Google Explains Lack of SD Card Support For Nexus Devices

[Elliot B.]

I know plenty of people with Android phones who keep "running out of space" (especially those with budget Android devices), even though they have a mostly empty SD card.

I completely agree that it's complicated (or just hassle!) for many people outside of tech. forums and Apple and Nexus devices have it right.

[nvllsvm]

For the average Joe-idiot, expandable storage would be confusing. However, that doesn't mean a geek would fall into those same problems.

Simply put, cloud and wireless data services are not reliable enough for me to depend on. I am on a T-Mobile prepaid plan and service is generally slow and unreliable ($30 a month and it fit's my needs. The cloud is not an option for me. Offer me near 100% reliability in cellular data services for a similar price (no caps) and I will consider switching to the cloud.

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

Part of it may be to avoid paying Microsoft Fat file system patent.

You've obviously not dealt with anyone who has formatted their phone thinking that everything was on the SD card? Believe me they exist...

I've also seen different android devices where a factory reset will only wipe internal storage, and not the sd card, and other devices where a factory reset does both.

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

I wish that my Nexus device had a MicroSD card slot. I fill mine with music and podcasts and I'm constantly having to delete things to save on space.

SD cards sell like hotcakes when the prices are right, people know how to use them and they understand what they need to do with them.

[Growled Member]

I agree with Google on this one. For normal people it is just confusing.

I do also think they should be releasing handsets with a reasonable amount of storage for typical use-cases.

I agree. For normal people who doesn't have a clue, it is confusing. We are tech people here so we can work around these problems.I also think that's way Google is re-releasing the Nexus 7 with more storage.

[SkyDX]

Well I even agree with Google that SD cards on Android can be confusing with all the folders but wouldn't the correct solution be to code Android so that it doesn't produce this mess in the first place instead of removing SD cards altogether? :blink:

In my opinion the PSP did the folder-structure right:

Memory Stick ---> PSP

--> GAME

--> PICTURES

--> MOVIES

-->SAVEDATA

--> MUSIC

And I would be really surprised if that kind of sorting would be hard to code for Android :pinch:

[moloko]

I kind of get it. Just plug and play anyways on an android device. Really this makes it easier for the normal consumer. Plug your tablet to your computer and move the photos. Now it IS easier to use a SD card. It also a sound business decision if you want more space you upgrade. Smart for them. Apple, Samsung and now Google doing it.

[dvb2000]

Upon answering questions about the Nexus lineup on Google+, Google's director of user services on Android, Matias Duarte, said offering consumers expandable memory through SD cards was apparently too confusing.

Google have some really dopey developers, they never really got their head around additional storage.

Its a nightmare to use on their android phones, where some apps plain refuse to install on anything other than internal memory.

I'm looking forward to see how Microsoft handles it on WMP8 - no doubt it'll be seamless.

[Japlabot]

It's no excuse for not having OPTIONAL expansion ability, but a lot of users don't understand how a file system structure works. From a user File Management perspective, it really is antiquated and should be kept totally separate conceptually from the Operating System and Application files used to run the actual system itself.

How many users do you see that just save everything to Desktop or scattered around the file system at random because they simply don't understand how file management is supposed to work?

File Systems are designed for Operating Systems to work, not for users to manage their files.

We need to kill folders - this isn't the 90s, we need a file management concept that works for users. Remember WinFS? That would have been the future :(

[ahhell]

WTF? Aren't Android devices usually marketed towards the "nerdy, hacker" types who would actually know what the **** to do with an SD card?

Has Google finally gone and snapped?

[Noir Angel]

No, they aren't. Given the amount of Android handsets being sold, it's inconceivable that they're primarily marketed at geeks. A really stupid stereotype.