Anyone else disappointed?

[iN8ter]

With Android 4.3. I mean, I guess I wasn't expecting anything particularly massive but the platform is starting to feel stale - right as other platforms are really changing things up.

This is especially true on the services end (and integration into the OS).

I'm about to switch from AT&T to Verizon and ofc choosing a new phone is a natural part of that. This really has left me quite flat.

I guess someone who plays a lot of games on their phone (I have literally no games installed, I do have a gaming PC though ) would be a bit more ecstatic about it...

I was hoping for more momentum on the services side (real momentum, not just changing the look and feel of things which is what they've gotten really good at doing, often, lately).

 

[Google4Lifee]

I think 4.3 is a pretty nice update. It has some new user features, but most of the stuff is under the hood. In fact under the hood its a huge update.

Look at iOS7... no new features.... just design changes.

Android is still the best OS in the world period.

 

[neonworm]

This is just a maintenance update. 5.0 will be fresh.

 

[TheLegoman]

I think 4.3 is a pretty nice update. It has some new user features, but most of the stuff is under the hood. In fact under the hood its a huge update.

Look at iOS7... no new features.... just design changes.

Android is still the best OS in the world period.

Actually, iOS7 does have some new features like quick settings and a notification center. However, that's beside the point.

4.3 is a relatively minor update. The big 5.0 update should come out in November when the new Nexus phone arrives.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[HNNNNNGHHH]

So far, the leaked 4.3 build installed on my Nexus 7 make the tablet seem faster than it was on 4.2.2. Then again, it was a fresh install in my case.

 

[Ry]

Not disappointed at all. I want Android to stabilize. We don't need something new from the ground up every six months.

 

[iN8ter]

iOS 7 also has AirDrop, FaceTime Voice Calls, iCloud Video Sharing, Stock Camera filters, Flickr Integration (IIRC), etc.

I'd like some of that stuff on Android not requiring a ton of third party apps or Social Network profile (some of this would be solves if anyone I knew cared about Google+, but I don't have the time for another Social Network anyways).

With the way Android updates work waiting so long can mean me buying an Android device that doesn't get that update when it launches so its not necessarily something I want to risk. I'm a bit burnt out on Samsung and I font like how bad Motorola camera phones are. That leaves limited choices on Verizon.

I'll weigh my options and give it another week or so, but I'm about done waiting for the convenience features. But I have to switch fast cause I'm paying an extra $60 with two lines on different carriers ATM.

Also disappointed Google Play Games is Google+-encumbered.

The new Nexus 7 does look decent but 7" is too small for a tablet IMO. I tried one and returned it cause the small size made no sense to justify the cost to me. This one does now have a back camera though, which is great for how is potentially use it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[James Temple1]

Question from a real newbie... I have a month old Nexus 10 with version 4.2.2 of Android. Do I do something to update to 4.3 or does it happen automatically at some point in the future? I'm in no hurry, I'm a pretty casual user.

I told you I was a newbie

 

[rootedVette]

Question from a real newbie... I have a month old Nexus 10 with version 4.2.2 of Android. Do I do something to update to 4.3 or does it happen automatically at some point in the future? I'm in no hurry, I'm a pretty casual user.

I told you I was a newbie

The OTA update rolls out slowly to both keep the servers from maxing out and to prevent widespread damages in case the update bricks devices. I'm waiting as well on my N10. If I get the update notification, I'll pull the update package and post it up here somewhere, as I suspect others will as well. If you don't mind wiping your data and unlocking your bootloader, you can download and flash the factory images from Google.

Posted via Android Central App on Manta Ray

 

[Paul627g]

Not disappointed at all. Google and Android focused on making the important tweaks under the hood. The UI is polished very nice for this stage of Android. I'm not even so sure I'd welcome an overhaul of the UI in the next edition of Android (5.0). They have spent so much time getting the API's and everything in place for the developers to integrate and make the apps flow seamlessly with the OS and another UI (visual) change would ruin the work Google has done getting things in place.

I

 

[npark2012]

iOS 7 also has AirDrop, FaceTime Voice Calls, iCloud Video Sharing, Stock Camera filters, Flickr Integration (IIRC), etc.

I'd like some of that stuff on Android not requiring a ton of third party apps or Social Network profile (some of this would be solves if anyone I knew cared about Google+, but I don't have the time for another Social Network anyways).

