Android, the OS that is so fragmented that no one writes apps for it, just passed its 10 billionth store download. And as a treat, they're offering up a bunch of nifty apps for just a dime apiece:

10 Billion Android Market downloads and counting

I don't usually buy apps, but for a dime, what's to lose?

Ed Finnerty: Am I missing out on some really cool stuff or are most apps completely useless?

Well, duh!

Also, why do we need another version of Android? Isn't there one for every handset yet?

unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Surool: Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Totally, including the 16 apps Sprint installed that you can't remove. Like the nascar app. Who doesn't need to keep up with nascar?

In fairness, with Verizon and my Incredible, I think it was like 23 I removed when I got root... but I count facebook, twitter, freindstream, picassa, and other apps I'm sure more people use as bloat.

Meh... Windows Phone 7 and iOS had a unified design language from the start.

And you just know that some jackass engineer at Samsung/Motorola/LG will look at the new, beautiful ICS interface and say, "Well, damn, I can do wayyyyy better. I'm going to replace it! I'll put some bloatware on there while I'm at it."

TheOmni: I think what I would really like is a phone that can run Android, instead of a carrier and manufacturer's version of android. Cause it doesn't matter how much better the newer version is, I have never been able to get one when it came out, I had to wait until they decided to load it up with stuff I don't want or need before I could get it. That's really my biggest, and almost only, complaint about Android.

Root it and install Cyanogenmod. BOOM! Vanilla Android that gets updated shortly after the source drops! HEADSHOT!

/rooted
//running a Sense-based ROM because the data menu only works on Sense
///Sprint routes all internet traffic through their proxies. Disabling these through the data menu speeds up your connection

Quantumbunny: Surool: Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Totally, including the 16 apps Sprint installed that you can't remove. Like the nascar app. Who doesn't need to keep up with nascar?

In fairness, with Verizon and my Incredible, I think it was like 23 I removed when I got root... but I count facebook, twitter, freindstream, picassa, and other apps I'm sure more people use as bloat.

That has always pissed me off about Android. Even with aftermarket firmware, I still have to go in and remove Facebook. It's a minor complaint, but it still pisses me right the fark off.

twat_waffle: Quantumbunny: Surool: Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Totally, including the 16 apps Sprint installed that you can't remove. Like the nascar app. Who doesn't need to keep up with nascar?

In fairness, with Verizon and my Incredible, I think it was like 23 I removed when I got root... but I count facebook, twitter, freindstream, picassa, and other apps I'm sure more people use as bloat.

That has always pissed me off about Android. Even with aftermarket firmware, I still have to go in and remove Facebook. It's a minor complaint, but it still pisses me right the fark off.

At least you can root and remove. Imagine on i OS with the deep Twitter integration. It'll be impossible to remove without axing / replacing something important.

SleepingEye: twat_waffle: Quantumbunny: Surool: Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Totally, including the 16 apps Sprint installed that you can't remove. Like the nascar app. Who doesn't need to keep up with nascar?

In fairness, with Verizon and my Incredible, I think it was like 23 I removed when I got root... but I count facebook, twitter, freindstream, picassa, and other apps I'm sure more people use as bloat.

That has always pissed me off about Android. Even with aftermarket firmware, I still have to go in and remove Facebook. It's a minor complaint, but it still pisses me right the fark off.

At least you can root and remove. Imagine on i OS with the deep Twitter integration. It'll be impossible to remove without axing / replacing something important.

Yeah, that's why it's a minor complaint. That's also why I will never buy an iProduct. Ever.

/my iBook G4 was a hand-me-down from my brother.
//Installed Ubuntu on it.

unlikely: If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

One of the best things I ever did for my phone was to root it and install a washed version of Android. The one I picked for my Galaxy S looks very similar to the carrier edition, minus the shovelware. It has a few extra features, but doesn't go crazy about them the way CyanogenMod does.

Yes, I had to root. No, I shouldn't have to. Nobody said life was ever fair.

Asa Phelps: downstairs: Whats a frAgdroid?

It's a meme promoted by Apple and Microsoft that implies that since an HTC phone comes with a different skin on it than a Samsung phone, everything is broken.

It's also complete bullflop.

Everything you've said is wrong. Android fragmentation is a big problem for developers, especially ones who do hardware interaction. Every build and hardware combo - and there are hundreds - can bring different issues. I support Android, I know this.

4.0 IS supposed to alleviate that some by giving common structures across different platforms and forms (tablets vs. phones, etc).

Anyone who is happy and satisfied with the Kindle Fire doesn't know or care what version of Androidesque they have.

The Android Fire is lame as a tablet and great as a jumped up e-reader and/or Amazon cloud appliance. Anyone who cares what flavor of Android they have on a tablet will have something similar to a Samsung or Asus Transformer Prime, ie. a decent, better performing tablet with actual features.

