I couldn't fit the concept completely in the title, but here it is:
Would it be a good idea for Google to redesign Android in such a way that it allows for OEMs as HTC and Samsung to more easily add their layers Sense and TouchWiz upon it - perhaps even in the form of a single apk?
Considering the fact updates take extremely long because the newly released Android versions, in this case Jelly Bean, need to be altered by HTC and Samsung and others before Jelly Bean can be even released onto the brand devices, not to mention an even longer delay for those who decide to purchase their phone by the major source of destruction of innovation, that is, the carrier. If Key Lime Pie, the next Android version, is designed in such way that the OEM skins and Android itself remain seperate, would it be possible to update to a newer revision of Android without having to be dependent on the OEM and carrier? It would then be the OEMs responsibility to update their skin as soon as possible to maintain a proper experience, as obviously a new Android revision has new elements that could possibly remain unskinned yet at release.
I personally think a strategy in this way forces OEMs more to bring out updates as soon as possible, thereby driving competition up - which is ALWAYS a good thing, while Android updates remain independent of OEM and carrier.
Of course, there will be issues with such strategy, such as required updates to drivers. Skin updates are non-essential, while it would still be nice to at least have a functioning device after an update. How would that work out for devices by HTC automatically receiving updates to Android? Remember, the whole point of this idea is to bypass the need for OEMs and carriers altogether. While I even doubt thát is possible, I'd like to hear a discussion trying to achieve this point as closely as possible.
I even believe this thread, if it does result in great ideas, could be forwarded to Google to look at - but I might just be completely wrong with such idea and as such, I'd also like to hear why.
Discuss away.
They're already working on it.
[Note: This information is ~18 months old, probably. I haven't kept up to date on the projects.]
T-Mobile built a theme engine, which is included in CyanogenMod. However, there are aspects of it that Google does not quite like. Sony-Ericson is also putting forth an alternative approach, which Google likes better. So, T-Mobile is working to merge the best of both worlds.
The "big difference" between the approaches is:
- T-Mobile's themes are user selectable at run-time.
- SE's themes are set by OEM (need to flash a new ROM to change)... but they are more deeply/cleanly/??? integrated with the Android core.
It's both a technical and political matter.
Hey Guys,
Though this may be my first post, i will was i am no pro nor noob. With that out of the way, I've been on android since gb stock and custom (usually custom 2-3hr after i get a new phone XD ). Android has improved leaps and bounds. However, simple things are either complex ( such as managing nandroids or even obtaining for some users), convoluted ( media management, migration to a new rom while retaining data etc.), or costly( the new airdroid, helium backup etc..). I feel that a lot of the paid services while awesome, simply cost too much.
So that said would anyone be interested in:
A cross platform Android manager
A set of core android utilities (on your phone)
Incorporating premium functionality and a nice gui (probably material based).
If so what functionality would you like ?
Some links to some existing works ?
some cool ideas ? ~~
**NOTE **
i do know there are quite a few initiative towards this goal.
The idea is to have a unified toolset to form an unofficial official Environment & utilities.
I want all feedback good or bad to keep this a realistic as possible.
And yes i can program quite well, as can my colleagues.
IF this comes into fruition it will be a community project and the idea is to have a very very low cost product with all the features you need/want.
SO Shoot !!
[RESERVED] - Further details.
Okay, first, I do not know where I should put this thread, it is for the HD2 specifically, but might one day be useful for other devices.
So, I have an idea, I would like to create an app store for Windows Mobile, specifically Windows Mobile 6.5, NOT Windows Phone, NOT Windows Phone 8/10, NOT Android, NOT Ubuntu or Meego or Firefox OS.
This app store would be updated, it would contain apps that are compatible with WM6.5, also, you would be able to select your device resolution, and get apps that work with your resolution, it could have a tweaks section, so any tweaks could be installed with just a few clicks.
Also, developers would be able to submit their own apps, and people should be able to submit older apps that work on WM 6.5.
So, what do you guys think, would you support such a project.
P.S. What would you think about me trying to get a HTML5 render engine running on WM6.5, so it could use some new mobile-web apps?
P.P.S. Recently, someone with an Android phone, was able to de-solder the NAND chip(with some equipment), and upgrade the internal flash storage, does anyone think this would be possible with the HD2?, maybe we could get 4GB of internal flash instead of 1GB?
Not bad idea.
My company done more basic idea with a repository of apps with description for our WM6.5 users.
Was some quality software for WM, when compare to junk apps you get on android it really night & day, shame Microsoft didn't see potential & develop it more back in late 2000's as it was far better code than android & was the birth of the smart phone & many parts of it copied by iphone & android .
Mister B said:
Not bad idea.
My company done more basic idea with a repository of apps with description for our WM6.5 users.
Was some quality software for WM, when compare to junk apps you get on android it really night & day, shame Microsoft didn't see potential & develop it more back in late 2000's as it was far better code than android & was the birth of the smart phone & many parts of it copied by iphone & android .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, do you think that it would be feasible to make an app store, like this? And what do you think would be a good name for an app store?
I could easily set up a website, however, I do not know how hard it would be to make an installable cab for it.
I could have a basic website, set-up in just a few minutes(without SQL server, which would be needed for an app store).
The main problem though, is getting permission from app developers to put their old apps on the app store, some of the companies don't even exist anymore. And we would need to get NEW developers to make apps and put them in the app store.
You not likely get much support for new apps as just such minority of WM6.x.x devices in use .
