Google's name is on this phone... - T-Mobile LG G2x

It's right there engraved on the back.
So, should I be holding Google partially responsible for ripping me off when I purchased this phone? That back cover logo, and the fact that it denotes a "pure Android experience" is one of the bigger reasons I chose this phone.
Obviously LG is most culpable for the poorly written software, and it was T-Mobile who actually took my money, but what is Google's responsibility in this mess? Are there any checks or qualifications that need to be met before the Google logo can be applied? If there are qualifications, did LG meet them in this case?
Am I going to experience this with my next Android purchase, or can I trust that "with Google™" logo?
Just thinking out loud...

I like where you're going with this.

From what I can tell the "With Google" designation means pretty much nothing.
See here:
http://www.google.com/phone/
And here:
http://www.androidguys.com/2010/09/30/google-phone-gallery-launches/

I agree....although if it's supposed to be a "pure android" experience then losing the Lg Camera app brings us closer to that gesture (I don't need pure and I loved the Lg camera app). I also wonder if the Lg camera app utilizes any Nvidia drivers. If so, maybe Nvidia should claim a piece of the blame pie too. I imagine their deal with LG to get their tegra chipset in the phone included supporting the software and harness the dual-core processor.

I also wonder about the definition of Gingerbread. Is a skin over top the old code all that's necessary?
The inclusion of Nvidia in this inquiry is also valid point. I don't think anyone should be let off the hook.
ETA: We need a smart phone buyers/owners bill of rights

Spyvie said:
I also wonder about the definition of Gingerbread. Is a skin over top the old code all that's necessary?
The inclusion of Nvidia in this inquiry is also valid point. I don't think anyone should be let off the hook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wat. Gingerbread is far more than just a 'skin over top the old code'. Just sayin'

tokyomonster said:
Wat. Gingerbread is far more than just a 'skin over top the old code'. Just sayin'
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Click to collapse
It should be, but "Gingerbread" on the G2x is running the same kernel as Froyo.
Again, just thinking out loud...

Spyvie said:
"Gingerbread" on the G2x is running the same kernel as Froyo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And? The kernel stays the same, yes, but that definitely does not mean that the Gingerbread update is 'just a skin'. There are a ton of underlying changes to the actual Android framework that are completely independent of the kernel.

If you're really wondering whats different check here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.3-highlights.html#DeveloperApis
I agree LG's build is lame, but don't see how anyone but LG/T-mobile are to blame for that.

tokyomonster said:
And? The kernel stays the same, yes, but that definitely does not mean that the Gingerbread update is 'just a skin'. There are a ton of underlying changes to the actual Android framework that are completely independent of the kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said it was "just a skin", not sure why that is in quotes. I'm just wondering if there is a standard that must be met, and if so has LG met that standard here.
The GB on my G2X does not seem to be as feature complete as the GB on my N1. At what point does it become Google sanctioned Android 2.3.3?

AdamHart612 said:
I agree LG's build is lame, but don't see how anyone but LG/T-mobile are to blame for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do, and I'd like to use it as leverage to get a more satisfactory response from LG/T-Mobile

So you would whine to Toyota because your Lotus is unreliable?
Nvidia just supplied the SOC, to blame them for the crappy software another company wrote for it is ridiculous.

AdamHart612 said:
So you would whine to Toyota because your Lotus is unreliable?
Nvidia just supplied the SOC, to blame them for the crappy software another company wrote for it is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if the word whine would properly describe my actions, but, If I suspected my Lotus were unreliable because of a Toyota component then I would take exception at some point.
How is Nvidia's rep with open source drivers?
I'm still more focused on Google pressing or helping LG to get this right.

