The Captivate's "useful life" expectancy....? - Captivate General

Even as a tech savvy individual, for whatever reason, until a month ago I had pretty much buried my head in the sand as far as smartphones were concerned. I guess my extreme hatred for Apple products and my perceived understanding public's adoration of the iPhone (and like devices) kept me away.
In any case, our contracts were up for renewal, so I decided to go "all out", do some research and finally get a phone that had all the gadgets with it.
Overall, I'm happy with the Captivate. Granted, between Samsung and AT&T, things aren't perfect, but it seems that we have an incredible amount of non-commercial support on our side in the form of various forums and the ROM developers.
My big question is, how long does anyone expect that the Cappy will still be "current"? Realizing of course that it isn't a 4G phone, and currently only runs (stock) 2.1 and won't be "among the best/fastest" for ever, how much longer do you think new ROMs and other developments will be made for it? What kind of phone/technology will take people's attention elsewhere? I'm hoping that even though I've joined the Cappy crowd late, that I still have some time to enjoy the new stuff (Roms in particular) for it.

Well, going on AT&T's Track record of EOL marks they will probably stop selling captivates around May/June, I think with custom ROMs you can get a good 2 1/2 years out of it before it starts feeling really old, that will probably be around the time when the quad core processors are the new and high range device norm and dual core processors are the entry and mid range Android devices.

Aquarianperry said:
Well, going on AT&T's Track record of EOL marks they will probably stop selling captivates around May/June, I think with custom ROMs you can get a good 2 1/2 years out of it before it starts feeling really old, that will probably be around the time when the quad core processors are the new and high range device norm and dual core processors are the entry and mid range Android devices.
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Click to collapse
It depends. The lack of support from Samsung may discourage developers as most I've seen are looking for greener pastures.

SkitchBeatz said:
It depends. The lack of support from Samsung may discourage developers as most I've seen are looking for greener pastures.
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I totally see that side of things, but just to play devil's advocate, I have a fuze and it still sees development and never got an official update from 6.1 to 6.5.

A new release of software or hardware doesn't magically render an older device useless. It'll still do everything it could when you bought it.

Miami_Son said:
A new release of software or hardware doesn't magically render an older device useless. It'll still do everything it could when you bought it.
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yep, as long as people enjoy it, it will continue
look at how long it takes xda to put phones in the legacy devices catagory

boborone said:
yep, as long as people enjoy it, it will continue
look at how long it takes xda to put phones in the legacy devices catagory
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Click to collapse
That's really what I am hoping to see - I'd really hate to feel like I just got this thing and in 2 months it'll be outdated - I mean, I really can't see a device doing any more than this thing already does... short of maybe HD Video out; but isn't that just overkill on a phone?

The day the devs here on XDA stop making spectacular roms and kernels is the day the Galaxy S dies with me.

MastaBetta said:
The day the devs here on XDA stop making spectacular roms and kernels is the day the Galaxy S dies with me.
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Voodoo sound (and the microphone volume fix while recording video) is the single reason I didn't buy an Inspire/Atrix.
Yet, anyway.

so good to hear there is still some enthusiasm for the captivate, i'm still waiting for mine to arrive. this tech liberation movement is the main reason i was willing to take the plunge.
power to the people!

MastaBetta said:
The day the devs here on XDA stop making spectacular roms and kernels is the day the Galaxy S dies with me.
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Amen, brother!

Nevermind at&t. As long as the great developers and people at xda keep giving us access to such great things the captivate w will always rule 1ghz phones
Sent from my captivate on a rock in the middle of the ocean!

I'm with ya guys.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Well 2.2 is out now right? The first thing you should.do regardless is install a custom rom on the phone that has 2.2.
After that... customize the phone and make ir yours.
However, concerning the life expectancy.... it should be relavent for a while; the phone is very fast and has a good build.
I have had mine since June and I.think ill be upgrading to.tthe Galaxy S 2 when that.comes out.
Captivate 2.2.1 Paragon

Miami_Son said:
A new release of software or hardware doesn't magically render an older device useless. It'll still do everything it could when you bought it.
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Click to collapse
Not useless, but with some new apps and updates requiring 2.2 (and soon 2.3/2.4 I'd presume) it is frustrating to find yourself unable to run the cool new apps and games after a while.

Dante04SRT said:
That's really what I am hoping to see - I'd really hate to feel like I just got this thing and in 2 months it'll be outdated - I mean, I really can't see a device doing any more than this thing already does... short of maybe HD Video out; but isn't that just overkill on a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me, there are plenty of more things phones can do, do do, and are planning to do in close future, such as finger print reading, 3d recording, a part to read real time temperature of wherever you are. of course, they are always improving cameras with more mega pixels, making phones faster with more CPU and RAM, making phones slimmer, etc. A lot of phones don't have HD out, like the Captivate. But that will be a lot more popular.
I am so ready for the next generation of phones that are coming out soon

cappys came out late july, not june Flac. I just had to send mine in and was looking at receipt. I got mine the first day available.

