iOS 8 Adoption Rate Hits 72% As Android Lollipop Distribution Reaches 1.6%

[CoMoMacUser]

The number suggest either:

(a) Android users are satisfied with KitKat and scared of updating to Lollipop because of fears of Google and/or bugs.

(b) Android users have gotten frustrated with the Android experience and stopped using their devices before Lollipop.

More like they're at the mercy of handset vendors and carriers that don't want to spend the time and money to configure, test and roll out Lollipop for their installed base because they're more interested in selling them new phones. That's one reason why I bought a Nexus directly from Google.

 

[tdale]

You simply said all Android fans, which is a very large generalized group. And even those who are on sites like this that might talk about what they like about Android or how they find this or that better, there's still nothing that could really be said about what they are thinking aside from overgrneralized sterotypical guesses that don't really hold much value (aside from basically trying to get a rise and/or create some put down...all of which is certainly without value).

I never see that, I see only troll comments TBH

 

[lowendlinux]

I never see that, I see only troll comments TBH

Thats based on perspective.

 

[tdale]

But when everybody catches up to everyone else, people will still desire Apple products and only settle for Android. Many drivers want to own a BMW, Mercedes or a Lexus, but they have to settle for a Jetta, Camry or Accord.

Apple products are regarded as somewhat of a luxury item, while Android devises are only the next best thing. All the catching up in the world is not going to change that. This is a painful reality that exists in the back of the heads of all Android fans. Their OS of choice might sell the most units, but what people really want is an iPhone. This fact is illustrated by the success of the iPhone 6. With the new iPhones many people got what they desired - an iPhone...and a bigger screen.

I think market share is overrated, it assumes popularity. The fact is most users are not tech literate, they want a phone. Then, Apple is just another brand. Apple is assumed to be expensive but there isn't much in it with competing high end phones with same storage, on release date, but them 2-% discounting happens, and in Samsungs case read recently, 40%. And, most price points don't have an Apple option, so share isn't relevant, except to Android users. Toyota sells more cars than Mercedes.

----------

Thats based on perspective.

You have to be joking, or blind. Its quite simple to see a troll comment as distinct from a genuine Android user discussing positives he sees with Android. Windows users are often genuine, and no doubt the odd Androider is as well, but its 95% trolling.

----------

More like they're at the mercy of handset vendors and carriers that don't want to spend the time and money to configure, test and roll out Lollipop for their installed base because they're more interested in selling them new phones. That's one reason why I bought a Nexus directly from Google.

Thats rubbish. I work for a telco, and its time and time and time before we get updates to test, and tests are not 5 minutes. It would be far easier to remove manufacturer branding and telco branding, and provide an OS that is the same across the platform, as Nexus is, and as Apple is. Then this issue is non existent.

 

[lowendlinux]

I think market share is overrated, it assumes popularity. The fact is most users are not tech literate, they want a phone. Then, Apple is just another brand. Apple is assumed to be expensive but there isn't much in it with competing high end phones with same storage, on release date, but them 2-% discounting happens, and in Samsungs case read recently, 40%. And, most price points don't have an Apple option, so share isn't relevant, except to Android users. Toyota sells more cars than Mercedes.

----------



You have to be joking, or blind. Its quite simple to see a troll comment as distinct from a genuine Android user discussing positives he sees with Android. Windows users are often genuine, and no doubt the odd Androider is as well, but its 95% trolling.

I've been here about 6 months I've seen one person who's an obvious troll the rest are just religious as iPhone users just the other side of the coin.

 

[LordVic]

Snip

Someone having a differencing opinion than yours is not a troll.

A troll is someone who posts comments with the attempt to gain a negative or emotional reaction to their comment.

