Posted on 04/01/2016 12:15:43 AM PDT by Swordmaker
It may look like a simple calculator, but Google's latest Play Store upload signifies volumes about its changing approach to the Android platform.
It's all too easy to miss the forest for the trees.
This week's news surrounding a seemingly simple Android app launch is a perfect example. Maybe you heard: Google released a standalone Calculator app to the Play Store.
SAY WHAT? A new Calculator app?! Stop the presses! Whoop-dee-freakin'-doo, right?
Wait -- the app also adds native support for a smartwatch interface on Android Wear?! Okay, that's actually kinda neat. But it still isn't what makes this move important.
The move of Google's Calculator out of the operating system and into the Play Store represents something far grander for Android as a platform. It's a landmark moment in an effort we've been seeing unfold for almost six years now -- one that, with this latest step, is finally flirting with completion.
It's Google's deconstruction of Android as an operating system. And little by little, it's changing the way we think about what an "operating system" really means.
(Excerpt) Read more at computerworld.com ...
This approach may not get those users the full upgrade to, say Marshmallow, but it will get them the upgraded browser app, mail apps, etc., that would have come with the distribution of Marshmallow.
$200 billion wouldn't touch it. Alphabet/Google's Market cap as off close of market today was $512 billion.
Apple's market cap is $604 billion.
IBM's market cap is only $145 billion. . . Google is worth three and one-half IBMs. Apple could buy IBM out right and have $75 billion left over from their cash on hand...
That's no big deal.
Back in 1994, when Windoze users were downloading Trumpet Winsock to get online to this thing called the World-Wide Web, Microsoft bought the Church of Rome.
I like Android devices because they are so amazingly low-cost!
But the OS upgrade problem is real and annoying. And security is non-existent.
I bought some 10 dollar Android smartphones just to use as IP cameras...they work great. My best friend put one in his greenhouse so he can check on the temp and see what is going on from anywhere using Skype...fun stuff.
The cheap smart phones are an amazing plaything for geeks that like to play on the bare metal. 10 bux for a 4 core device with cameras, SD radios... etc etc. and a good display... awesome.
Google could probably float a loan and buy IBM actually, not the other way around.
So, where are you finding $10 phones?
“My best friend put one in his greenhouse so he can check on the temp and see what is going on from anywhere using Skype...”
He must have some valuable tomatoes...
Got them at WalMart.
Pre-paid Android smart phones.
Extremely cheap!
You can use for countless projects.
Of course, they all can call 911 because US law says any cell phone must be able to always call 911 even if it is not activated. This is great, keep one in the glove box of you cars for emergencies... or use the smartphone as a GPS device and stick it on your dash...works great, tells you directions to any location...all free.
I use one 15$ smart phone as an internet radio...I heart radio app. Works great!
If you install the free Hangouts Dialer you can get a free phone number and make free long distance calls over wifi...we have used it for several years.
You can watch hundreds of TV stations for free. I watch One America News for free all the time...so cool.
These things are tiny media powerhouses that are being virtually given away for free.
I have one here that just displays the weather radar for my area all the time.
You can’t go wrong....
Mainly it was just a fun thing to do and at 10bux...why not.
When I get energetic I’m going to put up a Chicken Coop Cam...lol Why not.
Some folks have stuck them in their house windows so they can easily keep an eye on the front yard...or set them up so as to be able to see and talk to someone at the front door.
He must have some valuable tomatoes..
...or some very dangerous ones...like "The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"
If you choose android that’s part of the deal, fragmentation, non existent is upgrade path most of the time etc... How it’s always been and always will be.
Google can upgrade the OS annually all it wants the reality is most users won’t see an OS upgrade until they upgrade their device. And now that carriers are dropping subsidizing purchases every two years that makes for and even longer insanely long tail.
I have all but abandoned android as a developer. Costs are too high and user base is too cheap. Make much more money focusing efforts on IOS.
Ok. come on ....this is stupid.... a calculator is part of the operating system?
all it means is unbundling the calculator from the stock configuration
I run my own calculator that I like
why should I be stuck having two calculators in the system wasting space?... one that’s bundled in the operating system and one that I prefer
unbundle it out and that way I can install the one I like
this is very typical Unix Linux whole concept of install your own preferred shells
come on you’re grasping at straws to b**** about something about Android
That right there is exactly why I literally dumped my iOS devices and went to Droid.
For the things I do, Droid works perfectly and I can always find a "free" app to do what I need on my Droid device which are basic email, text messaging and a GPS app for driving and bicycling.
I hear you loud and clear about "security" on Droid devices which is practically non-existent. That's why I keep NOTHING on my device (I did the same with my iOS devices btw, purely out of a "security posture.")
Guessing I'm somewhat 'unique' in my approach to using smartphones in that regard.
BTW: like your creativity and how you're using cheap cellphones for various types of devices. Ever consider starting your own thread and posting all your uses and ideas? I'm betting other Freepers also have other uses and ideas, and not just for cheap smartphones.
I second usconservative, Bobalu.
Bobalu’s CheapTechPingList.
Camera quality is getting to the point that photogrammetry will be possible (or is).
And there is a design program (OnShape) that loads completely in the browser. Mix those capabilities (which are cheap) and you are a long way down the road with cheap tech.
And your message is proof positive I made the right decision, your message proves exactly my other statement:
Android’s “Costs are too high and user base is too cheap”
That and the fractured ecosystem makes it extremely difficult to develop an app that'll work successfully across all different distributions and devices. iOS eliminates those barriers with one ecosystem and a fairly well defined device lifecycle.
Yours was the smartest move any mobile app developer could make.
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