With the way Android updates work waiting so long can mean me buying an Android device that doesn't get that update when it launches so its not necessarily something I want to risk. I'm a bit burnt out on Samsung and I font like how bad Motorola camera phones are. That leaves limited choices on Verizon.

I'll weigh my options and give it another week or so, but I'm about done waiting for the convenience features. But I have to switch fast cause I'm paying an extra $60 with two lines on different carriers ATM.

Also disappointed Google Play Games is Google+-encumbered.

The new Nexus 7 does look decent but 7" is too small for a tablet IMO. I tried one and returned it cause the small size made no sense to justify the cost to me. This one does now have a back camera though, which is great for how is potentially use it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

I agree with rooted. Most of the things you are trying to impress us with, we've had it for a while already.
Also just an FYI, Google+ is NOT meant to be a social network website. It just looks like one.
Android updates fine. What the problem is the phone carriers. They have too much power, they have their own little bloated apps to install on their phones. So they make sure those bloatware works with the new android version, that's why it takes a long time for people to update. Carriers don't want to spend the time or money to really update it and stuff like that so some devices never get the latest android. If you want updates fast then get a Nexus device. Plain and simple.

Question from a real newbie... I have a month old Nexus 10 with version 4.2.2 of Android. Do I do something to update to 4.3 or does it happen automatically at some point in the future? I'm in no hurry, I'm a pretty casual user.

I told you I was a newbie

Well it will usually come to you automatically. But some people can't wait so they either flash it or try to force it.
If you want to try forcing it here are the steps:
1. First go to Settings>Apps>All>Google Services Framework
2. Press "Clear data"
3. Press "Force stop"
4. Go back to Settings>About Phone>System updates
5. Press "Check now"

You may or may NOT get the OTA after that. Sometimes you have to do it 3 or more times for it to work. But since you're in no hurry you can just sit and wait. No biggie.

 

[npark2012]

Talk about a complete lack of reading comprehension and apparent inability to follow a (very short) thread. My naming of those iOS features was in response to someone saying that iOS 7 was only a cosmetic upgrade and inferred that it didn't add any decent features - only visual changes. In the future, please make sure you take a seat and actually read the thread before you go on a tirade.

I literally cannot bother responding past that... I've already wasted enough brain cells just reading such a worthless response because context clues apparently weren't something taught in the schools you attended.

Please don't start throwing words at each other.

Can't blame him for not noticing your "context clues" you didn't really have any to begin with. If you had a quote referring to what you were responding to then yeah context clues is right there. But you simply posted it 4 posts later. No context. And all the rude stuff was not necessary. It only makes you look like the bad guy.

So next time please:
A. Quote to who/what you are responding to so other readers can actually follow it. Regardless of length of thread.
B. Don't be rude... Karma.
C. If you've wasted enough brain cells please take a rest from the computer and try again later.

Thanks.

EDIT:
Oh and also I'm not disappointed with Android 4.3. There's no reason to fix something that isn't broken. Android Jelly bean is not broken, these small updates are just minor tweaks here and there. Hence the small updates. It's not revolutionary. It's not meant to be. It's meant to fix the little things that aren't quite right.

Now the devices with the latest Android version is a pleasure even more so to use. It's faster, smoother, and a lot of cool features are added under the hood. I'm happy with the update.

 

[iN8ter]

I agree with rooted. Most of the things you are trying to impress us with, we've had it for a while already.
Also just an FYI, Google+ is NOT meant to be a social network website. It just looks like one.
Android updates fine. What the problem is the phone carriers. They have too much power, they have their own little bloated apps to install on their phones. So they make sure those bloatware works with the new android version, that's why it takes a long time for people to update. Carriers don't want to spend the time or money to really update it and stuff like that so some devices never get the latest android. If you want updates fast then get a Nexus device. Plain and simple.




Well it will usually come to you automatically. But some people can't wait so they either flash it or try to force it.
If you want to try forcing it here are the steps:
1. First go to Settings>Apps>All>Google Services Framework
2. Press "Clear data"
3. Press "Force stop"
4. Go back to Settings>About Phone>System updates
5. Press "Check now"

You may or may NOT get the OTA after that. Sometimes you have to do it 3 or more times for it to work. But since you're in no hurry you can just sit and wait. No biggie.

