Google and TweetDeck Executives Respond to Jobs' Anti-Android Comments

[ThisIsNotMe]

Um.....
Its not like TweetDeck is a hardware dependent application.

Something like TweetDeck could run on a watch calculator from 1980.

Now, when you get to GAMES and other REAL applications designed for Android, fragmentation can be a very big problem.

Just look at Windows. Sure Calculator.exe works on every platform but try and pop in a game like Crisis (or whatever is the top end game these days) and you run into a problem.

 

[BC2009]

Here it comes; a million posts from the Apple faithful hereby refusing to use TweetDeck then the posts about how crappy the app is anyways and should stay on Android will start trickling in.

I think the first such poster already beat you to this.... Hilarious -- just like the movement to boycott Costco last week.

 

[NebulaClash]

My "casual" friends who have android don't even know what i would be referring to if i said android is fragmented. People not following tech news don't care about any perceived fragmentation of android.

Oh, they suffer from fragmentation even if they don't know it. Some people use tech in a way that pains you to watch it, but they don't know any better. Doesn't mean they aren't suffering.

 

[nefan65]

Based on sales numbers "non-geeks" are getting "tired" of the iPhone and switching over to Android in droves. Have you seen the numbers? I know I am about to join them. Kind of tired of having an iPhone for three years and having my calls (with the iPhone 4) sounding like they are originating from a tin can. Can't wait!

Sounds like a defective phone, or you're in a poor reception area. Never experienced either with mine.

Problem is most people buy an iPhone, or even a Android based phone, without doing their homework. They buy it because they see "Oh Shiny, and new!". Then when it doesn't work in their area, the first response is "This is a POS; <<INSERT DEVICE NAME or CARRIER HERE>>> Sucks!!!"

Don't blame a device, or service because of poor planning or not doing research.

 

[dwd3885]

Oh, they suffer from fragmentation even if they don't know it. Some people use tech in a way that pains you to watch it, but they don't know any better. Doesn't mean they aren't suffering.

there isn't a fragmentation issue.

 

[NebulaClash]

Based on sales numbers "non-geeks" are getting "tired" of the iPhone and switching over to Android in droves. Have you seen the numbers?

Hehe, OK, if you want to pretend that's the trend to reinforce your personal decision, go right ahead. Watch what happens when the iPhone is on Verizon too.

 

[macsmurf]

I was referring to the scenes where everyone is scanned when entering the store and system serves them personalized ads. Evil it is.

I think the choice is whether you'd like to get the ads from Apple or Google. Your info is used for the same purposes on the Apple platform.

 

[NebulaClash]

there isn't a fragmentation issue.

Of course there is. Tell that to someone stuck on an older version of the OS because their cell provider won't upgrade them to the current version that lets them use the new apps.

 

[GroundLoop]

Same way PC developers have been doing it for years.

Exactly. They are forced to develop for the least common denominator. This leaves exciting potential features unimplemented so that the software can work on the broadest set of hardware.

Innovation goes out the window.



GL

 

[darkplanets]

Steve just succeeded, and you guys just helped him. More people are now talking about it. That's exactly what he wants, regardless of whether you think he's right or not. Call him what you will, but the mans a manipulative genius when it comes to marketing and spin.

That said, openness by its very nature breeds fragmentation. It's bound to occur. The more open something is, the more people will modify it. That ROM list is a clear reminder-- even if some of those are just UI updates, it still would be a daunting task to go through all that. It all really comes down to one debate, open vs closed. Computer literate people (like those reading tech sites) prefer open, since they can modify it and customize. The average person doesn't do this, in fact most don't even care. They like simplicity and don't care about coding, and generally prefer closed systems. As I said before, openness breeds fragmentation (at least with no restrictions), so then the argument really comes down to free and fragmented vs concise and closed, with the latter argument being the more likely victor in the long term struggle. If Google were to clamp down on certain things but leave others open however, then this wouldn't even be a debate.

 

[Westside guy]

I'm still having trouble figuring out what is so "open" about Android.

If you'd ever developed even a simple program, you wouldn't have to ask. This was even answered in the story with that "mysterious" line of code.

Anyone can grab the android source code and build it for themselves - and even change it to suit their purposes if they want. That's the very definition of "open".

 

[Bigdaddyguido]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

The biggest problem with this quote is that the app looks and works different on different devices. So while the iPhone/iPad version gets great reviews, not all the android versions do. So while they may have not put much effort into the port, maybe they should have. Maybe their lack of effort is hurting their customers and thereby the fragmentation of android is already effecting end users negatively.

 

[GQB]

I'm still having trouble figuring out what is so "open" about Android.

Its 'open' for carriers to add crapware and 'improvements' to the interface.
Its 'open' for installing software from any source, meaning developers' hard work is more likely to be pirated.
I think the only 'closed' things about it is as in 'close the barn doors' after malware is discovered.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Um.....
Its not like TweetDeck is a hardware dependent application.

Something like TweetDeck could run on a watch calculator from 1980.

Now, when you get to GAMES and other REAL applications designed for Android, fragmentation can be a very big problem.

Just look at Windows. Sure Calculator.exe works on every platform but try and pop in a game like Crisis (or whatever is the top end game these days) and you run into a problem.

