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from the avoided-Betteridge's-Law-of-Headlines dept.
I've been an Android user since Froyo, over several devices. I'm beginning to think that there must be a better way.
First, although I liked Android, especially the part that was Open Source, I'll suggest that the whole Android ecosystem represents a dead end.
At a minimum, it seems like madness to rely on two or more layers of outside partners to deliver software patches and updates. It's just not reasonable or safe for end users to wait for months or years until device makers and wireless carriers deliver patches from Google - if they ever do.
That there's no way a user can update their system without their cooperation is just not acceptable today.
Second, even if an update or patch does arrive, it brings with it the likelihood that some feature or application that you have been using will be hobbled, eliminated, or just plain be made unusable by Google. Services provided by Google are subject to changes that, depending on your circumstances, make them significantly less usable. (Gmail being a prime example) Standalone apps like Reader or MyTracks may just stop working one day if Google loses interest.
Finally, there's the Play store, and the millions of apps available to users. I think that most people would agree that trying to find a usable app for a specific purpose is an exercise in frustration.
[Continues...]
The current system pretty much requires you to guess on a search term to find an app, then wade through dozens or hundreds of possible results.
App ratings are filled with obvious astroturf, or one word disses - neither of these help you tell if an app actually works. Without someone actually moderating the ratings system it is pretty much of no value.
There's no practical way to tell if an app is a finished product, or an abandoned half-baked pastime. Our only option, even with paid apps, is to install it and find out if it works.
There is speculation that Google may be preparing to abandon Android, but will a new Google OS really be any better for end users?
The problem is that Android has more or less become the only game in town, so what alternative will we see emerge?
Obvious notes:
a) Cyanogenmod - been there, done that. Not a realistic option for the vast majority of end users. And honestly, I just don't have the time and inclination to root and install it these days.
b) iPhone - actually owned a Powerbook for three years as my primary machine. Gave it my best go, but just don't like the way Apple machines do things. YMMV.
c) BlackBerry - actually really loved the BlackBerry, except that it REALLY didn't play well with Google contacts, and they refuse to support either Linux, or individual end users.
c) Linux - yup. Guess I'm spoiled. Stuff generally doesn't break, and if I need a specific tool or function — someone, somewhere has almost always created it.
(Score: 4, Troll) by Celestial on Monday September 12 2016, @12:29PM
I realize this will be a fairly unpopular opinion, but I gave up on Android. I've used Android smartphones since 2011. After five years, I moved to iPhone. Why? Two reasons.
1. I've mentioned before on here that physically, I am a dwarf. My hands are tiny. Android smartphones since 2014 are just too danged big, with no indication of ever going back to a 5" size. My last Android smartphone, the LG G3, is 5.75". It literally hurts my hands to use it for more than a few minutes at a time. The only smartphone manufacturer today that makes a 5" smartphone is Apple. They're my only choice. Oh, there's the Sony compact line of smartphones, but they're fairly difficult to obtain in North America, and leads to my second point.
2. Lack of updates. My LG G3 Android smartphone was bought last year, and never received an update. Same with my mother's LG G3 Vigor. Bought last year, still runs Android 4.4. As I alluded to in my first point, I've read that Sony's not any better. Their smartphones never receive an Android update.
For me, the Apple iPhone is my only choice.
(Score: 1) by beernutz on Monday September 12 2016, @01:12PM
You might have a look at the new Samsung S7 (not the edge). It is 5.1" That might be closer to what you need?
It is very fast, and updates software about as often as other non-nexus devices.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 12 2016, @01:34PM
Agreed on size - but fortunately I could quite easily get the Z3 compact in the uk, and it fits the bill really well.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 12 2016, @04:07PM
Oh - and is now running 6.0.1, so Sony aren't as bad as you've heard!
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Monday September 12 2016, @06:40PM
Sony aren't as bad as I've heard? I really doubt that.
Presumably you mean something like "they do update their OS", but I can't tell for sure. I do know that I'm unlikely to trust them enough to find out.
It's a real pity. Sony was once a quality company. Then it bought a media company...and the company took over management.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 4, Informative) by cubancigar11 on Monday September 12 2016, @01:55PM
Buy a Xiaomi product. Seriously. Almost all devices are regularly updated and UI has all the goodness of Apple and all the openness, as much as is possible, of Android.
(Score: 1) by gauauu on Monday September 12 2016, @03:36PM
The only smartphone manufacturer today that makes a 5" smartphone is Apple.
Really? I just bought an LG Nexus 5x. It's 5.2 inches. (Plus has an unlocked bootloader so I can install what I want, and if I stay on stock software, get timely updates).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 12 2016, @06:33PM
He meant 4" obviously, as Apple makes two devices smaller than 5" and nobody else even participates in that category anymore, much less provides up to date specs and software updates.
I was just in the Apple store and I admit, the 4" SE felt great and I can catch and palm a regulation basketball one-handed with no problems. Would not trade for my 5,5" 6s+ though as I do a lot more than just make phone calls anymore and I like the extra screen real estate.
I moved to iPhone this year as well after being on Android since the beginning. Android is better UI wise, but lack of updates and a lack of ownership of the stack even on the Nexus/Pixel devices kills it for me. Android is a total disaster and I say that as somebody who helped port Cyanogenmod to 3 different phones. Only Nexus and Blackberry get it right wrt rhe monthly updates and even then they are vulnerable to shit like quadrooter because they have to rely on shitty Quallcomm.
(Score: 1) by gauauu on Tuesday September 13 2016, @02:08PM
He meant 4" obviously, as Apple makes two devices smaller than 5" and nobody else even participates in that category anymore, much less provides up to date specs and software updates.
That makes complete sense.
I moved to iPhone this year as well after being on Android since the beginning. Android is better UI wise, but lack of updates and a lack of ownership of the stack even on the Nexus/Pixel devices kills it for me
This doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying that iPhone isn't better for you. But I honestly don't understand how ownership of the stack is better on iphone than on a nexus? (I'm not trying to fight, I'm interested in your explanation)
(Score: 2) by curunir_wolf on Monday September 12 2016, @03:36PM
I ended up with an Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3. It comes in a 5.5", but I got the 4.7" because that's the size I need too. It's a very nice phone, now runs Marshmallow, and you can find it used/refurbished for about $100, or $170 for factory fresh. I bought a used one last time when my son smashed his, and I couldn't tell the difference from new.
I am a crackpot
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Monday September 12 2016, @05:43PM
1. That has not to do with size, but gender. I'm a normal sized man, but I'd have to carry a purse to use a new high-priced phone. (snarky photo about the situation [mcgrew.info])
2. U had an LG phone back around '04, and as a result I'll never buy another LG product, Worst damned phone I ever used, buggy as hell. Returned it under warranty, the replacement was worse. Never again.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org