Slightly concerned - ease my paranoia please!

[paradigmteacher]

Hey guys, I just bought a desire on a 3 yr contract. My concern going forward is several things.

1)Because Im on a 3 year contract will my desire not receive updates past 2.2 or more importantly 3.0?

2)An issue i see with android is a fractured operating system market, it seems that older androids will quickly be relegated to lack of support with new devices coming out seemingly every month.

3) If im on a 3 year contract would it simply be better to get an ip4 to be sure ill continue to get supported updates from apply for the life of my phone.

Thanks for any info, it just seems that androids quick development is a double edged sword for people that dont upgrade every year.

 

[shauny13]

why did u get a 3yr contract then?

 

[willis]

I think you're right to be concerned, especially if you want the best hw running the latest sw.
But then what kind of updates would you expect from apple? Multitasking? Woo-hoo!!

Also, 3 year contract?? Are they even legal?

 

[Jammy]

If you root, you'll be able to flash ROMs that people have made. This means that you'll be able to get the newer operating systems

You Canadian? I hear 3 year contracts are the norm there

 

[willis]

You Canadian? I hear 3 year contracts are the norm there

Serious? Thats gotta suck for the consumer and manufacturers

 

[kilroy]

I thought my 2 year contract was bad enough. I can't imagine having one phone for 3 years, regardless of how good it was when you got it. I wouldn't be worried about how well the OS holds up, I'd be worried about how the hardware is holding up. You'll at least get a couple of years worth of updates on the OS. If you root and flash custom ROM's you'll be most likely covered for the whole 3 years.

 

[paradigmteacher]

If you root, you'll be able to flash ROMs that people have made. This means that you'll be able to get the newer operating systems

You Canadian? I hear 3 year contracts are the norm there

Yep I am Canadian, lol we obviously have worldwide bad reputation for shitty cell phone companies. I hear Europeans have it made with well priced plans and phones. Again, im not concerned about my phone being the latest and greatest, but support for the phone is a concern say...1.5 years down the road.

 

[OFI]

Wow.. three years. 2 years is awful enough. Provided the hardware supports it you should be able to get updates as Jammy said. But wow.. expecting a phone to even last that long anyway...

 

[no fit state]

As above... 3 years! I've not had phone that doesn't need replacing through wear and tear after 12 months.

Though to answer (one of) your question I agree with Jammy's answer. The only way I could see you getting the latest updates is through rooting and custom roms.

 

[paradigmteacher]

Wow.. three years. 2 years is awful enough. Provided the hardware supports it you should be able to get updates as Jammy said. But wow.. expecting a phone to even last that long anyway...

Are you serious? Do you abuse your phones or something? My last phone was good for 4 years and I could have kept using it but i wanted an upgrade. Do you people beat the piss outta your phones on a daily basis?

 

[Yenzehn]

3 years is just too much, even if apple has a reputation of keeping up software support, the original iphone (which turned 3 a little while ago) is easily behind in terms of features and locked out from using many apps, particularly games.

We have a 6 month limit here with wireless companies lobbying for an increase to 12 "To improve customer experience", and that alone scares me.

I believe I have heard about you being able to get a 2 year contract with some companies? I would go for that instead, regardless if you choose the iphone, an android phone or any other option.

And over a year I tend to wear down any device, in 4-5 months my desire has been dropped about 10 times, which has resulted in a minor scratch on the screen (kind of lucky considering it was a down a small flight of stairs), and a few jagged corners/edges.

I think in a few months I might get a cell phone cover to cover the abuse the phone has received ^^.

 

[sookster54]

You Canadian? I hear 3 year contracts are the norm there

Yes but more and more of us are avoiding 3 years when buying phones these days, however Telus reps are more reluctant to selling you a phone outright without continously trying to encourage you to buy into a contract and there is no cap for ETF fees with Telus (36 mo = $720+). The big 3 here bases their employees' income with commission on signed contracts, it's why I don't ever want to work for a cell phone company.

You have the option of 1/2/3/outright with some companies but the price gap between 2 and 3 is huge on some phones, like the Milestone here in Canada, $499 for 2 year and $99 for 3 year (full price is $599).

And OP, the Desire supposedly should get 3.0 support, however nothing can be promised anymore, did you know the Motorola Droid/Milestone was advertised to have flash (10) support but isn't getting Froyo? Same as my Motorola Quench it was advertised to have resizable widgets yet it doesn't.

 

[HYCAET]

I've not had phone that doesn't need replacing through wear and tear after 12 months.

Are you a friend of Ashley Cole? His phones get messy.

 

[sookster54]

And over a year I tend to wear down any device, in 4-5 months my desire has been dropped about 10 times, which has resulted in a minor scratch on the screen (kind of lucky considering it was a down a small flight of stairs), and a few jagged corners/edges.

I'll remember not to ever lend you my phone. I have never dropped a phone in my 15 years of owning cell phones, lol I guess I'm too careful. I did fumble my Pearl Flip but I have fast hands.

 

[willis]

I did fumble my Pearl Flip but I have fast hands.

Reported to moderators.

I'm tempted to suggest iPhone. I wouldn't even expect xda to look after you 3 years later, let alone htc.
I feel like i'm being discrimanatory towards Canadians

 

[Yenzehn]

What's reported to moderators..?

 

[willis]

His unnecessary euphemism

 

[dawson258]

His unnecessary euphemism

put your dummy back in

 

[philarmer]

His unnecessary euphemism

oh dear!!

 

[sookster54]

Reported to moderators.

I'm tempted to suggest iPhone. I wouldn't even expect xda to look after you 3 years later, let alone htc.
I feel like i'm being discrimanatory towards Canadians

I'm sorry.. what??

 

[Jooky85]

Whoosh?

 

[Tumblew33d]

I'm sorry.. what??

Reported this one too. These euphemisms just can't go on any longer. This is a family forum.

You filthy beast.

 

[Tumblew33d]

Oh, and lol.

"What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

 

[grainysand]

3) If im on a 3 year contract would it simply be better to get an ip4 to be sure ill continue to get supported updates from apply for the life of my phone.

Eheheh. You know that the original iphone, which is now three years old, didn't get the latest iOS update, right? And the 3G, which is currently two years old, will... slow down... to... a crawl... if updated to iOS 4, right?

 

[paradigmteacher]

Eheheh. You know that the original iphone, which is now three years old, didn't get the latest iOS update, right? And the 3G, which is currently two years old, will... slow down... to... a crawl... if updated to iOS 4, right?

You know the 3g is getting a software update to address this, right?