No more Nexus?

[codesplice]

End of life, typically 2 years for a device.

Basically the point at which manufacturers stop updating.

Google updates nexus phones until the hardware can't take the update.

Other manufacturers end much sooner because they'd rather have you buy a new device

I think the official line is that Nexus devices will receive updates for 18 months.

 

[Orion]

From a non developer standpoint...

The issue with GPE for me is that the cost is outrageous... There's no way I could float that every year like I could with the nexus devices.

The hardware and the software aren't in sync- The ONE or the S4 both come out with IR blasters.... something that AOSP didnt support until just recently. So you're paying for hardware you can't even use.

The software is severly lacking from its non-GPE counterpart. If I'm going to buy an HTC ONE, I want to take advantage of HTC's awesome camera software. All of that get nix'd on a GPE device. You lose the "ultra pixels".

And you're still paying basically the same amount as the phone that isn't missing all of that.

Exactly! GPE phones are too expensive and they strip some of the features. Who knows, maybe that will change in 2015. The cancelling of the Nexus line really stings if true. With Google selling moto and no Nexus....this has been a bad week for tech news. Depending what becomes of moto, GPE phones looks to be the only option for a stock experience.

 

[codesplice]

With the whole "Lenovorola" thing, Google has retained the ATAP group, which is/was kind of Motorola's moonshot project group (the guys working on that whole Ara modular phone concept). I wonder if that could evolve into the Nextus idea, if not the name.

 

[Rxpert83]

D'oh. I recently bought a 1st gen lol.
Would that prevent 3rd party updates too?

Nope, the devs will still try and slap on whatever the next version of android is. It just may not all work right.

For example: My Gnex is running 4.4 even though google ended official support. Heck, even the Nexus one has 4.4 available through custom ROMS

I've still got the first gen nexus 7 as well, so I'll be right there with ya

 

[jhawkkw]

Nope, the devs will still try and slap on whatever the next version of android is. It just may not all work right.

For example: My Gnex is running 4.4 even though google ended official support. Heck, even the Nexus one has 4.4 available through custom ROMS

I've still got the first gen nexus 7 as well, so I'll be right there with ya

Yeah, I more meant official updates. The dev community will try to put any version they can on a device if possible. Just because they can.

 

[Rxpert83]

Yeah, I more meant official updates. The dev community will try to put any version they can on a device if possible. Just because they can.

Haha, yeah you know they will.

I was just replying to funky's questions about whether google ending support ended 3rd party updates. I assumed (possibly wrongly) that he meant custom ROMS

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah i did mean custom roms mate cheers :beer:

 

[boathead]

D'oh. I recently bought a 1st gen lol.
Would that prevent 3rd party updates too?

meaning would rom development stop if the chip maker stopped supporting it?

i am out of my league in understanding the difficulties involved, but if texas instruments stopped supporting the chip in the gnex, then why are we seeing KK based roms for the gnex? cm11 nightlies are available for the gnex.

if the gnex is being supported still by developers, i'll wager that the N7 2012 will be as well.

if that is not what you were asking, please disregard my drivel and carry on.

 

[codesplice]

i am out of my league in understanding the difficulties involved, but if texas instruments stopped supporting the chip in the gnex, then why are we seeing KK based roms for the gnex? cm11 nightlies are available for the gnex.

if the gnex is being supported still by developers, i'll wager that the N7 2012 will be as well.

The short answer to your question is that the community built KK ROMs for the GNex are generally using older (JB) proprietary binaries instead of up-to-date officially supported ones. That's an acceptable practice for Joe Coder for his free ROM, but a bit less so for a real company supporting a real product.

And I loaded KitKat on my Nexus One a few weeks ago. The community doesn't like to let the good devices die!

 

[zipred]

The cancelling of the Nexus line really stings if true. With Google selling moto and no Nexus....this has been a bad week for tech news.

It truly stings, that's for sure. I'm overly attached to my Nexus 5 because it's nearly perfect for my wants and needs.

