Android 2.1 picks up steam in latest platform stats, 1.5 and 1.6 still contenders
By Chris Ziegler 
posted June 16th 2010 10:33PM
posted June 16th 2010 10:33PM
[Thanks, Drew]
posted June 16th 2010 10:33PM
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Android post..... RUN FOR THE BOMB SHELTER
@Luffy What I meant to say is fuck yeah Android :thumbsup: Incredible or wait for the new Droids.... decisions decisions
@Luffy
Amen brother. Flamewar time. Some apple fans gonna say something along the lines of "android sucks!" and then another android fan will say something along the lines of "well if you looks at the facts, our OS is obviously superior to yours" and on and on and on and on...
@Luffy I say the Droid X if you don't mind the size. The processor it has makes a big difference despite being clocked at the same speed as the Incredible. Besides, MOAR screen, multitouch keyboard, and the camera's great.
@Luffy
The flame war predictions are more obnoxious than the participants. Posts like yours are along the same lines as a "first!" post.
@Luffy It's too late! They've already spotted us
I worry about where 2.2 will come to be on that graph in 6 months, with 1.5 and 1.6 pushed down to under 25%, 2.1 around 50%, and 2.2 around 25%. Plus, 2.1 will be the end of the line for a lot of phones, so expect it to stick around for some time.
Here's hoping for more timely upgrades from OEMs and carriers across the board for 2.1 onward.
@ash chapman Next time I'll post "First!!!" just for you.
@Luffy I love android it is my favorite cellphone OS
@Jean Marc
Android FTW!
Anyway... Fruits are for Fruits!
Carry on
@newjaruz lol hilarious comment but keep apple out of this post i dont want the flames in here, its the reason i stopped entertaining apple post
@Luffy
I'm at least happy Chris took the Google post's advice and decided to specify version fragmentation rather than using only the red herring word of "fragmentation".
@Luffy
Ahahah i read this comment and then i read the article ontop of this, and said First for you;D
I don't know. This increase looks pretty solid to me. About 10% increase per month for Eclair since its release in mid January. Pretty good for an OS that operates on how many phones of how many carriers?
There aren't really numbers to compare this to, but I think it's quiet fast.
@Btbessey: Oh please. Android fanboyism (fandroidism?) is far more prevalent on Engadget these days than Apple fanboyism.
Say something pro-Android or anti-Apple: Highest Ranked. Say something pro-Apple or anti-Android: Down-Ranked Into Oblivion.
Mob mentality rules this place.
@HotFuzz
Give me a break. Any article about Apple is dominated by iFans and when there is an Android related article there are a ton of iFans who love to chime in about how shitty android is, how the iPhone is the king of phones, blah blah blah. Just look at the Droid X preview. Of course they get down ranked in those, just like anyone who mentions anything anti-apple does in apple posts.
@Luffy : 1.5 and 1.6, Kill it with fire!
@Luffy
You're a fake! Where's my Straw Hat character? XD
@Btbessey
Android 1.5 and 1.6 won't die because those smartphones are probably not upgradeable to a later version OS and those consumers that own them likely don't want to throw them away after a year.
@MosesusedaniPad
HTC Hero accounts for about 8% or 9% of all Android phones. The HTC Hero (GSM=world phone) is being updated as we speak. The 1.5 share will be shrinking significantly within the next two weeks.
@MosesusedaniPad
depends on what you mean by "upgradeable" - technically it would be possible to upgrade every android phone out there to éclair, but the manufacturers refuse to do so
Microsoft is VERY fragmented (Ultimate, Premium, Basic, Starter, Win 98, 2000, Me, XP, Vista, Seven and Server) and WHO gives a DAMN about it?
If you want 2.2 wait and buy 2.2 phones with Froyo.
@Saauron
I'm not worried at all. The problem right now is that most apparently are written for 1.5/1.6 which keeps the quality of appear low. That's the real harm from version fragmentation. But add that to the fact that the jump from 1.6 to 2.1 is huge and Android has issues.
The Android experience will improve substantially when the vast majority of phones move to 2.1. Even with 2.2 out, most apps will be written for 2.1. Quality will improve. Fragmentation will decrease (because it'll largely be constrained to two versions) and won't really be as damaging to the user experience either. So even 2.1 sticks around for awhile, it'll be good for all of us.
Eclair FTW!
