Android is still too fragmented

[gino_76ph]

Hi

I have had several Android devices in the past year and even though its really good with customisations and multitasking the overall performance of the OS is still not as good as Apple's.

The updates come very often, there are too many devices with different specs and no dedicated and a "separate" (i.e. differenciation) apps and/or games for smartphones and tablets unlike Apple's. That is why maybe they see Android is still fragmented on these issues.

The 3.0 OS and Android Market is good but is still miles from Apple. so, that is why i have decided i will buy an iPad 2 on my next salary.

But what can we do about it to match if not better iOS?

 

[lunatic59]

If you hold Apple as the benchmark of what a mobile OS should be, then you will be sorely disappointed in anything else. It's a logical fallacy.

...there are too many devices...

If you have found a device that suits your needs and the others just create noise and confusion, then yes, there are too many devices for you. On the other hand, if you can't find a device that satisfies you, then I would argue that there are not enough devices.

Phones are like women. Once you've found the one for you, the others will just get you into trouble.

 

[novox77]

Hi

I have had several Android devices in the past year and even though its really good with customisations and multitasking the overall performance of the OS is still not as good as Apple's.

The updates come very often, there are too many devices with different specs and no dedicated and a "separate" (i.e. differenciation) apps and/or games for smartphones and tablets unlike Apple's. That is why maybe they see Android is still fragmented on these issues.

The 3.0 OS and Android Market is good but is still miles from Apple. so, that is why i have decided i will buy an iPad 2 on my next salary.

But what can we do about it to match if not better iOS?

There's nothing wrong with fragmentation. The whole world is full of fragmentation. Otherwise we'd be wearing the same clothes, drive the same car, live in a house that looks exactly the same as your neighbors.

The question is: how does the fragmentation affect you personally? Is it positive or negative? I'm not sure what point you ended up making with your OP. You didn't really say why you'd go with iPad2 (which btw I think is a very nice device, but it's not for me).

What would be more interesting is to share why you want a tablet in the first place. What do you plan to do with it? And why is iPad2 the better choice because of that. Fragmentation is probably not the reason you prefer the iPad.

It seems to me the reason you are going with iPad2 is because

1) you think Apple's OS is superior
2) you have more app choices

both valid reasons. but has nothing to do with fragmentation.

 

[Stuntman]

The updates come very often, there are too many devices with different specs and no dedicated and a "separate" (i.e. differenciation) apps and/or games for smartphones and tablets unlike Apple's. That is why maybe they see Android is still fragmented on these issues.

The reason I did not get an iPhone is that I didn't like that particular form factor. None of the other phones that I looked at with the form factor that I liked ran iOS. Perhaps if Apple came out with different phones with different specs, I may have liked one of them and bought it.

 

[landovr]

The reason I did not get an iPhone is that I didn't like that particular form factor. None of the other phones that I looked at with the form factor that I liked ran iOS. Perhaps if Apple came out with different phones with different specs, I may have liked one of them and bought it.

I think we are starting to see more iphone users switching to android for that reason. They are starting to get bored with the same old phone.

 

[Shocky]

The only area where fragmention becomes an issue for me is gaming due to the different GPU's used, doesnt help that some developers are making exclusive titles for specific devices either.

Otherwise I don't see what all the fuss is about, most phones are using very simalar CPU's, it's basically ARM Cortex A8/A9 and Qualcomm Snapdragon/Scorpion.

I think Google need to slow down the release of updates though, gingerbread update itself stopped many of my apps working because the developers need to update the app.

 

[ScottColbert]

So which Apple ipad? 1 or 2? Which iPhone 1G 2g 3G 3GS 4G? Which version of iOS will you use?

One man's fragmentation is another's choice in product.

I'm not being snarky (okay just a wee bit but all in fun); just pointing out Android isn't the only one that has "fragmentation". What others view as a drawback, I view as a positive. I can get a low end Android phone, mid range or top of the line-generally with the latest OS on it. All it takes is a little research on the various models to find which suits your needs most. For some one size fits all is perfect for them-I just like having options.

 

[gino_76ph]

I'm buying the new iPad 2 but NOT the iPhone 4.

I will be buying/needing a tablet mainly because:

1. my wife uses our laptop more often than i and i am fed up waiting for her to finish what she's doing

2. to watch Divx files (as i've learned there are really good, dependable and actually working in iTunes. unlike Android i have tried virtually almost ALL Divx players and none of them actually works. my only option would probablly be buying a high-end phone which i can't afford right now or wait till a tablet comes that supports Divx files or an app which might not come till maybe late this year or early next year the earliest. or i could be wrong.)

3. for travelling. rather than bringing my 17" laptop. ( basic emails, news, weather, maps, etc.)

4. gaming (which in my opinion the iPad 2 excels in many ways than the latest 3.0 tab and esp. with loads of games "dedicated" for the iPad 2.)


Android is really good. don't get me wrong. i currently have the Samsung Galaxy Ace and specs-wise is better than the 3GS. too bad it's not Divx compatible.

When it comes to customisations & multitasking Android is supreme.

iOS exccels in smoother/better/faster OS "in general", gaming and the number of apps. they are slowly catching up with customisations and multitasking.

i think the developers won't find it hard to port/create an app with Apple because you only have one device to play with. whereas with Android being an open platform but having too many devices, etc.

Until Google sets its rules straight and more "organised" then it might be while we will see it toppling iOS and iTunes.

again, anyone can prove me wrong in here.....

 

[Guamguy]

Android is only as fragmented as the PC was. In fact, internally, the architecture of Android phones have less variation than PCs, or even Macs.

Bloggers and tech commenters don't understand that the issue of fragmentation is as old as IBM mainframes and for decades, operating systems and programming interfaces have long developed the mechanisms to abstract and counter differences of hardware. Many times over.

 

[lunatic59]

...again, anyone can prove me wrong in here.....

Nobody is out to prove you wrong. There is no wrong or right, only preference based on needs. If the iPad2 suits your needs better than any tablet running Android, then buy it.

It never ceases to amaze me that not only must people find a good product that suits their needs, but also it must crush the competition. ... going all the way back to the great Corn Flakes vs. Wheaties riots of the '60s.

 

[takeshi]

(nm)

 

[takeshi]

Nobody is out to prove you wrong. There is no wrong or right, only preference based on needs. If the iPad2 suits your needs better than any tablet running Android, then buy it.

It never ceases to amaze me that not only must people find a good product that suits their needs, but also it must crush the competition. ... going all the way back to the great Corn Flakes vs. Wheaties riots of the '60s.

^ This. If you're not only keeping up with the Joneses but trying to constantly one-up them then you'll always be set up for disappointment. The criteria to use are your own needs and preferences. There's no single device that's best for every person out there. I'm not sure why so few forum users seem to understand that (aside from ego/tunnel vision). We'd all use the exact same device if that was the case.

 

[KENNECTED]

^ this. If you're not only keeping up with the joneses but trying to constantly one-up them then you'll always be set up for disappointment. The criteria to use are your own needs and preferences. There's no single device that's best for every person out there. I'm not sure why so few forum users seem to understand that (aside from ego/tunnel vision). We'd all use the exact same device if that was the case.

preach!! Amen!!