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Android tablets need work--alot of work...

Just returned from Xmas shopping and thought I was going to get some tablets for family members but found them to be frustratingly slow when compared to the iPad--which is what people are going to do, even though they shouldn't, they're going to. Google did announced that Android <2.2 is simply not ready for tablets and I couldn't agree more.
I have an iPad at home and the cheapest iPad competes successfully with the best tablets Android has, the Dell Streak and Samsung tab. Those tablets are <$600, so's the iPad. Unless there's a specific reason why you'd rather use an Android tablet when the screen is smaller and the whole tablet is overall slower, the choice is easily iPad.
I heard a shopper try to use one and comment how slow Android is. I showed him my Evo to tell him that Android's still in progress, it'll get faster. Unless you don't mind paying for $300 or less for frustration, (inexpensive) Android tablets are just not ready. I hear Honeycomb will have a tabler-optimized system.
** mind you, I'm a Phandroid so...

Couldn't agree more. The galaxy tab is an embarrassment. I tried using one in a store the other day and got 3 force closes in ten minutes, plus a jerky UI and ****house resolution.

I liked the Tab a lot, thought it was really great. Didn't have any issues with it when I played it with it. But I agree to an extent. Problem is, most Android tablets are made poorly. Archos is about the only one that has made decent tablets aside from Dell and Samsung. It could be better though, I'll say that. Right now Android is suited for mobile phones. For a good reason, it's a phone OS.

More reason to look forward to honeycomb. The flagship Google tablet should set the standard for android tablets.

tknz said:
More reason to look forward to honeycomb. The flagship Google tablet should set the standard for android tablets.
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Yes! And they're going to kick butt. Apple optimized the iPhone's OS for three years before they brought out the iPad. Android is only about three years old, isn't it? I just hope that the crappy tablets out there now haven't damaged Android's rep.
Or Google should've just thrown ChromeOS on tablets. Chrome is basically what I use on my Ubuntu powered netbook. I rarely see the desktop anymore.

I have had a galaxy tab for about 27 days..I also have an ipad that i've had for awhile....I like the tab but it's going back tomarrow...Had 3 and all 3 had dead pixels..I think the screen is better than ipad and using the apps and playing with OS is peppy like my Vibrant but start browsing and it becomes sluggish...Some sites are much worst than others...The stock browser is by far the slowest thing ever..dolphin hd is better but still sluggish..I tried all browsers and disabling flash/plugins and different settings ...No matter what i try browsing is not smooth like my ipad...I hoped a fix came out or a ROM that would fix the laggy browsing but nothing yet....I really like the tab because of A: Android OS vs the boring basic ios4 and B: The screen is better than my ipad...While the ipad screen is very nice the tab is better and once samoled starts coming on them ohhh my!

Google had plenty of time to make the OS smooth, 2.3 is a big fail. I don't know what google has given to people but everyone believes that android will be the next big thing. Seems like we will never reach the promised land.
People had so much expectations about gingerbread, new UI, gpu accelerated graphics, the smoothness, new integration with social networking... Instead you get a 2.3 with a new keyboard and few little things people don't care.
After 2 yrs and some the OS still is not smooth, it lacks in visual appearance, the apps are crap. I don't know how much longer i'll stay with this OS. Everytime i get a new phone is always read the stickies, flash new roms rinse and repeat. I am so tired of this, i don't know how long is going to stay like this but is like google doesn't give two ****s about it.
I bought an ipad this past weekend, jailbroke it, and started installing apps and end of story. I have games that i have fun playing with and apps that doesn't look like crap. If iphone had 3g in tmobile i'd consider getting an iphone.

greenstuffs said:
After 2 yrs and some the OS still is not smooth, it lacks in visual appearance, the apps are crap. I don't know how much longer i'll stay with this OS. Everytime i get a new phone is always read the stickies, flash new roms rinse and repeat. I am so tired of this, i don't know how long is going to stay like this but google don't give two ****s about it.
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It seems like you're the type that just wants their computer to work..[period]. This is not a criticism, you must just not be interested in hacking and modding your phone and why should you have to? There are so many choices out there, you don't have to use an Android phone--unless you were forced into using one.
Some of the apps are crap and some are are not but the choice is yours. The good apps filter to the top and bad ones never surface. I only choose apps that are four stars or better so my apps aren't crap--not to me at least. Don't you think that sort of freedom is nice? I do!
I, for one am glad that Google doesn't give two-****s about it ( I think they do ), it's an open source project and what you do with "your" phone is up to "you". We've never had this sort of freedom and I'm grateful we finally have it. But you don't have to try new ROMs or read any stickies if you don't enjoy it. I know Android phone users who have absolutely no plans to ever root their phone because they're happy with the way the carrier set it up for them--great!
I came from the Blackberry world and the only thing I could do with that was change the wallpaper and the size of the fonts *yawn*. RIM did everything for me and I had no clue what they were doing. Also, I've had Apple products, they magically patch things for me--what's going on? I'd like to know... Apple says, "no you don't--just use it, m'kay?" Microsoft does the same... No... Let's keep this open, I'm having a blast!

