You know what, I’m mad at Google right about now. Here’s why. Note, this is a true story:
I was talking to a couple of friends about a week ago. One of them an iOS user, one of them an Android user (I don’t believe in that “You use Apple so I don’t talk to you” crap). The iPhone friend was so excited to show me that they put Google Chrome on their device, they knew that I was a [former] developer and were so excited to show me something Google based on their iPhone 4. I didn’t want to burst their bubble and tell them that GChrome has been on iOS for how long? Okay then. Moving right along. So my Android friend, poor soul, still runs Android 2.3 on his Samsung Galaxy S 4G. His folks say don’t touch it, don’t mod it, root it, look at it the wrong way. So we honor their request. To make sure that he doesn’t screw with it, they memorized the Touchwiz UI’s interface. They are crazy, yes I know.
So we are all talking, and the iPhoner is telling us about how totally freaking awesome Chrome is and everything. Then it happens, Androider asks me how to install it on his phone. It broke my heart to tell him that his version of Android was incompatible. I have never seen someone get so down over news like that.
End of story…
Now you are asking, “Why has it taken you a week to react?” I was cool, until I read something. I have nothing against Chrome on iOS, I think it’s cool personally. However, the fact that damn near every iOS user can have access to Chrome, but only what, 50% (based on Google’s manipulated fragmentation numbers) of Android users can even hope to enjoy the luxury, just annoys me.
Then you ask another question. “But Mingo, Chrome is available to people with iOS 5.0 or later. iPhone has phones that date back to 2009, maybe even earlier, they can’t possibly all be up to date. Our beloved Google doesn’t even do that! Plus, that last statement still didn’t specify why you were mad.” Good point, fine reader. This is what I was pissed off about. iOS 6.1 is available to every phone from the iPhone 3GS and above. So that means someone with a 2009 model iPhone can enjoy a 2012 app, and they didn’t have to spend a penny to do it.
Us Google users on the other hand are stuck shelling out hundreds trying to keep up with Google’s updates. I love Android, and I am sure you have heard this rant before, but come on people, this has to be gut wrenching to someone. I had a Samsung Galaxy S 4G that I sold 24 hours ago, a 2010 phone, that didn’t get as far as GB officially, like my friend’s. Luckily, root and Cyanogenmod were my best friends, I know what Google Chrome is like on the SGS 4G. Why is it that no one with a platform high enough for the Android big wigs to hear them has spoken out? Seriously, no one has said, “Let’s stop, get everyone to a decent OS version, 4.0 at least, before we move on to 4.3, 5.0, 5.1, etc.” Is our OS really that greedy?
People talk major trash about Apple. Their products are limiting, a Macbook is the equivalent of four car payments, the whole nine yards. Guess what though, talk all the crap you want about them, their OS has proven support for them for the long term in technological years. We have yet to stand as a consumer collective and demand that their be some broader support guidelines for our devices.
Windows Phone 8 chose to take the “cut old phones from draft pick” move, where are they now in market share? Oh… Okay.
All of this off of the fact that Google Chrome wasn’t supported on a phone, yes I know. Hey, what can I say, I’m a passionate person. All I’m asking is that moving forward, Google and those supporting the Android platform care for the consumer enough to care about our wallets as well. Bring Android phones up to date, or make some kind of backwards compatibility app or something for Pre-ICS phones if you aren’t willing to.
So, I want to hear some input, agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter, I love hearing opinions, I love being open. That is what our beloved platform is based on, right?
Before I go though:
1. Android people with the mediocre mindset that giving credit to Apple equals worshiping Satan, please save us your comments or your ignorance.
2. I do not want to argue, I want to discuss. Please respect others’ opinions. We are all mature enough to hold a mature conversation about opposing opinions on a particular subject matter.
Thank you for reading.
