Is it just me or should EVERY Android phone have a Google edition? - Android General

Perhaps it's not such a big deal on the new fancy phones like the S4 and One, but on lower end phones I don't believe it's fair to have TouchWiz, Sense, or MotoBlur completely destroy the usability of the phone. I think it's unfair. They developed a stock Android Rom and then shoved all their theming up its rear end. A flashable stock Rom should be readily available from the manufacturer. Does anyone else agree?
Sent from my SPH-M830 using xda app-developers app

BlackFire27 said:
Perhaps it's not such a big deal on the new fancy phones like the S4 and One, but on lower end phones I don't believe it's fair to have TouchWiz, Sense, or MotoBlur completely destroy the usability of the phone. I think it's unfair. They developed a stock Android Rom and then shoved all their theming up its rear end. A flashable stock Rom should be readily available from the manufacturer. Does anyone else agree?
Sent from my SPH-M830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of low end devices are just pumped out of factories by the manufacturers just so they can make a bit money. These devices generally screw the users because it isn't updated much (or possibly not even at all). A Google Edition ROM should be made for every device. But we don't need the manufacturers to make them for us - we on XDA are developers, and a Google Edition ROM is pretty much AOSP android built for that device. Also, flashing ROMs usually voids the warranty, so I don't see why most manufacturers would support that. And yes, all the manufacturer skins such as Touchwiz, Sense, etc waste RAM and make the CPU load heavier. AOSP android would not only be pretty, it would also generally provide better performance.

My life is heavily firewalled preventing me from getting much if any development work done :c and honestly if it means I can use my own device that I paid for, I could give 2 craps less about the warranty. My phone is struggling to type this post. It's pathetic.
Sent from my SPH-M830 using xda app-developers app

BlackFire27 said:
My life is heavily firewalled preventing me from getting much if any development work done :c and honestly if it means I can use my own device that I paid for, I could give 2 craps less about the warranty. My phone is struggling to type this post. It's pathetic.
Sent from my SPH-M830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try getting Google Keyboard if you want a better typing experience. There are several Galaxy Rush modified stock ROMs. There are dozens of scripts that you can apply to your phone. Some phones just aren't that fast. I have a Ace II X (Galaxy S Duos) and it doesn't lag much, but your device seems to have better specs than mine! Try the app lagfix from the Play Store. Unfortunately I cannot help you with compiling a ROM, I don;t have time to help you with that (I'm compiling my own ROM). Don't be afraid to try anything and everything for your device. Just keep a backup of your ROM (system folder) beforehand.

It's like buying a Windows PC to install Linux.
Part of the price goes to an OS that you don't want.
To change that, the demand must greatly increase.

I would love to finally see a paradigm shift away from manufacturers butchering Android with their own versions. I've heard and read a ton of reviews recently about these Google Edition phones and in all cases they've had better than favourable reviews. Of course, reviewers are tech savvy and like most people on xda would love to see AOSP Android become more widespread. The message that's emerging is that the people want AOSP. It's better in every way. Now we just need to make the general buying public realise that! I like the branding and 'Google Edition' is the sort of hook that might generate more interest, but i wonder if the manufacturers have the motivation to market these devices properly.
Some interesting points i've heard raised include HTC, Samsung et al being hardware companies that should be differentiating their products by releasing better hardware than their competitors. They're not software companies. They get the software from Google. They shouldn't be sabotaging their own devices by adding bloatware features that nobody likes, needs or uses. Look at the recent outcry over the lack of free storage on new devices!
It's time for things to change!

Related

[Misc] future of android.

