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Why is it not possible to "just" install latest Android on entry-level phones

Why is it not possible to "just" install latest Android on entry-level phones
I'm just curious, given that android has a linux kernel ( although modified ).
Why is it not possible to just download the latest android os and install
it on any 600+ Mhz 256+ Mb ram entry level phone.
I understand that it takes forever for phone companies ( samsung, htc, etc )
to issue updates because they have to tailor a lot of custom signature
bloatware for their updates, which in some instances makes it not possible
to provide updates on older phones.
But for a pure vanilla install, I just don't see why Google or the Android
division can't release the base OS that people may install on the fly, never
mind if it wipes everything out. I know for a fact that the latest ubuntu / linuxmint
can be installed on hardware from over 5 years ago, with less than 10%
of the current high end specs; this ( for me ) makes android landscape
rather confusing... and quite deceptive.

It as alot to do with the different drivers each device.uses for the radio, screen, touch button and so on.

You have to take into account device-specific drivers, hardware, and a lot more. Imagine if every time a new version of Android was released, devs would have to prepare for every possible legacy chip, and new ones. Android would be a huge, bloated mess. It just isn't feasible.
Plus, from a carrier/phone manufacturer point of view, if you could just get the latest features by installing a simple update, than what would be the incentive for you to buy a new phone?
Hopefully this is a semi-helpful explanation (I'm sure I've left out some stuff that some others will add).

@closeone, I don't see why this can't be feasible. this is exactly what linux distributions already do, release new versions and still provide support for old devices.
I can understand the carrier/phone manufacturer perspective, it is what it is.
But what i don't get is why android development can't provide complete support, for at least the devices released from a year ago. At some point, these devices still
have to comply to certain standards;
Ultimately, I'm getting the impression that Google is starting to expect the users to throw away their smartphones year in and year out.

prokofiev said:
@closeone, I don't see why this can't be feasible. this is exactly what linux distributions already do, release new versions and still provide support for old devices.
I can understand the carrier/phone manufacturer perspective, it is what it is.
But what i don't get is why android development can't provide complete support, for at least the devices released from a year ago. At some point, these devices still
have to comply to certain standards;
Ultimately, I'm getting the impression that Google is starting to expect the users to throw away their smartphones year in and year out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can but like Linux it takes some work to get proper drivers and hardware features. The Android OS is a developer based platform. So it can be done. Look at CM they do it just fine. It is alot of work though

ok, I'll concede that it takes time and effort to achieve this goal. Still,
I'm inclined to think that a huge company like Google behind this platform,
they can do for android what Ubuntu, Debian, etc. do for Linux.

prokofiev said:
@closeone, I don't see why this can't be feasible. this is exactly what linux distributions already do, release new versions and still provide support for old devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to get all the different device manufacturers in the world to not only release their proprietary driver code but, for a standard one for all rom, include all possible drivers in it.
Linux comes on discs and can afford to use lots of space for drivers that a basic phone could not.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

Android fragmentation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] Android ROM for Blackberry Q10?

I am a big fan of the hardware QWERTY keyboards and BB seems to be only choice for a phone with decent keyboard. The problem is that I prefer the Android OS.
I know that you are magicians here so the question is - is it possible to port android on BB Q10? I know that for the older BB phones it was impossible, but the new ones use hardware which quiet similar to the average android phone. I assume there should be no problem at least from driver point of view.
Thanks for the answer.

You should post your question/ request here...
http://www.blackberryforums.com/

Most of the people here works with Android or Linux. Android is an open source. It's easier and legal(Not sure about all county) to unlock the bootloader of an Android device. But in case of blackberry I don't think it is gonna be so. it's lot more secure. Last of all this magicians woks with basically Linux based OS. To port android on a Blackberry device you gotta know the Processor architecture(I don't think that's public for a BlackBerry device) of that device gotta make a completely new kernel so that the Device and OS know each other. I agree with you "That's possible" but I can only imagine what's it gonna take to make the word "Possible" true.

