Thinking on leaving Android

[A895]

Yes, OP can get the latest and greatest OS with custom ROMs, but bypassing Google Play Services is not necessary. Users have somewhat control on what data is shared with Google and there is no obligation to use Google's online services (Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, etc) on Android OS. Every single mobile OS collects user related data, including Windows Phone and BlackBerry.

That wasn't my point at all. I am saying Google Services is now Androids sync system for a lot of apps, and it hampers the experience when Google Services is a resource hog and if I wanted to not use Google Play, some of my favorite apps won't work correctly without it. I understand it helps with apps being consistent, but it isn't resource friendly for devices with less than 2GB of RAM.

 

[Crashdamage]

Did you read my post #14? And what makes you think you'll get better support from Blackberry or WinPhone?

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

 

[A895]

You are picking and choosing examples, so let me do the same. I bought a htc titan 2 which was $200 on contract when released in April 2012, same price as the s3 which was released approximately the same time. It didn't even get wp8,which was released in October 2012. So it didn't even get a major update just 6 months later. How do you think I and other htc titan 2 owners felt?

I understand about your razr but it wasn't a high end phone to begin with, and it still got update much better than my high end titan 2

Sent from my Pearly White Verizon Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

The titan 2 is a shoddy example, it is older than my M (the Razr M came out around WP8 did) and WP8 was a kernel change and an update to WP8 for the Titan wouldn't work. And it is sad I have to get a high end phone for anything close to decent support. That is my point. I knew people would dismiss my points and play strawman and pick and choose what I say.

 

[A895]

I don't understand why you're blaming Google for lack of long-term support of non-Google devices.

The Nexus 7 2012 has already gotten the update to the latest 5.1.1. The Nexus 4 will get 5.1.1 soon, the factory images have been released. It's possible these devices may get even further updates, especially the Nexus 4. That's *at least 3 years of support* from Google, twice the 18 months they promised.

You won't get 3 years of support from Blackberry, even if they're still around in 3 years. You likely won't from WinPhone either.

As for the value of SD card support, here's my feelings about that:
The Real Reason Why Micro SD Card Slots Are Disappearing from Smartphones - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

The Blackberry Z10 is fro January-Febrauary 2013, and has the latest OS, the Lumia 920 from 2012 has the latest OS. I don't know what you are talking about. Microsoft and Blackberry definitely do long term update support as they control the OS and hardware requirements. Android on the other hand is a mess. It is inconsistent. The S3 made it to Kitkat but the One X from the same time period got left on Jellybean.

 

[A895]

Correct. And Android is the only OS the OP can achieve almost all he wants.
Good luck modifying and / or optimizing Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10 devices.

Why should I have to modify a phone I spend hundreds on to get decent support. That is my point, a point everyone in this thread is ignoring. And FYI, both Blackberry and WP are pretty optimized, way more consistent than Android. The Nexus 6 was known to be slow when it first launched the Flex 2 was the same yet they have high end specs. Inconsistent.

 

[A895]

Did you read my post #14? And what makes you think you'll get better support from Blackberry or WinPhone?

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

Read my follow up and you are not reading my entire posts.

 

[vbdwork]

Google Services is a resource hog...

Who cares?
We use multi-core CPU devices with lots or RAM and big batteries. Low specs hardware devices won't get Lollipop anyway. JB and KK work well on low specs devices, no issues.

Go with BlackBerry 10 OS and see for yourself what is a resource hog. The OS only takes 1GB RAM and their PIM services often eat 30%-50% of your battery with no warning. One day the phone lasts 24h, on the next day it dies in 6h. Nice.

 

[Aquila]

Moto X 2014 was a phablet IMO. That was no way in the right size range as the Moto X 2013, which I actually owned for a while. And you are excusing the shoddy updating system Android has. OEMs get say, carriers get say, way too many middlemen for me to have some kind of decent support for a device I spend hundreds on. With smartphones, we not only have to be happy for what they do now, we also should expect support during the life cycle of the device. And I see this attitude more and more among the Android community, here and on /r/Android on Reddit. People are excusing the shoddy and inconsistent support Android can have while still buying a new phone every year or every few months. While there are a good number who don't care about updates, for those that do and want to use a phone for a while, Android is not the place to be. Even with Nexus, 18 months is a small window.

I don't think "Android" has a shoddy updating system. Keep in mind, Android comes from Google and it is just code. They update the Nexus line and OEM's/Carriers update the non Nexus devices (although, Nexus does have a little more carrier involvement now, which I don't like). Do the OEM's and carriers screw this up a bit? Yep. But my X's and Nexus have both been among the first devices to get new API level updates and that's part of how I choose them. If you like earliest, constant updates, that's a Nexus. If you buy a TouchWiz or Sense device, you're at the mercy of Sammy or HTC. So I'm not excusing anything, I'm saying people know exactly what they're buying and are rewarded for their choice accordingly. There is a giant disconnect between Google releasing new firmware versions (which happens constantly throughout the year) and updates hitting phones - and Google does not have the ability nor the right to compel OEM's and carriers to update devices they sell. They can (and have been) make it easier for them to do so, but the choice is not in their hands - and it shouldn't be; that would ruin a huge part of what makes Android the best OS.

 

[vbdwork]

I am in college, besides Office, Onenote, keeping track of my Xbox stuff. I use my phone for web browsing, and navigation from time to time. I am a low demand user.

Then any device is OK for you. Just chose the one you like most.

 

[Aquila]

I absolutely agree that you should buy flagships if you expect the flagship level of quality and support.

Nexus 6 Assassin Edition. Android Central Moderator.

 

[vbdwork]

The Blackberry Z10 is fro January-Febrauary 2013, and has the latest OS...