semperlux said:
It seems like you're the type that just wants their computer to work..[period]. This is not a criticism, you must just not be interested in hacking and modding your phone and why should you have to? There are so many choices out there, you don't have to use an Android phone--unless you were forced into using one.
Some of the apps are crap and some are are not but the choice is yours. The good apps filter to the top and bad ones never surface. I only choose apps that are four stars or better so my apps aren't crap--not to me at least. Don't you think that sort of freedom is nice? I do!
I, for one am glad that Google doesn't give two-****s about it ( I think they do ), it's an open source project and what you do with "your" phone is up to "you". We've never had this sort of freedom and I'm grateful we finally have it. But you don't have to try new ROMs or read any stickies if you don't enjoy it. I know Android phone users who have absolutely no plans to ever root their phone because they're happy with the way the carrier set it up for them--great!
I came from the Blackberry world and the only thing I could do with that was change the wallpaper and the size of the fonts *yawn*. RIM did everything for me and I had no clue what they were doing. Also, I've had Apple products, they magically patch things for me--what's going on? I'd like to know... Apple says, "no you don't--just use it, m'kay?" Microsoft does the same... No... Let's keep this open, I'm having a blast!
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Wow, well said mate, agreed except for Microsoft phones (WinMo), you can also buy them with the idea of tweaking, hacking, configuring everything to your liking, etc. in mind, unlike blackberry and apple.

XtriFe said:
Wow, well said mate, agreed except for Microsoft phones (WinMo), you can also buy them with the idea of tweaking, hacking, configuring everything to your liking, etc. in mind, unlike blackberry and apple.
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Oh? I didn't know that about WinMO. I think that to a point you can hack and mod anything you want. I've seen OS 7 running on an iPhone and thought that was impressive but have no idea if that's difficult or not. But that's not Apple's corporate philosophy where as AOSP, by definition will lends itself to extensive modification and is almost encouraged--man, I've dreamed of this.

greenstuffs said:
Google had plenty of time to make the OS smooth, 2.3 is a big fail. I don't know what google has given to people but everyone believes that android will be the next big thing. Seems like we will never reach the promised land.
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Android is pretty big right now and still growing.
People had so much expectations about gingerbread, new UI, gpu accelerated graphics, the smoothness, new integration with social networking... Instead you get a 2.3 with a new keyboard and few little things people don't care.
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The UI has different elements from previous versions, but this isn't the first time this happened. This happens with other platforms all the time. Windows Phone 7 for not having Copy and paste off the bat, or any decent homebrew support. Apple with the lack of multitasking, or Blackberry with something actually new and specs that can rival current Android phones!
After 2 yrs and some the OS still is not smooth, it lacks in visual appearance, the apps are crap. I don't know how much longer i'll stay with this OS. Everytime i get a new phone is always read the stickies, flash new roms rinse and repeat. I am so tired of this, i don't know how long is going to stay like this but is like google doesn't give two ****s about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not just google mind you, Google can only do so much. If you're gonna blame Google, then you have to blame Qualcomm, Samsung, TI, HTC, etc etc for making the phone and some of the drivers. And I don't know about you, but I didn't flash a new rom every day now. I just get a rom that's best for me, and if it needs updated, I update it. Same thing with stock roms. If Google didn't give 2 ****s about it, then why is Google still supporting Android as much as they are? I like the UI of Android a lot. Easy to customize and change, where as for the longest time in Ios and mostly still now, black background? Windows Phone 7, black background or a different color? For the apps, it's open source. That's what the reviews in the Marketplace are for. I've have good experiences with the apps.
I bought an ipad this past weekend, jailbroke it, and started installing apps and end of story. I have games that i have fun playing with and apps that doesn't look like crap. If iphone had 3g in tmobile i'd consider getting an iphone.
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Ios is also completely locked down in terms of development. Iphone 3g is also nothing compared to current Android phones now. An Arm11 v6 cpu, versus say an Arm Cortex a8? About 400-440mhz underclocked from 600mhz or so, versus even the Droid only being clocked at 550mhz, but having a huge advantage of better instruction sets and Adreno gpu? You obviously haven't done much homework either, Tmobile will support Iphone on their network, and there's even unlock codes in Cydia available. All you need to do, setup a plan with Tmobile, and get a Tmobile Sim card for that plan. It might now have the 3g network enabled, but there's your Iphone for you.
I'm not bad mouthing Apple, Iphone, Windows, Microsoft, WP7, or anything like that. But Apple has complete control over the Iphone and Ios(There isn't even an AT&T logo on the Iphone), WP7 is still young so we'll see how it turns out, and Android is still growing.

