Android, where is it going?

[sconnelly]

Is there a URL that lists all the changes and fixes between Android OS versions (aka release notes)?

I found:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

But I don't think this list is comprehensive.

Additionally, does the Google Android team publish a OS updates road map?

It almost appears that updates are adhoc... or crazy random, and when they feel like it, and only what they feel like adding or fixing NOT what needs to be fixed or improved.

For instance, ANIMATED FRIGGING BACKGROUNDS on the Google Nexus? Are you kidding me? They tasked their coders to add this feature, at the expense of fixing real problems? Tell me it isn

 

[Tuxas]

Is there a URL that lists all the changes and fixes between Android OS versions (aka release notes)?

I found:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

But I don't think this list is comprehensive.

Additionally, does the Google Android team publish a OS updates road map?

It almost appears that updates are adhoc... or crazy random, and when they feel like it, and only what they feel like adding or fixing NOT what needs to be fixed or improved.

For instance, ANIMATED FRIGGING BACKGROUNDS on the Google Nexus? Are you kidding me? They tasked their coders to add this feature, at the expense of fixing real problems? Tell me it isn’t so! Please pardon my anger!

As of OS 2.1, there are still some major problems that haven't been solved (even though many customers have been asking for well over a year).

In particular, the following [still unresolved as of OS 2.0 - I think] issues affect me:

- Cannot connect to WPA2 Wifi with hidden SSID
Issue 1041 - android - Hidden SSID Fails to Connect - Project Hosting on Google Code

- Cell phone radio signal lost and not re-acquired
Issue 2845 - android - After Losing Signal Phone Doesn't Try To Reacquire it - Project Hosting on Google Code

I have the Eris and don't have this issue.

- Google mail app only allows one gmail account (even the iPhone has this ability)
Issue 1051 - android - Gmail should allow multiple simultaneous accounts - Project Hosting on Google Code

This is in 2.0.

- Voice Dialing is really useless (especially now that hands free is now law in B.C.)
Issue 1181 - android - [VoiceDial] Voice confirmation for Voice Dialer - Project Hosting on Google Code

Agreed

- Apps storage on SD card. This is a huge fail! Until this problem is solved, very few commercial developers are going to write sophisticated (larger than a few megabytes) apps. In the meantime, there is a hack for this.
Issue 1151 - android - RFE: Support install of apps on SD cards - Project Hosting on Google Code

Google has said they are working on a way to do this. It is a security issue (pirating).

- Market (paid apps) not supported in Canada (and many other countries). One word, stupid!
Issue 3380 - android - Market should allow users to purchase paid apps through any network - Project Hosting on Google Code

- Adobe Flash support (to be fair, iPhone can't either but wouldn't it be great that Android was first... dream on!)
Issue 1281 - android - Support Adobe/Macromedia Flash in the browser. - Project Hosting on Google Code

Droid and Eris have flash lite, Flash 10 has been showcased and should be out fairly soon.

- Multi-touch (what's the problem?)

Android can multi-touch Google just doesn't use it. They have said it is up to the developer.

- Google Earth app (ironically even the iPhone has a Google Earth app - which is amazing!)

Announced.

Answered a few above, I don't live in Canada and don't use a hidden SSID so I can't comment on these.

 

[bbrosen]

With so many different hardware devices running different software versions, handset makers get in the act of programming, Google of course and also the carriers add their own piece of crap software to the mix and add to that, having to have the handset maker as well as the carrier to approve of updating the devices-it's a nightmare. Also consider there is no one universal desktop program to sync and organize data for these handsets...

i just cannot believe it has turned out like this....Apple got it right for sure...I used to own the iphone, now just an ipod touch, my work pays for my cell service so i am with a carrier other than att, hence the android OS phone. It is a mess for sure.

I am a technical person, I do pbx and IT tech support and this android crap is killing me, just looking at the folders on your device, they are a mess. Weird folders that say they are empty, yet cannot be deleted, odd names that you do not know what they do or are for....

the market is a mess too, it is really only fully viewable from a phone. When i am home i use my desktop, not my phone...


Most non geeks will not stick with android devices unless these things change, ie the issues you brought up as well as the haphazard crazy way android is dispersed and used. No standards, at all...guess thats the price you pay for no control, and a free and open OS.

I see it floundering in 10 different ways for a few years, due to lack of hardware and software standards and Google not being a good leader.

 

[sconnelly]

- Apps storage on SD card. This is a huge fail! Until this problem is solved, very few commercial developers are going to write sophisticated (larger than a few megabytes) apps. In the meantime, there is a hack for this.
Issue 1151 - android - RFE: Support install of apps on SD cards - Project Hosting on Google Code

Google has said they are working on a way to do this. It is a security issue (pirating).


Answered a few above, I don't live in Canada and don't use a hidden SSID so I can't comment on these.

The whole excuse about pirating is utter nonsense. Their inaction on this issue and the hundreds (or thousands) of other issues is proof enough that this is just another low-priority fault.

I am so tired of the Android team excuses and Phandroids who make excuses for them ("be patient", "they are still new at this", etc.)..
Oh please, just take a look at the few important issues (out of hundreds) that have apparently seen NO action (over a year). Yet, it still totally baffles me that they had time to introduce animated backgrounds on the Nexus!

The standards for smart phones are higher than 3 years ago, yet in many ways, smart phones from 3 years ago are more usable than the Android.

 

[sconnelly]

With so many different hardware devices running different software versions, handset makers get in the act of programming, Google of course and also the carriers add their own piece of crap software to the mix and add to that, having to have the handset maker as well as the carrier to approve of updating the devices-it's a nightmare. Also consider there is no one universal desktop program to sync and organize data for these handsets...

i just cannot believe it has turned out like this....Apple got it right for sure...I used to own the iphone, now just an ipod touch, my work pays for my cell service so i am with a carrier other than att, hence the android OS phone. It is a mess for sure.

I am a technical person, I do pbx and IT tech support and this android crap is killing me, just looking at the folders on your device, they are a mess. Weird folders that say they are empty, yet cannot be deleted, odd names that you do not know what they do or are for....

the market is a mess too, it is really only fully viewable from a phone. When i am home i use my desktop, not my phone...


Most non geeks will not stick with android devices unless these things change, ie the issues you brought up as well as the haphazard crazy way android is dispersed and used. No standards, at all...guess thats the price you pay for no control, and a free and open OS.

I see it floundering in 10 different ways for a few years, due to lack of hardware and software standards and Google not being a good leader.

Could not have said this better myself!

 

[AndroidSPCS]

I have voice dialing on my Samsung Moment, with the Sprint Nuance software.

I have connected to hidden wifi w/ WPA2 before as well, not sure why that's an issue. Much like the cellphone signal lost and phone doesn't try to re-acquire - not true either.

I wonder how some of these problems are reported and tracked. Some of them are not accurate or true.

 

[Puffy]

Problems in Canada? Blame the French. I do.