Fire_Bird

I just saw this article regarding the long-term support and upgrades to Android phones. I haven't researched enough about the history of android devices to be able to fairly judge the authenticity of the information, so I was hoping for everyone's thoughts on the matter/

Here is the article: the understatement: Android Orphans: Visualizing a Sad History of Support

Stuntman

I would have liked to see more recent Android phones on this chart. As the author said, it was a major undertaking to do all of the research for the phones up to June 2010.

The author also looks at number of major releases behind. This makes the chart look much worse. The chart uses a timeline in years and colour codes the major releases. Looking at the release dates, some major releases occur after only 6 months and some up to a year. If you see red on the chart, it makes you think that some phones are years out of date more than they really are.

What is most important is how long is the phone getting supported updates after the release of the phone. Here, the iPhones do get support for way longer than any Android phones. From looking at the chart, it seems the more popular phones are getting the support for longer periods of time than less popular phones. My definition of "popular" is rather subjective. At least the ones I think are popular seem to be getting greater support for phones that I don't think are popular or have never heard of before.

The support tends to be an afterthought for me. When I got my Desire Z a year ago, I was happy with it then. Gingerbread became available a couple of months later. It wasn't until this summer that Gingerbread was available on my Desire Z.

I think that the author is making a false assumption that people are unhappy with their phone unless they have the latest OS update. For those several months, I was still happy with my phone even though there is a newer version of Android out. As there are no major issues with my Desire Z, I personally am not worrying about the next firmware update. I also do not update every app on my phone. I have some apps that are not running the latest version. I know people who are running older versions of apps or OS's on their phones (not just Android, but BB, iOS and others) that do not feel the need to keep everything up to date all of the time. Now that ICS is out, I actually do not expect to get it on my phone. My understanding is that processors slower than 1GHz will likely not get the update and my phone falls into that category. That doesn't make me unhappy as my phone is working fine and I am happy with it.

I would like to hear from developers on how this affects them. Are there features in ICS that they really need for their app? Are these features what makes the app good that they end up resorting to making an inferior app just because they want people running Froyo or Eclair to be able to use their app?

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Crashdamage

Apple's marketing guys couldn't have made a better case. However, 3 things:

1. Android is about freeedom and choice. This comes at a price.
2. I buy a device for what it can do now, not for what it may do later. So I'm not too concerned about updates, especially since hardware is advancing so fast that it has a very limited effective lifetime anyway.
3. The idea behind ICS is to unify Android and so make long-term support easier for everyone, so the promise of 18 month minimum support can become a reality.

Apple could offer 5 year support and I still wouldn't care.

Edit: +1 to Stuntman

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Last edited by Crashdamage; October 27th, 2011 at 05:51 PM.

Slug

I'll add.....

4. iOS is shackled to and by Apple. Sure it's great to run the latest iOS version on your three year-old handset, but that has to compromise current hardware. I'd hate to see ICS if it had to run on my HTC Hero.... even a stripped-out vanilla 2.3.x is beginning to struggle on that!

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Yeahha

The author seemed to not know about rooting android phones and aftermarket support. Nor did they care to mention that while yes an older iPhone may be running the latest version of the OS not all the features are there either. I have friends that had an iPhone 4 but went out and got the iPhone4S so they could have Siri so if you don't think that Apple is playing the same game as all other OEM then you are incorrect.

No one should purchase a phone and hope it becomes the phone you want once it gets an update, you should purchase the phone because it is the best phone fit to you when you decide to purchase it.

Because apple has locked down it's OS they can keep all the devices on the "same" version of the OS with little difficulty, Android isn't locked down, the OEM can do whatever they please with it as can the end user in most cases.

@stuntman if the dev decides to use a feature of the SDK from a higher level, ICS is API level 14 most recent GB is API level 10, and the feature is uncompatible with an older version of the OS it won't be available on the Market for phone running the older version. I have seen several apps that had to drop support for some phones because the dev decided they wanted to do something with a higher level API.

