Google to gobble up Motorola Mobility for $12.5B - Samsung Infuse 4G

Interesting news. No more google/samsung phones in the future for sure!
http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=2b2efef4-8dff-4030-bc41-c3db68848fa4&GT1=33009

Google would be foolish to cut off the other oem's from Android. But stranger things have happened.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA App

I meant no google branded phones like the nexus. It will be interesting how this will shake out.

jz3 said:
I meant no google branded phones like the nexus.
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http://www.androidcentral.com/motorola-wont-have-exclusive-nexus-devices-andy-rubin-says
Andy Rubin says hi

Not only does this give them access to 17,000 current patents and hopefully another 7500 pending patents but it also gives them access to Motorola's set top cable box market which could mean an explosion in Google TV use if they finally work out all the issues with it.

They might fix up the crap that is motoblur and make it so awesome it is renamed Google buzz or something lol
Think about this, now it will just be up to carriers alone to push out the android updates to moto phones if Google doesn't preasure them any more than they currently are. This seems to be a good thing for android in my eyes.
Sent from my Infused V² powered smartass phone yo

dotpkmdot said:
Not only does this give them access to 17,000 current patents and hopefully another 7500 pending patents but it also gives them access to Motorola's set top cable box market which could mean an explosion in Google TV use if they finally work out all the issues with it.
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The patents are the reason.....
I don't see much changing regarding Motorola's future.... They will still make the same phones they do now except with unlocked bootloaders from now on...
El Goog will have a portfolio of patents that will keep their competitors at bay for a long while....
Sent from my Samsung Infuse 4G

Hopefully we can get some high end vanilla Android handsets...
Only having two (and nothing modern) is not acceptable.
Android is in the current fragmented mess because there's not enough Nexus phones. There should be at least 1 per year on every carrier.
Sent from my Infuse 4G

Related

Who cares about 2.2 what about 2.3?

