Database Info

Market apps

Now I know this has been discussed many times but what determines what apps that appear on the market? There are apps on my aria which don't work because the aria isn't very powerful. However some of these apps don't show up on the gtab, which is a powerful device. And some apps, like Google earth, don't show up at all.
In looking for a solution for my gtab to fix it, I read that it had to do with the resolution of the screen and that the resolution was stored in a file. But if this was true there could be a way to change it.
I used the market fix, but what factors determine apps? Is it screen resolution or processor... does anyone know anything about an app store the nvidia is coming out with. I read it purpose was to get around the Market data limit and provide apps that work best Terga.
Decided to use my precious limited data on my Htc Aria, Xda app

Google increases the app size limit for Android Market to 4GB.

Google increases
the app size limit
for Android Market
to 4GB
06 MARCH, 2012
Developers for Android have had to work
around the crippling 50MB file size limit for a long time now. To take care of this
problem, many developer devised an idea where you first download a small
application from the Android Market and upon launching it will download the rest
of the files from the developer's server.
This came with its own set of problems.
The user would not be aware of the total size of the app before downloading it.You were also often unable to refund an
up, because by the time the additional data got downloaded, the 15 minute refund period for the app would be over.
To take care of this situation, Google has now finally increased the total application size limit to 4GB for the Android Market.
But it's a bit different than the way things work on, say, the App Store, for example.The total apk size for the Android Market is still 50MB but now the developer can have two additional expansion files that
can be 2GB each in size. The developer can store these expansion files on Google's servers instead of their own and they will get downloaded along with the apk file. Also, the user will be made aware of the final size of the app beforedownloading it.
One of the advantages of having this system is that when the time comes to update the app, the user won't have to download the entire thing again. Although the developers are free to use the expansion files whichever way they like,Google is advising them to use one of the expansion files to host all the importantdata and the other for updating
purposes. This way, when the app needs to be updated, the developer can only modify the second expansion file and the user will only have to download it instead of the entire 4GB application all over again. Think of it as being similar to the delta updates available on iOS.Of course, the user won't have to worry about or even know about these things
and the process or purchasing or
updating will remain identical. All of this expansion files business will happen
behind the scenes.
The advantage of using this method instead of the aforementioned method
currently being employed by the
developers is that the Android Market
allows downloads to run in the
background and will even let you pause
and resume the download. You can use
Wi-Fi or 3G to download these large apps
but if you use Wi-Fi and you move out of
coverage the download will automatically
be paused.
Hopefully, the developers will take to this new way of distributing large apps, which should make the lives of the users a bit easier.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium

Cool
sent from xda premium on an Incredible S

good news particularly for Unity developers.

Sounds good, should make the game downloading experience better.

Yup.....TX

could this be for the Google play tablet that is rumoured ? Google increasing the limit to add more games in market before the launch for Google play tablet so that when it comes out Google can be assured that people will have games to play on it. It seems that Google did this for Google play tablet only.

It shall stop the pirated apps also
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Just read an article about Mika Mobile stopping Android development.
One of their complaints was that even through the app limit has been upped to 4GB, it still means 50MB apps but now Google will host the downloads. So it is an improvement but still not perfect.
Personally I'm quite happy with the limits since it should prevent bloatware.

FOSS on Android - Where are all the apps i can Trust? There isn't Any!

