Database Users

[Q] Android Development Phones: worth the investment?

All
Newbie posting here. Apologies in advice for a misplaced or repetitious post.
Could the forum weigh in on the pros and cons of the Android Development phones (Android Dev 2 and Nexus One)?
Are they worth the money?
Do they significantly improve productivity?
Do they give a sense of the types of errors we would have with different phones (cross-device errors)?
Thanks!
Cheers, S

The only reason I bought the Nexus one was to deal with HTC's disaster they called multi-touch. Other than that, I own devices based on resolution to make sure everything fits every screen. The actual adp phones aren't necessary.

I don't think it's important to have an 'official' developer phone.
What I've found with my nexus is that it's buggier than most production phones because google don't put the same amount of polish in.
Probably waste time trying to fix issues that appear on the nexus that most other phones won't have.

I had ADP1 but as next phone I bought SGS and I believe that it is better option if you are not hacking ROMs.
In our country you lose warranty if you change ROM on regular phone. I believe that for dev phones this is not true. So this is probably major difference between official dev and stock phone.
Tom
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

I do most of my testing on a standard non-rooted HTC desire. I also use the emulator to test different resolutions.
I just don't see what benefit a developer phone really gives you.

The benefit to me is no crappy, bloated U.I's like Sense/Touchwiz etc and the promise of first in line for OTA updates.

DirkGently1 said:
the promise of first in line for OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea the 'promise'. If google were really looking out for developers the nexus one would have had gingerbread the day it was released with the nexus s

athornz said:
Yea the 'promise'. If google were really looking out for developers the nexus one would have had gingerbread the day it was released with the nexus s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh @ this. Google is a business. Google has a new phone that is exclusively Gingerbread. Put two and two together. You would also keep the Nexus S exclusive for a bit to try to make more sales.
It's time to upgrade from your Nexus One to the Nexus S

If you already have an android phone than I wouldn't worry about it because you can test your apps on the emulator to test for different screen sizes, and then use your phone for more accurate testing in terms of performance

Yes and no.
Yes. Android should work the way it should on Dev phone so in theory, if it work on a dev phone, it should work on ALL android phones.
No. You can get by with the emulator. It works pretty well.
IRL situation. We write app for people. You're going to have to test it on more than enough devices. Trust us. We hate Samsungs. But guess what? We have 2 of them to test because when things works on one phone, they may not on others.
Go with general devices. But if you want to get by cheap, get a HD2. Put android on it. That way you can test stock 2.2, 2.3 and sense crap.

[Q] WP8 @ Nexus4

Hi,
I've been reading the forums here for ages and decided it's about time to join and start making some noise (talk).
Seeing today's main announcements in my opinion, any one have thoughts about the Snapdragon Nexus4 running WP8?
Seems crazy to pay the premium for the MS devices which do have a more "intriguing" design but less capable HW...

rapsa said:
Hi,
I've been reading the forums here for ages and decided it's about time to join and start making some noise (talk).
Seeing today's main announcements in my opinion, any one have thoughts about the Snapdragon Nexus4 running WP8?
Seems crazy to pay the premium for the MS devices which do have a more "intriguing" design but less capable HW...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Near impossible due to lack of source code and/or lack of a very similar device with wp8.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

I think the problem is the bootloader, which is different on Android and WP8 devices..
But on nexus, it seems everything is possible

Windows phone 8 is not open source like android or webos. So its not possible.

DubelBoom said:
I think the problem is the bootloader, which is different on Android and WP8 devices..
But on nexus, it seems everything is possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true also.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

I won't say it's impossible, but it would take quite a serious team of hackers to make it happen. Unless WP8 turns out to be far more awesome and far more popular than it looks, I doubt that you'll see any team dedicate that sort of effort to it.

