Android users not upgrading their OS to the latest version

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  • Reply 21 of 141
    b747b747 Posts: 27member
    Android is certainly a worthy competitor to iPhone OS but not being able to get the latest update would frustrate me to no end.
  • Reply 22 of 141
    btblombergbtblomberg Posts: 63member
    Quote:

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by WilliamG

    I wonder how many current sales are devices with a legacy OS. Few, I hope.

    I wish that were the case, but judging by the number of handsets with older OS's on them, I doubt it. I don't have any hard numbers, but let's count the phones running Android 1.5 here in the U.S.



    HTC Hero, Samsung Moment, HTC Droid Eris, Motorola Cliq, Motorola Backflip, MyTouch 3G, Sony Experia X10



    To my knowledge, these are the only ones running 2.0/2.1:



    Motorola Droid, Nexus One, HTC Incredible



    That's quite a difference, especially considering the Nexus One isn't sold in any stores and basically is unknown outside of the tech community.



    Yep, If the update for a device is't in the field it's also not going to be on store shelves. Year old Android phone will likely have the same old OS, on the shelf or off.
  • Reply 23 of 141
    just_a_guyjust_a_guy Posts: 49member
    What google should be doing is as follows: making Android have a compadiblity layer which makes it easy to upgrade the phones. It should make it so that android would automatically detect the architecture in the phone and then upgrade accordingly. If Google does this then i could see people upgrading their phones much easier. Also, Google should have come up with some interface guidelines so that some phones wouldn't have had a UI that would break when there is an update, such as HTC's touch sense. This would have essentially left the updates to Google, and not the handset makers who want to make money.
  • Reply 24 of 141
    jamesmanjamesman Posts: 9member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by aaadktda View Post


    "I am an Android guy and like my freedom of choice."



    Not meant to be a flame, just curious. What choices have you made on your Android that you could not have on an iPhone?



    Reality check. I would guess that for people who want "choice" it is the underlying principle that seems to count. In reality that means that they would want apps that are politically, morally, or technically questionable (in the eyes of some - granted, likely including my eyes). In reality that also means that you have access to a couple of thousand apps that Apple does not want, BUT you miss a 100 000 apps that Apple currently has over the Android, PLUS their regular upgrade system (both of app and OS). Some choice.
  • Reply 25 of 141
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JamesMan View Post


    Reality check. I would guess that for people who want "choice" it is the underlying principle that seems to count. In reality that means that they would want apps that are politically, morally, or technically questionable (in the eyes of some - granted, likely including my eyes). In reality that also means that you have access to a couple of thousand apps that Apple does not want, BUT you miss a 100 000 apps that Apple currently has over the Android, PLUS their regular upgrade system (both of app and OS). Some choice.



    Umm lets see tethering, multitasking would be two things that currently come to the top as things android can do iphone can't (don't attack that multitasking is on the horizon as its just as on the horizon for AAPL as its just as much on the horizon as the android updates for legacy devices that this whole article bases itself from)...well that and also save me $40 a month not paying the apple premium for sub-par at&T service v another provider...I also love the app comparison saying iphone has soooo many more apps...guess what; apple's model is built off the idea that 99% of people use the same "apps" so the fringe apps are a cute idea but if you really plan to hang your hat on those thats great but when ~5 people are using an app I don't consider it a "must have" like lots who seem to imply they couldn't live without all 150k apps...I ditched my iphone; love my IPAD wouldn't ever go back for cell svc but like I said I'm fair love my ipad it is sick...Also nice to see Steve is your moral compass on things and whatever he allows/disallows into the app store including "political cartoons" are way too objectionable for you...maybe you shouldn't open that NY Times app for fear of being offended by the cartoons... All hail Chairman Mao err Steve. PS Lemme know how you like Steve pushing iAds to your mobile phone wasting your time while charging a premium to have ad subsidized svc...not saying GOOG isn't headed in this direction, just expect apple's integration to be more "in your face"
  • Reply 26 of 141
    postulantpostulant Posts: 1,272member
    Maybe the Android OS is so awesome out of the box that users don't see a need to update.



    Hey, i've been wrong before.
  • Reply 27 of 141
    richlrichl Posts: 2,213member
    I'm surprised that this article doesn't delve into Android v2.2 (aka Froyo) and how it attempts to tackle fragmentation.
  • Reply 28 of 141
    sockrolidsockrolid Posts: 2,789member
    The handset manufacturers are probably very happy with the difficult upgrade process. They would rather sell you a new phone every year or two anyway.