I think Android has a Big Problem - There is little Real FOSS on Android. It's partly Google's fault. It's partly the Linux communities fault. It's partly the Developers fault. Yeah guys i'm talking about You. Or perhaps I'm just really bad at searching but no, I won't accept that. I've seen whats on the Google Play Store.
Sure there is F-Droid which is Awesome but it's not enough. I get that people want to make money. If you have a good app you want to charge for that's fine but Don't expect me to use a Keyboard App for example that wants to access my SD Card and have permission to delete files or view my contact list. Whats wrong with you developers? Don't you even care that most of your apps use unscrupulous practices?
I go about looking for a simple app to increase the size of the icons so my tired eyes can actually read the text below the icon. (Marshmallow 6.0.1) F-Droid doesn't seem to have one. Google Play has lots of ways to do this but they all have ads. O.k. I think, perhaps I can live with an ad or two but then I look at the Permissions and balk! Why does an icon app need to view my network connections or have full network access or change my system settings when all I need it to do is make a bigger icon - It doesn't. ( I won't even go into the Flashlight spying on you issue, Goggle it)
I consider these apps spyware that should NOT be offered on Google Play. That's 99 % of all apps on Google Play. No telling what these apps may be doing in the background and here is the problem. Why this practice seems to be accepted in our society is way beyond me. Or I can admit the truth that we live in a corrupt society where people no longer care.
My 89 year old Mom has had the same IPhone for the past 7 years. It has a tiny screen, poor resolution. She uses it for a phone - that's all. She wont use the internet or any apps on it at all - yet she calls me to look stuff up for her all the time. I'd like to switch her to a much cheaper and more modern Android phone that she can actually use but I Can't and Won't because she don't need the nightmares of ads every 5 minutes and apps that want to access things they have no business accessing.
Android doesn't need virus's, the apps have become the virus. It's sad this has become the norm. Perhaps things will change but I doubt it. Why doesn't Google Play offer a Foss category? Where are all the real Foss apps, does anyone know cus I'm just not seeing them and I think that's sad. It screams volumes that reflect badly on this community. Thank you for reading my rant.

https://medium.com/insurge-intelligence/how-the-cia-made-google-e836451a959e
Google = CIA
F-droid = can replace most embedded spyware apps. Rooting your device and going nuts with a good root uninstaller are the first steps. Get rid of all Google crap. Installing AdAway is next. Replacement of nearly all bundled spyware is possible.
You will never achieve perfection while using the most popular spyware OS on the planet. But you will not get perfection on Windows or iOS or blackberry or Symbian either. Though it's much worse now.

[Q] Ovoid infecting upgrade in a trans of data

I have been increasingly disturbed by the distracting number of ads I am getting. I even get video adds that open with full volume!
There seems to be no way to ID apps that are pushing adds behind the scenes. But I wonder, even in today's add craze world, if I'm dealing with some kind of bug or malware that cannot be stopped. I mean how could a developer, legally, push endless numbers of intrusive adds anonymously, in a way that makes them unable to be ID'd and stopped?
I'm getting an S9 soon and want to avoid infecting so I'm not going to transfer files from the S8. I will reinstall amm my apps from the Play Store. But what about app data? Can I copy data files to an ext drive then copy them onto the S9, after I've reinstalled the app? Of course, apps with a backup option wouldn't be a problem.

Hi, looks like some apps might be pushing the ads. Best option would be to locate the app pushing the ads. Unfortunately, you will have to manually uninstall and check. However, you can take backup of your apps and data with titanium backup beforehand.

mikeacox said:
I have been increasingly disturbed by the distracting number of ads I am getting. I even get video adds that open with full volume!
There seems to be no way to ID apps that are pushing adds behind the scenes. But I wonder, even in today's add craze world, if I'm dealing with some kind of bug or malware that cannot be stopped. I mean how could a developer, legally, push endless numbers of intrusive adds anonymously, in a way that makes them unable to be ID'd and stopped?
I'm getting an S9 soon and want to avoid infecting so I'm not going to transfer files from the S8. I will reinstall amm my apps from the Play Store. But what about app data? Can I copy data files to an ext drive then copy them onto the S9, after I've reinstalled the app? Of course, apps with a backup option wouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to use either google or samsung back up option to get your app data back. The data is stored on a part of the device you have no access to without root.
Get an ad blocker of a VPN. IF you use youtube then you can get an ad free version without root. I personally have not seen an ad in years.

papa.sid said:
Best option would be to locate the app pushing the ads. Unfortunately, you will have to manually uninstall and check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it appears that is what is what's happening and that there is no way to ID the source. It seems, to me, that there ought to be a law against such an action. It's clearly deceptive and dishonest.
However, you can take backup of your apps and data with titanium backup beforehand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that app required rooting, which I am not comfortable doing.

