The opinion that fragmentation Android is caused by certain features of the OS and is not really critical at all, especially in comparison with iOS.
Often, especially when compared with iOS, Android still has the same problem that has set on edge. It lies in the relatively more complex nature of updating Android – devices to the latest OS version. The root of the problem lies in the complex relationship between Google, device manufacturers, and cellular operators. OEMs and carriers have to adapt and approve new versions Android for their current devices as the version becomes available from Google. Obviously, the company loses more from this than it earns, so more and more often a situation occurs when a seemingly not quite outdated device stops receiving OS updates. It's real.
However, the reality is gradually changing: as manufacturers were looking for ways to differentiate devices with the same OS, many brands took updates Android into their arms in the war for the pocket of consumers. For example, companies like Samsung still support some of the flagships of yesteryear, such as the SGS 5, announced in 2014. Of course, this policy mostly applies to flagship devices.
In addition to all this, there is an independent branch of authoring firmware and modifications that allow enterprising users to get new versions Android for their old devices. This, of course, requires a certain skill that stands out from the crowd. But the article is not about that.
Attitude towards fragmentation Android and differences from iOS
Reasoning on this topic indicates that the problem is slightly exaggerated when it comes to Android. This is actually the case, given the different nature of the OS itself compared to its main competitor. Android is not only different, but also develops on its way to assert its own recognizable character. So what's the difference between Android? In terms of functionality and core applications, Google's operating system is more modular. iOS In the software update process, users receive not only the latest version iOS, but also new versions of pre-installed applications. Continuing the topic, we can recall the deep integration with the operating system of components such as Siri and the keyboard. Although the user has the ability to replace some of the pre-installed applications with third-party counterparts, such replacement usually does not provide a holistic and complete experience and full integration.
With Android, things are different. The OS itself contains only basic applications, and most of the basic functions, such as, for example, the device shell or keyboard, are completely replaceable. In addition, a significant part of the OS functionality is increasingly being 'moved' to stand-alone applications. This approach has its pros and cons. Each manufacturer and operator initially had the idea of owning their own services to ensure software differentiation and duplication of standard applications, which could not but affect the quality of the final products. Plus, batch preinstalling apps makes it difficult for the user to access Google apps, which is not good at all.
One of the advantages of this model is the ability to fine-tune the interface, within which you can, for example, change the pre-installed keyboard. And most importantly, this update model allows you to constantly update almost all key functions of the smartphone. As a practical example, I want to give a long-playing device of May 2012 iPhone 4S was released in 2011), namely Samsung Galaxy S3. At the beginning of your work with him and after many very flattering photo reviews, you will see such a device.
As for the OS version, SGS III was only updated to Android 4.3. For pivot tables in the style 'Android cannot update', a similar result looks like the smartphone stopped in its development five years ago. So what can the owner of the S III do with their device? That's right, install the Google Now launcher, as well as a bunch of Google apps. After that, we essentially get a device with the main functionality and software base, which, according to the general impression, are not much different from the just announced smartphones.
I used the excellent GenyMotion emulator to prove my point. I started with the base image of the interface Android 4.3 and then 'pumped' the applications according to the instructions, leaving the OS version at the Jelly Bean level. As a result, this is what happened:
Oddly enough, but I got a full-fledged S III with the latest applications from Google. Moreover, this list also includes updates to Google Play services and other plugins Android, where all key functional features have been moved. In fact, this list also includes voice and command recognition Ok, Google, dictation, etc. This is more than what iPhone 4 has to offer, which Siri was deprived of.
As a bonus, it can be noted that the underlying Android applications are updated significantly more often than their competitors from iOS. As a result, the basic functionality of the devices is updated more often, despite the famous 'image' Android when it comes down to it.
Thus, we see that the 'stuck' on 4.3 SIII is still able to work out almost all full-fledged basic tasks and fits well into modern standards. Has the device lost something? Yes, there are certain technical innovations in versions 4.4.2, 5.0 and 6.0, which have improved the smoothness and autonomy. Be that as it may, most of the innovations for the main part Android only work with the new 'hardware'. On an old device, the latter cannot be improved, so all these new functions lose their relevance. (Continued in next issue)
Original material by Paulo Santos
In the continuation of the article, we will talk about the security and stability of the update, but for now let's return to fragmentation. Someone will consider the topic irrelevant, but the author raised a rather interesting idea: in an attempt to somehow stand out in the market, a company can quickly roll out updates to its devices and, you know, it seems to me that there will be a fair number of users who will appreciate such a policy. Well, the idea of increasing the product cycle has not gone anywhere, 'shuh-vzhuh' will help us, I hope Eugene will not mind borrowing his quote. As for me, it is very interesting to squeeze the most out of a seemingly stable working reliable device, which for some reason does not receive official updates. What is my experience with HD2, which, by the way, recently launched Android 7.0.
Google OS fragmentation cannot be viewed in the same context as iOS. This idea seems to me absolutely sound. The open nature of the system Android, coupled with background updates of significant functions, gradually smoothes the situation, but still the comparison is at least incorrect. Of course, many would like to have access to the latest innovations in the OS, without having a Nexus. Or do you no longer care about fragmentation, dear readers?