Ill be honest im rooted and been on cm7 awhile (so nothing to complain about to begin with) and went to ota today just for the hell of it and flashed green icons and installed all my **** and believe it or not this thing aint bad at all... blazin fast... honest feels faster than cm and faux ****... gps is instant... now if you aint rooted i dnt know what to tell you... but im gonna give it a run and hope we get some themes for it... i missed a2dp and this thing reallly is impressin me... a

Google holds no blame here. Android is open source, leaving manufacturers to mess it up all they want. "With Google" doesn't mean much, my understanding is that means the phone was developed with input/approval from them.
To a previous poster, a phone has Gingerbread when it is built on the Android 2.3 base. Manufacturers can strip and change it all they want, but if it's 2.3, it's gingerbread.
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk

Google should hold their manufacturers more accountable to release updates in a timely manner. Rumor is they will.
Ultimately, it is LG's fault. T-Mobile is just an accomplice to the situation. T-Mobile doesn't develop software, LG does that. T-Mobile is responsible for our happiness in this situation and can directly rectify any issues (money back, new phone, etc).
The only negative implications Google can receive is eventually a bad name. I do believe they will soon be forcing manufacturers to release updates more efficiently than they have. Otherwise, it will start hurting them.
But to blame Google would be silly. They release new software, the manufacturers tinker with it for their needs. Our sister phone, the G2, has nowhere near the problems we have. Why? Because HTC does a better job with their developing. Plain and simple.
Blaming Google in this situation would be like blaming Bosch instead of Volkswagen because your car is running horribly.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

Have you looked into the apple iphone? My wife has one, its a pretty solid device with not many problems.

dvan13578 said:
Have you looked into the apple iphone? My wife has one, its a pretty solid device with not many problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are solid Android devices too. Perfect? No. Solid? Yes. The reason iPhones don't have as many s/w issues is the OS is locked down like Fort Knox. That's what MS is trying to emulate with WP7. Personally, I'd take a bit of s/w wonkiness in order to be able to customize my phone the way I want to.

Seanathan said:
But to blame Google would be silly. They release new software, the manufacturers tinker with it for their needs. Our sister phone, the G2, has nowhere near the problems we have. Why? Because HTC does a better job with their developing. Plain and simple.
Blaming Google in this situation would be like blaming Bosch instead of Volkswagen because your car is running horribly.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, it's the end implementation that matters, and in this case that product came from LG/Tmobile. Nvidia and Google both delivered components that have been proven in many devices yet this one is uniquely full of issues.
LG/Tmobile are the ones to get pissed at for whatever issues you have with your G2x.

Seanathan said:
Blaming Google in this situation would be like blaming Bosch instead of Volkswagen because your car is running horribly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Bosch / VW analogy doesn't really work here. If the Bosch logo were prominently displayed on the car's exterior, and the Bosch components were fundamentally responsible for the car's basic configuration and capabilities then maybe you would have a point.
I'm not blaming Google so much as I am taking them to task for allowing their logo to be displayed on a poorly executed product. Make no mistake, the appearance of that logo greatly influenced my decision to purchase this defective product. The other point that should not be misunderstood by anyone involved is that this does in fact influence future purchasing decisions and brand loyalties in a negative way from Google's perspective.
So, to recap, here are two simple facts...
1. The LG G2x is a troubled product, with a higher than average for the industry percentage of unhappy owners.
2. Google's name is on it.
Edit: I'll put it another way... I can't blame Google for LG's incompetence, but I can at least partially blame Google for duping me into buying this defective phone.