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rui-no-onna

This. Besides, has the author even tried the iPhone 3G on iOS 4? That's one phone that shouldn't have gotten the update. Even with a lot of the new features disabled, the hardware specs are just too weak for hassle-free operation. The iPhone 3GS is pretty much where the budget Androids are right now. As long as software updates don't require a lot of horsepower, they can be updated.

2acclaim

and should've bought iphones.

the understatement: Android Orphans: Visualizing a Sad History of Support

poor upgrade path, little support.

i'm going to go cry in my pillow for a while if anyone needs me.

Frisco

That's an interesting graphic on that site:



Nothing after 2q 2010, though.

gallandof

i love how they ignored the iphone 4s even though it was out when that report was done. also even though the software is pushed to the older hardware, very rarely does the older hardware get the full featured OS, most of the times theres features missing. if you wanted to see android level of "fragmentation" on iOS, change their upgrade naming policy, and have every different version of iOS count as a different version IE:iOS5.1, 5.2, 5.3 etc... then you will see a lot of iOS fragmentation in features and distribution. How many iphone 3gs and iphone 4's are running full iOS5 without any features taken out?

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novox77

Original iPhone and iPhone 3G are not on the current version (iOS5). iPhone 3G on the last supported version (4.2.1) is slow as hell and almost impossible to use. Apple should never have allowed iPhone 3G to get iOS4.x. When users complained, Apple's stance was to tell customers to upgrade to the iPhone 4.

That's probably the reason google decided that the Nexus One would not be getting Ice Cream Sandwich. The phone is simply too old/slow to handle it.

I believe starting with ICS, Google will be forcing manufacturers to get their act together and get updates out fast.

As for support, on the Apple side, that would be the Genius Bar. Yeah I guess for some people, that's a valuable service. Me personally, I've never utilized customer service for any computer or phone. Geek Squad? yeah right. I'm savvy enough to troubleshoot most issues on my own, and when I'm stumped, I trust Google to find me a solution. Typically Google brings me to forums like these.

So... I wouldn't start crying yet until I actually have a problem with my phone that I can't solve.

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Frisco

Unmeasurable is the influence these forums have on Android support. I mean, think about it: we've got all Android devices here and we've got hundreds of thousands of members. We've got developers and techs.

John Redcorn

haha, dude's got another article about unfair distribution of wealth. He's probably sitting in a park somewhere being smelly with a bunch of other smelly littering people while he uses his $5000 macbook to blog.

2acclaim

He event tries to point out that Kindle is failure and will be since they're limiting choices now with the 'fire'.

As an apple guy, shouldnt' he be happy with the limited choices?

zuben el genub

Stallman: Did I say Jobs was evil? I meant really evil ? The Register

And since I'm anti-marketing - I agree from the selling standpoint.

Slug

Two topics discussing the same article merged.

bfriskey

I loved my DX and rooted it to remove all the crap verizon loves to smother your equipment with. Then came the first attempted 'upgrade" or should I say UPLOAD OF NEW ADS that failed miserably. I lost my root ( I didn't think it would take the upgrade, i thought it would brick my phone, verizon refused to repair the damage) and was stuck with all teh failed upgrades that were forced down my throat along with another session of city id.
I too bought my phone for what it was and DID NOT WANT VERIZON'S SLIMY HANDS ALL OVER IT AGAIN in order for me to have to spend MORE countless hours removing their crap.I chose instead to drop veriazon and find another carrier as between google and verizon there is no room for apps, just ads !! I hate verizon and I had to give some respect to Steve Jobs for sticking to his guns and holding back verizon form polluting HIS OS unlike google who let them destroy the OS with heir greed. Imagine where Android would be if ads were limited and we didn't have to spend hours and days fixing all the crap THEY put on them? I 'm finished , I will never waste another minute removing ads I will just refuse to buy THAT"s how we can speak..DON'T PAY THEM!! Not to mention that their 'upgrade' cause several problems which they refused to admit to .Let's see, it worked perfect yesterday YOU ADDED some more of your crap ads and now we have Lot's of problems along with constant random rebooting ,but it's NOT your fault!!! Got it, we are all stupid verizon.
VERY HAPPY now with my provider but I made a terrible mistake and purchased an iPhone4 MY GOD NEVER NEVER should an Android person reduce themselves to an Apple product.Please say a prayer for me to get rid of this disaster AND find a close clone to the verizon DX in GSM ..
All suggestions are welcomed ,..Thanks in advance, Bill

adi19956

Cammeron Summerson at Android Police wrote a good article about this, I recommend [Infographic] Android Fragmentation Visualized... If You Like Biased Information, That Is

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!on

I have recently seen HTC get a lambasting on Watchdog, a UK consumer namer & shamer. It was a case of generic far eastern company being either very distant or non-existent when it came to support.

