[Everything Goes]

A new smaller iPhone possibly called the SE may be launched on Monday 21st March...

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/10/11...s-ipad-preview

http://9to5mac.com/2016/03/11/apple-...-new-hardware/

[Quackers]

Cannot wait. I much prefer iOS , got the iPhone 6 in Oct 2014 , but it is just too big to hold comfortable , and i have BIG HANDS. I miss the way the iPhone 5 felt in my hands. So i will be buying and selling my iPhone 6. So should not end up costing me much at all as my iPhone 6 will still sell for a decent amount.

[Everything Goes]

You should be able to stream the event at 5pm from the link below:

http://www.apple.com/uk/apple-events/

[Stereo Steve]

Sounds good to me. I find even big phones not much use for surfing etc. anyway so would definitely be interested in a smaller iPhone but with all the latest stuff on it.

[aurichie]

Yep it's going to be an amazing device for anyone who doesn't like the bigger form factors. I'm even thinking of buying one as a secondary more portable version of my 6s Plus.

[Aye Up]

Apple is making the same mistake the likes of Samsung and LG have done, the release phones under powered in a smaller form factor. If they are to release a new smaller variant why can't it have the 2GB of RAM the 6S has?

[Aye Up]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurichie

Yep it's going to be an amazing device for anyone who doesn't like the bigger form factors. I'm even thinking of buying one as a secondary more portable version of my 6s Plus.

Really? Amazing?

There has been nothing "AMAZING" about an iPhone or any other phone for quite sometime. All device makers are coasting, have been doing so for a number of years.

There will be nothing amazing about a new smaller iPhone that will essentially be a rehash of an older product.

I had an S6 Edge, the screen is novel, thats it, I have the successor S7 without the Edge, it is not amazing, it just improves over the last.

That is what Apple is like, the company is bereft of innovation, it has become lazy, fat and stupid. Whilst the shape of an iPhone may chance, its general function doesn't evolve. The same has happened to the likes of Samsung and LG, its an industry wide problem which won't abate anytime soon.

[Gigabit]

I think LG's G5 is the first look into the future of smartphones.

[aurichie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabit

I think LG's G5 is the first look into the future of smartphones.

Nope.

It'll be the iPhone 7 that shapes the next generation of android smartphones.

[Everything Goes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurichie

Nope.

It'll be the iPhone 7 that shapes the next generation of android smartphones.

I think you will find Android shapes what Apple do and gets feature long before Apple allow it

http://www.greenbot.com/article/2877...efore-ios.html

[aurichie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

I think you will find Android shapes what Apple do and gets feature long before Apple allow it

http://www.greenbot.com/article/2877...efore-ios.html

Nice list. OTA updates a very nice Android first feature, it's just a pity how infrequently it is used to push any actual updates out to Android devices.

What is amazing i have an old iPhone 4S here that will be getting the latest and greatest iOS 9.3 update on the day it is released later this month. iPhone 4s was launched in October of 2011.

And the same applies to an old iPad 2 that was released in March 2011. It too will be getting iOS 9.3 on the same day as the latest and greatest iPad devices.

[Aye Up]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurichie

Nice list. OTA updates a very nice Android first feature, it's just a pity how infrequently it is used to push any actual updates out to Android devices.

What is amazing i have an old iPhone 4S here that will be getting the latest and greatest iOS 9.3 update on the day it is released later this month. iPhone 4s was launched in October of 2011.

And the same applies to an old iPad 2 that was released in March 2011. It too will be getting iOS 9.3 on the same day as the latest and greatest iPad devices.

Android is the Windows 7/8/8.1/10 of the Mobile world. Just like on the desktop, not all manchines/devices get updated to the latest OS, many couldn't run it well.

Apple has the luxury of only needing to optimise iOS for a handful of devices comparatively, where as Google does it with hundred if not thousands of devices in mind.

A bit of food for thought, Google through Android has been trying to tacklew fragmentation, admittedly not successfully. However born out of that have been 3 projects, "Svelte", "Volta" and "Doze. They have improved the experience of Android devices new and old.

iOS doesn't run well on older hardware, especially past 1 generation.

[1manonthebog]

I ditched my 5c last year moving to the iPhone 6, at first I thought I was a bit big but got used to it, yesterday I was using my wifes 5S and I don't think I could go back, because of the resolution the icons etc just seem squashed together.

[JasonWatkins]

I can't see me going back from my 6s, especially since i've got 128gb, but I'll certainly have a look at this new model.