@Saauron Don't be too sure about that, as you can see the Android market is already 100,1% so maybe it will just be 150,1% when adding a 50% marked share to Android 2.2? Who knows :)
I really want 2.2 on my droid. What do you guys think is the eta for that?
@kevin52094
My Magic would like some of the froyo lov'in...sadly it looks like I'll have an iPhone 4 before that dream is ever fulfilled.
@kevin52094
Soon.
@TacticalTimbo Not sad, iPhone 4 is an excellent product
@kevin52094 Most people's Nexus One's also would like 2.2. It isn't actually out yet. We are still waiting.
@kevin52094
We should have an ETA as soon as Google actually is finished with 2.2.
@TacticalTimbo http://www.tmonews.com/2010/06/mytouch3g-users-youre-wish-is-about-to-come-true/
@kevin52094
Fragmentation is the reason I'll never buy another Android device. I bought a "cheap" HTC Tattoo to replace my iPhone 3G. Released late 2009 and never had a single update. It'd still be on 1.6 if I hadn't rooted my supposedly "open" phone (and my current 2.1 system is a hack - e.g. The camera doesn't work). Back before smart phones, phones didn't need updates. Now, when they're supposed to run apps, timely updates are critical.
Whatever the haters say about Apple, they do this part of the business about a billion times better than Google and their partners. iPhones get the latest major release immediately for the next 3 years. Great customer service (much better value for money than, for example, the cheaper HTC Android phone I bought), great platform for app developers too.
In fact, I feel so cheated by HTC that I wanted to punch that Google guy who said the problem was legacy. Smartphones are expensive, and not everyone can replace them every 6-8 months with the latest $X00 Android superphone (especially when they're on 24 month contracts). It was a pretty arrogant thing to say. Maybe your platform's just not up to scratch, Google.
@kevin52094 its already out if you just root your phone... i have had it for over two weeks. All the issues have been fixed and it honestly runs perfectly (and fast).
@KarlW http://unitedkingdroid.com/?p=375 so stfu
@KarlW
Whine elsewhere numbnuts. Have fun with your iPhone.
@kevin52094
Just get it now:
http://lifehacker.com/5563924/the-start-to-finish-guide-to-rooting-your-android-phone
If you do everything it says and select the Froyo version of Bugless Beast in Rom Manager, you'll be set.
@KarlW You stated your issue, you bought a "cheap" HTC Tatoo, if you want the best service you need the flagship device, the N1 which pushes updates ASAP. Compare that device to Apple and their OS when you have direct control over your device you can push updates to it ASAP, its only the other models that are lagging behind, and as long as I can push custom Root Roms I have no problem with my Droid not officially having Froyo yet.
@Shooter McGavin
You see, that's exactly the attitude that kept Linux from getting anywhere on the desktop. The actual Android platform isn't bad day-to-day, it's in the customer service and value departments that Android is starting to show its Linux roots, only without the openness.
Oh, and HTC have since confirmed on their facebook page that the Tattoo will _NOT_ be getting a 2.1 update. Mixed signals and conflicting reports of upgrades is exactly what I'm talking about. The upgrade situation is a complete mess. That same facebook page is literally full of customers like me crying out to HTC for an update.
If it takes hardware makers that long to port new versions of Android to a device *already running Android*, then it's obvious something is wrong with the platform.
You cannot defend hardware makers by saying that they only need to support top-tier phones. That's fundamentally the wrong way to approach customer service. Besides, even if I bought a top-tier phone like the Hero in its day, it doesn't look like I'd get a much better experience.
This is a real problem for Android. It's the fanboys who dismiss *actual customer experiences* with one-line "whine elsewhere" replies that make the problem worse for themselves.
@KarlW very well said.
IMO this whole update saga is unacceptable and means I couldn't consider an android phone ATM.
Google need to sort it out with their partners as it shines a bad light on their platform. They seem in denial though. Ah well. If the same thing happens to Cheesecake or whatever it will be called then I think you will see a manufacturer shift towards winP7.
@KarlW
I agree with you 100%.
I had an iPhone 3G and LOVED the fact that when an update came out, i could download it and be on my merry way with all the new features and latest apps.
Its easy for the iPhone, granted, because there is VERY minimal hardware variation and everything is controlled by one company.