Would like to start a general discussion here.
Would it be a good idea if Google only use android on their own ( Motorola) hardware?
Take this as current state and not the changes in ice cream.
Currently android is a mess 6 versions of the the os in the market.
Three main ones app makers have to support.
I love aosp so I use cm7 as I missed the nexus one and the nexus s didn't have an SD card.
I have tried touchwiz on a galaxy s. Sense on a hero and desire HD. Motoblur on a dext and defy.
They add nothing all they do is slow down the phone and updates.
Why do company's feel the need to add old ui's ( most are ported from older model phones)
Something I miss from my iphones was updates on all devices as the same time, no waiting around for a manufactor to mess around with it,then a network to spoil it even more, then for me to get it after a slow roll out.
So maybe android needs to take a look at ios and think why do app devs like it more? Why do normal users like it more?( XDA users are not normal users)
I would like one of three things to happen.
1- all android phones are aosp.
2- added UI are installable as an option not bundled into the phone.
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
Would like to see peoples thoughts on this.
And also if you like a UI why do you like it? what do you think it adds?
I repair things I am not a writer so hope its coherent enough to get the jist.
Sent from my Tablet
HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!
But sense adds even more settings and more to the lockscreen more everything.
Motoblur seems to need a blur account then you need your Google account for market.
Not that simple to me.
Touchwiz just seems to change things not add or take away.
Sent from my Phone
All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?
vetvito said:
All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't on stock its a simple unlock or mute
Sent from my Phone
What makes apple so "great" in most customers eyes is the simplicity. I love android just for the fact that there are so many ways time customize it it's ridiculous. Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
aurgerman said:
Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I agree with that.
Android only really took over apple when android got to 2.2( not everyone even has that yet)
Ios is very rock soil and before ios4 didn't really crash on me. I have only started noticing problems since ios4.
And with the customization with our phones there is a limit to what you can theme on stock rom without root.
Installing cydia on ios devices you get loads of themes and changes some of them are even better then android visually.
Sent from my Phone
Are you sure ^ ? 2.2 - 2.3 is on 85% of Android devices right now.
Let's keep in mind that all these companies need to distinguish themselves from their competition. Consider all the competing phones based on, say, the ARM A8 platform. With similar core hardware under the hood running the same underlying OS, the interface is simply the best place to make a given model noticeably distinct to the average consumer.
Google may not be thrilled with platform fragmentation, but I'd wager that the various royalties / licensing fees / brand recognition opportunities / whatever more than make up for it. Going full-turtle would be bad business. Just my 2 cents...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
iammodo said:
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming soon from Google: AryanOS, locked down tighter than **** Cheney's butthole to guarantee purity!
/Godwinned
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
vetvito said:
HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true.
Also, Google, Moto, Sammy, and HTC don't fight back enough with carriers, mainly Verizon, against bloat. Verizon would probably say "To hell with Android then" if they did, since they don't have as much leverage as the iPhone and Apple.
Jazz is also right. If every manufacture had stock on their phones, you wouldn't know which to choose since there would be no difference. Only buyers, like us, that actually care about the speed of a phone, and the ram and rom and all that jazz would know the differences, but average users wouldn't. Hell, my sister, who is only 21, doesn't understand the difference between a Droid and an Android phone, she assumes that every phone that runs Android is a Droid...like my aunt's Evo. (lol)
I actually like Sense, especially Sense 3.5. I think it makes Android look a little nicer, especially if you don't want to root or use custom roms. Touchwiz is also kinda nice, but it's really just the launcher that is changed. Blur is a piece of doodoo though. Can't even install the Facebook app onto my X2 because of Blur's useless Facebook integration that works like hell. Tells me everything I don't want to know, and nothing that I do.
I seriously don't see the point of bloat anyways. If the app is already installed on my phone and I never use it, what is the difference between that and it not being on my phone entirely. If I wanted the dang app, I would've clicked the Verizon tab in the market and downloaded VCast or VMusic. Best answer is probably that Verizon has some stupid person in HR or whatever deciding on what is preinstalled on the phone, instead of the actual consumer. (Then again, I don't see the point in a Facebook phone as well..)
Thanks
Enviado desde mi SM-G925F mediante Tapatalk
Its like looking into a time machine , i remember iOS3 & 4 when it was as simple as jailbreak.me man it used to be so easy :/

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

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

THE PROBLEM WITH ANDROID THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED - OEMs

