General Android questions

[SirThale]

Hi all. I'm debating what phone system to switch to, and have a few questions about Android in general. I currently have a BlackBerry, but want to switch and am debating between an Android or a WebOS phone. So on to the questions:

Do apps tend to be released for newer Android versions only, so you can't get the latest apps after 6-12 months with a device? (barring an OS update being made available, of course)

How well do over-the-air updates work, if at all? And do they work on all phones, or does it vary by phone?

I love being able to multitask on my BB, and I know the WebOS phones multitask really well. How does Android do at multitasking? I haven't been able to find much info about it. I frequently am doing several things at once (stream music, checking Twitter, responding to e-mails, checking news feeds, etc.) and don't want to have to stop other apps just to switch to another task I'm working on at the same time.

Thanks for your help, and your feedback!

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

Hi all. I'm debating what phone system to switch to, and have a few questions about Android in general. I currently have a BlackBerry, but want to switch and am debating between an Android or a WebOS phone. So on to the questions:

Do apps tend to be released for newer Android versions only, so you can't get the latest apps after 6-12 months with a device? (barring an OS update being made available, of course)

Depends on the developer and the app.

How well do over-the-air updates work, if at all? And do they work on all phones, or does it vary by phone?

They are just great, and they work fine. When the update is made available depends on the phone manufacturer as well as the carrier.

I love being able to multitask on my BB, and I know the WebOS phones multitask really well. How does Android do at multitasking? I haven't been able to find much info about it. I frequently am doing several things at once (stream music, checking Twitter, responding to e-mails, checking news feeds, etc.) and don't want to have to stop other apps just to switch to another task I'm working on at the same time.

I can only speak for the two android phones I have had (mytouch, nexus one), but the multitasking ability is one of the beautiful things of android.

Thanks for your help, and your feedback!

Good luck with your decision.

 

[prometheus]

Hi all. I'm debating what phone system to switch to, and have a few questions about Android in general. I currently have a BlackBerry, but want to switch and am debating between an Android or a WebOS phone. So on to the questions:

Do apps tend to be released for newer Android versions only, so you can't get the latest apps after 6-12 months with a device? (barring an OS update being made available, of course)

I've rarely seen an app that was exclusive to a brand new OS. There is always the ability to root (an entirely different discussion - research that seperately) and you can use apps designed for newer OS with an older hacked OS.

How well do over-the-air updates work, if at all? And do they work on all phones, or does it vary by phone?

Do you mean carrier pushed OS updates? I don't know, I've never received one (hasn't been an OS update since I got the device in December). There are OTA updates for apps. Which is different then BB where'd you get an email that an app was updated and then you'd have to download and do a reset. I have over 50 apps and every week something gets an update. All you do is open up the app called "market" (the android app store) and see all apps that are updated and press a button and ... viola.. updated, no battery pulls or reboots. - you'll love it.

I love being able to multitask on my BB, and I know the WebOS phones multitask really well. How does Android do at multitasking? I haven't been able to find much info about it. I frequently am doing several things at once (stream music, checking Twitter, responding to e-mails, checking news feeds, etc.) and don't want to have to stop other apps just to switch to another task I'm working on at the same time.

That's the android OS strong suit, You're fears are based on iphone's reputation of multi-tasking issues. The Droid (verizon) is a dual processor - by definition a true multi-tasker.

Thanks for your help, and your feedback!

Make the jump, you'll love it. Come on in... the water's fine.

 

[SirThale]

Thanks, that's good to know - especially on the multi-tasking side. And one button to apply all app updates would be VERY nice!

I've also read in some forum posts about issues with a lot of background things running unnecessarily (with the common suggestion to download a task manager so you can kill them). How big a deal is that, and is killing the excess apps something that must be done after every reboot, or is that something that can be adjusted to stop it from recurring?

Also, how are apps shut down when you're finished with them?

My wife is also wanting a smartphone, but she's not a very technologically-oriented person, so I want to make sure that apps management will be simple enough for her to manage without feeling frustrated.

Thanks again!

 

[prometheus]

Thanks, that's good to know - especially on the multi-tasking side. And one button to apply all app updates would be VERY nice!

perhaps I misled you. It is not one button for ALL apps. It's actually one button PER app. However, the entire process takes literally seconds. I got like 5 app updates and has them all updated and installed in under a minute flat. Try that with blackberry.

I've also read in some forum posts about issues with a lot of background things running unnecessarily (with the common suggestion to download a task manager so you can kill them). How big a deal is that, and is killing the excess apps something that must be done after every reboot, or is that something that can be adjusted to stop it from recurring?

There was a bunch of debate regarding using a task killer. The opinions are strong on both side. I personally don't use one as I don't see the need and I do the harm. Search the forums to read the saga.

Apps running in the background is NOT an issue. Coming from BB, I understand this is a HUGE issue. There was only so much RAM to go around and old messages got deleted, hourglassed screens, laggy response -- I've been there. Keep in mind, Droid is a dual processor and has 256 available. I NEVER look at what's running or check available memory.

With BB I had quikpull do a pull every night in the middle of the night. I had an alarm go off at 2:00 every day to remind me to check available memory. I did hacks to remove languages and fonts, I ran Pete's Crackmem program and was constantly checking available memory. So, I don't take the issue lightly. It's just that after using the Droid for 2 months, I don't care any more. I checked every few hours when I first got the device. I slowly stopped after a few weeks - because it is NOT AN ISSUE. I don't kill any apps, the system polls the running apps and closes them as needed. I don't check available memory - the system frees memory as needed. I don't reboot or power cycle. I'll go 2 weeks without ever powering off or rebooting, the only time I need to is when I do customization stuff, like flashing a rom or installing a theme.

Also, how are apps shut down when you're finished with them?

Don't know, Don't care. It happens in background, less for me to worry about.

My wife is also wanting a smartphone, but she's not a very technologically-oriented person, so I want to make sure that apps management will be simple enough for her to manage without feeling frustrated.

This is the most user friendly device I've ever had. A child could use this, very intuitive menus and screens.

Thanks again!

You're very welcome.

 

[takeshi]

I've also read in some forum posts about issues with a lot of background things running unnecessarily (with the common suggestion to download a task manager so you can kill them). How big a deal is that, and is killing the excess apps something that must be done after every reboot, or is that something that can be adjusted to stop it from recurring?

Also, how are apps shut down when you're finished with them?

First of all, don't assume that Android works like the BB. Background apps generally aren't an issue. A task killer can be handy but it's not by any means necessary. Apps only need to be killed if they're actually causing problems -- in which case you need to address the problem app. The task killer really only addresses the symptoms. It's OCD and over/mis-use of tasks killers that can, and frequently do, cause problems for Android newbies. Don't "fix" it if it ain't broken. Android will manage things properly assuming that you don't have apps that are misbehaving.

I don't even have one loaded on my Droid.

 

[SirThale]

Thanks for the responses everyone! That does help clear things up for me.

Takeshi, I will say that I posted this specifically because I assumed that Android would not work the same as a BB, hence my need for information.