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As an Android developer I'm biased, but it's important to remember that there literally would be no Android if it weren't for Google. Custom ROMs have lagged be

As an Android developer I'm biased, but it's important to remember that there literally would be no Android if it weren't for Google. Custom ROMs have lagged behind Google factory images in every way for years now, and they aren't anywhere near as reliable as a customized AOSP image. On a separate note, there's no substitute for Google Maps, and there never will be.

Fnoord 8y ago
> As an Android developer I'm biased, but it's important to remember that there literally would be no Android if it weren't for Google. This is an appeal to pity. [1] As someone who knew Android before it was bought by Google I'd like to disagree on that one: "In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. for at least $50 million." [2] Yes, Andy Rubin had money issues, but OTOH it was seen as a competitor already at that point. Some details with sources on that in [2] as well. Furthermore, if Android did not became popular perhaps Maemo did or Symbian remained and Nokia didn't die. Who knows. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_pity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_pity [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)
- beenBoutIT 8y ago
  It's an accurate statement. Without Google the Android you're referring to would be buried alongside your beloved Maemo and Symbian right next to Tizen, Ubuntu Touch, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Firefox Mobile, Amazon Fire and every other non-iOS mobile OS. No one else could have made Android into what it is today because no one else could have leveraged all of Google's technologies. On a personal note, as a Nokia fan and someone who started modding with Nokia, I find your appeal to pity extremely pathetic.
Sylos 8y ago
There's tons of substitutes for Google Maps: https://f-droid.org/app/net.osmand.plus https://f-droid.org/app/net.osmand.plus https://f-droid.org/app/com.github.axet.maps https://f-droid.org/app/com.github.axet.maps https://f-droid.org/app/com.junjunguo.pocketmaps https://f-droid.org/app/com.junjunguo.pocketmaps https://f-droid.org/app/com.zoffcc.applications.zanavi https://f-droid.org/app/com.zoffcc.applications.zanavi Either specify why you think Google Maps is so irreplacable or don't make such a blanket statement.
- beenBoutIT 8y ago
  Those are all inferior substitutes. None of them can reroute you on the fly to avoid a major delay, and none of them provide real-time traffic updates on par with the updates provided by Google Maps. Being extremely popular gives it a huge advantage that none of the other map apps enjoy. There will never be a substitute because there is no logical incentive for anyone to use the inferior map apps, and without a massive increase in users they'll perpetually remain less accurate. How many people are willing to risk sitting in traffic unnecessarily to prove some point about not relying on Google technology?

Fnoord 8y ago

> As an Android developer I'm biased, but it's important to remember that there literally would be no Android if it weren't for Google. This is an appeal to pity. [1] As someone who knew Android before it was bought by Google I'd like to disagree on that one: "In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. for at least $50 million." [2] Yes, Andy Rubin had money issues, but OTOH it was seen as a competitor already at that point. Some details with sources on that in [2] as well. Furthermore, if Android did not became popular perhaps Maemo did or Symbian remained and Nokia didn't die. Who knows. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_pity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_pity [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

beenBoutIT 8y ago
It's an accurate statement. Without Google the Android you're referring to would be buried alongside your beloved Maemo and Symbian right next to Tizen, Ubuntu Touch, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Firefox Mobile, Amazon Fire and every other non-iOS mobile OS. No one else could have made Android into what it is today because no one else could have leveraged all of Google's technologies. On a personal note, as a Nokia fan and someone who started modding with Nokia, I find your appeal to pity extremely pathetic.

Sylos 8y ago

There's tons of substitutes for Google Maps: https://f-droid.org/app/net.osmand.plus https://f-droid.org/app/net.osmand.plus https://f-droid.org/app/com.github.axet.maps https://f-droid.org/app/com.github.axet.maps https://f-droid.org/app/com.junjunguo.pocketmaps https://f-droid.org/app/com.junjunguo.pocketmaps https://f-droid.org/app/com.zoffcc.applications.zanavi https://f-droid.org/app/com.zoffcc.applications.zanavi Either specify why you think Google Maps is so irreplacable or don't make such a blanket statement.

beenBoutIT 8y ago
Those are all inferior substitutes. None of them can reroute you on the fly to avoid a major delay, and none of them provide real-time traffic updates on par with the updates provided by Google Maps. Being extremely popular gives it a huge advantage that none of the other map apps enjoy. There will never be a substitute because there is no logical incentive for anyone to use the inferior map apps, and without a massive increase in users they'll perpetually remain less accurate. How many people are willing to risk sitting in traffic unnecessarily to prove some point about not relying on Google technology?