Time for Google to step up its Android game

[Dari]

And yet you complain about how Android development is what you want.

I'm an end user. Keyword: user. If I see a pattern it cannot be the individual developers but company policy/APIs.

 

[Dari]

i have a pretty niche market for the apps that i develop, and i make like 5-6 times more on ios than android. not a chance any time in the future i'd make android my main platform. everything is dev'ed on ios and ported to android.

Why do you make so much more on a platform that has 1/8th the marketshare?

 

[Jodell88]

I'm an end user. Keyword: user. If I see a pattern it cannot be the individual developers but company policy/APIs.

One of the most nonsensical post I've read on this forum.

 

[Jodell88]

Some app like Instagram work perfectly on my Note 3 and TabPro 8.4, but not so well on my ipad Mini retina. Facebook however work and look better on iOS compare to Android. Both platform will always have good app and bad app, and there will always have some stutter, its just depend on how each user seeing it differently

The best facebook app I've used was the app for WebOS (RIP )

 

[Dari]

One of the most nonsensical post I've read on this forum.

Enough anecdotal evidence for me to believe it. Again, look at how Google's own Gmail and Hangout apps are superior on iOS compared to Android. It shouldn't be this way.

 

[purbeast0]

Why do you make so much more on a platform that has 1/8th the marketshare?

dunno but it's the reason i'll dev for ios first and android second.

 

[Fardringle]

I'm an end user. Keyword: user. If I see a pattern it cannot be the individual developers but company policy/APIs.

If you are seeing a pattern on your phone that nobody else is seeing on any other device then it is either:

a) your phone
b) you
c) you are seeing (or imagining) something that doesn't actually exist

 

[Dari]

If you are seeing a pattern on your phone that nobody else is seeing on any other device then it is either:

a) your phone
b) you
c) you are seeing (or imagining) something that doesn't actually exist

Pathetic app The app previously used to crash and restart. Now it never starts and hangs the whole android. Called customer care to report the issue of having to login every day and not having an option to save the username password and they never bothered to fix it. Wsj should fire these developers and hire someone who can build a stable and decent app. Waste of my time commenting on this piece of...

Login still not fixed... After update. Keeps logging me out all time. It's difficult to see how WSJ is going to survive into the digital age...great paper, shame about the IT. Maybe the writers should do IT too...can't be any worse.

Doesn't recognize login Every time I launch this app, it treats me as a non-business even though I am logged in. I have to log out and log back in each time to access all of the articles. Epic fail.

Those are just from the WSJ app section of the Play Store from the past week or two. It isn't just me.

 

[shabby]

Those are just from the WSJ app section of the Play Store from the past week or two. It isn't just me.

Have you emailed the developers and told them of the issues?

 

[Dari]

Have you emailed the developers and told them of the issues?

WRT the WSJ I have contacted customer service. They said there was nothing they could do. I told my boss and family friends who have pull at Fox but they use iPhones so did not care. I did read the reviews before downloading the app but thought it would be tolerable (so people have been complaining about these apps for a long time). 6 months later and nothing has changed. Worse, I think the WSJ has two apps, one of which is digital only. It's all a big mess.

 

[WelshBloke]

The best facebook app I've used was the app for WebOS (RIP )

Well, apart from the fact that half your friends updates would never show up in your news feed and it was never updated.

Yeah apart from the fact that it didn't work it was OK.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Ok, here's my 2 cents.

1. Android does still stutter. If you can't acknowledge this, you're probably being biased. On my OnePlus One: Go to Google Photos hit share, the share menu pops up (this is the new Android 4.4 share menu), and its choppy. I don't have too many apps I don't think, but even then it shouldn't be choppy.
2. You can blame developers and Facebook is a great example, but even great developers that the Android community loves with apps such as Light Flow, Solid Explorer, heck even GOOGLE Maps itself isn't 60 fps smooth. In fact those 3 apps are quite stuttery and surely under 30 fps on my OnePlus One AND Nexus 5.
3. Can Google do more to make the overall experience better? Yeah. Let's not act like they've done their best already. In terms of lag and stuff, iOS has always been at the top of their game. Each year with each iOS refresh and new iOS device, I'm pretty sure Apple's offered a smoother device at launch. I do agree that current Apple devices get slower with each iOS release, but that's a different story. In that sense Google seems to do a good job because each subsequent Android release seems to get faster and faster while using the same hardware.
   
   You can argue its the developers fault that they're not using the right APIs or using the right design elements to give a 60 fps smooth app. I agree, it can be done. Look at Instagram or Gmail. Buttery smooth. But when developers are struggling (look at how 2013 was spent creaming over apps going Holo 2 years after the interface was introduced) to apply good design principles, perhaps there's something Google can do to help out. The problem isn't going to solve itself.
4. I do think ART and L is a big step forward and a much needed upgrade to Android.
5. iOS8 and the iPhone 6 were huge leaps forward for Apple. One can argue its all catch up, but in some ways they leapfrogged Google.
6. Based on my current expectations, I don't think the Nexus 6 with Android L will be able to roll out as many new features as Apple did. But who knows? Maybe the bar is set low for Google this time around, and they'll surprise us all.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The best facebook app I've used was the app for WebOS (RIP )

Really? I owned an iPad 2 and an HP TouchPad. I'd argue the iOS tablet Facebook was FAR better.

