Apple iPad 3 launch => Android win? Apple win?

[Yeahha]

Thats great. Now if they could just update my S2 with ICS thats been out for what? Oh 5-6 months now, that would be swell. How about before you release the next OS my phone will never see? Thanks Google. What happened to that BS they spouted off a year ago about forcing carriers to update their phones in a timely manner? Anyone remember this?

Google partners with manufacturers and carriers to speed up Android updates | Android and Me

Has your phone stopped working? I don't see a reason to get upset/frustrated unless the lack of an update has caused your phone to stop functioning...

 

[psychotron]

Has your phone stopped working? I don't see a reason to get upset/frustrated unless the lack of an update has caused your phone to stop functioning...

Google promised nearly a year ago to work with carriers and manufacturers on timely OS updates. They lied in hopes of keeping disgruntled Android users from leaving, end of story. Most of the Android experience is the OS and ICS is a MAJOR OS update. If I wanted a phone that just made calls and I didn't care about an OS, I would have a non premium phone and save $10 a month.

 

[Yeahha]

Google promised nearly a year ago to work with carriers and manufacturers on timely OS updates. They lied in hopes of keeping disgruntled Android users from leaving, end of story.

I never heard of anything saying how long the OEM has to provide an update and they are sending out ICS updates to phones. Also google made everything available last year it is the OEM and carrier who have to get the OTA ready to be released not Google...like has been said before if the phone works without the update it shouldn't matter...the differences in the versions of the OS aren't as big as some like to make it out to be

 

[psychotron]

I never heard of anything saying how long the OEM has to provide an update and they are sending out ICS updates to phones. Also google made everything available last year it is the OEM and carrier who have to get the OTA ready to be released not Google...like has been said before if the phone works without the update it shouldn't matter...the differences in the versions of the OS aren't as big as some like to make it out to be

Did you read the link I posted? Google was supposed to enforce a time that the carriers had to update their phones to the new OS, where is that? Nothing has changed, carriers are still taking their sweet ass time to update our phones. Thats IF they update them at all. So yea, that was a flat out lie by Google to its customers.

 

[Yeahha]

Did you read the link I posted? Google was supposed to enforce a time that the carriers had to update their phones to the new OS, where is that? Nothing has changed, carriers are still taking their sweet ass time to update our phones. Thats IF they update them at all. So yea, that was a flat out lie by Google to its customers.

I did read it...they give no specific amount of time that the updates must be sent out by. The OEM and carrier want to give you the best experience possible...if someone want a beta experience then they can root and rom

 

[psychotron]

I did read it...they give no specific amount of time that the updates must be sent out by. The OEM and carrier want to give you the best experience possible...if someone want a beta experience then they can root and rom

No, the carrier wants to hold back ICS because its all about money. I own a Galaxy S2 (ET4G) on Sprint. Do you really think they are going to update us to ICS with their shiny new phones ready to come out in a few months? Of course not. If they did, there would be little reason for anyone to even think about a new phone and they want their new phones to have ICS first. My phone is barely 6 months old too, not like I have some 2 year old phone. This while thing is horseshit to be honest. Google lied, they are not enforcing timely OS updates on any carrier or manufacturer. If they were, we wouldn't be sitting here 4 months later wondering where ICS is.

 

[B2L]

No, the carrier wants to hold back ICS because its all about money. I own a Galaxy S2 (ET4G) on Sprint. Do you really think they are going to update us to ICS with their shiny new phones ready to come out in a few months? Of course not. If they did, there would be little reason for anyone to even think about a new phone and they want their new phones to have ICS first. My phone is barely 6 months old too, not like I have some 2 year old phone. This while thing is horseshit to be honest. Google lied, they are not enforcing timely OS updates on any carrier or manufacturer. If they were, we wouldn't be sitting here 4 months later wondering where ICS is.