Related

Captivate

AT&T announced the release date of Samsung Captivate. I am trying to decide if I should return my Aria and get the Captivate. Anyone here has comment on that?
Given that Aria is now rootable, side-load apps possible and I know I can install non-AT&T approved apps from the Marketplace. I would like to know the chance of getting this capabilities on the Captivate.
You should be able to sideload apps using the backflip method if nothing else. Partially I plan on sticking with the aria though, I have had problems with Samsung in the past plus their support has a habit of not being up to par.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
saint168 said:
AT&T announced the release date of Samsung Captivate. I am trying to decide if I should return my Aria and get the Captivate. Anyone here has comment on that?
Given that Aria is now rootable, side-load apps possible and I know I can install non-AT&T approved apps from the Marketplace. I would like to know the chance of getting this capabilities on the Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat. Got my Aria on Friday as I was sick of waiting on the lack of news from AT&T on the Captivate. Might have to do the 30 day swap. The Galaxy S was already rooted so it seems logical that this has too.
saint168 said:
AT&T announced the release date of Samsung Captivate. I am trying to decide if I should return my Aria and get the Captivate. Anyone here has comment on that?
Given that Aria is now rootable, side-load apps possible and I know I can install non-AT&T approved apps from the Marketplace. I would like to know the chance of getting this capabilities on the Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat. Got my upgrade coming soon and I need some more info on the rooting and side-loading of the Captivate.
While my Aria is still within the return policy when the Captivate comes out, I plan to keep my Aria. I enjoy having a small device that can actually fit in my pocket and can last a whole day on a charge. Plus the Aria is much more attractive in the aesthetics department in both looks and interface.
Shad0wguy said:
While my Aria is still within the return policy when the Captivate comes out, I plan to keep my Aria. I enjoy having a small device that can actually fit in my pocket and can last a whole day on a charge. Plus the Aria is much more attractive in the aesthetics department in both looks and interface.
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The Aria is a lot more attractive with a large, already established ROM/rooting community but the Captivate has a faster processor (doesn't always mean faster performance) and a larger/nicer screen. Its a real toss up for me.
MendedEagle said:
The Aria is a lot more attractive with a large, already established ROM/rooting community but the Captivate has a faster processor (doesn't always mean faster performance) and a larger/nicer screen. Its a real toss up for me.
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Toss up for me, too, but leaning towards the Captivate. I played with the Aria at my local AT&T store and was impressed - until I compared a Web site on the Aria to the iPhone (no, I have no interest in the iPhone!!!) and the iPhone screen was significantly brighter - even after increasing the Aria's brightness to the max. Plus, a compact phone is good in some ways but lacking in others. And with 4 major carriers getting the Samsung Galaxy S variants, there will be no lack of forum interest / activity.
Jack45 said:
Toss up for me, too, but leaning towards the Captivate. I played with the Aria at my local AT&T store and was impressed - until I compared a Web site on the Aria to the iPhone (no, I have no interest in the iPhone!!!) and the iPhone screen was significantly brighter - even after increasing the Aria's brightness to the max. Plus, a compact phone is good in some ways but lacking in others. And with 4 major carriers getting the Samsung Galaxy S variants, there will be no lack of forum interest / activity.
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Click to collapse
I think it's all going to come down to a side-by-side comparison in the store between the Aria and Captivate when I decide to upgrade at the end of the month.
I love the HTC Sense UI but I'm not totally hating the UI on the Captivate. And the pre-installation of Swype is definitely a plus for the Captivate....even though there are now multiple side-loading techniques out there for the Aria.
I hate it when it's time to decide on a phone...such a headache trying to make sure I get the best phone for me....
MendedEagle said:
The Aria is a lot more attractive with a large, already established ROM/rooting community but the Captivate has a faster processor (doesn't always mean faster performance) and a larger/nicer screen. Its a real toss up for me.
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Surely you jest?
The Hummingbird processor is simply superior to any other mobile processor available right now, especially due to the graphics chip it's coupled with.
The Aria has a significantly lower clocked Qualcomm processor, which almost automatically eliminates the ability/potential for upcoming-gen mobile games.
I can respect the preference for a slightly smaller screen, but I find it very, very difficult to justify the Aria over the Galaxy S due to its Super AMOLED screen, which is (like the Hummingbird regarding procs) superior to all others available.
If AT&T decides to lock up the Captivate, I'll just buy a true, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S i9000.
Of course, if AT&T were to lock it up, my last act of defiance might instead be to forget it all and switch to Sprint for the Epic 4G (its flavor of the SGS).
xyrovice said:
Surely you jest?
The Hummingbird processor is simply superior to any other mobile processor available right now, especially due to the graphics chip it's coupled with.
The Aria has a significantly lower clocked Qualcomm processor, which almost automatically eliminates the ability/potential for upcoming-gen mobile games.
I can respect the preference for a slightly smaller screen, but I find it very, very difficult to justify the Aria over the Galaxy S due to its Super AMOLED screen, which is (like the Hummingbird regarding procs) superior to all others available.
If AT&T decides to lock up the Captivate, I'll just buy a true, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S i9000.