Scoped storage is good...but RESTRICTED Storage is better

Scoped storage introduced in Android 11 is good, but RESTRICTED Storage would be an even better option.
On Android, at the moment, apps that have access to internal storage for their own files, also have access to every other file in the system. This is not only a privacy risk, but also a security concern. With the introduction of Scoped Storage, some of that is being addressed. Yet, there is still scope for misuse if apps have malicious intent.
I would like to have a system where every app that needs access to a file must go through the built in file manager to prevent misuse. What that means is no app has permanent access to files that are not created by them, and can only access files each time with explicit user consent and interaction. This would completely address the privacy concerns with regards to files.
This is how the Files app in iOS is designed and is an extremely well thought out one. Let me illustrate with an example:
We all know how Facebook is notorious when it comes to privacy. Let's assume you have a Facebook account and the Facebook app is installed on your phone. If you want to share a picture on Facebook, you have to grant the app access to your internal storage. On Android, this effectively grants Facebook access to every file on your storage. Given the reputation, it won't be surprising if Facebook app scans all your pictures/ videos for its AI/ ML, or even uploads them without your knowledge.
On iOS, the permission screen looks like this:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
You have the choice of either granting permanent access (Option 1), or limit the access to just the file(s) you want (Option 2). This permission can be set per app.
On Android, it is essentially Option 1 alone. You have to grant access to the entire file system for you to be able to upload your pics to Facebook.
On iOS, you have the choice of uploading just the pic you want, without giving the app access to any other file in your internal storage. This is a huge privacy boon.
In this case, Facebook app has to make a request to the built in file manager (which obviously has access to every file in the system), and you browse your media library using the built-in file manager (with which the built-in Photos app is integrated) to grant access. Facebook app sees absolutely nothing. It only makes a query, and everything else is handled by the built-in file manager. So even without granting blanket access, you are able to upload the file you want!
Same holds true for every app. An app should only have permanent access to its own files, and not any other file. For access to any other file, the app has to go through the built-in file manager route and access only the file that the user wants it to see.
Alternatively, ALL folders will be 'Restricted' by default. However, users will have the option to selectively relax the restrictions (per folder) for one or more apps (under folder properties) to give just those apps full access.
Hope Google (and custom ROM makers) can design something like this keeping in mind the privacy needs of its users, and the abusive intents of large corporations and malicious actors.

Here is an app that achieves the objective defined above:
Storage Isolation

Load trusted, vetted apps only; you are what you load. Don't allow apps to update; they may pass Playstore security only to update latter installing their payload. Firewall block all apps that don't need an internet to do their job. Most don't need access once activated.
Never load social media or shopping apps on the device, they are malware and an ongoing high security risk. If the social media site can't be fully logged onto and accessed by browser, ditch it.
Nothing can protect you from yourself, actions have consequences.

blackhawk said:
Load trusted, vetted apps only; you are what you load. Don't allow apps to update; they may pass Playstore security only to update latter installing their payload. Firewall block all apps that don't need an internet to do their job. Most don't need access once activated.
Never load social media or shopping apps on the device, they are malware and an ongoing high security risk. If the social media site can't be fully logged onto and accessed by browser, ditch it.
Nothing can protect you from yourself, actions have consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The implementation suggested above would address privacy concerns related to user files and I'm not sure why Google hasn't yet done so.
Buying a smartphone and limiting it's usability severely as you say isn't practical.