The only thing I found WebOS to be good at was the keyboard. Best damn keyboard out there. 5 rows too.

 

[Crono]

I have yet to see a mobile OS not stutter on quickly down/across a page where you have a grid of either images or icons, especially if any content is being pulled or refreshed from the internet. Windows Phone and iOS try to hide slowdowns like that through longer animations or by limiting the content on-screen, but it's still there, if usually tolerable.

iOS, Android, and Windows Phone all seem to stutter or hang in those situations. I think it has to do with the hardware still being slower than modern desktops with dedicated graphics. Even though the mobile CPUs in the current flagships have high listed clocks, they usually only burst to those speeds or would throttle due to heat. I'd bet even the iPhone 6 and iOS 8 isn't lag-free. Usually I see people make cherry-picked comparisons or just go by benchmarks, but no smartphone is yet as smooth as PCs running desktop OS'.

 

[Megatomic]

Ok, here's my 2 cents.

1. Android does still stutter. If you can't acknowledge this, you're probably being biased. On my OnePlus One: Go to Google Photos hit share, the share menu pops up (this is the new Android 4.4 share menu), and its choppy. I don't have too many apps I don't think, but even then it shouldn't be choppy.
2. You can blame developers and Facebook is a great example, but even great developers that the Android community loves with apps such as Light Flow, Solid Explorer, heck even GOOGLE Maps itself isn't 60 fps smooth. In fact those 3 apps are quite stuttery and surely under 30 fps on my OnePlus One AND Nexus 5.
3. Can Google do more to make the overall experience better? Yeah. Let's not act like they've done their best already. In terms of lag and stuff, iOS has always been at the top of their game. Each year with each iOS refresh and new iOS device, I'm pretty sure Apple's offered a smoother device at launch. I do agree that current Apple devices get slower with each iOS release, but that's a different story. In that sense Google seems to do a good job because each subsequent Android release seems to get faster and faster while using the same hardware.
   
   You can argue its the developers fault that they're not using the right APIs or using the right design elements to give a 60 fps smooth app. I agree, it can be done. Look at Instagram or Gmail. Buttery smooth. But when developers are struggling (look at how 2013 was spent creaming over apps going Holo 2 years after the interface was introduced) to apply good design principles, perhaps there's something Google can do to help out. The problem isn't going to solve itself.
4. I do think ART and L is a big step forward and a much needed upgrade to Android.
5. iOS8 and the iPhone 6 were huge leaps forward for Apple. One can argue its all catch up, but in some ways they leapfrogged Google.
6. Based on my current expectations, I don't think the Nexus 6 with Android L will be able to roll out as many new features as Apple did. But who knows? Maybe the bar is set low for Google this time around, and they'll surprise us all.

Excellent post. I wish (don't flame me for my opinion) that Google could do for the Android platform what Apple does for the iOS platform: mandate design standards for UX/UI smoothness and appearance that they are willing and able to enforce with consequences severe enough to obligate compliance. I know it's a great philosophical advantage to the Android ecosystem that it's the Wild West of the mobile software world, the devs can do what they want by and large. But in the end the apps suffer and the users do right along with them. And that's MY 2 cents.

 

[SunnyD]

Here's a hint: If you feel the apps you use are vastly superior on Apple devices, then why the hell aren't you using an Apple device?

Problem solved.

 

[Red Storm]

Here's a hint: If you feel the apps you use are vastly superior on Apple devices, then why the hell aren't you using an Apple device?

Problem solved.

This, I don't get the constant whining. If you like one platform better, by all means please go and use it! That's why I use Android, because I like it better and I think it's better.

 

[purbeast0]

Here's a hint: If you feel the apps you use are vastly superior on Apple devices, then why the hell aren't you using an Apple device?

Problem solved.

well you do realize who the OP is right? what more would you expect?

 

[Megatomic]

Here's a hint: If you feel the apps you use are vastly superior on Apple devices, then why the hell aren't you using an Apple device?

Problem solved.

Good point. I'm satisfied overall with Android Kitkat and most apps on my Moto X but I'm really looking forward to Android L on the new Moto X.

 

[Dari]

This, I don't get the constant whining. If you like one platform better, by all means please go and use it! That's why I use Android, because I like it better and I think it's better.

I know, right? G-d forbid anyone should complain. They should just silently move on. To answer your question. it's because there are things I like about Android and hate about iOS that's keeping me in the former camp. copy paste and media management are two obvious examples.

If only Google had the competitive and aggressive spirit of Microsoft, they'd be in a dominant position with much fewer complaints. One thing about MS is that they actually listened to their customers and made their OS superior to everything else out there.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Honestly, while the OP whines, I understand what he feels. For me, its not so much that I prefer iOS. I just like the polish that iOS brings and I wish Google can do the same. For years and years we've been saying the same. Google's definitely stepped up its game over the years, but you know how we've been saying Apple is always playing catch up in terms of features and functionality? Well Google's been playing catch up since day 1 in terms of polish.