Mods can delete this thread at will. I feel like the Downies have taken over all the tech forums.

This is the thing I was referring to when I named those iOS features:

I think 4.3 is a pretty nice update. It has some new user features, but most of the stuff is under the hood. In fact under the hood its a huge update.

Look at iOS7... no new features.... just design changes.

Android is still the best OS in the world period.

I don't need to try to impress anyone with any iOS features.

Google doesn't have hardly any of the convenience features like iMessage, Photo Streams, iCloud Video Sharing which aren't tied to a Google+ profile. Google Play Games requires a Google+ profile. GameCenter doesn't need that.

One of the reasons I never used Spotify was because it was forcing users to create accounts through a Facebook log-in. That's encumbrance because it forces everyone you know that you want to advert the service to, to join Facebook just to create a Spotify account (I think they have changed this since, but that is how it was when they launched in the US).

I don't use services tied to Social Networks. I don't have any issues with Google+ growing features within itself - I will never see them. I do have a bit of an issue with Google going back and interconnecting products to force me to use their social network after I've been using the service for a while - like replacing Talk with Hangouts and then sending it out as an Update to all Android devices...

Android Market requires a Google+ Profile to review apps (unprecedented). YouTube requires one to create a channel or comment. etc. etc.

Definition of encumbrance
en?cum?brance

[ in k?mbrənss ]


1.burden or hindrance: a hindrance or burden to somebody

My word choice was flawless.

Go get all your friends to create a Google Account and then a Public Google+ Profile on top of it just to use Google's services. They will be quick to suggest 3rd party alternatives. Which brings me back to square one. I don't wanna have to load up a ton of 3rd party services to do what other devices do for free via stock apps.

P.S. Photo Streams can be managed from a Windows PC, and viewed in any web browser when shared (you can even comment, etc.). iMessage falls back transparently to SMS and no separate app is necessary.

Google Chrome for Android also doesn't have a Reading List and cannot save pages for Offline reading. It has no Reading Mode. You need either an OEM Browser (Samsung does well here) or a third party browser on Stock Android devices (Firefox does well here) for those features.

Development is lacking in many areas.

I didn't say Android was ****. I just said I wish they would focus more on the convenient features that improve productivity in day to day use instead of impressing gamers and enthusiasts.

For much of that stuff, the OEMs *have* stepped up and provided solutions, but that comes with its own set of issues that platforms like BB10, WP8, and iOS do not have to deal with...

 

[rootedVette]

I think we're done here. This obviously isn't going anywhere.

Posted via Android Central App on Manta Ray

 

[Jennifer Stough]

This thread has been cleaned up. Please do not call other users trolls, and please do not insult people or their reading skills. Thanks.

Jennifer Stough
Forums Moderator
Droid DNA

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

This update is huge. All anyone has to do is look at the developer docs to see just how much was improved. The improvements to the browser-view alone make this an update everyone should want ASAP.

Of course, if what you really wanted is new colors or widgets, Samsung will take care of that when they integrate it.

 

[rootedVette]

This update is huge. All anyone has to do is look at the developer docs to see just how much was improved. The improvements to the browser-view alone make this an update everyone should want ASAP.

Of course, if what you really wanted is new colors or widgets, Samsung will take care of that when they integrate it.

Again Jerry manages to say what I should have, in a forum friendly format.

Posted via Android Central App on Manta Ray

 

[npark2012]

Google doesn't have hardly any of the convenience features like iMessage, Photo Streams, iCloud Video Sharing which aren't tied to a Google+ profile. Google Play Games requires a Google+ profile. GameCenter doesn't need that.

Think of Google+ as a mall. You walk into Google+ and BAM! all these tiny cool little stores are there. For Google+ these stores are called Hangouts (which includes video/IM/voice chats all in ONE package) , Google+ Photos (which has a bonus of so many cool features like turning multiple similar pics into a GIF, automatically choosing and optimizing your best photos out of like hundreds), there's the Gamestop of Google+ which you mentioned, Google Play Games (they can have stores outside of the mall but that's not very convenient for us customers, right?), there's the Public Storage of Google+ called Google Drive (every Google Drive comes with free productivit suite aside from the free storage ) Fun right?

