I have been using the Android since the G1, when it was still predominantly a geek device. Personally, I knew it then that Android will be a big thing. However, what I did not expect is why it is taking Android too long to improve its overall user experience. Android is one powerful mobile platform, but it still lacks a whole lot of features -- small features but mean lots. Here are some of the things that frustrates me when using an Android phone:
1. Screen capture. This is very basic and I don’t understand why it is taking a long time for this to be integrated in the base OS. To do the screen capture the usual way (without rooting your phone), you need to download and install the SDK, tether the phone and then do the capturing. Hassle!
The Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a hack, which, unfortunately, does not work very well. Pressing the Power and Back button works on SOME applications, but not on all. Bummer!
2. OS Upgrade. Here’s the thing, Android upgrades get pushed over-the-air (OTA) IF and ONLY IF you are using a phone that Google labelled as an official Google phone (G1, Nexus One and Nexus S). If you have a phone from other manufacturers, such as HTC, Samsung, Motorola, etc., then you are at the mercy of these manufacturers. What is worse is that most of these manufacturers *require* you to use a single-platform desktop application (Windows) to upgrade the phone. This is the reason why Android is getting so fragmented. Upgrades should be pushed OTA several days after Google releases it -- but the variety of hardware configurations make it difficult. Also, manufacturers don’t find it profitable -- releasing new OS versions with new features for old phones compared to releasing a new phone with the latest OS.
3. Market. I don’t know what is keeping Google from making the Android Market available world-wide. If Apple can do it, I am sure Google can... but are they even interested? I am hoping that the soon-to-open Amazon Android Market will be the answer to this problem.
Whilst you can live with the free applications available on the Market, it simply is frustrating not being able to buy your favorite ad-free applications. I know there is a work-around to this, but it is too much of a hassle just to get an app -- defeats the purpose of a two-tap purchase!
4. Hanging Apps. All applications are not crash proof, regardless of platform. However, some applications are expected to be more stable than the rest, specially if it is a built-in application that comes with the OS.
An Android phone is first and foremost a phone, right? If so, then the phone application should have the highest priority and should never crash. Otherwise, it renders the point of having a phone moot. I have experienced the phone application crashing several times on the Nexus One! Worse, it crashes when I receive and answer a call! Argh!
There isn’t that much to hate with the Android platform. Frankly, I love using it despite its shortcomings. It is still my second best mobile platform!
source: mb.com.ph
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