You're always so quick to blame Google. But the main reason for slow updates is due to the carriers. What if Google did try to enforce timely updates, but the carriers said they couldn't do it in the amount of time given? (Google would have no option besides giving in, unless they wanted to lose a large market.) If the big four carriers in the US didn't decide to load bloatware onto devices, add in some kind of carrier branding, make tweaks, or add special "carrier exclusive" features we would all have a lot less time to wait for an update.

You keep complaining about why your device isn't updated, just take a look at the carrier logo on your device. if you had an international device you would likely have the update already on your GS2.

Android 4.0 upgrade list: Is your device getting Ice Cream Sandwich? - Computerworld Blogs

 

[A.Nonymous]

Did you read the link I posted? Google was supposed to enforce a time that the carriers had to update their phones to the new OS, where is that? Nothing has changed, carriers are still taking their sweet ass time to update our phones. Thats IF they update them at all. So yea, that was a flat out lie by Google to its customers.

I'm assuming when you bought your phone you liked it. If you hadn't you'd have taken it back and got something else. Now all of a sudden you hate your phone and it's Google's fault? Why? Nothing about your phone has changed. It's the same phone you bought and were happy with.

 

[Yeahha]

No, the carrier wants to hold back ICS because its all about money. I own a Galaxy S2 (ET4G) on Sprint. Do you really think they are going to update us to ICS with their shiny new phones ready to come out in a few months? Of course not. If they did, there would be little reason for anyone to even think about a new phone and they want their new phones to have ICS first. My phone is barely 6 months old too, not like I have some 2 year old phone. This while thing is horseshit to be honest. Google lied, they are not enforcing timely OS updates on any carrier or manufacturer. If they were, we wouldn't be sitting here 4 months later wondering where ICS is.

Just a guess but I assume you have never had a phone that received a botched OTA that actually broke thing with the update. As someone who has and been here helping people who received the OTA trying to root, downgrade, and unroot because the carrier released an update that went out to some people but then realized it was messed up and stopped the release. It is best for the customer to have them fully check the update before release even if it is "delayed" in the minds of the customer.

 

[psychotron]

You're always so quick to blame Google. But the main reason for slow updates is due to the carriers. What if Google did try to enforce timely updates, but the carriers said they couldn't do it in the amount of time given? (Google would have no option besides giving in, unless they wanted to lose a large market.) If the big four carriers in the US didn't decide to load bloatware onto devices, add in some kind of carrier branding, make tweaks, or add special "carrier exclusive" features we would all have a lot less time to wait for an update.

You keep complaining about why your device isn't updated, just take a look at the carrier logo on your device. if you had an international device you would likely have the update already on your GS2.

Android 4.0 upgrade list: Is your device getting Ice Cream Sandwich? - Computerworld Blogs

So Google allows the carriers to have their way with their OS and do as they please with it? They can't enforce any rules? Thats nice. Say what you will about Apple being walled off or too closed but this is just another example of how stupid licensing your OS out to just anyone is and another reason Google is helpless to clean up the fragmentation thats plagued what was once a great OS. For your info, NONE of the S2's have received ICS. That article is from Nov, this is March and they still haven't got their shit together to release it. Ridiculous.

 

[psychotron]

Just a guess but I assume you have never had a phone that received a botched OTA that actually broke thing with the update. As someone who has and been here helping people who received the OTA trying to root, downgrade, and unroot because the carrier released an update that went out to some people but then realized it was messed up and stopped the release. It is best for the customer to have them fully check the update before release even if it is "delayed" in the minds of the customer.

Ok, so whats the point of this then? Why is Google already working on Jellybean if no Android phone has even been updated to ICS yet? How does it take a carrier 6 months to optimize the stupid OS anyways? They can turn out quad core processors and all kinds of new hardware every few months like its nothing to keep customers spending money but it takes half a year or longer to make the software run on a phone? Please. The real answer is that the carrier make no money from updating current customers to a new OS. They make all their money off new contracts. So all the focus goes into making new phones all the time and making sure those are the ones to run the latest OS so they can grab the new contracts and make their money. They don't give two shits about loyal existing customers.

