Comments for Blog of Bodnar

Comment on Android, Fragmented? Duh. by JBodnar

JBodnar — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:47:00 +0000

Uh, unless you have an iPhone 3, which didn’t receive an update to iOS 5, which is the same on Android. All recent Android devices are guaranteed an upgrade to 4.0 within 18 months. I agree slow updates are a problem, but Google is trying to solve that by making manufacturers update to the latest version. And you can always use a different ROM and get the latest version whenever you please.

As for the apps, very very few apps, probably less than 1%, require ICS to run. The only people being alienated from apps or updates are those with devices two years or older, just like on iOS.

Comment on Android, Fragmented? Duh. by Mary

Mary — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:39:00 +0000

It means you are likely not going to ever experience the most updated operating system, or get access to the full spectrum of Android Apps. These two aspects are gauranteed if you have an IOS device no matter how old, and in my my opinion they represent the mainstay of user experience.

Comment on Android, Fragmented? Duh. by Jacob Bodnar

Jacob Bodnar — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:12:00 +0000

I’m not how this is a “very bad situation.” Again, you can call it fragmentation, but at the core it is just choice. Many options available for consumers to choose from. For developers it might be a slight headache, again I’m not a developer so I don’t know, but it apparently hasn’t stopped them from developing for the platform.

Comment on Android, Fragmented? Duh. by Mary

Mary — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:06:00 +0000

This, in psychology, is called rationalization. That’s when you try to find a positive explanation for an otherwise very bad situation. Good luck there !!

Comment on About by Status Update #014: Focus, Focus, Focus

Status Update #014: Focus, Focus, Focus — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:27:18 +0000

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Comment on About by Status Update #017: PenTile Lasts Longer

Status Update #017: PenTile Lasts Longer — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:26:20 +0000

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Comment on About by Status Update #016: Designed For Humans

Status Update #016: Designed For Humans — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:21:12 +0000

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Comment on Ditch the Subsidies: How Cell Phone Subsidies Kill Competition by Status Update #015: An Extended Plane of Touchness

Status Update #015: An Extended Plane of Touchness — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:18:32 +0000

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Comment on About by Status Update #015: An Extended Plane of Touchness

Status Update #015: An Extended Plane of Touchness — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:18:06 +0000

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Comment on BlackBerry 10 – The Software that Saved RIM? by Jacob Bodnar

Jacob Bodnar — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:59:00 +0000

I actually agree with a lot of what you are saying. However, BlackBerry is hardly a new entrant into the mobile space. There’s a big difference between a new entrant and a company attempting to get their standing back. A new company can come in, and has a clean slate in terms of public opinion. Meanwhile, BlackBerry has a bit of a tarnished image. My dad, who knows nothing about technology, had a BlackBerry, when it came time to upgrade his phone he choose an iPhone because “BlackBerry is dying.” A non-technologist even knew that. It’s incredibly hard to change that perception among people, even if that perception is not necessarily true.
I agree with you on Apple devices, that’s why I’ve never spent a single penny of my money on an Apple device. I don’t like the closed nature of it, and I don’t like the way Apple treats developers and users (play by our rules or else).

I also kind of agree with what you’re saying about Android, but I think it has more to do with the terrible software and skins handset makers put on top of vanilla Android. I’ve never had a stutter problem with stock Android 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 or 4.0. All have run smooth on several types of devices. However, MotoBlur on Motorola was sluggish, so I installed ADW Launcher EX which runs smooth as can be. I’ve even noticed responsiveness differences between Go Launcher and ADW (heck I’ve noticed responsiveness differences between ADW and ADW Ex). Android is so open that it really all depends on the launcher and software you’re running on top of the vanilla install.

I’m glad you enjoy your PlayBook, and of course you are entitled to your opinion, that’s why I asked for it in the post. I respectfully disagree with your prediction however. I think if Android was going to lose a large chunk of market share, it would have happened in the beginning of this year, or at least by mid-year. There are too many quality devices being released for the platform for users to leave en masse. And I think Android 4.0 is an incredible improvement over Gingerbread and previous versions, and once a majority of phones get that update or are running that version, those users will stick around because the experience has greatly been enhanced.

So RIM has a lot going against it. Good competition. Nothing intriguing on the market currently. And a bad reputation. They are really going to have to impress with BlackBerry 10 to turn it around.