Am I the only one that worries more about 2.3 than 2.2? Samsung is literally the last top of the line phone to get 2.2....ridiculous....Will we see 2.3/3.0? I mean this phone should have came with 2.2 or at latest sept. I really expect samsung to support these phones through July 2011. Does anyone else? What's your expectations?
i don't think there will be official 2.3 android...
Samsung is notorious for not supporting updates. They'd rather sell new hardware than update what's out already for free. You're lucky you're getting a 2.2 update even if it is taking forever to release, 2.3 is going to be a stretch though.
Who cares for official release , no one here is running stock anyhow.
Word on the street is Nexus S is Galaxy S variant and is running Gingerbread, and since Nexus line is googles developer phone , means source of gingerbread will be available .
I expect easy and smooth port to Captivate by local XDA devs.
ghost77 said:
Who cares for official release , no one here is running stock anyhow.
Word on the street is Nexus S is Galaxy S variant and is running Gingerbread, and since Nexus line is googles developer phone , means source of gingerbread will be available .
I expect easy and smooth port to Captivate by local XDA devs.
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Woot, never thought of that, since it will be a Galaxy S variant. That just made me happy to think about
ghost77 said:
Who cares for official release , no one here is running stock anyhow.
Word on the street is Nexus S is Galaxy S variant and is running Gingerbread, and since Nexus line is googles developer phone , means source of gingerbread will be available .
I expect easy and smooth port to Captivate by local XDA devs.
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We already know the camera is different... I don't think it will be as easy as i9000 to i897.. but yes there is some hope here . Google to the rescue!!!
Actually OP this is why we are all so excited about Cyanogen - BC it has NO Samsung components you can just upgrade to 2.3 once its released.... once cyanogen is final nobody here will be talking about Samsung anymore
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
ghost77 said:
Who cares for official release , no one here is running stock anyhow.
Word on the street is Nexus S is Galaxy S variant and is running Gingerbread, and since Nexus line is googles developer phone , means source of gingerbread will be available .
I expect easy and smooth port to Captivate by local XDA devs.
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Click to collapse
It's gonna be quite different. The camera and the soc will be dual core. Could have other hardware different as well.
I wonder how motorola and htc can afford to keep their top phones upgraded and samsung... Doesn't. I mean look at the droid from nov 2009....
I hate to go back to an iPhone next year, but this sucks. Thank god for xda! The devs here should have their own national holiday.
We don't really know anything about its spec just many rumors/fantasy's.
The only thing we do know its a bit curved , possibly a concave display , seen in one of the interview videos.
Corriewf said:
Am I the only one that worries more about 2.3 than 2.2? Samsung is literally the last top of the line phone to get 2.2....ridiculous....Will we see 2.3/3.0? I mean this phone should have came with 2.2 or at latest sept. I really expect samsung to support these phones through July 2011. Does anyone else? What's your expectations?
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Just a correction, x10 is still on 1.6 so wer not that far behind
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mac208x said:
Just a correction, x10 is still on 1.6 so wer not that far behind
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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X10 is not a top of the line device. It was supposed to be out last feb...by the time it came out, middle of the pack at best.
I would not base any standards on a SE device.
we still have a lot of things to play with...I played with Samsung focus and the position of camera&usb&mic I can say it's definitely the same with captivate...
Very true i hate how SAMSUNG doesn't update their devices. I might just get a nexus one now haha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
The sad part the Captivate its the only good android phone on at&t. I guess we're stuck with the captivate forever thanks att.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Dxtra said:
The sad part the Captivate its the only good android phone on at&t. I guess we're stuck with the captivate forever thanks att.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Motorola is supposed to be bringing a dual core phone to AT&T in feb. That's if you like blur. I'm also not sold on dual core either... I mean hello battery drain and for what positives? The soc in our captivate has yet to be pushed by anything android market can throw at it.
