[Wharfrat71]

Hi, I'm wharfrat and I'm an Appleholic.

I first started using Apple products with the first iPod that came out. From there I kept upgrading to the next Apple product.
iPods. MacBook. MacBook Pro. iPhone. And finally the iPad.
When the iPhone 5 rumors began I thought here we go! A new awesome iPhone!! What a let down it was for me.
I currently have an iPhone 4S and was hoping for a really new innovating Apple iPhone. It really didn't feel that way to me.
So looking for something better or maybe I should use the word different I am looking to make the switch from the iPhone to an Android phone.
I have my eye on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 that will becoming out this fall. Now that's different!!

But I have A LOT of questions. I know NOTHING about Androids but am trying to learn.

One of my first questions I will ask is:
Does every maker of Android phones have their own software running on top of Android?
Is this like buying a new HP or Dell computer and having all there junk software preloaded on it?
Does this help Android or does it slow it down?

I look forward to learning more about the Android system.
Thanks in advance!

[ThePurpleAndroid]

Not only does the manufacturer put their own stuff on the devices, but the service provider as well... This is usually why people root their devices (or in iPhone terms, jailbreak), and install custom ROMs. Personally I dont get into the rooting thing because most service providers frown upon it and it voids warranties on the device.

The world of Android can be an exciting place. Welcome!

~°•>Sent from my HTC Evo Design<•°~

[Devinator]

Wecome to AC!!

Yup, as TPA said, there is manufacturer and carrier installed bloatware.

And, each manufacturer does indeed put their own skin on Android, so, if you compare a Samsung phone to a Motorola phone, they will have a different UI. I think that is what your first question was.

as TPA said, you can root your phone and get rid of the bloatware. Or, put a custom ROM on it as well.

[Wharfrat71]

That's what I thought. Does that slow the performance of the phone?

What is a ROM?

---------- Post Merged at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:57 PM ----------

I have a follow up question.
It seems at first glance that all brand new phones do not all come with the latest version of Android? Is that correct?

When a new version of Android is released can you upgrade to that version right away or do you have to wait for the maker of the phone to output a new version with THEIR UI running on top?

[ThePurpleAndroid]

Manufacture's control updates, but sometimes delayed by the service providers. Not all devices are designed for multiple updates. For the most part, if you take care of your device it can last a while regardless of the OS its running. Some people perfer the older OS. Its just like using a handheld computer.

~°•>Sent from my HTC Evo Design<•°~

[Devinator]

Well, it'll take up space, that's for sure. Unless it is something that is actively running, no, it shouldn't. You can check the list of running apps under Manage Apps.

Basically the OS. When you get your phone, it has firmware on it from your carrier/manufacturer. You can then replace that with custom firmware that developers in the Android community have made. Here is a custom ROM and an explanation:



No, all phones don't come with the latest and greatest. That is impossible pretty much because all carriers/manufacturers like to put put their own UI, bloatware, etc. into it before releasing it. So, essentially your getting your updates from them.

Yes, you have to wait on them. Unless you get a custom ROM. You can get more up to date version of Android through a custom ROM, even if the manufacturer of your device has since said they will no longer be updating it.