Android is a cross platform technology that makes it possible to run a single application on different hardware and software configurations. Android-based operating systems can look, feel, feature and perform very differently, but as long as the developer sticks to the standard, the Apps can run on all systems.
Android is, by definition, a "defragmentation platform". It allows companies to basically make their own operating systems but stay binary compatible through a common standard.
The term "Android fragmentation" really just describes the fact that the defragmentation only works 95% instead of 100%.
It's still much more fragmented if you want to support devices outside the Android ecosystem. Try making an app that runs on the Galaxy S2, the HTC One and the Nexus 4. Then make one that runs on the Galaxy S, the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 720.
"Try making an app that runs on the Galaxy S2, the HTC One and the Nexus 4. Then make one that runs on the Galaxy S, the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 720"
What an absurd argument. There's a difference between platform fragmentation and having industry competitors. The fact that there are other mobile OS's does not reduce or negate the fragmentation within Android's ecosystem.
As for Android "by definition" being a "defragmentation platform," I think you're drunk on Koolaid. Android's operator-indulging multi-platform strategy makes it the very definition of fragmented.
The fact that such an obviously blinkered post reaches the top of HN comments speaks volumes for Android fanboyism on HN.
I don't even see the latest version of android (kitkat) in the data.
It bothers me a lot that nexus devices I purchased this year will be long forgotten months from now when Apple is prepping an iOS 7.1 beta for the iPhone 4 as we speak.
I know that google's model is to update core functionality through applications rather than via whole operating system updates but it's annoying that google doesn't strong arm the abusive carriers/vendors into allowing updates to the underlying OS in a timely fashion.
It gives the impression that an android device is what it is at the time it is purchased but an Apple device may evolve. I consider it extremely odd considering how Google has proven to themselves over an over that that upgrading people's common denominator platform is a great strategy (Chrome).
Google services is out-of-option in China. Google Play Services may quickly contributed to the fragmentation of Andorids in near future as another factor.
In certain ways Google Play Services make Android even more fragmented than it already is, by lifting key components out of the operating system itself and into the Play Services bolt-on. This is certainly true if you count devices like the Kindle - which don't have Play Services - as Android devices (and conversely less true if you don't).
While the decoupled Google apps are nice for end users, they don't change that much for developers.
I'd rather be free to use 3+ features such as the holo theme, actionbar, fragments, without compatibility libraries, 4+ features such as transitions, the new roboto fonts, updated json libraries, accessibility, etc. instead of the new maps view and GCM.
All you need to know about fragmentation is that when I build a mobile app for android, I have to put a clause in the contract that I will not support it, that it is untested, and that the client releases it at their own risk. Any updates to the app will require additional fees that may or may not include the purchase of a new device and that the client agrees to cover those costs.
It is just impossible to test it everywhere. I can't afford to purchase 700 devices to test on and the client can't afford for the QA on all those devices.
Products have to be pushed into the marketplace and then you have to react to the idiosyncrasies of each platform.
I'm dealing with an issue right now where my galaxy tab runs an app just fine, but a customer's sony device isn't reporting that it is connected to the internet.
It is a real issue because this isn't an issue with iOS and most of the time customers delay their android release because of the testing and quality control issue.
Android runs on all kinds of devices from different manufacturers.
Windows runs on all kinds of devices from different manufacturers.
I can write a program that runs nicely on pretty much any Windows box pretty easily. To do the same on Android is more painful (but that's mostly because desktop applications deal with varying screen resolutions more gracefully than mobile platforms).
I can upgrade pretty much any Windows box to the latest version of Windows.
I cannot upgrade most Android devices to the latest version of Android.
Swap "Linux" for "Windows" if my use of a commercial analogy offends your sensibilities.
Now, part of this is a problem with the phone market. But is Android fragmentation on tablets any better?
[+] [-] bookwormAT|12 years ago|reply
Android is, by definition, a "defragmentation platform". It allows companies to basically make their own operating systems but stay binary compatible through a common standard. The term "Android fragmentation" really just describes the fact that the defragmentation only works 95% instead of 100%.
It's still much more fragmented if you want to support devices outside the Android ecosystem. Try making an app that runs on the Galaxy S2, the HTC One and the Nexus 4. Then make one that runs on the Galaxy S, the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 720.
[+] [-] cbeach|12 years ago|reply
What an absurd argument. There's a difference between platform fragmentation and having industry competitors. The fact that there are other mobile OS's does not reduce or negate the fragmentation within Android's ecosystem.
As for Android "by definition" being a "defragmentation platform," I think you're drunk on Koolaid. Android's operator-indulging multi-platform strategy makes it the very definition of fragmented.
The fact that such an obviously blinkered post reaches the top of HN comments speaks volumes for Android fanboyism on HN.
[+] [-] ricardobeat|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tbrock|12 years ago|reply
It bothers me a lot that nexus devices I purchased this year will be long forgotten months from now when Apple is prepping an iOS 7.1 beta for the iPhone 4 as we speak.
I know that google's model is to update core functionality through applications rather than via whole operating system updates but it's annoying that google doesn't strong arm the abusive carriers/vendors into allowing updates to the underlying OS in a timely fashion.
It gives the impression that an android device is what it is at the time it is purchased but an Apple device may evolve. I consider it extremely odd considering how Google has proven to themselves over an over that that upgrading people's common denominator platform is a great strategy (Chrome).
[+] [-] mirsadm|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dhruvmittal|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ttflee|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] objclxt|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] The_Double|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] skilesare|12 years ago|reply
It is just impossible to test it everywhere. I can't afford to purchase 700 devices to test on and the client can't afford for the QA on all those devices.
Products have to be pushed into the marketplace and then you have to react to the idiosyncrasies of each platform.
I'm dealing with an issue right now where my galaxy tab runs an app just fine, but a customer's sony device isn't reporting that it is connected to the internet.
It is a real issue because this isn't an issue with iOS and most of the time customers delay their android release because of the testing and quality control issue.
[+] [-] podperson|12 years ago|reply
Android runs on all kinds of devices from different manufacturers.
Windows runs on all kinds of devices from different manufacturers.
I can write a program that runs nicely on pretty much any Windows box pretty easily. To do the same on Android is more painful (but that's mostly because desktop applications deal with varying screen resolutions more gracefully than mobile platforms).
I can upgrade pretty much any Windows box to the latest version of Windows.
I cannot upgrade most Android devices to the latest version of Android.
Swap "Linux" for "Windows" if my use of a commercial analogy offends your sensibilities.
Now, part of this is a problem with the phone market. But is Android fragmentation on tablets any better?
[+] [-] stesch|12 years ago|reply
I have an iPhone and wanted to convince people to use Threema instead of WhatsApp. Only 1 person wanted to give it a try. I was happy. It's a start.
But he has an HTC Desire HD. He is stuck at Android 2.3 and wasn't able to install Threema.