Of course, if AT&T were to lock it up, my last act of defiance might instead be to forget it all and switch to Sprint for the Epic 4G (its flavor of the SGS).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, just a joke. The Captivate is obviously the stronger of the two phones.
I don't know if anyone is able to tell right now but I'm pretty new to this thing right now but do you know how long it might take to get a root/side-load procedure for the Captivate? That might seal the deal for me if there's enough rooters/side-loaders/custom ROM makers for the Captivate upon me getting it...
MendedEagle said:
Yeah, just a joke. The Captivate is obviously the stronger of the two phones.
I don't know if anyone is able to tell right now but I'm pretty new to this thing right now but do you know how long it might take to get a root/side-load procedure for the Captivate? That might seal the deal for me if there's enough rooters/side-loaders/custom ROM makers for the Captivate upon me getting it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy S has been rooted a long time ago. I'd imagine the same rooting procedure applies to the Captivate. Also, AT&T's dumbass no-sideloading lock is stupid easy to get around and works the same way regardless of the phone you have. You can either just download whatever program you want to install and issue an 'adb install <filename>' command with your android sdk tools, or you can modify your settings.db file and reboot your phone as per the instructions here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=708408
modest_mandroid said:
The Galaxy S has been rooted a long time ago. I'd imagine the same rooting procedure applies to the Captivate. Also, AT&T's dumbass no-sideloading lock is stupid easy to get around and works the same way regardless of the phone you have. You can either just download whatever program you want to install and issue an 'adb install <filename>' command with your android sdk tools, or you can modify your settings.db file and reboot your phone as per the instructions here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=708408
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Okay then. I'm new to the whole rooting/hacking Android thing so I didn't know that the same Galaxy S rooting procedure would work (I knew that the Captivate was in the Galaxy S family but...ehh, I dont know what was going through my mind).
And I also did not know that the same sideloading hack worked on all Android phones.
Thank you.
I have my Aria showing up tomorrow in the mail and was also thinking about the fact that this phone might be around the corner when I ordered it. For me I think the Aria is gonna be fine for me. I could use saving the money now and I found with my iphone that I don't really like to play anything other than simple games on the phone so I think the CPU power won't deter me that much. Also I'm not into recording videos so I won't be missing out on the 720p much.
I guess as far as it goes for me I just want to get away from my iphone3g.
MendedEagle said:
Yeah, just a joke. The Captivate is obviously the stronger of the two phones.
I don't know if anyone is able to tell right now but I'm pretty new to this thing right now but do you know how long it might take to get a root/side-load procedure for the Captivate? That might seal the deal for me if there's enough rooters/side-loaders/custom ROM makers for the Captivate upon me getting it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite honestly, I'd love a straight vanilla android ROM.
I hate custom UIs- Sense, TouchWiz, whatever. I hate them all.
That being said, do you guys think it'd be too much to ask to get that on there?
Might Samsung even be magnanimous enough to allow you to turn off their TouchWiz UI?
xyrovice said:
Quite honestly, I'd love a straight vanilla android ROM.
I hate custom UIs- Sense, TouchWiz, whatever. I hate them all.
That being said, do you guys think it'd be too much to ask to get that on there?
Might Samsung even be magnanimous enough to allow you to turn off their TouchWiz UI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be pretty great to get some flexability with the UI.
I didn't think about the future gaming capability of the Captivate. Adding the 720 video, I think I'm gonna get the Captivate and return my Aria. While I love the small size of the Aria, I would love to have a bigger screen. I just hope the battery on the Captivate will last longer than my Aria.
saint168 said:
I didn't think about the future gaming capability of the Captivate. Adding the 720 video, I think I'm gonna get the Captivate and return my Aria. While I love the small size of the Aria, I would love to have a bigger screen. I just hope the battery on the Captivate will last longer than my Aria.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery is one of my main concerns too. I really hope it lasts a decent amount of time.
Thought you guys (and gals) might be interested in an excerpt from a CNN interview online today with the inventor of the cell phone, Martin Cooper. I'm not a "big boy" yet so I'm not permitted to include the link. Feel free to post in other forums if appropriate.
"I'm always trying whatever the latest telephone is. I had an iPhone for a while, I gave that to my grandson. Kids are really caught up in that. But I think that the Android phones are catching up now, and the latest version of the Android phones are every bit as good, if not better, than the iPhone."
Jack45 said:
Thought you guys (and gals) might be interested in an excerpt from a CNN interview online today with the inventor of the cell phone, Martin Cooper. I'm not a "big boy" yet so I'm not permitted to include the link. Feel free to post in other forums if appropriate.
"I'm always trying whatever the latest telephone is. I had an iPhone for a while, I gave that to my grandson. Kids are really caught up in that. But I think that the Android phones are catching up now, and the latest version of the Android phones are every bit as good, if not better, than the iPhone."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...very interesting indeed
I am waiting to see the Captivate at my local store and see if they will let me take it on an Antenna tour.. I have had major issues with other Samsung phones in my area. Iphone, HTC, and Motorola seem to be the only phones that have a strong enough antenna.