The resale value on this phone is gonna be horrible. I sold my 3GS last month for 300. Think in oct 2011 I can sell this phone for 200? Sucks. If the software support was there, they would wipe the floor with apple.
Corriewf said:
Motorola is supposed to be bringing a dual core phone to AT&T in feb. That's if you like blur. I'm also not sold on dual core either... I mean hello battery drain and for what positives? The soc in our captivate has yet to be pushed by anything android market can throw at it.
The resale value on this phone is gonna be horrible. I sold my 3GS last month for 300. Think in oct 2011 I can sell this phone for 200? Sucks. If the software support was there, they would wipe the floor with apple.
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No way. The only reason people are on this forum / using this phone is because this is the only competitive att android. I love android os, but Samsung is so terrible at public relations that nobody will want a phone that never updates and has a broken GPS. You would be lucky to get 200 in 6 months...
Seriously I hope for my sake att doesn't get another good android phone for a while... all the developers will leave this behind
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
The new dual-core suppose to use less power then current single-core , if its true i wouldn't worrie about power.
you samsung guys are soooo pessmist ,
I come form a motorola phone with a locked bootloader , 2.2 was announce for the end of Q4
just to show there is worst then samsung ...
on a side note this devce can run custom kernel , so as long as source is release for gingerbread who cares even if its only out for htc it will eventually be ported to SGS , as long as there is a need for it it will happen ...as simple as that ...
fatttire said:
No way. The only reason people are on this forum / using this phone is because this is the only competitive att android. I love android os, but Samsung is so terrible at public relations that nobody will want a phone that never updates and has a broken GPS. You would be lucky to get 200 in 6 months...
Seriously I hope for my sake att doesn't get another good android phone for a while... all the developers will leave this behind
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that is exactly how Apple keeps winning the war. Software support. It's an easy Eco system to buy into because the hardware is almost always supported for years. Yes closed systems. But the resale value for notebooks, computers, and iPhones is awesome. My wife will easily be able to pay for her next iPhone by selling the iPhone 4, hell we made 100 profit on both our 3GS. I have bought 2 3GS, an iPad, and a MacBook air.
I really love android and I love the hardware samsung puts out. I just wish they could grasp the concept of full customer support. They just come across as shady salesmen that can't wait to push the next big thing.
If I can't sell my captivate for much $$, I certainly won't be buying the next samsung whatever.
DAGr8 said:
you samsung guys are soooo pessmist ,
I come form a motorola phone with a locked bootloader , 2.2 was announce for the end of Q4
just to show there is worst then samsung ...
on a side note this devce can run custom kernel , so as long as source is release for gingerbread who cares even if its only out for htc it will eventually be ported to SGS , as long as there is a need for it it will happen ...as simple as that ...
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Sorry...I came from a cdma HTC Sprint hero...and people have a right to be pessimistic about all of this. I've been down this road with them where 2.2 was promised..but never delivered..Yes..we could root and flash to other roms including Cyanogen's 2.2 CM6....but..the whole point is getting what was promised to begin with..
Mac
Mac11700 said:
Sorry...I came from a cdma HTC Sprint hero...and people have a right to be pessimistic about all of this. I've been down this road with them where 2.2 was promised..but never delivered..Yes..we could root and flash to other roms including Cyanogen's 2.2 CM6....but..the whole point is getting what was promised to begin with..
Mac
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The way I see it these companies should make one of the following choices:
1. Sell cellphones with untouched Android. Leave it like wp7 and ios and let google handle software upgrades etc.
2. Have your custom software but support upgrades until hardware is no longer up to par. Maybe make their software downloadable through the market so we just update as needed but can run stock android while waiting.
3. Get out of the cellphone business and just become a hardware manufacture for real cellphone companies that can provide support.
I personally think option 1 is the best.... And most profitable. I mean samsung is stretched pretty thin. They make tvs and washing machines while trying to make cell phones, manufacture chips, and be a software company. Do what you do best and stick with it.