Problem 2 is like you say most old apps dropped by developers, many recent apps I got hold of are technically warez but that only way get them & activate them as devs dropped them & purchase option from websites. IM+ was example of this, I wanted purchase a licence but they dropped WM & wouldn't help me out so I had do work around making it a non expiring trial using mortscript to launch app .
If you do any sort of app store and want worthwhile apps then it not going be possible do it 100% legal unfortunately.
Our work web repository is not exactly legal but it keeps WM6 alive & we got about 30 WM6 users who happy
Personally I would do just a good designed web repository with app sections & details & downloads linked to account logins.
If you can build a software app to act as store it would be good, building cab is the easy part .
Mister B said:
You not likely get much support for new apps as just such minority of WM6.x.x devices in use .
Problem 2 is like you say most old apps dropped by developers, many recent apps I got hold of are technically warez but that only way get them & activate them as devs dropped them & purchase option from websites. IM+ was example of this, I wanted purchase a licence but they dropped WM & wouldn't help me out so I had do work around making it a non expiring trial using mortscript to launch app .
If you do any sort of app store and want worthwhile apps then it not going be possible do it 100% legal unfortunately.
Our work web repository is not exactly legal but it keeps WM6 alive & we got about 30 WM6 users who happy
Personally I would do just a good designed web repository with app sections & details & downloads linked to account logins.
If you can build a software app to act as store it would be good, building cab is the easy part .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, it looks like, my website host will not work then, I just made a new account with them too(it is free tho ), my web host says ABSOLUTELY NO warez , however there is this site called "umnet", they have a lot of stuff for lots of devices, including Windows Mobile CAB's. It is not very easy to browse umnet, and there is a lot of garbage, and it is not very easy to sort out what you DO want from what you DONT want. Back on-topic, if I am to make a app-store, I will need to find another host, or something like that.
P.S Is your work app repository, publicly available, or no?
No it on our own server & requires account.
Mister B said:
No it on our own server & requires account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, too bad.
Now, about the app store, I have identified all of the main challenges:
1. Getting a server and/or host.
2. Getting all of the apps.
3. Getting permission from developers to put their paid/non-distributable apps on the server.
4. Setting up a search/description system(will probably be SQL based).
5. Getting the .CAB set up.
6. Getting people to use it.
I have an idea for, convincing developers to make new software for WM6.5, a development fund/bounty. Right now, many people who were once WM6.5 die-hards have stopped developing programs for WM6.5, maybe we can get some new developers, AND get some old developers back, by giving them an incentive to develop for WM6.5. This could be a bitcoin fund/bounty, when a developer wants to make an app, he/she can ask for some bitcoins from the bounty and that could help fund development if his/her app.
Also, ROM's, many ROM's are inactive, my next idea is to, create new ROM's with WEH builds, they will have ALL of the same features and apps and drivers, and versions(6.5.5, the best), but be based on WEH, because WEH has some new under-the-hood stuff like newer security standards, WiFi encryption standards, etc...
Possibly, we could even create new/improved drivers, via reverse engineering or something like that, AND possibly, dig up enough information to implement some of the features of Photon(what WM7 was supposed to be as of 2008), like an unofficial WM7(NOT WP7).
I'm posting here because I can't post at the development forum.
With the advent of cellphone addiction, the market for dumbphones has increased. People looking for ways to end their addiction to social media and gaming are supporting projects like Light Phone and Mudita Pure.
Unfortunately, these devices are pricy due to the relatively low demand and the fact that they are not produced in China.
I believe that there's a big opportunity for those developers looking forward to starting something new, like creating a "Dumb" Android version with less complexity, that would have only basic and productivity features such as:
Call, SMS, flashlight, camera, calculator, shopping list (todo list), hotspot only (no mobile data or wifi on the phone), music player.
Must not have: playstore, browser
Name suggestions: DumbDroid, AA, Antidote
I hope someone reads this and brings this idea to life.
Thanks :fingers-crossed:
@tijuco2
You are confusing Android OS - including device drivers - and applications, IMHO.
And, it's on the user to decide what applications lastly are installed ( used ) on an Android device.
jwoegerbauer said:
@tijuco2
You are confusing Android OS - including device drivers - and applications, IMHO.
And, it's on the user to decide what applications lastly are installed ( used ) on an Android device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a developer. I know what the demand is, not how to achieve what I suggested. I'm talking about addiction when the user lost the ability to control their impulse.
Hi, as some will obviously know, google is forcing a change in android development to be more like ios. Some developers and users wont even notice or care. Others may find the changes fundamental and devastating.
Some of the changes have come about in version 11 but will be fully implemented by 12-13. These changes are going to limit access to android file system. The way apps work and limit what you can install, copy, write to external usb etc. Others will mean total lockdown of security from installing apps and google spyware controlling what you can change.
Over the years we have all seen many versions of android in countless devices with as many custom iterations and mods. In a way. Us users and the developers have shown what's possible with imagination skill & ingenuity and happily let google lead us down the garden path making billions in revenue from our devoted support. Not everyone could see the control manipulation, development and exploitation. Not everyone even cared.
But it seems now that free reign google has given us in ability for hacks & mods and and the devices android can can be used on is coming to an end. Google is yanking its chain and reeling us in.
If you think scoped storage, or more play store control will just be an inconvenience think again.
Developers and genuine android experts will know this and will probably already be aware of some solutions. I hope so. As the thread count and discussions on this balloon maybe some will consider a fork of huawei's stripped down versions of android might be an option, however we feel about china. Let's hope some options will come to light soon.