what do you think? Google Android's self-destruction derby begins

[weaz]

And let's not act like there isn't going to be an iPhone OS coming down the line that 1st Gen iPhone users won't be able to run. Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't.

[KZIWarrior]

And let's not act like there isn't going to be an iPhone OS coming down the line that 1st Gen iPhone users won't be able to run. Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't.

It will but then it won't be nearly as far spread as for Android (and cause a LOT less frustration for users). For starters there are likely very few 1st gen iphones still in circulation. Also there is a lot less difference between the 1st gen and current (3gs) phones than nearly any two competing Android devices (i.e. many of which use completely different CPU architects and other hardware).

[skidemn]

Google Android's self-destruction derby begins | Mobilize - InfoWorld

i kinda agree... too many fragmentation within our os... do you guys think this can be a potential problem?

I disagree with people hyping the fragmentation of android as destroying it. I can see the point of concern, but as long as most apps work across the platforms I don't see a problem. Sure, there are and will continue to be apps that only work on newer versions of android, mainly for screen resolutions and phone processor power, but I don't see this as an issue. If an underpowered phone comes out but does what the person needs when they buy it, then any added apps that work is a bonus. Crippling OS versions or apps to be backwards compatible with older or lower spec'd devices is silly.

By the same token, as android continues to grow and improve there will no doubt come apps that just plain won't run on our current hardware and I don't think that is a reason to complain either. Technology changes, and even if our phones can get an OTA to upgrade the OS we will at some point reach a hardware limit, but that doesn't make our phone unusable. Like any technology based product, you have to understand it will inevitably become obsolete, and just make sure the day you buy it it meets the needs you have at the time. I see nothing in the different versions of a particular android OS revision (i.e. 1.6, 2.0, 2.1, etc.), which when customized by another hardware supplier, ruins my phone or android experience. I applaud companies like HTC making their own little OS changes to enhance their position in relation to competitors. After all, I buy a phone for the experience I will have with it- not the experience I will have with the generic OS!