Dell Streak causes user fury
Android fluffs it again
Dell's Streak might now be running Android 2.1, but those who've upgraded are finding the newer OS takes away more than it adds to the tablet/phone crossbreed.
PC synchronisation, Windows Media Video playback and the Facebook widget are among the reported casualties of the upgrade process, and some who did manage a smooth upgrade were still caught out by the need to replace all their data and installed applications.
The Streak was launched by O2 with Android 1.6 and the promise of a rapid upgrade, which became available on Monday. Some users are happy with the upgrade, but both the Dell and O2 forums are alive with those who've hit problems ranging from reversed volume buttons to disappearing browser controls.
We'd hope that Reg readers would have backed up all their data before launching into an OS upgrade, but Android devices aren't aimed at the technically minded and many users seem to have skipped this vital step in the assumption that Dell would take care of it.
But even those who did have adequate backups are having problems and finding Dell's level of support lamentable. We contacted Dell ourselves, and were promised that someone would get back to us real soon now.
The problem may be Dell's, but it's born of Android's aspirations and Google's overconfidence. Supporting an OS running on a range of different hardware is really tough - work in hardware design for long enough and one gains a grudging respect for Microsoft Windows and its ability to integrate with just about any chunk of hardware. Linux still strives for the same thing with immeasurable resources at its disposal.
With every new Android device the supported hardware base grows. Combine that with Google's determination to release a new OS every six months, and you're creating a legacy of disillusioned users who'll start to value stability and simplicity above the openness touted by Android. ®
COMMENTS
Driver resources
"work in hardware design for long enough and one gains a grudging respect for Microsoft Windows and its ability to integrate with just about any chunk of hardware. Linux still strives for the same thing with immeasurable resources at its disposal."
Oh for goodness sake - I expect trolling from the comments section but not in the article. If you actually have worked "in hardware design for long enough" you will know where the majority of the drivers for Microsoft Windows platforms are written. They *do* write some themselves - in particular for in-house hardware and drivers for generic services, such as basic USB comms, and do a pretty good job of it. Linux has a broader _mixture_ of drivers written by the community and companies (FOSS, proprietary or otherwise).
As for immeasurability, I take it that means you actually have, by way of comparison, managed to enumerate the totality of the global work force in every company providing software support for devices under Windows ? No ?... well then the comparison is meaningless.
As far as my own experience goes, these days the total driver coverage seems roughly equivalent - in incredibly simplistic terms i'd say better support (from working at all, to optimizations) for bleeding edge devices using closed drivers in the Windows side (or, indeed, OSX to a certain extent), and more/better support for some aging, esoteric or server/HPC-centric bits and bobs in Linux. YMMV.
Where they do seem to differ, these days, is in a default install from the OS installation disks on bare hardware. If you have had even a tiny fraction of the experience you seem to imply, you will know what the easier option is there.
The comments section needs little incentive to riot Bill, please don't kick things off with ill considered and in-accurate statements.
So Dell's technical screw up is an Androis problem?
The fact that Dell issued an upgrade without thorough testing (like Apple) is not the fault of the Android OS. Dell 'enhanced' the OS to interface it with it's product.
Even Apple, with it's buttoned down 100% software, has failed to cure the problems.
Funny how more experienced Android uses such as HTC, Samsung and Motorola have had so much success - must be a reason.
Re: Microsoft???
We hate everyone almost all the time. Keep up.
Dont make me laugh
"The problem may be Dell's, but it's born of Android's aspirations and Google's overconfidence"
Nothing to do with Dells desire to sell machines with OS's that make more profit for them than the hardware then? Has the hardware changed? Er no its a fucking upgrade so what the fuck has Dell being doing in testing?
Why is it a company with thousand of supposedly IT literate staff cant do what some bedroom hacker can do.
Fuckwits to a man.
Immeasurable resources
"Supporting an OS running on a range of different hardware is really tough - work in hardware design for long enough and one gains a grudging respect for Microsoft Windows and its ability to integrate with just about any chunk of hardware. Linux still strives for the same thing with immeasurable resources at its disposal."
I'd like to believe your tongue is so far into your cheek that it has cracked my humour meter.
Otherwise I would have to conclude it's where the Redmond sun doesn't shine.