[Q] Find 5 questions before purchase

Hello you all
mods, feel free to move our delete my post if you feel it's in the wrong section
I am planning to buy the find 5, but I want to be sure this is the right buy for me. I know the performance is awesome and the screen is one of the best or there, so +1 for those, but now for development support. I see there it's a fresh new cm10.1 so that seems ok but are you developers going to keep this phone for a long time? The price tag is pretty hefty for me and I want to keep the phone for a few years. Any change for long term development here? With android 5, and up support? Fast kernels?
Thank you so much
Sent from my HTC Desire C

Phenziox said:
Hello you all
mods, feel free to move our delete my post if you feel it's in the wrong section
I am planning to buy the find 5, but I want to be sure this is the right buy for me. I know the performance is awesome and the screen is one of the best or there, so +1 for those, but now for development support. I see there it's a fresh new cm10.1 so that seems ok but are you developers going to keep this phone for a long time? The price tag is pretty hefty for me and I want to keep the phone for a few years. Any change for long term development here? With android 5, and up support? Fast kernels?
Thank you so much
Sent from my HTC Desire C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ask Oppo, but they might not guarantee it, or go back on their word
eg: motorola promises android update, then reneges on it
developers do porting on their free time, if you want to guarantee something (like having Android version x), do it yourself........ bootloader is unlocked - you can install anything you want on it

paperWastage said:
ask Oppo, but they might not guarantee it, or go back on their word
eg: motorola promises android update, then reneges on it
developers do porting on their free time, if you want to guarantee something (like having Android version x), do it yourself........ bootloader is unlocked - you can install anything you want on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I wasn't really talking about oppo itself, more of xda support
Sent from my HTC Desire C

Phenziox said:
Yeah I wasn't really talking about oppo itself, more of xda support
Sent from my HTC Desire C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as I said, devs work on this on their free time
no dev will tell you: "I will work on this forever and not sell it.. if it breaks, i'll get a new one to continue support"...
if you want android 5.x, learn how to port

paperWastage said:
as I said, devs work on this on their free time
no dev will tell you: "I will work on this forever and not sell it.. if it breaks, i'll get a new one to continue support"...
if you want android 5.x, learn how to port
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. So far, I see myself as far less likely to wind up in the "OMFG I HATE THIS DEVICE AND I AM SICK OF DEALING WITH IT" category like all of the Exynos4 CM maintainers did.
That said, if I get spread too thin, the device might receive less attention in the future.
A lot depends more on Qualcomm than on Oppo.

Entropy512 said:
Yup. So far, I see myself as far less likely to wind up in the "OMFG I HATE THIS DEVICE AND I AM SICK OF DEALING WITH IT" category like all of the Exynos4 CM maintainers did.
That said, if I get spread too thin, the device might receive less attention in the future.
A lot depends more on Qualcomm than on Oppo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you got that right
The exact reason why I was planning to skip on the s3
And to be clear, I wasnt trying to demand support, just asking whether it was there or not
And I saw the full source code was available so this seems like a good source to learn development xD
Thank you
Sent from my HTC Desire C

Security setting FC
Security setting FC

Oppo has been great about getting the find it developers hand. They have given out almost ten free devices. So there will be Roms, not as much as a nexus but a few. Again in the long term support won't be as good as a nexus but it uses a qualcom chip so support is easy, not nexus easy but second best. I say it will be supported as long as the nexus four dependent on binary issues.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Why Is This Device Has Low Developing Activity

I've been watching this space for last few days, especially to know how much active development this device would get. There is no doubt that this is one of the best device you can buy right now in the Android market. But it still has less active development than a high end device would see after a month of its release. And being a cousin to Nexus 5, I thought this device will see the added advantage of much more development but what ever is happening is absolutely opposite to it. The development activity is so less, compared to what previous flagships HTC One, S4 had after one month of their respective release, there isn't a need to create separate forums for each major (carrier) version of the device.
Is it because locked bootloaders? or something else?.

blame it on Samsung S series and Note...Plus LG isnt known yet for the average consumer

I've also seen a number of people say that they like what LG has done with the stock ROM on this one (and I agree). I used CM for a year and a half or so on my GNex, and the couple of times I've tried getting used to it on my G2, I've always gone back to stock within a day or two.

HelloDominick said:
blame it on Samsung S series and Note...Plus LG isnt known yet for the average consumer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I agree that LG G2 is not as quite as popular as it should beconfused but an average user doesn't hang out in XDA looking for different roms. Even Sony's one or two years old phones are getting KitKat where as this phone has not even having more ROMS to choose from. This is supposed to be the flagship & highest speced device along with Galaxy Note 3. And as I said, being a distant cousin device of Nexus 5, I thought many ROMs from different beloved developers will be available for this device but it is not the case. Many people like me choose Android platform over other(Windows Phone 8 & IOS) because of the availability of different ROMs to choose from. But seeing that is not the case, even those people back off from buying this device.

