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Lenovo Switches To Stock Android For All Future Smartphones (ndtv.com)

Posted by msmash on from the going-to-basics dept.

Lenovo is canning its Vibe Pure UI Android skin in favor of the stock version of Google's mobile OS for its future smartphones, starting with the upcoming K8 Note, according to an interview from Gadgets 360 with Anuj Sharma, Lenovo India's head of marketing. From a report: Lenovo has confirmed that going forward, it will be abandoning its Vibe Pure UI Android customisation which ran on top of its recent Android smartphones in almost all markets. "What we have done in last 11 months is we looked at what we had in terms of software perspective. We have been close to the consumers and we saw what they were asking for. There was a certain trend and we have now decided to cut the Vibe Pure UI off from our phones. So you will now get the stock Android which consumers have been asking for," Sharma told Gadgets 360.

80 comments

  1. Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Lenovo sees profits in Android shrinking, cuts costs.

    1. Re: Translation by TheMeuge · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I actually think this is one area where they listened to their customers AND were able to cut costs. Why did they spend money to alter the interface a la Samsung and wind up with an non-updatable mess. Samsung does it to fuck the customer into upgrades.

    2. Re: Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't need a new phone yet, but will remember this the next time I need one. Had a Nexus 5 previously, which I loved. Pixel seemed way overpriced, went with the reduced LG G5 as the G6 was about to launch. Forgot about the extra crap that comes with it. Vanilla android is the best android.

    3. Re:Translation by kelemvor4 · · Score: 1

      Lenovo sees profits in Android shrinking, cuts costs.

      Maybe, but many of us who use android hate the customizations done by handset manufacturers. It's why so many people went to the trouble of installing 3rd party operating systems. I can't adequately explain my disdain for the bixby virus that I've got on my Galaxy S8+. I guess that's my bad for not doing research before buying an upgrade this year.

      Honestly I had no idea lenovo made cell phones. Now that I know they're making them with stock android they will definitely be on my list to check out before my upgrade next year.

    4. Re:Translation by Bert64 · · Score: 1

      They may have the stock android ui, but do they use the stock android kernel?
      You may find that they still require closed source drivers, and thus cannot be upgraded.

      Also as bad as manufacturer versions of android are, the carrier versions are even worse...

      --
      http://spamdecoy.net - free throwaway anonymous email - avoid spam!
    5. Re:Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They may use the stock android UI, but my biggest hate is the crapware that's preloaded. Will they still include crapware I don't want? Most likely.

    6. Re: Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Listened to customers my foot.

      Android manufacturers can't differentiate themselves on hardware. The hardware and the suppliers are the same for everyone, and the market is absolutely saturated with every possible combination of hardware features at the top, bottom and everything in between range. Gimmicks like iris readers and fingerprint scanners don't seduce customers.

      The only place where they can actually differentiate is software. Samsung leads the pack here with custom software left and right. Lo and behold, they are the top Android manufacturer.

      Lenovo adopting a stock Android basically signals a surrender. They realised that their software is crap, and since they can't compete on hardware because the market is saturated, they dropped the software customizations to try to recoup some losses.

      In 2 years, Lenovo's Android division will be gone.

    7. Re:Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > but do they use the stock android kernel?
      by "stock android kernel", you mean the goldfish kernel?

    8. Re: Translation by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      Lenovo isn't Apple or Samsung. The two brands that they are most well known for are the Yoga, and the ThinkPad.

      The ThinkPad brand is more known for quality vs Innovation (Being true or not is open to interpretation). While the Yoga was an innovative design, we havn't seen much more from Lenovo other than basic upgrade to it.

      For Lenovo phones, people are not going to be showing off their fancy lenovo phone, but use them in a more piratical purpose. So it makes sense to use generic Android, because people are not flocking towards Lenovo Phone for the Lenovo software.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    9. Re: Translation by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 5, Insightful

      >Android manufacturers can't differentiate themselves on hardware.

      Yes they can.

      Sim slots : More is better.
      Externally accessible storage slot : Have one or more.
      Headphone Jack : I hear they are popular among people with ears.
      Replaceable batteries : This is a no brainer.
      Bigger battery options : This is also a no brainer.
      Hardware credentials : MFA sucks without it.
      USB-C with full support for the power delivery specification : It's past time.
      Physical isolation for dual personalities (like for access to a work network).
      Stock Android is a good feature too, why don't more do it?