Lack of development interest?

I know its new but even phones like the GS2 and Sensation had things going on in the thread before they were out, could this phone be skipped by the devs and ignored which makes it a pointless phone to own what's your views.
Have you tried developing a 3D app etc? It's probably a lot harder for starters... It's not just a case of porting an app over like from the HTC HD to say a mini pro.
Give it a few weeks and I'm sure something will pop up
Jabbypants said:
a pointless phone to own what's your views.
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I want a phone that can be rooted and does 3D, this phone sounds perfect to me
projectsome said:
Have you tried developing a 3D app etc? It's probably a lot harder for starters... It's not just a case of porting an app over like from the HTC HD to say a mini pro.
Give it a few weeks and I'm sure something will pop up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't mean 3D apps I mean roms with owning a Sensation and now a GS2 as well as this phone, the Android Development threads were beaming with things even before the phones had been released but there is little on this so far.
Jabbypants said:
i don't mean 3D apps I mean roms with owning a Sensation and now a GS2 as well as this phone, the Android Development threads were beaming with things even before the phones had been released but there is little on this so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long have you had the LGO3D? Give the phone a chance....
projectsome said:
How long have you had the LGO3D? Give the phone a chance....
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Click to collapse
I will give it chance but weeks before the Sensation was released there was loads of interest in the Development section, test roms etc same with the GS2 but this one so far is pretty dead.
AFAIK, LG is not as popular "yet" as the 2 two pioneer brands...but it has great potentials...
I think the reason is the complexity behind the 3D part of this phone. After all, the main reason for getting this phone is for its 3D capability. Also, this is one of the first 3D phone around... so give it some time
Don't forget Samsung also had smae prb back when the "Galaxy" range come up.. the dev rom not really picked up before i9000 arrive.
Sure this phone will pick up once u see more on street, it is very early now ^^
There are also a lot of developers that are interested but can't get the phone yet.
We are getting Verizon LTE here this week, but we don't even have a date for any dual core Cortex-A9 phone yet.
wait till you see CM7 pops out at you.
Am sure almost all the good teams will be with it soon enough. LG could help too by releasing some stuff too.
I dont think this phone will lack interest of developers. Once it has been released in US, many things will change imo. The phone has great potential not only because of its 3D capabilities, but also because of the Tri-Dual tech and Omap4.
I am actually satisfied enough with root and chainfire nvidia drivers for tegra games. Omap4 is quite capable of playing high end games which are specifically designed for ANOTHER gpu. This gives me the thought of its potential that if there will be games specifically designed for omap4, it could be really really rocking.
As stated above wait for the US release, also when it comes to ROMs, this phone is hard, there where a few early leaks but nothing much and the hardware is completely new compared to others and that takes time as well to get to know, on the plus side TI shares code and are often very helpful to homebrew projects etc, on the downside 3D is also completely new to the ROM builders and that will take some time to learn etc.
Many of the phone that get builds before they are even out share most of the same hardware as other phones and so on, the LG Optimus 2X is just getting CM7 but still no stable build, not for lack of interest but for the fact that it's a new chipset and dual-core etc, if you are hoping for a ROM within the next few weeks you are going to be disappointed but if you are willing to give it 3-6 months you'll probably get some really neat stuff to put in your phone.
This phone has great potential. But currently it is still too "costy" for development purpose and too many "first" for the industry. So everything is from scratch. So far the only thing that I am able to stuff in this phone is the HTC IME (chinese) which I still couldn't find anything better.

