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Google Can't Ignore the Android Update Problem Any Longer
An anonymous reader writes: An editorial at Tom's Hardware makes the case that Google's Android fragmentation problem has gotten too big to ignore any longer. Android 5.0 Lollipop and its successor 5.1 have seen very low adoption rates — 9.0% and 0.7% respectively. Almost 40% of users are still on KitKat. 6% lag far behind on Gingerbread and Froyo. The article points out that even Microsoft is now making efforts to both streamline Windows upgrades and adapt Android (and iOS) apps to run on Windows.
If Google doesn't adapt, "it risks having users (slowly but surely) switch to more secure platforms that do give them updates in a timely manner. And if users want those platforms, OEMs will have no choice but to switch to them too, leaving Google with less and less Android adoption." The author also says OEMs and carriers can no longer be trusted to handle operating system updates, because they've proven themselves quite incapable of doing so in a reasonable manner.
If Google doesn't adapt, "it risks having users (slowly but surely) switch to more secure platforms that do give them updates in a timely manner. And if users want those platforms, OEMs will have no choice but to switch to them too, leaving Google with less and less Android adoption." The author also says OEMs and carriers can no longer be trusted to handle operating system updates, because they've proven themselves quite incapable of doing so in a reasonable manner.
Relying on the carrier for updates is truly the worst thing about Android - then there's the premium-seeking apps compiled into the base rom that generate evil warnings of how the system may become unstable if they're uninstalled. WTF does my phone need with NFL whatever baked in and threatening to become unstable if I dare disable it?? At least with some OEM Windows computer this kind of crap can be uninstalled. I wouldn't mind them putting in default apps to try to upsell service if I could remove them.
And then there's carrier hardware support decisions baked into the rom. A Galaxy Note 2's radio chip isn't accessible when sold by Verizon because their rom has that disabled. They want you to use your data plan to stream radio; they don't even provide a streaming radio app but they want to at least try to get you to pay for more data allowance.
Force stop the app and it will be put into a state where it can't run services or receivers and will not use data.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
Mmmm. If you look at this graph, you can see that Lollipop is off to a faster start (steeper adoption curve) than any release since Froyo!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
This difference is a matter of when information is published, not anything to do with technology.
The reason you got iOS 8 the day after it was released is because Apple didn't announce the release until it was ready to push to your iPad. Google must release Android updates to the OEMs many months before they can get it delivered to devices. The only way Google could provide the same instant update experience is to finish and release it to OEMs then embargo the release information for months until the OEMs were ready to go. There's no way that embargo would hold. Way too many people and way too many companies.
Google could arrange for the instant-update experience with Nexus devices easily enough, but only at the expense of pissing off all the OEMs.
The lag between announcement and availability is an unavoidable result of Android being an ecosystem, rather than a product.
(I'm an Android engineer, but I'm not speaking for Google. The above is my own perception, not an official statement.)
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
Every Nexus back to the Nexus 4/7(2012) has images for 5.1.0 or 5.1.1. That means, every Google released device released in the last 3 years is up to date. You can argue about whether 3 years is enough time to support their devices, but they are supporting their own devices. Devices sold by manufacturers, instead of Google, are not Google's direct responsibility for upgrades. At least be straight forward about your claims. Google's devices are Nexus devices. GPE or whatever it is you're talking about aren't Google devices. They're just not manufacturer themed. The updates for those devices still originate from the manufacturers and not Google.
I'll admit I'm biased. But, at least be accurate with your complaints.
Many apps will restart after you force stop it.
A very quick Google search turns up plenty of reports of data being reported back to "the mothership" on iOS just as much or maybe more than Windows or Android.
Oh, Really?
Because, the holiest-of-holies, the EFF, awarded Apple 6 out of 6 "stars" for the "Who has your back?" Report.
Also, a quick Googling of the search term "apple ios data reports back" really only turned up articles on how Apple does not collect user data, save one lonely Slashdot article to the contrary, and another article about how the CIA is trying to break into iPhones (which doesn't sound like Apple is cooperating, either). But I guess everyone else is just in Tim Cook's back pocket, right?
And as far as your "It's a Public Company..." meme: Even Publicly-Traded Companies have Corporate Policies and Mission Statements, and violating them will make you a loser in a lawsuit; so, most Corporations don't make a habit of violating their own Policies and Mission Statements as a matter of course.