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    10. Re: Translation by Anne+Thwacks · · Score: 1
      A fight to the bottom in software quality is not going to differentiate them in a good way. At least "standard" is not worse than standard.

      How about customer service?

      Or the could give us

      • Removable standardised size batteries
      • 3.5mm Headphone jacks
      • SD card slots - preferably at least two
      • USB with OTG using a connector at least two other manufacturers use
      • A promise to release the hardware interface details as soon as they stop supporting the device themselves.
      • Decent sound quality and volume
      • Waterproof (well drip resistant, anyway)

      I am not holding my breath.

      --
      Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
    11. Re:Translation by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      far more likely, they want a secured system, just like their customers want.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    12. Re: Translation by hazem · · Score: 2

      Is there a manufacturer who does this list of things? I would really like the phone you just described.

    13. Re: Translation by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Besides, why would Android phone makers need to apply their own 'skins' to the phones? That's reminiscent of the Windows 3.1 days when companies like Compaq and HP would insert their own UI utilities to beautify Windows, w/ things like HP's Dashboard. Android's UI - at least the one in Lollipop - is pretty good: not sure what the newer ones in 6 & 7 look like.

      The best thing that phone makers can do is ensure that their storage is nothing less than 64GB: that ought to be the minimum. After that, have whatever features you want or don't want in a phone - be it camera, removable storage or whatever.

    14. Re: Translation by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Nope. Lenovo had the closest with multiple sim support and replaceable batteries.

      My iPhone 7+ has been bad enough that my next phone will be an android. The headphone thing was bad. Disabling my 3rd party headphone+charge adapter when I was travelling was the last straw.

      If anyone does a phone into which I can pop a couple of 18650s, I'll buy it.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    15. Re: Translation by butchersong · · Score: 1

      I really like Samsung hardware but I refuse to buy a Samsung phone due to the software and I have no interest in messing around with rooting and custom firmwares anymore. Samsung with stock Android would be awesome.

    16. Re:Translation by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I got the Motorola Moto G4 plus (made by lenovo) and it isn't filled with the crapware you find on so many damn phones. There are 2 Motorola apps, and their camera app. the moto apps are small and you can turn them both off and not affect functionality unless you really want to use Motorola's gimmick gestures. Other than that it is a clean android install. I dropped open camera on it as well and disabled the stock camera as the options and modes in open camera are better.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    17. Re: Translation by Garabito · · Score: 1

      Replaceable batteries : This is a no brainer.

      And yet, big Android manufacturers are going the Apple way on this one. First Samsung, now LG. It seems like customers don't really care.

    18. Re: Translation by J.+T.+MacLeod · · Score: 1

      It is very hard to differentiate a phone based on hardware, but Samsung does it. They certainly aren't selling phones based on the strengths of their software.

      But their interface is indeed different. As far as software is concerned, the difference between Lenovo and Samsung is that Samsung hasn't been forced to admit that their software is crap. Maybe it's deeper pockets, maybe it's managerial tenacity, or maybe they are serious about maintaining a a unique interface they can use to maintain continuity in case they decide to lose Android and jump to Tizen. (All of the above, really.)

      And in the meantime, most people that have an opinion about the software on their phone actively dislike what Samsung does.

    19. Re: Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly. Most people want facebook, but I don't. So why can't I delete it irrevocably?

      I don't need ability to 'factory reset'. If I join facebook later, I can get the app from google play or the manufacturer.

    20. Re: Translation by Alok · · Score: 2

      Headphone Jack : I hear they are popular among people with ears.

      You could've gone for Funny, but it had to get drowned out in a useful post :-)

    21. Re: Translation by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Samsung does it to fuck the customer into upgrades.

      Poppycock. The smartphone is an area where differentiation is incredibly difficult. They do it to create a brand identity independent of Google as well as add features that aren't present in the default Android system (though they do work their way in eventually).

      This is also nothing to do with Samsung since nearly every major manufacturer applies a lot of customization to their phone. Samsung even for several years offered 2 variants of their phones with a Google play edition with stock Android on it .... which few people bought.

      You don't need to put a lot of effort into customisation to lock a customer into upgrades. Every vendor has custom hardware already, simply not making a distribution available is enough due to a lack of hardware drivers.

    22. Re: Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Samsung is winning on price and brand recognition. Given a choice, I always buy Samsung for any product, but I always end up loading a custom ROM to get rid of their phone bloat.