I would agree that the iPad is much more advanced. But the Galaxy Tab is pretty decent and I actually love the color nook. It is great for what it does...

Once released, Honeycomb should have a positve major impact on new futere Tablets.

semperlux said:
Just returned from Xmas shopping and thought I was going to get some tablets for family members but found them to be frustratingly slow when compared to the iPad--which is what people are going to do, even though they shouldn't, they're going to. Google did announced that Android <2.2 is simply not ready for tablets and I couldn't agree more.
I have an iPad at home and the cheapest iPad competes successfully with the best tablets Android has, the Dell Streak and Samsung tab. Those tablets are <$600, so's the iPad. Unless there's a specific reason why you'd rather use an Android tablet when the screen is smaller and the whole tablet is overall slower, the choice is easily iPad.
I heard a shopper try to use one and comment how slow Android is. I showed him my Evo to tell him that Android's still in progress, it'll get faster. Unless you don't mind paying for $300 or less for frustration, (inexpensive) Android tablets are just not ready. I hear Honeycomb will have a tabler-optimized system.
** mind you, I'm a Phandroid so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely disagree. You must not have done your homework well. Right now the best tablets are the tegra tablets. They own the ipad in every way possible and are receiving alot of development. As far as I know there are 4 out now: Toshiba Folio 100, Viewsonic G Tablet, Advent Vega, and the Elocity 7". I'm on the Viewsonic G Tablet, so far the rims developed by our Dev team are 1337! They can play flash, have full market, and are hella fast!

[Misc] future of android.

Would like to start a general discussion here.
Would it be a good idea if Google only use android on their own ( Motorola) hardware?
Take this as current state and not the changes in ice cream.
Currently android is a mess 6 versions of the the os in the market.
Three main ones app makers have to support.
I love aosp so I use cm7 as I missed the nexus one and the nexus s didn't have an SD card.
I have tried touchwiz on a galaxy s. Sense on a hero and desire HD. Motoblur on a dext and defy.
They add nothing all they do is slow down the phone and updates.
Why do company's feel the need to add old ui's ( most are ported from older model phones)
Something I miss from my iphones was updates on all devices as the same time, no waiting around for a manufactor to mess around with it,then a network to spoil it even more, then for me to get it after a slow roll out.
So maybe android needs to take a look at ios and think why do app devs like it more? Why do normal users like it more?( XDA users are not normal users)
I would like one of three things to happen.
1- all android phones are aosp.
2- added UI are installable as an option not bundled into the phone.
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
Would like to see peoples thoughts on this.
And also if you like a UI why do you like it? what do you think it adds?
I repair things I am not a writer so hope its coherent enough to get the jist.
Sent from my Tablet

HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!

But sense adds even more settings and more to the lockscreen more everything.
Motoblur seems to need a blur account then you need your Google account for market.
Not that simple to me.
Touchwiz just seems to change things not add or take away.
Sent from my Phone

All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?

vetvito said:
All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?
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You can't on stock its a simple unlock or mute
Sent from my Phone

What makes apple so "great" in most customers eyes is the simplicity. I love android just for the fact that there are so many ways time customize it it's ridiculous. Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

aurgerman said:
Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Not sure I agree with that.
Android only really took over apple when android got to 2.2( not everyone even has that yet)
Ios is very rock soil and before ios4 didn't really crash on me. I have only started noticing problems since ios4.
And with the customization with our phones there is a limit to what you can theme on stock rom without root.
Installing cydia on ios devices you get loads of themes and changes some of them are even better then android visually.
Sent from my Phone

Are you sure ^ ? 2.2 - 2.3 is on 85% of Android devices right now.

Let's keep in mind that all these companies need to distinguish themselves from their competition. Consider all the competing phones based on, say, the ARM A8 platform. With similar core hardware under the hood running the same underlying OS, the interface is simply the best place to make a given model noticeably distinct to the average consumer.
Google may not be thrilled with platform fragmentation, but I'd wager that the various royalties / licensing fees / brand recognition opportunities / whatever more than make up for it. Going full-turtle would be bad business. Just my 2 cents...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium

iammodo said:
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
Click to expand...
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Coming soon from Google: AryanOS, locked down tighter than **** Cheney's butthole to guarantee purity!
/Godwinned
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium

