What the FUCK Google?! I buy Google devices for their updates only. Stop doing shit like this, or else you'll lose a lot of costumers. This is seriously stupid, even Apple manages to run iOS7 on iPhone 4 (a 2010 phone) and you cannot keep up the updates for a 2012 phone with amazing hardware. Shame on you.
Fragmentation is an issue faced by third party developers to the detriment of users because it makes it more difficult to program and support the broader platform. Siri isn't accessible to third party developers so it doesn't cause fragmentation, because it doesn't cause any developers any hardship. The vast majority of APIs and frameworks in iOS 7, baring hardware limitations like there is physically no Bluetooth 4.0 LE radio, are useable by developers on the iPhone 4 directly with no modification necessary. The iPhone 4 even got a bunch of new OpenGL ES 2.0 extensions even though it's GPU is woefully old and underpowered. It may be slow, but it will run. This is why iOS is considered less fragmented.
Coincidentally, Apple just pushed out iOS 7.0.4 which is available for the old iPhone 4 simultaneously as it's available for a new iPhone 5S.
The GEL isn't something third party developers have to be concerned with either, so by your definition neither case has anything to do with fragmentation.
Therefore there would be less fragmentation (it would be easier for developers to reach all devices) if all vendors (Apple included) switched to Android.
From what I've read elsewhere, the Galaxy Nexus (which has a OMAP SOC) isn't supported because Texas Instruments is no longer in that area of business anymore.
Holy cow somebody is angry. First of all, G Nexus came out in November 2011. Second of all, there's no official Android 4.4 because of the TI OMAP SoC which isn't being supported by TI. There are unofficial versions of it that you can get from around the internets if you're so inclined, so I hear.
I'm not sure why two transparent UI elements is so crucial... Heck, even the GEL isn't exactly a revelation, not much difference in swiping left vs swiping up from home. Lots of people don't even like being forced into having a left-most home screen. Not forcing that change might be why they left it out, I mean, what should they do? Re-order your home screens? Delete some?
You can just sideload the GEL if it's that crucial to you anyway, tho I have a gut feeling they'll put it in the Play store eventually, like a lot of their recent changes to stock elements of the OS.
I'm not talking about galaxy nexus, I'm taking about nexus 4. What kind of updates did they do to 4.4 in nexus 4? Nothing imo. Little stuff that doesn't really matter that much to me. I was excited about the Google experience launcher, bigger icons and transparent bars. The ability to hide the soft buttons whenever you want. This is something what i was afraid of happening to google one day
Nexus 4 is more than capable running those skins and launchers. S4 pro is still used by many great smartphones (xperia z) hell, even Nexus 7 has the S Pro in 1080p.
Not to be THAT guy but I'd really like to know what happened to the Nexus 5 review. I recall listening to a podcasts with you and Anand (which I love by the way) describing the rush to get reviews out after NDA is lifted. However it's been a few weeks now and still no review in sight.
It has been 2 weeks. I heard Brian Klug say on the All About Android podcast that he's working on it. You have to be patient with the writing staff, since they have far fewer people than some of the other big websites and take their time to write truly in-depth reviews. If you want a one page piece on a phone there are other sites you can go to, otherwise I consider the AT reviews worth waiting a few weeks for.
Anand did that one. He worships at the altar of Apple and the very second something Apple shows up, the man who once used to do incredible PC hardware reviews comes out of his cave, grunts, and makes a mad dash for the latest lowercase i.
If it's Android or PC or anything not Apple, he waves dismissively at it and returns to the cave to await the next Coming of Apple Delights.
Certainly, this makes for unbiased, objective reviews, right?
I just assumed that they were waiting for the rumored camera update before releasing the review - since the stock camera stinks. Its like it goes from AF to face detect and back and forth constantly and its hard to get a good focal lock sometimes.
Just used the Android 4.4 Image to update my Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi, The procedure required to put the tablet in usb debug mode. Also i had to unlock the bootloader in order to flash the image. I want to lock it again but have not figured out how to do this. Otherwise the factory image is running fine. It is true what the articles say about 4.4 - feels just smoother and more responsive. Also browsing (scrolling) made a step forward in the Chrome Browser. I am happy with it.
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Nuno Simões - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
"If you absolutely need KitKat right away and don't mind that you'll be wiping your device back to a clean slate, this is the easy way to get it. "Or you can just download the update version and keep everything. I did it with my N7 (2013).
Zinc64 - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Agreed...downloaded the update and flashed with TWRP...took five minutes...no wipe...lost nothing.IvanCarlos - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
where can I find these updates (not full image?) I'm using Nexus 4I need to install something on PC or just need to use TWRP Manager app for Android?
thanks!
Gnarr - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
That, or removing the wipe parameter from the flash-all script.Eddytion - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
What the FUCK Google?!I buy Google devices for their updates only. Stop doing shit like this, or else you'll lose a lot of costumers.
This is seriously stupid, even Apple manages to run iOS7 on iPhone 4 (a 2010 phone) and you cannot keep up the updates for a 2012 phone with amazing hardware.
Shame on you.
