Slashdot Mirror
LG Arbitrarily Denying Android Lollipop Update To the G2 In Canada?
Lirodon writes: Its funky rear-mounted buttons may have left critics divided, but the LG G2 is still a pretty capable Android device. While it has gotten an update to Android 5.0 "Lollipop" in some major markets (including the United States, of course), one major holdout is Canada. Reports are surfacing that LG's Canadian subsidiary has decided not to release the update for unknown reasons. But, what about custom ROMs? Well, they handled that too: they have refused to release Lollipop kernel source for the Canadian variant of the device. It is arbitrary actions like this that cause Android's fragmentation problems. A curious note, LG has not specifically made reference to the bugs other users have been having with the update.
Stingy move by LG. Is there a difference between the US version and the Canadian version? I remember using the ATT ROMs for the i727 phone when I had the Rogers i727r. Never had any issues with that (that I remember).
They told me it wasn't their fault if my TV was broken and they didn't have any replacement available, because my TV was made by LG Korea.
I bet they will use a similar lame excuse again.
We should be able to get the latest software, and uninstall bloatware without having to root our device and invalidate our warranty. As it stands I have an old version of Android filled with Samsung crapware. Not surprised to learn LG is pulling crap also - just disappointed there aren't real alternatives for when I upgrade to a new phone.
AFAIK telecom companies don't have much power over the iPhone.
Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
Not a Canadian, but I think it's time that we require phone companies to provide reasonable updates for X years, or release the source code. One major concern is the environmental impact from e-waste.
Now, go ahead, mod me down.
Battery life is notably shorter since Android Lollypop update was sent. With moderate use my G2 could easily make it through the day when I had Jelly Bean.
Verizon puts software (and bookmarks) on their phones you cannot remove - and they control when you get updates.
they got request
"Hello. Place the source code please Lollipop for D803"
and they answered with:
"Unfortunately D803 model has no plan for upgrading to Lollipop.
So We cannot upload the source code."
Since they are not releasing new version there is no code for it - IMO pretty normal. If he requested source code for current version of sources I suspect they would comply.
Are you complaining that LG Canada holding back what others have complained of being a buggy update?
Is this good or bad?
blog.sam.liddicott.com
When Android OEMs are making shit for profit compared to Apple and probably even Blackberry on their phone sales?
If a smaller OEM were smart, they'd sell an extended warranty for $50 that explicitly says they pledge to continue providing security patches and upgrades for a 3-4 year period. Most people would never even bother using it; they'd switch phones before then.
They did release KitKat in Canada; although my carrier, which is not Bell but gets devices from them because they have roaming agreements with each other for their LTE network, had to be prodded to make the update work because it had a previous OTA as a prerequisite that they did not push first. And they have released Lollipop for the G3. But its not a device veering towards end-of-life soon...
It is arbitrary actions like this that cause Android's fragmentation problems.
One more:
It is arbitrary actions like this that contribute to companies running out of business.
But let me ask: How can a [reputable] company like LG think that vitriol, that could potentially be a consequence of action like this will, be positive to its image? How?
Now I own numerous Sony android devices, all of which were given the Lollipop treatment over the last few months. One doesn't want to charge fully and another now has extremely high battery use from "Android OS".
Honestly I wish Sony had waited just like LG until the updates are actually stable for basic functionality. Kudos to LG...
Never had a problem with my Nexus 4, and I abused the fuck out of it.
I took good care of mine, kept it in a Ringke Fusion case, etc. Just crap. Apparently they are super-sensitive to moisture. Moto G is water resistant. Never buying a phone that isn't again.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Lots of people keep posting about how rude LG is.
This is a carrier problem. Plain and simple.
Rogers is accused of bad support regularly, so I'm not surprised.
deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
The kernel is GPL. They can't refuse the sources. Someone with one of these phones (i.e. somebody with standing) ought to reach out to https://sfconservancy.org/.