The processor in Q10 is Snapdragon S4. Knowing how Qualcom is structuring their business now, the radio should also be known from android phones. Yes the bootloader will be a challenge.
I also don't get point to forward me to the BB forums. Android has put on so many devices that it wasn't supposed to be. Yes they were easier, but I thought the people here like the challenges
Anyway the question was not exactly a request to start doing but to see if you know for such project already ongoing.

idimitro said:
The processor in Q10 is Snapdragon S4. Knowing how Qualcom is structuring their business now, the radio should also be known from android phones. Yes the bootloader will be a challenge.
I also don't get point to forward me to the BB forums. Android has put on so many devices that it wasn't supposed to be. Yes they were easier, but I thought the people here like the challenges
Anyway the question was not exactly a request to start doing but to see if you know for such project already ongoing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there are any of these projects.
Most people are not really interested in doing BB's because the specs mostly do not match the price compared to android.

laurensschu said:
Most people are not really interested in doing BB's because the specs mostly do not match the price compared to android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, a full QWERTY keyboard does weigh in for some of us

No updates on that subjet? Did someone started a projet on bbdroid? Personally i have a one (m7), a s6 edge, a note 3 and a nexus 6p, i use bb q10 for my job and i would like to custom my os on it what is really hard on bbos, android would be a clear solution do my customisation needs

[Q] Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition Firmware on Original Galaxy Note 10.1

Sorry if this question or something similar has already been asked, but I searched the 10.1 2014 boards, as well as these boards, and did not find the answer to my question.
Basically, I am curious to know if anyone knows if it is possible to install firmware designed for the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition on the original (2012). I am really starting to get tired waiting around for the 4.3 or 4.4 update (or even 4.2!), which at this point I really don't think is coming, and since the 2014 Edition ships with 4.3, I thought flashing 2014 Edition 4.3 firmware would potentially be a way to finally get 4.3 on my device!
If anyone knows if this is possible, please let me know! I don't want to risk just trying it out to see if it works for fear of bricking my device.
Thanks!

If only it were that easy...sorry....no it is not possible.

elzeus said:
If only it were that easy...sorry....no it is not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aww. Damn. I was really hoping this could be a solution to updating my tablet, since Samsung has clearly abandoned this device.
Oh well, it was worth a shot!

Just CPU is impossible. Not to mention 2014 edition has 4x more screen resolution.

If you are interested in trying custom roms, then you may have some choices to try newer OS.
For example http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2550308
Sent from my Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000).

enigma_x said:
If you are interested in trying custom roms, then you may have some choices to try newer OS.
For example http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2550308
Sent from my Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you put back some of the Samsung apps that have been left out by the OMNI Team?

That's why it is better to check differend roms and then decide if it is worth to try them. Omni was just an example and with many replies on that thread to realize that custom roms are not the same as an official and you may loose some Samsung features if those are important.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000).

I hate my life and i wanna die , i aint got no update -_-

Unlike windows OS where same version can be installed on any PC which got min hardware requirements,Android is fragmented in such a way that its impossible to use a later version device OS on an old device even if its same brand.I believe soon these vendor specific alterations (such as Touchwiz) will be optional or removable.And then it may be possible to upgrade the core android alone like in nexus devices and vendors only need to update their styled UIs and applications in play store.

MoNsTeRmUk said:
I hate my life and i wanna die , i aint got no update -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will probably appreciate this:
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-lays-out-which-devices-will-get-android-442-kitkat
Hopefully we actually get the update this time! It wouldn't be the first time we never got a promised update.

