Google Tightening Control Over Android as Fragmentation Increases

[Popeye206]

I don't think anyone here has a problem with freedom of choice, or "open systems" from a technical standpoint. But, step away from the keyboard and come out of the dark... most consumers just want a product that works, is easy to use and clean and simple. Not everyone is a technowheenie and wants to make their smart phone OS look like a ransom note or is going to go compile their own OS for chuckles.

The issue here is not Apple vs Android either. Both have their own approach and both are successful. The point being made here is there are drawbacks to an Open system and those drawbacks are starting to show.

Personally, I don't think it's a thing that Google can just fix. Moto, Samsung, and others need to take it seriously and have a plan to build their own set of walls to give their users a good experience that gets upgraded and supported over time. But, historically, this is not their mode of operation. They churn and burn the phone models and tend to ignore the old models once the new ones are out.

Like it or not, Apple may have closed walls for its Eco System, but they currently have the best one out there. The most consistent, on some of the best hardware available.

 

[needthephone]

Nothing Google does is particularly well thought out .

They just do stuff very quickly, usually forever in beta and there doesn't seem to be any real strategy behind it all.

 

[Steviejobz]

lol, whats with all the Macdonalds references?

April fools?

 

[Popeye206]

Nothing Google does is particularly well thought out .

They just do stuff very quickly, usually forever in beta and there doesn't seem to be any real strategy behind it all.

Sure there is... just play with an Android device and you're sure to see an Ad in no time. It's all about expanding the advertising reach of Google.

Google was very smart in seeing that the mobile market was going to take off and purchased Android in 2005... now, it probably helped their CEO was on the board of Apple and knew Apple was heading in that direction too.

 

[PlipPlop]

Nothing Google does is particularly well thought out .

They just do stuff very quickly, usually forever in beta and there doesn't seem to be any real strategy behind it all.

How did you come to that conclusion? Android is dominating the smartphone market in terms of sales, Google search engine is the largest used, Google Maps is a massive success, Gmail, Google Docs and lots more.
You think of online services most people will use a Google product first.

 

[calcvita]

I don't think anyone here has a problem with freedom of choice, or "open systems" from a technical standpoint. But, step away from the keyboard and come out of the dark... most consumers just want a product that works, is easy to use and clean and simple. Not everyone is a technowheenie and wants to make their smart phone OS look like a ransom note or is going to go compile their own OS for chuckles.

The issue here is not Apple vs Android either. Both have their own approach and both are successful. The point being made here is there are drawbacks to an Open system and those drawbacks are starting to show.

Personally, I don't think it's a thing that Google can just fix. Moto, Samsung, and others need to take it seriously and have a plan to build their own set of walls to give their users a good experience that gets upgraded and supported over time. But, historically, this is not their mode of operation. They churn and burn the phone models and tend to ignore the old models once the new ones are out.

Like it or not, Apple may have closed walls for its Eco System, but they currently have the best one out there. The most consistent, on some of the best hardware available.

no, i expect a bunch of objective apple users, who can think for themselves and don't believe that everything apple does is flawless and praise apple like it's their company.

when you read my other post, on page 11, you would see that i actually agree with the fact that google tightens up control over android.

 

[Arcus]

Nothing Google does is particularly well thought out .

They just do stuff very quickly, usually forever in beta and there doesn't seem to be any real strategy behind it all.

So you use bing and hot mail? Or apple's search (derp) and .mac? I'd like to know.

 

[Arcus]

- look at Linux on the desktop.

It is clear you have not used Linux in a while. Lets also not forget, what is OSX based on ? Oh yea, Unix.

 

[zerofour]

All the perceived advantages of Android against Apple talk makes me smile about the whole OS thing. As people have said, it's kind of in the real world where these things are significant, or not...

Sat in the Apple Store today with my LCD-problem'd iMac and in walks a lady to the genius bar with her malfunctioning iPhone. Genius Bar guy says, 'Have you synced with iTunes?' Confused silence, 'Er, no.' He carried on unperturbed, 'Have you connected your iPhone to your Mac or PC to iTunes to load any music, or installed any updates at all?' She shook her head still slightly confused, 'No, never'.

I realise she may be an exception - but most people just want a phone that works. They like the 'clever things' it does, but most don't / don't want to understand. Just give me a cool phone - and one that works, is their main criteria

And I like the Apple Stores - great staff who'll help you whether you're a seasoned Mac user or an iPhone newbie - now that is an advantage of Apple

 

[Popeye206]

no, i expect a bunch of objective apple users, who can think for themselves and don't believe that everything apple does is flawless and praise apple like it's their company.

when you read my other post, on page 11, you would see that i actually agree with the fact that google tightens up control over android.

I know what you mean with some posters, but in general, I think most people here are realistic. I love Apple... I'm a fanboy... but I also understand software development and business and know that not everything Apple does is golden or perfect. But, overall, I think they have the right idea and make some of the best products on the market.

