Android

[Dellaster]

Something possibly worth considering is the rumor that Google is bringing out Android 3.0 in October. The minimum hardware requirements (1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and a 3.5-inch display or higher) are currently met only by the Nexus One and the Verizon equivalent (the Incredible?).

Well, that's rumor. I don't know how much to credit it. I do like Android 2.2 on my Nexus One. Especially the new 3G tethering over USB (Windows, Linux) or WiFi. Suddenly I have a MiFi in my pocket. Took less than five minutes to figure it out and have my WiFi-only iPad surfing the 'net over 3G. With no extra service plan.

Gotta love it.

- Ted

[Catire]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

What's this "fragmentation" thingy?

It's what happens when a phone is no longer updated to the latest version of android and as applications are made for those versions you phone wont be able to run them.

Something possibly worth considering is the rumor that Google is bringing out Android 3.0 in October. The minimum hardware requirements (1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and a 3.5-inch display or higher) are currently met only by the Nexus One and the Verizon equivalent (the Incredible?).

Yeah I read about that and i'm buying the milestone anyways since it's the best one I can afford.

[Lo Zeno]

Apparently (I read this yestarday but can't find the link, I'll repost it as soon as I find it back) those are recommended hardware requirements, not minimum requirements. This was clarified in a note by Google inc. itself, so Android 3 (Gingerbread) won't be limited to Nexus 1, Desire, Evo, Galaxy S and Incredible only.

EDIT: ok, I read it on Eldar Murtazin's twitter: http://twitter.com/eldarmurtazin/status/17550974090

He is Mobile-Review's editor and the one who first gave the news about the hardware requirements of Android 3.0

[EowynCarter]

There are four version of android currently used. 1.5; 1.6, 2.1; 2.2. A bit of a mess.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

Apparently (I read this yestarday but can't find the link, I'll repost it as soon as I find it back) those are recommended hardware requirements, not minimum requirements. This was clarified in a note by Google inc. itself, so Android 3 (Gingerbread) won't be limited to Nexus 1, Desire, Evo, Galaxy S and Incredible only.

EDIT: ok, I read it on Eldar Murtazin's twitter: http://twitter.com/eldarmurtazin/status/17550974090

He is Mobile-Review's editor and the one who first gave the news about the hardware requirements of Android 3.0

Dan Morrill, Android Open Source & Compatibility Tech Lead, twittered about it as well:http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/commen...id-3.0-rumors/

[kjk]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

There are four version of android currently used. 1.5; 1.6, 2.1; 2.2. A bit of a mess.

The Android Developers site has been tracking the usage/adoption of those versions-really handy for developers trying to target apps:
http://developer.android.com/resourc...-versions.html

[=X=]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

What's this "fragmentation" thingy?

It's a misnomer that has been attributed to Google Android OS. Something Google has been trying to address.

Fragmentation is a bad word in the Tech industry usually meaning that a technology does not play well together and has a different behavior from one platform to another. A classic example is UNIX. Even though there was a ‘UNIX’ standard, most did not play well together and one application in one environment did not play well in another.

In the Google world, I consider fragmentation to be more of what HTC and Motorola are doing with their “HTC sense” and Motorola “Blur” where the user experience is different based on the Phone

However what the world is calling “Fragmentation” on Android phone is experience is a versioning issue. This issue applies to ALL OS, this is an issue for , iPhone OS, Symbian, BlackBerry, Widows, OSX, etc… And in most of these cases newer apps don’t work with the older OS.
Personally I think why Android has gotten this bad stigma is that the Android OS grew too fast and there are big gaps between 1.5/1.6 and 2.0/2.2.

Originally Posted by Catire

Has the whole Android "fragmentation" thing been a problem for you or do unofficial rom updates work fine?

I don’t see the issue. My wife has the HTC Droid Eris with version 1.6. To date she has not had any issues with any of the apps she has wanted. Mind you she’s not a power users, just uses the phone for basic stuff like, surfing, emailing, games, and a few apps
My sister and husband have the Moto Droid and she also loves her phone, no issue. I belive they have the OS 2.0 or 2.1. They are also casual uses but use Pandora, SMS, email, surfing and the Web. All three claim they don’t use the home computer much since the droid handles most of the internet needs.
I think the Andoid OS 2.2 is the sweet spot for the OS and the growth is going to slow down from here on out. Google has also made that claim publicly.
=X=