 

[B2L]

That article is from Nov, this is March and they still haven't got their shit together to release it. Ridiculous.

Apparently you didn't read that the article has been updated several times.

None huh?

Samsung Galaxy S II [UPDATED 3/21/12]: Samsung has confirmed its entire Galaxy S II line of devices will receive the Android 4.0 upgrade, with availability varying based on region and various carrier requirements. The first Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades started in early March. Some specifics:

 

[psychotron]

Apparently you didn't read that the article has been updated several times.

None huh?

Like I give a shit about Hungary and Sweden? I am talking about S2's in the US!

 

[jonmorris]

Google asks manufacturers to support for at least 18 months, but carriers do cause the biggest problems.

At the end of the day, you can usually update the phone with a custom ROM so it isn't a major problem. In fact, unofficial ROMs are often better!

 

[B2L]

Like I give a shit about Hungary and Sweden? I am talking about S2's in the US!

Which proves my initial point, if you didn't have a carrier branded S2 you would have it, or likely be getting it soon. The GS2's from the major four carriers won't receive it for quite some time since the carriers have to leave their fingerprints all over it first and "approve" it before sending it out to you.

You can go ahead and thank Sprint for the extra update delays on your ET4G. If they never messed with it initially, you probably wouldn't be so frustrated about this whole situation.

Instead you blame Google for the majority of delays.

 

[psychotron]

I'm assuming when you bought your phone you liked it. If you hadn't you'd have taken it back and got something else. Now all of a sudden you hate your phone and it's Google's fault? Why? Nothing about your phone has changed. It's the same phone you bought and were happy with.

Do you think Google just makes new Android OS' for fun? They spend time and money and have devs do all this work for shits and giggles? No, they do it because there are fixes for bugs, optimization and tweaks to the whole OS, new features etc...if it weren't that important, Google wouldn't be building updates to their OS. Like I said, this isn't like going from 2.1 to 2.1A or something, ICS is a major upgrade. Yet everyone still waits around for it and Google does nothing to make the carriers deliver it.

 

[psychotron]

Which proves my initial point, if you didn't have a carrier branded S2 you would have it, or likely be getting it soon. The GS2's from the major four carriers won't receive it for quite some time since the carriers have to leave their fingerprints all over it first and "approve" it before sending it out to you.

You can go ahead and thank Sprint for the extra update delays on your ET4G. If they never messed with it initially, you probably wouldn't be so frustrated about this whole situation.

Instead you blame Google for the majority of delays.

Yes, I blame Google because its their OS and they need to set rules and guidelines to control it better. How do you get a non carrier branded phone and run it on a network in the US? Pretty much impossible.

 

[B2L]

Yes, I blame Google because its their OS and they need to set rules and guidelines to control it better. How do you get a non carrier branded phone and run it on a network in the US? Pretty much impossible.

Pay the unsubsidized price and pop in a SIM card from a GSM network. I do that every single year when I buy a new device. I'm using my International Galaxy Note as we speak on Straight Talk.

 

[EarlyMon]

The updates tend to hit Europe or Asia first.

No SGS2 phones with ICS, as if it's never coming?

Three UK customers: SGS2 Android ICS 4.0 update Phone Reviews

So it begins.

I could point out that everything that you've heard about the next revision being a rumor, but I think I will point out instead that everyone is already working on their next OS release and that typically starts before the current one releases.

I don't understand you getting worked up to the point of harsh language.

For one example only, Sprint made a point to upgrade the Evo 4G last year to Gingerbread before releasing the Evo 3D with it.

Therefore your charge that it's a universal truth that all carriers are out to screw existing customers is false.

And the last point is obvious to many - Google is only responsible for updating the developer version of the Nexus first. Every other model of Android in existence has custom hardware changes from the developer model and it takes time to code things and test them.
If you want variety in hardware, that's Android, updates take time.

