Android Laptop?

[Vince53]

Designed for telephones, Android has grown successfully into the tablet business, which includes a lot of touchscreen games. And yes, an Android tablet can go onto the internet. But should you buy an Android laptop?

Although Google owns Android (and Chrome) they have kept Android open-source. This has allowed companies like Samsung to make adaptations for their specific smart phones. But it has also produced so many versions of Android that Google has a hard time updating it without wrecking up somebody's phone.

Comments?

 

[Wookiee]

Designed for telephones, Android has grown successfully into the tablet business, which includes a lot of touchscreen games. And yes, an Android tablet can go onto the internet. But should you buy an Android laptop?

If it's cheaper than other options and/or you need it to support Android: yes.

Although Google owns Android (and Chrome) they have kept Android open-source. This has allowed companies like Samsung to make adaptations for their specific smart phones. But it has also produced so many versions of Android that Google has a hard time updating it without wrecking up somebody's phone.

Comments?

Well... not quite. Google updates Android to previews and releases it out to devs and people willing to test it, does a few rounds of this and then starts a staggered roll-out to end users of Nexus phones. Basically once your phone checks the servers for an OTA (Over the Air [Internet]) new release, it has a 1% chance of getting it offered and that's it for the day. The next day it checks, the chances steadily increase towards 100%. (For more information, check here: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...to-never-clear-google-service-framework-data/ ). This reduces the amount of errors that can come about from an OTA update. They also offer the images directly on their servers for people that don't want to wait.

During the process of creating a new version of Android, Google makes their source available to other manufacturers to test on their own devices. I'm not entirely sure how involved Google is in the compatibility process, but it's not their fault it breaks: it's Samsung/LG/Sony/whoever's responsibility to make sure their modified UIs work with Android. As such, this is also one of the reasons a Nexus will get a new version of Android pretty quickly, and Samsung or LG phones will take a while longer.

So depending on what brand of the device you get, and what sort of spec and age it is, will give a pretty good indication of whether or not it's likely to receive updates.

Also worth noting is that to legally incorporate Google Apps, manufacturers have to pay to use them:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/23/how-google-controls-androids-open-source
http://www.hatchmfg.com/what-are-the-gms-license-and-certification-for-android-devices/

Which is why some knock-offs you get that run Android don't include the Play Store.

 

[Vince53]

Good post, Wookie.

I did some more research yesterday. HP put out a bright yellow and black Android laptop, and I found some reviews. One critic raved about how stupid it looked (I think it looks pretty sharp) and pointed out that there is no need for it. A better review interviewed HP, pointing out that the $400 laptop is as powerful as a $150 Chromebook and is slower on the web. The reviewer also pointed out that the keyboard got in the way of the touchscreen. HP replied that their customers wanted an Android laptop, so HP gave them one.

Another reviewer praised it as an excellent laptop, with a good keyboard and monitor, but pointed out that users didn't like the Android OS (which is designed for smartphones, not laptops).

Comments?

 

[Vince53]

I just heard an Android OS joke, but it will take several months for all of you to get it.

 

[skalle]

I just heard an Android OS joke, but it will take several months for all of you to get it.

Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

 

[Vince53]

Well, one person got it.

There are so many versions of Android out there, that it is difficult to send upgrades without messing up a lot of them. So Google has to carefully send out the updates to a few at a time to see if something goes wrong. Some updates literally arrive several months after being written.

 

[skalle]

Anyway, onto the topic of the thread... I can't see any reason to be interested in a laptop with Android. If I want a tablet UI, I'll use a tablet. When I'm on a laptop, I want a desktop UI. The two are not the same, and in my opinion, they are not interchangeable. I also have a rather sharp distaste for laptops with touchscreens...

 

[elytron]

Check this project out that I found, http://www.android-x86.org/ also on DistroWatch http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=androidx86 . If I understand correctly, it is a version of Android for the PC. Correct me if I am wrong.

I have yet to try it out, don't know much about it. Everyone let me know what you think.

 

[Wookiee]

I used it a couple of years ago on a Viewsonic Atom-based tablet that dual-booted Android and Windows 7, but I found it was pretty limited. I might have to stuff around with it again sometime.

 

[Vince53]

http://www.techrepublic.com/article...droid-devices-millions-more-at-risk/#ftag=YHF

An excellent article on the dangers of Android viruses, although this particular one MIGHT only affect Chinese Android devices.

 

[skalle]

It's not particularly common in America, but it's possible to get it. Visiting porn sites on your phone (or in general) is a Bad Idea.