Yes and NO WAY Will it happen
fulltank said:
Unlike windows OS where same version can be installed on any PC which got min hardware requirements,Android is fragmented in such a way that its impossible to use a later version device OS on an old device even if its same brand.I believe soon these vendor specific alterations (such as Touchwiz) will be optional or removable.And then it may be possible to upgrade the core android alone like in nexus devices and vendors only need to update their styled UIs and applications in play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first part of this i agree with .But my opinion is the Venders make such changes to the os Not just to brand it and make it there own. They do this in a way so that you Can not Continue to get OS updates for years down the road. Even months on some lower end devices. This is to make the Device no longer viable and force you into buying a new device. We live in A Corp. Created disposable Goods. If things last they make less money..
I Also believe many people are getting tired of this.It could be what brings windows tablets to a top running in the mobile market.
I have been looking very hard at the true cpu tablets that are coming out. Prices coming down as well.

erica_renee said:
I Also believe many people are getting tired of this.It could be what brings windows tablets to a top running in the mobile market. I have been looking very hard at the true cpu tablets that are coming out. Prices coming down as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's one of the many reasons why I'm really excited about Ubuntu Touch / Ubuntu Mobile / Ubuntu for Phones, or whatever the hell they are calling it these days (lol it seems like they change their mind on which of those 3 it actually is every other day). If everything goes well, we should see the first Ubuntu powered mobile devices later this year. Things were looking a little squirrely for a while, with Ubuntu unable to partner with any OEMs, but just a few days ago they released a statement that they have entered into production deals with the OEMs BQ (from Spain) and Meizu (from China). They also plan on selling Ubuntu powered devices world-wide via their website once they start production. These devices I think are really going to be the best combination between power and utility, combining the best of the full computer and mobile worlds. I just wish the Ubuntu Edge had succeeded! THAT woulda been the greatest mobile device ever! Just imagine the high end tablets running Ubuntu that phone would have inspired had it actually been made.

margentieri said:
Well that's one of the many reasons why I'm really excited about Ubuntu Touch / Ubuntu Mobile / Ubuntu for Phones, or whatever the hell they are calling it these days (lol it seems like they change their mind on which of those 3 it actually is every other day). If everything goes well, we should see the first Ubuntu powered mobile devices later this year. Things were looking a little squirrely for a while, with Ubuntu unable to partner with any OEMs, but just a few days ago they released a statement that they have entered into production deals with the OEMs BQ (from Spain) and Meizu (from China). They also plan on selling Ubuntu powered devices world-wide via their website once they start production. These devices I think are really going to be the best combination between power and utility, combining the best of the full computer and mobile worlds. I just wish the Ubuntu Edge had succeeded! THAT woulda been the greatest mobile device ever! Just imagine the high end tablets running Ubuntu that phone would have inspired had it actually been made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ubuntu touch is a patched version of CM With a custom user interface. Its not going to be a FULL BLOWN operating system. its another mobile os. And development is moving slow.
This is from what i read last year anyway

erica_renee said:
ubuntu touch is a patched version of CM With a custom user interface. Its not going to be a FULL BLOWN operating system. its another mobile os. And development is moving slow.
This is from what i read last year anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to tell you, but you are SORELY misinformed. The final release will be a full and complete version of Ubuntu. The ultimate plan is to have 1 operating system for all devices with a different user interface depending on the interface system available. When using as a phone or tablet, the mobile interface will be present, the tablet version being slightly different and optimized for larger screens. Now take an Ubuntu phone or tablet and plug it into a dock with screen and keyboard and the regular Unity Ubuntu desktop will appear. Read up on it on their website. The next LTS release of Ubuntu is supposed to do away with the separate Ubuntu Touch moniker completely. At that point, the exact same Ubuntu you install on your computer is the Ubuntu you install on your mobile device. This is the concept of convergence that is so central to the system they are developing.

margentieri said:
I'm sorry to tell you, but you are SORELY misinformed. The final release will be a full and complete version of Ubuntu. The ultimate plan is to have 1 operating system for all devices with a different user interface depending on the interface system available. When using as a phone or tablet, the mobile interface will be present, the tablet version being slightly different and optimized for larger screens. Now take an Ubuntu phone or tablet and plug it into a dock with screen and keyboard and the regular Unity Ubuntu desktop will appear. Read up on it on their website. The next LTS release of Ubuntu is supposed to do away with the separate Ubuntu Touch moniker completely. At that point, the exact same Ubuntu you install on your computer is the Ubuntu you install on your mobile device. This is the concept of convergence that is so central to the system they are developing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow that would amazing if possible. I looked at the ubuntu again on my nexus and its still nothing more then a user interface that does not work right and has no practical use other then to see what it might look like if it actually became something real..
But anyway i was no trying to argue with you. I just do not think its something we will see anytime soon.

