The Android world is a big mess right now

[anon(9408097)]

Think of Android as GTK+ and Bison and ncurses plus other assorted libraries and a very tiny chunk of the software on a phone like a Galaxy S7. It's in no way an operating system when used the way Samsung (or LG or Huawei and others) use it. The only part of what we call Android that they use is what they need to run Android apps and support all apps in the Play Store.

See Chromebook R11 for an example. it runs Android, 100% the same as the S7 does — inside a different OS. Or the BlackBerry Z10, which would have access to Google Play if BlackBerry wanted to make it compliant with Google CTS.


I know, I know. Everyone will disagree. That doesn't change the fact that it's true, and it won't stop me from saying it like I've been for 7 years.

I get what you're saying. And I agree with you. Look at my original post.

Android may not be what Samsung uses as their software. Android may have been given a bad name because of Samsung and their implementation of it. But Samsung is what made Android what it is today. If it wasn't for Samsung, Android wouldn't have reached the general consumer. Samsung is what differentiated Android as the 'other choice' as opposed to an iPhone. I am not saying that it was the best of all other choices. I don't. But the power this company had gave android the presence it has today.

And this isn't even the point. My gripe with the Android world is that the company who owns it, doesn't even care about differentiating it as the other choice. It's sticking up its nose into what Apple has been doing all along. They saw what works and employed the exact same formula.

Today, when I think Android, I think choice and openness and freedom to do anything with your phone. That's because of Samsung. However, this isn't what Google wants us to think. They want us to think that android is what Apple has been about for years: the 'it just works' experience.

I don't think either company is doing a perfect job. But Samsung is doing its best to provide the better 'option'. When i see the Pixel, I see Google trying to become Apple. Not Google trying to become the best of Android.

And the sad thing is that Apple did a way better job at being apple than Google. Because it always will. The iPhone is providing much more bang for your buck right now. This has never happened before.

When I say android, I see Oneplus. That's what I think defines Android perfectly. Not pixel. Not Samsung. But again, Samsung made Android what it is, may it be for better or for worse.

 

[Gayle Lynn]

Samsung over the years turned me off with little things, nothing I could put my finger on. But enough I'd enough. From Note II to S7.

So I thought I'd give Blackberry a go when the PRIV and then later the improved DTEK. To get a feeling for other flavors.

And still kept an iPhone (5S, 6S+). I always thought iOS was boring but never broken, always up to date.

I don't know why but Huawei has my vote and next phone, and tablet. The Mate 9 is all I could ask for.

 

[Diehlirious]

Samsung over the years turned me off with little things, nothing I could put my finger on. But enough I'd enough. From Note II to S7.

So I thought I'd give Blackberry a go when the PRIV and then later the improved DTEK. To get a feeling for other flavors.

And still kept an iPhone (5S, 6S+). I always thought iOS was boring but never broken, always up to date.

I don't know why but Huawei has my vote and next phone, and tablet. The Mate 9 is all I could ask for.

I'm big on the Mate 9 too. Really curious about the P10 also & might go for it. Waiting to see once it's released @ MWC..

 

[Aquila]

Android is a mess yes! Shifted to iPhone long time ago. You can't have one complete android phone. Android lacks that capability.

Can you elaborate on that? I feel like I'm typing on a complete Android phone right now.

 

[Gayle Lynn]

iOS - lots of small usually pet peeves. Like when Apple servers won't feed or able to handle app updates the other night.

You can have... iPhone or... an iPhone Plus, or maybe an SD model.

With Android, even the Settings different from one make to another. And always something 'mussing.'

That is until now.

Huawei EMUI 5 and 5.9" Mate 9 leave nothing out, nothing wanting, for me, after wondering list in desert if Samsung, Blackberry and others (my first Note II came close).

I have 6S Plus and used it today, but Mate 9 feels right and even works better.

Otherwise, I would agree.

 

[Inders99]

Android is a mess yes! Shifted to iPhone long time ago. You can't have one complete android phone. Android lacks that capability.

Sure...but you're ok with Jony Ive's determination of what you should like in a phone? His way or the highway...I'll hit the road thank you very much.

 

[JZ VR]

Android is a mess yes! Shifted to iPhone long time ago. You can't have one complete android phone. Android lacks that capability.

The Mate 9 is a complete phone, the first phone I've owned where I can say it's perfect for me and doesn't have any major flaws or annoying pet peeves.

 

[redbirdsfan]

iOS - lots of small usually pet peeves. Like when Apple servers won't feed or able to handle app updates the other night.

You can have... iPhone or... an iPhone Plus, or maybe an SD model.

With Android, even the Settings different from one make to another. And always something 'mussing.'

That is until now.

Huawei EMUI 5 and 5.9" Mate 9 leave nothing out, nothing wanting, for me, after wondering list in desert if Samsung, Blackberry and others (my first Note II came close).