Eddytion - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
How it should really be:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyQKhVvePHY
Nuno Simões - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Ask an iPhone 4 how Siri is doing. Oh wait! Fragmentation within the same version of an OS is still fragmentation, no matter what iSheep say.On the bright side, Google said GEL 'will' be released for other devices soon, whatever soon means.
ltcommanderdata - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Fragmentation is an issue faced by third party developers to the detriment of users because it makes it more difficult to program and support the broader platform. Siri isn't accessible to third party developers so it doesn't cause fragmentation, because it doesn't cause any developers any hardship. The vast majority of APIs and frameworks in iOS 7, baring hardware limitations like there is physically no Bluetooth 4.0 LE radio, are useable by developers on the iPhone 4 directly with no modification necessary. The iPhone 4 even got a bunch of new OpenGL ES 2.0 extensions even though it's GPU is woefully old and underpowered. It may be slow, but it will run. This is why iOS is considered less fragmented.Coincidentally, Apple just pushed out iOS 7.0.4 which is available for the old iPhone 4 simultaneously as it's available for a new iPhone 5S.
Impulses - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
The GEL isn't something third party developers have to be concerned with either, so by your definition neither case has anything to do with fragmentation.Impulses - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
Oh, he was talking about the Galaxy Nexus? I figured the rant had something to do with the content of this news article...danbob999 - Sunday, November 17, 2013 - link
Therefore there would be less fragmentation (it would be easier for developers to reach all devices) if all vendors (Apple included) switched to Android.MonkeyPaw - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
From what I've read elsewhere, the Galaxy Nexus (which has a OMAP SOC) isn't supported because Texas Instruments is no longer in that area of business anymore.Drumsticks - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Holy cow somebody is angry. First of all, G Nexus came out in November 2011. Second of all, there's no official Android 4.4 because of the TI OMAP SoC which isn't being supported by TI. There are unofficial versions of it that you can get from around the internets if you're so inclined, so I hear.dragosmp - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
Yes there are, and you can. CM is getting very easy to install, so it shouldn't be a problem.Eddytion - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
I'm taking about nexus 4 man, where is the Google experience launcher? Where are the transparent bars and softkeys? Google fucked this up.Impulses - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
I'm not sure why two transparent UI elements is so crucial... Heck, even the GEL isn't exactly a revelation, not much difference in swiping left vs swiping up from home. Lots of people don't even like being forced into having a left-most home screen. Not forcing that change might be why they left it out, I mean, what should they do? Re-order your home screens? Delete some?You can just sideload the GEL if it's that crucial to you anyway, tho I have a gut feeling they'll put it in the Play store eventually, like a lot of their recent changes to stock elements of the OS.
Eddytion - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
I'm not talking about galaxy nexus, I'm taking about nexus 4. What kind of updates did they do to 4.4 in nexus 4? Nothing imo. Little stuff that doesn't really matter that much to me. I was excited about the Google experience launcher, bigger icons and transparent bars. The ability to hide the soft buttons whenever you want. This is something what i was afraid of happening to google one dayImpulses - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
The ability to hide soft buttons is there, has nothing to do with launcher, it's app dependent.famewolf - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
If you absolutely have to have that launcher then run the Nexus 5 port on XDA-developer.com and quit complaining.tipoo - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
I'd rather they not do the Apple method of slowing down old hardware with new OSs.Eddytion - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
Nexus 4 is more than capable running those skins and launchers. S4 pro is still used by many great smartphones (xperia z) hell, even Nexus 7 has the S Pro in 1080p.TT96 - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
Why "even Apple", when they've _always_ been far better than Android at supporting older devices?Eddytion - Friday, November 15, 2013 - link
Being the money hungry company, they support their stuff, but Google this time around is focusing the best features on Nexus 5 only.anandreader106 - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Hey Brian,Not to be THAT guy but I'd really like to know what happened to the Nexus 5 review. I recall listening to a podcasts with you and Anand (which I love by the way) describing the rush to get reviews out after NDA is lifted. However it's been a few weeks now and still no review in sight.
Crono - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
It has been 2 weeks. I heard Brian Klug say on the All About Android podcast that he's working on it. You have to be patient with the writing staff, since they have far fewer people than some of the other big websites and take their time to write truly in-depth reviews. If you want a one page piece on a phone there are other sites you can go to, otherwise I consider the AT reviews worth waiting a few weeks for.mrseanpaul81 - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
I want to be patient but I also recall the idevice review being out pretty quick (or maybe I have selective memory)HisDivineOrder - Monday, November 18, 2013 - link
Anand did that one. He worships at the altar of Apple and the very second something Apple shows up, the man who once used to do incredible PC hardware reviews comes out of his cave, grunts, and makes a mad dash for the latest lowercase i.If it's Android or PC or anything not Apple, he waves dismissively at it and returns to the cave to await the next Coming of Apple Delights.
Certainly, this makes for unbiased, objective reviews, right?
aryonoco - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
No one at AT got a review unit before they went on sale. There was no NDA to talk about anyway.Brian takes his time to write good reviews. Good for him. It's been two weeks, I'm sure it will be out in the next week or two, what's the rush?
anactoraaron - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
I just assumed that they were waiting for the rumored camera update before releasing the review - since the stock camera stinks. Its like it goes from AF to face detect and back and forth constantly and its hard to get a good focal lock sometimes.LostPassword - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
meh, paid over $100 extra for lte nexus7 2nd gen, still haven't got it. you'd think they'd update for the people who paid more first.dwade123 - Thursday, November 14, 2013 - link
Still fugly as hell.stefstef - Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - link
Just used the Android 4.4 Image to update my Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi, The procedure required to put the tablet in usb debug mode. Also i had to unlock the bootloader in order to flash the image. I want to lock it again but have not figured out how to do this. Otherwise the factory image is running fine. It is true what the articles say about 4.4 - feels just smoother and more responsive. Also browsing (scrolling) made a step forward in the Chrome Browser. I am happy with it.