Fragmentation is the reason we don't have official gb

I am genuinely pissed after they postponed the ICS event because I felt like that would be the infuses' time to get current with its OS. Maybe I'm venting my frustration a bit but 500K+ devices are turned on per day(at least for the next few months). I see that version pie chart and Froyo is still number 1 despite GB releasing roughly 10 months ago(not to mention a new version is weeks from releasing) . It's exactly why I come here.
I would also like to point out that the Fragmentation also causes what I like to call a popularity contest. Yes you have a crap ton of device options but guess what the carriers and manufacturer are making sure the cash cows are first in line. Do you think they have as many engineers/developers working with the ChaCha as they do on sgs2? Hell no
Why is Google shooting themselves in the foot in staying current? Why on earth haven't they sat down with the phone manufacturers and hammered out some sort of standard to speed up adoption of new OS?
Android has a wide array of devices and that makes them unique and better than the competition by offering choice.
I understand that the burden of keeping up to speed primarily falls to the manufacturer/carriers which blows for us. The maker/google contract states the carrier only has update the device for 18 months. The definition and or frequency of an update is obscure at best.
I don't even want to guess how much money is being wasted on development overlapping costs because of the hodgepodge of devices. I tried to find out exactly how many hardware devices are currently supported. I found a list of everything but no summary I didn't feel like counting the but a good estimate is 350 + worldwide.
I understand the development life cycle as well as a hardware life-cycle. I fail to understand why integration of an update takes longer than one quarter to apply.
Google develops tests and releases system updates. The manufacturers takes that update and tests it with their bull**** on top (IE touch wiz and sense) then they test on devices.
Carriers finally now test the update, certify it, and push to users(never pushed at one time because they would never risk any downtime or damage to their network).
Wtf google step your game up and reduce the impact of Fragmentation because its only going to get worse and worse.
I'm the kind of device user that makes a well informed decision and won't get a new device until it breaks or I lose it(wow thinking about it I really am horrible with phones).
I have had this phone since it came out in April and I love it (I left it in a cab during the first 2 weeks I had it but was able to get my replacement soon after). Basically I'm a day one Adopter I had my original rooted and rom'd. It drastically improved the general usability of the phone. I decided to wait to mod the phone until I got the official gb to see what it could bring to the table. I really like the one click update with no issues but my hand has been forced. My device has been becoming noticeably slower and i find myself pulling the battery at least once every 2 days. To use it as a phone like it was intended I need to port to a mod. The
Thank you developers for implementing what the billion dollar corporations could not in literally 1/10 of the time.
Sorry if I ranted I'm pissed and there's no way I'm going down to wallstreet lol I'm lazy.
Jason
Note: I also read that it could reach nearly 1 million devices a day by the end of Oct/Nov.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Trust me I understand your frustration! According to google ICS was supposed to be that game changing release but honestly marketing is what is stopping companies from unifying. A majority of people who get an Android device don't know what the hell to do with it, how it works, or in the most part don't care (or at least don't seem to understand the difference between froyo and GB) they just want a functioning
phone. Then comes ios, that's why it's so popular.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
I do venture to say that android developers are hurting as well with having to unnecessarily cater to multiple versions of the same OS. I was under the impression that ICS was that as well and will be a step in that direction. Once again how long will that take to push out to consumers? Are we supposed to wait until then? Google just needs to grow some balls and steer the proverbial green bull by the horns before the amount of devices becomes the reason we dont run with the bulls anymore.
jasonk1229 said:
I do venture to say that android developers are hurting as well with having to unnecessarily cater to multiple versions of the same OS. I was under the impression that ICS was that as well and will be a step in that direction. Once again how long will that take to push out to consumers? Are we supposed to wait until then? Google just needs to grow some balls and steer the proverbial green bull by the horns before the amount of devices becomes the reason we dont run with the bulls anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite frankly your frustration (and mine) is backed by the dev community; to atleast some extent. Although, I still believe google saw the bright green money tree right above their noses and since then, can not let go of the smell! In other words, there wont' be a solution in the near future.
Android has become more like Linux in terms of fragmentation!
diablo009 said:
Android has become more like Linux in terms of fragmentation!
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Click to collapse
I couldn't name to you all the releases that are out there
Yes I love my Infuse but Fragmentation really move my temper gauge over the top. Still loving the infuse 4g screen, but the apps almost all force close error, and my facebook app sometime does not notify me on the notifiction bar and so is textfree app, i am really getting frustrated even yahoo a very big company the video call is a mess, i am in the edge of going back to iPhone which is not my choice, but google make this on OS, stop fragmentation.
