for my Desire, I can't find a release date ANYWHERE!!!
 
I think it is necessary for them to do this since they are rushing through features that other companies developer over 10 years. A good example of this is Symbian and its ability to install applications on removable media - something Andriod only recently got to. Yet if you look at what Google has managed to do with Andriod in such a short period of time it is pretty good. It got more thing right than what Apple could with iOS.

They should push forward at this pace and remain a competitive force of innovation. If it was not for the aggressive pace of Andriod I doubt wether Nokia would take its Maemo/Meego Linux based OS so seriously.
 
After using a Nokia N95 for 2.5 years, my shiny new HTC Desire is a humoungous ginormous step up in usability, technology, features and speed. The only thing HTC have yet to match Nokia on is on the loudspeaker clarity (Nokia have surround sound) and the camera quality.

Android FTW!! Keep the updates coming - but make them more accessible to the masses, and easier to install.

Nokia are goners for sure in the smartphone market. The N97 was a huge fugly flop, and Nokia are now too fat, bloated and slow to respond to market conditions, and innovate.
 
ToxicWazte said:
Nokia are goners for sure in the smartphone market.
Click to expand...

LOL! People have been saying that for years but they are still ahead of the rest when it comes to market share. Maemo/Meego will now move from specialty tablet devices to their mainstream smartphone portfolio so they should gain some market share. No matter what you make yourself believe, Nokia will always be on top.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X