This is what i think the real and biggest problem with android is, the battle is not with apple, their os or their phone. The actual problem is this-
"Google has done an extremely awesome job with jelly bean, the 'project butter' has really changed the Android experience, experience is fast and ultra responsive, devices dont lag when u turn them on or when u wake them from sleep. Google Now is pretty instant and gives some delightfully satisfying answers which the software is all about, offline voice typing is also pretty accurate, fast and an actual step forward with voice typing, the animations are wonderful, the lockscreen is simple and easy to use and its pretty fast, and what to say about notifications they are just a treat to use.
But all of what google has done is waste, total waste.
Cause OEMs wont be able give JB to their devices. Why? Because they will be busy to make stock JB look ugly, they will be busy to just change the way the UI looks so that their device can look be different no matter if its uglier than stock, they will be busy to add stupid features like 'direct call' when the call button is just their above the messages(I MEAN ITS JUST ONE FREAKING TAP ON THE CALL BUTTON AS ITS JUST RIGHT THEIR, U R LOOKING AT THE SCREEN ANYWAY SO U CAN JUST PRESS THAT FREAKING BUTTON TO CALL THAT PERSON), features like 'Tap to Top' (CAN'T U JUST FLICK UR FINGER ON THE SCREEN TO SCROLL BACK TO TOP, IT TURNS OUT THAT U CAN BUT OEMs HAVE TO ADD THESE FANCY FEATURES TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT THEY CAN DO FANCY 'CODING'), they have to add fancy and weird lockscreen. I know some features are important to add for ur company like various camera settings that google don't add cause they simply dont feel the need of those settings, BUT WHY THE HELL OEMs HAVE TO ADD THEIR FREAKING CUSTOM UGLY SKINS AND USELESS FEATURES.
I think google should do something to stop this madness, i see tons of bulls*** on internet just to compare the iphone and android. Most of the comments is people saying that they have older version of android on their device and 'not the one shown in the video' but on iphone they have latest software that is even in 'iphone4s' so they still think iphones are better. It ALL ABOUT UPDATES, GOOGLE WORK REALLY HARD ON ANDROID AND THE RESULT IS THAT MAJORITY OF ANDROID DEVICES ARE STILL ON '2.3.3.
Its pretty dissapointing to see how idiotic OEMs behave about updates, skins and fancy features. I hope the google PDK help OEMs to give faster update.
Some comapnies are still struggling to push ICS to their old devices and JB is out, they are busy in working on their new devices and some few people from their team work on OS updates to old devices, and the process is so slow because they are busy in adding ****ty skins and features.
P.S. Other OEMs should learn from HUAWEI, they also wanted to add some features that they feel are useful to their ICS phones, but they didnt ****ed the UI, they have their file manager, their cloud services, some additional camera app features in their ICS phones but they dont **** the UI."
This is what i think, i was pretty angry about OEMs and updates so i shared all my thoughts on a g+ post and this quote is the same g+ post.
Here is my g+ profile- https://plus.google.com/117638526643371847672/posts
I think/hope Google is having this very revelation, since they are supposedly releasing some more Nexus devices in November. I know I'm waiting to see if one of those devices is a slider, as the rumor goes. I'm definitely with you on this!
You are absolutely right. Maybe not every OEM's ROM is bad, but they shouldn't try to make things better because it takes a lot of time and usually makes the system look ugly. That makes Android different on almost every manufacturer's device...
Sent from my E15i using XDA Premium App
One thing that I have decided that I am just going to buy devices that come under Google's NEXUS program. That way even if I may get not the latest and greatest hardware, I am still assured that I will get updates for at least 2-3 years and instant updates is what we are talking about.
Feel You
Hahahahahha
Anger is good
you were right about every single word
OEMs ruin the Android
trying to make it better
while the only thing happening is Android getting S*** taste instead of vanilla taste
well
on my side
i would prefer if the Stock android was available to all phones beside the OEMs one
in that way we have a choice
also
the Android pure Rom is much better than any other
i came to that after a lot of flashing
---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 PM ----------
yogi2010 said:
I think/hope Google is having this very revelation, since they are supposedly releasing some more Nexus devices in November. I know I'm waiting to see if one of those devices is a slider, as the rumor goes. I'm definitely with you on this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slider +1:victory:
Haha, I also was getting myself worked up the other day thinking about carriers: I'm sure they also have a lot to do with how long updates take to come out. And, they get you on a 2-year contract, and then you're lucky if they support the device with updates for even 1 year!
I'm hoping PDK begins to lock down a bit of what they can do. Also, Carriers are a huge problem too. They don't want you to get updates.
Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
You know I see a lot of people thinking that all OEM do is make it look ugly ( to be honest all the OEM and ICS default themes look like crap)
But they do alot more. Take the SGS3 for example. All the nice software that made people excited about it would not be there if OEM didn't add their spin. All the nice features people enjoy wouldn't be there either. I mean if all that stuff didn't matter then people would be running a nexus as it is pure android.
