Newbie

[dejay68]

Hi everyone,
I'm currently an iphone 4 user But have recently been tempted to join the dark side. I tried the HTC Desire HD but just could see enough difference between that and my iphone so returned it. I have now seen the HTC Sensation and want one I am well aware of all the apple fan boys saying apple is better etc and even though mine is jailbroken I still feel under the watchful eye of 'mr jobs'
So, my questions
.... regarding the OS on Android phones, are you all happy having an older phone that wont run the latest Android OS ? as this seems the case at the moment (apples updates apply to all variants)
.... I hear that viruses can attack android ? is this true?
.... is there an equivalent to jailbraking on Android ?

Thanks for listening and hopefully guiding me on the right path

 

[lunatic59]

Welcome to Android Forums!

I have an older phone running the latest OS. It's up to the manufacturer or carrier to provide updates, however. FWIW, many of the newer iOS updates have given older iPhone users trouble, so it's not a universally happy walled garden.

There have been very few reports of malware on any mobile platform in the wild (iOS, Android, Windows7, etc.) All these systems are security minded. While there have been some attempts through compromised app downloads, anything suspicious is pulled from the market quickly.

rooting (Android) and jailbreaking are simply gaining administrative access to the file system.

 

[El Presidente]

Welcome to the forums!

I'll do my best to answer your questions

1. Upgrades are a bone of contention with users of certain phones in that it can take an age for manufacturers to release the latest version (if they do at all). It's H/W dependant though, but a lot of high end phones generally get a year or so of upgrades. There are ways and means of getting different/newer versions of Android on if your manufacturer isn't forthcoming with updates. HTC are regarded as pretty good with updates though.

2. Yes and no, you get malware, but if you're careful with what you're installing, there's no need to worry. Google are normally pretty good at removing stuff too. The press make a much bigger deal of it than it is.

3. Yes, it's called "Rooting". As touched on above, it allows you to install different versions of Android on your phone and gives you access to things you shouldn't normally have access too.

Hope that helps. Incidentally, I have the Desire HD and I think it's awesome, but each to their own

Edit - Took too long to type and Lunatic got in there before me

 

[Bob Cat]

Welcome to the forums!

I'll do my best to answer your questions

1. Upgrades are a bone of contention with users of certain phones in that it can take an age for manufacturers to release the latest version (if they do at all). It's H/W dependant though, but a lot of high end phones generally get a year or so of upgrades. There are ways and means of getting different/newer versions of Android on if your manufacturer isn't forthcoming with updates. HTC are regarded as pretty good with updates though.

2. Yes and no, you get malware, but if you're careful with what you're installing, there's no need to worry. Google are normally pretty good at removing stuff too. The press make a much bigger deal of it than it is.

3. Yes, it's called "Rooting". As touched on above, it allows you to install different versions of Android on your phone and gives you access to things you shouldn't normally have access too.

Hope that helps. Incidentally, I have the Desire HD and I think it's awesome, but each to their own

Edit - Took too long to type and Lunatic got in there before me

And both of you got here before me. Everything I have is rooted with the lastest and greatest. As far as malware goes I only download from the market and not third party sites and I'm careful of what I download. Welcome to Android Forums!

 

[scary alien]

Welcome to the AndroidForums, dejay68!

I think you'll be very happy with your new Sensation for quite a while. I've had my Droid X for a year and a day now and its had all the power and capacity that I could have hoped for. Sure, there's always a newer, bigger, faster phone out there, but there will always be.

Supposedly, the major carriers and manufacturers have agreed with Google to provide support O/S support for their new devices for an 18 month window:

What Google's Android Update Deal Means for Fragmentation - Tested

which should help allay some of your fears regarding this.

Cheers and again, welcome to the AndroidForums!

 

[am78]

Hi dejay68...

What everyone has stated above is 100% true.... I have the Moto Milestone and I'm so in love with it....

Plus as long as you use the market place for your apps you wont have any worries of viruse attacks... plus there is also some free apps you can download there that helps scan your phone to make sure there is no viruses that have been loaded....

All else I can say is that you'll love the world of Android....

 

[dejay68]

Thanks for all the info guys, looks like you andoid users are'nt as brain washed as the apple users
One quick question about rooting ... can it be reversed like iphone can be after jailbreaking ? I only ask cus i've heard rooting can brick your phone while jailbreaking can't.
PS: HTC Sensation looks to be my next buy We dont have 4G network in UK yet & it will prob cost a lot p/month anyway + I personally are'nt interested in 3D phones so looks like the Sensation is for me .

Cheers again guys.

 

[lunatic59]

Rooting can brick your phone if you start deleting system files removing apps that provide services to the OS. Usually in that case you'll have to do a factory reset which will remove root anyway. You can unroot most phone, too.