But in contrast... there are Apple bashers here too that spout off silly things or make silly claims of doom because it doesn't suit their personal tastes.

 

[Thunderhawks]

This whole discussion reminds me of an abortion debate.

Keeping it closed in the first place would have taken care of any problems later

 

[jlwarlow]

The issue with that each company skins the phone differently. The issue is not with Android the issue is with the Manufacturers such as HTC and Samsung not releasing their updates when Android does. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to port HTC Sense to Android 2.3 when it is released.

Well said. I'm waiting for HTC to release 2.3 update for my Desire sometime in the next 3 months

 

[ninjadex]

I'm personally looking forward to a future of Google "Doubleclick" Android dominating the world. There's no question that this company has users, whoops I mean CONSUMERS, best interests in mind.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Everyone knew this had to happen. This seems like the 'Micro-channel moment' of the Android market...

 

[Mac.World]

All the perceived advantages of Android against Apple talk makes me smile about the whole OS thing. As people have said, it's kind of in the real world where these things are significant, or not...

Sat in the Apple Store today with my LCD-problem'd iMac and in walks a lady to the genius bar with her malfunctioning iPhone. Genius Bar guy says, 'Have you synced with iTunes?' Confused silence, 'Er, no.' He carried on unperturbed, 'Have you connected your iPhone to your Mac or PC to iTunes to load any music, or installed any updates at all?' She shook her head still slightly confused, 'No, never'.

I realise she may be an exception - but most people just want a phone that works. They like the 'clever things' it does, but most don't / don't want to understand. Just give me a cool phone - and one that works, is their main criteria

And I like the Apple Stores - great staff who'll help you whether you're a seasoned Mac user or an iPhone newbie - now that is an advantage of Apple

You're right. People just want a phone that works, and when it doesn't, it's nice to know they can walk into their local Apple store and get assistance. That's the real difference between Apple and the other guys.

By the way, what if some old lady has a malfunctioning Nexus 1? Does she walk into her local Google store? Nope, they don't exist. Does she walk into her local AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile/whatever store and get assistance from a trained and qualified tech? Nope, they don't exist there. Does she call Google help line? Or does she hope that her local cell phone company will give her a new phone? What does a non-geek Android user do?

 

[*LTD*]

Reality

2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xc_1Vv69k

"If Google didn’t act, it faced a draconian future where one man, one phone, one carrier were our choice. That’s a future we don’t want. […]
So if you believe in openness, if you believe in choice, if you believe in innovation from everyone, then welcome to Android."

- Vic Gundotra, Vice-President of Engineering for Google, formerly a general manager at Microsoft.

2011

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_15/b4223041200216.htm
Playtime is over in Android Land. Over the last couple of months Google (GOOG) has reached out to the major carriers and device makers backing its mobile operating system with a message: There will be no more willy-nilly tweaks to the software. No more partnerships formed outside of Google's purview. From now on, companies hoping to receive early access to Google's most up-to-date software will need approval of their plans. And they will seek that approval from Andy Rubin, the head of Google's Android group.

Lord Rubin, meet Lord Jobs. The two of you have much to discuss. Please check your police batons at the the door.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Which part of "still, Rubin argued that Google has not changed its philosophy about Android being an open source project" didn't you and many of the others here understand?

Google just does not want to publish the code base of the CURRENT version of Android 3 NOW because the code in their opinion simply is to immature to be released to a large audience. Google NEVER said that they would not release the code at all.

Besides, the source code for all currently available Android 1.x to 2.x devices is out there in the repositories. Just go and check it out and compile it.

And about the "fragmentation issues": That's the price that you pay for openness and freedom. You could also call it "diversity", which is a GOOD thing and something that you will never get in Apple land. It's either Apple's way or the highway. No diversity, individuality or freedom there.

I like opening up the app store & dloading an app without worrying about it stealing my personal information.

Plus I still get my open, risky store in cydia.

 

[deadkennedy]

Again, fanbois on rampage don't get the point. Honeycomb is a release that is not suitable for open source - YET. It is an interim release that needs fixes to actually become useful as open source.

 

[deadkennedy]

Nothing Google does is particularly well thought out .

They just do stuff very quickly, usually forever in beta and there doesn't seem to be any real strategy behind it all.

You forgot to add it doesn't seem to technical and economical gurus such as 'needthephone', who formed sever billion dollar tech companies before.

 

[JG271]

I've never had a problem with my HTC desire in this respect. I don't think this will be a good idea, although the android platform is fragmented enough 3rd party workarounds exist to combat this problem - 3rd party syncing software on my mac, for example.

On the other hand Apple's closed platform does work extremely well...