Just do as I do, buy a Nexus phone. No crap, no lock and pure Android
Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
It could be as simple as LG Canada being influenced not to do so because of their new device sales, for a market that has tendency to refresh hardware more often (I'm guessing here but it sounds like a reason). Not shipping new software is the best way to discontinue a product and compel clients to get the new stuff.
My Verizon iPhone has no software from Verizon on it, nor do they control when I get updates. The iPhone seems to be the only exception to the rule. Apple was able to force the carriers to play by their rules.
I suspect that the other hardware manufacturers are happy to let the carries control the software, most likely in exchange for a share of the revenue.
Moto G is most definitely not water resistant. Any member of Sony's Xperia Z family - yes. Moto G - no.
I never had any issues with my Nexus 4 or Nexus 5. LG's hardware is pretty good, it's their software that is utterly atrocious (generally a common theme for Asian companies, partly because Asian markets seem to care more about how shiny and colorful their skin is than whether their phone is a bugridden POS running outdated software...), which is why I will never buy an LG device that is not a Nexus. (Same goes for Samsungs... I used to be a heavy Samsung user, but after the way they handled Superbrick... never again...)
retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
Used to it, perhaps, but that does not necessarily mean content or satisfied with it.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
US Carriers can now hold up the over-the-air updates for Nexus. I'm on StraightTalk, an MVNO over AT&T, and AT&T managed to keep my Nexus 6 from getting 5.1 for months. You can pull the SIM and reset or sideload the updates at least, but it's lame that they were given the ability to override the OTA updates. I'm not even AT&T's customer, so I don't see how it's even legal.
Moto G is most definitely not water resistant
learn to internet
LG's hardware is pretty good
Which? I've a bit of it, all crap so far. Dumbphones, smartphones, optical drives... I think there's been a display in there even.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
I'm confused. I have an LG G2 (p999) that I got back in 2011. It doesn't have any rear mounted buttons. I'd love to be able to update the OS, though. There are some apps I'd like that refuse to download because they want a newer OS.
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
Canadian carriers could hold up OTA updates for the Galaxy Nexus too.
Tivoization refers to having source code but being unable to install it due to a locked bootloader. It does not refer to lacking source code in the first place. The owner of an Android phone already possesses a copy of the executable kernel on a flash memory soldered to the phone's PCB. This means that under the GPL, the phone's owner is entitled to a copy of the kernel's source code. The obligation to distribute corresponding source code to "any third party" if it does not accompany the executable was present already in the GPLv2.
US Carriers can now hold up the over-the-air updates for Nexus.
Then buy the phone from someone other than a cellular carrier, and remove the SIM card when checking for updates over Wi-Fi. If neither the carrier-customized firmware nor a SIM card is present, what connection does the phone have to any carrier that would give the carrier power to hold up updates?
How so? Android is the only major mobile platform I can think of that has an app for making apps. It's called AIDE. Other suggestions are welcome.
Triopoly - you forgot Telus. The big 3 mobile operators have subscriber counts in the 8-9 million range. Their next closest competition is WIND, which is still looking to break 1 million subs.
I'm looking forward to a world where there are more open devices like the One Plus One. Which is on sale for 300 bucks for the 64GB version this week.
Like WIND, Telus is allowed to play, but Rogers and Bell set the game rules.
It's a new "feature" for Android. My Nexus 6 was purchased from Google's Play Store. Same thing happened to people thought bought directly from Motorola. Yes, you can take the SIM out and get the update over wifi, but you have to be willing to reset your phone to do it. I assume it's reading something off the SIM or on the network, or the carriers are intercepting the "is their a new update" query.
Nexus 6 owners got different versions of the same update depending on which major carrier they were on.
The first thing I do when I get the phone is download the official image from Google and put it on my phone, that way I am confident that I don't have a firmware screwed by the carrier. I've been burned by Rogers with my first Nexus.
Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
What version? My iPhone 5 never had Verizon branded software installed at the firmware level. Aside from it saying "Verizon" in the upper left corner, there's nothing Verizon installed on it.
Speaking of OS updates, the iPhone 5 will most get iOS 9 this Fall.
Life is not for the lazy.
So, my only option is to buy a 6 inch behemoth, since the Nexus 5 is now being discontinued. Another great move by Google. I have a 5 inch phone and it just barely fits in most of my pockets. I couldn't imagine carrying around anything larger on a daily basis.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Wait for the next Nexus 5 then : http://www.androidpit.com/nexu...
Or buy the current Nexus 5, you can still find it online brand new : http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer...
Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
Probably because you have to release a french version as well and they do not want to pay the additional expense...
I assume it's reading something off the SIM or on the network, or the carriers are intercepting the "is their a new update" query.
Try this: shut down the device, pull the SIM out, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and manually check for updates. Or is it actually storing what it finds through the SIM?
It is arbitrary actions like this that cause Android's fragmentation problems.
I know I'm in minority, but this is plain bullshit.
Google continuously pumping "releases" is what causes the fragmentation.
There are just too many "releases" of Android.
It is fine to pop 2-3 releases a year - if you are niche player targeted at geeks. But it is not, if you want to serve near billion users of several thousand different device types.
All hope abandon ye who enter here.
It seems like you can't just buy an unlocked phone and use it in Canada. Is that correct? Otherwise I can't understand why so many people buy the phone from the carrier, considering what a terrible reputation they have.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
It seems like you can't just buy an unlocked phone and use it in Canada. Is that correct?
Yes yoou can, in fact, most carrier will give you a 10% rebate on your plan if you bring your own unlocked phone
Otherwise I can't understand why so many people buy the phone from the carrier, considering what a terrible reputation they have.
Because most people are idiots
Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
I'm rocking a purchased-outright Moto G 2014. Works fine, no hassles, on a cheap no-data prepaid plan that does everything I need.
I really doubt it was an arbitrary decision. I also have no doubt it is carrier specific and nothing to really do with "Canadian Versions" other than that particular carrier exists in Canada.
Likely reasons for the move:
1) They want to sell more phones. Planned obsolescence.
2) Introducing new OS onto old phone may have support issues they would have to address.
3) They are not making any more money (or as much anyway) off those old phones.
4) Training and support expenses to have staff in call centres to handle issues.
Hardly arbitrary. Greedy maybe, but not arbitrary.
I waited for the OTA from the carrier, but during that time I saw many discussions where the update won't happen even with the SIM removed unless the device was reset. It's remembering something about the cell network it was on. It would be a non-issue if not for the reset.
By "reset" do you mean in the sense of pressing the Reset button on a game console? Because if so, turning the device all the way off to eject the SIM is like that. Or do you mean a different kind of reset?
This reminds me of buying the LG G2 outright from Wind Mobile when I started with them years ago.
LG refused to give us any updates in North America at all despite there being updates for the v4 series of OSes in Korea for the same phone.
No amount of hacking could get Jellybean to work WELL on the phone, and the Nvidia chipset was completely unusable - locking users out of using the camera, or when the camera worked video didn't, etc.
Perfectly capable phone, owned for 6 months before LG dropped support for it.
The answer is that LG is awful and have always been awful about updates. The only exception has been my Nexus 4, which has updates handled by Google anyway since I bought it from the Play store. After the last stint with LG I was very wary of buying anything LG again. Seems to be okay so far.
Factory reset.
Their smartphones are usually pretty well built.
The problem is that software and hardware are so tightly integrated these days that if a company can't produce reliable embedded software, all of their hardware looks like shit.
That's why I never had issues with my Nexus 4 or Nexus 5 but, as stated before, will NEVER touch any non-Nexus LG phone.
Yeah, the Nexus devices often have their own software flaws (oops, considering they're supposed to be reference devices), but nothing nearly as bad as the shitfest that is LG's own software.
retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?