I see little value to anyone in tracking this really stupid metric. And is this data really valid? I doubt it and for sure it is completely meaningless waste of time and money.
Guys go track something meaningful and stop wasting everyone's time. WhoTF cares when a mobile user updated their phone OS iPhone, Android, or any other phone.
Maybe it's just because iOS 3.x is already stable and feature rich, so there's not as much of a compelling need to upgrade for iPhone users. News also travels fast among iOS device users... if there are issues with an upgrade, they won't. I think it's a little early yet to be coming to any conclusions about why users have upgraded or not. I think you'll start to see some changes in the stats now with iOS 4.1 out and 4.2 on the horizon.
This argument isn’t new, but it’s just as flawed. Smartphone OSes have been able to do what the iPhone can do and much more since day one.
If you are looking for bullet points on a spec sheet then the iPhone isn’t for you. Apple solution is to make the features it does offer work easier and more intuitively than other devices. Froyo is not iOS with CocoaTouch. Not even close.
really? tell me which touch screen phones were in that same league? android 2.2 is the only one i have used that is on par. the bar is set by apple i will not debate that as far as quality and technology goes for most things.
sorry, it is very close on the surface. most people know that android is not ios under the hood. and i am not arguing that YOU should follow my lead was pointing out my take on it. i don't need a bullet point i need things to actually do what i need them to do. and right now steve jobs/att won't let the iphone do some of the things i need it to do so for now i use android.
The headline says ?Android? users, but the actual facts stated are specifically about just one small subset: users of the Motorola-made Droid handset.
So the headline is false. Android 2.2 adoption is not suddenly widespread (and can?t be because Android phones, really, are NOT one single platform at all).
Yeah but OTA updates also have a higher chance of failing. And therefore bricking the phone. They are also reliant on carriers pushing out the upgrades.
iTunes performs checks that the file downloaded is sound then backs up then performs the upgrade. No backups for OTA. Apple also controls the upgrade so it's entirely up to the user to upgrade. Many hold off until the reports of issues roll in to see if the upgrade is worth it. Also others choose not to upgrade in order to keep their jailbroken phones jailbroken until an update is released.
Sorry but these sorts of data releases mean nothing.
Yeah, our Droid users on staff are all having major issues connecting to our wifi after upgrading to 2.2. I think I'd probably be a Droid fan if it didn't feel so Linux like to me, seems to have a lot of the scattered personality you find in Linux distros. I used to like Linux a lot, until I had to rely on it to do any real work. To often updates would actually break system functionality and the plethora of free apps they were always touting in open source communities all fell far short of professional solutions.
The potential of Android is great, unfortunately Google is well known for their forever beta approach to things and that is the feel I've gotten from Android thus far. I don't have time to be a hacker when I'm doing business, I just need things to work.
This is very simple. Ota updates are always going to be more likey completed. i know at least 4 iPhone owners who don't have a pc or Internet to get the new iPhone update
So it's not users of Android devices. It's users of Android Market. Vast difference.
People using 1.6 won't be connecting to the Android Market if most of the apps aren't compatible, now, will they?
This pie chart therefore says nothing about Android version market share in terms of ownership.
The OS automatically checks the market server in the background, regardless of whether the user physically opens it or not, so the ownership numbers are accurate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by krabbelen
Ohhh, "accessed the market", I see. And during a two week period, to boot. And what percentage of Android phones out there actually accessed the market during that two week period?
Every handset which has the market installed and some form of data connection is counted. Android phones with no form of data connection don't exist yet, so it excludes tablets, dead devices and devices on 24/7 airplane mode.
Quote:
Apparently, Verizon is releasing Android phones that cannot "access the market". Apparently, Tablets and mobile devices that lack 3G connectivity cannot "access the market". Apparently carriers and handset makers have their own competing "markets".
You're thinking of Google search being replaced with Bing. This hasn't happened yet.
Quote:
Oh, I get it, Fragmentation doesn't count if we are talking about the whole installed base of Android devices; if we instead narrow ourselves to a portion that are not Soooo ...fragmented, then, voila, no fragmentation; don't you see? We have just defined it out of existence! Hoorah!
