Today the market is flooded with smartphones which are running on modified versions of Android. The deviations are so much that they hardly look like Android smartphones altogether. In this scenario Nokia has made a re-entry into the smart phone market. The launch of Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 comes with a feature that sets them apart from all other Android phones. The feature is they all are 100% stock Android. This step taken by the Nokia is considered game changer.
Why Warped Versions of Android?
Android section of smart phone has cut throat competition. Every big firm wants to avoid such a competition. Hence, they heavily customise Android. Once their product is differentiated they believe they are able to lock the user forever to their version of Android i.e used to or addicted to their version and uncomfortable to another brands of android. But this process has disadvantages and results in lot of unwanted applications which increases redundancy. All these changes add bloat that is increase the installations of software.
Why did Nokia Choose to be Pure play Android Phone?
Nokia’s decision to launch stock Android was largely based on customer feedback. The customers demanded ease of use, no redundancy and smart user interfaces. Nokia figured out to fullfil such demands the best way was to stick with the purest form of Android. Sticking with the purest form of Android helps in easier rolling out of updates. It also aid in committing monthly security updates. In the end Nokia will be able to keep their customer safe and simultaneously deliver new features.
If we observe Android phones across the world, Google also came up with Android purists phones like Nexus. Nexus devices were a big hit and Nokia will not leave any stone unturned to follow this league of Android purists.
Periodic Android updates are an issue with non-pure play android phones
Those manufacturers who opted for fragmented and warped Android are finding it difficult and lag behind in updating their devices to the latest version of Android. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) also failed in delivering monthly security updates. If we believe the statistics provided by the Google itself, Android version – 7.0 Nougat could reach merely 1.2% of Android users after six months of its launch. Lollipop, which was launched more than 2 years back could reach only 32.9% of Android users.
Such a dismal scene in adoption rate brings the problem of fragmented Android at the centre stage. Nokia acting appropriately and understanding the crux of the problem, launched its phones with pure android. It will help Nokia to face the competition better by providing periodic updates in time.
Understanding Bloatware
Bloatware comes pre-installed on your Android and it consists of all the extra software applications. You can call bloatware nuisance. But operators exploit it to add additional functionality to a phone. This act fetches some extra money as well for the operator. Some of the prominent examples are carrier apps and trial apps. Trial apps are not free and you have to pay for it to keep using it. These bloatware apps use lot of space and memory on your phone. They keep running in the background and drain your battery. Bloatware slows down the system and can’t be deleted normally. That means you got an inferior phone that has less usable memory and battery time. It’s annoying for the users as they don’t want manufacturers to decide what they need.
Concerns on Security
Before Nokia came into picture with pure Android, Motorola which is now Lenovo was another alternative for android fans. However, Motorola, which once considered as popular maker of android phones, had a setback in the market when a particular piece of hardware chip installed in some of their phones allowed vulnerability for malicious attacks. Since the hackers today are eyeing smartphones as the next frontier for their vindictive activities, mobile users are now thinking twice before choosing chinese handsets which could allow an attacker to gain root access to their phone data. There is also a concern that the manufacturer is not making Android security updates available in a timely manner which is critical for device security.
Even worse, the software tools installed on some of the chinese Android devices have the capability to remotely install new applications without permission from the users. The best example is the chinese company Adups scandal, that had put millions of Android users personal information at risk, when it had preinstalled apps to spy & collect the personal mobile user data.
Unlike Motorola, Nokia is Swedish company and has a reputation as most trusted brand for many years. So having a pure version of Android coming from such a brand is going to be a big thing for android fans.
Pure Android Experience and Bloatware
Highlighting the bad experience of bloatware, Nokia has pulled up its sleeves to deliver pure Android experience without bloatware. Bloatwares occupy lot of space on your phone and drain the battery of the phone. Getting rid of Bloatware would be a big advantage for Nokia in competing already crowded space of Android.
Originally published at living-smartly.com – Republished with permission