Topic: Android OS updates compared to iOS and Windows Phone

[tendoboy1984]

Why does Google do such a horrible job with sending Android updates to consumers? A very small percentage of people are using the most current versions (Ice Cream Sandwich and Jellybean). Fragmentation is a big problem in the Android ecosystem.


iOS users don't have that problem, a majority of iPhones and iPads are running iOS 5. And I'm pretty sure Microsoft sends out Windows Phone updates in a timely manner as well.


Maybe Google should make Android updates automatic and mandatory, like how Windows Update works.

[Chozo Ghost]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

[tendoboy1984]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

But Google is the one supplying the updates, so shouldn't they update their devices automatically?

Windows Phones and Windows PC's are also built by multiple manufacturers, and they all receive updates on a consistent basis.

If Microsoft can supply their devices with updates on a consistent basis (coming from multiple manufacturers), then Google shouldn't have any problems doing so.

[TJ Spyke]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

But Google is the one supplying the updates, so shouldn't they update their devices automatically?

Windows Phones and Windows PC's are also built by multiple manufacturers, and they all receive updates on a consistent basis.

If Microsoft can supply their devices with updates on a consistent basis (coming from multiple manufacturers), then Google shouldn't have any problems doing so.

Google doesn't own the devices (except the Nexus phones), Google can't force Samsung, HTC, etc. to update their devices. BTW, not all Windows Phones get the updates at the same time either. Phones are different than PCs. Android is an open system, unlike iOS and Windows Phone, phone manufactures can do what they want with it and update their version when they want to. Google can't, and doesn't really want to, dictate it to phone manufacturers. Android is open sourced, so all they can do is release the new updates and hope that phone companies update. So if your phone doesn't have the latest version (60.6% still have version 2.3, AKA Gingerbread), don't blame Google.

[UncleBob]

And don't simply blame the manufacturers.  The carriers take part in this too.

[tendoboy1984]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

But Google is the one supplying the updates, so shouldn't they update their devices automatically?

Windows Phones and Windows PC's are also built by multiple manufacturers, and they all receive updates on a consistent basis.

If Microsoft can supply their devices with updates on a consistent basis (coming from multiple manufacturers), then Google shouldn't have any problems doing so.

Google doesn't own the devices (except the Nexus phones), Google can't force Samsung, HTC, etc. to update their devices. BTW, not all Windows Phones get the updates at the same time either. Phones are different than PCs. Android is an open system, unlike iOS and Windows Phone, phone manufactures can do what they want with it and update their version when they want to. Google can't, and doesn't really want to, dictate it to phone manufacturers. Android is open sourced, so all they can do is release the new updates and hope that phone companies update. So if your phone doesn't have the latest version (60.6% still have version 2.3, AKA Gingerbread), don't blame Google.

So does Windows Phone suffer from the same fragmentation problems that Android has? Or is Microsoft more strict about software updates than Google?

[tendoboy1984]

And don't simply blame the manufacturers.  The carriers take part in this too.

The carriers? What do the carriers have to do with it? All you have to do is connect your phone or tablet to a PC and it updates automatically.  It should be a simple automatic update (over the air, or connected to a PC).


Also, since it's Google's own software, they should control when updates are sent out, not the manufacturers.

[TJ Spyke]

Android is open source, so Google sorta doesn't own it (while, that's different). They send out the updates, but it's up to manufacturers when they want to provide it to their consumers. Your carrier also affects which version you have since you use their network. Here is a good article on it:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/256656/android_phone_updates_a_comprehensive_guide.html (basically HTC is most likely to have a up to date Android phone). Google even marketed Android to manufacturers and carriers on the basis that they would have flexibility in upgrading.

Windows Phone doesn't upgrade often, 6.5 was released in 2009 and 7 in 2010. 8 will be later this year. Microsoft has actually announced that current devices running Windows Phone will not be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8 (they will instead get something called Windows Phone 7.8  ). To be fair, Apple has done the same in the past (for example, the original iPhone can only go up to iOS 3.1.3 and the iPhone 3G can only go up to iOS 4.2.1)

[shingi_70]

Well all the windows phones devices so far has gotten every update (nodo, mango, tango, 7. and the ones that were delayed were usually a carrier thing. Windows Phone 8 is an entirly different thing as its honestly a seprate os than windows phone 7 and is using an entirely different kernal. From what I understand it would be possible to put wp8 ona wp7 machine but it would take a lot of time and the 7 device wouldn't benefit that much. But microsoft is planning to fix that with bupassing the carriers with. Updates from now on like apple.

Google on the other hand is a more diffcult thing.  It has a lot with the carriers not really giving a **** with giving the user timely updates. They in all honestly would rather you get a new phone entirly. Another big thing is most oems skin android with whatever flavor they have and must also update that as well as the os. Plus when updates do come they are usually late as hell also the lazy oems don't take time to optimize their **** for phones. My G2 was supposed to get ICS and its even stock but for what reason. It didn't even though my rom works just fine. Android also allows oems to do whatever the hell they want with super crappy specs to the uber big specs that no one needs use for.


Microsoft has avoided that by having a set baseline set of specs where each phone must have at least certain specs and then can change them. This ensures that the OS runs the same on every device and is always buttery.

Take a looks at the specs of most windows phone devices. They are just using dual core (like ios thoughI think the ipad is quad core) while android has this odd obsession with specs but the OS nor apps are optimized for this.

[NWR_insanolord]

This kind of thing is one of the bad aspects of having an open platform. With no central direction you get lots of different situations, many of which basically screw over the consumer. If I were ever going to buy an Android device, it would certainly be whatever the current Nexus was, because at least there you get some semblance of long term support.

[nickmitch]

You also have to remember that some manufacturers tweak the OS or put their own layer over it. They have to update that after Google updates Android and then make sure that it works before rolling it out.

