TechCrunch: Amazon’s Kindle Tablet Is Very Real

[vaughnmr]

From Wikipedia: "Only Android devices that comply with Google's compatibility requirements may install and access Google's closed-source Android Market app, subject to entering into a licensing agreement with Google." You can bet a lot of those cheap knockoff tablets don't want to bother with that.

Not too sure what you mean about the "fluff and garbage" apps, all the apps I've installed from Amazon and Google work well and are very useful on my EVO. I guess you need to use your head when choosing apps.

[OtterBooks]

I thought one of the main points of the Amazon app store was to weed out a lot of the crapware in Android Market's jungle. Was playing around with an iPad yesterday and was shocked at how much better the iOS app market is. I mean, I knew it was better, but wow, it makes the Android market look like an ethiopian flea market with flies buzzing around it.

[molman]

Originally Posted by Mark Rehorst

....<snip>

I don't know why Google restricts access to its Marketplace. One would think that they'd try to give every Android device access, but clearly that is not the case. ...<snip>

As vaughnmr pointed out, Google leverages access to their applications (including the marketplace) as a means of exercising some degree of control over the Android ecosystem (via licensing terms). Obviously since the OS is fundamentally open anyone can take it and do what they like with it (fork it/skin it beyond recognition..etc..).

The Google applications are some of the nicer ones from all reports so loosing these is often seen as a strike against those without the "Google Experience".

Anyone familiar enough with Android to answer my prior question or am I going to have to hit up the googles;

Originally Posted by molman

Not living in the Android world hopefully someone can answer this for me. How does the Android model work with regards to bugs and security vulnerabilities? I mean are new updates and patches rolled out for older version levels or are these only rolled into the next version? I'm just curious what it means for a tablet based off a 2.2 version of Andriod. I mean these tablets are full functioning little computers these days that hit the internet with all these entails so I'm curious how this element his handled.

Also what application considerations are there? Did version 3 (aka Honeycomb) bring many changes that would affect application development (API's/underlying system stuff) or was it more user space/UI stuff?

[=X=]

Originally Posted by molman

Not living in the Android world hopefully someone can answer this for me. How does the Android model work with regards to bugs and security vulnerabilities? I mean are new updates and patches rolled out for older version levels or are these only rolled into the next version? I'm just curious what it means for a tablet based off a 2.2 version of Andriod. I mean these tablets are full functioning little computers these days that hit the internet with all these entails so I'm curious how this element his handled.

It depends on where the vulnerability lies. If it is in the open source code. The branch is updated so new versions get the fix. Then use up to the hardware vendor to push the fix out.
If the vulnerability lies in Google's proprietary code then updates are pushed out.
Hardware vendors that use pure Android tend to get the updates faster since it's closest to the base line. While vendors like Nook and now Amazon take longer since they have to roll the changed to their branch.

[ QUOTE=molman;1728468]
Also what application considerations are there? Did version 3 (aka Honeycomb) bring many changes that would affect application development (API's/underlying system stuff) or was it more user space/UI stuff?[/QUOTE]

Yes, 3.0 had a lot of changes to support frames, better multitasking and more. Obviously 2.2 will not have these API so already Amazon is coming out with an obsoleted OS.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by molman

As vaughnmr pointed out, Google leverages access to their applications (including the marketplace) as a means of exercising some degree of control over the Android ecosystem (via licensing terms). Obviously since the OS is fundamentally open anyone can take it and do what they like with it (fork it/skin it beyond recognition..etc..).
The Google applications are some of the nicer ones from all reports so loosing these is often seen as a strike against those without the "Google Experience".
Anyone familiar enough with Android to answer my prior question or am I going to have to hit up the googles;

You need to read vaughnmr's he does not even come close to imply such tactics used by Google. He merely says you want the market pay for it else the rest is free.

[caleb72]

Ah - looks like a great Amazon experience...for people in the U.S.