Related

Nexus 2 made by samsung, looks like galaxy s hardware

http://gizmodo.com/5676008/hands-on-the-nexus-two-by-samsung
I love my Galaxy S, but this is a bit disappointing.
I was hoping for something that would push the bar - like a 4" Super AMOLED with a dual-core processor or something nuts like the N1 was over it's generation.
On the bright side, it does show that the Android lineup is a lot stronger than it was before.
it could also mean that well get a stock rom build that could prolly be easily be ported over easily to ours?
Yeah... I'm hoping this means we'll actually get timely updates in the future.
kuherrm said:
it could also mean that well get a stock rom build that could prolly be easily be ported over easily to ours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. This could be the single best thing if the ROMs can be easily ported and Google is in charge of software updates like they were with the Nexus One.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
this is one of the worst ... i dont know if i should even call it an article, but just so we can reference to it properly we will.
first, googles nexus one was very innovative, it showed a real and true glimpse into the future. for the second one there is no way they will take a step back and use some current hardware that has already been out for a while.
this is my opinion of what i believe is in the best interest of google.
so to pick on the article a little bit.
they keep refering back to the galaxy s line, which according to the "article" the only thing that was similar between them was how they looked, it says specifically that they had no idea what it had inside of it lol.
it states that the "nexus 2" was far less impressive than the n1, so what are they going by to support this statement? how it looked (opinion) and what they guess is inside of it? furthermore he didnt even know what kind of screen it had on the outside, he thinks it is an oled 4"... but not really sure, but one thing is for sure, it is "flat"
kuherrm said:
it could also mean that well get a stock rom build that could prolly be easily be ported over easily to ours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I was thinking when I read the article.... omnomnomnom
I agree whole-heartedly.
kuherrm said:
it could also mean that well get a stock rom build that could prolly be easily be ported over easily to ours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's all i can think about right now .
galaxy s with AOSP gingerbread and google rolling out updates every month? amazing.
If the Nexus 2 is a rebadged and tweaked Galaxy S, then we have just been handed a great gift. Google and a significant portion of the android developer community will move on to our platform, and will tweak the device to their hearts desire. This means we will be at the front of the line to get any updates. And almost all new software will be compatible to our phones. Won't we love to be in the news as one of the first phones to get Gingerbread, Honeycomb, and IceCream, rather that the last ones to get Froyo.
insaneturbo13 said:
it states that the "nexus 2" was far less impressive than the n1, so what are they going by to support this statement? how it looked (opinion) and what they guess is inside of it? furthermore he didnt even know what kind of screen it had on the outside, he thinks it is an oled 4"... but not really sure, but one thing is for sure, it is "flat"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question is how the heck can you not be sure if you're looking at an oled screen??
I obviously can't speak for anyone else but I can usually tell within the first second of looking at a screen if it's oled or not... if you don't believe me try putting an iphone and a 'real' phone like the N1 or the captivate side by side, then have them play the same video.
this should end the GPS debate as well. if the nexus two uses our chip, we'll either get a soft fix or we'll know our hardware is defective. if it uses a different chip, we know ours is broken forever.
More info/confirmation from PCMag. Too bad no confirmation on the hardware part; other than how it looks...
FTA:
yes, Samsung is working on an unlocked Android device that looks like the one in Gizmodo's pictures. But it may not be called "Nexus Two," my sources said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for one dont care if the hardware was the same and the phone looked like that(most likely wont). As long as you give me stock Gingerbread Rom, no ATT crap and a working GPS, I will be picking one up.
Wish that they stuck with the Nexus 1 hardware and tweaked it. I love my phone... but why google is using Samsung is beyond me.
I wonder if Google did ANY research before signing the deal on this? Obviously they never looked on GOOGLE for issues with Samsung Galaxy S devices. Their marketing team should be drawn and quartered.
But... with all that being said - if Samsung is just pumping out the hardware and Google is the one providing the software without Sammy's thumb in the pie - it might be a halfway decent device.
Also.. was the lil tabby thing sticking out from the bottom of the phone?
nr2134 said:
I for one dont care if the hardware was the same and the phone looked like that(most likely wont). As long as you give me stock Gingerbread Rom, no ATT crap and a working GPS, I will be picking one up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that the point, at least for the majority of Captivate owners (are you not one yourself?) in this forum, is that when/if said phone is released, there won't be any need to buy it in order to get the stock rom you're referring to, as it would most likely be easily ported over to the Captivate.
t-readyroc said:
I think that the point, at least for the majority of Captivate owners (are you not one yourself?) in this forum, is that when/if said phone is released, there won't be any need to buy it in order to get the stock rom you're referring to, as it would most likely be easily ported over to the Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha.. but your missing something here. The keyboard. Might be easy to convert for the Epic crowd... but for those without a keyboard probably not so much.
We won't know until it is released and the custom ROM developers can get their hands on the source.
t-readyroc said:
I think that the point, at least for the majority of Captivate owners (are you not one yourself?) in this forum, is that when/if said phone is released, there won't be any need to buy it in order to get the stock rom you're referring to, as it would most likely be easily ported over to the Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand and do own a cappy, but that would take time and I dont like to wait.
When I had my N1 before I played with my brothers Captivate there was no wait for a new ROM and I loved it. Unfortunately, the N1 was slow compared to the Captivate and I switched.
avgjoegeek said:
Aha.. but your missing something here. The keyboard. Might be easy to convert for the Epic crowd... but for those without a keyboard probably not so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keyboard? Nothing I've read on this rumored handset says anything about it including a hardware keyboard (if that's indeed what you're implying)... Have you read something I haven't?
Just speculation but maybe this is why samsung is taking their sweet time getting froyo out. Possibly getting gingerbread ready for this and other galaxy s devices?