antinorm said:
I've also seen a number of people say that they like what LG has done with the stock ROM on this one (and I agree). I used CM for a year and a half or so on my GNex, and the couple of times I've tried getting used to it on my G2, I've always gone back to stock within a day or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not only AOSP ROMs but also stock based ROMs too

Patience guys, the ROM's are coming.
Sent from my LG-G2 using xda app-developers app

If you want more development then learn to develop and provide your work to the masses. Seems to me there are a few good devs working on this phone. Keep in mind there are several variants which complicates things. I believe that the Nexus 5 will help get more ports for this device but I don't feel entitled to ask for anything or complain about slow development.

kimtyson said:
If you want more development then learn to develop and provide your work to the masses. Seems to me there are a few good devs working on this phone. Keep in mind there are several variants which complicates things. I believe that the Nexus 5 will help get more ports for this device but I don't feel entitled to ask for anything or complain about slow development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With due respect, before giving those heroic comments & suggestions, you should have understand what I'm trying to do with this thread, which is to get to know the reasons for not seeing as much development as we usually see with flagship phones(I don't know where you get the notion that I was complaining). I never tried or try to complain or demand anything, heck who the hell I'm to even think of those lines. I clearly was asking for the reasons in the OP(than complaining about any thing) that is it because of locked bootloaders or some other reasons. And every flagship has different variants, its not this phone alone.
But one thing I'm sure about is, any one who visits or comes frequently to this wonderful forum, he/she buys the device which is supported by our beloved developers, they don't care about the manufacturers supporting them in software update.

The "why no development for this device" threads are getting tiresome no matter how an OP tries to disguise it.
If you want a device with a lot a ROM's, I suggest you get a Nexus or a Galaxy S phone and not an LG, Plain and simple.

A lot of xda users know that LG suck at providing updates to the latest version of Android. Samsung and HTC used to be the same way but they have really improved. Besides when it comes to GSM devs, I think most preferred going with the cheaper option the Nexus 5 offers. Also, quite a few people don't really like the rear button placement. Most of us have gotten used to it but try convincing someone who has yet to try the device.

LG is in Samsung's shadow
Sent from my LG-D803 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

antinorm said:
I've also seen a number of people say that they like what LG has done with the stock ROM on this one (and I agree). I used CM for a year and a half or so on my GNex, and the couple of times I've tried getting used to it on my G2, I've always gone back to stock within a day or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is one of the reasons. Prior to getting the G2, I used phones that were as close to vanilla as possible, and modded my phone to be that. I am actually very pleased with how LG built their UI and I appreciate tge customization that is built in. I have never seen so many people on here so happy with the UI that they weren't in a rush to ROM their phones. Hell, the only reason I even rooted and added TWRP was to use certain apps.
The second reason I don't think it's not getting the support you're looking for is tge cost and how close to tge Nexus 5 it was released. If I was a developer, it would be hard to justify spending $600 outright for a phone when the Nexus was right around the corner with similar hardware for $350. The only thing that might motivate me to purchase the G2 would be the fact that I'm on Verizon and we won't be getting a Nexus.

crashN2u said:
I think this is one of the reasons. Prior to getting the G2, I used phones that were as close to vanilla as possible, and modded my phone to be that. I am actually very pleased with how LG built their UI and I appreciate tge customization that is built in. I have never seen so many people on here so happy with the UI that they weren't in a rush to ROM their phones. Hell, the only reason I even rooted and added TWRP was to use certain apps.
The second reason I don't think it's not getting the support you're looking for is tge cost and how close to tge Nexus 5 it was released. If I was a developer, it would be hard to justify spending $600 outright for a phone when the Nexus was right around the corner with similar hardware for $350. The only thing that might motivate me to purchase the G2 would be the fact that I'm on Verizon and we won't be getting a Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was lucky enough to get a nexus 5 very early after the launch...i played around with it the day i got then packed it up and sent it back the next day..bought a G2 the next day and am glad i did
sent from my S4,Note 3 or G2

low devolpment?you haw minimum 10 stock costum rom and 8 aosp rom in all carriers.low dev?
Sent from my LG-P500 using xda app-developers app

muhamet said:
low devolpment?you haw minimum 10 stock costum rom and 8 aosp rom in all carriers.low dev?
Sent from my LG-P500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Def low development for D803.
sent from my S4, Note 3 or G2

Theres a bounty in general to get all variants official AOKP. You want more development then donate.

force70 said:
Def low development for D803.
sent from my S4, Note 3 or G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

force70 said:
Def low development for D803.
sent from my S4, Note 3 or G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Low development? There's no development.