All phones which are phones get the market. Or are you complaining that tablet devices aren't being included?
Quote:
OTOH, the percentage of iOS devices that cannot access its market is 0% (click the Store button in iTunes and you are in). The percentage of iOS devices that cannot rent or purchase media from said market is 0%. The percentage of iOS devices that cannot download apps from said market because they are on version 1.x, is probably vanishingly small. A developer on iOS knows that what, 90%? of the currently installed base can use his app; and 100% of devices sold the last several quarters and going forward. Welcome to meaningful statistics.
The second-gen can't get multitasking or game center, and is incapable of running certain apps due to cpu/ram. 3GS doesn't get HDR, and iPads stuck on 3.X till November (not to mention some sticking to it voluntarily), and there's additional coding needed for retina display compatibility. iOS development isn't the buttery smooth sailing you're making it out to be, even though it's significantly easier due to uniform screen size.
5. Motorola Driod users bought their phones knowing that Android 2.2 was just around the corner. They probably had a list of feature updates in mind when they bought the phone. Many iPhone3GS users had owned their phones for a full year when the iOS4 update came out and were already satisfied...
That said, I wouldn't mind OTA updates in the future if it were offered. I just don't know if this article *means* much...
Actually the Droid was released before 2.1 was even announced, and a lot of consumers were surprised (and angry) when it did come out. The only "feature" that was really pushed as "coming soon" with the original (2.0) launch was Adobe flash which no one knew what OS version it would come on.
2.2 caught a lot of people by surprise (remember, people who read blogs are a very SMALL % of total users). Android releases (up until now) seem not to have a set time when they are released, so I think it's safe to say most Android users had no idea 2.2 was coming when it did. Most of them just cared about 2.1 (and most didn't know what 2.1 added over 2.01)
Contrast that to Apple, where updates ALWAYS come in June/July every year (not counting security updates and minor .x upgrades)
Those stats look to be from developer.android.com, which are legit stats and where I got my previous 4.5% for Froyo and 35% for 1.x stats from just a couple weeks ago. Zaim2 oddly chose not to offer a link or supporting text to explin his post, but I can attest to his overall accuracy.
To me, this shows a rapid adoption of new Android phones running v2.2, which is expected as I would think most of the Android phones being activated in the US are from newer models with Froyo pre-installed. Note that v1.x is still at 30% as of this post, and while Android 2.2 is on a huge rise it?s still at 28.7% and doesn?t seem likely to tackle those v1.x devices until they are stopped being used as I most of them simply aren?t going to get v2.2. I would hope that most running v2.1 will get v2.2 at some point, but there will surely be some stragglers in that bunch when v3.0 arrives.
We also need to ultimately realize that these automatic updates also indicates that about 72% of Android phones current on the market are NOT ABLE TO GET the latest version of Android. And the only way most of these Android users are going to get the latest version of Android is from buying a new Android phone. That is not the user experience I want.
Just one thing: The only phones selling with "froyo" preinstalled are the Droid2 (which isn't selling well because people like bigger screens), and possibly the Evo. Even if you add the incredible, that is still just THREE phones on the major carriers launching with Froyo. Most are selling with 2.1:
Droid x
Captivate
Fascinate
Epic 4g
Vibrant
HTC Aria
So while, in theory, the idea of "most people are buying phones with the latest software" sounds like it should be right, the only phone on Verizon WITH froyo installed (D2) is selling fewer phones than the Dinc, Dx, and maybe Fascinate. What these numbers REALLY show is just how popular the Original Droid, Evo, and Incredible were.
And while the issue with phone not being able to handle the latest software is a big one (the g1 can't run froyo, at least not the really juicy parts. Even Cyanogen had to cut out large parts of the os just to make it FIT) I don't think you'll see this as much in the future. Handset makers are starting to realize that Google's not going to slow the update pace for them.
