Anyone else scared for iPhone's future?

[kas23]

Considering that the "Android OS" portion of the graph includes all Android-based devices, and the whole issue of Android platform fragmentation has been discussed to death on here and other places, I'm going to have to disagree with you.

There are actually a great deal less of Android devices than iPod Touches. Touches have been out many more years, they are relatively cheap, and they are not tied to a contract. They likely make up a great proportion of the graph you posted. Geez, every high school kid and their Mom has a Touch.

As for fragmentation, I don't see how this plays in the conversation. Androind 2.0, 2.1, or 56, doesn't matter, still an Android. Just like iOS 2.1, 3.0, and 4.02 (all examples of iOS fragmentation - not everyone upgrades and certain apps can only be used on certain versions/iPhones) are all iOS.

 

[aohus]

if you're an apple shareholder and god forbid Steve Jobs dies unexpectedly, I'd be s.hitting bricks.

 

[SpaceKitty]

I love my iPhone.

Can't wait to see the huge lines next summer once again. Afraid? Never.

 

[kdarling]

As for fragmentation, I don't see how this plays in the conversation. Androind 2.0, 2.1, or 56, doesn't matter, still an Android. Just like iOS 2.1, 3.0, and 4.02 (all examples of iOS fragmentation - not everyone upgrades and certain apps can only be used on certain versions/iPhones) are all iOS.

True. From a month or two ago:

Fragmentation is a universal OS "problem"... that's been around since OSes first began. Developers deal with it all over. Non-devs rarely comment meaningfully on the topic.

It's no worse a problem on Android than on iOS, especially considering the amount of time it's taking for the iPad to get updated, and because of the iPad-iPhone app divide.

 

[scaredpoet]

There are actually a great deal less of Android devices than iPod Touches. Touches have been out many more years, they are relatively cheap, and they are not tied to a contract. They likely make up a great proportion of the graph you posted.

And.... why exactly do you have a problem with that?

They are part of the same platform. The run the same apps and largely behave the same way, sans the the making/receiving calls and text messages, though even that can be fixed with an app like Skype or Line2.

The OP wants to be assuaged that his iOS device will still be supported for the long term. It's a foregone conclusion that it'll still work on AT&T for at least as long as GSM and HSPA are supported, so he's fine there. That leaves the iOS part. And so it's perfectly reasonable to include iPod Touches - which use the same platform - into the mix.

As for fragmentation, I don't see how this plays in the conversation. Androind 2.0, 2.1, or 56, doesn't matter, still an Android. Just like iOS 2.1, 3.0, and 4.02

Thank you for making my argument for me. If it's acceptable to include all Android-based devices, and all versions, then it should be perfectly acceptable to include all iOS devices - and all versions - in the same graphic.

You're painting a lopsided picture if you're arguing to limit the scope of one platform, and yet pushing to be as broad as possible for the other.

if you're an apple shareholder and god forbid Steve Jobs dies unexpectedly, I'd be s.hitting bricks.

Tim Cook's proven he can run the company just fine. If the investors panic and the share price plummets, it'll be entirely the investors' faults.

 

[itsmemuffins]

True. From a month or two ago:

Fragmentation is a universal OS "problem"... that's been around since OSes first began. Developers deal with it all over. Non-devs rarely comment meaningfully on the topic.

It's no worse a problem on Android than on iOS, especially considering the amount of time it's taking for the iPad to get updated, and because of the iPad-iPhone app divide.

I don't think you understand what fragmentation really means here.

You go out today to buy an iPhone or iPod touch and it will be running the latest os. Apple also gives you the chance to freely and readily upgrade to the latest os, if you don't that's up to you. Further more Apple will support your device for at least two years with os updates.

Apps are always developed to support the latest os and if you need to you can update your device with out having to worry about this.

With Android you can go out now and buy a device running 1.5 to anything unto 2.2 you may be able to updated it or you may not. It depends entirely on the carrier and the manufacturer. You will in most likelihood be unable to updated older devices less than two years old.

 

[Consultant]

On possible future of Android
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/...les-android-and-software-patents-all-at-once/

I don't think you understand what fragmentation really means here.

You go out today to buy an iPhone or iPod touch and it will be running the latest os. Apple also gives you the chance to freely and readily upgrade to the latest os, if you don't that's up to you. Further more Apple will support your device for at least two years with os updates.

Apps are always developed to support the latest os and if you need to you can update your device with out having to worry about this.

With Android you can go out now and buy a device running 1.5 to anything unto 2.2 you may be able to updated it or you may not. It depends entirely on the carrier and the manufacturer. You will in most likelihood be unable to updated older devices less than two years old.

Exactly.