Google playing catch-up to hardware

[strat1227]

Why buy an HTC phone then?

Because the hardware is kickass and I'll root it and put CM7 on asap, therefore getting the best of both worlds

 

[Ngmasterj]

Not to sound like an A$$ but obviously you have never developed software before. Fisrt and foremost you can not develop software that is to take advantage of a piece of hardware that is not on the market unless you are developing that hardware yourself.

Google does not develop hardware period... and Android OS being an open source project for the most part it would fall on the developers to build and support a Kernel that took full advantage of their unique hardware, or possibly the user community but you can not test and dev on something that you have never touched let alone seen a schematic layout for.

That is like expecting microsoft to Dev an OS that will take advantage of the Core i12 Processors without them ever actually knowing about it.

So apple has the advantage they build all in house and design OS' for hardware they select.

Wow, I'm not saying that dual-core phones should ship fully functional when it's brand new technology entering the market. You're right that I'm no software programmer, but that doesn't mean that I'm not aware that it takes time for software to catch up to hardware. What I'm saying is that Google has been quite short-sighted when it comes to hardware when you consider that it's been 7 months now since the first dual core phone has come out still with no support and the Nexus S lacking so much hardware-wise in what is supposed to be the ideal, cream-of-the-crop android phone.

My main concern isn't that we play catch up at all, my main concern is that hardware is improving WAY too fast, and will it ever get to the point where we lag so far behind in software development, that new devices will take months if not YEARS before we can even see its potential utilized? THAT'S what I'm worried about. If rumors are true and a quad-core phone is coming this winter that doesn't ship with ice cream sandwich, I would probably reconsider buying the phone if we haven't even gotten dual-core support.

Every hardware component is different and you're right that there is almost no way for Google to anticipate certain technologies arising, but it also hasn't been a huge secret that these chips and hardware components are being developed. I think instead of shooting down my concerns, maybe provide solutions to these frustrations.

One idea is that Google starts working with OEMs and component manufacturers closer than ever before. Google has been known to be quite distant when it comes to things like this, take for example their silence when OEMs get sued in court, or when Google allows OEMs to fragment the crap out of their OS by releasing outdated phones. This one solution not only helps us consumers with having fully capable devices on bleeding edge technology, but it will also help with lawsuits, fragmentation, and better company-to-company relationships that will benefit Android overall.

 

[crzycrkr]

Because the hardware is kickass and I'll root it and put CM7 on asap, therefore getting the best of both worlds

HTC builds some kick ass hardware for some other companies, buy I'm not a fan of their plastic bricks they release on Sprint. Build quality is lacking, to put it nicely.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[crzycrkr]

What I'm saying is that Google has been quite short-sighted when it comes to hardware when you consider that it's been 7 months now since the first dual core phone has come out still with no support and the Nexus S lacking so much hardware-wise in what is supposed to be the ideal, cream-of-the-crop android phone.

I like how everyone bags on the Nexus S hardware. The Hummingbird is an absolute beast. Is it aging? Of course. So is the dual core snapdragon in the 3d. That's the nature of tech. It is in no way lacking. As of right now, side by side, out of the box, the Nexus is just as fast, and faster in many cases, than the 3d. I've used both, this is a fact. Will that change with updates? Of course. Does the 3d have more potential? Of course. But by the time that happens there will be a new phone with a new chip that trounces the 3d.


Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Nebilim]

I like how everyone bags on the Nexus S hardware. The Hummingbird is an absolute beast. Is it aging? Of course. So is the dual core snapdragon in the 3d. That's the nature of tech. It is in no way lacking. As of right now, side by side, out of the box, the Nexus is just as fast, and faster in many cases, than the 3d. I've used both, this is a fact. Will that change with updates? Of course. Does the 3d have more potential? Of course. But by the time that happens there will be a new phone with a new chip that trounces the 3d.


Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Precisely what I was going to say. The 3D will be the "best" phone for long while until something better comes along. and just my2c, Samsung quality has really pummelled so a "so-called" better processor is nothing to be boasting about especially when it's only 1GHz-last year technology

 

[crzycrkr]

Precisely what I was going to say. The 3D will be the "best" phone for long while until something better comes along. and just my2c, Samsung quality has really pummelled so a "so-called" better processor is nothing to be boasting about especially when it's only 1GHz-last year technology

I agree with you to a point. It maybe last years tech, but it still runs this years os pretty damn fast. One of my problems is I don't really like HTC's quality with their plastic phones.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Ngmasterj]

I like how everyone bags on the Nexus S hardware. The Hummingbird is an absolute beast. Is it aging? Of course. So is the dual core snapdragon in the 3d. That's the nature of tech. It is in no way lacking. As of right now, side by side, out of the box, the Nexus is just as fast, and faster in many cases, than the 3d. I've used both, this is a fact. Will that change with updates? Of course. Does the 3d have more potential? Of course. But by the time that happens there will be a new phone with a new chip that trounces the 3d.


Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Well, processor aside, there was a huge outcry about the missing features in this phone when it first came out. Questionable omissions to basic features like an led notification light, sd card support, no 4g (unless you got the Sprint version that came out months later), and many others that I've listed in previous posts. I'm not saying the Nexus S is a bad phone, but they certainly did not give this device as much thought as it deserved.

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

Well, processor aside, there was a huge outcry about the missing features in this phone when it first came out. Questionable omissions to basic features like an led notification light, sd card support, no 4g (unless you got the Sprint version that came out months later), and many others that I've listed in previous posts. I'm not saying the Nexus S is a bad phone, but they certainly did not give this device as much thought as it deserved.

Those criticisms may be misguided. Forget hardware specs, this phone is super fast and smooth in everyday tasks. I would say it is one of the fastest if not the fastest performing device on the market. The camera is probably second best to only the iPhone 4. Has NFC which other phones lack and has decent battery life. I believe a lot of thought went into this phone. Just from reading the various forums, outside of the issues with radios (which are due to be fixed soon) many believe this phone to be close to perfect.

 

[.46caliber]

Well, I hate to be the Devil's Advocate in this one, but take a look at Apple's Ipad for example.

Apples to oranges. Pun intended.

Apple creates the hardware and the software. That allows them to make sure both are up to snuff before release.

Manufacturers pushed to get tablets out before Android was ready. Don't blame Google for the manufacturer's haste and indiscretions. Don't blame Google for Motorola building and releasing the Atrix on Froyo. The carriers and manufacturers are the ones that rush products to make money.

 

[crzycrkr]

Well, processor aside, there was a huge outcry about the missing features in this phone when it first came out. Questionable omissions to basic features like an led notification light, sd card support, no 4g (unless you got the Sprint version that came out months later), and many others that I've listed in previous posts. I'm not saying the Nexus S is a bad phone, but they certainly did not give this device as much thought as it deserved.

I am referring to the 4g. No sd card was a mistake, but it really doesnt bother me. I have an ipod for my music, so 16gb is more than enough for me. The led notification should have just been built into the button backlights like people are doing after rooting. I think it's much cooler looking to have the buttons flash than a single led.

 

[Ngmasterj]

Apples to oranges. Pun intended.

Apple creates the hardware and the software. That allows them to make sure both are up to snuff before release.

Manufacturers pushed to get tablets out before Android was ready. Don't blame Google for the manufacturer's haste and indiscretions. Don't blame Google for Motorola building and releasing the Atrix on Froyo. The carriers and manufacturers are the ones that rush products to make money.

If you read my post a little further back in this thread, I stated that Google worked closely with Motorola to make a fully-functional tablet with software support that utilized the hardware. I'm not an idiot, I know the difference between the way Apple and Google makes phones. What I'm saying is that Google needs to start working with manufacturers and chip makers to better Android as a whole. I stated also in a couple of posts back that Google working closely with manufacturers like they did with the Xoom should be something done more frequently with other manufacturers and chip makers. And no, I'm not blaming Google for Motorola building the Atrix 4g on top of Froyo, I'm saying that after 7 months of the phone's release, there has yet to be any support for it's hardware from Google PERIOD.

Some of you are seriously missing the points I'm making here, are you seriously that content with waiting months to years for your hardware to become fully functional? Are you buying technology just to increase your epeen or do you actually want to use it? I'm not trying to sound impatient or that I'm bashing Google, I'm bringing up a legitimate concern with the way hardware is far outpacing software, and I am also providing possible solutions. Do you have any? Then tell me, otherwise if some of you want to continue throwing obvious crap at me about how Apple and Google are different, or that software needs to catch up to hardware blah blah blah, then don't bother posting because I already know all that. There is a clear distinction between the mobile platform and desktop/laptop in technological advancement, and you can't apply the same rules to mobile as you normally could with say a desktop. The way Apple is handling their hardware/software innovations is absolutely replicable by Google, the Xoom is proof of that. Or maybe there's a better solution? I don't know, why don't some of you stop telling me how wrong I am and give me a better idea.

 

[Ngmasterj]

I am referring to the 4g. No sd card was a mistake, but it really doesnt bother me. I have an ipod for my music, so 16gb is more than enough for me. The led notification should have just been built into the button backlights like people are doing after rooting. I think it's much cooler looking to have the buttons flash than a single led.