This happens far less than you imagine here. Just because there's a loud group of people who are Android fans and support android as well as post here doesn't mean they're trolling.

again, just because their opinions are different than yours, doesn't mean they're a troll. and you need to moderate your own ********.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Thats rubbish. I work for a telco, and its time and time and time before we get updates to test, and tests are not 5 minutes. It would be far easier to remove manufacturer branding and telco branding, and provide an OS that is the same across the platform, as Nexus is, and as Apple is. Then this issue is non existent.

What's rubbish? I work in wireless, too. Yes, it takes time and money to do the tests, which is a major reason why so many devices are orphaned after just one update.

 

[tdale]

I've been here about 6 months I've seen on person who's an obvious troll the rest are just religious as iPhone users just the other side of the coin.

Religious Apple users are also a pain, but this is an Apple forum you get that. Why do Android users frequent here when they have no interest, and they have disdain about Apple?

 

[lowendlinux]

Religious Apple users are also a pain, but this is an Apple forum you get that. Why do Android users frequent here when they have no interest, and they have disdain about Apple?

Maybe they don't own an idevise only a Mac.

 

[tdale]

Someone having a differencing opinion than yours is not a troll.

A troll is someone who posts comments with the attempt to gain a negative or emotional reaction to their comment.

This happens far less than you imagine here. Just because there's a loud group of people who are Android fans and support android as well as post here doesn't mean they're trolling.

again, just because their opinions are different than yours, doesn't mean they're a troll. and you need to moderate your own ********.

Ive been here long enough to recognise a troll. And not only do I have no issue with Androiders voicing genuine comments, I applaud that, it is a discussion, but trolling comments are here, and yes, I have no issue with differing opinions, its the delivery, and why that is the difference.

----------

Maybe they don't own an idevise only a Mac.

Fine. Post comments, discuss, etc, just don't troll. Is a negative comment about Apple, trolling? No. But if some here wish to defend mindless anti Apple comments cos they can, thats fine too. If some here cannot recognise trolling as distinct from genuine, pro Android to anti Apple discussions, well thats a pity.

----------

What's rubbish? I work in wireless, too. Yes, it takes time and money to do the tests, which is a major reason why so many devices are orphaned after just one update.

This was rubbish

"More like they're at the mercy of handset vendors and carriers that don't want to spend the time and money to configure, test and roll out Lollipop for their installed base because they're more interested in selling them new phones."

 

[lowendlinux]

Ive been here long enough to recognise a troll. And not only do I have no issue with Androiders voicing genuine comments, I applaud that, it is a discussion, but trolling comments are here, and yes, I have no issue with differing opinions, its the delivery, and why that is the difference.

----------



Fine. Post comments, discuss, etc, just don't troll. Is a negative comment about Apple, trolling? No. But if some here wish to defend mindless anti Apple comments cos they can, thats fine too. If some here cannot recognise trolling as distinct from genuine, pro-Android to anti Apple discussions, well thats a pity.

Again I've seen one that is a troll the rest are just religious. A religious Android user is just a welcome as a religious idevice user. The problem comes with perspective you view a religious Android user as a troll much like a religious idevice user as seen as a troll on places like OCN.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

This was rubbish

"More like they're at the mercy of handset vendors and carriers that don't want to spend the time and money to configure, test and roll out Lollipop for their installed base because they're more interested in selling them new phones."

Nope. I've heard that from plenty of vendor and carrier executives, as well as analysts who cover wireless. It's a highly competitive market, and every penny is scrutinized, whether it's an active antenna or OS update. Plus, at the rate people replace their handsets, vendors and carriers know they won't alienate many people by orphaning a device after one year or 18 months.

 

[tdale]

Nope. I've heard that from plenty of vendor and carrier executives, as well as analysts who cover wireless. It's a highly competitive market, and every penny is scrutinized, whether it's an active antenna or OS update. Plus, at the rate people replace their handsets, vendors and carriers know they won't alienate many people by orphaning a device after one year or 18 months.

