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Android P

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291–300 of 316 posts

Re: Android P

#291

they call "frequently used" machine learning now? I expected something fancier...

Except that it's not just frequently used as described. It also takes into consideration what apps you use at a specific time, location, day.

still at the very most bayesian, not neural.

Re: Android P

#292

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a different launcher installed, and in use. I backported the changes Google did in their launcher to Launcher3, built that, installed it, and am using it. Yet I can still not disable these Google apps. EDIT: Screenshot https://i.k8r.eu/4ZLdMA

And by installing a different launcher, the Google apps never run, which is the effect you wanted to achieve. You gain nothing by disabling the apps after that. If you were able to disable the apps and then uninstall the the new launcher, your phone would be unusable until you did a factory reset from recovery.

Incorrect. The Google apps are still used and running, e.g. for hotword detection even when the launcher is changed. And even with hotword detection off.

And they take up space in my launcher.

Re: Android P

#293
post #150

About 18 months ago I bought a Samsung S6 off of ebay new in a box for $250. Was actually my first "real" smart phone. I've liked it quite a bit but was disappointed at them taking 8+ months to bring android updates. I was thinking I might get Oreo this August or so. But then I just learned that they've (Sumsung) discontinued all S6 support. So now I guess I'm screwed. I really liked the samsung health app and the bu…

Keep it as is? I have a Samsung tablet from a few years back that got a single major OS update and has run smoothly and perfectly as the day I got it. My iPhone got a huge number updates over it's lifespan but it also got steadily slower and less reliable after each one. There is nothing in Oreo or even P that's really worth it.

That's probably what the reality will be. But I hate the idea of once I do 'upgrade' after a few years of no support, that the current version of Android will be so different that I'll have to relearn how to use it again...

Re: Android P

#294
post #265
post #246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds deterministic (last used first shown) but also unpleasantly surprising given your particular use patterns.

Everything in this universe, short of quantum nuclear decay and atmospheric noise, is deterministic. AI is deterministic; we just often don't understand why the outputs it gives arise from the inputs. Similarly, a FIFO system for a share sheet is definitely deterministic, but that is immaterial to the question of whether it is predictable by its users . And that's what matters.

Sure. And I'd say that for some other use patterns FIFO quickly becomes acceptably predictable, though not maximally. The tradeoff is that pressure to manually edit the list is greatly reduced. Which is also something that matters.

My personal preference is for rock-solid spatial consistency plus manual fiddling, but I doubt that'd be best for the greatest number of people.

Re: Android P

#295
post #79

Ten years ago, when we launched the first Android phone—the T-Mobile G1—it was with a simple but bold idea: to build a mobile platform that’s free and open to everyone. To what quantitative fraction is Android still free and open (as in speech), and how much of it has been moved into closed-source containers?

To me, Android is definitely not FOSS but it is still open in the sense that matters.

As far as I know, any company can pay to use it on their phones. I think members of the Open Handset Alliance don't have to pay. I'm not sure what it takes to join that, though.

Anyone can download Android Studio on any major operating system and make an android app. There are no limitations as to what features those apps can use. There is no fee to put an app in the app store. People can still sideload their own apps.

Re: Android P

#296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But what to buy instead? The only option seems to be an iPhone. Or is there an android vendor with longer support?

Yeah - buy a stock Android phone from Google, like their Pixel flagship.

Looks like even google is only 2 or three years though

Re: Android P

#297

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Any tips? Don't buy Samsung? I learned this lesson a long time ago.

But what to buy instead? The only option seems to be an iPhone. Or is there an android vendor with longer support?

I might just have to move to iPhone. Though I haven't even bought an apple product in my 35 years...

Re: Android P

#298
post #293

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Keep it as is? I have a Samsung tablet from a few years back that got a single major OS update and has run smoothly and perfectly as the day I got it. My iPhone got a huge number updates over it's lifespan but it also got steadily slower and less reliable after each one. There is nothing in Oreo or even P that's really worth it.

That's probably what the reality will be. But I hate the idea of once I do 'upgrade' after a few years of no support, that the current version of Android will be so different that I'll have to relearn how to use it again...

What does Android do? It shows you your app, lets you switch them, and gives you some notifications. An operating system exists to run applications -- there isn't much to learn. Even switching from iOS to Android and back isn't that difficult.

The real issue will be when applications stop supporting your version. I found on iOS that support for older versions dies pretty quick but on Android applications seem to support older versions for a very long time.

Re: Android P

#299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple is known to shamelessly copy features that work and are consumer friendly- I have no doubt that they'll be keeping a close eye on how consumers respond to these updates.

This is ironic given that Android P lifted iPhone X navigation and is adding support for notches, also lifted from the iPhone X.

[deleted]

Re: Android P

#300

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because the SoC is supported.

Then Google is free to give me an alternative device for development. With the emulator broken, and the Nexus 5X unsupported, I am unable to assure that my apps work on Android P, and therefore I have no idea at all if they’ll crash or not. But if they’ll crash, Google will punish me by downranking my score. A punishment for something I can’t do shit about. It’s absolute madness.

I mean, you can just buy a phone that can run Android P. There are plenty of them available.

It's not unreasonable to expect a developer to buy a new device after three years, in my opinion.

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