Don't think these other companies were ready...

Samsung... LG. They wanted to enter the superphone battle but really had no idea of what they were getting themselves into. The time is over where you can just release a phone and not update it expecting it to just continue to sell.
HTC has been dealing with Android for awhile and definitely understands this concept. Many of their phones are receiving Gingerbread while many others have had announcements about updates. HTC stated a phone wasn't going to be updated then a day later had a change of heart. Days later an announcement was made with details of the update.
Communication and promptness is what is going to make or break these companies. Samsung had a big success with the Galaxy S but no one can deny they failed with updating the device once issues arose.
LG definitely wasn't ready to have the "world's first dual-core" smartphone when they didn't even have a competent engineering team to put out good software. And now that same software team is taking forever to get it right.
Were we too naive trusting LG with a phone of this stature?
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
samsung was ready. I mean look at the sgs2 now. Even with not updating like you said they had mad success. Even those who said never again still want the samsung. It also is the least buggiest device on paper out there looking at the forums.
LG yes. they came in like DEEERRRP, but Samsung knew what they were doing. ****, sgs 4g lmaoooo. They may not be cool how they do it, but they know what there doing and make a good product or people wouldnt be wanting a sgs2 so bad.
Only issue they had was gps, and yes poor updates but thats just them saving money and time and sending it out on a whole new device thats the same as the last with the update. lol
LG did it right with the hardware but screwed up the software. It happens. Google has yet to work with LG, which I think is next in line.
Samsung, HTC, Motorola have all had turns with google and learning the ins and outs.
I think the next Nexus phone will be LG... that will bring them up to speed like the rest.
smashpunks said:
samsung was ready. I mean look at the sgs2 now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had a Samsung Android phone before so I can't speak to the past. But the SGS2 has already received three ROM updates and four camera firmware updates in six weeks. 2.3.4 is expected by the end of the month to address an issue with the Android suspend process chewing up battery. It's for non-branded phones though and once the U.S. carriers get involved all bets are off no matter who manufactured the phone.
G2x was rushed out, to get the "first" tag.... It should have went out with 2.3. Saying that LG can not support the phone is way way way too early. IMO they are trying to make 2.3 release be a complete package, as bug free as reasonably necesssary and possible. Tons of updates are equal to one really solid release, some may prefer lots of updates, while most want a solid release, without the need of tick tacking.
LG is essentially relying on pure Android.....if the G2x is not ready for primetime, then Android itself is not.
Incorrect. LG's abomination is not pure Android. It's been proven that they heavily modified the build and just made it LOOK like stock. So again, it falls on the shoulders of LG to get it right.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
tombaker1 said:
G2x was rushed out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who rushed them?
And how did that work out for them?
Please do not put Samsung in the same league as LG. One year ago I would have said, yea sure, go ahead but not now. They just made the worlds most powerful Android device ever made and there getting involved with the DEV community. They have already released 3 updates for the SGSII which is 3 more than LG issued for the G2X. The SGSII has the least amount of bugs out of the new dual core phones being released.
Samsung just joined HTC at the top. LG just replaced Samsung of the Behold II days.
I might be wrong but why did they come out with naked 2.2 froyo?? im guessing cause they wanted to release the phone as soon as possible because if LG could come out with a dual core phone im sure LG knew that other competitors will be coming out with one soon. Also look at them right now they handed out couple of G2X w/ GB to tmobile employees for testing, why couldn't they do that earlier. I guess they figure "hey lets release the phone w/ 2.2 Froyo and figured it would be "safe"". But i guess that was a big mistake.
As far as im concern my phone works perfectly
in my opinion, yeah LG brought out an unstable phone
but then with the developers roms and kernel, my g2x is the fastest and smoothest phone i've ever experienced with.
im not saying that LG was perfect, but its because of them & developers that i have a phone that rapes any other phone on the market
kookoomang said:
I might be wrong but why did they come out with naked 2.2 froyo?? im guessing cause they wanted to release the phone as soon as possible because if LG could come out with a dual core phone im sure LG knew that other competitors will be coming out with one soon. Also look at them right now they handed out couple of G2X w/ GB to tmobile employees for testing, why couldn't they do that earlier. I guess they figure "hey lets release the phone w/ 2.2 Froyo and figured it would be "safe"". But i guess that was a big mistake.
As far as im concern my phone works perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Atrix is dual-core on Froyo with the same Tegra SoC and hasn't experienced the issues the G2X has so you can't blame Froyo. The Sensation and SGS2 are dual-core on Gingerbread and don't have similar issues either which would mean dual-core phones can work successfully with any newer Android version. So, anecdotally, all fingers point to LG's software and/or hardware decisions.
The whole reason I bought this phone was because it was a very powerful, stock android phone. It had all the right hardware. I knew that because it was in the G series it woiuld recieve crazy dev support and I was sold when I heard cyannogen would be making a rom for it. Its unlocked and flash happy. Honestly I didnt care then and dont care now what the phone was like when it was released. I bought this to tinker and tinkering I am doing lots of. If I wanted a locked down phone with a laggy UI i would have gone with an HTC or motorola phone. At the time i had no clue HTC would unlock the bootloader but has that even happened yet?