Bad example. BlackBerry currently holds about 0.4% of mobile market (including BBOS devices with discontinied support) and have no choice but to support the few BB10 devices they have. Otherwise their puny hardware business will die tomorrow. With the updates it will still die, but a bit later.

 

[hallux]

The issue isn't Google. It is the fact that for someone like me, Android is become less appealing. I can see some glaring issues in Androids current state that make me question using Android as a smartphone platform going forward.

You're right, the problem isn't Google. The problem is the OEMs, the problem is you. If the phone is working perfectly fine why on earth do you need an update? My first-gen Moto X is still on KK. While I'd like an update to L, the phone is working perfectly so I'm in no rush even though I'd love to get the updated features of the Moto apps (display, assist, etc). The OEMs, carriers and the chipset manufacturer all control what updates come to a device. If the chipset manufacturer won't provide the drivers needed to run their hardware on the new OS, no new OS for devices running that chipset.

What is "less appealing" about Android? Lack of updates?

By the way, I read a post in another section of this site where the person got LP and it screwed up their device and they were looking to go back to KitKat. Either we get updates quick but buggy (and people complain their device is screwed up because of it) or they come when they come on supported device and they are less buggy (but people complain it takes too long to get the update). I'd MUCH rather they take their time and get it right.

Does this call for a new system driver model for Android to support legacy drivers?

Yeah, because that's worked so well for Windows :/ By the way, eventually even in Windows there is a point in time where a device will not get drivers for a new version. While it may be longer, it DOES still happen.

 

[SmilerOnline]

Well its clear that nothing is gonna make the OP wanna stick with Android.

Android does need to see some improvements to the way MAJOR updates work and ideally those updates can get pushed straight out by OEM's (or even Google across all devices not just the Nexus line up), and ideally carriers just have a web link added to the firmware to automatically download carrier software/updates separately and stop the long waiting times that many suffer as a result.

<EDIT>
@hallux:
Pretty much everything in/connected to my desktop PC running Windows 10 Insider preview is running fine, I have not found anything that has any issues.
</EDIT>

 

[TacoKingYo]

How else would the companies get money though, besides tossing you a bone, so to speak? When an OEM, Google, etc. stop supporting updates for an old phone, you want to get a new phone right? This is where they sweep in: "Hey, look! New stuff in here that's 'better' than what you have! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!" So you get rid of that phone that you can't update anymore and get a new phone. Unfortunately, it sucks for those trying to save money, but this is just one rule of technology and businesses-you have to force a demand in order to stay in business.

 

[A895]

Who cares?
We use multi-core CPU devices with lots or RAM and big batteries. Low specs hardware devices won't get Lollipop anyway. JB and KK work well on low specs devices, no issues.

That is the issues I am talking about, the majority of Android devices being bought will see 1-2 updates max in their lifetime. And anything else is being covered by more specs and bigger batteries. While I can appreciate specs, it does nothing but hide Android is becoming bloated, and needs high end specs to even have a decent experience. That even perpetuates the myth many here including myself have always fought against.

Go with BlackBerry 10 OS and see for yourself what is a resource hog. The OS only takes 1GB RAM and their PIM services often eat 30%-50% of your battery with no warning. One day the phone lasts 24h, on the next day it dies in 6h. Nice.

But the difference with Blackberry 10 is they can still have a decent performance experience. Used a Z30 before, and it is plenty fast. Too big for my taste though.

 

[A895]

Do the OEM's and carriers screw this up a bit? Yep. But my X's and Nexus have both been among the first devices to get new API level updates and that's part of how I choose them. If you like earliest, constant updates, that's a Nexus.

That is the problem I am specifically talking about. There is only one line of phones that get decent support. and they aren't for everyone. The Nexus 6 is a mini tablet. Hell the Kindle Fire HD 6 is a tablet and it has the same size screen.

If you buy a TouchWiz or Sense device, you're at the mercy of Sammy or HTC. So I'm not excusing anything,

You just did when you said you have to go Nexus to get updates. Google is responsible for everything else on Android, but when it comes to updates, everyone is always like "that isn't Googles fault". Can Google not lean on carriers and OEMs to provide support for the damn phones they sell?

that would ruin a huge part of what makes Android the best OS.

No what has made Android so big is its wide range of choice in devices at different price points. That is what the majority of what makes Android great, a large swath in choice of hardware. Now, a good number of consumers realize Android does some things better than iOS or any other OS. But what has made Android a household name is its diversity. Hell, it is even Androids slogan "Be together, not the same".

 

[vbdwork]

That is the issues I am talking about, the majority of Android devices being bought will see 1-2 updates max in their lifetime.

Most devices will have no more than 2 updates in their lifetime. Manufacturers want you to buy a new device. It's a business game.

But the difference with Blackberry 10 is they can still have a decent performance experience.

The best they can get from 2012 hardware based devices with extremely unpopular OS, compatibility issues and dead ecosystem.

 

[A895]

Then any device is OK for you. Just chose the one you like most.

No, you misunderstand. Apps wise, I am low demand. But as far as ecosystem, performance, hardware (including size), battery life. That all plays into my decision to any many devices that are out don't fit my criteria. None I like really, and the point of my post. Android nor iOS suit my needs.

 

[A895]

I absolutely agree that you should buy flagships if you expect the flagship level of quality and support.

Nexus 6 Assassin Edition. Android Central Moderator.

Again, the heart of the issue. Microsoft isn't dropping their low end/midrange phones support nor is iOS forgetting about the iPhone 4S.

 

[vbdwork]

Again, the heart of the issue. Microsoft isn't dropping their low end/midrange phones support nor is iOS forgetting about the iPhone 4S.

Not every Microsoft phone is getting the latest Windows Phone OS.

Yes, Apple killed iPhone 4S performance with iOS7 update with no way back. Good example.