That's fine, but your words exactly was that the phone was "in no way lacking". But it was, and in many glaring ways. No matter how well the phone performs, there are still issues that cannot be dismissed so easily by say, having a secondary device like an ipod to fill in the gaps. I'm just saying that the phone was overlooked in many ways, ways that would make you question if they really knew what they were doing.

 

[Ngmasterj]

Precisely what I was going to say. The 3D will be the "best" phone for long while until something better comes along. and just my2c, Samsung quality has really pummelled so a "so-called" better processor is nothing to be boasting about especially when it's only 1GHz-last year technology

And that new processor would be rendered semi-useless without software support. This is my point guys, I know hardware will continue to get better and better, and that's what I'm afraid of. How in the world will Google keep up? There are quad-core phones releasing this winter and we still only have single-core support. This is my concern, I'm not bashing Google, manufacturers, etc. I'm saying that lack of software support will eventually either slow hardware innovation or halt it altogether until Android can put it's pants on.

 

[crzycrkr]

That's fine, but your words exactly was that the phone was "in no way lacking". But it was, and in many glaring ways. No matter how well the phone performs, there are still issues that cannot be dismissed so easily by say, having a secondary device like an ipod to fill in the gaps. I'm just saying that the phone was overlooked in many ways, ways that would make you question if they really knew what they were doing.

First off, let me say I agree with what you're saying about google working more closely with manufacturers.

I said the hummingbird was in no way lacking. Don't take the quote out of context. You say yourself that the software is not really taking advantage of dual cores yet. That's my point. Yes, the Nexus has some flaws. All phones do. Personally, I don't find any flaws glaring, they are more like minor issues to me. I have 120gb of music. Personally, I'd rather have a secondary device for music anyway. Or cloud storage. I think they should have squeezed an sd port in, but when the original Nexus came out, 32gb sd were just hitting the street. I think the flaws in the 4g are more due to the fact that sprint got it 6 months after it was actually released.

All phones have flaws. I have yet to see the perfect phone. I just bought my Nexus because I personally found the flaws in the 3d to bother me more than the Nexus flaws. Its all personal preference.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Ngmasterj]

First off, let me say I agree with what you're saying about google working more closely with manufacturers.

I said the hummingbird was in no way lacking. Don't take the quote out of context. You say yourself that the software is not really taking advantage of dual cores yet. That's my point. Yes, the Nexus has some flaws. All phones do. Personally, I don't find any flaws glaring, they are more like minor issues to me. I have 120gb of music. Personally, I'd rather have a secondary device for music anyway. Or cloud storage. I think they should have squeezed an sd port in, but when the original Nexus came out, 32gb sd were just hitting the street. I think the flaws in the 4g are more due to the fact that sprint got it 6 months after it was actually released.

All phones have flaws. I have yet to see the perfect phone. I just bought my Nexus because I personally found the flaws in the 3d to bother me more than the Nexus flaws. Its all personal preference.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Whoops my fault, I did take it out of context. Guess I read it too fast.

 

[crzycrkr]

Whoops my fault, I did take it out of context. Guess I read it too fast.

No worries. I do agree with you for the most part. I don't think google can completely keep up with the hardware, but if they were to close the gap a bit, it would be nice. Another reason I didn't go for the 3d. I'm sure once ICS comes out the 3d will benefit greatly, but by the time that happens, what else will be out?

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[bdmridgback]

I think this is just more proof that the phones are coming out way to fast.

New phones are out every 6 months to a year and there are always issues with them.

If they came out with new hardware every two years, and upgraded software in between,
the phones would be much better and it would give developers more time
to get the crap running smooth before it comes out.

Look at Apple, they don't make hardly any changes from year to year, but it runs smooth. (I hate Apple)

 

[crzycrkr]

I think this is just more proof that the phones are coming out way to fast.

New phones are out every 6 months to a year and there are always issues with them.

If they came out with new hardware every two years, and upgraded software in between,
the phones would be much better and it would give developers more time
to get the crap running smooth before it comes out.

Look at Apple, they don't make hardly any changes from year to year, but it runs smooth. (I hate Apple)

But that will never happen. The name of the game is profit. Manufacturers are not going to just sit around on their hands making no money for a year and a half. You come out with the biggest and the best and it sells. The reason it works for apple is that their fans are fanatical. Its also the only device with that system on it. There is really no comparison there

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[playersnoopy]

Not to mention, Apple makes both the hardware and software (OS) for their product.

~Drew

since when does Apple make hardware... lol

 

[playersnoopy]

Look at Apple, they don't make hardly any changes from year to year, but it runs smooth. (I hate Apple)

not completely accurate in both iphone OS updates and Mac OSX.

Only difference is when something goes wrong when a Apple user complains, their posts get deleted and you never hear from them again j/k