Or rather Google should rebuild android in such a way that they can do security patches, without the need for updating the full OS, in such a way it still allows for makers and carriers to have their own skin on top. And then work with makers and carriers to send those patches to devices, even older and cheaper devices that makers can't be expected to support with updates of the OS.
Unless there are any bugs in your device, why would you ever expect it to get OS upgrade?
I know, it's nice to get new features, but that should never be expected.
Security patches is another matter.
And for those that keep complaining about skins, many new features in Android comes first through those skins.
So stopping skins would have a negative impact on development of android.
Also it could scare some makers off, since they would have a harder time to differentiate from others.
Also makers work on perfecting drivers to get the most out of their devices.
Googles devices are not the best in terms of performance or batterylife, so perhaps google has not perfected their drivers.
Google starts developing upgrades for devices long before other makers get their hands on the new version.
And Google does not seem to have perfected drivers for their units.
It will take longer for makers that want the best performance out of their hardware.
And while some makers use hardware very similar to the one found in googles own devices, that google then have created drivers for, other use diffferent components, and gett little for free from google, and has to build drivers from scratch.
bobby21, 26 May 2016How come Microsoft can update all Laptops and PCs with security updates and Google cant manage... moremicosort u pay for and android is free as android is free thats why they dont update like microsoft it clearly state that in the article
Finally somebody registers that issue. Unavailable or slow updates are one of the reasons I switched to Apple.
Android OEM's started to produce great devices in 2016, with amazing software, but you know your device's operating system will be updared 1-2 times, maybe 3 times if it's a flagship. Apple devices get like 10 updates yearly and last for at least three years because they offer pure quality for the higher price of it
AnonD-541274, 26 May 2016Give this guy here a cookie! He is spot on. I wish more ppl think like you do. I agree with you (and the original comment you commented on)
I have found that I don't actually need to upgrade my OS. There is nothing new that I would actually need which is not offered by the OS version I have. I have all JB, KK, L and MM on four separate devices and can't actually tell the difference between them all. As long as what I have is stable, then I am not bothered to bang on their doors to get the latest.
Some may cry and protest of delayed or non-existant upgrade, but most of them do this because they "want" the upgrade - as opposed to "need" it. the rest at least have the option to go buy a nexus.
The problem in Android is that one cannot install a new OS on a phone and update the drivers like in Windows,but every producer and carrier has to adapt the OS for every phone.This is the biggest problem with Android,along with that ,that one cannot downgrade easy to a previous OS if the new one is not good.
How come Microsoft can update all Laptops and PCs with security updates and Google cant manage to update the security patches of each smartphone?
This is something that i look for in Android having latest update. Apple is too good in serving software updates for iPhones.
well this also has to take into consideration the time it takes network operators to also approve the S/W....
It is been almost 1 year that i even get update for my redmi 2 lollipop as they the company promises to users what the hell going on...........
Note 4 N910T (T-mobile), still waiting for the Marshmallow update! And Google is beta testing next version of android! WTH!
The problem isn't just from the OEM itself, but even the carriers as well. Some carriers like T-Mobile are always late to release update. The S5 had the Marshmallow update but users under T-Mobile received the update almost 1 month after the official was released.
XDA Developers. There is a forum for about 75%-ish of Android devices out there, even the low-mid to mid tier devices. Instructions on how to unlock your bootloader (if supported), install a custom recovery like TWRP, and enough experienced users to tell you which custom ROMs are stable. Some devs will strip down the stock to vanilla (Debloat & Deodex) and upload it for all to enjoy. the 1st gen Moto G & Moto E are great examples of how the right ROM and/or kernel can breathe new life into a phone you though would be too laggy to use for more intensive tasks. Take the time to read the forums and learn how everything works, and you'll realize that you can have a safe, secure, and stable custom ROM. A lot of people here are ill informed regarding rooting, flashing, etc., and will tell you you're putting yourself at risk. While it's true that you can put your data and privacy at risk while tinkering so deep, you can only do so if you proceed blindly and ignorantly to widely available facts and best practices. Use common sense, read other user's experiences, and enjoy a world of total control of your device!! You own it don't you? You should decide what happens to it. The risk of turning your phone into a paperweight is always there, but with common sense, and thorough research, you'll be good. I've been a power user for YEARS and have created ZERO paperweights during my time as an avid member of The XDA Forum with MULTIPLE Android devices, from the lowest of the low-end, to the highest of the high-end.
Sent from my Nexus 9 LTE running CyanogenMod 13 (Official Nightlies) w/ ElementalX Kernel v4.12, with encrypted /system and /data partitions and TWRP v3.0.0-2 w/ encrypted partition support.
The ONLY devices beating me right now (benchmark wise) are the S7, G5, Mi5, and the other SD820 devices. 122K Antutu. And to those who rip on benchmarks for not being "real world measurements" . . . . I'm sorry your device benches so low ;-)
And yes, the Tegra K1 Denver SoC has beaten Apple's Twister in single core benches (BARELY).
:-)
its about time Google took things on their hands.
SK89, 26 May 2016That is fantastic news to have a wall of shame. Sammy there is a spot reserved 4 u somewhere i... morelol....spot at the bottom of the wall of shame....means Sammy doing well
Aspros, 26 May 2016There was a time where this was important but not anymore.
As i have a nexus tablet and a fla... moreAgree with you... fragmentation is not a big deal, same Like Windows OS on PC,.. no one rush getting the newest..
Except there is important update like ART on KitKat.
Android will always have fragmentation, but one way to speed up updates is for OEM's to release a base version of Android ie with their drivers ect installed, & let people download what they need from the Play Store.
so what..the latest ios cannot do what kitkat can do
AnonD-448452, 26 May 2016One solution I feel is that Google should have a place from where people can download the late... moreNot possible unless you want to end up with a brick that doesn't have working wifi, baseband, camera, digital pen and what not. Since Google isn't setting strict fixed hardware requirements. OEMs have to integrate the drivers based on their specific hardware and release the OS updates. Still it is not as hard as OEMs would have you believe, but it becomes a problem when OEMs start making changes to the launcher, UI menus, look and feel which also trickles down to how their specialized own apps are made to look and feel. Way too much customization for every release, more unit testing beyond what Google already did for them when Google provided the vanilla Android versions.
If every OEM stuck to stock android and provided their specialized apps made to follow Material Design rules. there would be no issues in releasing quick OS updates as and when they come. Google even had the idea of giving more freedom in themeing engines for DIY themes over their stock android. Alas the thieving talentless low minded OEMs want to do it their way with their own bird brained UX designs, makes them somehow feel proud to be different from the others. Just take look at the zealots waging brutal keyboard wars over which is better, touchqiz vs timescape vs MIUI, FlamsOS, OxygenOS, ColorOS. All of them total junk.
AnonD-448452, 26 May 2016One solution I feel is that Google should have a place from where people can download the late... morei don't really have particularly deep knowledge in that stuff, but i think some phones kinda need the OEM's customization. when i flashed another image to my xperia z1c to prepare it for cyanogenmod, i lost sony's proprietary software. consequently the screen quality got worse (no x-reality and stuff) and i think the camera isn't as good anymore either
That is fantastic news to have a wall of shame. Sammy there is a spot reserved 4 u somewhere in the bottom on that chart already...
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