Even though sometimes it does get a bit fiddly if you're trying to use the phone one handed, i'm so used to it now I don't think i'd change.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye Up

If they are to release a new smaller variant why can't it have the 2GB of RAM the 6S has?

It might - won't know until Monday night.

[D_S7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye Up

If they are to release a new smaller variant why can't it have the 2GB of RAM the 6S has?

Who says it won't? The iPad Mini 4 got 2GB ram even though it's the smaller variant of the iPad Air.

I think it's more likely to have 2GB than not.

[jonmorris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye Up

Android is the Windows 7/8/8.1/10 of the Mobile world. Just like on the desktop, not all manchines/devices get updated to the latest OS, many couldn't run it well.

Apple has the luxury of only needing to optimise iOS for a handful of devices comparatively, where as Google does it with hundred if not thousands of devices in mind.

A bit of food for thought, Google through Android has been trying to tacklew fragmentation, admittedly not successfully. However born out of that have been 3 projects, "Svelte", "Volta" and "Doze. They have improved the experience of Android devices new and old.

I think the best like-for-like comparison to an iPhone is a Google Nexus device. It gets the regular support and older models are supported for much longer.

You then have the others, like Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony and so on. Google has for some time improved things so manufacturers can roll out updates a lot quicker than before, but not all actually take advantage. I mean, Android N is now out for testing and manufacturers can and should be looking at it so they can be prepared to launch around the same time the final version will go out to Nexus owners later in the summer.

Will they? Well, who knows given the varying track records of every company - some of whom seem to favour some models over others, and that doesn't even mean the most popular/newest models either.

Joe Public gets an incredible level of choice on the hardware side, but with all the same apps to choose from. Seems okay to me, especially when a lot of people aren't that fussed about the OS (and Play Services and other updates mean an older version of the OS isn't quite as big a deal as it was before).

But when people attack the fragmentation as away of attacking Android, if it's such a big deal you'd buy a Nexus phone and have done with.

[The Lord Lucan]

It will likely have 2GB going by talk on the developers forum, for obvious reasons.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

But when people attack the fragmentation as away of attacking Android, if it's such a big deal you'd buy a Nexus phone and have done with.

Nexus sales are tiny percentage - really aimed at developers - thus the rumours of a "Google phone".
Enough corporates are worried about the Android model and lack of updates, and how safe the corporate data is.

[jonmorris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

Nexus sales are tiny percentage - really aimed at developers - thus the rumours of a "Google phone".
Enough corporates are worried about the Android model and lack of updates, and how safe the corporate data is.

They've moved on some way since being for devs only, but clearly sales are still tiny due to little advertising and the fact Samsung spend a fortune on marketing.

But a Nexus is still the best direct competitor. I didn't say people would buy one though. Yet, I am sure if more did they'd be able to stop moaning about lack of updates.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

But a Nexus is still the best direct competitor. I didn't say people would buy one though. Yet, I am sure if more did they'd be able to stop moaning about lack of updates.

Lots of people see Android as the cheaper alternative to an iPhone, this hurts both Samsung and Nexus products - which are top end handsets. As I've posted before the Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 6s/6sPlus are very similarly priced. Only the high end products you've reported on before, Huawei / Honor range start to kick the price downwards.

The people who suffer from lack of updates are those who, in some respects, are likely to need the updates. Those who buy the cheaper entry level models - the Moto G equivalents. None of these are getting the monthly patching that Nexus gets; this is where the Android model is broken.

Internet security is a constant battle, and regular updates (monthly, or quarterly) Is essential. Our pocket computers often have more personal data on than our laptops/desktop which we patch regularly (Windows monthly, Apple as required, Linux sometimes, but often monthly)..

[Stereo Steve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

Lots of people see Android as the cheaper alternative to an iPhone, this hurts both Samsung and Nexus products - which are top end handsets. As I've posted before the Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 6s/6sPlus are very similarly priced. Only the high end products you've reported on before, Huawei / Honor range start to kick the price downwards.

The people who suffer from lack of updates are those who, in some respects, are likely to need the updates. Those who buy the cheaper entry level models - the Moto G equivalents. None of these are getting the monthly patching that Nexus gets; this is where the Android model is broken.

Internet security is a constant battle, and regular updates (monthly, or quarterly) Is essential. Our pocket computers often have more personal data on than our laptops/desktop which we patch regularly (Windows monthly, Apple as required, Linux sometimes, but often monthly)..