TheMystic said:
The implementation suggested above would address privacy concerns related to user files and I'm not sure why Google hasn't yet done so.
Buying a smartphone and limiting it's usability severely as you say isn't practical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why has Google or Samsung not integrated a native firewall to Android? I use Karma Firewall, it uses almost no battery. Unfortunately it's valuable logging feature doesn't work on Android 10 and higher. Works fine with Pie though. I have apps like the 6yo free version of WPS office that wouldn't load on 11, pleasantly surprised it loaded on 10. It has no drop in replacement today that's not cloud or free. I simply firewall block it so it doesn't want to update to the current paid version. Doesn't effect usability.
What Google did with scoped storage kills a lot of useful and trusted apps while giving a false sense of security. Hackers never sleep and will always find workarounds to get your data.
Google is one of the worst data miners and purveyors of disinformation, trust them?

blackhawk said:
Why has Google or Samsung not integrated a native firewall to Android? I use Karma Firewall, it uses almost no battery. Unfortunately it's valuable logging feature doesn't work on Android 10 and higher. Works fine with Pie though. I have apps like the 6yo free version of WPS office that wouldn't load on 11, pleasantly surprised it loaded on 10. It has no drop in replacement today that's not cloud or free. I simply firewall block it so it doesn't want to update to the current paid version. Doesn't effect usability.
What Google did with scoped storage kills a lot of useful and trusted apps while giving a false sense of security. Hackers never sleep and will always find workarounds to get your data.
Google is one of the worst data miners and purveyors of disinformation, trust them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I prefer Oxygen OS, Colour OS and MiUI, all of which offer a native firewall within their OS. Since OOS 12, Oxygen OS is now showing a popup everytime a blocked app is launched. This is extremely annoying.
Karma Firewall appears to be an abandoned project with no update. It isn't working properly on Android 12 and newer. Netguard is currently the best.
Giving the user ability to setup which folders/ files each app can access would greatly enhance privacy. Scoped Storage is a half baked implementation, even though something is better than nothing. The implementation suggested above will address many of the current shortcomings.
Nothing is foolproof or failsafe. But bringing in improvements is always welcome.
Google may be the biggest data miner, but unfortunately their apps and services do not have competing alternatives. Users have to make lots of compromises when choosing alternatives.
The other reason I prefer Google/ Microsoft apps is because they help me be platform independent, since their apps are also available on iOS, Windows and Mac.
Mind sharing that cloud free version of WPS?

TheMystic said:
This is why I prefer Oxygen OS, Colour OS and MiUI, all of which offer a native firewall within their OS. Since OOS 12, Oxygen OS is now showing a popup everytime a blocked app is launched. This is extremely annoying.
Karma Firewall appears to be an abandoned project with no update. It isn't working properly on Android 12 and newer. Netguard is currently the best.
Giving the user ability to setup which folders/ files each app can access would greatly enhance privacy. Scoped Storage is a half baked implementation, even though something is better than nothing. The implementation suggested above will address many of the current shortcomings.
Nothing is foolproof or failsafe. But bringing in improvements is always welcome.
Google may be the biggest data miner, but unfortunately their apps and services do not have competing alternatives. Users have to make lots of compromises when choosing alternatives.
The other reason I prefer Google/ Microsoft apps is because they help me be platform independent, since their apps are also available on iOS, Windows and Mac.
Mind sharing that cloud free version of WPS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Developers come and go. Karma Firewall is great app. After what Google did with scoped stoirage I don't blame them for bailing.
I have nothing against added security per se but it should be an option if it causes loss of functionality or uses resources. Knox is another one I hate. Gmail is the only Google app I regularly use. All my apps are backed up as installable copies on the data drive so no Playstore needed to reload. Completely self contained and self sufficient.
Make sure you firewall block it. It may not load on 11 or higher. To save docs you may have to play with it a bit but it will create, modify and save Word (doc x too) documents. More versions are found on APKmirror. About 81.37mb installed.