Strikes against Amazon and Fire tablet:
- Only 6 gb useable memory
- No expandable memory or micro sd card
- No camera
- No microphone
- No GPS
- No Bluetooth
- No 3G
- No Home button
- No volume button
- No folders
- No Google apps/environment
- No etc. etc.

I don't think it is really worth having and cracking, etc., as the hardware is very lacking in basic tablet needs in my opinion.

I think it will do very well with people who would otherwise just have a kindle. For any serious tablet users,.. not so much.

Ryan2065: TheOmni: I think what I would really like is a phone that can run Android, instead of a carrier and manufacturer's version of android. Cause it doesn't matter how much better the newer version is, I have never been able to get one when it came out, I had to wait until they decided to load it up with stuff I don't want or need before I could get it. That's really my biggest, and almost only, complaint about Android.

The Nexus line of phones are made by Google.

Yup. I'm impatiently waiting for Verizon to unwedge their collective head and release the Galaxy Nexus already. The phones are arriving in stores right now but they refuse to commit to a date. Should be a sweet phone. Minimal bloatware, sweet screen, phones and tablets getting back on the same page, etc.

Ed Finnerty: Ryan2065: It depends on how much you are going to use your phone. If you are constantly out away from computers and want something to entertain you, then you'll find a lot of other apps out there. If you are like me and only use it to message people and as an alarm clock, most of the apps are useless.

That must be it. I'm around computers all day long so anything I may need is easier to do on the computer than the phone. I suppose I'll have a different take when I'm on the road or the power goes out.

Yea pretty much. My phone has some amazing apps, like a specialized Reddit browser, some awesome games, social networking stuff... but I only use it when I'm not at my desk. These days that is pretty much just...
1) In the bathroom
2) On the bus
3) Waiting in line for something
4) Killing time for a few minutes as I wait for someone or something

Granted some of the utility apps, like a powerful WiFi scanner/analyzer, are great to have but you only find yourself needed these things once a month or so. For everyday use its pretty much just Alarm, Texting, Camera, Internet Browser, and Google Maps.

jbrooks544: Anyone who is happy and satisfied with the Kindle Fire doesn't know or care what version of Androidesque they have.

The Android Fire is lame as a tablet and great as a jumped up e-reader and/or Amazon cloud appliance. Anyone who cares what flavor of Android they have on a tablet will have something similar to a Samsung or Asus Transformer Prime, ie. a decent, better performing tablet with actual features.

Strikes against Amazon and Fire tablet:
- Only 6 gb useable memory
- No expandable memory or micro sd card
- No camera
- No microphone
- No GPS
- No Bluetooth
- No 3G
- No Home button
- No volume button
- No folders
- No Google apps/environment
- No etc. etc.

I don't think it is really worth having and cracking, etc., as the hardware is very lacking in basic tablet needs in my opinion.

I think it will do very well with people who would otherwise just have a kindle. For any serious tablet users,.. not so much.

Provided, of course, that those aren't the EXACT reasons you bought the thing for your wife anyway...so long as 'Momma' is happy etc. etc. cliche here...

Ed Finnerty: Epic Task Killer

Android doesn't need a task killer.

Ryan2065: Google designs it, makes the OS, does the testing and sells them... While those companies put the phones together, saying they make them is like saying Apple doesn't make the iPad, Foxconn does. It's technically true but misses the point.

You're claiming that Google has a complete hardware design shop? I don't think so.

jbrooks544: Anyone who is happy and satisfied with the Kindle Fire doesn't know or care what version of Androidesque they have.

The Android Fire is lame as a tablet and great as a jumped up e-reader and/or Amazon cloud appliance. Anyone who cares what flavor of Android they have on a tablet will have something similar to a Samsung or Asus Transformer Prime, ie. a decent, better performing tablet with actual features.

Strikes against Amazon and Fire tablet:
- Only 6 gb useable memory
- No expandable memory or micro sd card
- No camera
- No microphone
- No GPS
- No Bluetooth
- No 3G
- No Home button
- No volume button
- No folders
- No Google apps/environment
- No etc. etc.

I don't think it is really worth having and cracking, etc., as the hardware is very lacking in basic tablet needs in my opinion.

I think it will do very well with people who would otherwise just have a kindle. For any serious tablet users,.. not so much.

You're looking at it wrong.

1.- It's not Amazon's REAL foray into the tablet realm. Just an appetizer. The real tablet will be the Amazon Kindle Ice.

2.- Have you checked the price? It's just 199 bucks. You can (a) use the money you'd spend on an iPad and buy 2 Fires with like a 100 dollars to spend on content/whatever or (b) use the money you'd spend on an iPod Touch and get a similar device but with a much larger screen.

downstairs: Whats a frAgdroid?

Someones bullshiat term for android being fragmented I would assume.