I think you'll see two types of devices for android by this time next year. You'll have the top tier phones that readily get updates and have a cost around 199 on contract. and then you'll have a smattering of sub 100 on contract phones that run "android" but they're sold as glorified feature phones, not as smartphones (things like the backflip and the Cliq fall into this) I don't think these will see any upgrades beyond security and maybe one OS update, but considering most feature phones NEVER see OS upgrades, this is actually par for the course.
VERY interesting, and at this point Apple is WAY behind in implementing what both Web OS and Android have for OTA upgrades. Personally, I think Apple really needs to deliver this functionality in iOS 4.2!
Just one thing: The only phones selling with "froyo" preinstalled are the Droid2 (which isn't selling well because people like bigger screens), and possibly the Evo. Even if you add the incredible, that is still just THREE phones on the major carriers launching with Froyo. Most are selling with 2.1:
Droid x
Captivate
Fascinate
Epic 4g
Vibrant
HTC Aria
So while, in theory, the idea of "most people are buying phones with the latest software" sounds like it should be right, the only phone on Verizon WITH froyo installed (D2) is selling fewer phones than the Dinc, Dx, and maybe Fascinate. What these numbers REALLY show is just how popular the Original Droid, Evo, and Incredible were.
And while the issue with phone not being able to handle the latest software is a big one (the g1 can't run froyo, at least not the really juicy parts. Even Cyanogen had to cut out large parts of the os just to make it FIT) I don't think you'll see this as much in the future. Handset makers are starting to realize that Google's not going to slow the update pace for them.
I think you'll see two types of devices for android by this time next year. You'll have the top tier phones that readily get updates and have a cost around 199 on contract. and then you'll have a smattering of sub 100 on contract phones that run "android" but they're sold as glorified feature phones, not as smartphones (things like the backflip and the Cliq fall into this) I don't think these will see any upgrades beyond security and maybe one OS update, but considering most feature phones NEVER see OS upgrades, this is actually par for the course.
While it?s hardly the final source for such info Wikipedia looks to show 6 basic devices that can get Froyo right now. I use the word basic because the name changes depending on carrier.
Also, I did write "pre-installed? but if you buy an Android phone with 2.1 and 2.2 is available it will be downloaded and installed pretty quickly so I should used a different term. In any case, if the activation numbers are accurate those handful of Android phones that can get 2.2 are selling very fast.
VERY interesting, and at this point Apple is WAY behind in implementing what both Web OS and Android have for OTA upgrades. Personally, I think Apple really needs to deliver this functionality in iOS 4.2!
I?m curious how that could work for something so inherently different than the Android OS model, and how that would benefit Apple whose success with the iPod and iPhone is due to a foundation of easily connecting and syncing these devices via iTunes.
While I?d like to have it too, it?s a bit of a nightmare situation for Apple.
Why should I have to tether to upgrade? I don't have to tether my MacBook Pro to a desktop to upgrade it! I can do it over WiFi -- iPhone is NO different...
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
I?m curious how that could work for something so inherently different than the Android OS model, and how that would benefit Apple whose success with the iPod and iPhone is due to a foundation of easily connecting and syncing these devices via iTunes.
While I?d like to have it too, it?s a bit of a nightmare situation for Apple.
Why should I have to tether to upgrade? I don't have to tether my MacBook Pro to a desktop to upgrade it! I can do it over WiFi -- iPhone is NO different...
I?m not sure how to answer your question as stated.
Q: Why ?should? I drive on the right side of the road in most countries and on the left in others
A: Because those that control the system designed it that way.
Q: Did they have a good reason at the time?
A: Probably.
Q: Does that reasoning still hold true now?
A: Maybe.
Q: Does it make sense to tell the few countries that drive on the left to drive on the right because that?s the way others do it?
A: Absolutely not.
The bottom line is it?s Apple?s business model and they chose it. The origins of this tethering to update are clear and simple, and while the device has changed in ways that make it possible to sync OTA there are plenty of other hurdles that have cropped up along with this success. At 80% adoption rate for the 3GS in 2 months, which is far greater than the number of Android phones that can even get the latest update, iPhone users are still collectively ahead of the curve.
