Android and “open”
I want to like Android. I really do. But one of my biggest gripes actually comes from the fact that it’s “open.” Google loves to tout how Android is “open” and how this provides users with many benefits. And they’re absolutely right; Android allows users to modify the OS with third party applications, such as Swype, which is actually pretty neat. What Google fails to mention, however, is that users often suffer as a result of this same “openness” in the form of skins and pre-installed apps.
Joshua Topolsky of Engadget goes on a pretty good rant on the downsides of Android’s “openness” on the latest Engadget podcast (skip to about 32:30 in or just download the clip here). Here are his main points:
- Aside from the HTC Sense UI, other “skinned” versions of Android actually result in a worse user experience, and they’re merely a ploy by phone manufacturers to attempt to differentiate their products. Sidenote: users with “skinned” Android phones also have to wait — sometimes up to several months — to upgrade to the latest version of Android OS since manufacturers need to wait on Google to release the code before they can reapply their skin. Furthermore, since the Nexus One and Nexus S are the only two phones that run stock Android, it’s safe to say that the large majority of all Android phones out there are using skins.
- Topolsky wants phone manufacturers to offer two versions of their Android phones — one “skinned” and one “stock” — even if they have to charge more for the “stock” version. Sidenote: YES! This is exactly what I want.
- Nilay Patel recently received an over-the-air update for his Motorola Droid X and one of the listed “features” was that it automatically installed a demo of Madden NFL. It also gave him a notification saying that he should purchase Quickoffice. Sidenote: He has Verizon to thank for selling out its customers and cutting a deal with the software companies to help push their products.
- Topolsky wonders where the “openness” is when Android phones get pre-loaded with unwanted apps and demos that users are not permitted to uninstall. “Where’s the openness there? See, there isn’t openness there. It’s only openness for OEMs and carriers because OEMs and carriers have money … and you know who pays? End-users.”
