Android L beta is worse than I expected.

Posted by Hypernova on Aug. 1, 2014, 4:14 a.m.

So I flashed Android L couple of weeks ago, I have one word to describe it: crashfest. Heck Apple's iOS 8 Beta is even more stable than Android L.

Here's my complaints listed below:
  • 50% of the apps (including the game I am currently working on) can't even run more than 0.1 millimeter.
  • This massive battery drain I have never met before is killing my awesome Nexus 5!! (Imagine your phone can only stay around 5 hours while leaving it idle…T_T)
  • An annoying bug when reopening an running app (Chrome or YouTube) ends up with blank screen, you have no choice to force quit the app and restart it.
  • Dropped phone calls or missed text message? Check!
  • I am using T-Mobile 4G LTE unlimited (truly unlimited where you can use 50GB a month) data and speedtest checked that it's running from 10Mbps up to 60Mbps. Android L somehow slowed down my downloading rate compared to Android Kit-Kat 4.4.4

Well I am not gonna completely bashing Android L like a piece of sh*t. Android L do have some great changes on its interface. One great part is that I have never experienced with random reboot (yet) when some random app crashes. The only complaint is the removal of options when you hold the power button for a couple of seconds.

I am going to keep Android L as for right now just for testing apps. (Send me some message if you want your app to be tested on Android L.) But since I need stability, I will use MultiRom to multi boot Android L and Kit-Kat (4.4.4).

And as always! Have a nice developing time folks!

Comments

SteveKB 10 years, 3 months ago

I'd rather just keep using 20 than work on a beta before it's finished. By the time it's complete I would just see if anything is wrong and then update the target API for your app when it's ready.

Thanks for testing it out though I didn't know anything about it yet but I'm glad I didn't try that myself.

flashback 10 years, 3 months ago

Quote:
Android L beta

Quote:
50% of the apps (including the game I am currently working on) can't even run more than 0.1 millimeter.

Also your app crashes are probably related to the ART/Dalvik swap. You can (optionally) use ARt on 4.4.x as a testbed, IIRC.

Hypernova 10 years, 3 months ago

Quote:
Also your app crashes are probably related to the ART/Dalvik swap. You can (optionally) use ARt on 4.4.x as a testbed, IIRC.
I need to be more careful posting some contents in my blog so I don't look like an idiot.

Also ART (beta) architecture on Kit-Kat can run much better (95% of the apps executed without any issues) than L preview. I guess Google's attempt on Android preview is not as well executed compared to Apple.

flashback 10 years, 3 months ago

I don't think you understand the concept of a beta release.

Hypernova 10 years, 3 months ago

I understand the concept of betas. It's a preview, so there's high amount of unstability compared to current versions. My bad.

flashback 10 years, 3 months ago

No, see, you actually don't understand beta releases. They are not a "preview." they are a testing version. You release a beta version because you know there are bugs,and you want a wide testing base to find and catalogue them so they can be fixed.

By having bugs found in it and confirmed by multiple users, the L beta is in fact fulfilling its purpose. In a software testing sense, this beta is proceeding well.

Hypernova 10 years, 3 months ago

I see, now I just learned something. Also, next time when I post I need to be careful not to jump right into statement from assumptions.