It's Time for Google to take control of the Android update process

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-ne...of-the-android-update-process/664?tag=nl.e550
I completely agree. Manufacturers can provide the hardware drivers and Android has them built-in to the OS. That way, EVERYONE (as long as the hardware is compatible) gets the latest version of Android on release day. You know, like Microsoft Windows?
Rikusaki said:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-ne...of-the-android-update-process/664?tag=nl.e550
I completely agree. Manufacturers can provide the hardware drivers and Android has them built-in to the OS. That way, EVERYONE (as long as the hardware is compatible) gets the latest version of Android on release day. You know, like Microsoft Windows?
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I totally agree with this but as long as each carrier insists on adding their own bloatware this will never happen.
zelendel said:
I totally agree with this but as long as each carrier insists on adding their own bloatware this will never happen.
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They can put the bloatware on all they want and every release of Android can be nice and clean (AOSP). Like how HP and Sony laptops have bloatware to begin with, but you can install a clean version of Windows on top of that.
Rikusaki said:
They can put the bloatware on all they want and every release of Android can be nice and clean (AOSP). Like how HP and Sony laptops have bloatware to begin with, but you can install a clean version of Windows on top of that.
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Click to collapse
Could work but here is where you will run into trouble. Once you load an AOSP rom onto the phone AT&T or carrier of choice will not have to support it. Could you imagine getting bounced between Samsung and Google to get support. Dont get me wrong, I would love to see this myself but I just dont see it happening unless A. Google offers support for every device running android, Not to likely, B. Carriers agree to support non branded software, even less likely.
Ya not going to happen sorry. Each company would have to have the source code to make the phones compatible then the service providers would have to have that info. Then it would all have to be sent back to google. So it is essentially adding another later of delays
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
The service carriers owning so much control over the OS and devices kind of reminds me of the days when you'd purchase internet service via AOL. You had to install all their crap just to get to the internet...and you lived within their little AOL content-land...
Eventually, perhaps, cell service providers could become more like ISP's today. You pay more for the internet access and less for all the useless desktop icons and name branded chat rooms LOL.
It would take a shift in the industry, and it's not a shift the carriers would benefit from, IMO, so don't hold your breath.
DucatiGuy said:
The service carriers owning so much control over the OS and devices kind of reminds me of the days when you'd purchase internet service via AOL. You had to install all their crap just to get to the internet...and you lived within their little AOL content-land...
Eventually, perhaps, cell service providers could become more like ISP's today. You pay more for the internet access and less for all the useless desktop icons and name branded chat rooms LOL.
It would take a shift in the industry, and it's not a shift the carriers would benefit from, IMO, so don't hold your breath.
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Click to collapse
I completely agree with that hopefully that is the future but it seems so unlikely. Most people honestly don't care that all that extra junk is added
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Umm if iphones are potentially going to more than verizon and Att, then isn't apple still going to release version X.X for everyone as they have been doing? Why would Google have it any other way?
They (Google) absolutely does need to get the bull by the horns on this.. my 69 cents.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
born_fisherman said:
Umm if iphones are potentially going to more than verizon and Att, then isn't apple still going to release version X.X for everyone as they have been doing? Why would Google have it any other way?
They (Google) absolutely does need to get the bull by the horns on this.. my 69 cents.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Yeah, if Apple can do it, why can't Google?
born_fisherman said:
Umm if iphones are potentially going to more than verizon and Att, then isn't apple still going to release version X.X for everyone as they have been doing? Why would Google have it any other way?
They (Google) absolutely does need to get the bull by the horns on this.. my 69 cents.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely not as the verizon version will have diff hardware, they will most likely have a version for cdma and a version for gsm models. Not to mention Google has more hardware configs to worry about. The iphone except for the diff between cdma and gsm are all the same.
I still think Apple is going to have updates for the masses at one time - and they do it as promised..
Yes Google has more devices, but just like apple, the new software is available for previous versions, just that ur specific device may not be able to support it.
Wishful thinking?
zelendel said:
Most likely not as the verizon version will have diff hardware, they will most likely have a version for cdma and a version for gsm models. Not to mention Google has more hardware configs to worry about. The iphone except for the diff between cdma and gsm are all the same.
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Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
born_fisherman said:
Umm if iphones are potentially going to more than verizon and Att, then isn't apple still going to release version X.X for everyone as they have been doing? Why would Google have it any other way?
They (Google) absolutely does need to get the bull by the horns on this.. my 69 cents.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If someone has answered this I apologize but...
NOO the iphones are completely locked down as almost all of their products are (I bought a mac pro for school and will never waste my money again). Apple is the only people who can provide updates. Like every apple product only their hardware will work. Exactly the opposite of both pcs and androids where tons of hardware will work with the os
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
zelendel said:
Most likely not as the verizon version will have diff hardware, they will most likely have a version for cdma and a version for gsm models. Not to mention Google has more hardware configs to worry about. The iphone except for the diff between cdma and gsm are all the same.
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I agree Google has a lot bigger challenge due to so many hardware configs. Apple has control of all the hardware in their phones where as Google doesn't.
Ebvad said:
I agree Google has a lot bigger challenge due to so many hardware configs. Apple has control of all the hardware in their phones where as Google doesn't.
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Click to collapse
I would love to see Google go the Apple route and manufacture their own phone and tablet hardware. Control the entire process.
Doesn't mean they have to take Android away from manufacturers, just provide us with a phone(s) that's TOTALLY theirs.
morfy50 said:
I would love to see Google go the Apple route and manufacture their own phone and tablet hardware. Control the entire process.
Doesn't mean they have to take Android away from manufacturers, just provide us with a phone(s) that's TOTALLY theirs.
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Click to collapse
Nexus 1 and Nexus S???
emuneee said:
Nexus 1 and Nexus S???
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Click to collapse
They need to make those phones available on more carriers.
If you don't know the history, you are deemed to repeat it. Unfortunately, Google learnt nothing from the past desasters of mobile OS update, a.k.a. Windows Mobile. Android today is in the exact same mess as WM in the past with the exception of more frequent OS updates than MS ever did. If Google can't forsee this type of release model aren't going to cut it, Android will follow WM to the grave.
Phone manufacturers are primary hardware makers. You can't trust them to produce quality softwares. That's why there are separate software companies out there.
Even Microsoft now knows it has to control the OS upgrade all by itself, bypass Phone makers altogether, in WP7.
emuneee said:
Nexus 1 and Nexus S???
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Click to collapse
Google doesn't make the hardware for those phones
emuneee said:
Nexus 1 and Nexus S???
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Click to collapse
Nexus One is a complete failure from business stand point of view. Nexus S isn't going too well either.
morfy50 said:
I would love to see Google go the Apple route and manufacture their own phone and tablet hardware. Control the entire process.
Doesn't mean they have to take Android away from manufacturers, just provide us with a phone(s) that's TOTALLY theirs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just a thought,
even though samsung manufactures the nexus s, i think even if google manufactured it they would still be using 3rd party components. ie they arent going to make the screen for it, they arent going to make the wireless chip.
they will have to get there parts from somewhere else, so why would they make it in the first place. im sure the way they have it now they have a huge say-so in what goes into the nexus.
so for them its a win-win situation.