Both good platforms in their own way, the main plus with android is that it can run on comparatively cheap hardware.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

You could say the same thing about Apple though. The Apple fad will go away and the extremely closed ecosystem which seems to not be really developing much in terms of UI or having an actual roadmap could end iOS.

I don't understand why people can't just see the pros and cons of both and accept both are great platforms. Its always a WAR with Apple fans. Apple against EVERYONE!

Let's cut the crap. What are these 'pros' of an open platform for the average user? You know, 95% of users who don't even know what the hell closed and open mean. Let's face it- for most people, the 'benefits' of an open system are nil. Nada. You think the vast majority of people aren't satisfied with the close to half-million apps on the appstore? They're dying to get those handful of apps which are rejected for various reasons? They want to modify their kernels? No, they don't give a ****. The one who can provide the easiest and best user experience wins.

 

[thibaulthalpern]

First of all... this is the "Mac (Apple) Rumors" site? What do you expect? A bunch of non-Apple fans?

I don't think anyone here has a problem with freedom of choice, or "open systems" from a technical standpoint. But, step away from the keyboard and come out of the dark... most consumers just want a product that works, is easy to use and clean and simple. Not everyone is a technowheenie and wants to make their smart phone OS look like a ransom note or is going to go compile their own OS for chuckles.

Totally agree! One major reason I stick with Apple is that typically their products just work and I don't have to go around tinkering with this and that preference file or whatnot.

The issue here is not Apple vs Android either. Both have their own approach and both are successful. The point being made here is there are drawbacks to an Open system and those drawbacks are starting to show.

Totally agree too. The one thing I can't stand is the hypocritical attitude Google took by calling their system "open" and then faulting Apple's for being closed. I think both Google's approach and Apple's can co-exist and neither one needs to talk down the other. But Google started pointing fingers.. *rolls eyes*

Like it or not, Apple may have closed walls for its Eco System, but they currently have the best one out there. The most consistent, on some of the best hardware available.

One funny thing I've read recently is a comment by someone who said something to the extent of how people have been duped by Apple's closed system, that it is only existing because of hype, and soon people will realise that a closed system is very controlling and doesn't work.

Then I thought, boy, this guy/gal has no sense of history! Apple has always been "closed" and their cycle of success has been on various levels of ups and downs so it isn't that the closed system works because of hype.

Sometimes, I think some of these technophiles are just too young to remember a significant portion of Apple history.

 

[Popeye206]

I've never had a problem with my HTC desire in this respect. I don't think this will be a good idea, although the android platform is fragmented enough 3rd party workarounds exist to combat this problem - 3rd party syncing software on my mac, for example.

On the other hand Apple's closed platform does work extremely well...

Both good platforms in their own way, the main plus with android is that it can run on comparatively cheap hardware.

The thing is, you hit the nail on the head. "...enough 3rd party workarounds exist to combat this problem". The average non-technical user knows nothing about these work arounds and just wants a device that works. If Google and it's phone partners are smart they will work on this or techies will love Android and the general consumer will be lost.

With that said, I don't have anything against Android... don't get me wrong. I think it's a great option. Way better than what phone manufactures were doing on their own, or Microsoft was bringing to the table, that is for sure. But, I think there are some flaws to their current model that they will need to address.

The competition and options is good for us all. This market is huge and growing fast, so there's plenty of room for several options and everyone can be happy.

The biggest problem I have with some posters... they act like one trumps the other... not so. iOS, Android, RIM, MS, all can play and market shares will come and go as each takes a stab at a better solution. If Apple is smart, they will stay focused on quality and ease of use. It is their biggest advantage.

 

[PlipPlop]

Let's cut the crap. What are these 'pros' of an open platform for the average user? You know, 95% of users who don't even know what the hell closed and open mean. Let's face it- for most people, the 'benefits' of an open system are nil. Nada. You think the vast majority of people aren't satisfied with the close to half-million apps on the appstore? They're dying to get those handful of apps which are rejected for various reasons? They want to modify their kernels? No, they don't give a ****. The one who can provide the easiest and best user experience wins.

I think having the source code available (open) is different to allowing things like customizing the phones look, installing applications which use certain system functions (like third party wifi tethering) and loading applications from other sources. I love how I can modify the whole look of my HTC Desire and install applications from websites without using the market place. I think 99% of the Android users dont care if the source code is available but love doing the other things I mentioned with the device being fully customizable.

 

[thibaulthalpern]

The biggest problem I have with some posters... they act like one trumps the other... not so. iOS, Android, RIM, MS, all can play and market shares will come and go as each takes a stab at a better solution. If Apple is smart, they will stay focused on quality and ease of use. It is their biggest advantage.

Totally agree! It's not about one trumping the other. All should co-exist. And imagine if Android OS becomes the only viable mobile OS. Isn't that actually then Android becoming THE draconian future?

I'm just displeased with how Google claims it's taking the higher moral ground when all along it wasn't.