erica_renee said:
wow that would amazing if possible. I looked at the ubuntu again on my nexus and its still nothing more then a user interface that does not work right and has no practical use other then to see what it might look like if it actually became something real..
But anyway i was no trying to argue with you. I just do not think its something we will see anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, right now it is still in development and is not at the point of convergence. That should be changing this year, however.

margentieri said:
You will probably appreciate this:
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-lays-out-which-devices-will-get-android-442-kitkat
Hopefully we actually get the update this time! It wouldn't be the first time we never got a promised update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so..........
Thanks anyway
and i was actually singing on my comment
Check it out ^_^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pjLKjER-xQ

[DISCUSSION] next OEM OS?

Sorry i got if i got the Title wrong but pretty much what im trying to get at is what is everyone's opinion on what the next OS from a Phone OEM? (HTC LG Samsung) it could have been that Samsung was jealous of Motorola's spotlight when google bought Moto back in (2012 was it? seems like a long time ago) and Samsung decided to make android less "Android" with the Galaxy notePRO 12.1 Launcher. Samsung also made the the new Samsung Gear 2 / neo (note that they dropped the galaxy name) With their own Ti zen OS instead of android like the previous model (there are reports of that new Tizen phone coming out aswell, it could be that they are just trying to try something new). what i'm trying to get at is does anyone else think HTC or LG or Motorola or Lenovo or whoever produces android phones/tablets make Slap android in the face with their own OS? i think this "Could" be the beginning of androids downfall
please Bark at me i want to see everyone's opinion!

To me it looks like Android is the first mobile OS to be so widely used by so many different manufacturers. And the OEM operating systems are the ones that usually fade. So to me, anything is possible. Nokia had Symbian, only one or two phones for other brands were ever made. Each had their own locked in operating system.. Windows mobile was always around but never got anywhere without Nokia and that is probably where it will stay..
Basically, things are different now. I have a feeling this new Samsung OS will be lower end? The only way Android would lose its place I think, is if another OEM independent OS came to challenge it.

Phenom2122 said:
To me it looks like Android is the first mobile OS to be so widely used by so many different manufacturers. And the OEM operating systems are the ones that usually fade. So to me, anything is possible. Nokia had Symbian, only one or two phones for other brands were ever made. Each had their own locked in operating system.. Windows mobile was always around but never got anywhere without Nokia and that is probably where it will stay..
Basically, things are different now. I have a feeling this new Samsung OS will be lower end? The only way Android would lose its place I think, is if another OEM independent OS came to challenge it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting thought, its obvious that it will take lots of effort to make android lose its place but i was only wanting to see other peoples thought on it, i agree with Tizen OS being low end, its supposed to be able to run android apps like Jolla and the newest blackberry tablet, for now all tizen looks like is a run down version of Touchwiz UX. hopefully nothing special, if its open source? hell yeah im going to get one. i am really interested how XDA is going to take on it.

I highly doubt it would be open source! To most of these companies that are truly focussed on money making that sort of thing is an abomination. Nokia planned to make Symbian open source, unfortunately there werea couple of other companies who had been involved in it's creation who blocked this at the last minute. I have a feeling Samsung might have been one of those companies but I might be wrong.. (I really miss Symbian by the way, nothing could multitask and do hard work like it, not even my S4 mini. And it ran on such low end specs! If it could have been used with today's hardware they would have had dynamite. I believe Nokia were trying to give a gift to their community before their demise and they were halted by greed, now Symbian is gone anyway)
All that said, I really don't think it will be open source, I believe it's true purpose is the opposite of that. Phone manufacturers don't seem to like their buyers actually truly owning their devices for some reason. I would love to try all these things out but Nokia was all I could ever afford, my S4 mini was a gift.