spirikitik said:
Yes I love my Infuse but Fragmentation really move my temper gauge over the top. Still loving the infuse 4g screen, but the apps almost all force close error, and my facebook app sometime does not notify me on the notifiction bar and so is textfree app, i am really getting frustrated even yahoo a very big company the video call is a mess, i am in the edge of going back to iPhone which is not my choice, but google make this on OS, stop fragmentation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running a custom rom, kernel, radio, are you OC/UV?
Any and all of these things can and will give you instability. I had a cm7 theme that kept crashing the system on my backflip.
The only way to do away with MOST not all issues is to live in "the box".
Android fragmentation is a big problem.
You're kidding yourself if you think the Infuse will ever get an update to ICS.
MikeyMike01 said:
You're kidding yourself if you think the Infuse will ever get an update to ICS.
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Lol. By the ICS is out on a couple phones he would've switched to a different phone.
MikeyMike01 said:
Android fragmentation is a big problem.
You're kidding yourself if you think the Infuse will ever get an update to ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There comes devs who may port it (hopefully). Ics is supposed to get rid of the fragmentation, and maybegoogle has something up there sleeve to combine all phones and most get ics who knows. Google and Sammy have just hired cynagen (sorry bad speling) and other major devs. They may just help figure out this problem, where they are actually smart and put this into consideration.
I want my freakin Gingerbread! Stupid fragmentation! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Kevinr678 said:
I want my freakin Gingerbread! Stupid fragmentation! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
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Really missing my old HTC phones right now. Hell, one official rom could be easily ported over to like six others with those phones. Samsung has fantastic hardware but HTC dev support is superior.
Sent from my Samsung Infuse
slapshot30 said:
Really missing my old HTC phones right now. Hell, one official rom could be easily ported over to like six others with those phones. Samsung has fantastic hardware but HTC dev support is superior.
Sent from my Samsung Infuse
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Click to collapse
Completely agreed. Phone's that will never officially have things like Sense 3.5 have it, and the same with firmwares. I do love my Samsung though.
Ryanscool said:
There comes devs who may port it (hopefully). Ics is supposed to get rid of the fragmentation, and maybegoogle has something up there sleeve to combine all phones and most get ics who knows. Google and Sammy have just hired cynagen (sorry bad speling) and other major devs. They may just help figure out this problem, where they are actually smart and put this into consideration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is that every phone has vendor-proprietary bits to handle specific hardware support that aren't portable. The Apache license of the Android userland stack makes this possible. Also the ability to have proprietary modules loaded by the kernel doesn't help - for example the FSR and RFS drivers in the Infuse. The same reason you'll likely never see ICS for the Infuse is the same reason you didn't see CM7 until Rogers Gingerbread dropped. (It existed, but it was in a barely usable state until the vendor-proprietary stuff from Rogers GB could get pulled in.)
The good news is that I think Google is forcing vendors to "play nicer" as far as the low-level vendor-proprietary code in order to make AOSP bringups easier. They enforced a LOT of standardization with Honeycomb - the question is can they keep that going with ICS without witholding source like with HC? I think that by exercising tighter control over Google Apps licensing they can.
The Galaxy S II is a hint of things to come - while it still has vendor-proprietary libraries in the userland stack, it has zero closed-source components in the kernel, unlike previous Samsungs.
Motivation and $.
my opinion only...but, phone carriers have no motivation* to update the o.s. of phones already sold.
Just a few random thoughts...
1. Limited $ to be made from you (the customer waiting for an upgrade)
....a. sale of the device is already made.
....b. buyer is already locked into a long-term contract.
2. they are a phone company not a software company...thus any software developers they might have are probably focused on future sales and testing.
3. they don't make money releasing updates to already sold phones.
4. support staff would have to be pretty good size.
I wonder if the phone providers keep software upgrade staff or do they contract that out??? say to the phone manufacture (i.e. samsung, htc)? I have no idea.
(I am assuming it's the phone carriers who are the primary cause of delays in releasing software updates...not necessarily the
* what's more important to them? Future repeat customers due to good service OR simply getting them locked into longterm service contracts? Obviously point 2.
I wish fragmentation was decreased to that of the IBM compatibe market. (Am I the only one that still calls them that?)
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
Interesting point I would have to say they contract the work out to upgrade versions. If they haven't already I wouldn't be surprised to see full teams being hired as android becomes more permanent.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
Great post
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
The debate continues on TechCrunch:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/27/charted-android-fragmentation/

[Q] How to pick a phone with support?