Sent for a corner cell in Arkham
zelendel said:
You know I see a lot of people thinking that all OEM do is make it look ugly ( to be honest all the OEM and ICS default themes look like crap)
But they do alot more. Take the SGS3 for example. All the nice software that made people excited about it would not be there if OEM didn't add their spin. All the nice features people enjoy wouldn't be there either. I mean if all that stuff didn't matter then people would be running a nexus as it is pure android.
Sent for a corner cell in Arkham
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what u mean, i have also mentioned in op that many OEMs feel the need of some features that stock android doesnt have and they can add and they should obviously add them but amount of these features are really low, most of the features we see are just fancy features that show that they can also 'code'.
I know a bit about android ICS (stock) as i make themes for theme engine and i made roms earlier. Its divided into two parts or two UIs, one is the dark part or the dominating part that we see across ICS, the grey backgrounds with blue text, other is the light UI, that is the white backgrounds with blue and black text. I am also not a big fan of they grey part of the UI but the white part is just wonderful. Also no OEMs' ui i have seen is better than stock ICS UI so they are clearly making it worse.
I hope google go full on with their white/light UI in next version of android.
Also i agree to the fact that many required features that a consumer wants these days with software these days are lacking in stock android like some settings, options and features in camera app, that actually all consumers these day want. I have seen many nokia users who still buy nokia phones cause they have these small features to mess with in camera app. There are many things that android team have not thought of added in stock android, and i think the main reason for that is the fear of people declaring their OS as 'complicated' and non-user friendly.
What worse it can get. Now Gnexus may get banned.
From now on Google is going to allow OEMs to gain access to upcoming versions of Android sooner than the general public so that they can get updates out sooner.
OEM skins annoy me as well. Most people care more about the apps than the OEM skin and all these differences between carriers default skins creates some fragmentation. OEM bloatware that can't be uninstalled also annoys me but at least with ICS apps can now be hidden without rooting.
Good point.
spunker88 said:
From now on Google is going to allow OEMs to gain access to upcoming versions of Android sooner than the general public so that they can get updates out sooner.
OEM skins annoy me as well. Most people care more about the apps than the OEM skin and all these differences between carriers default skins creates some fragmentation. OEM bloatware that can't be uninstalled also annoys me but at least with ICS apps can now be hidden without rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But still, Google is doing so that OEMs are ready to push updates along with Google. If Google is gonna give them new versions earlier we can assume they will give 1-2 months earlier and they will still be working on it so they will also give new source code later maybe 10-20 days earlier. So OEMs like Samsung or HTC who take 5-7 months for an update will still not be able to catch up with Google's announcements and updates.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
I agree and disagree.. I never used stock roms until i purchased the droid razr. I know blur makes it look better and also realize that motorola has a **** ton of bloatware that i have to freeze but i've been happy with gingerbread and now the ics stock roms. I do however think that needs to include an option to root the device on the configuration when you first setup the device. I think it shouldn't have locked bootloaders or things like that because it is linux underneath the nice ui and you should be able to mod it the way you like without having to hack everything. Long story short, most stock roms do look like crap and are bloated but some do a good job.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Another thing I forgot about is carriers, they need to get their hands out of the software. My broadband ISP doesn't care what updates or OS I am running, they just provide me internet.
Ideally we would get all software upgrades from Google sort of like Windows, but I'm not sure if this is possible with Android. At least just let us update direct from the OEM, carriers shouldn't have to approve updates.
Guys support me and others who are with me and retweet #OmlyNexus and #****AndroidOEMs .
The OEMs don't care what you think, because they want you to run THEIR software - which they will be putting on their phones instead of Android eventually.
That's why Google is pushing their Nexus line to the next level, they know this to be true.
Look up Tizen and read about what Samsung is planning on doing.
With the open source nature of Linux, mfg's don't care about Android. That's why they are getting their customer's used to their "flavor" of Android, whether it be Sense UI or TouchWiz. They aren't spending all this time and money so that their developers can learn to make Android better.. they're getting ready to launch their own projects.
Google knows their time is limited as far as Android being the only major Linux player in the mobile phone business, and it's coming faster than people realize. Firefox, Tizen, Ubuntu.. just watch.