I have 6S Plus and used it today, but Mate 9 feels right and even works better.

Otherwise, I would agree.

I purchased the mate 9 this past weekend. I'm so glad I took a chance on this device. Solid, solid phone.

 

[Aquila]

Which phone are you using?

Currently typing on a pixel XL, but the Nexus 6p I use for work I'd say qualified and I'd also add the HTC 10, Note 5 and perhaps even the note 4 to the complete device list, at the least. But we may be talking about different qualities of complete. That's why I'm wondering what you mean.

 

[Diehlirious]

I'm curious how the P10 will stack up to the Mate 9? What do you guys think P10 vs Mate 9? I'm a fan of the Mate 9 from afar & I think they both are & will be great.

 

[Diehlirious]

Also for all you non Space Grey Mate 9 people that don't have the black front, how do you feel about the black bar around the display? Not really a big deal? I know I know, I'm nit picking & not trying to be a Debbie downer but I do wish that wasn't there. Sorry to bring up a negative about the phone because I know it is a great phone.

 

[Vyrlokar]

The iPhone is a more complete iPhone than any Android, that's obvious. The problem is, Samsung tried to out iPhone the iPhone and failed, instead of embracing the Android-ness. I'm an ex-samsung user, and I'll say "never more". Sure, their hardware is great on paper, but you're always nagged by the little things, like physical home buttons, horrible software, the fact that they usually do the things differently for the sake of being different (rooting my OG note required me to learn about the "download mode" and other software and hardware quirks).

Some asian android manufacturers (Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung,...,) try to out iPhone the iPhone and that makes me gag. Not only it's fruitless (they won't beat Apple at making iPhones) but also they put aside what makes Android interesting to me. I do not want a copy-cat iPhone experience. If I wanted an iPhone, I would get an iPhone. I personally find that pure-ish android versions (like the ones used by OnePlus and Moto) suit be best. I also enjoy having more options than 2-3 as you have with Apple.

 

[Aquila]

I strongly disagree that the iPhone is a more complete phone, but I would agree it is a more complete iPhone. But that's like saying a hat is a better hat than a banana.

 

[PAC757]

I strongly disagree that the iPhone is a more complete phone, but I would agree it is a more complete iPhone. But that's like saying a hat is a better hat than a banana.

that's a pretty good statement LOL

 

[recDNA]

I don't like any manufacturer who disables hdmi connection. No reason to do that. WIFI isn't always available.

 

[Coraya]

Galaxy Note 4 was the most complete device I've ever had. iPhone, Blackberry, Android. I tried all the Os's except windows phone which was crappy as soon as I picked it up on store.

I have a G5 now but I miss my Note 4. It was perfect for me. I wonder when will be the next time they have such a device. Minus some of the slow downs.

 

[Coraya]

This is exactly what I meant. Note 4 and Note 5 are not qualified for complete android phones. I have used them and changed them within two months. However, I'd say that HTC m8 was for me the complete phone. Nothing in today's market is( I can say) complete for me.

Yeah it's all relative. The note 4 was perfect for me because I used the S-pen and its features alot. It was reliable in the first 6-8 months of having it.

If I could have a galaxy note in a slightly smaller form factor with cameras like on the G5 (regular And wide view) I'd be all over it.

There aren't any devices km crazy excited about right now. There aren't any crazy leaks or interesting things going on with Android right now. I don't blame the developers, manufacturers, coders, none of them. As a matter of fact, look at where we are now vs just 3 years ago. Phones advance very quickly. How much more could we possibly do with a smartphone. This is the only reason it's getting stale. There aren't any features were dying for. 10 years ago it was a big deal to have a "camera phone" 5 years ago it was super neat to have a virtual assistant, now it's water resistance and wireless charging.

Anyway, I went way off track. Can't wait to see the BlackBerry Mercury in action and hopefully an HTC 10 successor. With dual cameras of course. G5 spoiled me.

 

[kramer5150]

I wouldn't call it a "big mess"... Quite the opposite actually in terms of hardware. Manufacturers are all copy-ing each other and no one is doing anything unique anymore to stand out of the crowd.
>Removable batteries = gone
>Service-ability = gone (with water resistance taking over)
>FM tuner = gone
>IR blaster remote = gone
>Dual SIM = never seemed to catch on
>Wireless charging = slowly going away
>Removable, customizable case-backs = gone
>Headphone jack = hopefully won't totally die out
>Front facing / stereo speakers = hopefully won't totally die out
>SD expansion slot = Hopefully wont go away any time soon

As far as hardware features, Apple is the worst offender of them all. I don't see how anyone could consider an iPhone anything remotely "complete". I could easily rattle off a dozen missing design elements (hardware and software) from even the highest $$$ flagship iPhone.

 

[Dimas de Leon]

You obviously haven't tried the Huawei Mate 9.

 

[kramer5150]

thats ONE... sort of doing things different.