I hope this question doesn't come across as unappreciative, but I am wondering if there are any patterns when it comes to purchasing a phone with consistent dev support from both the manufacturer and the android community. Do certain brands get released source more quickly than others, or is it luck of the draw? Same goes for dev support. Are there trends in the phones that get the most attention while others are left as an afterthought due to a PITA development process or general disinterest? I am satisfied with my Charge, but I want to know if I can choose more intelligently in future purchases. It seems like the phones with the best hardware are not necessarily the ones with the most support. Any thoughts?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
It seems that the good devs, minus danalo have jumped ship for the newer phones.... kejar just fornier his charge back so maybe we will see something new soon...... hopefully ics
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
justin94 said:
It seems that the good devs, minus danalo have jumped ship for the newer phones.... kejar just fornier his charge back so maybe we will see something new soon...... hopefully ics
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
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No. It's just that we've jumped ship on XDA. We're fed up with the noobs and general insolence. Devs are still around if you know where to look.
As to what phone will get the most devs, it's gotta be the Galaxy Nexus.
Sent from my Droid Charge running Infinity Beta
kvswim said:
No. It's just that we've jumped ship on XDA. We're fed up with the noobs and general insolence. Devs are still around if you know where to look.
As to what phone will get the most devs, it's gotta be the Galaxy Nexus.
Sent from my Droid Charge running Infinity Beta
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I've checked on other forums and the only thing I've found that isn't here is the infinity ROM which is an example of the Charge being an afterthought and not really the primary focus of a dev team. I didn't know if maybe one brand is more simple to develop.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
ethanperkins17 said:
I've checked on other forums and the only thing I've found that isn't here is the infinity ROM which is an example of the Charge being an afterthought and not really the primary focus of a dev team. I didn't know if maybe one brand is more simple to develop.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
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Howso? Imnuts is extremely active in the Charge community, and Infinity is, in my opinion, the most well developed and mature ROM on this phone. I don't like the occasional hot boots that TSM Parts brings, but no dev has been more committed to this community, nor put in more time on this phone, than imnuts.
shrike1978 said:
Howso? Imnuts is extremely active in the Charge community, and Infinity is, in my opinion, the most well developed and mature ROM on this phone. I don't like the occasional hot boots that TSM Parts brings, but no dev has been more committed to this community, nor put in more time on this phone, than imnuts.
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You're absolutely correct. Do you have any helpfulness for the OP?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
so I'm not one to bicker but here I go...i haven't seen any statement from any devs on xda or the other site stating we've given up on the charge. Yes there are cooler phones but the charge is still one hot phone I've held the rest and honestly minus the hardware specs this is the hottest phone I've seen. I'm also 260 with brick hands so I like the size. Fact is samsung sucks with support so there is no source since froyo for the devs to play with and here we are on ice cream sandwich..blame.samsung not the devs. Danalo has said flat out hes working..and that is enough for me to back him up and support his work imnuts is still around..plus the other players still hard at work. As for stock support if thats what you meant.good luck there dropping phones every minute at this point so when you get that phone that guarantees support and updates a few weeks later your sol and will be depending on devs and leaks to help you out. I for one will stick with the charge until the apps being made demand more power as of right now I can't see a 5 mb app needing a dual core proc or a quadrant score of 3000..sorry I ramble..lets hope one of these devs loves the phone the way I do and keeps cracking at it for some time to come..and if samsung dissent come through in the next year if ill get my 300 dollars worth when I toss my beloved charge through a 300 pain of glass at samsung central!
SO_dank said:
so I'm not one to bicker but here I go...i haven't seen any statement from any devs on xda or the other site stating we've given up on the charge. Yes there are cooler phones but the charge is still one hot phone I've held the rest and honestly minus the hardware specs this is the hottest phone I've seen. I'm also 260 with brick hands so I like the size. Fact is samsung sucks with support so there is no source since froyo for the devs to play with and here we are on ice cream sandwich..blame.samsung not the devs. Danalo has said flat out hes working..and that is enough for me to back him up and support his work imnuts is still around..plus the other players still hard at work. As for stock support if thats what you meant.good luck there dropping phones every minute at this point so when you get that phone that guarantees support and updates a few weeks later your sol and will be depending on devs and leaks to help you out. I for one will stick with the charge until the apps being made demand more power as of right now I can't see a 5 mb app needing a dual core proc or a quadrant score of 3000..sorry I ramble..lets hope one of these devs loves the phone the way I do and keeps cracking at it for some time to come..and if samsung dissent come through in the next year if ill get my 300 dollars worth when I toss my beloved charge through a 300 pain of glass at samsung central!
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I don't know how this got turned around to be viewed as an attack on the remaining charge devs, but I'll assume it's because the general atmosphere around here is one of ignoring the original question and just gleaning a topic to start a debate about. From what you said, apparently Samsung sucks at supporting their phones, which leaves the original question unanswered of "what brand has the best support". Also, yes, the Charge has a few devs. I appreciate their work so I'm not sure why this is the subject every reply argues.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Generally HTC and Motorola have the best community support, Samsung has always been worse off than them.
And I'm sure that this got turned into an "attack" on the remaining devs because there seems are always people that think they are entitled to something. Doesn't matter what community or what this something may be, there are always people that think something is owed to them. One should always make purchases based on what something can do and not what it could do.
Jason
---------- Post added at 05:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:08 PM ----------
Also, since I never answered the original poster, you can best pick a phone that will get support by looking at what phones are currently well supported. There is a reason that those phones are supported, and generally future phones by that company are equally supported. Generally
Jason
HTC has by far the best record updating their phones, followed by Motorola, then Samsung, then LG. I'd guess we'll see a shift to faster updates eventually at Motorola due to their acquisition by Google, but that could take a while.
As far as dev support goes... you really can't predict that. The level of development on this phone is indeed very low, and that's not an attack on the developers -- it's just fact. Many phones have 3, 4, 5+ actively developed ROMs.
I'd say there's one easy prediction, though: that the Galaxy Nexus will get a lot of developer focus. Just look at how active development is for the almost two year old Nexus One. That's obviously in part due to the fact that Nexus handsets will always get the fastest official updates.
Falcyn said:
HTC has by far the best record updating their phones, followed by Motorola, then Samsung, then LG. I'd guess we'll see a shift to faster updates eventually at Motorola due to their acquisition by Google, but that could take a while.
As far as dev support goes... you really can't predict that. The level of development on this phone is indeed very low, and that's not an attack on the developers -- it's just fact. Many phones have 3, 4, 5+ actively developed ROMs.
I'd say there's one easy prediction, though: that the Galaxy Nexus will get a lot of developer focus. Just look at how active development is for the almost two year old Nexus One. That's obviously in part due to the fact that Nexus handsets will always get the fastest official updates.
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Thanks kart and falcyn for the responses. This^^^ was exactly the help I was looking for.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
IMHO, if you care to browse (much less post) on a forum any manufacturer updates or support are about as useful as a bicycle is to a fish. As for predicting what the support for one phone model over the other by people who work on their own time, it's about like guessing what the next big stock will be. Sure there's info, but it's really a guess. As said, Nexus looks hottest right now, but who really knows what comes out at CES and jazzes up devs?
I wound up going Charge over Bionic for screen and the way it felt I was a Moto fanboy, but I went with my gut, and I'm happy.
Even stuck with manufacturer support, chances are you'll have a useable year and a half out of any phone if you try out apps in store and are pleased. Might another wind up being better? Sure. Thing is, strike outs and striking gold are both rare. Just actually TRY the phones out and get what YOU like.
shrike1978 said:
I don't like the occasional hot boots that TSM Parts brings,.
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Not everyone sees this, I have run TSM for months & it hasn't had a hot boot yet.
~John
jmorton10 said:
Not everyone sees this, I have run TSM for months & it hasn't had a hot boot yet.
~John
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Which should surely cause one soonish now
Jason

