Anyone else dreading Android 4.5 rather than anticipating it?

[s44]

Used to be that every version brought major improvements. But since 4.1 the only functional upgrade for most people was TRIM in 4.3. Instead Google seems to spend a lot of time -- both in new OS versions and in app updates -- doing design tinkering that often reduces functionality *and* ensures that there's no consistent design language on the platform (as app devs end up on an endless redesign cycle themselves).

Not to mention that each new version introduces significant bugs that aren't ironed out until one, two, or even three point releases (4.4's stupid camera power-drain bug).

I'm looking forward to the device announcements at next month's I/O, but basically dreading the rest.

 

[cbrunny]

I find it interesting that I have had such a wildly opposite experience than you have with android updates. Have not noticed anything negative - certainly not to the extent that you have. I'm looking forward to future updates for my N5.

 

[Eug]

Used to be that every version brought major improvements. But since 4.1 the only functional upgrade for most people was TRIM in 4.3. Instead Google seems to spend a lot of time -- both in new OS versions and in app updates -- doing design tinkering that often reduces functionality *and* ensures that there's no consistent design language on the platform (as app devs end up on an endless redesign cycle themselves).

Not to mention that each new version introduces significant bugs that aren't ironed out until one, two, or even three point releases (4.4's stupid camera power-drain bug).

I agree, and I've also noticed that despite the TRIM fix, my Nexus 7 (2012) with Kit Kat is a lot slower than it used to be.

It's sad but even our 2010 iPad 2 with iOS 7.1 runs circles around the thing in OS responsiveness.

 

[BrightCandle]

I have had performance problems with 4.3, it seems slower overall that its predecessors. The rententless updates IMO opinion are a good thing, much of the API changes they make are for the better as are the new UI concepts considering the increase in screen density and screen resolution. Its become easier to support all the different devices with each release.

I don't fear the release but I have no doubt I'll have to do work on the app to make it work well under the new version.

 

[bearxor]

This is just the way it is, I think.

Let's be honest. Android had a LOT of catching up to do in between Gingerbread and ICS. They're there now. Great. Wonderful.

So now you go in to, what I'm going to call, "Apple-like maintenance mode".

I know people complained for years that iOS 1-6 looked so similar and bland, but I think that's a testament to Apple's original design. Hell, I'd even argue that iOS 7 is, functionally, very similar to iOS 4-6. New features can be added, face lifts can be given, but the core OS is intact.

And that's where we are with Android. 4.1 was pretty complete. We'll get new features, for sure, we'll get little tweaks, maybe even for 5.0 we'll get a face lift.

But until there's some sort of paradigm shift in usage, I'm expecting what are going to essentially be maintenance releases for the time being.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I liked 4.4. The printer services are cool, and I like the new dialer app for the most part.

 

[Rdmkr]

I still see a lot of graphical micro-stuttering on android, even on snapdragon 800+ SoCs. Until that's fixed I'm going to welcome updates with open arms.

 

[Eug]

This is just the way it is, I think.

Let's be honest. Android had a LOT of catching up to do in between Gingerbread and ICS. They're there now. Great. Wonderful.

So now you go in to, what I'm going to call, "Apple-like maintenance mode".

I know people complained for years that iOS 1-6 looked so similar and bland, but I think that's a testament to Apple's original design. Hell, I'd even argue that iOS 7 is, functionally, very similar to iOS 4-6. New features can be added, face lifts can be given, but the core OS is intact.

And that's where we are with Android. 4.1 was pretty complete. We'll get new features, for sure, we'll get little tweaks, maybe even for 5.0 we'll get a face lift.

But until there's some sort of paradigm shift in usage, I'm expecting what are going to essentially be maintenance releases for the time being.

I thought Android was a waste of time before 4.0. I didn't buy into it until 4, and yeah, 4.1 really solidified things, even though Google still needs to work on Android's consistency and responsiveness.

 

[ControlD]

I'm not dreading it at all. I'm a Verizon customer so I'm pretty sure I'll never see it to start with.

But seriously, I haven't had any major problems with recent versions of Android. Sure app designs change but stability for me has only improved so I'm not complaining.

 

[Graze]

No me. Can't wait! I have experienced no problems with my Nexus 4 with updates.
About that Nexus 7(2012). That hardware(Nvidia) always sucked!

 

[desura]

I was modestly impressed with the improvements of 4.4.