blackhawk said:
Developers come and go. Karma Firewall is great app. After what Google did with scoped stoirage I don't blame them for bailing.
I have nothing against added security per se but it should be an option if it causes loss of functionality or uses resources. Knox is another one I hate. Gmail is the only Google app I regularly use. All my apps are backed up as installable copies on the data drive so no Playstore needed to reload. Completely self contained and self sufficient.
Make sure you firewall block it. It may not load on 11 or higher. To save docs you may have to play with it a bit but it will create, modify and save Word (doc x too) documents. More versions are found on APKmirror. About 81.37mb installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using Karma, until it stopped working reliably. So went back to Netguard which is really good, and with some very useful feature not available in Karma.
Where do you install new apps from? APK backups help in going back to an older version. But for newer versions, you need Google Play Store, unless you are happy with apkmirror or similar.
I have a MS 365 subscription, so this is just a backup of a clean version of WPS, whose newer version destroys all context menus by showing up everywhere. I wish Android provided a way to customise context menus as well as share menus.
Thanks for the apk though.

TheMystic said:
I was using Karma, until it stopped working reliably. So went back to Netguard which is really good, and with some very useful feature not available in Karma.
Where do you install new apps from? APK backups help in going back to an older version. But for newer versions, you need Google Play Store, unless you are happy with apkmirror or similar.
I have a MS 365 subscription, so this is just a backup of a clean version of WPS, whose newer version destroys all context menus by showing up everywhere. I wish Android provided a way to customise context menus as well as share menus.
Thanks for the apk though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one reason this N10+ is still running on Pie. I've been wanting to try out netguard.
Rarely from Playstore. I try not to same apps as they can potentially damage the system or worse. Some of my copies date back 6 years, most 2-3, many over the years from Playstore. They run well. Playstore also uses battery, every bit counts.
I do a few side loads that are always scanned with online Virustotal. If they look even a little iffy I don't install them. I use F-Droid too. No issues with the side loaded apps, yet...
You're welcome. I get tired of renting apps and a capable office app is absolutely essential.

blackhawk said:
That's one reason this N10+ is still running on Pie. I've been wanting to try out netguard.
Rarely from Playstore. I try not to same apps as they can potentially damage the system or worse. Some of my copies date back 6 years, most 2-3, many over the years from Playstore. They run well. Playstore also uses battery, every bit counts.
I do a few side loads that are always scanned with online Virustotal. If they look even a little iffy I don't install them. I use F-Droid too. No issues with the side loaded apps, yet...
You're welcome. I get tired of renting apps and a capable office app is absolutely essential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netguard is very good, actually much better than Karma (it will reactivate itself if the OS kills it, automatically blocks new apps, etc). The one very good thing about Karma is that it has no internet permissions. But Netguard says it doesn't collect any data or track anything.
Personally, i prefer to have the latest versions of both OS and apps, so I'm surprised that you are not updating the OS just to use an app, especially when a better alternative is already available.
I too have sideloaded a few apps (after checking them on VirusTotal), but i stick with Google Play Store mostly. It is rare that an update breaks something or takes away a useful feature, so this works for me. Besides, i do keep a backup of the important APKs with me, should it be required.

TheMystic said:
Netguard is very good, actually much better than Karma (it will reactivate itself if the OS kills it, automatically blocks new apps, etc). The one very good thing about Karma is that it has no internet permissions. But Netguard says it doesn't collect any data or track anything.
Personally, i prefer to have the latest versions of both OS and apps, so I'm surprised that you are not updating the OS just to use an app, especially when a better alternative is already available.
I too have sideloaded a few apps (after checking them on VirusTotal), but i stick with Google Play Store mostly. It is rare that an update breaks something or takes away a useful feature, so this works for me. Besides, i do keep a backup of the important APKs with me, should it be required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rule #1 - if an OS is fast, stable and fulfilling its mission, let it be!
Upgrades/updates can and do break things. It's mostly all play time with this old load. No surprises, it just runs. I spent a lot of time optimizing it and changing the firmware or updating apps changes my manicured playing field into a sinkhole of trouble.
Android 11, 12, and 13 bring nothing I want to the table and are trying to steal the silverware. Google seeks to stay relevant like the lame big sister it is. Their improvements don't make my device run better or even any more secure but they do waste my time. Plus I don't like the way it looks. It's the smell.

