Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 29th Jun 2012 20:50 UTC, submitted by fran
"Google is making another attempt to fix the Android update problem at the Google I/O conference. The plan is to give smartphone, tablet and chip manufacturers earlier opportunities to adapt their current and new hardware to forthcoming Android versions. Google said that it hopes that this will allow users to receive their updates faster. To achieve this, Android executive Hugo Barra announced a 'Platform Development Kit'." I have my doubts.
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Member since:2006-09-27
Member since:2007-05-05
Member since:2005-11-13
Without updates it drives customers away and not want the new shiny shiny.
Exactly. When it comes to Android phones, I am pretty much Nexus-only, for this very reason. Hell, I can already get Jellybean for my Galaxy Nexus. I haven't updated yet, but a couple of my friends have.
If the other vendors want to skin the hell out of their phones and the carriers fill them up with bloatware, they can sell their phones exclusively to those who care more about how the phone looks than how it functions.. Either give me the option to run stock Android, or kiss my ass.
When it comes to tablets, it's mostly the same story, but Asus is pretty quick with their updates, and they're pretty close to stock anyway, so I tolerate them.
Edited 2012-06-29 22:07 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
Except that for the general population of people using android who don't know any better don't really care. I'm talking about people like my brother and friends, for who android was their first smartphone. They are all happily running 2.3 or 2.2 completely oblivious of the fact that ICS even exists. Heck, my brother thought he was getting all the updates because the google play store keeps installing "updates". Honestly, outside of the people who visit osnews, the general population just doesn't care.
Edited 2012-06-30 02:22 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
Do the manufacturers really want updates that reduce your incentive to buy the latest shiny shiny?
Apple provide fast updates for their phones, and they still have no problem selling the latest shiny shiny. In fact I would say the upgradeability of iOS devices are one of the main reasons people buy them. If Apple can do it, so can Samsung, LG and others.
Features
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Do the manufacturers really want updates that reduce your incentive to buy the latest shiny shiny?