The whole Android demography is getting split over different updates because the ignorant providers insist on using a custom version of the Android OS and then end up not updating when everyone else does or some phones no longer receive global updates at all, or months later!
I would just like to point out that the carriers are not ignorant and don't provide OS updates out of laziness, incompetence or malice. Nor is it a blatant disregard for customers' wishes. Especially with the rapid growth of the Android platform and the flurry of major and minor updates flowing out of Google, it becomes nearly impossible to keep every phone, both past and current, updated, let alone the phones that are still in development.
Let's look at this from the other side. I'll use HTC as an example, 1.) because you have a Desire and they have a good reputation in this area and, 2.) it's easier to type than Samsung or Motorola
. HTC decides to introduce a new phone using Android. Taking plain Android, they adapt the code to work with their hardware. It keeps the software footprint smaller than if Google tried to put out a universal version that included all possible drivers and features in one installer.
That's all good from a hardware perspective, but they now have a phone that differentiates itself only by hardware. To make the device more attractive to consumers, they modify the UI to provide a unique HTC experience. Sense UI, in this case, which also includes some very nice HTC-only widgets and apps. Once they are satisfied that the hardware is capable, the OS is working properly and the UI is pretty enough, they send it to the carrier for testing on their network.
The carrier will modify the phone as well to include (or disable) features based on the consumer's contract options. Once the carrier is satisfied, it goes back to HTC for further testing to make sure the carrier's modifications didn't negatively impact the OS or their customizations. Then it goes back tot he carrier and if they are satisfied all their changes are still working properly, they release the phone for sale and hopefully make tons of money from selling phones and contracts.
Along comes Google three months later and says here's the next tasty treat of an update to the OS. Of course Joe and Jane consumer want it. The problem is that Joe and Jane still have 18 months left on their contracts so they aren't going to buy a new device now. Instead they ask for the update.
Unless an update fixes something that was supposed to work, but didn't due to a bug or incompatibility, HTC and the carrier are under no obligation to update the phone. You get what you get at the time of sale. The problem for them is they know if you sit there for the next 18 months feeling ignored and left behind, by the time it comes to buy a new device and renew your contract, you'll be hating on them big time.
They make the prudent business decision and put the update into the works. Remember, they've already made their money and this is a revenue black hole for the company (and none too pleasing to shareholders). So they modify they new OS for the phone and add their widgets and apps, which most likely will require new development costs due to the OS update. Then it goes to the carrier for their changes and back to HTC for testing. Keep in mind that they are diligent in this process because not only would a bad update not be good for their image, but would be a support nightmare incurring additional cost.
So it's not an easy decision or process. The option would be to make Android vanilla for everybody, but then there would be nothing to differentiate an HTC from an LG other than hardware. Besides, some people absolutely love Sense while others think Blur is "daBomb". It's both the beauty and the curse of having choice.
All this is a nightmare for a developer because he needs to check his app on all of the different OS versions AND take into account what functions are available and to who.
That's the developer's job. Android, IMO, would have never blossomed into a market leader without the variety and options. If they wish to reap the rewards, they should be ready to do he work.
The way it's going, people will be forced to buy a new phone just to get an OS upgrade - even when it's not needed and their phone is capable of running the new OS version. It basically gives phone manufacturers the power to "end" support for an older phone to push people towards getting a new phone even if their old one still works.
To a degree, that's exactly what they want. It's a balance between marketing and manufacturing ... welcome to the capitalist consumer market. It is also unreasonable for a company to support legacy hardware forever, let alone keep it current.
Luckily, there's such a thing as ROMs but how many regular users will know to install them? I'm a bit worried when support for my own HTC Desire will cease and my phone will no longer be able to run newer apps unless I flash some custom ROM.
To the users that care, they will take the time to learn, even though it's not hard at all. To those that don't care, it's a non-issue. Most people expect the phone they buy to work as was supposed to the day they bought it until the hardware fails or they upgrade to a new one, and in reality, that's what happens.