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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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.
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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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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.
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Great post
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The debate continues on TechCrunch:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/27/charted-android-fragmentation/

Google's Android Update Alliance Is Already Dead?

Interesting article, in my opinion I think it's true.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397729,00.asp
Wow, that's an excellent article, and it seems to be very true.
Haha I sensed the sarcasm! Ofcourse it's true, what I meant was I should have known this about the vendors and their "promises".
I think that the updates are currently the most problematic thing in Android eco-system. Carriers just don't give a sh*** - have an old phone, come to us and buy one, have a long contract, well that's too bad. I just wish smartphone vendors would release all the drivers for their devices and let the community handle all the updates.
paszczi said:
I think that the updates are currently the most problematic thing in Android eco-system. Carriers just don't give a sh*** - have an old phone, come to us and buy one, have a long contract, well that's too bad. I just wish smartphone vendors would release all the drivers for their devices and let the community handle all the updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it is not just the phone manufacturer as they would need to get the OK from others as well. They don't use their own hardware for things like radio, bt, screen ect.
Does this really surprise anyone? The carriers and the manufacturers both make money from abandoning old phones and selling new ones. The only way that Android is going to have a consistant upgrade schedule is if someone who doesn't profit (Google?) makes the ground rules. If the manufacturers want to licence it then they need to follow the rules. If they use the AOSP code then they have to release code under its terms.
people need to call out google and push them to be competent
I'm at the point where I'm just completely Nexus, I dont even want to get near another OEM and their bloat, custom frameworks, etc... Go the way of the Nexus. Its a great thing to do.
jim93 said:
people need to call out google and push them to be competent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And do what? They have no control over it once they sign the contract and if they don't carriers don't carry the phone. Then it goes the way of the Nexus 1.
Oh come on, things are way better now than ever. Have you seen the near endless list of devices getting ICS?
I still remember when phones never even got an update in their lifetime.
But you can always buy smart and get the updates from the hard core XDA developers who never seem to fail to deliver.
Lars
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
wire103 said:
Oh come on, things are way better now than ever. Have you seen the near endless list of devices getting ICS?
I still remember when phones never even got an update in their lifetime.
But you can always buy smart and get the updates from the hard core XDA developers who never seem to fail to deliver.
Lars
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because the OEM says it will be releasing it at least in the US it is still the carriers call. Take a look at the inspire. HTC released a new buld for the device but ATT refuses to release one for the inspire
Nexus phones seem to be the way to go.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
zelendel said:
Just because the OEM says it will be releasing it at least in the US it is still the carriers call. Take a look at the inspire. HTC released a new buld for the device but ATT refuses to release one for the inspire
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Click to collapse
Can't Americans download open versions like europe?
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
mistermentality said:
Can't Americans download open versions like europe?
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the The US versions have some minor diffs that the Euro versions do not. We dont get updates from the OEMs. Carriers control it all. ITs either carrier or custom rom ported for our devices
My phone never got Froyo over the air. It didn't even get a 2.2.1 update. As for GB we had to port it from the i9000 (i have a vibrant).Same with ICS. It really sucks, because batterylife is not as great as it could be. Android will probably never be released to all devices at once and my understanding is that the "GOOGLE" line of phones gets full support for atleast 2 years.
As for now, who wants upgrades should buy Google Nexus phones (not Motorola).
I take my hat off to Sony, they are excellent (but not perfect because of Xperia Play).