vetvito said:
HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!
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Click to collapse
So true.
Also, Google, Moto, Sammy, and HTC don't fight back enough with carriers, mainly Verizon, against bloat. Verizon would probably say "To hell with Android then" if they did, since they don't have as much leverage as the iPhone and Apple.
Jazz is also right. If every manufacture had stock on their phones, you wouldn't know which to choose since there would be no difference. Only buyers, like us, that actually care about the speed of a phone, and the ram and rom and all that jazz would know the differences, but average users wouldn't. Hell, my sister, who is only 21, doesn't understand the difference between a Droid and an Android phone, she assumes that every phone that runs Android is a Droid...like my aunt's Evo. (lol)
I actually like Sense, especially Sense 3.5. I think it makes Android look a little nicer, especially if you don't want to root or use custom roms. Touchwiz is also kinda nice, but it's really just the launcher that is changed. Blur is a piece of doodoo though. Can't even install the Facebook app onto my X2 because of Blur's useless Facebook integration that works like hell. Tells me everything I don't want to know, and nothing that I do.
I seriously don't see the point of bloat anyways. If the app is already installed on my phone and I never use it, what is the difference between that and it not being on my phone entirely. If I wanted the dang app, I would've clicked the Verizon tab in the market and downloaded VCast or VMusic. Best answer is probably that Verizon has some stupid person in HR or whatever deciding on what is preinstalled on the phone, instead of the actual consumer. (Then again, I don't see the point in a Facebook phone as well..)

Thanks
Enviado desde mi SM-G925F mediante Tapatalk

Its like looking into a time machine , i remember iOS3 & 4 when it was as simple as jailbreak.me man it used to be so easy :/

IPhone vs HTC vs Motorola

Okay, sorry but I feel the need to ask this flat out. I bought the Droid X a while ago and to be quite frank, it isn't as powerful as I was lead to believe. I jailbroke my itouch two years ago before I purchased my Android. I can now upgrade my device and am wondering if anyone has hands on experience between the three types of devices, which has the "most" enjoyable experience? When I look at my Droid x vs my itouch, honestly I can't help but think the better choice is an iPhone. But if anyone can tell me otherwise, Id be more than happy to listen.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Just go to your local phone shop and play with all the devices.

Honestly android doesn't compare at all to the iPhone stock. Android sucks when you first use it because of all of the crap and bloat that is loaded onto it by the manufacturer and carrier... to get a good experience out of it you need to root, install custom roms, mod, etc... it's the same idea as jailbreaking an iphone or touch. Explore the forums, try out miui, cm7, etc. and your experience will be a million times better. That's the same as any other android phone.
IPhones are good stock and good jailbroken, they're geared more towards the basic user and not the power user. Android phones are okay stock and great modified.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500

Okay so is it possible my droid x was just a bad choice? Iv used a lot of custom roms, miui is my favorite, but would an HTC be a noticeably better upgrade? Instead of another Motorola?
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

If you're a basic user (texts, emails, browsing, games) then I'd say go with the iPhone. But if you like modifying and playing with your phone, I'd say go Android - specifically HTC. Even rooted, Motorola phones are still locked down. I personally don't care for Motorola, but that's just my opinion.
But really it depends on what you like. As mentioned, go to your local store and play with the different phones. You can't tell how they're going to operate rooted or jailbroken, but you can get a feel for what you'll be getting.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I love both ios and androd，because ios is easy to use and androd is easy to DIY

I think Android is great for those who like to do little to major tweaks(I spend more time on those then in games) and people who came from linux

Okay so is it possible my droid x was just a bad choice? Iv used a lot of custom roms, miui is my favorite, but would an HTC be a noticeably better upgrade? Instead of another Motorola?
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Click to collapse
If you've already decided you prefer the iOS interface to Android, then an iPhone is the way to go. It's pretty out the box, simplistic and is easy for anyone to jump into. Like others have said, Android has far more power behind it once it's rooted with custom ROMs. Liken it to Windows vs Mac: a Mac looks good but is heavily limited in customisation by default; you can do what you want to Windows for the most part, but it's not going to be like that straight out of the box. Not the best analogy but it depends on what you want from the device.
If you're a basic user (texts, emails, browsing, games) then I'd say go with the iPhone. But if you like modifying and playing with your phone, I'd say go Android - specifically HTC. Even rooted, Motorola phones are still locked down. I personally don't care for Motorola, but that's just my opinion.
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+1.

Id say wait until the new Mango devices are released, HTC are releasing two shortly and it will be interesting to see the new offerings from Nokia with Mango.
I personally wouldnt buy a new device just yet, if you want to play, but a second hand hd2 and choose which OS to play with, a good and cheap way for trying OS out.
If you aint tried Mango, you havent lived

sageDieu said:
Honestly android doesn't compare at all to the iPhone stock. Android sucks when you first use it because of all of the crap and bloat that is loaded onto it by the manufacturer and carrier... to get a good experience out of it you need to root, install custom roms, mod, etc... it's the same idea as jailbreaking an iphone or touch. Explore the forums, try out miui, cm7, etc. and your experience will be a million times better. That's the same as any other android phone.
IPhones are good stock and good jailbroken, they're geared more towards the basic user and not the power user. Android phones are okay stock and great modified.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard most people raved about iPhone and never hear them say any specifics when small amount of people complain about the phone. I've never used an iPhone before, can you give some examples what are the cons about iPhone as far as usability/design...etc. sort of as a user (not a developer or technical user) kind of angle? Thanks!