Though to be fair, lots of brands made models with faults. Electronics are cheap, but they want profit. Up to a certain point it's OK to replace, but then it starts getting expensive / embarrassing for them & you see their attitude towards the customer (in general) change. This is why we see companies trying to wriggle out of obligations concerning KNOWN faults.

That's why I prefer brands known for making phones, not televisions or other generic electricals. People like motorola or Nokia have a bigger reputation to keep. I've always found Nokia care point to be the best, they're local, free in warranty with no questions asked & often same day turn around. In fact wish they'd take on Android OS!

Slug

All HTC manufactures is smartphones, and have been doing so for years. By your definition both Nokia and Motorola are more "generic" than HTC as both produce more than just smartphones.

zuben el genub

Doen't the new RAZR have a locked bootloader?

The one thing that has long torqued me about Motorola, is you had to BUY the software!
I had a RIZR and wanted to edit a few things, and the software was $50!

Nokia is free, BB is free, Samsung is free.

Crashdamage

Verizon RAZRs will have locked bootloaders because that's just the way Verizon is - controlling and greedy. Motorola has said they will offer an unlocker for the RAZR, but I'd bet it won't work on Verizon models, Moto wouldn't want to tick VZ off.

As for the RIZR software costing $50...that was a long time ago and not Android.

adi19956

I have found HTC to be very supportive when I've contacted them actually

bfriskey

Yep verizon ..Will someone PLEASE come up with a cache for GOOGLE MAPS so I can gt rid of my cell package, buy a tracfone and use my DX as everything else , GPS, PDA, Camera, Contact List, Games, Calls when on WiFi the list is TRULY endless SO come on Give me a cached Google maps PLEASE PLEASE etc etc etc As far as iphone I'm dumping mine really as soon as I can...It's such old technology I was doing all this and more 20 years ago..where are all you fanboys from ?? How can you actually recommend these 'phones'.??/
As far as a tracphone DO YOU REALLY , REALLY NEED TO YACK 24/7 ?? I can wait until I get to my destination OR a Wifi connection with Skype ,really cellular 24/7 ??Aren't yuou tired of carriers spitting in your face with all the ads, all the lies, all the misleading ads, all the pure 'UNLIMITED ' BS LIEs..For the record..that is a lie it is a lie it is s lie THERE IS NO EASTER BUNNY AND THERE IS NO UNLIMITED ANYTHING BUT LIES !! if YOU really don't care than you need to pay more and get less..So go get 'em

!on

I mentioned HTC because of the news item on BBC Watchdog.

I said in another paragraph that I prefer phones from established phone manufacturers rather than those used to making televisions. Some phone manufacturers have been around longer. I could have been referring to any other electrical company who's decided to jump on the mobile phone bandwagon. And anyway, it is my personal preference .

Good for you. Did I mention they were on BBC Watchdog? Seems some people weren't as happy as you .

zuben el genub

I know the RIZR was not Android. However, to do a few things, you had to use Motorola's software and it was $50 at the time to get the software from Motorola.

I remember using BitPim to get around V's crap on an LG!

ardchoille

This is why I bought my Evo 4G: ROMs and Kernels Download Page

Sprint says my phone goes EOL this month, but the development community has proven that this phone has lots of life left. How many 3rd party ROMs and Kernels are available for the iPhone? I don't remember seeing any of this mentioned in the article.

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Crashdamage

Verizon is liable to do all kinds of nasty things Motorola, LG or anyone (but Apple) cannot control if they want to continue doing business with VZ.