Not one to care about the camera or it's few other areas some have complained about, I have zero issues. I love it's plain understated style, the gorgeous display, SWYPE, and the power of the pure Google ecosystem.

In addition my work travel makes a fast efficient smartphone a must have for me. Of the many various makes and models I have had, the Nexus outshines them all.

Looking forward with an open mind and a dash of optimism, hopefully the future will bring a suitable substitute once the Nexus Party is over.

 

[funkylogik]

The community doesn't like to let the good devices die!

I LOVE the community :beer:
Just flashed a kitkat rom by our very own SaleSale tonight and its the smoothest kk rom ive had on my (legacy) s3 yet even on dalvik (and ive tried a lot) so im a happy man
The OEM cant keep a good bit of hardware down

 

[john30308]

Two rumors this week about Google ending the Nexus program. Ugh! Thoughts from any one on veracity of the rumors?

 

[Rxpert83]

We've got ongoing discussion of this topic here:

http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=6411929

Edit: I went ahead and merged similar threads

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Yeah i defintely agree about the price. Google should be encouraging development. Or maybe now that android is mature they dont care about upstream (downstream?) development?
Whats EOL jhawk mate?

They need to cut the EOL bull and just let the updates roll if a person pay top dollar for a device Google should allow that device to receive full updates even if that device breaks down and the owner chosen to pay out of pocket to have repair give the user the option to list the device as EOL. Not the OEM they do this for their own good . Drop that EOL

 

[funkylogik]

Problem is that google make aosp updates then give that to the OEM and its up to the OEM if they want to use resources to make it run on their device.
The only way around that is to use custom roms or buy a nexus

 

[BRAINZ2013]

I say the same as funkylogik to keep the custom roms and have the OEM make it a new department in their environmental office space for the users and the developers.

 

[Slug]

They need to cut the EOL bull and just let the updates roll

So you're advocating that Google continue to support old devices indefinitely? Yup, that'll work..... not! Support = cost.

 

[jhawkkw]

So you're advocating that Google continue to support old devices indefinitely? Yup, that'll work..... not! Support = cost.

A most excellent point indeed which begs the question: How many users would be willing to pay the manufacturer of their device for updates/LTS?

Almost sounds new topic worthy.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

O no the cost come first and feel that they should help anyone that contribute to any development project. But yes cost first money talks . and the custom developer should receive first hand and a privilege to promote his work on device of his choice

 

[funkylogik]

A most excellent point indeed which begs the question: How many users would be willing to pay the manufacturer of their device for updates/LTS?

Almost sounds new topic worthy.

Depending on the price, on a nexus or gpe i think i would.
I think though, that price would have to be included in the purchase of the phone.
Youre right man it would make a great topic :beer:

 

[Crashdamage]

How many users would be willing to pay the manufacturer of their device for updates/LTS?

Not nearly enough to cover the cost to manufacturers, unless each user paid a lotta money. IOW, not practical.

 

[jhawkkw]

Not nearly enough to cover the cost to manufacturers, unless each user paid a lotta money. IOW, not practical.

Probably true, mobile users have gotten spoiled by receiving free updates

But in all seriousness, I agree that I don't think enough would be willing to dish the money out considering the "average" user doesn't even know what version of android their phone is running.

 

[funkylogik]

The money would have to be payed up front or as a deposit to cover the cost of development or else an OEM could waste money developing an update and not enough people would buy it.
I think a 2year life is fair (if the cost of that 2years of support is included in the device price) and 3rd party devs will do the rest

 

[Hadron]

The money would have to be payed up front or as a deposit to cover the cost of development or else an OEM could waste money developing an update and not enough people would buy it.

Conversely if you pay up front you want a legally-enforceable contract to go with it. Otherwise what's to stop them taking the money then deciding that it's not practical to do it after all?

 

[jhawkkw]

Conversely if you pay up front you want a legally-enforceable contract to go with it. Otherwise what's to stop them taking the money then deciding that it's not practical to do it after all?

That's my concern with an upfront payment as well.