Perhaps that's the issue. Maybe Google should only allow the seriously major companies to put crap all over Android. Like Samsung, LG etc. All these cheap phones floating around (like mine) are polluting the OS and leading to a lack of control. It should be the case that Samsung or whoever should get their 'improvements' such as Touchmywhizz approved by Google first.

Half the time I don't know where my ZTE is going. It develops a mind of it's own and starts flashing up ads for this and that. No idea which app is doing it or if it's an evil plot from ZTE themselves.

Let me tell you, when you set your alarm for 4.30am to get up and watch the Aussie GP and you can't immediately turn it off because your phone is advertising holidays with some obscure message that you have to swipe to accept and you are barely awake, suspecting it's a scam and you can't turn the alarm off, your missus will suggest you get an iPhone. I speak from very recent experience. Like this morning.

[jonmorris]

It's a shame Lenovo didn't continue to support Motorola devices as they said. For a while these were bordering on Nexus quality, at a ridiculously low price.

Huawei has disappointed too, with my P8 still not having Marshmallow and my Honor 7 only having a second beta, which is still buggy.

In two weeks or so I'll see the P9 and that may well come with Marshmallow (bloody better!) and apparently less OTT skinning, but Android N isn't that far away now. Certainly the P9 won't likely get it until the end of the year.

Now it isn't the end of the world to everyone. Perhaps even the security patches aren't vital as most threats may be real but somewhat unlikely for most. But it is annoying and one reason why even if I swap and change phones regularly, I'm likely to always have a Nexus or two also.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Now it isn't the end of the world to everyone. Perhaps even the security patches aren't vital as most threats may be real but somewhat unlikely for most. But it is annoying and one reason why even if I swap and change phones regularly, I'm likely to always have a Nexus or two also.

Its all down to the money; forget politics, forget "which is best" just look at where the money comes from.

No income for vendors once they've sold the phone. So much on Google Play is advertising supported; and even on paid for apps nothing goes to the hardware vendor, it goes to Google and the app creator.

So no wonder hardware manufacturers don't have any interest in updating phones they've sold. They're essentially "abandoned". Unless they are sold for high enough a price that they carry their own support for ~2 years (e.g. the Samsung Galaxy's).

On Apple, the 33% cut that Apple gets from every app store sale goes back to Apple, and they can invest this in new products.

[Aye Up]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

I think the best like-for-like comparison to an iPhone is a Google Nexus device. It gets the regular support and older models are supported for much longer.

You then have the others, like Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony and so on. Google has for some time improved things so manufacturers can roll out updates a lot quicker than before, but not all actually take advantage. I mean, Android N is now out for testing and manufacturers can and should be looking at it so they can be prepared to launch around the same time the final version will go out to Nexus owners later in the summer.

Will they? Well, who knows given the varying track records of every company - some of whom seem to favour some models over others, and that doesn't even mean the most popular/newest models either.

Joe Public gets an incredible level of choice on the hardware side, but with all the same apps to choose from. Seems okay to me, especially when a lot of people aren't that fussed about the OS (and Play Services and other updates mean an older version of the OS isn't quite as big a deal as it was before).

But when people attack the fragmentation as away of attacking Android, if it's such a big deal you'd buy a Nexus phone and have done with.

On the one hand I would agree, however Android has been developing in such a way that the version number or OS name doesn't seem to matter to the everyday user, of course that is no excuse for manufacturer bone idleness. The everyday user doesn't really care, in fact probably don't even know what version they are on, my parents who are admittedly luddites don't realise their phones have 5.1.1 Lollipop.

In the grand scheme of things I agree the only things people care most about are the apps, by and large they are equal across both Android and iOS. As long as someone can get their social media fix on Facebook or Snapchat for example, jobs a goodun.

Google's Nexus range has always been the poster child for all things Android, yet still they don't sell by the bucket load compared to well known brands. Some websites have been studying the code underneath Android N, there are heavy suggestions Google is going to split the launcher/UI from Android itself. It could possibly allow the actual OS underneath could be updated directly by Google, were as the maufacturer only has to concentrate on the UI updates. I haven't been saying for quite some time that Google is moving Android to a more modular setup, something which will overcome frangmentation.

The manufacturers aren't completely to blame here, much of this rests at the door of Google, had to stuck to its commitments as part of the Open Handset Alliance it setup with partners, they wouldn't be in the shit they are now.

Back to the original topic, Apple only has to worry about a handful of devices, however they do optimise them extremely well. Apple can control the overall experience, Google can't and it is learning the hard way.