But I gotta think a RIZR from years ago has nothing to do with anything today, including Moto's current policies.

adi19956

where is it? I want to read the report... BBC - Search results for htc watchdog
it appears I'm wasting my license fee

jerofld

The thing is about this chart is that it's accurate and inaccurate simultaneously.

How it is accurate: The more popular an Android device is, the more likely the manufacturer will be to update. That's why the Nexus, the Droid (aka OG Droid), the Droid Incredible (aka Dinc), and the Evo 4G have pretty good upgrade records. They are popular devices, and Google would be damned if their device didn't get updated often.

Here is how it's not accurate: A lot of those phones did not sell too many. Also, I'd like to know what the author defines as "a major update'. Going from 2.1 to 2.2 (Eclair to Froyo) is a major update. Going from 2.2 to 2.2.1 (a patch to Froyo) is not, IMO. And certainly not 2.3.3 to 2.3.4, to 2.3.5. Which, I think the current Gingerbread version is 2.3.7. Google makes a lot of small updates. Can you really expect manufacturers to keep up and pass the carrier's stress testing?

So, my advice: Get a good quality phone that is popular if you're really worried about updates. The Nexus line will get updates as long as the hardware can support it. The Verizon Droid series is also really good at getting updated. Sprint's Evo line gets updates regularly. The SGS2 will very likely be updated, due to it's popularity. So expect to pay $200 + 2year contract to get a good phone that will be supported for at least 18 months. You'll be happier than getting a cheaper phone that isn't getting updated because it's a low priority for the manufacturer.

!on

It was on the box a few weeks ago.

Have you tried using google? We have google phones. Heres what I found at the first result if I do your work for you. Sorry to burst your bubble. BBC - Watchdog: HTC: is their customer service 'quietly brilliant'?

Ofcourse not everyone is unhappy with them (like you said). In fact I'm quite jealous of a colleaugues handset (another quick google - he has the Desire HD) & I'm the one who goes prepay then roots it (voids warranty).

aysiu

I know a number of iPhone owners for whom upgrading their iPhone 3G to iOS 4 was something they regretted. The performance of iOS 4 on the 3G was piss poor. Upgrades make sense only if they make sense.

[Warning: American perspective here, which I think I share with the original blogger]
That said, I do think that carriers should roll out Android updates sooner, but I disagree with the assertion in the blog post that carriers are in the same business situation as Apple is in. Apple is a hardware manufacturer and wants you to be happy with Apple hardware. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile are wireless providers. They know they have you locked into a contract (as most people are) for two years, and a lot of people don't want to switch carriers because it's too much trouble and they want to be grandfathered into an unlimited plan or a lower contract price. The carriers have very little incentive to push software upgrades to phones.

I know people will say "Yeah, but it's really HTC or Motorola or Samsung making the update, not the carrier." Well, then why don't they let you download the update yourself and push it yourself? Why is it still up to the carrier to push? I know a lot of situations in which an upgrade has been officially released but not pushed to all phones. That is up to the carrier. You can't say the carrier isn't the one pushing it, especially since a lot of the bloatware in the Android roms you get on phones is bloatware from the carrier and not the handset manufacturer.

The real problem is that Google made Android "open" to handset manufacturers, and then handset manufacturers and wireless carriers made it closed to users (with the exception of the relatively miniscule number of users who root their phones). Android isn't "open" if you don't have root access (all contract-sold phones) or if you can't uninstall bloatware apps (all contract-sold phones) or if you can't choose to enable software installation from unknown sources (AT&T phones).

I love my current phone (MyTouch 4G) because I rooted it and installed Cyanogen on it. Cyanogen has been an excellent experience and pretty much updated almost immediately. When this phone outlives its usefulness or I'm eligible for an upgrade and just curious about what's new (maybe in two years or so), I'm definitely going for the Nexus line.

I don't mind rooting my phone, but I'd prefer not having to in order to get both a vanilla Android experience and timely software upgrades.

adi19956

well I hope to get ICS on my Legend and if performance is poor, at least I, unlike out iOS friends can downgrade to Gingerbread again