    23. Re: Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Flash is expensive or simply lacks production capacity. This'd be exabytes every year.

      I will choose the 16GB phone over the 64GB phone, unless the 64GB phone allows to e.g. run an entire linux or other desktop OS in a VM or chroot, or other astrophysics. And then I'd need 4GB RAM, but I want a low end SoC, 720p IPS and 5 or 8 megapixels not expensive stuff.

      Tho, 32GB might be a good compromise, or 16GB if you can delete gmail, failbook etc.
      Lots of 1GB RAM / 8GB flash hardware on the market currently (with 720 5" IPS, which is impressive but that's me being a luddite)

      In the end though I like not having to care. Why would I want Internet on a phone? I'm not James Bond.

    24. Re: Translation by unixisc · · Score: 1

      As someone who worked previously in the Flash memory industry, I can tell you that is patently false. Flash memory companies, like others, are always looking to increase sales, and have capacity capable of addressing that. More often than not, they use the same fabs as DRAM fabs, so that utilization remains high. If production capacity hadn't existed, flash would not have created the SSD market. Besides, have you seen the prices on 64GB USB sticks? In a phone, you are talking about just the flash & controller.

      The issue is not just whether one can delete apps. Assuming that a phone has an SD card slot that can take, say, 128GB, songs, photos & videos more often than not go into that. But if one uses apps like WhatsApp, that data can't go to an SD card. So if one is in the habit of messaging, after a while, either the storage will fill, or one will have to start deleting messages. I know a number of people - including myself - who don't wanna do that. With a 64GB storage, it'll at least take a while.

      Reasons for 'Internet on a phone'? I can think of a few - VOIP, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Maps, Lyft, (Your banking app),... You could say you simply go to your bank, which I do as well. However, there are some banks like E*TRADE bank that have only 1 branch, and so a phone app would be the only way to directly deposit a check there.

    25. Re: Translation by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Replaceable batteries : This is a no brainer.

      And yet, big Android manufacturers are going the Apple way on this one. First Samsung, now LG. It seems like customers don't really care.

      I think it's more like customers will put up with quite a lot of crap in order to have an otherwise top end phone. Choosing devices that have these utility features seems to always be a compromise on some other vector, like the software or CPU or storage or screen or radio or something else. I am no exception with my iPhone 7+, but the headphone and adapter situation means my next phone will be an Android. I went from a long line of Android phones to the iPhone 6S+ just to see what it's like on the other side - it was fine until they pulled the headphone stunt.

      This is central to my thesis that vendors can indeed differentiate themselves on features if they put their minds to it. There's lots of room for improvement.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
  2. That's the way to do it by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    Customizations can be downloaded separately.

    Any of their phones have removable batteries?

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    1. Re:That's the way to do it by EvilSS · · Score: 5, Funny

      Customizations can be downloaded separately.

      Any of their phones have removable batteries?

      All phones have removable batteries, they just vary on the effort required to remove them.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    2. Re:That's the way to do it by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 2

      My Lenovo has a removable battery and two sim sockets. I use it for travel in Asia. The UI is horribly messed up though. They are right to dump their stupid bloatware.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    3. Re:That's the way to do it by c · · Score: 1

      All phones have removable batteries

      I think there's a tipping point where the process is more like removing the phone from the battery than the battery from the phone...

      --
      Log in or piss off.
  3. about time! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I wish more android manufactures would do this. I want great hardware with stock android! This should also allow them to keep their devices updated faster and easier.

    1. Re:about time! by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      Android was suppose to be Windows for the Mobile. Where the OS and the software are more or less the same on every device. In essence an Android phone is the equivalent of the PC White Box of the lat 1990's.
      However device manufactures, are trying to be the next Apple. However there is already an Apple, and they are trying to avoid on being the next Compaq->Gateway2000->Dell. Where they may get a boost then drop off the radar.

       

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. Better idea: open the source by emil · · Score: 1

    Why let a product die? Put your "Vibe Pure" on Github, and let F-Droid package it for you.

  5. Stock LineageOS by Artem+S.+Tashkinov · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I'd be glad if they switched to LineageOS or even became a patron to this Android fork.

    Pure Android (even version 8.0) is still very limited.

    1. Re:Stock LineageOS by F.Ultra · · Score: 2

      Limited? So you cannot call, text and install apps?

    2. Re:Stock LineageOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Weird I'm doing all that on Lineage through hangouts (too bad they're removing SMS and calling soon!). No experience of doing that through a SIM + carrier so I can't speak to that.