Is pretty simple... Most devs knows that LG is not dev friendly and most devs has gone through this with LG before.

This particular lg is very dev friendly
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

Is the end of Nexus inevitable? Silver Line to come soon..... Discussion

Hi there
We all must be hearing a lot of rumors about the end of Nexus Line by Google and Launch of Silver in upcoming year, by 2015 according to sources!
Well, according to my knowledge, the Nexus was introduced to increase the number of phones/tablets running Android in fast growing market which was dominated by Ipad/Iphone. As Google earns its 97% of profit due to advertisements, it was inevitable that if Google can increase the number of devices used, it would certainly mean more profit due to coaxing more users to its services and advertisement. This meant that although Google made some profit on Nexus devices but its main aim was to increase the android devices using Google Services like Youtube, Gmail, Google+.
Also, it was a way to provide "pure android experience" to the users free from all freezing which was mostly due to customization of android by different manufacturers.
Devices in the Nexus line do not have manufacturer or wireless carrier modifications to Android (such as custom graphical user interfaces), and have an unlockable bootloader to allow further development and end-user modification.Nexus devices are the first Android devices to receive updates to the operating system and recommended by the Android Open Source Project for Android software development.
PROJECT SILVER
Silver line basically is a way to control Samsung influence by Google. The concept is that if a device fulfills certain hardware and software criterias, they would be labelled as SILVER. The Google would ensure that these devices are first to be updated as Google would itself provide the expertise required in development of the android software. Not just that, Google would also give some subsidies which would ensure that if a developer wants a device to be silver, it would be earning more profit than a non silver device. The silver devices would also be kept in special cases in shops to attract more customers. It would also mean that any manufacturer around the world can take part in Silver project and the domination of Samsung, Sony, LG, HTC, Motorola and other big manufacturers would be directly challenged by Google.
This means we would be seeing phones which would be top-notch from small manufactures like MI (XIAOMI), OPPO.
In this regard, Google would also ensure that its services are kept while custom services provided by the manufacturer are kept to minimum!
Now the Google already has a big share in the market by Android's influence and thus it can still earn its profits by advertisement which is about 97%. Thus it does not need to put more nexus devices out there as it is directly challenged by Samsung. Now the competition has begun within Android itself which was with other OS before. The introduction of TIZEN by Samsung is a direct challenge to Android. Tizen's biggest strength in my opinion is that if you programme an app in tizen, you can use the same app in IOS , android and other platforms by just changing very little code!
The only thing I am not sure about is the price of Silver Devices. I am sure there would a tough competition but would that mean we would get the devices as cheap as Nexus line. We can not be sure as it could happen. Suppose the latest Oppo phone is labelled as silver and is selling for 300$, other manufacturers would be forced to keep their price down as nothing separates two Silver devices but we can not be sure as i mentioned before!
WHY I PREFER A NEXUS
I prefer Nexus devices over all others, not due to their development friendly nature but also they provide quick updates, top notch specifications at a very reasonable price.
Plus, Nexus devices are certain to get all CUSTOM ROMS and development is very quick compared to many other devices!
They also keep manufacturers to keep their price in check and they give you a pure android experience which I am not sure Project Silver can promise.
I just hope the Nexus line is always kept by Google. If they can keep on releasing one phone (4.7 inch) and two tablets ( 8 and 10) every year at least with their Silver Project and see if more consumers prefer Silver or Nexus and leave the choice to the consumers!
What do you prefer and give your reasons why you think it would be a good thing or a bad thing if Google gives up Nexus and starts Silver Project?
Update: Nexus is going to stay!! Hip Hip Hooray!
http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-...ay-but-Android-Silver-is-in-the-works_id57593

If affordability isn't hit I find no problem with silver program. But I don't think it wouldn't.
At least we will have motorola.

I don't know what others think but Nexus, Samsung and Apple is ending for me, Mipad (Xiaomi) is winning my heart.

