IVAN SOTO

Warning: Rant ahead!

Since 2007 I've been beta testing Google's Android. Back in the days were we had one phone, the G1. I say beta testing because the software wasn't complete, it lacked good audio formats, multitouch, polished UI, etc. I still followed the development (even reading GIT commits). And now we got to a point where I can say Android is capable enough and stable, in fact It's the best mobile OS in my opinion.

But the fact almost every headache Android gives me comes from manufacturers and carriers is what is driving me away from the platform:

Google's slow new features deployment to other countries

This is the only non OEM related problem for me: It is anoying that Google releases new products and features to the US but they never give an estimated date of when they will make it available to other countries. I know there's a lot of legal implications to bring Movies, Books and Music to Canada but at least give the users an idea. This is not the 90's, most big products are launched globally now.

Updates

It doesn't even make sense. Google tries to create some hype with new features just so you ask "when is my phone getting this?". Guess what, maybe never.

• Android is not like Windows, you cannot buy the software and update your phone. So you are stuck to whatever your manufacturer/carrier wants.
• You can download a custom ROM and loaded it into your phone. But again, OEMs are so stupid that they block the devices for doing so. You are stuck.
• They deliver updates for the same device in different countries at different dates (months away, or even a year). How stupid is that? Just take a look at this joke: http://www.facebook.com/MotorolaCanada/posts/10150189626001994

Fragmentation

Tegra2 devices are great, but all these Tegra2-only games are creating confusion, fragmentation and more interest from hackers to modify devices. Same goes to Netflix only available to some devices. I'm sure there are not even hardware limitations.

Different screens and keyboard is what makes Android good, but not letting you access to some content because you don't have an specific internal chip that most people don't know what it is, is just plain stupid.

Releases

Same as updates. You read the news online about a cool new Android phone and you have no idea when is that coming out to your country. My interest for the Nexus S went down after having to wait for almost half a year for it to come out in Canada. And the preorders were a joke, no store knew which day it was coming out or even the price. So you will have to pay some upfront and then pay the remaining (whatever amount it was) when it was available.

Well, no thanks.

At the end, when friends ask me what to buy. As a huge Android fan that I am, I end up saying "Well, you will love the iPhone", and that is really disappointing.