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Android is Google's Agent Smith

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Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#11

Post by wvenable »

mquander wrote: post #8
wvenable wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> then people won't buy Dell phones But why must the software be explicitly tied to the hardware? We don't buy desktops or laptops that way. I periodically upgrade the ROM in my smartphone and the result is amazing. Why should I have to toss a perfectly good piece of hardware just to get software improvements?

Sorry, I deleted my comment because I felt it wasn't very useful. The software needs to be tied to the hardware because the carriers are completely incompetent at software, and are generally unable to expend the effort to QA all the crapware they have put on the phone for a new OS; they also have a financial incentive to force you to buy a new phone from them as often as possible.

Yes, but the situation you describe exists because the software is tied to the hardware. When you upgrade Windows or install Linux on your PC, Dell doesn't have much to do with the process.

I agree that both manufacturers and carriers are incompetent at software -- that's probably why my phones run so much better and faster with a custom ROM put together by some hacker in his basement. In my opinion, if the software wasn't tied to the hardware the result would be better.

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#12

Post by [deleted] »

dusklight wrote: post #2

uhhhh .. I think the majority of the people don't know what version of android is on their phone, don't know why it matters, and don't care. The branding for the various android phones so far is tied to the carrier and the phone manufacturer, not the phone. There is no AndroidPhone. There is the HTC EVO, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Droid. People just want a phone that's fun and easy to use. If they don't like the phone…

[deleted]

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#13

Post by daten »

wvenable wrote: post #10
daten wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Plenty of users buy phones without knowing what Android is or even what an "operating system" is. All thee know is compared to their old phone with a random proprietary OS, this phone has a much more polished interface and apps similar to their friends iPhone. I'm sure most of the people that read HN care about the details you listed, but I wouldn't assume your average mall-shopper that walks into a cell phone store…

I disagree with your top statement. Every user knows what an operating system is -- they've been educated on that fact for decades. And any user of a "smartphone" knows they're really getting a little computer. The iPhone probably has the broadest market of non-technical users and even they periodically get OS upgrades -- you think their users don't know what that is? The problem with this conversation is lumping tog…

I still think your perspective on general knowledge is off. I think plenty of people with phones still don't know what an operating system is, especially people over the age of 30 who didn't grow up with the internet and ubiquitous computers in school. But I could be wrong.

If it's true that only technical users are buying Android phones because it's still exclusive to the smart-phone market, what your saying makes sense.

I wouldn't be suprised if non-technical users with money to burn buy smart phones they don't understand just for the sake of vanity though.

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#14

Post by mquander »

wvenable wrote: post #11
mquander wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, I deleted my comment because I felt it wasn't very useful. The software needs to be tied to the hardware because the carriers are completely incompetent at software, and are generally unable to expend the effort to QA all the crapware they have put on the phone for a new OS; they also have a financial incentive to force you to buy a new phone from them as often as possible.

Yes, but the situation you describe exists because the software is tied to the hardware. When you upgrade Windows or install Linux on your PC, Dell doesn't have much to do with the process. I agree that both manufacturers and carriers are incompetent at software -- that's probably why my phones run so much better and faster with a custom ROM put together by some hacker in his basement. In my opinion, if the software…

Sure, but Dell would love to have something to do with the process, and with phones, they can finally try their damnedest, e.g.:

http://androinica.com/2010/07/14/motorola-says-if-you-want-t...

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/G2-HTC-G2-Rootkit-Jailbreak-G1,n...

Android isn't really tied to hardware very much unless the carriers make it so. Hell, I can run Android on my Windows Mobile phone (Samsung Omnia II.)

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#16

Post by InclinedPlane »

One OS, one device (or a small handful of very similar devices), and one app store is simpler, but not necessary. What didn't work was the crazy panoply of design options of the windows mobile world, where screens could vary from a large HTC device to a tiny clamshell screen and where you could have a number pad on one phone, a full hw keyboard on another, and a touch screen on another. That degree of diversity is difficult to make high quality apps for. However, android is a bit better, there is less diversity and especially fewer giant gaps in capabilities. The amount of additional effort it takes to write an app that works well on a Droid 2 as well as a Galaxy S is insignificant next to the comparable effort for targeting both an HTC 8525 and a tiny clamshell phone with no kb, no touchscreen, and a 120px resolution screen. The desktop PC world manages this challenge just fine.

And ultimately catering to users' particular individual needs is likely to be a better market strategy in the long term compared to the "one true device for everyone!" ideal of Apple.

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#17

Post by jay_kyburz »

I think there is a really exciting opportunity for a startup to write some simple desktop software that would allow novice users to root their phone (any android compatible phone) and then choose from a selection of fun, interesting or just more up-to-date os's.

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#19

Post by jad »

wvenable wrote: post #7
[deleted] wrote: post #3

[deleted]

> then people won't buy Dell phones But why must the software be explicitly tied to the hardware? We don't buy desktops or laptops that way. I periodically upgrade the ROM in my smartphone and the result is amazing. Why should I have to toss a perfectly good piece of hardware just to get software improvements?

> But why must the software be explicitly tied to the hardware?

"People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware."

- Alan Kay

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alankay375550.htm...

Re: Android is Google's Agent Smith

#20

Post by usaar333 »

wvenable wrote: post #5
dusklight wrote: post #2

uhhhh .. I think the majority of the people don't know what version of android is on their phone, don't know why it matters, and don't care. The branding for the various android phones so far is tied to the carrier and the phone manufacturer, not the phone. There is no AndroidPhone. There is the HTC EVO, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Droid. People just want a phone that's fun and easy to use. If they don't like the phone…

As a user, I care about what OS version I have because that determines the features my phone has, its performance, its compatibility, and its stability. What you describe is the ideal for the manufacturers and the carriers -- they want to keep people in the dark about the software. But the reality is that everyone knows, every phone review includes it, and it's critically important to the end user. Every Android user…

It's a good thing then that you are on Hacker News. As a tech person who wants the latest software, you can spend a few minutes rooting your phone and installing a custom ROM with the latest Android version.
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