[DISSCUSION] Are unexploitable bootloaders bringing US development to an end?

Opinions from different perspectives are most welcome but please mind your Ps and Qs.
Thank you...
Where did you get this news? please share more details about this.
engineerd2 said:
Where did you get this news? please share more details about this.
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It is not news per se. And not meaning to be flip it is a simply a question brought on by the observation of facts as they present themselfs.
My 2 cents
numbR7 said:
Opinions from different perspectives are most welcome but please mind your Ps and Qs.
Thank you...
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I don't think carriers are locking boot loaders to hinder development, in a strict sense. I believe they're doing it to force people to upgrade their devices more often, in order to gain any new innovations from OS upgrades. Take a look at the Samsung Infuse, a phone which was orphaned almost from the time of it's release. Thanks to a developer named Scott Hart, you can run kitkat 4.4 on it. If people hold on to their phones longer, profits go down.
rgrbckr said:
I don't think carriers are locking boot loaders to. hinder development, in a strict sense. I believe they're doing it to force people to upgrade their devices more often, in order to gain any new innovations from OS upgrades. Take a look at the Samsung Infuse, a phone which was orphaned almost from the time of it's release. Thanks to a developer named Scott Hart, you can run kitkat 4.4 on it. If people hold on to their phones longer, profits go down.
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I take your point and it's a good one. I do not know-for sure-the reasoning behind it just the result. Ironically, I do know that the majoritu of innovation-in my view-have come from xda members saving these carriers a lot of money in R&D. I remember loading CM on a tiny little phone a few years ago to get innvations that are now incorporated standard on most phones.
I would say it's interesting that I am continuously reminded what a small insignificant percentage xda members make up -- interestingly to argue diametrically opposed views.
numbR7 said:
I take your point and it's a good one. I do not know-for sure-the reasoning behind it just the result. Ironically, I do know that the majoritu of innovation-in my view-have come from xda members saving these carriers a lot of money in R&D. I remember loading CM on a tiny little phone a few years ago to get innvations that are now incorporated standard on most phones.
I would say it's interesting that I am continuously reminded what a small insignificant percentage xda members make up -- interestingly to argue diametrically opposed views.
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Click to collapse
@NumbrR7: I second your point. I think that really grates (angers) me that most of the "new" phones are mostly incremental updates (i.e. better camera, updated OS). On another note, Oppo (based in mainland China) is gaining a niche for themselves because, from what I understand and read, the OS is developer-friendly and comes factory unlocked out of the box. USA carriers won't let that happen -- oh the horror. <rolling eyes>
Again, I affirm your position on this, numbR7.
XDA rules!
sameog said:
@NumbrR7: USA carriers won't let that happen -- oh the horror. <rolling eyes>
XDA rules!
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Corporate greed and capitalism. Having said that, I disagree, to some extent, with their line of thinking. I have the galaxy s, s2, s3, s4, s5 , and note3. I have had a custom Rom on every single device up until the s5 and the note. Rooting and updating to the latest OS only made me want the new hardware even more. But alas, I too think it might be fading. When it does, I think the opposite will happen, and I will hang on to my device longer. I am already thinking of going back to the s4 with Shostock on it, for my daily phone.
Poke01 said:
Corporate greed and capitalism. Having said that, I disagree, to some extent, with their line of thinking. I have the galaxy s, s2, s3, s4, s5 , and note3. I have had a custom Rom on every single device up until the s5 and the note. Rooting and updating to the latest OS only made me want the new hardware even more. But alas, I too think it might be fading. When it does, I think the opposite will happen, and I will hang on to my device longer. I am already thinking of going back to the s4 with Shostock on it, for my daily phone.
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I don't exactly agree with your first sentence (but it's worth discussion on a different type forum). That said. Your point is otherwise very well taken. You may get a new feature (maybe a new fade) but lose everthing else (that the freedom of controlling your own device gives you) suddenly that extra megapixel or two doesn't seem worth $650. Yep I'm sure of it! I think you have a really good point. I know it's a tad different but I choose to stick with Hyperdrive 15 (4.3) to avoid the hassles with SS and 4.4. That is NOT to say that I am bad mouthing SS. To the contrary, it's saved my behind. Hows that for nice language? Lol
Scott's still going with the Infuse?! Good on him! I loved that little phone. If it weren't for the problems with the video camera, I'd still be using it.
Well, this might rub some the wrong way but if all carriers started locking their bootloaders and forced buyers to choose based on hardware alone, I'd buy an iPhone. I love the little innovations that have come with an open Android - like Paranoid Android - but the hardware is usually underwhelming. The S4 has the screen going for it, but that's it. Apparently Apple will finally use larger screens on their iPhones so not much win for Samsung.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Wyzpopper said:
Scott's still going with the Infuse?! Good on him! I loved that little phone. If it weren't for the problems with the video camera, I'd still be using it.
Well, this might rub some the wrong way but if all carriers started locking their bootloaders and forced buyers to choose based on hardware alone, I'd buy an iPhone. I love the little innovations that have come with an open Android - like Paranoid Android - but the hardware is usually underwhelming. The S4 has the screen going for it, but that's it. Apparently Apple will finally use larger screens on their iPhones so not much win for Samsung.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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I think you're right especially if the screen is bumped up. With the bootloader situation you already have an "i-droid" anyway. "Open source" no longer has meaning.
Hopefully this will accelerate the people looking at buying much cheaper phones that aren't locked to any specific carrier and also aren't boot locked. The effectiveness of upgrades is dimishing which should help push this shift and hopefully will ultimately keep these big phone manufacturers honest.
bnolsen said:
Hopefully this will accelerate the people looking at buying much cheaper phones that aren't locked to any specific carrier and also aren't boot locked. The effectiveness of upgrades is dimishing which should help push this shift and hopefully will ultimately keep these big phone manufacturers honest.
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I've already looked into those "cheaper" phones. Most of them, right now, anyway, don't have LTE chipsets yet. In addition, 4G just rolled out in China (we get the new stuff first -- obviously). However, the cheaper phones are made and shipped factory unlocked. Some phones have a dual sim slots (i.e. one sim for personal, one sim for business).
I'm partnered up with a wholesaler and have access to everything he carries. The best part is that he doesn't "compete" with whom he partners up with -- bad for business, he says.
My .02 =)
as others have said it's just the way of big business in the 21st century. up until a week ago i had a 2 year old S2 which was running a 4.4.2 ROM (ressurection remix). if i hadnt been able to root and flash a ROM i'd have probably got myself a new phone long ago so locking down phones may get customers to upgrade more often (i know it would with me) as it is i bought my new phone outright and have gone payg to save myself some money and also to be able to upgrade as and when i like. i did look at some of the chinese phones (goophone being one) but wasnt sure of the root capabilities so decided to give it a miss.
i think even locked bootloaders will eventually be hacked. nothing is impossible. it's just down to when and how long we wait.
I took a brief reprieve from this forum, since there wasn't any groundbreaking progress made (and by "groundbreaking", I mean exploited bootloader).
It looks as if that has remained unchanged? I've only had the S4 for a year now, but I am officially "over" Samsung devices. Very aesthetically pleasing, but hardly functional overall. Battery is crap on every Samsung device, and the only thing that ever helped me was either buying a 3rd party with larger capacity, and/or running a custom ROM/kernel combo that allows for both less consumption as well as rapid-charge.
I'm interested to see this new thing Google is going to unveil to replace the GPE phones. I have no issue paying full price for a device that I can do whatever I want with, and know that there will be a strong following for. Even if that following is only a certain, small niche of the overall market.
It's a shame that my fun with AOSP had to come to a screeching halt, I loved the simplicity and functionality of it.
I don't think carriers make much or any money from selling new hardware. They make their money from plans.
That said, I'm happy to be on 4.4.2 SlimRom. ☺
disturbd1 said:
I took a brief reprieve from this forum, since there wasn't any groundbreaking progress made (and by "groundbreaking", I mean exploited bootloader).
It looks as if that has remained unchanged? I've only had the S4 for a year now, but I am officially "over" Samsung devices. Very aesthetically pleasing, but hardly functional overall. Battery is crap on every Samsung device, and the only thing that ever helped me was either buying a 3rd party with larger capacity, and/or running a custom ROM/kernel combo that allows for both less consumption as well as rapid-charge.
I'm interested to see this new thing Google is going to unveil to replace the GPE phones. I have no issue paying full price for a device that I can do whatever I want with, and know that there will be a strong following for. Even if that following is only a certain, small niche of the overall market.
It's a shame that my fun with AOSP had to come to a screeching halt, I loved the simplicity and functionality of it.
Click to expand...
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Well, even if I sold my i337, the battery life was honestly very good for me. There's the facts that maybe I don't use it heavily every day, but I turn GPS on only when I have to find a specific place I haven't been to before. GPS down - battery life up. 3G down, unless I need it - battery life up. Power saving mode - battery life up.
As for the Android Silver program, we all are curious to see how will this turn out.

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