Again, I?d like to see this happen, just as I stated I?d like to see fractioned x.x1 updates that don?t require the entire OS to be downloaded, but I also don?t believe for a second that Android and iOS are in the same boat when it comes to the way the OSes are distributed.
VERY interesting, and at this point Apple is WAY behind in implementing what both Web OS and Android have for OTA upgrades. Personally, I think Apple really needs to deliver this functionality in iOS 4.2!
I don't really see a compelling need for OTA updates. Android and webOS have no choice but to do OTA updates, if they do updates at all, since they have no desktop support apps for them at all. OTA updates are not some great technical innovation.
I'm quite happy doing iOS updates in a controlled fashion, linked to a home computer (and downloading them over my home internet connection, rather than, for example, AT&T's 3G network), with a backup as part of the update. And, so far, there certainly has not been an update that I can't wait a few hours to get, or even a few weeks if I had had to.
EDIT: I'd just as soon Apple not make this an engineering priority. Much more important things, like AirPrint, the beta of which has been released.
While it?s hardly the final source for such info Wikipedia looks to show 6 basic devices that can get Froyo right now. I use the word basic because the name changes depending on carrier.
Also, I did write "pre-installed? but if you buy an Android phone with 2.1 and 2.2 is available it will be downloaded and installed pretty quickly so I should used a different term. In any case, if the activation numbers are accurate those handful of Android phones that can get 2.2 are selling very fast.
From the Wikipedia article, it lists the Following
Droid1/Milestone: Out of Production, several Milestone revisions will not get froyo
Droid2
NexusOne: Out of Production, you can only get one if you are a registered android developer.
Desire/Incredible
HTC Evo
LG Optimus (Only available in england atm)
It also listed a phone by Acer, but it said "with update to 2.2" so i dont know if that means it's out yet, or it will be.
A large chunk of 2.2 numbers (currently) is thanks to the original Droid and Evo/Incredible sales before 2.2 was released on them. A majority of phones sold right now (if you look at the most popular android models) are 2.1 with no immediate upgrade to 2.2. Now, this should change with the G2 and once people finally retire selling things like the Cliq/backflip/etc. I think by this time next year you'll find that MOST high end phones will be on the current software, or in the process of getting it, while android feature phones will not. The real challenge for google, Htc, moto, etc and sales reps is helping customers to distinguish between the two.
Comments
What's the point of this article?
If it was a comparison of all android phone devices vs iPhones - I would see a point.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._upgrades.html
EXACTLY.
I see little value to anyone in tracking this really stupid metric. And is this data really valid? I doubt it and for sure it is completely meaningless waste of time and money.
Guys go track something meaningful and stop wasting everyone's time. WhoTF cares when a mobile user updated their phone OS iPhone, Android, or any other phone.
Jeez what a bunch of F losers.
This argument isn’t new, but it’s just as flawed. Smartphone OSes have been able to do what the iPhone can do and much more since day one.
If you are looking for bullet points on a spec sheet then the iPhone isn’t for you. Apple solution is to make the features it does offer work easier and more intuitively than other devices. Froyo is not iOS with CocoaTouch. Not even close.
really? tell me which touch screen phones were in that same league? android 2.2 is the only one i have used that is on par. the bar is set by apple i will not debate that as far as quality and technology goes for most things.
sorry, it is very close on the surface. most people know that android is not ios under the hood. and i am not arguing that YOU should follow my lead was pointing out my take on it. i don't need a bullet point i need things to actually do what i need them to do. and right now steve jobs/att won't let the iphone do some of the things i need it to do so for now i use android.
Does it really matter in any way to you whether Android users upgrade the OS faster than iOS users?
Really who cares?
So the headline is false. Android 2.2 adoption is not suddenly widespread (and can?t be because Android phones, really, are NOT one single platform at all).
Yeah but OTA updates also have a higher chance of failing. And therefore bricking the phone. They are also reliant on carriers pushing out the upgrades.
iTunes performs checks that the file downloaded is sound then backs up then performs the upgrade. No backups for OTA. Apple also controls the upgrade so it's entirely up to the user to upgrade. Many hold off until the reports of issues roll in to see if the upgrade is worth it. Also others choose not to upgrade in order to keep their jailbroken phones jailbroken until an update is released.