Half of these Android users won't even be on Android in two years, because they are loyal to HTC or Samsung, not Google.
Hence, the Nexus line.
ingenious247 said:
The OEMs don't care what you think, because they want you to run THEIR software - which they will be putting on their phones instead of Android eventually.
That's why Google is pushing their Nexus line to the next level, they know this to be true.
Look up Tizen and read about what Samsung is planning on doing.
With the open source nature of Linux, mfg's don't care about Android. That's why they are getting their customer's used to their "flavor" of Android, whether it be Sense UI or TouchWiz. They aren't spending all this time and money so that their developers can learn to make Android better.. they're getting ready to launch their own projects.
Google knows their time is limited as far as Android being the only major Linux player in the mobile phone business, and it's coming faster than people realize. Firefox, Tizen, Ubuntu.. just watch.
Half of these Android users won't even be on Android in two years, because they are loyal to HTC or Samsung, not Google.
Hence, the Nexus line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually u r a bit wrong here. As people are getting more informed and educated about android they are getting to know it, once they know and love android. They won't buy a new Samsung device with tizen or bada in it. I live in India, people here are slowly starting to know about android. And as u all know India is not one of the developed countries, still if people can like and know android and be loyal to it then why can't other countries' people do the same. We are going into a new era, its not about hardware anymore, firmware comes first. Most of the companies are able to produce good hardware and mostly on a similar level, what matters is the software and OS.
bhu1 said:
Actually u r a bit wrong here. As people are getting more informed and educated about android they are getting to know it, once they know and love android. They won't buy a new Samsung device with tizen or bada in it. I live in India, people here are slowly starting to know about android. And as u all know India is not one of the developed countries, still if people can like and know android and be loyal to it then why can't other countries' people do the same. We are going into a new era, its not about hardware anymore, firmware comes first. Most of the companies are able to produce good hardware and mostly on a similar level, what matters is the software and OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to respectfully disagree here.
When the Samsung GS4 or the next HTC flagship device comes out, no one is going to care if it's running Android or not, except die-hard Android fans. All they will care about is the new features that the phone offers. And the mfgs are smart, they will make their platform compatible with Android apps, allow Google Market (and others). Look at Amazon, guarantee they will have their own Linux dist. as well eventually
and in regard to "We are going into a new era, its not about hardware anymore, firmware comes first"
Uh, I don't think so. Minus the Nexus crowd, nobody buys their next phone because it is going to have JB, they buy it because it's going to have the newest/fastest dual/quad core, XXMp Camera, the newest 'smart' feature, the bigger screen, etc. Nobody ran out to buy the GS3 because it has ICS...
XDA is about 1-2% (if that) of Android users. And even on XDA, half of the users don't know enough about Android to even matter. Maybe it's somewhat different in India, but my guess is the people you are referring to are just starting to understand what Android/Linux really means, so that isn't really relevant to this discussion.
ingenious247 said:
I'll have to respectfully disagree here.
When the Samsung GS4 or the next HTC flagship device comes out, no one is going to care if it's running Android or not, except die-hard Android fans. All they will care about is the new features that the phone offers. And the mfgs are smart, they will make their platform compatible with Android apps, allow Google Market (and others). Look at Amazon, guarantee they will have their own Linux dist. as well eventually
and in regard to "We are going into a new era, its not about hardware anymore, firmware comes first"
Uh, I don't think so. Minus the Nexus crowd, nobody buys their next phone because it is going to have JB, they buy it because it's going to have the newest/fastest dual/quad core, XXMp Camera, the newest 'smart' feature, the bigger screen, etc. Nobody ran out to buy the GS3 because it has ICS...
XDA is about 1-2% (if that) of Android users. And even on XDA, half of the users don't know enough about Android to even matter. Maybe it's somewhat different in India, but my guess is the people you are referring to are just starting to understand what Android/Linux really means, so that isn't really relevant to this discussion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think a die hard fan of a flagship phone from Samsung or HTC is gonna buy the new flagship phone if the company changes the OS. I know people care about hardware but that doesn't mean they go totally mad about it, not looking the software at all. Btw, play store access is only for Google/android phones.
Also, nobody bought Gs3 cause it just had a quad core or it had a 8mp camera. If Samsung had bada or maybe android 2.1 on it then believe me it would have been samsung's worst selling phone.
Edit: Will u buy a new i7 3rd Gen laptop if it had windows 2000 and a restriction that u can't change it??? For same price that u buy a normal i7 laptop or even higher.