TheMystic said:
Scoped storage introduced in Android 11 is good, but RESTRICTED Storage would be an even better option.
On Android, at the moment, apps that have access to internal storage for their own files, also have access to every other file in the system. This is not only a privacy risk, but also a security concern. With the introduction of Scoped Storage, some of that is being addressed. Yet, there is still scope for misuse if apps have malicious intent.
I would like to have a system where every app that needs access to a file must go through the built in file manager to prevent misuse. What that means is no app has permanent access to files that are not created by them, and can only access files each time with explicit user consent and interaction. This would completely address the privacy concerns with regards to files.
This is how the Files app in iOS is designed and is an extremely well thought out one. Let me illustrate with an example:
We all know how Facebook is notorious when it comes to privacy. Let's assume you have a Facebook account and the Facebook app is installed on your phone. If you want to share a picture on Facebook, you have to grant the app access to your internal storage. On Android, this effectively grants Facebook access to every file on your storage. Given the reputation, it won't be surprising if Facebook app scans all your pictures/ videos for its AI/ ML, or even uploads them without your knowledge.
On iOS, the permission screen looks like this:
View attachment 5183183
You have the choice of either granting permanent access (Option 1), or limit the access to just the file(s) you want (Option 2). This permission can be set per app.
On Android, it is essentially Option 1 alone. You have to grant access to the entire file system for you to be able to upload your pics to Facebook.
On iOS, you have the choice of uploading just the pic you want, without giving the app access to any other file in your internal storage. This is a huge privacy boon.
In this case, Facebook app has to make a request to the built in file manager (which obviously has access to every file in the system), and you browse your media library using the built-in file manager (with which the built-in Photos app is integrated) to grant access. Facebook app sees absolutely nothing. It only makes a query, and everything else is handled by the built-in file manager. So even without granting blanket access, you are able to upload the file you want!
Same holds true for every app. An app should only have permanent access to its own files, and not any other file. For access to any other file, the app has to go through the built-in file manager route and access only the file that the user wants it to see.
Alternatively, ALL folders will be 'Restricted' by default. However, users will have the option to selectively relax the restrictions (per folder) for one or more apps (under folder properties) to give just those apps full access.
Hope Google (and custom ROM makers) can design something like this keeping in mind the privacy needs of its users, and the abusive intents of large corporations and malicious actors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So lol

blackhawk said:
Rule #1 - if an OS is fast, stable and fulfilling its mission, let it be!
Upgrades/updates can and do break things. It's mostly all play time with this old load. No surprises, it just runs. I spent a lot of time optimizing it and changing the firmware or updating apps changes my manicured playing field into a sinkhole of trouble.
Android 11, 12, and 13 bring nothing I want to the table and are trying to steal the silverware. Google seeks to stay relevant like the lame big sister it is. Their improvements don't make my device run better or even any more secure but they do waste my time. Plus I don't like the way it looks. It's the smell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updates also bring in security improvements, along with the excitement of new and improved features. I always install them when available, with very rare exceptions.
Ideally, they shouldn't require users to make any changes to their setup, and that has also largely been my personal experience.

TheMystic said:
Updates also bring in security improvements, along with the excitement of new and improved features. I always install them when available, with very rare exceptions.
Ideally, they shouldn't require users to make any changes to their setup, and that has also largely been my personal experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately that is more marketing hype than fact. One reason I run this N10+ on Pie with no updates is to test that statement. This 3yo device and firmware is a cleaner running and a more capable device than the S22U. How can that be? Poor design from both Samsung and Google Android.
I use to always buy new cars, but I learned better and the folly of my ways 25 years ago as new car quality steadily declined. Now Android is reminding me of that bs. For over a $1G it better out perform my N10+ in every especially with SOT and storage. It should be lighter and slimmer. Yes, well...