Phenom2122 said:
I highly doubt it would be open source! To most of these companies that are truly focussed on money making that sort of thing is an abomination. Nokia planned to make Symbian open source, unfortunately there werea couple of other companies who had been involved in it's creation who blocked this at the last minute. I have a feeling Samsung might have been one of those companies but I might be wrong.. (I really miss Symbian by the way, nothing could multitask and do hard work like it, not even my S4 mini. And it ran on such low end specs! If it could have been used with today's hardware they would have had dynamite. I believe Nokia were trying to give a gift to their community before their demise and they were halted by greed, now Symbian is gone anyway)
All that said, I really don't think it will be open source, I believe it's true purpose is the opposite of that. Phone manufacturers don't seem to like their buyers actually truly owning their devices for some reason. I would love to try all these things out but Nokia was all I could ever afford, my S4 mini was a gift.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did a little research https://www.tizen.org/ your saying at last moment tizen will also become closed?

You are right, I was actually talking without really knowing. I had the impression it was a Samsung made OS but I see on the website it is by the 'Linux Foundation', interesting.
My cynical nature thinks they will go closed source upon release, once they have had all the help in the world from the community. But I do not know. If it comes to more devices then just Samsung, maybe there is hope.
Maybe it depends on who ends up with licensing.

Phenom2122 said:
You are right, I was actually talking without really knowing. I had the impression it was a Samsung made OS but I see on the website it is by the 'Linux Foundation', interesting.
My cynical nature thinks they will go closed source upon release, once they have had all the help in the world from the community. But I do not know. If it comes to more devices then just Samsung, maybe there is hope.
Maybe it depends on who ends up with licensing.
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i doubt it would come upon other OEM devices, but so far since its open source and based on Linux, does that mean they are going to try to copy android (samsung can never think up of their own things huh? lots of apple lawsuits.)? if it will stay open source, does that mean we get some kind of control with flashing New OS's? (custom roms) i cant wait for it xD, samsungs old Bada OS was a great start.

It would be a pity if it was a knock off of Android or even resembled the Touchwiz UI. Those law suits were stupid because this is how phones have looked and behaved for years and years.
I would like to see a more pure Linux for mobile phones. There are so many Linux desktop environments that would be great on a phone. Enlightenment, Gnome 3 and of course Ubuntu's own Unity (at least they have the right idea). And there is no reason it shouldn't be able to run the same programs as on desktop Linux, many phones out power older Linux compatible PCs these days.
If Tizen was pure Linux with a completely fresh UI for a phone that has not been done before and completely open to the user, I would make every plan possible to get hold of one. It sounds so much like a dream that I think we will just be disappointed.
We need more open devices around first before we can have more open OSs and choices, as far as I see it.

Phenom2122 said:
It would be a pity if it was a knock off of Android or even resembled the Touchwiz UI. Those law suits were stupid because this is how phones have looked and behaved for years and years.
I would like to see a more pure Linux for mobile phones. There are so many Linux desktop environments that would be great on a phone. Enlightenment, Gnome 3 and of course Ubuntu's own Unity (at least they have the right idea). And there is no reason it shouldn't be able to run the same programs as on desktop Linux, many phones out power older Linux compatible PCs these days.
If Tizen was pure Linux with a completely fresh UI for a phone that has not been done before and completely open to the user, I would make every plan possible to get hold of one. It sounds so much like a dream that I think we will just be disappointed.
We need more open devices around first before we can have more open OSs and choices, as far as I see it.
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Right? im surprised a developer has not started a kick-starter to help with making a Open source Phone with most likely pure linux running atop. Bada OS (samsungs old OS, pretty much what tizen is now) has lots of common areas with touchwiz UI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bada probably around the Galaxy s2 look though. and they changed from touchwiz on tizen because intel is working with them. cant wait to see how Jolla sailfish and nemo mobile will do.