Techcrunch had an article today that pointed to a persons blog discussing the fragmentation issues within Android. It's one of the better examples I've seen discussing the issue of fragmentation among Android phones. The author went through most of the US released Android phones since 2008 and documented their OS versions. It's pretty impressive graphic and if there is one thing you can take away from it's Motorola's upgrade paths, or lake thereof. The graphic that was made to go along with it is great and does a really good job of actually showing the fragmentation.
It should be noted not every single Android released phone is there but I think what the author is shooting for is a comparison to when iPhone's were released. So that is probably why it stops when it does instead of carrying phones through 2011.
Here is the link to the article with the graphic: theunderstatement.com/post/11982112928/android-orp...
Discussion about
Android's fragmentation problem visualized
Where's The Motivation for the Carriers
Saw the post earlier. However, unless the carriers (read gatekeepers to the updates) somehow figure that their sales are being hurt as a result, they have little motivation to spend the resources to keep current with Android updates.
Saw the post earlier. However, unless the carriers (read gatekeepers to the updates) somehow figure that their sales are being hurt as a result, they have little motivation to spend the resources to keep current with Android updates.
Well to sign up for an additional 2 year contract. For instance I have an iPhone which is still upgraded regularly by Apple. I could upgrade right now, but am considering staying contract free so when everyone on my plan is done with our contract, we could switch to a cheaper carrier who has the iPhone also. The fact that my iPhone is still on a regular upgrade cycle helps me resist the temptation to upgrade.
It hasn't been a big deal to the growth and development of AndroidOS. Actually, it's a characteristic of an evolving market. It sucks for discerning consumers, but this situation is typical of an industry-wide set of software. It'll eventually get better as the hardware gets powerful enough and commoditized, but we are essentially at the end of the beginning of handheld devices.
Ideally, Google will be able to architect Android so updates can happen without touching the wireless network provider or OEM provider specific parts. Ie, one should be able to update an HTC Sense phone to the latest OS, and still be able to run Sense. Sense is simply an application.
If one wants a more integrated experience, competitor devices are available. It's all part of the fun.
Ideally, Google will be able to architect Android so updates can happen without touching the wireless network provider or OEM provider specific parts. Ie, one should be able to update an HTC Sense phone to the latest OS, and still be able to run Sense. Sense is simply an application.
If one wants a more integrated experience, competitor devices are available. It's all part of the fun.
Thanks for the link. I think it's spot on. No sooner do you buy an Android device, and you find yourself stuck on a device that is lost in the developmental cycle. I can see the draw, however, for people who like to constantly reconfigure their phones, and don't mind the higher frequency of irratic behavior from their device and apps. I don't think I would be happy with any Android device for an entire contract period. I only buy them off contract.
I like Android and have had many devices (all contract free aquired used from eBay or Craigslist). I better phones come out every 2 weeks. Just crazy. I think this is why MicroSoft put in requirements for their OS to be run on. I have been trying to get a MANGO phone, but no luck yet. :(
I have the same problem. I guess I felt I was always missing out on something much better with Android, but the variety of form factors was is great! It takes a lot of work to properly integrate hardware and software. It would be great to see manufacturers do a better job of this.
What ever happened to the pledge all the manufacturers made on stage with Google a few months back, where they said that they would improve upgrade cycles and support devices for 16 months after purchase? Doesn't seem like anything has changed since then.
I personally don't care much about this because I like to have my phone rooted and running custom Roms. So I always have the latest version of Android on my devices, sometimes long before they are even officially released for the device. So I am now more concerned about getting a phone that Developers will pool around and support going forward.
I personally don't care much about this because I like to have my phone rooted and running custom Roms. So I always have the latest version of Android on my devices, sometimes long before they are even officially released for the device. So I am now more concerned about getting a phone that Developers will pool around and support going forward.
Well the graph that author made is for 2008-2010 so these phones would not be affected by that agreement. Despite that agreement there hasn't been much said since in regards to what will be done or how it will be handled. The manufacture has to maintain the phone for 18 months but it doesn't go in depth on just how much they have to maintain.
Release New Hardware or Perish
It takes time and money for the manufactures to update the software for their phones. Resources that they get a better return on if they focus on the next hardware release. The only way these companies make money is to sell hardware. These guys have worked themselves into a vicious cycle. The only way they can differenciate themselves is through their hardware. It seems that as soon as one manufacture releases a phone, another one releases something with some additional or better hardware feature, then another, and another, leading to what we see today. Release new hardware or perish. I would guess that most folks, and not you geeks, even know what brand phone they have other than the carrier.
It is no surprise that satisfaction with Android based phones is not very high given all of the variability out there. It's amazing that you have a company like Apple that will support three generations of their phones and other manufactures that won't even support their current generation. But as long as folks keep buying them, there is not much reason for the manufactures to change their behavior.
It takes time and money for the manufactures to update the software for their phones. Resources that they get a better return on if they focus on the next hardware release. The only way these companies make money is to sell hardware. These guys have worked themselves into a vicious cycle. The only way they can differenciate themselves is through their hardware. It seems that as soon as one manufacture releases a phone, another one releases something with some additional or better hardware feature, then another, and another, leading to what we see today. Release new hardware or perish. I would guess that most folks, and not you geeks, even know what brand phone they have other than the carrier.
It is no surprise that satisfaction with Android based phones is not very high given all of the variability out there. It's amazing that you have a company like Apple that will support three generations of their phones and other manufactures that won't even support their current generation. But as long as folks keep buying them, there is not much reason for the manufactures to change their behavior.