If htc was so prepared they would of unlocked the bootloader, which they didn't.
Sent from my SGH-T959
cashyftw said:
If htc was so prepared they would of unlocked the bootloader, which they didn't.
Sent from my SGH-T959
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? How does the reversal of a corporate policy have anything to do with the timing of the release of one of a dozen new phones they'll come out with this year?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
kangxi said:
Incorrect. LG's abomination is not pure Android. It's been proven that they heavily modified the build and just made it LOOK like stock. So again, it falls on the shoulders of LG to get it right.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did they do? If there's already a thread you can just point me to it, I'll read through it.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
If anything, it would make more sense to think that HTC is incapable of producing solid tech. And quite honestly, it shows. The G1 was a horrid pieces of hardware [note I said HARDWARE, not software] that only stood out because it was the first Android device. The MyTouch was and is slow and clunky even after official upgrades and custom ROMS , where as the Cliq XT [which at one point was WORST PHONE EVAR!~!! according to most android fanboys] is absolutely blazing on its CM7 port considering its a 600mhz processor. And don't get me started about all of HTC's subpar Winmo phones that plagued T-Mobile for a long time [probably why smartphones didn't take off for a while til the iPhone and Blackberry]
On the other hand, LG is more than capable of producing a high end piece of mobile electronic. Considering they have a long history of computer hardware, also applicances and commercial technology. If you think a SoC based Android phone is complicated, please take a look at service manuals for a modern washer or a 3D HDTV. LG has the assembly lines, the manpower, and the R/D to develop a top class mobile device. And the G2X is easily the best designed phone on the market. I'm sorry so many people have had so many issues, but a fully working G2X is miles ahead of anything offered by HTC or Samsung.
Some of you act as if LG has never made mobile phones, yet they've made some of the best and some of the most innovative devices before the smartphone craze took off.
againareku said:
...but a fully working G2X is miles ahead of anything offered by HTC or Samsung.
Some of you act as if LG has never made mobile phones, yet they've made some of the best and some of the most innovative devices before the smartphone craze took off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first statement kind of contradicts your claims in the second statement, don't you think?
not sure where thread are
SefEXE said:
What did they do? If there's already a thread you can just point me to it, I'll read through it.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But i can tell you first hand.
this rom is the same rom pretty much as the overseas version which has the lg skin on it. they changed the png files to be stock android and removed the settings additions.
all the hooks and java are in the framework files at least the ones i looked at. have tons of stuff that is not froyo 2.2.2 source.
this explains why both phones have similair problems.
themes cause tons of bootlopps and freezes and reboots if not done correctly. and thats probably the cause of the reboots. since this is a themed rom.
with rommers they put out an update to fix a problem. the companies seem to always try to fix everything before releasing than on top of that they are bringing a whole new os and froyo and GB are quite a bit different. and with tmobile i imagine they told them to get a working gingerbread rom on it and they would buy the phones again.
Hope this helps some.
i think your right
againareku said:
If anything, it would make more sense to think that HTC is incapable of producing solid tech. And quite honestly, it shows. The G1 was a horrid pieces of hardware [note I said HARDWARE, not software] that only stood out because it was the first Android device. The MyTouch was and is slow and clunky even after official upgrades and custom ROMS , where as the Cliq XT [which at one point was WORST PHONE EVAR!~!! according to most android fanboys] is absolutely blazing on its CM7 port considering its a 600mhz processor. And don't get me started about all of HTC's subpar Winmo phones that plagued T-Mobile for a long time [probably why smartphones didn't take off for a while til the iPhone and Blackberry]
On the other hand, LG is more than capable of producing a high end piece of mobile electronic. Considering they have a long history of computer hardware, also applicances and commercial technology. If you think a SoC based Android phone is complicated, please take a look at service manuals for a modern washer or a 3D HDTV. LG has the assembly lines, the manpower, and the R/D to develop a top class mobile device. And the G2X is easily the best designed phone on the market. I'm sorry so many people have had so many issues, but a fully working G2X is miles ahead of anything offered by HTC or Samsung.
Some of you act as if LG has never made mobile phones, yet they've made some of the best and some of the most innovative devices before the smartphone craze took off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and i hope you are hardware wise. it appears its the software that they are having problems with. and although they all continue ot be quite i would bet a company like lg made some changes after this debacle.
lets hope.
BarryH_GEG said:
Who rushed them?
And how did that work out for them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked great, the got a lot of press for being the first dual core, which is why they rushed.
The sales have been so strong that they ran out of the phones. Negative press is pretty much on this site and similar, which probably reaches about 5% max of the buyers.
They released with 2.2 which gives most a strong belief that 2.3 will solve a ton of issues whether or not I have experienced them.
The G2x will always be part of the against other phones, as part of the benchmarks, where as the Sensation will drop off.
So did it work, I think so.
Looking forward to 2.3....if it introduces problems I will be very upset.

