3 ms·

> But then you don't get all your fancy custom themes and subsidized applications. PC makers have no problem adding to Windows and then letting the consumer ge

> But then you don't get all your fancy custom themes and subsidized applications. PC makers have no problem adding to Windows and then letting the consumer get updates straight from Microsoft. So they do have their cake and eat it too.

arron61 16y ago
How are they adding to Windows? They make applications. They don't necessarily alter the OS. Plus PCs have a 7 layer stack where there are abstraction layers over the devices and drivers, making this doable. Whereas phones are embedded systems that have tight integration.
- aphexairlines 16y ago
  Yes, not technically modifying the OS itself. But PC OSs are extensible -- manufacturers often implement/bundle their own power management, wifi authentication mechanisms, disk monitors, etc, and of course apps. Not to say that any of it is actually helpful, but then neither is the crap that Motorola, HTC, Sony-Ericsson, Samsung, and friends bolt onto Android.
  - ZeroGravitas 16y ago
    PC Manufacturers do add crap, but they have also patched real holes in Windows e.g. better wireless support before XP service pack 2 , out of the box anti-virus, alternative Office apps, better browsers etc. The same is true of Android as early versions were missing some major pieces. It's a complex area with many shades of grey. The real problem is poor software engineer practice regarding Android and Linux at these manufacturers which leads to unnecessary delays and wheel re-invention. They seem to be learning and getting much better at this though e.g. Sony Ericsson announcing that they'd restrict their additions to the app level and make them easy to turn off and replace in future, and announcing they'd do an extra update for the X10 because they'd already done most of the work for the new phones that share the same platform.

3 ms·

> But then you don't get all your fancy custom themes and subsidized applications. PC makers have no problem adding to Windows and then letting the consumer ge

by aphexairlines 16y ago

arron61 16y ago
How are they adding to Windows? They make applications. They don't necessarily alter the OS. Plus PCs have a 7 layer stack where there are abstraction layers over the devices and drivers, making this doable. Whereas phones are embedded systems that have tight integration.
- aphexairlines 16y ago
  Yes, not technically modifying the OS itself. But PC OSs are extensible -- manufacturers often implement/bundle their own power management, wifi authentication mechanisms, disk monitors, etc, and of course apps. Not to say that any of it is actually helpful, but then neither is the crap that Motorola, HTC, Sony-Ericsson, Samsung, and friends bolt onto Android.
  - ZeroGravitas 16y ago
    PC Manufacturers do add crap, but they have also patched real holes in Windows e.g. better wireless support before XP service pack 2 , out of the box anti-virus, alternative Office apps, better browsers etc. The same is true of Android as early versions were missing some major pieces. It's a complex area with many shades of grey. The real problem is poor software engineer practice regarding Android and Linux at these manufacturers which leads to unnecessary delays and wheel re-invention. They seem to be learning and getting much better at this though e.g. Sony Ericsson announcing that they'd restrict their additions to the app level and make them easy to turn off and replace in future, and announcing they'd do an extra update for the X10 because they'd already done most of the work for the new phones that share the same platform.