4.4

now with the source code released for 4.4 and when it says that it the OS can run on lower end devices as well do we have any chances to get 4.4?:victory::angel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2505910
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app
When they say "low end devices" I do not think they are talking about the EVITA. Even though its going on 1.5 years old, there are still a lot of "budget" phones that are newer than EVITA, but with lower specs. Google is actually saying KitKat will work on phone with as little as 512 MB of RAM, and on "wearables" like Android watches.
Supposedly, Google is trying to make this the Android version for the "next billion users" including developing countries that don't have money for high end smartphones. And Google want to get everyone (or as many as possible, anyway) on the same Android version, including those developing countries where many are stuck on Gingerbread.
http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/31/android-4-4-kitkat-google/
(not a particular fan of Tech Crunch, but the article sums up Google's goals with 4.4 very well)
If you are talking about an "official" 4.4 ROM from HTC (with Sense, etc.) it has less to do with the phones technical capabilities, and more to do with the the companies financial resources and product focus. "Official" 4.4 seems unlikely, although we can always hope.
A 4.4 based custom ROM (either a Sense port from another device, or an AOSP based) for the EVITA is much more likely. All it takes is one (or more) developer(s) willing to put in the time and effort. Although being from unofficial base, its almost sure to have some hardware incompatibilities that may take time to iron out.
redpoint73 said:
When they say "low end devices" I do not think they are talking about the EVITA. Even though its going on 1.5 years old, there are still a lot of "budget" phones that are newer than EVITA, but with lower specs. Google is actually saying KitKat will work on phone with as little as 512 MB of RAM, and on "wearables" like Android watches.
Supposedly, Google is trying to make this the Android version for the "next billion users" including developing countries that don't have money for high end smartphones. And Google want to get everyone (or as many as possible, anyway) on the same Android version, including those developing countries where many are stuck on Gingerbread.
http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/31/android-4-4-kitkat-google/
(not a particular fan of Tech Crunch, but the article sums up Google's goals with 4.4 very well)
If you are talking about an "official" 4.4 ROM from HTC (with Sense, etc.) it has less to do with the phones technical capabilities, and more to do with the the companies financial resources and product focus. "Official" 4.4 seems unlikely, although we can always hope.
A 4.4 based custom ROM (either a Sense port from another device, or an AOSP based) for the EVITA is much more likely. All it takes is one (or more) developer(s) willing to put in the time and effort. Although being from unofficial base, its almost sure to have some hardware incompatibilities that may take time to iron out.
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Click to collapse
its really good to know that we may be getting KITKAT in some way or the another!
btw a stupid question why is it that even the old nexus devices get ports so soon and often,i know its meant to be a developers phone but still!
You kind of answered your own question.. Google designs android around the nexus devices for the most part. After an update is released by Google, HTC, Samsung, etc. Need to optimize for their own devices which takes time and money and then after that, carriers need to add their bloat ware and deploy ota. Takes time bro.
Sent from my One Xl using xda app-developers app
exad said:
You kind of answered your own question.. Google designs android around the nexus devices for the most part. After an update is released by Google, HTC, Samsung, etc. Need to optimize for their own devices which takes time and money and then after that, carriers need to add their bloat ware and deploy ota. Takes time bro.
Sent from my One Xl using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
quite silly of me
long back i had heard this news of cyanogen mod becoming an independent OS platform,i guess they have collaborated with Oppo.
wish if they had collaborated with HTC,then probably we could have got everything really soon!
:angel:

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