Me? I would just like Amazon's digital content (music, movies etc..) to be available in Australia. I don't need a tablet to facilitate it, I just want the content.

I suppose at least I'm getting a reasonable pick of the books.

[molman]

Originally Posted by =X=

It depends on where the vulnerability lies. If it is in the open source code. The branch is updated so new versions get the fix. Then use up to the hardware vendor to push the fix out.
If the vulnerability lies in Google's proprietary code then updates are pushed out.
Hardware vendors that use pure Android tend to get the updates faster since it's closest to the base line. While vendors like Nook and now Amazon take longer since they have to roll the changed to their branch.

Are these older branches getting updated much when issues are found though? I mean love or hate Microsoft they have continued to patch XP well beyond its used by date becuase it really affects people. Some security researchers I've listened too weren't favourable towards Andriod with regards to security as a whole (I personally haven't looked into it enough) so I was interested how these things are being handled because this will have implications for Amazon on a older codebase.

Originally Posted by =X=

Yes, 3.0 had a lot of changes to support frames, better multitasking and more. Obviously 2.2 will not have these API so already Amazon is coming out with an obsoleted OS.

Thought that might be the case. Will be interesting to see the implications for Amazon moving forward.

[molman]

Originally Posted by =X=

You need to read vaughnmr's he does not even come close to imply such tactics used by Google. He merely says you want the market pay for it else the rest is free.

I recalled having heard it otherwise,that Google did indeed ramp up the use of their license to guide the experience more (I believe there was even some grumblings about it). I'll try and dig up some reports when I have time.

[DMB]

I'm disappointed that Amazon is apparently not going to release the 10-inch and the seven-inch at the same time. I am just not interested in a seven-inch, however good it may be.

I had provisionally decided to wait to see the Amazon 10-incher before buying a tablet, but now it looks as though it might even not happen.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

I thought one of the main points of the Amazon app store was to weed out a lot of the crapware in Android Market's jungle. Was playing around with an iPad yesterday and was shocked at how much better the iOS app market is. I mean, I knew it was better, but wow, it makes the Android market look like an ethiopian flea market with flies buzzing around it.

That's a matter of opinion. I don't find myself wanting between Android and iOS apps.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by DMB

I'm disappointed that Amazon is apparently not going to release the 10-inch and the seven-inch at the same time. I am just not interested in a seven-inch, however good it may be.

I had provisionally decided to wait to see the Amazon 10-incher before buying a tablet, but now it looks as though it might even not happen.

Rest easy, Amazon plans to release a 10" tablet next year. Several reports say that.

[physics]

Only slightly off-topic: Something that stood out to me in the article is that his sources seem to have told him that the dx "may or may not stick around". I know there's been speculation around here about the end of the dx, but I believe this is the first outside "source", or at least, the first that I've seen.

[carld]

Originally Posted by DMB

I'm disappointed that Amazon is apparently not going to release the 10-inch and the seven-inch at the same time. I am just not interested in a seven-inch, however good it may be.

I had provisionally decided to wait to see the Amazon 10-incher before buying a tablet, but now it looks as though it might even not happen.

My feelings exactly. I really don't want to go with an iPad, but I want a 10" tablet. I just can't do 7".

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

That's a matter of opinion. I don't find myself wanting between Android and iOS apps.

I probably wouldn't find myself wanting between the two markets either, not caring too much about games/entertainment/education apps. But the difference in quality of selection is absurd, and beyond rational opinion. imo, lol.

[molman]

Originally Posted by =X=

You need to read vaughnmr's he does not even come close to imply such tactics used by Google. He merely says you want the market pay for it else the rest is free.

Hey ==X== here is a couple of articles re: google exercising it's license to exercise some control. Some of this came it light in the Skyhook lawsuit that the first two articles discuss.

- http://thisismynext.com/2011/05/12/g...orola-samsung/
- http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/12/goo...droid-devices/
- http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...3041200216.htm