4 ms·

My view of the situation is that the period between the Android version launch and the launch of the first non-Nexus device is Android's equivalent of iOS's pub

by fpgeek 14y ago

My view of the situation is that the period between the Android version launch and the launch of the first non-Nexus device is Android's equivalent of iOS's public beta. Note, in particular, the large volume of changes between Android 4.0 and 4.0.3, many of which were about adapting ICS to devices other than the Galaxy Nexus. I guess Google doesn't want to talk about it that way because, among other things, you're buying the device with beta software, but, functionally, that seems to be what is happening.

Steko 14y ago
"My view of the situation is that the period between the Android version launch and the launch of the first non-Nexus device is Android's equivalent of iOS's public beta. " I would say this is straining for equivalence. The day iOS 6 went into public beta you could run it on a 2009 3GS. Fundamentally Google has little power over phones that have already been sold so even if it wanted to it can't change the fact that many phones sold won't get official updates. So Google's focus has to be on tomorrow's phones. It puts the source out there for old phones and customers can complain to Samsung or use Cyanogen or not care. OTOH Apple does have that control over older phones and coupled with the few models available this means it can afford to deliver an experience that's slightly more developer and customer friendly (in this respect). The fundamentals of this don't seem likely to change anytime soon. The bottom line is if timely and regular updates are your killer feature then you're taking your chances with anything that isn't a nexus or iOS device. And while nexus devices are a clear 2nd place, iOS is Secretariat at the Belmont. The irony I guess is we'd expect Windows Phone to fall between iOS and Android here and yet they've basically been the biggest joke. I guess they get points for honesty? We'll see how many checks those points cash at nokia's bankruptcy proceedings.
- fpgeek 14y ago
  I'm not saying they're exactly equivalent, but let me make the my reasoning more concrete so you see what I'm talking about. With respect to a new OS release: (a) When can people outside of the OS developer / OEMs and relevant carriers first use the new OS version? Android: When the Nexus device launches iOS: With the iOS public beta (b) When do developers get the SDK for the new release? Android: Shortly before or around the Nexus device release iOS: With the iOS public beta (c) When is the new OS release "done"? Android: Some number of x.x.x releases after the initial Nexus launch (probably 4.0.3 for ICS). For example, at least one core Android developer said that they didn't get ICS working on anything with less than 1GB RAM (or a 720p screen is a logical inference given the possible devices) until 4.0.3 on the Nexus S! I don't know what to call Android 4.0, but I'm sure "done" doesn't fit. iOS: When the OS is released

by fpgeek 14y ago

Steko 14y ago

"My view of the situation is that the period between the Android version launch and the launch of the first non-Nexus device is Android's equivalent of iOS's public beta. " I would say this is straining for equivalence. The day iOS 6 went into public beta you could run it on a 2009 3GS. Fundamentally Google has little power over phones that have already been sold so even if it wanted to it can't change the fact that many phones sold won't get official updates. So Google's focus has to be on tomorrow's phones. It puts the source out there for old phones and customers can complain to Samsung or use Cyanogen or not care. OTOH Apple does have that control over older phones and coupled with the few models available this means it can afford to deliver an experience that's slightly more developer and customer friendly (in this respect). The fundamentals of this don't seem likely to change anytime soon. The bottom line is if timely and regular updates are your killer feature then you're taking your chances with anything that isn't a nexus or iOS device. And while nexus devices are a clear 2nd place, iOS is Secretariat at the Belmont. The irony I guess is we'd expect Windows Phone to fall between iOS and Android here and yet they've basically been the biggest joke. I guess they get points for honesty? We'll see how many checks those points cash at nokia's bankruptcy proceedings.

fpgeek 14y ago
I'm not saying they're exactly equivalent, but let me make the my reasoning more concrete so you see what I'm talking about. With respect to a new OS release: (a) When can people outside of the OS developer / OEMs and relevant carriers first use the new OS version? Android: When the Nexus device launches iOS: With the iOS public beta (b) When do developers get the SDK for the new release? Android: Shortly before or around the Nexus device release iOS: With the iOS public beta (c) When is the new OS release "done"? Android: Some number of x.x.x releases after the initial Nexus launch (probably 4.0.3 for ICS). For example, at least one core Android developer said that they didn't get ICS working on anything with less than 1GB RAM (or a 720p screen is a logical inference given the possible devices) until 4.0.3 on the Nexus S! I don't know what to call Android 4.0, but I'm sure "done" doesn't fit. iOS: When the OS is released