So better is always better, but 4.4 is pretty close to perfection in my book.

 

[Roland00Address]

Give me some form of multiwindow, is that so hard to ask for?

 

[Eug]

About that Nexus 7(2012). That hardware(Nvidia) always sucked!

That's the thing. The hardware specs-wise don't actually suck compared to my ancient iPad 2. They just suck on Android, esp. lately.

 

[rh71]

Verizon Note 3 finally got 4.4.2 yesterday (from 4.3). I read the release notes for kitkat and nothing really appeals that much to me. In normal usage since yesterday, I haven't run across anything that really benefited me either. It also took me a few to realize Location replaced the GPS button. Does that wording make more sense?

 

[cbrunny]

Give me some form of multiwindow, is that so hard to ask for?

This times one million. If Google commits to adding multiwindow, I'll hold off a tablet purchase most likely until the next Nexus/Google Silver tabs start showing up.

 

[dma0991]

I'll reserve judgement till I see what 4.5 brings to the table. As of right now, with my 4.4.2 Nexus 4, its very close to what I would consider a near equal contender to the iPhone. Its a shame Nexus will be discontinued in favor of Android Silver program.

Still would like to see Google improve on the tablet experience on future Android releases, which IMHO is still severely lacking against the iPad. Nexus 7/10 feels like I'm using a tablet size device with ergonomics and usability of an oversize phone UI.

 

[BrightCandle]

I am really sad to see Nexus go as well, I have been buying Nexus phones since the first one and I have enjoyed having the vanilla experience on good quality hardware.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Dreading? Nah.

I'm not the biggest fan of a lot of Google decisions but so far every revision has been positive. The most negative one I can think of was 4.2 where they changed the vibrate function dramatically. However, I'm able to cope as all the AOSP based ROMs have a toggle to change that behavior.

It is disappointing regarding those bugs though. The Nexus 4 still has bluetooth issues that came around from 4.2. I'm not even sure if the wifi disconnect issues were resolved either.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'm at the point where I don't notice a whole lot between updates, but then I've always been on a custom rom so I would have more options anyhow. Maybe that's why, I dunno. The rest of the under the hood stuff I don't think I'd ever benefit from directly.

 

[tvdang7]

I only dislike these incremental updates because it causes more fragmentation for updates. Not that i really care that much since Ive owned the last 5 latest nexus devices but I'm thinking of the bigger picture.

 

[Zaap]

Used to be that every version brought major improvements. But since 4.1 the only functional upgrade for most people was TRIM in 4.3. Instead Google seems to spend a lot of time -- both in new OS versions and in app updates -- doing design tinkering that often reduces functionality *and* ensures that there's no consistent design language on the platform (as app devs end up on an endless redesign cycle themselves).

Not to mention that each new version introduces significant bugs that aren't ironed out until one, two, or even three point releases (4.4's stupid camera power-drain bug).

I'm looking forward to the device announcements at next month's I/O, but basically dreading the rest.

Totally agree with you.

Google has at best just been tinkering with things lately and at worst, taking a wrecking ball to things that used to work better. I dread any new Google update more than anticipate it. I'm relieved when I'm wrong, but it can go either way.

They seem to me to have moved past a certain phase in some roadmap of theirs. First phase was build up products and services that were really good and got users hooked. Check on that. Phase two seems to be once people are hooked, tighten the noose and corral users into doing things the Google way... but the emphasis on making things great has slipped down to a lower level of priority.

 

[Red Storm]

Um, I recall the recent Google Maps update bringing some nice new features...

I don't "dread" Android updates anymore than I anxiously wait for them, ever since Google decoupled apps from the OS all I care about are the app updates.

 

[Zaap]

Um, I recall the recent Google Maps update bringing some nice new features....

You mean after they took a wrecking ball to it? The Navigation part of maps was gutted by Google last time I used it. I was useless compared to what it was before. If they've improved of since, I would hope it would be to restore some of what they ruined before.

 

[DeathReborn]

I am kinda dreading 4.5 as it's supposed to bring in at least bits of 64 bit, I just hope 32bit doesn't get a performance hit in the process.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Um, I recall the recent Google Maps update bringing some nice new features...

I don't "dread" Android updates anymore than I anxiously wait for them, ever since Google decoupled apps from the OS all I care about are the app updates.

Maps got lane guidance which is nice and overdue, but a lot of basic Maps 6.x features are still missing such as navigating between 2 pins on a map.