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!
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
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/

Sad orphan Android device SUPPORT, guys buy wisely alright.

Consumer are on the loosing end ;(
http://theunderstatement.com/post/11982112928/android-orphans-visualizing-a-sad-history-of-support
Android users unite, demand upgrades
The state of Android software support is ridiculous, and some Android users have their heads in the sand and make excuses for the problem.
As a group we should demand software updates. 6 months ago Google and their partners in the open handset alliance pledged to address the issue of software updates and nothing has come of this. I still own a Droid Charge only officially running an Android version that came out in 2009.
What has Samsung done since releasing my Charge? Released the Stratosphere, as well as numerous other devices across other carriers.
If you think the average consumer does not care that their phone isn't running the latest software, then you may be correct. But, the average consumer sure as heck cares that his phone does not have the features of other competing companies. Also, stability is another issue, some phones are left running unstable software.
Do not ignore this problem. Android will lose the war if this continues. If this is being compared to the PC market, we are in 1989, Android could be any number of platforms that doesn't make it.
If you care about the platform, demand more of the platform.
Danwsim said:
The state of Android software support is ridiculous, and some Android users have their heads in the sand and make excuses for the problem.
As a group we should demand software updates. 6 months ago Google and their partners in the open handset alliance pledged to address the issue of software updates and nothing has come of this. I still own a Droid Charge only officially running an Android version that came out in 2009.
What has Samsung done since releasing my Charge? Released the Stratosphere, as well as numerous other devices across other carriers.
If you think the average consumer does not care that their phone isn't running the latest software, then you may be correct. But, the average consumer sure as heck cares that his phone does not have the features of other competing companies. Also, stability is another issue, some phones are left running unstable software.
Do not ignore this problem. Android will lose the war if this continues. If this is being compared to the PC market, we are in 1989, Android could be any number of platforms that doesn't make it.
If you care about the platform, demand more of the platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah this is true, I'd definitely have to agree. Don't get me wrong, I love Android, but there are some things I wish they would fix. Like the caller waiting feature, it should be updated to be more user friendly. Why should you have to hang up and wait for the automatic call back? They need to rebuild that part of the ui where you can.
Very interesting article. Very true also. It is a sad and troubling issue unfortunately for us. Software support and updates seem to be getting worse and worse for us Android users.
Good thing i got my nexus handset...kind of helps as at least i know google will keep rolling out the updates for at least 18 to 24 months.
The problem is with the big phone manufactures...they skin android too deep and take too long to clear up their mess in order to update the builds. Also they just want us to buy new phones every few months it seems. I intend to see my nexus s contract through to the remaining 12 months for sure. Ice Cream Sandwich looks delicious by the way!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
All they do is release a new model so they force us to buy new device, i might go back to iPhone I am really on the edge.
Well LG just impressed my by updating my moms LG Shine Pus ( think GSM Ally) from 2.1 to 2.3 and i mean the only thing that phone is lacking in is processor. 480x800 screen, 512 ram and a wait for it 600mhz processor. And it is a phone which doesn't require a data plan so my mom only pays like $20 a month for it
Dark lord me said:
Well LG just impressed my by updating my moms LG Shine Pus ( think GSM Ally) from 2.1 to 2.3 and i mean the only thing that phone is lacking in is processor. 480x800 screen, 512 ram and a wait for it 600mhz processor. And it is a phone which doesn't require a data plan so my mom only pays like $20 a month for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have no data plan, that means she just use the phone to call and text, she does not need update, this is sad for the smartphone users with data
spirikitik said:
If you have no data plan, that means she just use the phone to call and text, she does not need update, this is sad for the smartphone users with data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah well when we were going to get the phone it was a cheap slider dumb phone and we walked out with one of those and with froyo it brought speed increments which help on the phone and i mean my moms not the kind who even uses data just games and such
Totally agree. Fragmentation is a major issue and a lot of people don't realize that if the issues aren't griped about then they have no reason to fix them.