      Apparently I installed hangouts and a bunch of other apps so that seems possible too

  6. Who knew... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Lenovo made smartphones?

  7. This is one of Lenovo's smarter moves by ITRambo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's about time. I wish all smartphones stopped adding bloat, but made their UI options available for download for anyone that preferred them.

  8. Such wasted effort and time investment by m0gely · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've never understood the time and resource investment made into duplicate functionality. If it was an improvement over stock it could be understandable, but most of the time it seems at best the no compelling change, just different, and often worse. Does less in some important way, or looks/functions amature like. I already have a firewall. I already have a calendar, email app, photo manager, diaper, whatever. These companies spend millions over time reinventing the wheel. People just download the gmail app anyway. Don't use their sync, use ours! Sheesh.

    1. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by JohnFen · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I suspect that manufacturers consider this a part of branding. They want something that sets their phones apart from other Android phones, and the most visible differentiator is a different UI.

    2. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by queazocotal · · Score: 2

      A large concern is if you do anything Google doesn't like, they can refuse to licence you the 'premium' apps.
      Meaning, your new phone doesn't have the google apps your users actually demand.
      This means, that if you don't have a set of fallback apps, negotiations with google are really problematic.

      https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/ - related.(it's got worse since 2013)

    3. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by OneSmartFellow · · Score: 1

      Branding is totally unnecessary when you produce a superior product.

    4. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by StormReaver · · Score: 2

      I suspect that manufacturers consider this a part of branding.

      Undoubtedly. However, nobody buys a Lenovo phone for the custom user interface. We want the hardware and a stock, unlocked Android.

    5. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by OldMugwump · · Score: 1

      Yes, but they were spending money to SUBTRACT value from their products. The "differentiation" was that their phones were worse the those running stock Android. It feels so good when you stop banging your own head against the wall.

      --
      "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
    6. Re: Such wasted effort and time investment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No the most differentiating feature is in the looks. Quadratic or circular screen? A hw button for answering the phone, like so many wants? A camera where the flash led isnt right next to the lens, but farther away?

      Lots og low hanging fruit, but no. All have the same rectangular shape, no extra buttons and the same idiotic camera arrangement. ALL.

    7. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      but most of the time it seems at best the no compelling change

      Most of the time you're not looking at the features they added. Fingerprint support ... yeah part of default Android right? Except my phone has a fingerprint reader too and it's old enough that it isn't even upgradable to the first version of Android that had fingerprint support.

      If you dig into the OS you'll find more than just a custom skin, but rather a very different OS with customization across all levels for everything from features of the hardware, software features that add support for more hardware features, differentiating features like support for multiple screens, casting, split screen, NFC transfer of settings at upgrades, etc.

      If a feature was added to Android, there's a good chance Google copied the idea of someone who had done it previously on their custom Android.

      These companies spend millions over time reinventing the wheel

      Yeah I know. Why do we even have Linux. Everyone should just use Windows.

      People just download the gmail app anyway

      WTF? Why? It's a horrible email client. I'll stick with the one that was shipped thanks. Same with the Photo manager. I'm happy that it stops trying to get me to sync with Google+ / Picassa / whatever the fuck they are doing now. Not using the Android / Google supplied software is not always a bad thing.

      No choice and less developers would be a bad thing.

    8. Re:Such wasted effort and time investment by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      What is a superior product? Hardware that can't be used because Android support for it is not available?

      The software is part of their product and a lot of devices have advertised and differentiating features in their custom Android builds.

  9. In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Lenovo makes Android SmartPhones!

  10. More China Crap Coming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Blue and now you. Did not know Lenova made a phone.

  11. Good by p51d007 · · Score: 1

    If feedback from their customers says they want a stock UI, then it's just good business sense to give your customers what they want. Also, they should offer their own UI, IF THE CUSTOMER wants to install it. I wish more vendors would do this, but, bloat is what they want to "enhance your user experience" ie: piss you off.

  12. Wish LG and Samsung would follow by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

    Samsung's is slightly better at least but all the options are rearranged, renamed, or even missing altogether. LG phones even have annoying default apps that wake your phone screen to notify you, no way to disable, draining the battery all day and causing inadvertent button presses when in your bag or pocket.