You should learn stuff about programing, and class libaries.

Even for games it really is a non issue.
Screen resolution not an issue. OS handles its.
Make sure they all have the equipment and the OS handles the rest. For games you are not going to see many that are not all touch screen and at most you might seem add an option to allow a hardware keyboard be used as additional controls but never required.

 

[Xavier]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Android is an interesting platform. I actually have enjoyed the Droid X with its seemless feel. Everyone is bashing on Android because it has multiple platforms. Android is working.

But this will no doubt become an issue in the future when Android becomes bigger with more app development. Having too many platforms will become a nightmare. It might not be yet and it might only take 2 people to do it but just wait. Wait until Andriod is big.

 

[Boston007]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Android is an interesting platform. I actually have enjoyed the Droid X with its seemless feel. Everyone is bashing on Android because it has multiple platforms. Android is working.

But this will no doubt become an issue in the future when Android becomes bigger with more app development. Having too many platforms will become a nightmare. It might not be yet and it might only take 2 people to do it but just wait. Wait until Andriod is big.[/QUOTE]

It already is. LOL

You -Fanboys are quite hilarious

 

[swagi]

Amen. I can't believe people are really buying into Google's propaganda. Google. A for-profit corporation. That wants your data so it can push advertising at you. "Open?" Hilarious.

The biggest tech snow job I can recall since Microsoft's "The Freedom To Innovate" astroturfing campaign. "A future we do not want???" Here's a future I don't want: a future where Google is the exclusive gatekeeper of the world's information.

Choose the best device for your needs. But spare us the "Android is open and Google loves me" baloney.

And that's why you give all this information (including your CC details) to Apple via your iPHone and iTMS account. Checked the EULA lately?

Nah, I thought so.

 

[Flacofromny]

TweetDeck?

I'm guessing Mac users love TweetDeck but me as an iPhone user I see nothing good about that app at all. No retina display. No multitasking. No nothing. Why should I or you care about TweetDeck?

 

[NebulaClash]

Steve just succeeded, and you guys just helped him. More people are now talking about it. That's exactly what he wants, regardless of whether you think he's right or not. Call him what you will, but the mans a manipulative genius when it comes to marketing and spin.

It is funny, isn't it, how many people can't see what's happening here.

What do you think Google would say in response? They will never admit their problems, so of course they are going to ignore Steve's point and misdirect the issue to an area they like.

What do you think the Tweetdeck guys will say? They don't want to annoy their Android fans, so they have to play nice no matter what they think.

Steve wanted people to talk about the fragmentation issue with Android. Bingo! That's what people are talking about today. Steve played them, they responded in such a way that shows they missed Steve's point, ergo he owned them and they don't even see it.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

It's a lot simpler that Steve Jobs puts it. The release history from wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)#Update_history

1. 1.1
2. 1.5 (Cupcake)
3. 1.6 (Donut)
4. 2.0 (Eclair)
5. 2.1 (Eclair)
6. 2.2 (Froyo)

Different UI themes do not make fragmentation.

 

[GQB]

... Computer literate people (like those reading tech sites) prefer open, since they can modify it and customize. The average person doesn't do this, in fact most don't even care. ...

Actually, I'd contest this. I'll wager that even on a site like this, only the tiniest percentage has the inclination to modify open source software.
20 years in all aspects of this industry, and I can count the number of people who have any interest in this on one hand.

But if that sliver is Android's target audience, then more power to them. I'll be over here on the side where the money is.

 

[alent1234]

Exactly. They are forced to develop for the least common denominator. This leaves exciting potential features unimplemented so that the software can work on the broadest set of hardware.

Innovation goes out the window.



GL

just like it took over a year to see hardware accelerated graphics games in the app store to take advantage of my 3GS's hardware. and even now most games look like 1980's arcade rejects and will work just fine on the original iphone.

least common denominator at work

 

[Vercingetorix]

Steve is brilliant at marketing.

Unfortunately - Steve is a PR hot mess and liability.

He needs to know and respect the difference between facts and spin when he opens up his mouth.

What? Every time he does this, he drives the debate in exactly the direction he intends. Not one potential customer is going to be so annoyed by these comments that he/she chooses not to buy an Apple product, yet now the tech press is going to spend the rest of the week breathlessly debating whether Android is too fragmented -- which will help create exactly that perception in consumers' minds. He plays the tech press like a kazoo.

 

[LagunaSol]

Based on sales numbers "non-geeks" are getting "tired" of the iPhone and switching over to Android in droves.

Link please? How do "sales numbers" correlate with "switching over in droves" exactly? The majority of Android users I know only got an Android device because the iPhone is not available on their carrier of choice. I don't know anyone who chose an Android device over an iPhone when both were a viable option.

Let's get the iPhone on Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile and see about all this "switching over in droves," hmm?

I'm willing to wager Android is more a reluctant second choice by necessity rather than a willful first choice for most Android users.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Of course there is. Tell that to someone stuck on an older version of the OS because their cell provider won't upgrade them to the current version that lets them use the new apps.

Oh please! Calling all iPhone 2G owners! Hows iOS4? Oh yeah thats right... see above statement.