z33dev33l said:
Totally agree. Fragmentation is a major issue and a lot of people don't realize that if the issues aren't griped about then they have no reason to fix them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a lot of android user know that, they just don't want to admit that sometime they visit android market and download an app and found out the app crashes and wouldn't not work on their device, and still they don't want to say it, because they always want android to win vs apple, rim and wp7, the funny thing is they are not even part of the company, and will manufacturers don't update their device but can release new devices with an updated android OS, so people with money on their hand sell their phone and buy new android device just to update, they want android to win but they do not realize that android is sucking the life out of their pocket.
ICS is too late for it, but I hope J(ellybean) functions more like a launcher and its theme. Just mass update the background OS for all phones (whether through OTA or through website), and let manufacturer/telcom update their skin independently, so that consumers don't have to wait for the (unreliable) promise from manufacturer/telcom.
You hate android, good work, insert_manufacturer fanboy.
spirikitik said:
Yes a lot of android user know that, they just don't want to admit that sometime they visit android market and download an app and found out the app crashes and wouldn't not work on their device, and still they don't want to say it, because they always want android to win vs apple, rim and wp7, the funny thing is they are not even part of the company, and will manufacturers don't update their device but can release new devices with an updated android OS, so people with money on their hand sell their phone and buy new android device just to update, they want android to win but they do not realize that android is sucking the life out of their pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are we guaranteed by policy that the phones need to be updated? If anyone can check the sales agreement, is it mentioned anything about the future software update?
I have not checked, but I think there is no such obligation from manufacturer. So, in essence they are not breaking the law. We buy a phone on what it has presently, not speculating about future enhancements.
It would be great to have manufacturers give more attention to this update issue. But I doubt anyone could hold them accountable.
It's also obvious that if any of these get updated, it would be only the premier ones, not the budget models.
zeekiz said:
You hate android, good work, insert_manufacturer fanboy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just can handle the truth jerk butt
spirikitik said:
You just can handle the truth jerk butt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android vs iSO is exactly the same as pc vs console, some people enjoy having freedom on their devices, and constantly upgrade, some people want something like a console, nothing ground breaking but has a bit better stability but no flexibility. (I'm assuming your an Apple fan boy due to the lack of depth to your argument, also perceivable intelligence).
zeekiz said:
Android vs iSO is exactly the same as pc vs console, some people enjoy having freedom on their devices, and constantly upgrade, some people want something like a console, nothing ground breaking but has a bit better stability but no flexibility. (I'm assuming your an Apple fan boy due to the lack of depth to your argument, also perceivable intelligence).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got me wrong, it is just this fact hurt your ego about the stat of updates and you see it and still don't believe it, you are the android fanboy and for that makes you blind, and your intelligence, stay stagnant like a swamp.
zeekiz said:
You hate android, good work, insert_manufacturer fanboy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the attitude of a fanboy. "Oh, you don't like my OS? You must be a wp7/iOS fanboy."
Gotta say, I'm a fanboy for no OS and have them all but as far as hardware goes, I'm slowly becoming a Nokia fanboy
Lol z33 you really are funny. And quite the fibber.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
spirikitik said:
All they do is release a new model so they force us to buy new device, i might go back to iPhone I am really on the edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do you have iOS5 installed on your iphone, iphone 3G?
Which app is exclusive to gingerbread?
I think you should go back to iphone. It looks like you've made up your mind.
As for updates, US carrier versions tend to be slower and no surprises there with all the bloatware and restrictions they have to build into the firmware
Also there are ton of posts on xda where users with 2.3.3/2.3.4 devices complain about not receiving 2.3.5 updates and same goes for 3.0/3.1 users not receiving 3.2 update without knowing what that new revision brings to the table
As corps begin to adopt smartphones, the first thing a CIO will ask, "What's the Product Life Cycle?"
3GS gets iOS5 but the Nexus One won't get ICS!? Lowe's just ordered 42,000 iPhones, I would have too. Pull your head out Google!!! It's not just the kids who want updates but the grown ups too!
Sent from my LG-P509