[TJ Spyke]

But it seems silly that over 60% of Android phones ares still using Gingerbread, which came out in December 2010. That is lazy, and it's not just users not updating since many Android ones only have that as the newest version

[Chozo Ghost]

Has anyone thought that maybe the older versions are good enough? The changes are probably minuscule, and depending on the device these changes might not even be needed or even used. Android itself might be relatively new, but keep in mind that it uses the Linux kernel which has been in constant development since 1991. So its not like Android was made from scratch. Right off the bat the very first Android OS was a solid platform because it is a fork of an already solid platform. iOS and Windows Phone on the other hand might need these constant updates because they have to catch up, but Android was already way ahead of them from day one.

[Ceric]

Windows Phone don't get updated that much.  I've had mine since launch and well its gotten a grand total of 2 updates EVER.  The big problem there is MS will have an update tested and ready to go, 7.5, and the Carriers will delay it for there "Testing" for months.  We all knew this would happen and it has really stifled the platform.

I'm glad to hear they are bypassing the carriers on Windows Phone 8 because it is really needed.

[shingi_70]

What Android pre gingerbread and maybe froyo sucked ass and was catching up to ios.  It still has a slew of problems compared to ios and windows phone but I will admit on a pure os level android is the best.

[shingi_70]

Wrong thread

[ThePerm]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

But Google is the one supplying the updates, so shouldn't they update their devices automatically?

Windows Phones and Windows PC's are also built by multiple manufacturers, and they all receive updates on a consistent basis.

If Microsoft can supply their devices with updates on a consistent basis (coming from multiple manufacturers), then Google shouldn't have any problems doing so.

this is a constant problem with hardware, however the best way to solve this problem is to create or endorse a leader device. By supporting one more than the others you can control this sort of thing. The other device manufacturers would have to conform to a standard.

[BranDonk Kong]

The problem is probably because Android devices are built by a myriad of manufacturers, but with iPhones its all under one company (Apple). Android is an open platform and Google can't force manufacturers to use the latest updates. So the short answer is you need to blame the manufacturers, not Google. Google provides the updates and for free, but its up to each individual manufacturer to actually adopt them.

But Google is the one supplying the updates, so shouldn't they update their devices automatically?

Windows Phones and Windows PC's are also built by multiple manufacturers, and they all receive updates on a consistent basis.

If Microsoft can supply their devices with updates on a consistent basis (coming from multiple manufacturers), then Google shouldn't have any problems doing so.

Google is NOT the one supplying the updates, the manufacturers and carriers are. Sure, Google actually makes the Android OS - but it's open source, and it's up to the OEMs to make the software for their phones. 80% of the blame goes to your phone's manufacturer, 20% goes to the carrier (at least in the US). Carriers will test and delay updates for months because if (some) people feel like it's taking to long to get an OS update, they might just buy a new phone that already has it.


You've also got to take into consideration that old phones with small ROM would have to wipe all of the users' data in some cases, and the fact that the newest software is more demanding - so if you are on a MyTouch 3G you're better off with GingerBread, since ICS and JB would slow the phone way down. It's similar to an iPhone 3G running anything higher than iOS 3.1.3 - it runs like complete **** and should have never gotten the 4.0+ updates.

[Sarail]

So, I'm hearing now that Android 4.1 (JellyBean) is rolling out to European Galaxy S III phones as of today. Wasn't supposed to start until early October... so maybe the U.S. isn't far behind?

Also, rumors are swirling about of a Nexus 2 phone possibly coming soon - if photos taken with the new said device are true.

As some of you are aware, I'm getting ready to jump ship from iOS - I've been a loyal Apple supporter over the last 9 years. Still love Macs, love my iPod classic, and still really want an iPad, but I think I'm through messing with their phones. I feel like iOS 6 is a huge blemish as far as Apple firmware goes, and I'm really enticed by Jellybean running on a Nexus device. I'd love to see a new Nexus 2 announced at the end of the month or even in October - I've been waiting a LONG while to upgrade to a new phone (I still have an iPhone 4). I would go with a Galaxy S III, but I don't want to go through the trouble of rooting the phone and putting vanilla Android on it via a ROM. Too much hassle. But a new Nexus 2 would be great.

What do you guys think? New announcement coming soon? I'ma go play some Smash Bros. now. Discuss.

[tendoboy1984]

What's wrong with the version of Android that Samsung tweaked in the Galaxy S III? All Android manufacturers tweak the OS to suit their needs; customization is the point of using Android.

[UncleBob]

What's wrong with the version of Android that Samsung tweaked in the Galaxy S III? All Android manufacturers tweak the OS to suit their needs; customization is the point of using Android.

How do you understand this, but completely fail to understand why Google can't just force OS updates to every Android phone?

[tendoboy1984]

Microsoft can "force" updates to every Windows PC and Windows Phone, regardless of who makes the device.

[UncleBob]

A) Windows isn't open source.
B) Thank God we don't have more companies that model their policy after Microsoft.

[tendoboy1984]

A) Windows isn't open source.
B) Thank God we don't have more companies that model their policy after Microsoft.

But Android is still Google's OS, so they have the right to put it on whatever device they want, and they can update it whenever they want.


Being open-source simply means other companies can freely tweak it however they want. It has nothing to do with Google's internal policies on how the OS is distributed.

[TJ Spyke]

-_-

Am I the only one tired of answering the same questions over and over?

Google doesn't sent out updates to Android, they release the updates and let let carriers and manufacturers make tweaks and choose when to provide it. Most companies modify Android to their taste, so they wouldn't want to have an update screw it up (and Google doesn't want to). If Google started forcing updates, it would go against what they pushed as a feature of it to companies and potentially scare them off.