Nope. While the general public don't know or care about updates, many do, they are orphaned. Not everyone wants to update a $1000 phone in order to get an update, they'd rather use 10 minutes of their life and install it. Especially these days when this years phone is last years phone, .1 inch bigger, CPU a bit faster, and in new colours. Extra use and enjoyment from an update is likely to be more than the new device, less $1000. YMMV

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Nope. While the general public don't know or care about updates, many do, they are orphaned. Not everyone wants to update a $1000 phone in order to get an update, they'd rather use 10 minutes of their life and install it. Especially these days when this years phone is last years phone, .1 inch bigger, CPU a bit faster, and in new colours. Extra use and enjoyment from an update is likely to be more than the new device, less $1000. YMMV

There aren't many $1,000 phones out there except for niche products such as Vertu's. Even an unlocked 128 GB 6 Plus doesn't crack a grand. Most phones are sub-$500 for reasons such as carrier subsidies. Add in EIP plans and other incentives to upgrade before 24 months, plus the factors you cite -- ".1 inch bigger, CPU a bit faster, and in new colours" -- and it's not hard to see why carriers and vendors don't run much risk with a one-and-done update policy.

 

[tdale]

There aren't many $1,000 phones out there except for niche products such as Vertu's. Even an unlocked 128 GB 6 Plus doesn't crack a grand. Most phones are sub-$500 for reasons such as carrier subsidies. Add in EIP plans and other incentives to upgrade before 24 months, plus the factors you cite -- ".1 inch bigger, CPU a bit faster, and in new colours" -- and it's not hard to see why carriers and vendors don't run much risk with a one-and-done update policy.

Yep, $1000 was my currency sorry. My 6 Plus 64 was NZ$1200 and something.

I hear you though, and fair comments. But at work, and on forums there is a lot of comment about when is my update.perhaps this crowd is quite niche.

Subsidies seem to be on the way out here in NZ. The problem is that you end up on a plan that is $10 to $20 per month more than the non contract plan. And how many get a 24 month contract then while after 12 wen a new phone comes out and they have to pay a large, supposedly ETF. Plus, to get a low up front you end up on a plan that is more than what you need, so the monthly cost is higher. Plus, my telco has been offering 12 or 24 months interest free for some time now, that makes a lot of sense. I assume that the EIP you mention?

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Subsidies seem to be on the way out here in NZ.

Same here. It will be interesting to see how that affects updates. Some recent analyst reports show that replacement cycles are already increasing, and the phaseout of subsidies could spur that even more. If more people hold onto their phones, it could prompt vendors and carriers to offer more updates. The wild card is how doing so would make them enough money to offset the cost of enabling those updates. We'll see, I guess.

Plus, my telco has been offering 12 or 24 months interest free for some time now, that makes a lot of sense. I assume that the EIP you mention?

Yes: equipment installment plans.

 

[tdale]

Same here. It will be interesting to see how that affects updates. Some recent analyst reports show that replacement cycles are already increasing, and the phaseout of subsidies could spur that even more. If more people hold onto their phones, it could prompt vendors and carriers to offer more updates. The wild card is how doing so would make them enough money to offset the cost of enabling those updates. We'll see, I guess.



Yes: equipment installment plans.

Interesting yes. Phones have matured, they all have the same cool stuff, the reasons to upgrade are ever diminishing. I will upgrade my 6 Plus this year, ONLY cos my wife said she will take mine as she assumed I will do the annual upgrade which I have done since the 4. So my next phone will be thinner, lighter, faster, which is insanely great, it will clearly change my life... Or my wifes at least!

 

[lowendlinux]

Yep, $1000 was my currency sorry. My 6 Plus 64 was NZ$1200 and something.

I hear you though, and fair comments. But at work, and on forums there is a lot of comment about when is my update.perhaps this crowd is quite niche.

