A Statement about Froyo

Originally Posted by Dr. T

This is probably just another example of my ignorance, but I thought that there were still a lot of devices (maybe the majority) that were not using 2.2 yet.

if you head over to Android.com you can see that Android 1.6 and below make up just over 16% of the total number of devices that connect to the android market. with Android 2.2 making up 43%

I imagine most Android phones released now have Froyo. I believe that the only tablet so far with Froyo is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. While I certainly look forward to Froyo on the eDGe, can someone tell me, in practical terms, what will Froyo do for eDGe users? I believe it is faster and perhaps more stable, but what else? What new functionality is in Froyo?

Originally Posted by Chubulor

The problem is that the Edge is now so far behind the rest of the Android world that there are now significant numbers of apps being released that won't work on it. You're correct in saying that 2.2 won't finish the Edge any more than it finishes any other product, but it would at least let us catch up to the rest of the platform for a brief time.

And the Edge isn't going to be unique forever. They can't count on that advantage lasting much longer.

It might be behind the rest of the Android phone world, but it is not behind the rest of the Android world. Unless I am greatly mistaken, there is nothing of significance out there that runs Android at all, much less 2.2.

Originally Posted by mrspaceman

if you head over to Android.com you can see that Android 1.6 and below make up just over 16% of the total number of devices that connect to the android market. with Android 2.2 making up 43%

ok, but what are those devices? Are they phones or tablets? I have no doubt that the vast majority of devices run 2.2, if we're talking about Android based phones. But what about devices that aren't phones?

The figures are only for devices with market access, so most tablets won't be included.

the significance is that developers will be targeting the largest market share (which is 2.1 and above), so few applications will be written which will be compatible with android 1.6 and below.

If running apps isn't necessary then an update to Froyo is less important. there are a number of features (like installing apps to the SD card) which were introduced in 2.2, but again without apps being developed there is no need of this feature.

Originally Posted by alefor

I imagine most Android phones released now have Froyo. I believe that the only tablet so far with Froyo is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. While I certainly look forward to Froyo on the eDGe, can someone tell me, in practical terms, what will Froyo do for eDGe users? I believe it is faster and perhaps more stable, but what else? What new functionality is in Froyo?

My understanding is that it will include Flash support.

Originally Posted by Dr. T

My understanding is that it will include Flash support.

Yes and no. Flash 10.1 requires Android 2.2. However, Android 2.2 doesn't itself include Flash 10.1. Manufacturers have to add Flash 10.1 into the brew, and they can only do this under certification from Adobe:

Originally Posted by dontpanic

We recognize that many of you are anxiously awaiting Android 2.2, or Froyo, for your enTourage eDGe. It is advertised by Google to provide some features including better performance, support for Flash on certified processors, and a few other goodies.

Thanks for the clarification, and I apologize for the misinformation :/

Originally Posted by jsfiller

It might be behind the rest of the Android phone world, but it is not behind the rest of the Android world. Unless I am greatly mistaken, there is nothing of significance out there that runs Android at all, much less 2.2.

There are lots of tablets being advertised (most with Android), easy to find at places like Amazon.com. They advertise a "Velocity Micro T103" and a Camangi, both 7" Android tablets, though not 2.2. The only one I know of that is actually shipping with Android 2.2, even here in otherwise technologically backwards Japan (and without specifically researching the issue) is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Review of this device are mixed, with the biggest negative being the price. The Galaxy tab is compared to the iPad in most of the reviews. From what I can see, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is OF significance, and runs Android 2.2. Admittedly, I have not seen/touched/played with this device yet.

Originally Posted by Dr. T

My understanding is that it will include Flash support.

Thanks for the info. As one who does very little web surfing and even less web video watching, Flash doesnt mean much to me. As the world knows, Flash is not a part of my iPhone or iPad and I am very happy with these devices. The speed of Froyo is enticing to me, but I am quite happy with a stable Android 1.6 eDGe.

Originally Posted by alefor

The speed of Froyo is enticing to me, but I am quite happy with a stable Android 1.6 eDGe.

That's well enough if you don't want the latest apps like the new WinAmp for Android that's going to be coming out but will require 2.2 to run. Android apps are and will continue to lean toward 2.2, and developers will start using the features available in 2.2 but not 1.6. Yes, all the existing 1.6 apps will run for ages to come, of course

For me, I dont see the eDGe as a platform for running apps. I can run apps on any number of computers that I have or other devices like my iPhone, iPad, etc. I use the eDGe as a rather specialized device for reading / annotating .pdf files. Once in awhile, I use an app while I am reading so it's nice to have a few things available. Other than speed and (hopefully) a more stable / mature system, I dont see Froyo as changing my use of the eDGe much at all. Furthermore, until (if?) Google allows non-phones to access the app store, the whole business of apps is a real pain on anything but Android phones. I am much happier to pay for an app than to have to hunt it down on some obscure web site.

Originally Posted by alefor

For me, I dont see the eDGe as a platform for running apps. I can run apps on any number of computers that I have or other devices like my iPhone, iPad, etc. I use the eDGe as a rather specialized device for reading / annotating .pdf files. Once in awhile, I use an app while I am reading so it's nice to have a few things available. Other than speed and (hopefully) a more stable / mature system, I dont see Froyo as changing my use of the eDGe much at all. Furthermore, until (if?) Google allows non-phones to access the app store, the whole business of apps is a real pain on anything but Android phones. I am much happier to pay for an app than to have to hunt it down on some obscure web site.

This is also kind of my position.

Originally Posted by alefor

For me, I dont see the eDGe as a platform for running apps. I can run apps on any number of computers that I have or other devices like my iPhone, iPad, etc. I use the eDGe as a rather specialized device for reading / annotating .pdf files. Once in awhile, I use an app while I am reading so it's nice to have a few things available. Other than speed and (hopefully) a more stable / mature system, I dont see Froyo as changing my use of the eDGe much at all. Furthermore, until (if?) Google allows non-phones to access the app store, the whole business of apps is a real pain on anything but Android phones. I am much happier to pay for an app than to have to hunt it down on some obscure web site.

Well put, alefor.

sorry I did not know this, I would not want something to happen to me.