Or are the googlies so used to being fleeced for endless new handsets that they’re past caring?

But that ICS4 delay on Transformer1 is driving me crazy, because they have no carrier addon to put in, so what is making it delay?? :X

Honeycomb is only for those who have tablets so, yeah.

1. Integrate a theme engine similar to what is provided with the AOSP although much cleaner. This would allow manufacturers to provide their own custom look for devices without messing with the underlying code. If they want to differentiate further, they can limit it to replacing factory apps like the dialer, gallery, camera, etc. If the app is not initially compatible with the newest version of android pushed out, the manufacturer can release the new build stock with their theme on top and update their apps to be compatible and replace the stock ones later either through the market or OTA. This would allow OS updates to continue to come from google while putting carrier and manufacturer customization only on the surface.

2. Google should push the chipset manufacturers to take responsibility for providing updated drivers in a timely manner similar to what they do for windows builds. Motorola recently came out and said that updates take a while since Kernels and drivers need to be adapted for the various chipset manufacturers not included in the original source code.

3. Cut out the carrier from the update process. The carriers state that they need to test devices on their network but this is simply not true. The reality is that they just need some time to test their crapware on the devices prior to pushing it out. Give carriers a hub in the market to push their wares and the carrier can use SMS or account notifications and bills to encourage their users to use these services. Uninstallable carrier apps are unacceptable and should not be permitted.

4. Integrate ChromeOS and android far deeper. Eventually, the idea would be that the UI for chromeOS would disappear and be relegated to the browser while the emerging webapp development tools would be integrated into the android SDK. The idea that native apps would eventually be phased out by cross platform web apps that behave on par or better than native ones. Google could use the native code program they have been working on for this.

5. Partners need to reduce the amount of devices that they are releasing which is already beginning to happen now. Each manufacturer needs to launch one annual hero device that is made from premium materials and always updated to the latest version of android. This would also eliminate issues like Motorola is dealing with where they have stated that some devices won’t get updated because there are just too many to support.

6. Android is evolving into an incredibly powerful OS. Google needs to increase the size of the android development team and set aside a group that is focused on creating a build of the software that is usable as a full scale desktop OS.

7. Improve google docs to the point where it can be considered a solid option to MS Office. Mobile apps are still sloppy in their editing functionality and people tend to lean towards third party options to get the job done. Also, Docs need to be simplified as the interface is fairly clunky and confusing for users.

Edit: Sorry just re-read the part about OEMs installing both before bootlocking.

I am the 1.12%

I am the 1.12%

I am the 1.12%

They release Jelly Bean, and a new version of Motorola Nexus handsets and tablets that anyone can purchase (they did it before with the Nexus G1)  Force the carrier’s hands– I just want to be able to buy a loose SIM and place it in the device! That way we’re free to use the devices how we want, whenever we want. 

The new Motorola Nexus devices should be REVOLUTIONARY designs that take advantage of the OS features– They already have a lapdock that turns the phone into a laptop.  Asus has a Transformer Prime that goes from tablet to netbook…  COMBINE THEM.  Handset -> Tablet -> Netbook.  In this way, one can “upgrade” as they need a new form factor.  Get the phone, then when you need a tablet for a bigger screen, get that accessory.  In this manner, you keep the one bill every month and gain functions.  Do this in the face of their manufacturing partners, and they’ll catch on quick! 

They release Jelly Bean, and a new version of Motorola Nexus handsets and tablets that anyone can purchase (they did it before with the Nexus G1)  Force the carrier’s hands– I just want to be able to buy a loose SIM and place it in the device! That way we’re free to use the devices how we want, whenever we want. 

The new Motorola Nexus devices should be REVOLUTIONARY designs that take advantage of the OS features– They already have a lapdock that turns the phone into a laptop.  Asus has a Transformer Prime that goes from tablet to netbook…  COMBINE THEM.  Handset -> Tablet -> Netbook.  In this way, one can “upgrade” as they need a new form factor.  Get the phone, then when you need a tablet for a bigger screen, get that accessory.  In this manner, you keep the one bill every month and gain functions.  Do this in the face of their manufacturing partners, and they’ll catch on quick! 

They release Jelly Bean, and a new version of Motorola Nexus handsets and tablets that anyone can purchase (they did it before with the Nexus G1)  Force the carrier’s hands– I just want to be able to buy a loose SIM and place it in the device! That way we’re free to use the devices how we want, whenever we want. 

The new Motorola Nexus devices should be REVOLUTIONARY designs that take advantage of the OS features– They already have a lapdock that turns the phone into a laptop.  Asus has a Transformer Prime that goes from tablet to netbook…  COMBINE THEM.  Handset -> Tablet -> Netbook.  In this way, one can “upgrade” as they need a new form factor.  Get the phone, then when you need a tablet for a bigger screen, get that accessory.  In this manner, you keep the one bill every month and gain functions.  Do this in the face of their manufacturing partners, and they’ll catch on quick! 

Android activations are still flying despite the problems its rivals keep highlighting and the media keep running with – at the end of the day, even the cheapest proper Android phone is basically a web browser, a social media portal and a sat-nav device.

People will keep buying them, even if they’ll hate them after a few months and wish they’d saved for something better, such is human nature.

What Google need to do is either demand the OEMs offer customers an escape route (be it unlocked bootloaders, recovery that doesn’t void warranty and/or full support for official Google-sourced ROMs) or take control and enforce things.  

Of course, the latter won’t happen without a) violating the Apache license and b) driving the already wary OEMs away.

Up until Gingerbread, Android Stock was a clusterfuck of competing design decisions, strange ‘*nix’ like interface paradigms and reactionary updates to competitors. The OEMs developed skins not just to differentiate their products but to tidy up the UX. *They* made Android a valid OS in the consumers eyes by presenting something that looked good on the surface and made the devices behave well.

Of course, everyone then realised they can’t just upgrade when the want, working instead to 2-3 middle men’s timescales/budgets.

Gingerbread’s main goal was to remove the need for skins by making the UX consistent.