blucoke said:
I heard most people raved about iPhone and never hear them say any specifics when small amount of people complain about the phone. I've never used an iPhone before, can you give some examples what are the cons about iPhone as far as usability/design...etc. sort of as a user (not a developer or technical user) kind of angle? Thanks!
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Click to collapse
I actually swapped to using Android (HTC Desire HD) from the iPhone 4. My personal issues with it were the ability to customise the layout out I wanted it. I also didn't like the way my feeds/calendar synced. It seemed simplistic and limiting to me.
That said, a lot of people love it.

I have been there with the Motorola click. hated it after 4 replacements. I gave up.
I have the HTC inspire 4G and loving it. never had a Iphone. and don't want one.
K4GET

Agree with IPhone better right out of the box for the common user, but for me, would never choose Iphone over Android, just because there are no limits on what you can do to the Android. Got HTC Incredible the day it was released and rooted/upgraded to custom rom soon after and have been nothing but perfectly happy. Especially back then before apple had cut & paste, multiple application running, bluetooth stereo music streaming, removal batteries/replacement hong kong batteries for $5 each, etc. Been drouling over Samsung Galaxy S2, but may have to settle for Bionic if not available by end of the year on Verizon.

Htc !!!!!
Sent from my HTC Bliss using XDA Premium App

In terms of performance with an Android device you can suck every bit of it if you want. Also in terms of device performance at the same price Android devices outclass by far Apple's.

iPhone
I have used both Apple's and HTC's phones. They are both great. But I would choose the iPhone any day of the week. Probably just because I'm a big Apple fan. HTC makes great phones too. If I were to get an Android phone, it wouldn't be anything except for a HTC.

sageDieu said:
Honestly android doesn't compare at all to the iPhone stock. Android sucks when you first use it because of all of the crap and bloat that is loaded onto it by the manufacturer and carrier... to get a good experience out of it you need to root, install custom roms, mod, etc... it's the same idea as jailbreaking an iphone or touch. Explore the forums, try out miui, cm7, etc. and your experience will be a million times better. That's the same as any other android phone.
IPhones are good stock and good jailbroken, they're geared more towards the basic user and not the power user. Android phones are okay stock and great modified.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used both of android and iOS ones. To be honest, even for iOS devices, they vary. I have a 1st generation iPod Touch with 3.1.3, and my dad has 3G with 4.2.1, the experience on 3G is horrible after the update, because the iOS 4 is not made for that. Sure you will get 'better' experience with jailbreak, but it varies from person. So for Apple, I think it is good if you know the capability of your device and play with it.
I got my first android half year ago, HTC Wildfire, it was pretty good experience using it, simply it has the most app for me, gmail. Also it was cheap. But believe me, you dont get any eyes on it, people will think its just an ordinary phone. Second device, HTC Desire S. Just got it a few days ago, yeah this one its much smoother and faster phone, but also expensive.
So overall I did not make any sense on my post, but anyway, I tried.
My 7th post! 3 more then I can thank the LBC ROM for my HTC.
Edit: I think for android, the better configuration the better experience. But on iOS it is not that obvious, you will be able to play most (if not, a LOT) of the games on Appstore with your 2nd generation of iPod touch.

I'd go for HTC.
Have had 3 of them and have never had regrets.
Tested Iphones and was not impressed. Expensive and limited.
//M8 L8

Android fragmentation

Is it just me, or does it seem that the fragmentation of android has finally cost the android rom development community. Many phones have very little development while many developers are jumping ship the first chance they get to move to something like the Samsung nexus. This leaves many android users with limited options and the ability to see what this proud community can do.
There are phones out here that have unlocked bootloaders but yet they still receive very little development. I dont understand that as I've seen a lot of developers complain about locked bootloaders but yet when they move on to a new phone, they don't support some of the phones with an unlocked bootloader.
I understand as more androids hit the market that it will dilute rom development some, but it's grown into something similar to certain phones have developers gathering to them the way apple fanboys gather to iPhone. I'm disappointed in that as I always thought of android as being the anti apple.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App

Care to give some examples? We're still seeing ROM releases for the G1, even.

The LG revolution is one example. Unlocked bootloader and not too much development.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App

Guys please understand that this site was built in the believe that if you wanted something for your device then dig in and make it. Only developer you can relay on is the one on the other end of your keyboard.
The knowledge is out there. Don't relay on someone else do make something for your device. That will only lead to disappointment.
How do you think most of us got started?

