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How can anyone keep up with the pace that smartphones are moving these days?
I got my Droid back in Dec of last year, and not 6 months later it's already looking ancient and sluggish next to phones like the Droid X and the iPhone 4. I can only imagine how dated it will look after 12 months, which I've decided is the shortest upgrade period I can reasonably do.
I have two simultaneous active phones (iPhone 3GS on ATT, Droid on VZW). I'm getting the iPhone 4 and will probably get a new Android phone (HTC, not Moto) by the end of the year.
I'd say I "keep up" with the pace of phone development the same way I do with all consumer electronics: by reading the blogs, listening to podcasts, engaging others in discussion and, of course, buying things when they fit in my budget (and sometimes when they don't).
I'd say I "keep up" with the pace of phone development the same way I do with all consumer electronics: by reading the blogs, listening to podcasts, engaging others in discussion and, of course, buying things when they fit in my budget (and sometimes when they don't).
Hi itchyeyes, I feel the exact same way:( I got my Droid back in Nov and if it wasn't for the 2.2 Froyo update after I rooted the Droid...I would not be a much much happier Droid owner. I have it overclocked to 1.1Ghz using SetCPU and using ClockWorkMod for downloading and installing custom ROMs. It'll give your Droid a whole new lease on life. I absolutely agree with ranhalt...the only way for me is to keep reading reviews and what other users comment on. Really though if the gadget you're using still does what you want...then it's really not obsolete.
I got my Droid the day it dropped and I feel the same. The mobile upgrade cycle is rapidly becoming as brutal as the PC gaming upgrade cycle, LOL.
The one thing that keeps me from automatically springing for every new and improved Android phone is my preference for 1) physical keyboards and 2) stock Android OS (i.e. no Sense UI or Motoblur). So far, the Motorola Droid stands alone as the only phone on the market, period, with all of the above.
The one thing that keeps me from automatically springing for every new and improved Android phone is my preference for 1) physical keyboards and 2) stock Android OS (i.e. no Sense UI or Motoblur). So far, the Motorola Droid stands alone as the only phone on the market, period, with all of the above.
This is one of the perks that iPhone users enjoy. They know and expect one upgraded unit per year. Those of us who lean towards the Android side of things are going to have to deal with the fragmentation and constant competition.
Android handset makers are not only having to one up Apple, but they have to compete with each other as well. Couple of the fact that Google is pumping out Android updates very quickly and it's a huge mess.
Android handset makers are not only having to one up Apple, but they have to compete with each other as well. Couple of the fact that Google is pumping out Android updates very quickly and it's a huge mess.
How is it only Iphone users that enjoy an upgrade every year? Motorola released the Droid last fall, and this year they are refreshing the lineup with two new phones. HTC does the same, they may release different models suited to different peoples needs but they refresh their lineup basically every year per carrier. Now you could argue that with HTC they released the Desire shortly after the Hero but ones high and one is mid, but it is suited to different budgets not unlike Apple selling the 3G for $99.
And fragmentation is a thing of the past. the last breakdown put over half the phones running 2.1, the ones that weren't are getting upgraded or not even able to get an upgrade like the Behold(samsung's own fault) and the G1 which is as old as the 3G.
And what really is disturbing is that you are apparently against competition. Do you think the iphone 4 would have had half the features if Android was fiercely competing with its self. Competition is driving down prices and adding functionality not seen before like the Super OLED screen, 4.3"screen, dual mics in a phone, ect..
The iphone is a great phone and top of the class but it is not! separated from the same problems everyone thinks android has with fragmentation, and upgrades.
And fragmentation is a thing of the past. the last breakdown put over half the phones running 2.1, the ones that weren't are getting upgraded or not even able to get an upgrade like the Behold(samsung's own fault) and the G1 which is as old as the 3G.
And what really is disturbing is that you are apparently against competition. Do you think the iphone 4 would have had half the features if Android was fiercely competing with its self. Competition is driving down prices and adding functionality not seen before like the Super OLED screen, 4.3"screen, dual mics in a phone, ect..
The iphone is a great phone and top of the class but it is not! separated from the same problems everyone thinks android has with fragmentation, and upgrades.
You can choose to upgrade phones as often as you please. That doesn't change the fact that manufacturers are coming out with Android phones at a very rapid pace. If you bought a Droid late last year, there were better devices out within months. You cannot currently purchase an Android phone and be confident that it will be relevant in 12 months.
Fragmentation is still very much an issue. 2.2 isn't even completely rolled out for one device, yet they plan on having the next iteration released in 6 months. Most devices won't have 2.2 by the time the next iteration rolls out. Matter of fact, most devices only had 2.1 for 1-2 months before 2.2 was announced.
Competition is wonderful, don't get me wrong. I'm simply saying that folks who choose to go down the iPhone route can enjoy the fact that their iOS device that they purchase this year will be the top-end phone for at least 12 months. Then, next year they only have one new iOS device to compare it to. Most Apple users can expect software updates for least 2 years, if history is any indication as well. Competition can become troublesome when the hardware moves faster than the consumers and developers are able to keep up with.
Compare that to Android where your phone can and will be obsoleted by better models in 2-3 months. I purchased a Droid Eris at a time when the only competition on Verizon was the Droid. The phone got 2.1 nearly 6 months late, and will likely never see 2.2. The phone is less than 12 months old and it's already discontinued.
Fragmentation is still very much an issue. 2.2 isn't even completely rolled out for one device, yet they plan on having the next iteration released in 6 months. Most devices won't have 2.2 by the time the next iteration rolls out. Matter of fact, most devices only had 2.1 for 1-2 months before 2.2 was announced.
Competition is wonderful, don't get me wrong. I'm simply saying that folks who choose to go down the iPhone route can enjoy the fact that their iOS device that they purchase this year will be the top-end phone for at least 12 months. Then, next year they only have one new iOS device to compare it to. Most Apple users can expect software updates for least 2 years, if history is any indication as well. Competition can become troublesome when the hardware moves faster than the consumers and developers are able to keep up with.
Compare that to Android where your phone can and will be obsoleted by better models in 2-3 months. I purchased a Droid Eris at a time when the only competition on Verizon was the Droid. The phone got 2.1 nearly 6 months late, and will likely never see 2.2. The phone is less than 12 months old and it's already discontinued.