If you want a single hardware model without variety and fewer built-in features and slower update cycles on hardware, you want an iDevice, where things are more perfect. Unless you were an iP3gs owner who took the iOS update after the iP4 came out and your Apple device became all but useless until they rushed out a fix.
You're at the point of simply repeating false claims with vitriol as if people don't get your point.

We do. Many of us simply disagree and no amount of hyperbole or harsh language is going to force agreement here.

And if anyone wants to know how the whole licensing model works, who's involved, and how -

Open Handset Alliance

Deciding on the right device for you is a personal choice, there's no wrong answer.

Anyone who can't respect the choices of others might find better threads to hang out in, where your blood pressure stays lower, good heart-healthy advice right there.

 

[EarlyMon]

For those new to Android - carriers neither write nor optimize your Android operating system. Only handset makers do that, except for the Google developer model of the Nexus.

The world outside the USA is largely standardized for carrier radios and there's less issue of locking phone models to a single carrier's cellular radio standards.

This is why the USA is rarely updated first on things, it's about volume. Except for the Evo 4G, first phone after the Nexus to get Froyo. Not sure if the first non-Nexus to get Gingerbread was the Verizon Droid X or a European Samsung model.

First non-Nexus to get an official ICS update? Not sure, but so far we've seen an Australian HTC, some Sensation models and now the SGS2 in Europe.

So it begins.

 

[AntimonyER]

Haha, I just realized this was the iPad launch thread. I must say, I find myself wanting one... Electronics that double as frying pans are so cool. but really, have you seen those Disney appmates? That stuff is cool, and only on iPad.

 

[Yeahha]

I also wanted to point out that the new and better Android devices coming out every 3 months isn't to screw the customer or a money grab but to stay competitive in the market. Android is about choice the top phone now is not going to be the top phone in 6 months. That means the top phone now will be cheaper in 6 months. The same isn't true with iDevices, where they are limited to 1 release per year they can keep the price unchanged for the phone for that entire period of time.

They are different models in how to go about using the same type of technology Android providing more freedom while iOS offers a more stable ecosystem. Neither is perfect as I love Android and am not a fan of the way iOS handles updates. If you have a limited budget you can get a decent Android device and work with it to run newer versions of the OS. If you have the same limited budget you can get an older iPhone and it is stuck with the firmware you purchased it with.

I've got friends who love their iPhones and friends who love their Androids...in reality is either OS truly superior than the other...? No. We all have our personal tastes and everyone should try to find the right device for them.

 

[EarlyMon]

LoL ok, let's not throw rocks at the frying pans.

The only new device forum I've ever been in with virtually no complaints at launch at launch was for the humble but wonderful Evo Shift.

We're consumers, none of these makers do things because we are their friends, and all of them could step up their QA game and get no kick from any of us, yes?

 

[B2L]

LoL ok, let's not throw rocks at the frying pans.

The only new device forum I've ever been in with virtually no complaints at launch at launch was for the humble but wonderful Evo Shift.

We're consumers, none of these makers do things because we are their friends, and all of them could step up their QA game and get no kick from any of us, yes?

That must've been amazing, even if you offer a near "perfect" device you typically have someone complaining about something. I really don't want to see these forums turn out like they were in the Behold 2 days. Now that was scary.

 

[EarlyMon]

Haha, I just realized this was the iPad launch thread.

Any thread mentioning any iDevice with respect to Android is subject to shift and morph in the quest to answer whatever it is that whomever thinks needs addressing.

Science has yet to explain the phenomenon.

I sometimes wonder if by telling people that there's only the right device for you if we're not contributing to the death of Android. People might not realize that choices are good for them.

Nah.

Anyway, the iPhone was the top seller until it was surpassed by the Android class offering the best and broadest alternatives.

And the iPad will remain the top seller until it's not.

Meanwhile, everyone has their favorite horse in the race, except those that prefer funny car racing.

Pesky choices, I think I'll stick with Android.