One of the reasons I never used Spotify was because it was forcing users to create accounts through a Facebook log-in. That's encumbrance because it forces everyone you know that you want to advert the service to, to join Facebook just to create a Spotify account (I think they have changed this since, but that is how it was when they launched in the US).

One word, Pandora.

I don't use services tied to Social Networks. I don't have any issues with Google+ growing features within itself - I will never see them. I do have a bit of an issue with Google going back and interconnecting products to force me to use their social network after I've been using the service for a while - like replacing Talk with Hangouts and then sending it out as an Update to all Android devices...

First and foremost, Google+ is not a Social Networking site. It acts like one, but that's not the intention of Google. I get the impression you keep thinking Google+ is a social networking site. it's not. Throw that thought out the nearest window. Google+ is the mall remember?

Android Market requires a Google+ Profile to review apps (unprecedented). YouTube requires one to create a channel or comment. etc. etc.

I'll agree with you on this one. I don't like to create something just to review. BUT, once you're in, there's a lot of other conveniences as mentioned above!

My word choice was flawless.

Flawless ≠ Wisdom
And the fact that you thought your own words were "flawless" makes you not flawless. For you are a human. And humans, by nature, are not perfect/flawless. Food for thought.

Go get all your friends to create a Google Account and then a Public Google+ Profile on top of it just to use Google's services. They will be quick to suggest 3rd party alternatives. Which brings me back to square one. I don't wanna have to load up a ton of 3rd party services to do what other devices do for free via stock apps.

P.S. Photo Streams can be managed from a Windows PC, and viewed in any web browser when shared (you can even comment, etc.). iMessage falls back transparently to SMS and no separate app is necessary.

Google+ Photos allows to do that too. Google Hangout will be bringing SMS integration soon!

Google Chrome for Android also doesn't have a Reading List and cannot save pages for Offline reading. It has no Reading Mode. You need either an OEM Browser (Samsung does well here) or a third party browser on Stock Android devices (Firefox does well here) for those features.

Sure sure. But we're all connected 98% of the time so no biggie. And you can always get Pocket! Sure it's 3rd party but it's so awesome!

Development is lacking in many areas.

Google just recently release a ton of things specifically for developers at the keynote! So it's just a matter of time.

I didn't say Android was ****. I just said I wish they would focus more on the convenient features that improve productivity in day to day use instead of impressing gamers and enthusiasts.

First off everyone's "day to day" productivity needs are different! Some might not even want productivity! They ARE focusing on convenience. You're just forcfully ignoring their effort.

For much of that stuff, the OEMs *have* stepped up and provided solutions, but that comes with its own set of issues that platforms like BB10, WP8, and iOS do not have to deal with...

iOS isn't perfect and has its own set of issues too. Android does as well and so do everything else out there. You like iOS better? Awesome! But be more open and understanding before you get up on stage.

 

[DeadpoolJunior]

Two things.

This was NEVER considered to be a huge update. How can you be disappointed in something that never had high expectations to begin with? For weeks they've been essentially telling you what to expect. I don't know why you're disappointed. If you frequent the site or any tech blog, you'll know this was inevitable and that the SWEEPING changes will come in November. Be patient

Next thing, you talk about not wanting to use G+ or your friends not wanting too. If you have an android phone, you have a gmail. If you have a gmail, you have G+. I try to treat it as a means to an end. Treat it no different than setting up a What's App account or something. Throw a pic on your G+ and literally never use it if you want. But at least now you'll have a profile pic for hangouts, the games hub, etc. I don't post on G+ I just use it to be more integrated with Android, really.

You NEED a G+ account, sure, but you need an Apple ID for their services too and that's essentially the same thing as having a G+ account.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Fields3212]

Slightly disappointed but it seems that people just expect a complete ui overhaul. That's not needed, whose to say that the subtle changes made won't dramatically increase battery life and also increase the speed and functionality of the phone. I just wish that samsung and everyone else would get their heads out of their asses and push out updates. Its a crap deal to pay so much for a phone and to be so many updates behind. I wish I had 4.2! Why samsung why? This issue of not updating software will seriously play a major role in the next phone I buy. Its sad to say but if it isn't a nexus then you probably won't see upgrades and if you do it will be a very long time. Hopefully that is the reason why google purchased Motorola, so that they can supply people with timely updates and pressure the other manufacturers to do the same or get left in the dust.

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