People are only going to develop for devices they own, which means devices that they like and more often than not they are the same devices which are most popular over-all.
If dev support is what you want then choosing the device with the most support should be part of your decision making process when buying a new phone. If you buy one with little support it's on you!

lol idiots and android fragmentation. Stop speaking of it. Some ****er said something about android fragmentation and the noobs are talking about that without reading any articles, without searching themselves etc etc. There's no such thing. And just because the app drawer icon and the notification bar are placed in different placed on Tablets, doesn't mean the platform is fragmented.

Personally I would love to learn how to do something like porting my own roms onto devices, but of course I would have to be a skilled programmer. Just as a general question, how hard is it to create your own rom for a new device? Do have to do a lot of coding from scratch, or do you just sorta copy and paste a lot of stuff already out there?

Middle East Guy said:
Personally I would love to learn how to do something like porting my own roms onto devices, but of course I would have to be a skilled programmer. Just as a general question, how hard is it to create your own rom for a new device? Do have to do a lot of coding from scratch, or do you just sorta copy and paste a lot of stuff already out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd also like to know this. What would it take to port something like CM9 (something where the majority of the actually ROM is made by proper devs), and port it to something like the Razr dev edition (a device I know won't get any love from the community but should actually be relatively easy to develop on)? What would someone with zero coding experience actually be able to do if they had the phone, the sdk and access to CM's GitHub?

You would most likely start with CM7 and use your stock roms kernel, replacing the userland. By far the hardest part about doing a port is getting a kernel, once you have a kernel that boots the rest is mostly tweaking build props.

Simple solution. If development is that important to you, check out the forum for the device before purchase. And actually support the devs for your device.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using xda premium

Konstantinos said:
lol idiots and android fragmentation. Stop speaking of it. Some ****er said something about android fragmentation and the noobs are talking about that without reading any articles, without searching themselves etc etc. There's no such thing. And just because the app drawer icon and the notification bar are placed in different placed on Tablets, doesn't mean the platform is fragmented.
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I believe CNET coined this in regards to Android. I saw an interview with one of the CNET "yackers" and Androids big cheese.

Konstantinos said:
lol idiots and android fragmentation. Stop speaking of it. Some ****er said something about android fragmentation and the noobs are talking about that without reading any articles, without searching themselves etc etc. There's no such thing. And just because the app drawer icon and the notification bar are placed in different placed on Tablets, doesn't mean the platform is fragmented.
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I certainly agree that "fragmentation" is used too often as a buzz-word to show the instability of Android OS. This use is really misleading. IMO fragmentation does exist in the Android OS, though, in that there are still iterations of Donut and Eclair in usable devices alongside Froyo, GB and the newer, each having it's own device/manufacturer -specific user interface as well.
Seems to me that they all do pretty much the same thing, tho. The Android core (Linux-based, right?) is the software foundation that allows the hardware drivers to work together to do the same thing device to device: make phone calls, access the internet, and play games. (Ok ... run apps)
Since the aOS core is fairly similar across devices, the bigger "fragmentation" comes from the hardware. As hardware changes, the driver support changes as well, and may become obsolete, therefore negating any upgrade options. So, if your device used a video chip from some Asian company that was destroyed in a typhoon, for example, you might never see another driver made, and also never see an upgrade to the next letter of Android.
Fits with what others have said: If you want to upgrade the OS later, either choose a very popular device, or at least one with very common parts.
Even then, there's no guarantee.

I was an iOS user for 3 years. I hacked the hell out of it. Now its been over a month I am a Galaxy Nexus user and I hack the hell out of it too, (still learning tho...) and I love it. Having said that, and having deep knowledge of both platforms, I DO believe that there is fragmentation in the Android platform.
The next step, is each one of us to think for himself what does he mean exactly by saying fragmentation. After we establish a common base, so that we all speak the same language we can continue.
My opinion is that not only there is fragmentation, but it comes in different fields. There is fragmentation in the Android versions still used, there is fragmentation in the UI,there is fragmentation in hardware, software and pretty much everywhere. Why today there are so many versions of Android apps that are still not compatible with ICS. Lazy developers? I dont know. What I do know is that if I was in iOS most of the Apps would got updated before the next version got released...
Anyway I really do not want to start a flame war. I absolutely love my Galaxy Nexus and I will continue to hack it. I also love Android 4.0. But saying whats wrong with what we like is the only way it will get better. By denying it it will only get worse. Is there a possibility I am wrong? Of course. But nevertheless, this is my opinion and I am expressing it.

My biggest gripe with Android is the inconsistency with the UI,which really degrades the experience compared to iOS. Since Google has no review process for apps I find that most Android apps are ugly compared to iOS and since the developers aren't forced to adhere to any UI guidelines there's zero consistency across the board. IMO Google really needs to be a little more evil when it comes to Android otherwise they will be in big trouble once WP7/8 gain traction,which is just a matter of time. I've used every mobile OS out there and to me Android has by far the worst user experience due to inconsistent performance,abysmal battery life and the aforementioned UI inconsistencies.