Subsidies seem to be on the way out here in NZ. The problem is that you end up on a plan that is $10 to $20 per month more than the non contract plan. And how many get a 24 month contract then while after 12 wen a new phone comes out and they have to pay a large, supposedly ETF. Plus, to get a low up front you end up on a plan that is more than what you need, so the monthly cost is higher. Plus, my telco has been offering 12 or 24 months interest free for some time now, that makes a lot of sense. I assume that the EIP you mention?

Yup 64GB of of the 6+ is over $1000 here and 64GB 6 is just under 1k.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Interesting yes. Phones have matured, they all have the same cool stuff, the reasons to upgrade are ever diminishing. I will upgrade my 6 Plus this year, ONLY cos my wife said she will take mine as she assumed I will do the annual upgrade which I have done since the 4. So my next phone will be thinner, lighter, faster, which is insanely great, it will clearly change my life... Or my wifes at least!

Enjoy. I've got a Nexus 4 and love Lollipop. Unfortunately I'm probably going to have to replace it -- possibly with a OnePlus One -- because something causes it to occasionally freeze up. This started with 4.0, and despite two hard resets and then an upgrade to Lollipop, the bug persists. So I'm thinking it's hardware related.

 

[Max(IT)]

Now I can't take you seriously. The best iOS was definitely 6, with the exception of maps. In my book, fluidity is what matters. iOS 8 does not have that. It's a laggy mess on every phone capable of running it, including the 6 series.

IOS 6 was stale, and every one was complaining about that.
IOS 7 was a good fresh new air, and now iOS 8 is the best iOS ever.

----------

And why does Android have a larger installed base?

Is that because it is better, and/or more popular?

Easy to answer: because it's installed on crappy cheap devices, mostly.

 

[viorelgn]

This is also the case because updating your iPhone is considered a troubleshooting step in trying to resolve software issues. Say you call AppleCare cause you have an issue with the IOS, one of the things that the Advisor is gonna ask you is if you have the newest IOS. If you don't, they'll suggest you do that cause the update might fix the issue (hardly ever does). Customers are forced to do this even though they have iPhones that can't handle the new versions (iPhone 4s). You have no idea how many people would love to go back to IOS 7 because their phone is more sluggish now.

 

[Max(IT)]

Yeah, yeah...all these angelic posters who actually prefer the iPhone, but who are traumatized by the horrible iOS. Or all those saintly members who love iOS, but have had to endure the terrible hardware that Apple releases.

Its funny how those who are always on this site criticizing everything decision Apple makes are people who don't like Android that much (oh, and they've owned every iPhone model that was ever released).

Yep. You nailed the typical basher's answer.
But you forgot to write about the list of iDevices they usually put in their signature to gain more credibility.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Maybe somebody already said this, but:

- Apple releases update
1. people open iTunes or update via OTA

- Google releases update
1. manufacturers tweak the update for their hardware (takes a while)
2. carriers tweak the update to add bloatware (takes a while)
3. users randomly get OTA notifications

You see how this can cause Android users to wait a while before they can receive updates?

 

[Max(IT)]

Sounds like Android would be a better fit for you than iOS.

He spoke about functions, not gimmicks.

 

[Max(IT)]

You argue that profit share is not relevant. How is device share relevant?

The only share that counts is profit. Market share gained by selling crappy cheap devices doesn't mean anything

----------

But again lets look at iOS 7 and 8. Almost all the big items in BOTH of those were pure catch up to Android. Android had them for years. There is over doing features and then there just are messing features. iOS 7 and 8 were nothing more than catch up to what Android had been offering very long time for the most part. (welcome to 4 years ago Apple),
I have a strong feeling you do not like the fact that it is being pointed out that iOS 7 and 8 are a yawn and catch up.

iOS7 brought a flatten UI. That was new but almost everything was welcome to 4 years.
I can ask again what something new did iOS 7 and 8 bring to the table that Android has not had for a long time? If that is not catch up then I sure as hell do not know what it is.

They are not. Android isn't even close to iOS in many aspect.
A long list of gimmicks doesn't make an operative system better.