Ed Finnerty: That must be it. I'm around computers all day long so anything I may need is easier to do on the computer than the phone. I suppose I'll have a different take when I'm on the road or the power goes out.

If you travel a lot then I really suggest maps to subways and transportation for the areas you are traveling in, I did that when we went to europe and it saved us from going a long way out of the way more than once.

But overall most apps are useless, although I have found the flashlight does come in handy a few times looking behind servers, other than that and a few radio, internet music apps, and angry birds I really dont use many.

jbrooks544: I don't think it is really worth having and cracking, etc., as the hardware is very lacking in basic tablet needs in my opinion.

I think it will do very well with people who would otherwise just have a kindle. For any serious tablet users,.. not so much.

The term "serious tablet user" is an oxymoron. Tablets are still toys, they are not professional primary business tools. There is a push to characterize them as such, but I think that is largely a result of people wanting to claim their new toy as a business expense.

Tablets are for playing. They are for games and the consumption of different forms of media. Yes you can use a tablet for other things, but lets cut through the bs and look at what people really do with their gagets, not what they claim to their bosses and the tax auditor.

The Kindle Fire is designed to deliver media and games. A "serious tablet user" can scoff, but the market is dominated by devices that are overgrown iPods and iPhones.

sarah_t_s: Someones bullshiat term for android being fragmented I would assume.

Well, it kind of is depending on what part of Android as a whole you're looking at. Given that there are 150+ Android devices the majority of which are running one of 3 versions of Android (with a fourth in the works), that's a lot of fragmentation.

As a comparison, Apple runs around 10 devices with almost all of them running one of 4 versions of iOS.

The test matrices for Apple vs Android are stunningly different, even if you whittle down the number of Android devices that give a representative sample of screen resolution, processor and performance.

Hope it's better than the steaming pile of dogshiat that was Honeycomb. I've been thinking about installing Tiamat on my Xoom. Anyone tried it?

unlikely: I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget.

It is.
Sprint and your phone's manufacturer aren't, though.

downstairs: Whats a frAgdroid?

It's what people use to refer to the relation between FRAn DRescher and john GoODman

If I put the droid 3 to sleep, it wont wake back up without a battery pull. I figure its android...others have had this problem too

King Keepo: s
Well, it kind of is depending on what part of Android as a whole you're looking at. Given that there are 150+ Android devices the majority of which are running one of 3 versions of Android (with a fourth in the works), that's a lot of fragmentation.


And I agree. That doesn't change the fact that "frAgdroid" is a bullshiat term for Android fragmentation.

While I'm happy with my DX running tranquility, I am dying for verizon to release the nexus.

/has a sad about no SD

SleepingEye: twat_waffle: Quantumbunny: Surool: Quantumbunny: unlikely: My Android on Sprint came with a crap-ton of stuff that I will never want to use, can't uninstall, and can't keep from forcing regular updates. A couple of them I can't even keep from running.
- Nova (some game)
- Amazon MP3
- Blockbuster
- FM Radio and FMRadioWidget
- Peep
- qik Video
- Sprint Football Live

There's a bunch of other stuff installed that I don't know if you can uninstall it or not because I use it, but damn some of that stuff is annoying.

I thought Android was all about you being able to control your gadget. If I wanted a bunch of proprietary mandatory processes running all the time I'd have got an iPhone.

Just root it, remove that garbage, and move on.

Why root it? It's perfect as is.

Totally, including the 16 apps Sprint installed that you can't remove. Like the nascar app. Who doesn't need to keep up with nascar?

In fairness, with Verizon and my Incredible, I think it was like 23 I removed when I got root... but I count facebook, twitter, freindstream, picassa, and other apps I'm sure more people use as bloat.

That has always pissed me off about Android. Even with aftermarket firmware, I still have to go in and remove Facebook. It's a minor complaint, but it still pisses me right the fark off.

At least you can root and remove. Imagine on i OS with the deep Twitter integration. It'll be impossible to remove without axing / replacing something important.

Whole lot of people here that have never even used an iPhone. First off, there are a handful of apps on the iPhone that can not be removed. None of which I would call bloatware, with the exception of YouTube and a stock tracker. And it's easy to move any of them to the back page of your apps, should they offend your sensibilities that much. The Twitter integration is pretty transparent. It's just one of a few options that are available for sharing pictures, or whatever you feel like twatting.
I'm not an Apple fanboi by any means. It's just that if you're going to critique an object, at least have some working knowledge of the product.

Shrinkwrap: If I put the droid 3 to sleep, it wont wake back up without a battery pull. I figure its android...others have had this problem too

If it's not a common occurrence with other Android phones, then I would say it's a Droid 3 problem.

I always laugh at the fanbioS who are like "omg how you have that phone? like, no apps!". I guess I must be in the minority of people who don't give a shiat about pretending to build a sandwich on my phone.