In case you didn’t know, every time Google is ready to issue a new version of Android, there’s a new statue that shows up outside of the Googleplex. We had Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich. It’s been all around the web that the next version would be code-named Jellybean, and that it will be version 4.1 with the Galaxy Neuxs getting it first. Well, today the Jellybean statue has shown up at the Googleplex, leaving all but the official announcements for sometime tomorrow during Google I/O.
Also, they will likely be introducing the first Nexus tablet, named the Nexus 7. This will probably be a 7 inch device with a Tegra 3, 1.2 Megapixel Front Facing Camera, 1 Gig of RAM, NFC, 9 hour battery life, 8 Gigs of Storage for $199 and 16 Gigs for $249. No 3G or 4G is rumored to be included. It’s supposed to also ship with Jellybean on it. It’s rumored to be made by Asus. The price is right on this if you ask me, and the specs are good. Only time will tell if Google can do better than Asus, Acer, Samsung and all of the other little companies can do.
There could be more surprises this week, so I would definitely keep an eye on Google I/O. I’m still holding out for Google Glasses! 🙂
So I wonder what the core truth is …
1) This is to celebrate that ALMOST 1 out of 10 Android devices have the LAST OS version nearly 9 months after launch … (including all rooted devices, which are likely a couple %)
2) An admission that Google STILL has no clue how to build a non-craptastic tablet OS … but they keep trying?
🙂
Oh wait … I forgot:
3) The undeniable revelation that Google was either clueless or lying when they talked about keeping devices up to date … heck, most devices won’t get to OS 4.0 within 18 months, by which time they will likely be TWO versions behind …
Soon, Googleplex will be full of statues representing the many versions of Android. 🙂
I’m curious. Since they really have not had great success getting ICS out to devices, have they actually listed any dates/targets for JB deployment? Or is it too early since this is really just an announcement of upcoming releases?
Well….Microsoft is no better on this….with the recent announcements. In fact, they are many times worse considering that Windows Phone 7 should have been the big break and it wasn’t.
Have you tried ANY ICS tablets Mike? I really like ICS in every form. It is slick and just works well for me. It’s not perfect but then nothing is.
I think it’s too early, but then I think Google’s got something big planned today. Who knows….maybe that’s why the rollout on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus took so long? Not sure. I DO think that it’s time for a new release and what Google does is different than what the manufacturers do. I say: Buy Nexus. Period. The others are pretenders.
Microsoft’s announcements were a DISASTER, IMO … and it seems that in the afterglow people are starting to realize this.
As for ICS, while none of my phones have it yet, yes I had a Samsung 7″ Tab for a couple of weeks before dumping it back to Amazon. ICS is really a phone OS. Android really hasn’t gotten a handle on tablets yet, IMO. Whereas I prefer my Android phones, I find that Android on Tablets has yet to catch the iPad 1 … it is a non-entity for music, mediocre at best for games, severely lacking in app breadth and depth and so on …
Microsoft’s announcements were a DISASTER, IMO … and it seems that in the afterglow people are starting to realize this.
As for ICS, while none of my phones have it yet, yes I had a Samsung 7″ Tab for a couple of weeks before dumping it back to Amazon. ICS is really a phone OS. Android really hasn’t gotten a handle on tablets yet, IMO. Whereas I prefer my Android phones, I find that Android on Tablets has yet to catch the iPad 1 … it is a non-entity for music, mediocre at best for games, severely lacking in app breadth and depth and so on …
Lacking in App Breadth and depth? Really? I mean I get that Android isn’t for everyone or everything but lacking in app breadth? I have everything I need and then some. Maybe my needs aren’t as in depth as yours? What’s missing?
As for Music….Google Music on a tablet is beautiful, but it’s not something I use a lot. It works fine for what I need it for. I don’t use a lot of playlists so if you are into creating tons of playlists in iTunes, well I can see why you might say that. I use my phone more for music and usually it’s Pandora or Spotify. Video works well too on ICS and it’s what I use my tablet for the most.
I don’t have a lot of time to play games. The ones I have are sufficient for the short times I play. I dislike tablet gaming anyway. Just not for me. Would rather us something like a DSi or a game console.
Lacking in App Breadth and depth? Really? I mean I get that Android isn’t for everyone or everything but lacking in app breadth? I have everything I need and then some. Maybe my needs aren’t as in depth as yours? What’s missing?
As for Music….Google Music on a tablet is beautiful, but it’s not something I use a lot. It works fine for what I need it for. I don’t use a lot of playlists so if you are into creating tons of playlists in iTunes, well I can see why you might say that. I use my phone more for music and usually it’s Pandora or Spotify. Video works well too on ICS and it’s what I use my tablet for the most.
I don’t have a lot of time to play games. The ones I have are sufficient for the short times I play. I dislike tablet gaming anyway. Just not for me. Would rather us something like a DSi or a game console.
They are totally incapable at an OS and enforced hardware level of supporting ANYTHING requiring low latency … which pretty much kills ANY pro-level content creation. Period.
By music I am talking about MAKING music. Android is worse than pathetic – it is a non-entity.
And games are a victim of fragmentation. Like most other categories you get the Windows Phone answer – ‘good enough’. Android gaming has come a long way … on phones. On tablets … I STILL see ‘incompatible with all of your devices’ WAY too much.
They are totally incapable at an OS and enforced hardware level of supporting ANYTHING requiring low latency … which pretty much kills ANY pro-level content creation. Period.
By music I am talking about MAKING music. Android is worse than pathetic – it is a non-entity.
And games are a victim of fragmentation. Like most other categories you get the Windows Phone answer – ‘good enough’. Android gaming has come a long way … on phones. On tablets … I STILL see ‘incompatible with all of your devices’ WAY too much.
Ok I grant you making music as there’s nothing there. I have a USB mike I would love to use with my EeePad but it doesn’t work. What’s funny is it’s well supported by the Linux kernel (which Android runs) but the modules are not included. That’s a frustration of mine too, but one I can live with.
Ok I grant you making music as there’s nothing there. I have a USB mike I would love to use with my EeePad but it doesn’t work. What’s funny is it’s well supported by the Linux kernel (which Android runs) but the modules are not included. That’s a frustration of mine too, but one I can live with.
If I was in the market for an Android device, I would totally agree with you – as nice as the new Samsung is (from a hardware perspective) – I would absolutely recommend a Nexus instead. At least you know you are more likely to NOT get left behind in terms of updates, and your experience is more likely to be “pure” Google, instead of diluted. Other’s might disagree with me and extoll the virtues of what the manufacturers (and carriers) add, but I think the Nexus is the way to go if you want Android.
I think Android tab apps have a LONG way to go yet. The app experience is still way better on the iPad, but I think the focus of eliminating lag – my number one complaint about Android – will help make Jellybean successful on both tabs and phones. But if Google can’t get a LOT more effort put into tablet apps (by encouraging developers), then the tablets will continue to lag.