Android Lollipop Hitting Real Samsung Devices

nadnerB

@Dashrender said:

Android suffers the same problems as Windows Phone - carrier dependance to get updates.

Ding ding ding. This is the killer feature of iOS. It's amazing how much the carriers kill the non-iOS platforms. And before anyone tells me to root a phone, that sentiment proves my point. My phone isn't a toy, it is a critical communications device.

While WP does come with carrier bloatware, you can uninstall it like any other non-system app.

nadnerB

I always giggle a little bit when anyone mentions rooting their phones or their phone is rooted.

nadnerB

@Dashrender said:

Android suffers the same problems as Windows Phone - carrier dependance to get updates.

I really wish that Google and MS would stand up to the carriers and take the updates back.
I do realize that the carriers do this primarily to keep locked down control over the phones lowering the support calls they'll probably get, but that just leaves us users at the whim of the carriers to roll out updates, some of which are serious security flaws.

I wonder if going to an unlocked system, more inline with a European setup we could get there?

I'm also curious, how much do the carriers earn putting the crapware on the phones that they do? This is yet another reason they don't want to have the OSs come directly from the manufacture, it would by pass their junkware.

Can you buy factory unlocked? I did this when I bought my current phone and I intend on buying my next phone the same way. A larger and limiting upfront cost but no carrier bloatware and I'm not tied to any of the carriers.
EDIT: also, if you have a factory unlocked phone, I believe that the OS updates can come OTA from the manufacturer

Dashrender

@nadnerB said:

@Dashrender said:

Android suffers the same problems as Windows Phone - carrier dependance to get updates.

I really wish that Google and MS would stand up to the carriers and take the updates back.
I do realize that the carriers do this primarily to keep locked down control over the phones lowering the support calls they'll probably get, but that just leaves us users at the whim of the carriers to roll out updates, some of which are serious security flaws.

I wonder if going to an unlocked system, more inline with a European setup we could get there?

I'm also curious, how much do the carriers earn putting the crapware on the phones that they do? This is yet another reason they don't want to have the OSs come directly from the manufacture, it would by pass their junkware.

Can you buy factory unlocked? I did this when I bought my current phone and I intend on buying my next phone the same way. A larger and limiting upfront cost but no carrier bloatware and I'm not tied to any of the carriers.
EDIT: also, if you have a factory unlocked phone, I believe that the OS updates can come OTA from the manufacturer

Sometimes yes, sometimes no, just depends on the vendor. Also until recently carriers might not allow you to use your phone on their network. This though has become much more relaxed. Unfortunately we run into band issues instead.

For example (I haven't verified this myself) I've heard that the European unlocked version of Windows Phone does not support USA 4G, only HPSA (+).

scottalanmiller

@Dashrender said:

For example (I haven't verified this myself) I've heard that the European unlocked version of Windows Phone does not support USA 4G, only HPSA (+).

The US and Europe don't share all bands, so that stuff happens a lot.

Dashrender

@scottalanmiller said:

@Dashrender said:

For example (I haven't verified this myself) I've heard that the European unlocked version of Windows Phone does not support USA 4G, only HPSA (+).

The US and Europe don't share all bands, so that stuff happens a lot.

Which kills some of the ability to get factory unlocked phones - just not a normal USA thing yet.

scottalanmiller

iPhone is unlocked from the Apple Store I believe. I can move my device between carriers. But I don't need to as my T-Mobile account is global.

Dashrender

@scottalanmiller said:

iPhone is unlocked from the Apple Store I believe. I can move my device between carriers. But I don't need to as my T-Mobile account is global.

Apples even from the carrier doesn't come with carrier bloatware though, right? If not, then it's not really part of the conversation.

scottalanmiller

@Dashrender said:

@scottalanmiller said:

iPhone is unlocked from the Apple Store I believe. I can move my device between carriers. But I don't need to as my T-Mobile account is global.

Apples even from the carrier doesn't come with carrier bloatware though, right? If not, then it's not really part of the conversation.

Correct, it is completely clean.

thanksajdotcom

@scottalanmiller said:

@Dashrender said:

You've been on iPhone so long I wonder if this is really an issue?

Just over a year. Not all that long. But does anyone actually provide support for a rooted phone? Do you get them replaced when things don't work? Like if I have a battery issue I expect a new phone. If I root the phone, will that still happen?

Yes. Rooting a phone in no way voids manufacturer warranties or support from the carrier.