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Compared to Windows or Linux, Android is almost not fragmented at all. Yes, there are different screen sizes, but that's not a big deal, the API abstracts from

Compared to Windows or Linux, Android is almost not fragmented at all. Yes, there are different screen sizes, but that's not a big deal, the API abstracts from that. And yes, there are different API versions, but that's not a big problem too, because the API is backwards compatible (or forwards comaptible, I'm not fully sure about the difference between these two).

taeric 13y ago
Of course... similarly, compared to Windows or Linux, Android is not mature at all. The main method of interface is also much more sensitive to things taking a long time. As for the API "not being a big deal." I think you grossly overstate how well the APIs have been managed. It is nowhere near as hellacious as the J2ME fiasco, but it is not pleasant, either.
- RivieraKid 13y ago
  > The main method of interface is also much more sensitive to things taking a long time. Not sure I understand, what do you mean by that? > but it is not pleasant, either Why exactly?
  - taeric 13y ago
    Humble apologies for not responding. Forgot I had posted. I meant that the latency of the touch screen is a huge factor. If the screen is not keeping pace with my finger, it is highly noticeable. And jarring. This is just as true for many GUIs, but the speed of getting text onto the screen is a solved problem. And rarely goes wrong. (That is, most UIs on desktops are relatively static while the user is doing stuff. This appears to not be the case on my phone. Further, if Facebook goes slow on my desktop, I just switch to another app/tab for a bit. Not really doable on the phone.) As far as the API issues, it really comes down to just how obnoxious it is to target many versions of devices. You wind up picking the API that is solid across them all. Often this is the "old" one, that is not quite as nice, and definitely not as supported. In fact, this is the main thing I hate about how Google has curated their stuff. They don't so much "stabilize" apis, as they do constantly churn them.
    - RivieraKid 13y ago
      No problem mate, thanks for the reply! I mostly agree with the touch latency, even with Nexus 4 it's not as good as iPhone. But it's getting better. API issues: there are different API versions that are backwards compatible. But apart from that, the API is the same across devices. Manufacturers don't change the API. Having to use older API versions can be a bit annoying, but I don't see it as a big problem, and there's also the support library.

taeric 13y ago

Of course... similarly, compared to Windows or Linux, Android is not mature at all. The main method of interface is also much more sensitive to things taking a long time. As for the API "not being a big deal." I think you grossly overstate how well the APIs have been managed. It is nowhere near as hellacious as the J2ME fiasco, but it is not pleasant, either.

RivieraKid 13y ago
> The main method of interface is also much more sensitive to things taking a long time. Not sure I understand, what do you mean by that? > but it is not pleasant, either Why exactly?
- taeric 13y ago
  Humble apologies for not responding. Forgot I had posted. I meant that the latency of the touch screen is a huge factor. If the screen is not keeping pace with my finger, it is highly noticeable. And jarring. This is just as true for many GUIs, but the speed of getting text onto the screen is a solved problem. And rarely goes wrong. (That is, most UIs on desktops are relatively static while the user is doing stuff. This appears to not be the case on my phone. Further, if Facebook goes slow on my desktop, I just switch to another app/tab for a bit. Not really doable on the phone.) As far as the API issues, it really comes down to just how obnoxious it is to target many versions of devices. You wind up picking the API that is solid across them all. Often this is the "old" one, that is not quite as nice, and definitely not as supported. In fact, this is the main thing I hate about how Google has curated their stuff. They don't so much "stabilize" apis, as they do constantly churn them.
  - RivieraKid 13y ago
    No problem mate, thanks for the reply! I mostly agree with the touch latency, even with Nexus 4 it's not as good as iPhone. But it's getting better. API issues: there are different API versions that are backwards compatible. But apart from that, the API is the same across devices. Manufacturers don't change the API. Having to use older API versions can be a bit annoying, but I don't see it as a big problem, and there's also the support library.