Sorry but these sorts of data releases mean nothing.
Yeah, our Droid users on staff are all having major issues connecting to our wifi after upgrading to 2.2. I think I'd probably be a Droid fan if it didn't feel so Linux like to me, seems to have a lot of the scattered personality you find in Linux distros. I used to like Linux a lot, until I had to rely on it to do any real work. To often updates would actually break system functionality and the plethora of free apps they were always touting in open source communities all fell far short of professional solutions.
The potential of Android is great, unfortunately Google is well known for their forever beta approach to things and that is the feel I've gotten from Android thus far. I don't have time to be a hacker when I'm doing business, I just need things to work.
So it's not users of Android devices. It's users of Android Market. Vast difference.
People using 1.6 won't be connecting to the Android Market if most of the apps aren't compatible, now, will they?
This pie chart therefore says nothing about Android version market share in terms of ownership.
The OS automatically checks the market server in the background, regardless of whether the user physically opens it or not, so the ownership numbers are accurate.
Ohhh, "accessed the market", I see. And during a two week period, to boot. And what percentage of Android phones out there actually accessed the market during that two week period?
Every handset which has the market installed and some form of data connection is counted. Android phones with no form of data connection don't exist yet, so it excludes tablets, dead devices and devices on 24/7 airplane mode.
Apparently, Verizon is releasing Android phones that cannot "access the market". Apparently, Tablets and mobile devices that lack 3G connectivity cannot "access the market". Apparently carriers and handset makers have their own competing "markets".
You're thinking of Google search being replaced with Bing. This hasn't happened yet.
Oh, I get it, Fragmentation doesn't count if we are talking about the whole installed base of Android devices; if we instead narrow ourselves to a portion that are not Soooo ...fragmented, then, voila, no fragmentation; don't you see? We have just defined it out of existence! Hoorah!
All phones which are phones get the market. Or are you complaining that tablet devices aren't being included?
OTOH, the percentage of iOS devices that cannot access its market is 0% (click the Store button in iTunes and you are in). The percentage of iOS devices that cannot rent or purchase media from said market is 0%. The percentage of iOS devices that cannot download apps from said market because they are on version 1.x, is probably vanishingly small. A developer on iOS knows that what, 90%? of the currently installed base can use his app; and 100% of devices sold the last several quarters and going forward. Welcome to meaningful statistics.
The second-gen can't get multitasking or game center, and is incapable of running certain apps due to cpu/ram. 3GS doesn't get HDR, and iPads stuck on 3.X till November (not to mention some sticking to it voluntarily), and there's additional coding needed for retina display compatibility. iOS development isn't the buttery smooth sailing you're making it out to be, even though it's significantly easier due to uniform screen size.
My phone is jail-broken and unlocked. I only update when the dev. team oks it.
'All kneel before the dev team', huh?
What was that about controlling your own destiny by breaking away from the evil Apple?
5. Motorola Driod users bought their phones knowing that Android 2.2 was just around the corner. They probably had a list of feature updates in mind when they bought the phone. Many iPhone3GS users had owned their phones for a full year when the iOS4 update came out and were already satisfied...
That said, I wouldn't mind OTA updates in the future if it were offered. I just don't know if this article *means* much...
Actually the Droid was released before 2.1 was even announced, and a lot of consumers were surprised (and angry) when it did come out. The only "feature" that was really pushed as "coming soon" with the original (2.0) launch was Adobe flash which no one knew what OS version it would come on.
2.2 caught a lot of people by surprise (remember, people who read blogs are a very SMALL % of total users). Android releases (up until now) seem not to have a set time when they are released, so I think it's safe to say most Android users had no idea 2.2 was coming when it did. Most of them just cared about 2.1 (and most didn't know what 2.1 added over 2.01)
Contrast that to Apple, where updates ALWAYS come in June/July every year (not counting security updates and minor .x upgrades)
Those stats look to be from developer.android.com, which are legit stats and where I got my previous 4.5% for Froyo and 35% for 1.x stats from just a couple weeks ago. Zaim2 oddly chose not to offer a link or supporting text to explin his post, but I can attest to his overall accuracy.
