[Somnid]

I dont see how any of that makes it the opposite. People dont care, the phones keep selling, and furthermore the appstore for it continues to grow, with more and more Android support for applications showing up. In the end, its got issues, but none of them matter to most people.

The fact that you don't understand something is a problem doesn't mean it's not a problem. The internet slams Android for legit reasons and it does matter to the general public whether or not they know it. So nobody actually buys a phone for Android, but the fact that they aren't even getting the full range of features when there's no reason they shouldn't is a problem. The fact that many do trust the Google Play Store to sell legit apps even though they shouldn't is a problem.

[Divvy]

Needs more skeumorphism I guess

[Cipherr]

So nobody actually buys a phone for Android

Ooooh, Ive seen that before, I didn't know you were one of them. How about we just don't. Its been done to death, and nothing said here is going to change whats happening right now in the real world so.... lets just let this unnecessary thread be.

[Sky Chief]

It is the most feature packed mobile OS with the best mobile browser, amazing navigation built in, and great Google integration (obviously). I am not surprised at all that it is continuing to do well.

[Mr Pockets]

I have an ICS TF101 too, and I still get random boot ups. Annoying when I come back to my tablet and it's drained because it won't stay off. Otherwise, a great tablet.

I HAD that issue, but for some reason it stopped. Now it works flawlessly.

I do agree that the app selection sometimes is weak...but I get all I need and more from this thing so no need to complain.

Plus Transformer + Emulation + Controller = heaven.

[Joni]

It is quite simple. Most awesome, yet payable phones are Android.

[Cheebo]

Needs more skeumorphism I guess

MS doesn't do skeumorphism and their Metro OS is really beautiful and artistic, you don't need to use skeumorphism to have a nice pretty looking OS.

[gooey kablooie]

I enjoy android because of the community. I like reading about all the new roms and kernels and trying them out and what customizations come with it. I'm not really into apps or mobile games as I mostly use my phone for music/podcasts and web.

I know the general public doesn't care about the developer side but it's nice to have the option.

[PSGames]

Nah its not expected at all. I dont know why people pretend like it was a given that Android would outnumber iPhones just because multiple HW manufacturers make phones. If it was that much of a given then Android tablets would be whipping the shit out of the iPad too, and dont even get me started on the WP7 phones which also have multiple manufacturers. Its not nearly that simple, just having more phones isn't enough. And yeah, fragmentation doesn't matter to people at all. At least not on a scale large enough to make any difference at all.

When Android phones launched the iPhone was only available on one carrier in the States. Androids became the de facto alternative on all the other carriers. Thus accelerating mindshare and adoption to dizzying heights. Android tablets don't have that luxury.

[Kinitari]

Android does what it does well but it just lacks, well, a soul. It isn't beautiful to look at at an OS level. It just lacks that artistic flavor that makes a OS fun to use at a pure OS level. It is something Apple has had in iOS and Mac OSX, and Microsoft now has with Metro/Windows 8. It is just kind of there, it does what it does well but not remarkable. Which is kind of odd because a lot of Google's desktop based UI for their services has a really unique minimalistic look to them. Chrome OS especially.

Eh... you know that this is really far on the 'subjective' side of the scale, right? Can't really argue against it, and I don't really have to say anything more than "I disagree" - I've always felt that there was a sort of 'soul' to android. I couldn't put it to words, but it's something that appeals to me. I don't think there is anything more than that to it.

[MercuryLS]

My biggest issue with Android is the responsiveness of the OS, Jelly Bean is much better but it's still not there yet. There's a weird snap back that happens when you swipe too quickly, it really sucks and I don't know how this wasn't found/fixed before they shipped JB. The lack of polish really irks me and it's still an issue with the platform. It's not really a surprise that Android is successful, the OS is free to OEM's and carriers so they can do whatever they want with it. All Google cares about is getting eyeballs in front of their services, so they don't give a shit about fragmentation (for the most part).