    I switch to Lineage on my devices but others are afraid it will screw up their carrier access or are worried of voiding warranty, I feel bad about what they have to put up with. Guess I'll be pointing them to Lenovo phones now.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
    1. Re:Wish LG and Samsung would follow by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I switch to Lineage on my devices but others are afraid it will screw up their carrier access or are worried of voiding warranty, I feel bad about what they have to put up with. Guess I'll be pointing them to Lenovo phones now.

      Motorola also ships stock Android, plus a couple of bundled apps. At least, that's how my Moto G 2nd came, it's been a while since I bought a new phone. The bundled apps are actually potentially useful, although you can get better apps which do the same things.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:Wish LG and Samsung would follow by lactose99 · · Score: 2

      They still do the same. My MotoG3 and MotoG5Plus are both the same way, stock Android with a few Moto apps (the FM radio is definitely a keeper).

      --
      Fully licensed blockchain psychiatrist
    3. Re:Wish LG and Samsung would follow by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      Now Motorola is a Lenovo company. I have the Moto G4 plus and it came with stock android.

      --
      Time to offend someone
  13. Don't worry! by dtandersen · · Score: 1

    They will still fill the phone with crapware.

    1. Re:Don't worry! by Parker+Lewis · · Score: 1

      To be honest, I got a Moto G (I think it's the 4th generation) for my wife and it was surprisingly lean. Not even a "standard" photo viewer program (it has Google Photos). Very fast. No single one crapware.

    2. Re:Don't worry! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got a G5 plus recently, and there is zero crapware on it.

      (It also uses Google Photos for the photo viewer == really annoying that you have to switch to another app to see the picture you just took.)

  14. Good choice! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I didn't even know Lenovo made phones! But if they are willing to sell stock Android without bloat, they are now fairly high as my next possible phone manufacturer. Getting fed up with Samsung trying to turn my phone into an advertising device.

    1. Re:Good choice! by lactose99 · · Score: 1

      Moto has been doing this for a while now... interestingly they are now owned by Lenovo.

      --
      Fully licensed blockchain psychiatrist
  15. IF This Results in Faster Updates, then GREAT! by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    So, even as an iPhone user with no dog in this fight, I think this will be a very good thing for their customers, IF it results in Lenovo phones actually getting Updates and Security Patches in a timely manner.

    However, now Lenovo has to convince whatever Carriers they are in a devil's bargain with to follow suit, and keep from slathering on THEIR bullshit on top of that pristine Android build, and ruining one of the greatest advantages of Lenovo's sudden outbreak of common sense.

  16. Please tell Samsung by bradley13 · · Score: 1

    I wish Samsung would get this message as well. They make great phones, but they then load the phones with their crappy software. Just not worth the price. Give me stock Android, and let me install my own customizations.

    Frankly, I wish Google would get this message too. I also don't want most of the (uninstallable) Google apps.

    --
    Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.
  17. what are you taling about by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    All phones have removable batteries, they just vary on the effort required to remove them.

    no, my desk phone has no batteries of any sort, removable or not

    how much effort is required to remove something that doesn't exist?

    perhaps you should try to be precise, when you are castigating others for their lack of precision

    1. Re:what are you taling about by EvilSS · · Score: 1

      All phones have removable batteries, they just vary on the effort required to remove them.

      no, my desk phone has no batteries of any sort, removable or not

      how much effort is required to remove something that doesn't exist?

      perhaps you should try to be precise, when you are castigating others for their lack of precision

      Yes it does. Just keep following that wire out the back you will eventually find a battery along the way.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
  18. "ThinkPad" brand riding on IBM legacy ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ThinkPad brand is more known for quality

    Mainly due to its IBM heritage. Lenovo is maintaining that reputation, it did not build that reputation. Such maintenance is real work and their success in this regard is to be commended, but lets not confuse maintenance with build such a reputation. Building it is far more difficult.

    1. Re:"ThinkPad" brand riding on IBM legacy ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One of my colleagues at work recently was looking forward to getting a new Thinkpad, due to previous positive experiences. When he got it, he described the quality as 'crap'.

      Are they *really* still as good now as when IBM built them?

    2. Re: "ThinkPad" brand riding on IBM legacy ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got a Lenovo ThinkPad e570. Build quality is a little lacking but for the specs, it was really cheap. I hear the "better models" (t570?) are higher quality but also much more expensive.