    The problem with that line of thinking is that there is zero brand loyalty. Who cares if the most recent Android phone is an HTC, LG, Samsung, or whatever? The latest Android phone on the market will have the most recent version of the software. And if it happens to be on a user's carrier, they'll buy that instead of whatever brand their old phone is.



    There's your "choice". Android owners can choose between current or obsolete Android 1.x or 2.x versions, on any number of generic Brand X phones. As long as it's on their carrier. LOL.
  • Reply 29 of 141
    sheffsheff Posts: 1,407member
    Yea when you gotta swtich carriers to get a new version of the phone, and a month later have another phone on another carrier come out with a way better OS you know you picked the wrong mobile OS.



    Apple has done an increadible job of running basically the same software on iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS, iPod Touch 1, 2 and 3. Yes some apps are slower, some are faster and some don't work on some of the older devices but most apps and even OS 3.0 works on all the devices so far. I guess there will be a break with 4.0, but that will kick out the oldest devices basically and will probably be supporter by another 3 generations of iProducts.



    And you don't have to switch carriers to get the latest phones
  • Reply 30 of 141
    jaypresjaypres Posts: 16member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ekeefe41 View Post


    Anyway, i am sure i will get flamed here considering this is an Apple fan site, but i think Android will become the defacto OS for smart-phones in the next few years.



    Android users are mostly childish who are ideological in their view of life. "I love freedom. I love options. I love free stuff. Free stuff are created by saints who live frugally. I hate rich people. Rich people are crooks. People who loves money are bad."



    Apple users are practical people who simply choose gadgets that help them do their work. These people do not care about the childish criticisms that is spreading across the world. They just do their work with the best tools available.



    Android may be the defacto OS for smartphones, but iPhone will be the defacto smartphone.
  • Reply 31 of 141
    prof. peabodyprof. peabody Posts: 2,860member
    ... edit: I read "have" instead of "haven't" so my entire reply was moot. deleted.
  • Reply 32 of 141
    prof. peabodyprof. peabody Posts: 2,860member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SockRolid View Post


    The handset manufacturers are probably very happy with the difficult upgrade process. They would rather sell you a new phone every year or two anyway.



    The problem with that line of thinking is that there is zero brand loyalty. Who cares if the most recent Android phone is an HTC, LG, Samsung, or whatever? The latest Android phone on the market will have the most recent version of the software. And if it happens to be on a user's carrier, they'll buy that instead of whatever brand their old phone is.



    There's your "choice". Android owners can choose between current or obsolete Android 1.x or 2.x versions, on any number of generic Brand X phones. As long as it's on their carrier. LOL.



    This is so true.



    Ironically, the carriers and phone manufacturers are just shooting themselves in the foot with this strategy anyway though. Almost everyone I know who got the first iPhone (me included) has upgraded every single year to the new model just because they love it so much and Apple is so cool.



    If you offer a fantastic product, people will line up to buy it and buy a new version every year, If you just want to shovel crap out the door, be an Android manufacturer.
  • Reply 33 of 141
    prof. peabodyprof. peabody Posts: 2,860member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Greggae512 View Post


    Umm lets see tethering, multitasking would be two things that currently come to the top as things android can do iphone can't ...



    Not true about the tethering. iPhone has had tethering for ages and it's used every day around the world.



    AT&T won't allow it in the USA, but that's a different thing altogether. iPhone tethers just fine and pretty much every market it sells in allows it *except* for the USA.
  • Reply 34 of 141
    ekeefe41ekeefe41 Posts: 36member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by aaadktda View Post


    "I am an Android guy and like my freedom of choice."



    Not meant to be a flame, just curious. What choices have you made on your Android that you could not have on an iPhone?



    Not going to lie, and if your male you should be honest with yourself



    PORN
  • Reply 35 of 141
    ekeefe41ekeefe41 Posts: 36member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jaypres View Post


    Android users are mostly childish who are ideological in their view of life. "I love freedom. I love options. I love free stuff. Free stuff are created by saints who live frugally. I hate rich people. Rich people are crooks. People who loves money are bad."



    Apple users are practical people who simply choose gadgets that help them do their work. These people do not care about the childish criticisms that is spreading across the world. They just do their work with the best tools available.



    Android may be the defacto OS for smartphones, but iPhone will be the defacto smartphone.