I still feel that Android is a second rate OS in comparison to iOS and WP7. It's large benefit is the deep Google integration and openness, but the actual experience is still not that great. I bought a Nexus 7 hoping that things would be different, it's more polished than ICS but they still have a ways to go.

[DMeisterJ]

I have an Android phone, but I'll be shifting to the iPhone 5 this fall because of the whole fragmentation thing. My phone was 6 or 7 months old when ICS came out, and it's still (and will never) get an update to that OS so I'm over the whole Android thing. iPhone 4/4S will get iOS6, but my year 1.5 year old phone only ever got an OS update that came out before the phone even shipped.

[itxaka]

Jelly bean <3

[bob page]

I got a Nexus 7 and was pretty impressed with Jelly Bean (I own an iPad 2 and 4S). It has a lot of features that I wish iOS had and it's the only enjoyable experience I've had with Android to date. Scrolling was definitely smoother (although not quite at iOS level) and the UI is much more consistent. But the app selection is still holding it back (at least on tablets). If it improves in a few years, I might see myself switching. No apps, no sale, so I ended up returning it.

[Tucah]

App selection plus the weird fragmentation of updates not being available on all phones means I'll be sticking with iOS for the foreseeable future. I like a lot of Android devices though - the S3 is a wonderful machine.

[Utako]

iOS is still the more profitable platform by a good green country mile, so nothing is threatening its dominance anytime soon.

[8bit]

no

[hillsighed]

Most phones I see people using out in public are either iPhone 4's or various Android phones (usually some sort of Samsung Galaxy.) I sometimes see a random teenager with a Blackberry.

I've been using various Windows Phones since release, but I rarely see others using them. In the two years WP has been out I can count the times I've seen others using them on both hands. Sad, it's a great platform.

I can see why everyone gravitates towards towards iPhones and Android, though. iPhone simple, tried and true. Android is incredibly versatile, in terms of hardware and software. I had a Nexus S myself for quite awhile and it was a great phone.

[Dreams-Visions]

I have yet to see a WP7 phone in the wild.

[soco]

I have yet to see a WP7 phone in the wild.

I've seen a few but I can't recall anyone having one for the actual merits of the phone. It's almost always convenience (free) or identity (MS employee and/or someone who refuses to be identified as an Apple user).

[The Faceless Master]

Also for future reference: The Android OT is probably where something like this should go.

hell naw... why clutter real Android talk with this meta-discussion?

[You Are Viewtiful]

Android is great, the sales are deserved.

[MMaRsu]

Most people are luther fandroids

[Kinitari]

My biggest issue with Android is the responsiveness of the OS, Jelly Bean is much better but it's still not there yet. There's a weird snap back that happens when you swipe too quickly, it really sucks and I don't know how this wasn't found/fixed before they shipped JB. The lack of polish really irks me and it's still an issue with the platform. It's not really a surprise that Android is successful, the OS is free to OEM's and carriers so they can do whatever they want with it. All Google cares about is getting eyeballs in front of their services, so they don't give a shit about fragmentation (for the most part). I still feel that Android is a second rate OS in comparison to iOS and WP7. It's large benefit is the deep Google integration and openness, but the actual experience is still not that great. I bought a Nexus 7 hoping that things would be different, it's more polished than ICS but they still have a ways to go.

Really? Side by side, my nexus against my gf's iPhone4, the nexus sincerely looks smoother. She was the one who did the comparison before I even thought of it.

I really want to know what this experience difference between iOS and Android is. I've played with iOS stuff for hours here or there, and I really don't see it. In fact the iOS 'look and feel' is really not appealing to me - the simplistic icons and the monotonous grid design being the center point of the home screen is so bleh. Pushing past that subjectivity, the actual 'experience' of using apps or whatnot doesn't feel really special at all on iOS - maybe there are certain apps that are particularly special that I have not tried? Can anyone recommend something for me to try that will give me a "woah" experience on the iOS?

[Cr0wn0]

Before ICS and now JB I would not have given Android a second look compared to an iPhone. Once iOS6 was announced and I saw how little Apple is advancing its own platform I looked for alternatives and bought a GS3. I love how I can customize almost every tiny detail of the phone. I think android post 4.0 is going to be a beast.