These companies really thing their interfaces is better?

They are putting so much effort into these new interfaces - now all redone for ICS. And you look at these new interfaces and you say to yourself - WHY?!
Take Samsung's new TW for ICS. Why oh why would they take anything that is so fresh and new and put the same old TW - making the phone look like it's old before it even came out?
Now HTC are doing the same.
They are all missing out on the fact that users would rather just have it 'the way it is". This is the reason XDA is so full with people changing the roms, and so on.
I think it might have to do with Apples patent lawsuit.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/20/us-htc-apple-patent-idUSTRE7BI24620111220
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone feels the same as you. Thats the beauty of having choices unlike other manufactures that stick you with one UI.
benyben123 said:
They are putting so much effort into these new interfaces - now all redone for ICS. And you look at these new interfaces and you say to yourself - WHY?!
Take Samsung's new TW for ICS. Why oh why would they take anything that is so fresh and new and put the same old TW - making the phone look like it's old before it even came out?
Now HTC are doing the same.
They are all missing out on the fact that users would rather just have it 'the way it is". This is the reason XDA is so full with people changing the roms, and so on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are missing the point. Manufactures believe if they sell the stock Android experience then there is little to differentiate their product from the next. I'm not justifying it, only trying to explain the marketing mindset.
vsc said:
You are missing the point. Manufactures believe if they sell the stock Android experience then there is little to differentiate their product from the next. I'm not justifying it, only trying to explain the marketing mindset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this ^^
and each manufacturer adds little tidbits that are meant to "enhance" the user experience... similarly why dont toyota, honda, ford, ect all just have the same exact exterior and interior of their cars and they just change a bit of parts under the hood? thats essentially what phone manufacturers would be doing if they all ran stock android... no they tweak things up... i personally think touchwiz is a waste of space on phones but their interface on my GT10.1 is not too bad really...
Samsung's press release on their reasoning for not updating their SGS phones to ICS was that they would have to leave Touchwiz out, and therefore deprive their customers of features that were in Touchwiz, even though ICS has most of those features and more built in natively. Hence, Samsung really and truly believes their UI to be superior, and for them and many of their loyal customers this is possibly true. We are all allowed to have our own opinion of that, however.
Most people in this world using Android don't even know what AOSP looks like. Take my Dad for example, he thinks his stock G2x has TouchWiz. and my Mom didn't even know she had Android on it until I told her.
Avelnan said:
Most people in this world using Android don't even know what AOSP looks like. Take my Dad for example, he thinks his stock G2x has TouchWiz. and my Mom didn't even know she had Android on it until I told her.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats funny yet consistent with the ignorance of my parents who both think they have droids when they have a mytouch4g and a vibrant
/facepalm
Its all about that money.
sent from my Sensation XD

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