    I think with every release cycle the iPhone will probably take the top spot in the world of SmartPhones.



    Then again, who knows. I wonder if the next iPhone will out perform the HTC EVO? Who knows.



    Oh yea, thanks for painting all Android users with a broad and insulting brush. You once again prove the prejudice that Apple users are elitist, self righteous, closed minded jerks too be completely false. You sir are a tribute to the Apple community, A community... i might add i was once a part of, Duel core G4 tower FTW!



    At least back then the false belief i had that Apple had superior software AND HARDWARE could be justified by the fact that they actually used DIFFERENT HARDWARE.

    Things are much clearer now.



    Did you happen to see this?

    http://www.fastcompany.com/1630554/a...mobile-web-use



    have a nice day
  • Reply 36 of 141
    prof. peabodyprof. peabody Posts: 2,860member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ekeefe41 View Post


    Not going to lie, and if your male you should be honest with yourself



    PORN



    Thanks for painting all male users with a broad and insulting brush. You once again prove the prejudice that porn users are male.



    Actually, not all males like "porn" and as far as I heard, teh Internets are full of porn so there's no reason that you can't have porn on your iPhone if you want that.
  • Reply 37 of 141
    ekeefe41ekeefe41 Posts: 36member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by EdUcAtE View Post


    Yeah, I'm curious about that as well. I'm stuck with crummy ol' 1.5. The list of 2.1 apps will continue to grow and I'll continue to wish... VZW promised an upgrade end of Q1 and it didn't happen and now it's too late to return this piece o crap and they want $375 to kill my contract... Completely bogus.



    Gotta love android.



    What do you have the Droid Eris?

    What did you pay for that? 99 with a contract? Or was it free?



    Not to be too combative, but you did pick the cheap DROID...



    Anyway, if you don't want to wait for the official update there is always rooting your phone.

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=554

    The how to

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=647707



    I have 2.1 on my G1 and it runs great, lave wallpapers and all. You have superior hardware to mins so i assume your custom ROM's will run even better. Then again i have Cyanogen coding my stuff He rocks.
  • Reply 38 of 141
    ekeefe41ekeefe41 Posts: 36member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Prof. Peabody View Post


    Thanks for painting all male users with a broad and insulting brush. You once again prove the prejudice that porn users are male.



    Actually, not all males like "porn" and as far as I heard, teh Internets are full of porn so there's no reason that you can't have porn on your iPhone if you want that.



    Have you ever watched porn?

    Have you ever watched porn on your iPhone?



    Let he who has never enjoyed a little porn cast the first stone!

    I think Jesus said that, he was awesome.... or was it Mohammad.... (Support South Park)
  • Reply 39 of 141
    alfiejralfiejr Posts: 1,524member
    most people are paying $x up front plus $y per month in a 2 year contract that actually "buys" their phone. and once the 2 years are up, you don't automatically get a monthly rate reduction, although you could shop around maybe.



    given that, you think that updating to better new hardware and the latest version of an OS every two years costs you just that $x. your monthly $y stays the same anyway. although with Android you will probably have to also buy all your old apps again to work with the latest OS version. so that costs you an extra $z every 2 years too. if you have a good number of apps, $z will probably be as much as $x. so ok, this two year cycle costs you about $2x every 2 years.



    if $x = $100 or less, people don't really care. which is where most Android phones will likely wind up being priced anyway. but there will be resistance to spend more once people realize the problem in the next year or so.



    iPhone owners are paying more for $x, and probably most will try to wait 3 or 4 years to replace an iPhone when there is a big hardware difference from their old model. Apple's annual updates and longer term app compatibility is a big plus for them. for them paying $400 every 4 years is as good a price as a new cheaper Android phone every 2 years. and much less hassle.



    it's the differene between a premium product and a cheap commodity product.
  • Reply 40 of 141
    orlandoorlando Posts: 601member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RichL View Post


    I'm surprised that this article doesn't delve into Android v2.2 (aka Froyo) and how it attempts to tackle fragmentation.



    Of course it doesn't mention any improvements Google might be making. This is a Prince McLean article. You should therefore expect it to be selective on which facts are reported (ie it will only contain facts that make Apple look good or the competition look bad). The same AdMob report also shows Android being ahead of the iPhone in the US (page 9 of the report). Just don't expect this fact to be mentioned as it doesn't fit the narrative Prince wants to present.
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