[bob page]

Really? Side by side, my nexus against my gf's iPhone4, the nexus sincerely looks smoother. She was the one who did the comparison before I even thought of it. I really want to know what this experience difference between iOS and Android is. I've played with iOS stuff for hours here or there, and I really don't see it. In fact the iOS 'look and feel' is really not appealing to me - the simplistic icons and the monotonous grid design being the center point of the home screen is so bleh. Pushing past that subjectivity, the actual 'experience' of using apps or whatnot doesn't feel really special at all on iOS - maybe there are certain apps that are particularly special that I have not tried? Can anyone recommend something for me to try that will give me a "woah" experience on the iOS?

I'm not sure about the phone apps, but iOS tablet apps are leagues better. Most of them on Android are upscaled phone apps or placeholders for the web app, whereas on the iPad, in most instances, they're designed specifically for the device.

And also, you're comparing to the iPhone 4, which came out over 2 years ago and doesn't run iOS 5.0 as well as newer devices. Compared to the iPad 2, new iPad and 4S, you can noticeably see the differences in scrolling, etc. After spending 5 days exclusively with the Nexus 7 and then returning to my iPad 2, it was definitely evident how much smoother it is.

The lack of new features in iOS 6 does concern me though. If it weren't for my purchased app
Iibrary, I'd probably switch phones (but Android tablet apps have a long way to come before I permanently switch on that front).

[MarkMclovin]

Looking around my world, it seems the Android users are starting to overtake the iOS users and WP7.5 (or just Nokia Lumia) is seen in 1 out of 40 people i come across, what happened to the WP revolution GAF was so excited about last year? For all the fragmentation talk and Android is doomed, i find most Android users are impervious to it. Androidites prefer their choice of phones, there is an Android phone everyone imo. The performance of the OS is also closing in on Apple. I hope Samsung release JB to SGS2 or i may have to change to a new Sony Xperia or One X later this year. What new features might iPhone5 bring? Android tablets still suck bag of shit though.

What does this mean? The OS is only as fast as the hardware it's running on. And isn't the GS3 like 3 times faster than the 4S? Like anyone cares though.

Actually, I've no idea why I'm even replying to such a terrible OP, but no doubt it will turn into a shitstorm as usual.

[Kinitari]

I'm not sure about the phone apps, but iOS tablet apps are leagues better. Most of them on Android are upscaled phone apps or placeholders for the web app, whereas on the iPad, in most instances, they're designed specifically for the device. And also, you're comparing to the iPhone 4, which came out over 2 years ago and doesn't run iOS 5.0 as well as newer devices. Compared to the iPad 2, new iPad and 4S, you can noticeably see the differences in scrolling, etc.

I have a tablet as well! Transformer prime, unfortunately the gf doesn't have an iPad2, so I can't really compare. But I use my transformer more for it's utility. And when I get games, I tend to look for tablet specific games. There are plenty, hundreds, maybe even thousands - but I guess by now the iPad has tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.

But even if someone were to do a side by side with a 4s, I don't know how much 'smoother' it could get. It's pretty much as smooth as I can imagine it.

[hodgy100]

as far as devices go the iphone has the most marketshare.

But if you are talking about operating systems its android all the way, and it has been for years now.

I'll agree that android can sometimes feel like a second rate OS, and it really does on lower end devices, but on higher end devices it performs amazingly (HTC One X represent)

What android lacks in polish it gains in flexibility which was my personal reason for choosing an android device over an iphone.

[MercuryLS]

Really? Side by side, my nexus against my gf's iPhone4, the nexus sincerely looks smoother. She was the one who did the comparison before I even thought of it. I really want to know what this experience difference between iOS and Android is. I've played with iOS stuff for hours here or there, and I really don't see it. In fact the iOS 'look and feel' is really not appealing to me - the simplistic icons and the monotonous grid design being the center point of the home screen is so bleh. Pushing past that subjectivity, the actual 'experience' of using apps or whatnot doesn't feel really special at all on iOS - maybe there are certain apps that are particularly special that I have not tried? Can anyone recommend something for me to try that will give me a "woah" experience on the iOS?

