Gingerbread 2.3 was here, then gone, now it's back

[Medion]

I'm just curious. Aside from seeing "2.3.x" in the OS version of your phone, what aspects of Gingerbread do current Incredible owners want to see on their phones? I've used the CM7 nightlies, and here's what I'm seeing that I like;

-checkbox in application management that makes it easier to see which apps can be moved to SD (not sure if this is a CM hack or a 2.3 feature, giving the benefit of the doubt)

For me, that's pretty much it, as HTC Sense already does most of the other new interface changes (more universal copy/paste, easier text highlighting/editing) etc. People need to stop looking at Android as a universal OS like iOS. It's not. Google continually updates their Android source, and then the OEMs port it to their phone with changes specific to them. Often times these ports include new interfaces and features that don't show up in vanilla Android for several releases. A lot of the interface changes in 2.3 were available on our Incredible back in April on 2.1 + Sense!

We're currently slated to get the 2.2.1 update with New Sense, though I don't see that happening until March/April. I've gotten the impression that HTC won't be giving ANY phone a 2.3 update, and they'd rather wait for 2.4.

 

[NightAngel79]

We're currently slated to get the 2.2.1 update with New Sense, though I don't see that happening until March/April. I've gotten the impression that HTC won't be giving ANY phone a 2.3 update, and they'd rather wait for 2.4.

But the biggest reason for 2.4 is to add the support for dual-core, which means to me that for every phone out right now it is totally not needed. Now i could be wrong, there could be some bug fixes from 2.3 that they have discovered from the nexus s running 2.3 but from what i hearing/reading 2.4 is worthless unless you're dual core??

 

[Medion]

But the biggest reason for 2.4 is to add the support for dual-core, which means to me that for every phone out right now it is totally not needed. Now i could be wrong, there could be some bug fixes from 2.3 that they have discovered from the nexus s running 2.3 but from what i hearing/reading 2.4 is worthless unless you're dual core??

Misunderstanding. 2.4's primary purpose is to add support to existing single-core phones for apps designed to run on dual-core tablets running Honeycomb, where possible. It's a compatibility patch for single-core phones (like ours). This doesn't guarantee performance though, as a higher end phone like the Bionic (which IS dual-core) should have fewer issues running these apps.

It will also fix many buds introduced with 2.3 on the NS, as you mentioned. 2.3 is a meaningless update for any phone that isn't the Nexus S, Nexus One, or OG Droid. The latter two just get a slight interface overhaul and some minor features. I've used CM7 and love it, but most of the tweaks there are from the CM team, not from the 2.2->2.3 update.

 

[EarlyMon]

Superior garbage collection in 2.3.

 

[Medion]

Superior garbage collection in 2.3.

Definitely a nice boost, but not very noticeable in builds with hardware acceleration (IE, Sense ROMs). The only time this tends to catch my eye is when the ROM tries to do some garbage collection while you're trying to pan or scroll, which causes interface lag. Sense separates this into CPU and GPU tasks, making the garbage collection not interrupt the user nearly as much.

So this feature is a near necessity for vanilla users, not so much for us. Also, I got your PMs. Like you, I've been busy, will respond soon.

 

[EarlyMon]

I'd still expect better garbage collection to have an effect on running apps.

Better garbage collection means less of a tendency for apps to core leak (grow unnecessarily in memory usage while running) and that should lead to smoother app response with fewer crashes in many cases.

I'd especially expect to see that impact browsers.

 

[ElasticNinja]

i do hope that the improved garbage collection reduces random browser lag... tho i thought Opera used C++

any news on the 2.3.3 improvements being added to CM7?
its not all NFC

 

[EarlyMon]

i do hope that the improved garbage collection reduces random browser lag... tho i thought Opera used C++

Garbage collection is compiler dependent, not language dependent. All object-oriented languages have had issue with it.

Isn't Opera viewing going through the Opera proxy and therefore slower?

Been a while since I've used their browsers - I try them from time to time, give up, move on.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

hummm well now i am completely lost haha looks like i got some more reading to do HAHAH

 

[line6ix]

Actually most consumers are getting aware of this and does factor into their decision. I just had a guy buy the HTC Evo over the Epic because of Samsung's bad rep for not pushing out updates. This meant more to him than a slide out keyboard.

one guy = most consumers? nah...

