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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: 1) by ShadowSystems on Monday September 12 2016, @01:43PM
I went to a regional T-Mo HQ store this weekend with the intention of purchasing a SmartPhone. It didn't matter if it was an Android or an Apple, as long as it was completely Accessible.
I know Android claims to have the TalkBack functionality to make it Accessible to the blind, but NONE, not a single sales rep nor manager at the store could get the danged thing to behave. Turn it on, yes, but actually say what was on the screen in a consistently accurate manner No.
I then asked to see (hear) the Apple phones, only to hit the same wall. The manager managed to get it to talk, but for some STUPID reason the phones would all start speaking at about a trillion words per second & be completely useless.
When even the Android & Apple "FanBoys" of the store couldn't get their favorite devices to do what I needed, it pretty much pounded the nail in the coffin for any plans to buy one.
If the phone doesn't talk, reading the screens accurately in a consistent & understandable fashion, then the phone isn't Accessible no matter WHAT the marketing twits may say.
So despite having the cash on hand to buy a SmartPhone, I ended up leaving with all of it still in my pocket & my original Feature Phone as well.
When a $40 Feature Phone can do what your $500 SmartPhone can't, what's that say about the damned obviously-not-very-smart SmartPhone?
So from my POV at least, both Android & Apple are dead ends.
I know other blind folks have them & swear by them, but given *Sighted Folks* couldn't get the phones to work, what hope in HELL do I have of getting it to do it either?
*Sigh*
And that sucks schweaty monkey buns, because I *really* wanted a SmartPhone for the GPS subsystem. I could use it to navigate around town so I could do my own errands, but since the damned thing wouldn't behave...
*Comical pout*
(Score: 1, Troll) by jmorris on Monday September 12 2016, @05:16PM
but given *Sighted Folks* couldn't get the phones to work
Because sighted folks don't use those features. If you were actually blind you would know that, but you are just a troll. If you were really blind you would know people who would be able to get either of the major phones set up for you, same way you know people that helped you set up your desktop PC because zero sales weasels in a retail outlet know how. It is a specialty IT niche, sighted people who work with the blind, because it is one of the few things the blind simply can't do for themselves, since they can't use any computing device out of the box. Once that initial setup is done though, it is amazing what they can do. Knew a local sysop 'back in the day' that ran a DOS based BBS, even open up up the box and set ISA card jumpers, and do anything else needed to run a system.
The manager managed to get it to talk, but for some STUPID reason the phones would all start speaking at about a trillion words per second & be completely useless.
This line was the 'tell' that you are just trolling, btw, so you can up your game in the future. Just my little effort to help Make Trolls Great Again. Why that line was the 'tell' is left as an exercise for the student.
(Score: 1) by ShadowSystems on Monday September 12 2016, @06:35PM
I *AM* Totally Blind. I've demonstrated this fact repeatedly before in my posting history. It states this fact in my bio blurb. It says so on my photo ID & restates it on the Disabled Parking placqard I carry when I'm getting a ride so the driver can park in the disabled spots without getting a ticket for doing so. In short, there IS a troll in this conversation but it's not ME.
The rest of your bullshit post doesn't even deserve a reply beyond the following:
*Double handed rude gesture*
(Score: 3, Funny) by art guerrilla on Monday September 12 2016, @06:57PM
jmorris, you are an inspiration to trolliollioes everywhere !
*if only* they were as accomplished as you in uttering insane inanities...