blackhawk said:
Unfortunately that is more marketing hype than fact. One reason I run this N10+ on Pie with no updates is to test that statement. This 3yo device and firmware is a cleaner running and a more capable device than the S22U. How can that be? Poor design from both Samsung and Google Android.
I use to always buy new cars, but I learned better and the folly of my ways 25 years ago as new car quality steadily declined. Now Android is reminding me of that bs. For over a $1G it better out perform my N10+ in every especially with SOT and storage. It should be lighter and slimmer. Yes, well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are definitive improvements in hardware: CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, etc. And most importantly the Cameras. The cameras on the S22U are really very good.
I don't have too many complaints with this device, except for the recent battery drain which I hope to solve.
I don't agree with your used car statement, unless you buy one from someone you know has taken care of it very well. Newer cars are definitely more safe than the old cars, both in terms of material used and in terms of safety features. Lighter alloys can be stronger and safer than heavier metals, so don't go by how strong a material feels.
But it is also true that companies are increasingly designing products that would fail within a certain time period, and this applies to gadgets, consumer durables, components used, etc.
It comes down to your experience over the useful life of the product that the company designs them for. And this is the area where newer products usually excel.

TheMystic said:
There are definitive improvements in hardware: CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, etc. And most importantly the Cameras. The cameras on the S22U are really very good.
I don't have too many complaints with this device, except for the recent battery drain which I hope to solve.
I don't agree with your used car statement, unless you buy one from someone you know has taken care of it very well. Newer cars are definitely more safe than the old cars, both in terms of material used and in terms of safety features. Lighter alloys can be stronger and safer than heavier metals, so don't go by how strong a material feels.
But it is also true that companies are increasingly designing products that would fail within a certain time period, and this applies to gadgets, consumer durables, components used, etc.
It comes down to your experience over the useful life of the product that the company designs them for. And this is the area where newer products usually excel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SOC is faster, has better bandwidth and is more capable as is the ram, but is only marginally faster by milliseconds for most tasks.
The battery is huge but it gets significantly less SOT
The display can run brighter, but because of variable refresh rate it lacks the color/gamma accuracy/calibration of the N10+. It's pixels will suffer if used at higher brightness levels, they aren't immune to that.
No expandable storage means no 1tb dual (data) drive and no onboard redundancy. 5G isn't as useful as it was hyped up to be in practice and is less efficient for many tasks. It's still power hungry even today.
Its all about balance, functionality and form factor, something Samsung has forgotten how to do. They are completely hype driven now and their insanity is showing. The components look like great but the result doesn't equal the sum of the parts. It even doesn't exceed the N10+/Pie is some important specs.
The N10+ running on Pie is snappy fast, get great SOT/screen off times, has maybe the best display there is in terms of color accuracy etc, more storage that doesn't get wiped in a crash or factory reset. It's a powerful but well balanced device that's a reliable joy to use and weighs 30gms less. The N10+ is also cool running, I can use it for web browsing at 98F ambient for hours with no cooling without it overheating. Upper operating range is 102F ambient at which point I either cool it or stop using it.
Steel is still the best crash material for absorbing massive amounts of impact energy and maintaining it's integrity. I take a 89 Volvo 240 wagon in a crash of any type vs a newer car.
Even has no damage 5 mph impact no damage bumpers. Rock solid, reliable, easy to work on and gets at least 20 mpg no matter how you drive it. Best of all they're easy and fun to drive.
Or
A 89 F-250 Super Suspension 4×2 with a International naturally aspirated diesel with a C6. Fast off the line, minimum 20 mpg.

TheMystic said:
I would like to have a system where every app that needs access to a file must go through the built in file manager to prevent misuse. What that means is no app has permanent access to files that are not created by them, and can only access files each time with explicit user consent and interaction. This would completely address the privacy concerns with regards to files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to note that this is finally coming on Android 14.
I had made a post on this in Oct'20, and it is almost 2.5 years since then. Better late than never.