 

[blkbeltkid17]

lol point

 

[EarlyMon]

one guy = most consumers? nah...

http://androidforums.com/samsung-captivate/274500-samsung-captivate-froyo-spotted.html#post2258996

 

[zerocool79346]

Garbage collection is compiler dependent, not language dependent. All object-oriented languages have had issue with it.

Isn't Opera viewing going through the Opera proxy and therefore slower?

Been a while since I've used their browsers - I try them from time to time, give up, move on.

Opera is hands down the smoothest browser out for Android right now IME, but it's text input functions are absolutely horrid so I don't ever use it.

I doubt the Inc will be withheld from GB if Google decides its worth releasing (not exactly a revolutionary step up from Froyo, so I think it makes more sense to not with 2.4 being right around the corner), nor will any other phone that was updated to Froyo officially as GB is not much (if any) more hardware taxing.

 

[Crashumbc]

Garbage collection is compiler dependent, not language dependent. All object-oriented languages have had issue with it.

Isn't Opera viewing going through the Opera proxy and therefore slower?

Been a while since I've used their browsers - I try them from time to time, give up, move on.

Opera has TWO browsers

Opera Mobile(I think) - this is a full after-market browser just like firefox,dolphin etc.

Opera Mini - this is their compact, LOW bandwidth browser. this one uses a special opera operated "proxy" server. Basically, it pulls in the website "re-formats" it to be much smaller and then sends it to your phone. With G3 networks this isn't nearly as useful but it was VERY nice on previous generation networks... it can still be useful in low signal areas.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

Just bring on gb already lol

 

[TheLurg1687]

I find it interesting that only the Nexus S has 2.3. When 2.2 came out, speaking in time periods from release, didn't other phones (Nexus 1 and other Vanilla phones) have it already? It seems Google may be moving on and "skipping" 2.3 to go onto 2.4.
my 0.2

 

[NightAngel79]

Opera has TWO browsers

Opera Mobile(I think) - this is a full after-market browser just like firefox,dolphin etc.

Opera Mini - this is their compact, LOW bandwidth browser. this one uses a special opera operated "proxy" server. Basically, it pulls in the website "re-formats" it to be much smaller and then sends it to your phone. With G3 networks this isn't nearly as useful but it was VERY nice on previous generation networks... it can still be useful in low signal areas.

You're mostly right. They actually have 3 browsers. Opera mobile was lightening fast on my winmo phone, it is their purely mobile browser, completely separate from Opera's desktop browser.


Oh yea and

Spoiler

Gingerbread, that is all

 

[blkbeltkid17]

so what comes out after gingerbread for phones since honeycomb was officially released as tablets only??

 

[euph_22]

so what comes out after gingerbread for phones since honeycomb was officially released as tablets only??

Google has said no such thing. At most they've said it was "designed from the ground up with tablets in mind", which is a far cry from say it won't reach smartphones. Maybe it will, maybe it won't.

And honestly, phone's will be getting all the improvements/upgrades Honeycomb has to offer either way. They HAVE confirmed that that the intention is to maintain a single android OS, so even if they are branching out with this version it's just temporary. Either they'll push out Honeycomb to phones or they'll pack Ice Cream with all the shiny bits from 3.0.

EDIT: ok, I came across the statement you were probably referring (I originally thought it was a similar/identical quote from Andy Rubin.)

“Honeycomb” is a tablet-only OS, for now.

If you ACTUALLY READ what Kovacs said, he makes it clear that their intention is to bring the features of Honeycomb to phones.

 

[yadirocks]

vting for update for HTC DESIRE HD

 

[EarlyMon]

How 'bout the DHD2?

Huge Spec Leak: Wildfire 2, Desire 2, Desire HD2, and Galaxy S2 | Android Phone Fans

 

[blkbeltkid17]

EDIT: ok, I came across the statement you were probably referring (I originally thought it was a similar/identical quote from Andy Rubin.)



If you ACTUALLY READ what Kovacs said, he makes it clear that their intention is to bring the features of Honeycomb to phones.

its that and i didnt read what i said from him or here it was androidtablets.com/net i forgot

 

[Deleted User]

I would love to get 2.4 and the new sense that comes on the Thunderbolt. But I won't hold my breath.

 

[Deleted User]

I would love to get 2.4 and the new sense that comes on the Thunderbolt. But I won't hold my breath.

I am hoping there will be a ROM ported from the Bolt as soon as it comes out. Should be better than the Z ports.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

Thats what I an hoping