Fragmentation is exsistent. My little brother bought the LG Marquee as I told him, since the specs are similar to my galaxy S Epic 4G. Despite that, the release hasn't brought much attention since it wasn't well advertised and it paled in comparison to the Epic 4G touch being released. Even apps are fragmented, not over android version I.e. froYo, gingerbread. But over the phones themselves, since the LG marquee has a different GPU than my phone, many 3d games are similar incompatible, despite it being run by a 1ghz processor. And yes the resolution on both phones is the same. It's the only thing I don't like about android, apps take forever to update to support all platforms of hardware and software, while iOS is all the same across the board making updates faster and easier.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

i thought this was common sense
when i wanted to buy a new android i wanted a phone that had a big following in the community
first was the nexus line
then HTC
then samsung
i went with Samsung since it was the smoothest one out there
and then it became the the most popular phone on XDA

Konstantinos said:
lol idiots and android fragmentation. Stop speaking of it. Some ****er said something about android fragmentation and the noobs are talking about that without reading any articles, without searching themselves etc etc. There's no such thing. And just because the app drawer icon and the notification bar are placed in different placed on Tablets, doesn't mean the platform is fragmented.
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Word. Fragmentation isn't the problem... the problem is that every device needs a rom tailored specifically to it, and installing the wrong rom can brick your phone.
Sent from my Hercules using XDA App

fucxms said:
Care to give some examples? We're still seeing ROM releases for the G1, even.
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Skyrocket.
Sure, there are a few ROMs/devs there (seanzscreams is a phenomenal guy). Cyanogenmod? Nothing. MIUI? Nothing. ICS? Nothing. Any word on any of these being available on the Skyrocket? No, with the exception that Samsung will provide and ICS kernel for the Skyrocket eventually. Will there be any ICS ROMs developed for the Skyrocket then? Who knows.

Isn't that basically supporting the notion that Android is "fragmented" on some level, in some area? That you need to custom tailor roms individually to meet the needs of each device (due to drivers, hardware, whatever) under the encompassing umbrella that is Android. Is that not a form of fragmentation? Maybe one that doesn't bother you at all, which is understandable, but has certainly ruffled the feathers of other users?
Aside from that I agree with other elements of fragmentation that members have posted about here sso far. Frag in UI is one that particularly irks me the most.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

How can people say fragmentation is not a problem? Or worse, that it doesn't exist?
I suppose this is why Google is allowed to continue this charade of an open OS.
Sent from my SGH-I897

Android 5.0 Jellybean out this spring to developers!?!?!? WTF?!??!(video fixed)

MY FAULT I POSTED THE WRONG VIDEO! I mean, seriously? Is there any need at this point in time? Will there be any hardware that can even run it by this fall or summer aside from maaaaaybe the Galaxy S 3? I dont understand it. Sometimes I feel like google should just keep all their OS development in the closet for at least 1.5-2 years at a time. 1 year minimum. Then do a controlled release with a absolutely bug-free platform. Im already seeing and feeling the gadget fatigue setting in. For christs sake a friend of mine just picked up a set of iPhone 3g's for free for his whole family like a year ago! And they are still liking them! I just dont think it makes sense to keep flooding the market so hard with devices and devices. But then again, that seems to be the correct formula for going up against the all-mighty fruit company. idk. This is great for developers, bad for consumers i guess. But im sure you all know that. Im just ranting.
THE NEWS ABOUT IT APPEARS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO!!!!

tazbo28 said:
I mean, seriously? Is there any need at this point in time? Will there be any hardware that can even run it by this fall or summer aside from maaaaaybe the Galaxy S 3? I dont understand it. Sometimes I feel like google should just keep all their OS development in the closet for at least 1.5-2 years at a time. 1 year minimum. Then do a controlled release with a absolutely bug-free platform. Im already seeing and feeling the gadget fatigue setting in. For christs sake a friend of mine just picked up a set of iPhone 3g's for free for his whole family like a year ago! And they are still liking them! I just dont think it makes sense to keep flooding the market so hard with devices and devices. But then again, that seems to be the correct formula for going up against the all-mighty fruit company. idk. This is great for developers, bad for consumers i guess. But im sure you all know that. Im just ranting.
The news about it appears in the beginning.
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why would you make a thread about android and link it to a video about iPad and Sony's new handheld? Troll
Bline's Iced Out Supersonic... If anyone helps you out click THANKS!!!

