'The innocence of Android fans'

[ScotiaBurrell]

And how in the course of a year did I go from Android evangelist to Android fatalist?

The problem I have with Android as it stands today, at least from those of us who became full-blown fans and expoused the benefits of it to our friends, family and co-workers -- is that the second it leaves Google's code repository and is made avaliable to OEMs and wireless carriers, who then make derivative products out of it, it goes from being kosher to being trayf.

What I'm trying to get at is there is a perfect image of what Android is supposed to be, what Google and Android's staunchest adherents purport it to be, and then there is Android as it is practiced in reality.

Android as it is being sold to you by OEMs and wireless carriers is a lie. It is Android interpreted and regurgitated as perverted scripture from false prophets.

Fearsome picture not included.

I do wish the OS upgrades were delinked from the carrier. Who thought that was a good idea??

http://www.zdnet.com/the-innocence-o...ns-7000004667/

[teh603]

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

I do wish the OS upgrades were delinked from the carrier. Who thought that was a good idea??

Probably the same people who had to deal with Linux patches getting rejected by upstream for truly stupid reasons. I think the best was, "Well, we can fix this in the kernel, but the problem is caused by a non-standards-compliant BIOS and we don't see any reason to patch something that the hardware manufacturer should've set up right in the first place. Patch rejected, bug declared invalid."

[frahse]

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

'The innocence of Android fans'

Perhaps you should write about the "Innocence of Tech Fans."

Ever-waiting the next solution that actually does always work wonderfully.

[Kumabjorn]

There is always Nexus for the purists.

[rdjack21]

As stated in the commits in the article the real problem with Android is the carriers (Verizon / AT&T ).

[ScotiaBurrell]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

There is always Nexus for the purists.

of that he says:

So being the technology writer I am, and wanting to stay current with the industry, I used my wife's Verizon handset upgrade -- which had become avaliable around the time of the Galaxy Nexus's release -- to purchase a Galaxy Nexus.

Everyone was happy.

Well, not really. I soon discovered that the Galaxy Nexus was rife with bugs. The device crashed constantly and I am now on my second hardware replacement because I've had two lemon phones in a row, according to Verizon's tech support.

The Jelly Bean update that the so-called Google Experience "pure" Android phone was supposed to get months ago? It's finally rolling out from Verizon this week, after Google got it out to GSM Galaxy Nexus customers in Europe got it back in early July.

[Kumabjorn]

I'm in Europe, hence completely bliss about the vagaries of Verizon.

[wizwor]

Originally Posted by frahse

Perhaps you should write about the "Innocence of Tech Fans."

Ever-waiting the next solution that actually does always work wonderfully.

Define wonderfully. I just finished playing a DOS game released in 1989. It played wonderfully. Before that, I was ripping DVDs to MP4s that could be streamed to my SMP-N200. Both the ripping and the streaming work wonderfully. As I type this, I'm watching TV on my PC and when I'm done I'm going to video chat with my college student. Earlier this morning, I paid some bills on my PC, checked the weather, and browsed the news.

Yesterday, my youngest and I used a PC to find some study guides for Catcher in the Rye and effortlessly search a PDF of the book for references for a paper. We composed, edited, and spell checked the paper using a computer. Later today, I will install SmartMusic on his PC so that he can practice his viola with a program that tracks his tones and pace. Pretty wonderful, no?

Tomorrow, I'll telecommute. I brought home a laptop, but I could have used my PC to securely work from home.

None of this has happened by accident. A lot of people and companies have collaborated to create this wonderfulness. There have been bumps, but people who have contributed nothing to this accomplishment really should sincerely appreciate the magic that they can buy for a couple hundred dollars off an internet retailer on their wonderful computer.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

There is always Nexus for the purists.

Or CyanogenMod for those who want non-Nexii devices to run stock.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I'm in Europe, hence completely bliss about the vagaries of Verizon.

Hurrah!!! Me too!
But, I will be in the USA for the next three weeks, using the US T-Mobile network with my unlocked Sensation 4G.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

of that he says:

Everyone was happy.

Well, not really. I soon discovered that the Galaxy Nexus was rife with bugs. The device crashed constantly and I am now on my second hardware replacement because I've had two lemon phones in a row, according to Verizon's tech support.

The Jelly Bean update that the so-called Google Experience "pure" Android phone was supposed to get months ago? It's finally rolling out from Verizon this week, after Google got it out to GSM Galaxy Nexus customers in Europe got it back in early July.

How is Verizon blocking an update an Android problem?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by afv011

How is Verizon blocking an update an Android problem?

He believes that Google *allowing* unsavory behavior is an android problem.

BTW, the title of the thread worries me.
Are we going to have to evacuate under fire from angry true believers?

[ScotiaBurrell]

Originally Posted by afv011

How is Verizon blocking an update an Android problem?

Why does Google grant Verizon power to decide what goes on hardware?


Silly idea!

[fjtorres]

Actually, I saw Perlow's earlier post this week but thought it would too inflamatory to reference, but all things considered, here:
http://www.zdnet.com/without-radical...ie-7000004311/

Now, I'll quietly retreat to my fallout shelter and hope the Overseer doesn't go wacko.

[Namekuseijin]

too much vitriol for too little cosmetic changes

I'm not an evangelist, though. I live by "live and let die". Pick your poison and get off my lawn.