To me, this shows a rapid adoption of new Android phones running v2.2, which is expected as I would think most of the Android phones being activated in the US are from newer models with Froyo pre-installed. Note that v1.x is still at 30% as of this post, and while Android 2.2 is on a huge rise it?s still at 28.7% and doesn?t seem likely to tackle those v1.x devices until they are stopped being used as I most of them simply aren?t going to get v2.2. I would hope that most running v2.1 will get v2.2 at some point, but there will surely be some stragglers in that bunch when v3.0 arrives.
We also need to ultimately realize that these automatic updates also indicates that about 72% of Android phones current on the market are NOT ABLE TO GET the latest version of Android. And the only way most of these Android users are going to get the latest version of Android is from buying a new Android phone. That is not the user experience I want.
Just one thing: The only phones selling with "froyo" preinstalled are the Droid2 (which isn't selling well because people like bigger screens), and possibly the Evo. Even if you add the incredible, that is still just THREE phones on the major carriers launching with Froyo. Most are selling with 2.1:
Droid x
Captivate
Fascinate
Epic 4g
Vibrant
HTC Aria
So while, in theory, the idea of "most people are buying phones with the latest software" sounds like it should be right, the only phone on Verizon WITH froyo installed (D2) is selling fewer phones than the Dinc, Dx, and maybe Fascinate. What these numbers REALLY show is just how popular the Original Droid, Evo, and Incredible were.
And while the issue with phone not being able to handle the latest software is a big one (the g1 can't run froyo, at least not the really juicy parts. Even Cyanogen had to cut out large parts of the os just to make it FIT) I don't think you'll see this as much in the future. Handset makers are starting to realize that Google's not going to slow the update pace for them.
I think you'll see two types of devices for android by this time next year. You'll have the top tier phones that readily get updates and have a cost around 199 on contract. and then you'll have a smattering of sub 100 on contract phones that run "android" but they're sold as glorified feature phones, not as smartphones (things like the backflip and the Cliq fall into this) I don't think these will see any upgrades beyond security and maybe one OS update, but considering most feature phones NEVER see OS upgrades, this is actually par for the course.
Just one thing: The only phones selling with "froyo" preinstalled are the Droid2 (which isn't selling well because people like bigger screens), and possibly the Evo. Even if you add the incredible, that is still just THREE phones on the major carriers launching with Froyo. Most are selling with 2.1:
Droid x
Captivate
Fascinate
Epic 4g
Vibrant
HTC Aria
So while, in theory, the idea of "most people are buying phones with the latest software" sounds like it should be right, the only phone on Verizon WITH froyo installed (D2) is selling fewer phones than the Dinc, Dx, and maybe Fascinate. What these numbers REALLY show is just how popular the Original Droid, Evo, and Incredible were.
And while the issue with phone not being able to handle the latest software is a big one (the g1 can't run froyo, at least not the really juicy parts. Even Cyanogen had to cut out large parts of the os just to make it FIT) I don't think you'll see this as much in the future. Handset makers are starting to realize that Google's not going to slow the update pace for them.
I think you'll see two types of devices for android by this time next year. You'll have the top tier phones that readily get updates and have a cost around 199 on contract. and then you'll have a smattering of sub 100 on contract phones that run "android" but they're sold as glorified feature phones, not as smartphones (things like the backflip and the Cliq fall into this) I don't think these will see any upgrades beyond security and maybe one OS update, but considering most feature phones NEVER see OS upgrades, this is actually par for the course.
While it?s hardly the final source for such info Wikipedia looks to show 6 basic devices that can get Froyo right now. I use the word basic because the name changes depending on carrier.
Also, I did write "pre-installed? but if you buy an Android phone with 2.1 and 2.2 is available it will be downloaded and installed pretty quickly so I should used a different term. In any case, if the activation numbers are accurate those handful of Android phones that can get 2.2 are selling very fast.