Problem fixed.

tazbo28 said:
Well it was the first information I have heard about it, and I just happen to have xda open in another tab so... Did you even watch the video? Also did you even read what I said directly above the video? Seems like we know who the REAL troll is here. I own an Infuse btw so wtf dude? Srsly.
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Not starting **** I was seriously asking a question. Nowhere in the video did it say anything about 5.0
Bline's Iced Out Supersonic... If anyone helps you out click THANKS!!!

bline007 said:
Not starting **** I was seriously asking a question. Nowhere in the video did it say anything about 5.0
Bline's Iced Out Supersonic... If anyone helps you out click THANKS!!!
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Youtube had showed the wrong video in the player when I watched it. The title in youtube as well as the share link was for a completely different video. Its my ffault obviously for not checking that the video was the right one before posting. My bad.

tazbo28 said:
Youtube had showed the wrong video in the player when I watched it. The title in youtube as well as the share link was for a completely different video. Its my ffault obviously for not checking that the video was the right one before posting. My bad.
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No worries. Take care
Bline's Iced Out Supersonic... If anyone helps you out click THANKS!!!

Many of us still are using gingerbread in our devices and even some of them are shipped with froyo on it!
Meanwhile ICS isn't even finished perfectly yet so I don't understand why they shouldn't continue developing ICS before even starting Jelly bean...

I say go.
I think its a great idea. I not going to complain about more and new features. I also LOVE the feeling on an major android upgrade. And as for flooding the market with phones, Its fantastic because it makes companies compete to give you the best product. In the end we WIN!!!!!!!!!!.
This is absolutely awesome.

jelly bean is going to kill IOS !

I don't like google releasing a new version of O/S with less than one year gap. It's just my opinion though.

bransyeah said:
Many of us still are using gingerbread in our devices and even some of them are shipped with froyo on it!
Meanwhile ICS isn't even finished perfectly yet so I don't understand why they shouldn't continue developing ICS before even starting Jelly bean...
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This statement makes no sense whatsoever. Continue developing ICS before starting jellybean? Do you even understand what a software version is? ICS is Android. Jellybean will still be android. As Android gets updated, and enough changes get made to the software, that is when they decide to change a name. So in all actuality, jellybean is ICS that has been developed further.......

Umm.. Haven't even got ICS yet and rumors about 5.0 ? Duh! this makes me jealous and frustrate!

Google seems to be restless. Remember when Honeycomb was released, they announced ICS at the same time! We are developing with 3.1 in mind and can't even think of exclusively using newer features to Android 4.x because of the major lag in new devices.
This isn't good for developers, it just gives us more headaches to control the fragments.

.
Thread moved to proper section

This makes absolutely zero sense for them to do this.
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I agree that it would be too soon to relewse a new is just recently after ice came out and with only 1% of phones using ice right now. They should prioritize updating tlthe rest of the phones to ice and ironing out and building that os to recognition instead of rolling out something new. It would totally make ice purposeless in my eyes and a waste. I know technology is ever expanding but seems its expanding too quick to anyone to enjoy it long enough to stick to one thing.

From what I heard its for tablets right ? So basically this is like honeycomb something meant for the tablet community . If its for mobiles then this is a very bad thing ,I mean seriously how many devices come with ICS now ? 5 ?

Dark69Slayer said:
From what I heard its for tablets right ? So basically this is like honeycomb something meant for the tablet community . If its for mobiles then this is a very bad thing ,I mean seriously how many devices come with ICS now ? 5 ?
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Its going to be for phones and tabs its going to be an overlay capable device for PC s which in my opinion pretty cool. Especially if u like Linux already. And were r not talking about a release for at least 6 months. Everything is just hear say for now
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If 5.0 comes out before 2013, Google is stupider than I thought.
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My whole thing about it is this, how do you explain to people who are still on Froyo, this is something new and great and you should use it! Their devices are supported by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer (like 3 main ones) dont keep up with the upgrade schedule with all their onslaught of devices, then whats the point?
I feel as though Android is being developed so rapidly that it seems as though they dont even care about what devices are out, or which ones "matter" to the market more. Its all about development for them. (which isnt necessarily bad) And for manufacturers, its all about flood flood flood the market with every new spec technology they can in order to not accidentally fall behind Apple. This is the honest to goodness truth i fear!!
Companies are trying their absolute best to make certain that they dont get caught by surprise with some Apple super device---so they keep putting out a new device the instant they make a little headway in specs. They are too afraid of letting the market settle for longer than 3 months!! For fear that Apple will announce a launch all of the sudden and bring out a 1080p hex core smartphone with 20 gb of ram and 128 gb of hard disk. lol! Its really starting to piss me off. Its starting to become a childish game of "oh we did/have that already, its not new."
These companies really have to let the market catch its breath. I mean here in the U.S. people are still trying to fight their way out of this recession, and yet Samsung and Android expect me to buy a Galaxy Nexus since its the ONLY device with ICS! Indirectly though it may be, its still frusterating as hell. I say 1 year, minimum. Dont tell people about it in the news, dont leak anything, and dont throw it on devices unless it really makes a big difference-or after one year! I mean, google will always have their ad revenue to sit on. So I really dont understand the rush to release. ---rant complete---