This is good since the Nexus line isn't priced fairly world wide. A 16GB Nexus 5 cost like 550 USD in my country (Indonesia) and there's no 32GB version avaliable.
However, the Silver Line shouldn't just apply to high end phones, it should apply to all Android device if this project is to be fair.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

maidangisme said:
I don't know what others think but Nexus, Samsung and Apple is ending for me, Mipad (Xiaomi) is winning my heart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All MI products is taking my breath away with its awesome UI, price and hardware !

For now I'm not sure. Not all details about the silver platform are known. I wouldn't have a problem with GPE like devices sold as the Silver line. The downfall will come with the, probably, increased prices of the Silver devices. At least that would be a huge let down for me.
Hopefully companies as Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and Motorola can fill the gap for high performance devices with a attractive price tag.

RichJo86 said:
Hopefully companies as Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and Motorola can fill the gap for high performance devices with a attractive price tag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi already did : Phone -MI2 and MI3, up coming Mipad.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

AnyRom said:
Xiaomi already did : Phone -MI2 and MI3, up coming Mipad.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but if the devices are not in stock... hopefully they can find a way to keep up with the demand.
The Mi3 64GB is only recently in stock if I'm correct, only the 16GB version was sold it small batches.

My problem with this silver program is that price will surely not be nexus levels and I doubt these silver edition phones will have the freedom that nexuses have. Just like Dev editions.... most of which still have restrictions you don't see on a nexus. Example, flashing any bootloader you want, no matter what version.
So I'm not very excited about this potential new direction.
Also, it will split up the current nexus community over multiple devices.

I see silver as mostly good and I am hoping this could put pressure on OEMS to update their phones in a truly timely manner. If this happens I would jump right back on the note bandwagon. I mostly curse touchwiz but they did integrate TW very nicely with the note series...I miss my spen
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I doubt the line will change much, likely just a branding change to help morons who think the Droid phone is the benchmark android phone.

Some kind of new standards are needed because of new device types. Nexus was fine for Android, but now there are Chromecast, Thermostats, and who knows what is next. I think something new like Silver does not necessarily mean dropping Nexus style devices.
So far I'm pretty pleased with Google sponsored devices, both Nexus and Play Edition. I am interested in a tablet larger than Nexus 7 (2013) and I think a new Nexus-or-Play Edition phone on Verizon is needed too.
But, wait and see.:good:

Bob Smith42 said:
Some kind of new standards are needed because of new device types. Nexus was fine for Android, but now there are Chromecast, Thermostats, and who knows what is next. I think something new like Silver does not necessarily mean dropping Nexus style devices.
So far I'm pretty pleased with Google sponsored devices, both Nexus and Play Edition. I am interested in a tablet larger than Nexus 7 (2013) and I think a new Nexus-or-Play Edition phone on Verizon is needed too.
But, wait and see.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for most of us in Europe/ US , we usually take up contracts ! Like I can get an S5 with 2 year contract with free phone/calls/texts/Data for about £45 a month! Usually this is not a case for many others around the world, they have to pay in FULL which makes Nexus price more attractive than Play Editions!
Moreover, the price difference between Nexus and Play Edition is about 150-250 dollars which is a lot . . .

I want new a 10" tablet. Whether it's the silver program or final nexus tablet before silver program
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

Duffmantp said:
I want new a 10" tablet. Whether it's the silver program or final nexus tablet before silver program
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We might get one. It is rumoured in upcoming Google I/O 2014
Source phonearena
http://www.phonearena.com/news/You-...-showing-the-Nexus-10-not-the-Nexus-8_id56512
Update
phonearena edited the post and dismissed a new nexus 10.

Hnk1 said:
We might get one. It is rumoured in upcoming Google I/O 2014
Source phonearena
http://www.phonearena.com/news/You-...-showing-the-Nexus-10-not-the-Nexus-8_id56512
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They were talking about the old nexus 10 in the photo, not a new one.

madbat99 said:
They were talking about the old nexus 10 in the photo, not a new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers for the correction, there were so many rumours involving a Google nexus 8 and 10 that I'm still confused

I'm still hoping for a nexus 8. My niece would love my n7 2013 and a n8 would be the perfect excuse for me to pass it to her and get one.

ultramancool said:
I doubt the line will change much, likely just a branding change to help morons who think the Droid phone is the benchmark android phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same :/

Maybe not a very exciting answer, but where tech is concerned (and all the rumours that precede any new product) I am a "I'll wait and see" kind of guy. Also, I see no real reason to rush out and buy the latest and greatest all the time what I have is serving its purpose