Try quickly swiping between homepages, I got snap back often with the Nexus 7. As for apps that show off iPad/iPhone I would suggest iPhoto and iMovie. Amazing apps.

[MercuryLS]

What android lacks in polish it gains in flexibility which was my personal reason for choosing an android device over an iphone.

This is what it comes down to, I value polish over flexibility when it comes to portable devices. If someone wants PC-like flexibility out of their mobile OS, Android is the way to go.

[neojubei]

Competition is good but I will always pick iOS over Android. I don't want OEMs and carriers to decide to update my phone or not and i don't trust google with my credit card info. iOS and itunes cards all the way for me and i do not want to re-buy most of the apps I already have on iOS.

[Fraull]

I think it's a great platform but it is being held back with the massive fragmentation seen by all the different phones and companies holding back updates.

[Cipherr]

hell naw... why clutter real Android talk with this meta-discussion?

Had he made the initial post of this thread in the Android OT he may have found some discussion, noone there freaks out when you say something negative about the OS, the Android OT is kind of unique in that way. And without the outward visibility of a new thread, the people feeling the need to defend the honor of random mobile OS #1 #2 or #3 would not have been around to bloat the discussion.

It would have been a better move, search your soul faceless, you know it to be true.

[Kinitari]

Try quickly swiping between homepages, I got snap back often with the Nexus 7. As for apps that show off iPad/iPhone I would suggest iPhoto and iMovie. Amazing apps.

Nothing happening with my GNexus, but maybe it's diff than the Nexus 7. I'll check out iPhoto and iMovie however on the ladies phone though!

[rozay]

Nothing happening with my GNexus, but maybe it's diff than the Nexus 7. I'll check out iPhoto and iMovie however on the ladies phone though!

I've experienced this a few times on the 7, it doesn't happen on my galaxy nexus. Not sure if it's hardware or software related, but my friend is still using the stock launcher.

[MercuryLS]

Nothing happening with my GNexus, but maybe it's diff than the Nexus 7. I'll check out iPhoto and iMovie however on the ladies phone though!

I didn't notice it with my Galaxy Nexus when I had it, only with JB on Nexus 7.

iPhoto and iMovie are great on the iPhone but they don't hold a candle to the iPad version. Still, they are leagues better than the average iPhone app. If you have personal videos saved on your phone, try making a trailer using iMovie. I did one for my my sister based on video of my nephew, did it in 5-10mins and the results were amazing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCQm17UbHKI

It's things like that that keep me in the iOS camp. I've moonlighted with Android, I think in a year or two it'll be where I want it to be in terms of responsiveness. JB is 90% of the way there.

[Copernicus]

Free vertically integrated software stack that supports everything from LTE to NFC to tiny screens and can be used on dishwashers, microwaves, and mirrors.

Its not going anywhere for at least a decade.

[Argyle]

My biggest issue with Android is the responsiveness of the OS, Jelly Bean is much better but it's still not there yet. There's a weird snap back that happens when you swipe too quickly, it really sucks and I don't know how this wasn't found/fixed before they shipped JB. The lack of polish really irks me and it's still an issue with the platform.

For what it's worth this happens to me on the iPad as well (first noticed it when browsing the app store on my fiancee's iPad 2).

I think it's because the capacitive screen picks up your finger when it is near but not touching the screen, because you haven't pulled your finger completely away when lifting up to swipe the screen again.

[MercuryLS]

Free vertically integrated software stack that supports everything from LTE to NFC to tiny screens and can be used on dishwashers, microwaves, and mirrors. Its not going anywhere for at least a decade.

By far the best aspect of Android is AOSP that has given birth to cool stuff like Ouya. You wouldn't be able to build something like that for $100 if you had to pay a licensing fee for the OS. Android has really allowed just about anyone to build hardware and put in a sophisticated OS for $0. That's pretty huge and I'm happy that Android exists for that sole reason.

