G+_Rick Dynesius Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Is this tooo Dumb Coming from the iOS environment when Apple comes out with an updated OS, they notify you and you download the update. Listening and watching TWIT AAA and TWIG, I am a bit confused. Discussions sometime come up that a device has an earlier Android OS which seems to make it unfavorable either as a phone or tablet. Example: Galaxy Note2 Tablet doesn't have latest JellyBean out of the box. Doesn't Google or the manufacturer make the latest update available for these tablets? The same applies to phones but my interest here is the tablets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Tim Davis Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Google makes the source code for Android freely available as part of the Android Open Source Project (aka, AOSP). Of course, each OEM will need to write new kernels, drivers, and other source for their own hardware, as typically Google only builds source for their Nexus line of devices. Because of its open nature, Google cannot control when OEMs update to the newest version of Android. Apple, on the other hand, is vertically integrated (for better or worse) and controls the entire product line, from software to hardware. That's why you only see one new iPhone a year, but you see TONS of new Android devices every year. While the latter does lead to some fragmentation, it also provides more choices for the consumer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Will Chase Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Are you talking about the galaxy tab 10.1? The note 2 is a phone. Android OS is fragmented as far as which devices run which versions. That's why there is such a large community dedicated to custom ROMs. If you want latest version of official android you DEFINITELY should get a device from the Nexus series. Nexus is pure Google whereas Samsung and other manufacturer take the new Android update and add their own "skin", which they then have to get the carrier to sign off on. Hence time delays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Elizabeth Whitmire Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Google makes it available, but then there's this dance that the manufacturers and the carriers do. The manufacturers put on their skins, and the carriers add their bloatware. :/ You can circumvent all that by getting a Nexus device, which does come as a vanilla Android experience - pure unadulterated Android. And Nexus devices get prompt updates. That said, I have a Galaxy S3, which isn't a Nexus device. It shipped with Ice Cream Sandwich and now has Jellybean 4.1.1. I don't know how many feel this way about it, but as happy as I am with Jelly Bean, I was almost as happy with ICS. And if ICS were still on this phone, I don't think it would be the end of the world. I'd still be happy to have my GS3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Here is the difference in the ecosystems: Apple/iOS: - Has complete control over the hardware. - Has complete control over the software. - Both are closed off to third-parties. - Has paid off the carriers (presumably) so they just accept any update Apple puts out. Google/Android: - Does not control the hardware. Even for Nexus devices, though they have a major say as to its looks and capabilities. - Google works on the base code "in secret", but allows Nexus manufacturers (and soon other OEMs) early access to the base code before it is released to AOSP (Android Open Source Project). - Manufacturers have the "opportunity" to add a customization layer (i.e. - TouchWiz, Sense, MotoBlur, etc). This adds additional complexity when there are conflicts, especially if they did not have early access to the new code. - Carriers then feel the need to test the new images on their network before giving final approval. -------------------------- The above was written before the previous replies. -------------------------- That being said, the real problem manufacturers were facing last year was that Google vastly changed the codebase from Gingerbread (2.3.x for phones only) to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.x for both phones and tablets). This put a major strain on the ecosystem, but things are changing for the better as more devices are running 4.0+ code than before. There shouldn't be a major change like this for a while as most devices are easily supported using this framework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Carlos Benjamin Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Joseph Cappellino "Has paid off the carriers (presumably) so they just accept any update Apple puts out." Um.... this is not true at all. Many carriers didn't want to deal with Apple. It was only when they saw the sales numbers keep climing that they were willing to sign on with Apple's terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Carlos Benjamin - That could very well be. But, now that Android is outselling Apple worldwide almost 2:1, maybe it's time to get the carriers to change their minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Rick Dynesius Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Very interesting commentary from everyone. I now put it all together. Thanks everyone. I just bought the Nexus7 and have a Samsung Chrome book which is 6-8 weeks old as I am trying to move out of my iPad,iPod and iPhone. Being retired recently' the value in Android is great. However, I am showing my wife several alternates to her iPad as the 7 inch tablets are so appealing and iPad Mini's are expensive but have an appeal to her because she has Apple Apps. But in reviewing several other tablets we found some that do not feature JellyBean such as the Galaxy 7 inch tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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