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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: 3, Insightful) by Nerdfest on Monday September 12 2016, @02:12PM
Given that the only real alternatively is Apple, where you have the hardware and the software controlled through a single company and no choice at all, I would argue that it is the more likely dead end. Android is open-source and there are many hardware providers. Google, Samsung, HTC, etc, could all disappear tomorrow and life would go on with Android still available as an OS and other manufacturers still available as well.
Personally, I'd love to see a pure Linux or other open mobile OS mobile OS out, but I think Android is by far the best alternative until we have that happens. If and when that does happen, I'd also like to be able to *choose* my OS, not have it forced on me an locked in place.
People tying themselves to a single company with a poor history of playing nicely others has always amazed me.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 12 2016, @04:43PM
Not to mention the forks of Android that do give the user back power to control their phone (mostly).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 12 2016, @11:21PM
FTFS: c) Linux
Props to opinionated_science, below, for mentioning N900 and A780.
We have mentioned here multiple times Ubuntu Touch. [soylentnews.org]
.
I also like the comment by requerdanos:
Android is the worst phone ecosystem and environment, except for all the others.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday September 13 2016, @03:14AM
I backed the Jolla tablet - I've got 50% of my money back now, and they're promising to send the other 50% "when they are able."
Jolla did make a phone that launched in Europe, but I believe they moved away from a pure Qt on Linux implementation to focus on Android app compatibility. That's the reality of making a new phone OS, whether Windows, Linux, or something completely new, the phone owners will all be sad if their friends have a new "don't spill the beer" or whatever app that isn't available on their phone - so every new phone OS pretty much has to run Android apps, or the phone will never reach any kind of mass market.
Android may be a dead end today, like the Roman Empire was a dead end in 300 BC.
🌻🌻 [google.com]