Google Admits That Froyo Isn't Perfect For Tablet PCs
Don't tell Samsung and all the other companies who have Android-based
tablets on the docket, but Google isn't exactly sure that Android is
designed for use on tablet PCs. In fact, they're certain it's a
mismatch. Hugo Barra, Director of Products for Mobile at Google,
recently spoke on the issue of seeing Android pop up on
so many tablets, despite the fact that Android was built from the
ground-up for use on smartphones. Here's the quotes:
"Android is an open platform. We saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices running Android, so it already running on tablets. But the way Android Market works is it's not going to be available on devices that don't allow applications to run correctly. Which devices do, and which don't will be unit specific, but Froyo is not optimised for use on tablets. If you want Android market on that platform, the apps just wouldn't run, [Froyo] is just not designed for that form factor. We want to make sure that we're going to create a application distribution mechanism for the Android market, to ensure our users have right experience."
Wow. Pretty tough words. Of course, Google won't stop anyone from putting Android on a tablet, but if there's no Google support, there's no Android Market access. And without that, the viability of the device is in serious jeopardy. Augen's $99 tablet from earlier this year was panned for exactly that, and we kind of understand Google's stance. Shoehorning Android 2.2 onto large tablet devices may make Google look bad if the user experience is subpar. Rumors have it that Android 3.0 will be the first major instance of Android that is tailor made for tablets, but we're not there yet. Until then, expect a below-average performance from Froyo on tablets. Or so says Google.
"Android is an open platform. We saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices running Android, so it already running on tablets. But the way Android Market works is it's not going to be available on devices that don't allow applications to run correctly. Which devices do, and which don't will be unit specific, but Froyo is not optimised for use on tablets. If you want Android market on that platform, the apps just wouldn't run, [Froyo] is just not designed for that form factor. We want to make sure that we're going to create a application distribution mechanism for the Android market, to ensure our users have right experience."
Wow. Pretty tough words. Of course, Google won't stop anyone from putting Android on a tablet, but if there's no Google support, there's no Android Market access. And without that, the viability of the device is in serious jeopardy. Augen's $99 tablet from earlier this year was panned for exactly that, and we kind of understand Google's stance. Shoehorning Android 2.2 onto large tablet devices may make Google look bad if the user experience is subpar. Rumors have it that Android 3.0 will be the first major instance of Android that is tailor made for tablets, but we're not there yet. Until then, expect a below-average performance from Froyo on tablets. Or so says Google.