    3. Re:"ThinkPad" brand riding on IBM legacy ... by toddestan · · Score: 1

      I would say they are not as good. Sad thing is they still manage to be some of the best new laptops you can buy. Lenovo could have done much worse of course, but pretty much all they really needed to do is take the IBM designs they initially had, and keep updating the internals. There really wasn't much of a reason to screw around with the keyboards or the other changes they have made.

      I'm hoping the rumored ThinkPad "retro" that is supposedly out in a few months is a step in the right direction.

    4. Re: "ThinkPad" brand riding on IBM legacy ... by toddestan · · Score: 1

      The E-series is basically one of Lenovo's non-Thinkpad computers with a different case and rebranded as a Thinkpad. It's not a terrible machine, but the T-series is a bit better built.

  19. "Stock" is not Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Stock" is the AOSP open source version. What they're calling "stock" is actually the Google modified proprietary version. With that said, the Google version does work way better than the open-source shit. Probably because that's what manufacturers test against.

  20. Android customization by unixisc · · Score: 1

    Fully agree. Also, it's high time they allow us to remove any of the apps on a device. Like on my Verizon Ellipsis, I can't use that as a phone or to receive messages, so why not let me delete the messaging apps that are there? The primary storage on the device is already a mere 16GB, and the OS occupies something like 70% of it already. And this is w/ Android 5, not 6 or 7, so I can't make my 128GB SD card the primary storage. So allow us to remove any apps - and anything that's a part of the OS itself, don't make it an app (embed it in Settings).

  21. Now they can concentrate on hardware by Hydrian · · Score: 1

    Good, let Google and the opensource community make a UI. Most hardware manufactures do a crap job at it. Now lets actually have some hardware differentiation. Many of these things came from @TechyImmigrant

    Physical isolation for dual personalities / dual boot or maybe some hypervisor situation (like for access to a work network).
        Isolated dedicated external storage slot per profile
        Isolated dedicated SIM slot per profile
    User Replaceable batteries and placed where 3rd party options are available
    USB-C with full support for the power delivery specification. Most phones really need fast charging. USB-C is the way to get the voltages you need in an standardized way.
    An device (phone) with a physical keyboard built in
    Have an rugged device choice with a better IPS rates at the removable of audio jacks, external storage, and removable battery.

    --
    No good deed goes unpunished.
  22. Nexus... by XSportSeeker · · Score: 1

    So, there's where Nexus is going... I hope it's trully vanilla Android with updates directly from Google, not locking down the whole thing.
    Because you know, Lenovo has already borked several of their own laptops while trying to surreptiously install spyware and adware even in their own firmware, so I'm still suspicious of the company.
    But if it ends up being stock Android, it might be my next phone. Is it only Lenovo though, or they are doing this for Moto phones? Because that'd be great.

    1. Re:Nexus... by hackel · · Score: 1

      Good question. I didn't even realise it was Lenovo that bought Motorola Mobility from Google. I'm confused how this announcement means in light of this statement from Wikipedia: "In November 2016, it was announced that Lenovo would stop releasing smartphones under its own name and the Vibe brand, and that all future smartphones would only carry the "Moto" brand and the Motorola logo."

  23. Bravo, Lenovo by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 1

    My next phone might end up being a Lenovo.

  24. With all the sweets involved by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... Like kit-kat and marshmallow, it's no wonder the Android is getting stocky.

  25. Brilliant move by hackel · · Score: 1

    This is great news. Now, if only they put all of the money they were originally spending on their proprietary platform into contributing to AOSP, and make sure that their phones can NEVER be OEM locked in any way, they will get my business.

  26. ...and software too: by emil · · Score: 1

    A responsible Android OS vendor should:

    Provide five years minimum patch support, just like commercial Linux
    Supply an add-on browser based on Firefox Focus (or the Privacy Browser in F-Droid)
    The browser should integrate Tor, and be able to click into a fully-compliant Tor browser mode
    OS can run all device traffic through Tor
    OS wraps in Copperhead kernel and userspace changes
    OS includes AdAway (Google might refuse access to Play over this)

    HTC in particular is now doomed forever to second-best hardware since Samsung now fabs the Qualcomm Snapdragon and will always have first pick. HTC might be able to supplant Samsung even with inferior hardware with a supported, secured OS with extensive (Tor) privacy features.

  27. thank the gods! by jmcvetta · · Score: 1

    Stock Android is way better than any of the carrier mods I've seen.

  28. Upgrades matter more than UI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Upgrades matter more than UI, for repeat customers. Iam yet to receive upgrade to my lenovo vibe k5 3gb version..