[MercuryLS]

For what it's worth this happens to me on the iPad as well (first noticed it when browsing the app store on my fiancee's iPad 2). I think it's because the capacitive screen picks up your finger when it is near but not touching the screen, because you haven't pulled your finger completely away when lifting up to swipe the screen again.

Never noticed it with the iPad (I've owned iPad 1,2 and 3). It's almost as if JB is TOO sensitive, so when you swipe too quickly it thinks you want to go back to the last screen and snaps back. It was extremely annoying in Google Currents especially, I had to stop and just swipe slowly in order to easily go from page to page. Really odd issue, hopefully Google patches it soon.

[Copernicus]

Never noticed it with the iPad (I've owned iPad 1,2 and 3). It's almost as if JB is TOO sensitive, so when you swipe too quickly it thinks you want to go back to the last screen and snaps back. It was extremely annoying in Google Currents especially, I had to stop and just swipe slowly in order to easily go from page to page. Really odd issue, hopefully Google patches it soon.

I've noticed this too. I think it has to do with their "prediction" scheme they got going on for the touchscreen input that is supposed to disguise the virtual machine lag.

[kinggroin]

In my apt there is an ipad 3 and an ipad 2, I'm on a galaxy s3 and the gf is on a 4s. While I find that the widely accepted views that ipads are best-in-market and ios has the apps market advantage still holds true, the idea that ios still holds some kind of stranglehold on the overall user experience on the phone end is kind of a joke. Honestly, in my experience one of the biggest synergies that the ipad takes good advantage of is its size and the utility that emerges with its more robust application base, be it media consumption or productivity. All of that goes flying out the window when the screen size shrinks and the usage patterns change. Consuming media or doing work on a tiny screen is a joke, and Android's plethora of input options and things like dedicated menu/back functions just makes the on-the-go mobile usage much more pleasant. Barring some major paradigm shift in mobile computing, I expect to stay with ipads in the tablet space. However, unless ios drastically changes, there's no way in hell I'm jumping over to it for a phone.

Holy shit. For a moment I was wondering, "when did I post this...?"

[kinggroin]

iOS is still the more profitable platform by a good green country mile, so nothing is threatening its dominance anytime soon.

...and that has what to do with this thread?

[BertramCooper]

Android does what it does well but it just lacks, well, a soul.

Fucking hell...


Anyways, the trick with Android these days is getting the Nexus devices. It's the surest way to know that you'll get the best of what the platform can offer.

Google is starting to let the OEMs who lag behind fend for themselves, which is long overdue, in my opinion.

[Utako]

...and that has what to do with this thread?

I have to explain it to you? This thread is about Android's growth as a platform, which is inimitably linked to its primary competitor.

iOS is the moneymaking option. As long as this is true, Android's growth is stunted in some fashion.

[Copernicus]

I have to explain it to you? This thread is about Android's growth as a platform, which is inimitably linked to its primary competitor. iOS is the moneymaking option. As long as this is true, Android's growth is stunted in some fashion.

Profit doesn't equal dominance?

[Andrex]

Android does what it does well but it just lacks, well, a soul. It isn't beautiful to look at at an OS level. It just lacks that artistic flavor that makes a OS fun to use at a pure OS level. It is something Apple has had in iOS and Mac OSX, and Microsoft now has with Metro/Windows 8. It is just kind of there, it does what it does well but not remarkable.

Is "artistic flavor" the new "soul?" If so I'll get Amir0x in here to disabuse some notions, I'm warning ya!

Edit- Oh! I see "soul" was in this post! Excellent.

Holo is a fantastic UI, with great UX that makes sense, and with Jelly Bean it finally performs near-perfectly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with stock ICS/JB interface-wise, and in fact, it's really quite pretty and easy to use.

[LuchaShaq]

I'm not surprised I have owned a 4s and multiple android devices and honestly besides the hot new game I'll enjoy and then forget in 2-3 days I prefer android in every single other way.

[Mecha_Infantry]

I can see why certain people avoid posting anything sensical in these threads

Blinded by the lights