I just bought a HTC Legend. Great phone, pretty good hardware specs too, but i have this horrible feeling in my gut HTC will forget about it within a couple of months (if they havent already).
HTC in particular need to do ALOT better, they need to support devices for longer. Dont just release a new handset with a different name and then forget about everyone else!
Honestly HTC need to cut down their product portfolio, and have clearly defined handsets that fit into the top, middle and low tier markets. Atm feature lists are so muddled.
Im also VERY dissapointed in the Android market. To me its purely because of the hardware variation. Devs dont know what to program for! They could build great 3D games but then theyd alienate all the cheapos who bought Tatoos :-P
People go on about how great "choice" is when it comes to Android....i dont think it is...i dont want a choice of 100 handsets, i want one handset that screams, this is the phone for you.
Argh, anyway...i love my Legend, Android is pretty good, i just hope 2.2 will be officially supported by HTC on it.
@KarlW
What a bunch of cry babies. You want an update to new software after 6 months and you're so happy with your iPhones. I owned iPhones from 2G to 3GS until March 2010. In almost 3 years of iPhone updates (that really come only once per year) what did I get? Cut and paste and MMS. Big effin deal. Go update your 3G (second real update soon availabe) and what will you get? Squat.
@KarlW
"Fragmentation is the reason I'll never buy another Android device. I bought a "cheap" HTC Tattoo to replace my iPhone 3G. Released late 2009 and never had a single update. It'd still be on 1.6 if I hadn't rooted my supposedly "open" phone (and my current 2.1 system is a hack - e.g. The camera doesn't work). Back before smart phones, phones didn't need updates. Now, when they're supposed to run apps, timely updates are critical."
So you´re comparing the cheapest Android (end 2009 it was free here combined with a 1 year contract (basic plan)) with a iPhone 3G (end 2009: €200,- with 18 month contract (expensive data plan))
I bought a EXPENSIVE iPod Touch and the only update to a higher version was one that I had to pay for.
Current 3G owners can upgrade to iOS4 but it will lack the mayor enhancement(s) of that version; One can argue that Apple has less fragmentation but that´s only visually because although most iPhones will run iOS4 in a couple of months a large part of them will run a crippled/stripped version of it that, for example, lacks support for multitasking so an App developer has to write (at least) three versions for it´s future app as well (one version for iPhone 4, a low-res version for the 3GS and a low-res+no-multitask version for the 3G´s)
@Adamgs
"People go on about how great "choice" is when it comes to Android....i dont think it is...i dont want a choice of 100 handsets, i want one handset that screams, this is the phone for you."
And that´s why choice is good.... as people differ in taste. I like my Milestone but my GF prefers her N1....
What is the choice with Apple?; black or white and the amount of (no upgradable) memory....
Android is all about being an individual rather than a sheep.
@Adamgs
"I just bought a HTC Legend. Great phone, pretty good hardware specs too, but i have this horrible feeling in my gut HTC will forget about it within a couple of months (if they havent already)."
oooh, that's a shame.
See the replies from "HTC Singapore" here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=12836401&id=10150124449655422&ref=mf
"Unfortunately, the HTC Legend will not be upgradeable to Android 2.2 (Froyo)."
See what I mean?
@KarlW
you are such a plonker
lets compare apples and pears shall we...
as has been pointed out to you in words of one syllable, you are talking a load of crap.
Comparing two os's but in fact your gripe is with the manufacturer HTC lol you tit!
@rj7855 But the sheep can fly, shoot lasers out of its eyes, regenerate limbs, and looks fantastic in a tux.
@KarlW
Your argument is void of logic and you look the other way at the flaws of your beloved iPhone. I don't debate with biased idiots.
i really hate the custom skins like sense and blu.. if all phones just used the stock android os it would be a possibility of all phones just updating to froyo ota when they released it
@deadaim
Thats not entirely true.....
Its more than just porting over the skin. Its porting over all the system stuff ("drivers", more kernal stuff and other Linux related things, but lets just say "drivers").
And there big fat companies so they move slow, but they throughly test software before releasing it..... Which is good, we don't want another iPad incident..... :)
@deadaim
Exactly. With Gingerbread, Google is trying to move away from their initial mistake..encouraging handset makers to create their own skins...which slows down release adoption tremendously. HTC takes between 6 months to infinity to create a new release...mostly because of Sense UI....it's not worth it.