VERY interesting, and at this point Apple is WAY behind in implementing what both Web OS and Android have for OTA upgrades. Personally, I think Apple really needs to deliver this functionality in iOS 4.2!
I?m curious how that could work for something so inherently different than the Android OS model, and how that would benefit Apple whose success with the iPod and iPhone is due to a foundation of easily connecting and syncing these devices via iTunes.
While I?d like to have it too, it?s a bit of a nightmare situation for Apple.
I?m curious how that could work for something so inherently different than the Android OS model, and how that would benefit Apple whose success with the iPod and iPhone is due to a foundation of easily connecting and syncing these devices via iTunes.
While I?d like to have it too, it?s a bit of a nightmare situation for Apple.
Why should I have to tether to upgrade? I don't have to tether my MacBook Pro to a desktop to upgrade it! I can do it over WiFi -- iPhone is NO different...
I?m not sure how to answer your question as stated.
Q: Why ?should? I drive on the right side of the road in most countries and on the left in others
A: Because those that control the system designed it that way.
Q: Did they have a good reason at the time?
A: Probably.
Q: Does that reasoning still hold true now?
A: Maybe.
Q: Does it make sense to tell the few countries that drive on the left to drive on the right because that?s the way others do it?
A: Absolutely not.
The bottom line is it?s Apple?s business model and they chose it. The origins of this tethering to update are clear and simple, and while the device has changed in ways that make it possible to sync OTA there are plenty of other hurdles that have cropped up along with this success. At 80% adoption rate for the 3GS in 2 months, which is far greater than the number of Android phones that can even get the latest update, iPhone users are still collectively ahead of the curve.
Again, I?d like to see this happen, just as I stated I?d like to see fractioned x.x1 updates that don?t require the entire OS to be downloaded, but I also don?t believe for a second that Android and iOS are in the same boat when it comes to the way the OSes are distributed.
VERY interesting, and at this point Apple is WAY behind in implementing what both Web OS and Android have for OTA upgrades. Personally, I think Apple really needs to deliver this functionality in iOS 4.2!
I don't really see a compelling need for OTA updates. Android and webOS have no choice but to do OTA updates, if they do updates at all, since they have no desktop support apps for them at all. OTA updates are not some great technical innovation.
I'm quite happy doing iOS updates in a controlled fashion, linked to a home computer (and downloading them over my home internet connection, rather than, for example, AT&T's 3G network), with a backup as part of the update. And, so far, there certainly has not been an update that I can't wait a few hours to get, or even a few weeks if I had had to.
EDIT: I'd just as soon Apple not make this an engineering priority. Much more important things, like AirPrint, the beta of which has been released.
While it?s hardly the final source for such info Wikipedia looks to show 6 basic devices that can get Froyo right now. I use the word basic because the name changes depending on carrier.
Also, I did write "pre-installed? but if you buy an Android phone with 2.1 and 2.2 is available it will be downloaded and installed pretty quickly so I should used a different term. In any case, if the activation numbers are accurate those handful of Android phones that can get 2.2 are selling very fast.
From the Wikipedia article, it lists the Following
Droid1/Milestone: Out of Production, several Milestone revisions will not get froyo
Droid2
NexusOne: Out of Production, you can only get one if you are a registered android developer.
Desire/Incredible
HTC Evo
LG Optimus (Only available in england atm)
It also listed a phone by Acer, but it said "with update to 2.2" so i dont know if that means it's out yet, or it will be.
A large chunk of 2.2 numbers (currently) is thanks to the original Droid and Evo/Incredible sales before 2.2 was released on them. A majority of phones sold right now (if you look at the most popular android models) are 2.1 with no immediate upgrade to 2.2. Now, this should change with the G2 and once people finally retire selling things like the Cliq/backflip/etc. I think by this time next year you'll find that MOST high end phones will be on the current software, or in the process of getting it, while android feature phones will not. The real challenge for google, Htc, moto, etc and sales reps is helping customers to distinguish between the two.