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Just Google it. http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/8/12109832/google-apps-iphone-android-motion-stills-gboard-search-hangouts http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/8/1210

by 0xFFC 10y ago

Just Google it. http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/8/12109832/google-apps-iphone-android-motion-stills-gboard-search-hangouts http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/8/12109832/google-apps-iphone... There is so much articles and news about it. It is completely rational decision. Google like any other company at the end wants to maximize its profit, and iPhone is where the money is (Google it, 84% of profit of whole market goes to apples pocket_ I don't remember exact number). I have used HTC desire around 2011 (I don't remember the exact model name) and my gf was using Samsung note (around the same time) the experience was disaster, no updates, bloated software, no bug fix, nos security fixes. Nothing,pure marketing and pure rip off. After a year I switched to Nexus line and my gf using iPhone. We haven't thought about buying anything else since then. And right now , with this update problem Google imposing on Nexus line, my last hope for Android is dieing and I am considering buying iPhone. I switched from Nexus 4 to Nexus 5. It is unacceptable to me, device as capable as Nexus 5 doesnt get N update. Why would I use Android when I have better support, long term update with iPhone almost for same price (I could have bought iPhone 5 for 100$ 150$ more when I bought Nexus 5. Which was total mistake) And remember developing for Android is what I do for living. So I am so enthusiastic about androids future. I have really high hopes for Windows 10 phone. Their continum can be game changer. And don't forget Google is not software company, they are IT company. But Microsoft is different, they are biggest most successful software company in humankind history. They know how to develop software. The problem with their failure was stupid manager (Steve ballmer). Which is now solved. I hope they can compete with iPhone with their surface phone line. We will see how it is going to pan out.

imtringued 10y ago
This is not a problem with android or google. The only way you can avoid this update problem is to convince ARM SoC manufacturers to standardise their SoCs instead of cooking their own soup every time. I think this is never going to happen. Apple doesn't need to standardise. They can get away with just supporting their own devices.
- newscracker 10y ago
  Even if the SoCs are standardized and drivers are updated, do you think the manufacturers have any motive or incentive to provide updates to the customers for older models? Most of them sell phones for low prices at very thin margins or at a loss and rely on releasing newer models more often to keep up sales. Even with standardization, hardware differences will necessitate testing on older devices. That does not come for free for the manufacturers, and it has been, and is seen as, an entirely avoidable and unnecessary expense (which is one big reason they don't provide updates for a longer duration right now). Are the majority of customers even capable of dealing with rooting the phone or flashing it with some un-tested firmware? The phone makers and customers are used to not having updates for a long time, and neither of them really care (if you look at the majority non-tech crowd). Why or how would all these other dynamics change just because SoCs get standardized (if that happens)?
  - digi_owl 10y ago
    If one get the driver side sorted, it will be easier for Google to push for a scheme similar to Windows. On top of that Google could implement a standardized UI themeing system, allowing companies to give their products a distinct experience without having to muck with the code as much.
- grey-area 10y ago
  This is not a problem with android or google. It may not be their fault, but it is their problem. This is a huge problem for Android as a platform.
ghans 10y ago
Why is Google considered an IT company?
- dzdt 10y ago
  Quoting their website: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Their entire purpose is to use technology to manage information. What does "IT" stand for again?

by 0xFFC 10y ago

imtringued 10y ago

This is not a problem with android or google. The only way you can avoid this update problem is to convince ARM SoC manufacturers to standardise their SoCs instead of cooking their own soup every time. I think this is never going to happen. Apple doesn't need to standardise. They can get away with just supporting their own devices.

newscracker 10y ago
Even if the SoCs are standardized and drivers are updated, do you think the manufacturers have any motive or incentive to provide updates to the customers for older models? Most of them sell phones for low prices at very thin margins or at a loss and rely on releasing newer models more often to keep up sales. Even with standardization, hardware differences will necessitate testing on older devices. That does not come for free for the manufacturers, and it has been, and is seen as, an entirely avoidable and unnecessary expense (which is one big reason they don't provide updates for a longer duration right now). Are the majority of customers even capable of dealing with rooting the phone or flashing it with some un-tested firmware? The phone makers and customers are used to not having updates for a long time, and neither of them really care (if you look at the majority non-tech crowd). Why or how would all these other dynamics change just because SoCs get standardized (if that happens)?
- digi_owl 10y ago
  If one get the driver side sorted, it will be easier for Google to push for a scheme similar to Windows. On top of that Google could implement a standardized UI themeing system, allowing companies to give their products a distinct experience without having to muck with the code as much.
grey-area 10y ago
This is not a problem with android or google. It may not be their fault, but it is their problem. This is a huge problem for Android as a platform.

ghans 10y ago

Why is Google considered an IT company?

dzdt 10y ago
Quoting their website: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Their entire purpose is to use technology to manage information. What does "IT" stand for again?