Google with multiple OEM for upcoming Nexus(es)

The Verge just posted a developing story about Google giving early sdk access to multiple OEM's and having various Nexus phones to choose from this year. Also, they'd be selling directly.
What do you guys think? I think it's an awesome approach to get some great competition between OEM's with pure google experience. Nexus might finally become a more common phone name with the general public too!
http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/15/3022682/google-direct-sales-multiple-device-OEMs
That sounds to good to be true. More likely is that multiple OEMs have early access to the next Android version, so that they have enough time to skin it.
Android police just reported too saying the source is from wall street journal. Guess we will have to wait til google I/O for any announcements.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
That sounds to good to be true. More likely is that multiple OEMs have early access to the next Android version, so that they have enough time to skin it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol true story
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
This would be an absolute pipedream. Competition like that would mean that Samsung could no longer halfass the specs/accessories as with the Galaxy Nexus.
Also, the precedent of multiple phones could pave way for the Nexus NoteTM.
Now, as for the announcement itself, the reasons for skepticism are obvious, but it isn't as unrealistic as it might seem as first, precisely because google is now selling devices over "play". Right now, their catalog is looking a bit empty, and this would be a great way to fill it.
The only concern I'd have is fragmentation of the xda-devs. It'd be a terrible shame to have certain ROMS and kernels available only for certain nexii, whereas they used to all be on the nexus. Still, this is a price I'd gladly pay for the competitive drive.
Yes and it will take some control away from the carriers and into Google's hands. Just think about all those Nexus phones getting updates direct from Google!
Its a crazy rumor at the moment but if google really wanted to shake things up this might be a very bold move.
Also I'm not sure how much of an issue rom fragmentation would be. All the devices would be pure aosp and easily unlocked. There wouldn't have to do any crazy hacks due to lack of drivers like One X camera etc.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
lazaro17 said:
Also I'm not sure how much of an issue rom fragmentation would be. All the devices would be pure aosp and easily unlocked. There wouldn't have to do any crazy hacks due to lack of drivers like One X camera etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I don't know how hard kernel devving for multiple devices is; I suppose you could be right.
It still goes without saying, though, that the devs probably wouldn't buy all five of the nexuses. This could limit practical support (of which trial-and-error is a large part, from what I've gathered from Ezekeel), which is why, despite that it is one of my dreams come true, I fear five might be too much.
Supposedly Samsung is making it, if its true then the prototype is said to have Android 4.1, Exynos quad core processor, 2GB of ram and a 1900x1080 screen, so I want itttttttt noooowwwwww
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S
thebobp said:
Well, I don't know how hard kernel devving for multiple devices is; I suppose you could be right.
It still goes without saying, though, that the devs probably wouldn't buy all five of the nexuses. This could limit practical support (of which trial-and-error is a large part, from what I've gathered from Ezekeel), which is why, despite that it is one of my dreams come true, I fear five might be too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea sorry I meant roms could be ported easily. Kernels would be the issue.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

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