I've just finished playing around with the new OTA for Android Wear which offers multiple destinations when you want to navigate somewhere. Theres just a lack of polish. The text can't even fit enough to let me know which Starbucks is which. Looks like someone didn't think that one through. I also feel adding some small text like the distance and/or direction like most GPS systems do would help too when browsing this plain list of venues.

Or what about setting an alarm from the watch? I get it you can use voice commands, but when I do it manually from the watch, it uses the same voice interface where it gives me 5 seconds or so to confirm. So the minute I select a time it confirms. I can't even think about if I want to edit it or think about which days I want it to recur. It times out and sets the alarm. Works for voice command, does not work when I'm fiddling with the watch. Its that level of polish I'm talking about. I get it that Wear is still in its infant days, but there's countless other examples on Android phone itself that could use polish.

Anyway, remember, L is focused on material design, enhanced notifications, user experience. It should give us the polish that would take the experience to the next level. I really do hope it does deliver because the L-preview to me isn't really THAT impressive.

 

[WelshBloke]

I've just finished playing around with the new OTA for Android Wear which offers multiple destinations when you want to navigate somewhere. Theres just a lack of polish. The text can't even fit enough to let me know which Starbucks is which. Looks like someone didn't think that one through. I also feel adding some small text like the distance and/or direction like most GPS systems do would help too when browsing this plain list of venues.

Or what about setting an alarm from the watch? I get it you can use voice commands, but when I do it manually from the watch, it uses the same voice interface where it gives me 5 seconds or so to confirm. So the minute I select a time it confirms. I can't even think about if I want to edit it or think about which days I want it to recur. It times out and sets the alarm. Works for voice command, does not work when I'm fiddling with the watch. Its that level of polish I'm talking about. I get it that Wear is still in its infant days, but there's countless other examples on Android phone itself that could use polish.

Seems to me that you are doing thing on the watch that are easier to do on the phone then complaining that they are harder to do on the watch.

Pro tip: If you deliberately choose to do things the hard way don't complain when its harder.

 

[Dari]

Since this post the 3 apps have gotten much much better. I no longer get asked to sign in for the WSJ app repeatedly. The Economist and FT apps are now superb.

 

[jacktesterson]

I'll never own a iPad until it:

1) Play media files with native formats
2) Can read my eBooks locally. (ePubs, etc, without streaming them)
3) Has 2GB of Ram
4) Allow drap/drop files
5) Have MicroSD or High Storage without ridiculous prices.

I recently had an iPad Mini Retina to give it a real go recently and came away disappointed. Yes I know about the above 5 things going in, but I wanted to see this "Quality App" stuff people talk about on an iPad.

For everything I do on my Tablet (Which is my primary device for using the net every day), I much prefer Android. It's so much more flexible. All the apps I use are as good (some better, like Taptu, is better on Android. Snapchat, Instagram both work on Android, MX Player, ttorrent, Adelka, etc)

iOS is great for a phone but even then they are way overpriced. I only have one because its paid for me by my employer. I'll admit I like the iPhone but If I didn't have a Tablet though, I'd have a big screen Android phone without question.

 

[Commodus]

I'll never own a iPad until it:

1) Play media files with native formats
2) Can read my eBooks locally. (ePubs, etc, without streaming them)
3) Has 2GB of Ram
4) Allow drap/drop files
5) Have MicroSD or High Storage without ridiculous prices.

I recently had an iPad Mini Retina to give it a real go recently and came away disappointed. Yes I know about the above 5 things going in, but I wanted to see this "Quality App" stuff people talk about on an iPad.

For everything I do on my Tablet (Which is my primary device for using the net every day), I much prefer Android. It's so much more flexible. All the apps I use are as good (some better, like Taptu, is better on Android. Snapchat, Instagram both work on Android, MX Player, ttorrent, Adelka, etc)

iOS is great for a phone but even then they are way overpriced. I only have one because its paid for me by my employer. I'll admit I like the iPhone but If I didn't have a Tablet though, I'd have a big screen Android phone without question.

Numbers 2 and 3 are definitely taken care of. iBooks will let you store unprotected ePubs, and you have e-book apps from all the major online bookstores; barring a surprise on launch, leaks for the iPad Air 2's mainboard show that it has 2GB of RAM.

I'd say that 1 is done if you use an app like VLC. Number 4 has been kinda-sorta addressed: you can use iCloud Drive, or OS X Yosemite's AirDrop if you have a Mac. And number 5? It depends on what you define as ridiculous. It's not right that the base iPad Air 2 has 16GB of storage, but the next step up has 64GB -- that'll cover most uses pretty easily.

And personally, I wouldn't call the iPhone 6 overpriced. It's faster than almost every other phone on the planet, it has the best overall phone camera, it has the only fingerprint reader people actually like using, and it's sleekly designed. A phone's worth isn't just about whether or not there are bigger numbers in the spec sheets.