Google will require OEMs to provide regular security updates… or else

24 October 2018
Google might deny the device’s Android approval if the phone is not maintained with regular security patches.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 3JQ
  • 25 Oct 2018

companies already found a solution for this and that is, from now on its 99999 pieces for one model. like huawei p20a, p20b, p20c.....

    I wonder how Google goes about it. For now, Android and updates are a cluttered mess.

    You need a phone with swift updates, get a premium half-baked Pixel camera phone (now the iPhone of Android thanks to following Apple).

    You can wait a bit, buy a Pixel alternative with stock android, limited features, same bugs as Pixel but priced more sensibly. E.g. Sony (just can't believe how much their UI has changed over the time and features removed), Motorola (Lenovo has nearly killed their fast update cycle), OnePlus (best balance for the features and stock Android), Nokia (it's HMD folks with Nokia branding, no soul or vision of Nokia we all know) and others.

    You are okay with updates taking their sweet time, get a skinned Android like Huawei, Samsung, LG, HTC, Xiaomi, etc. (full of features but also, with a stutter or iOS replica OS)

    You want the best hardware and don't believe it needs good software to compliment, get any Chinese no name, name, whatever phone. Buy it, brag about the hardware and forget it.

    No common guidelines to offer at least a safe and balanced experience. Such a compelling platform with a self-created mess!

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • IW@
      • 25 Oct 2018

      Kiyasuriin, 25 Oct 2018Agreed on all except the last one. And I am a pro-MicroSD u... moreFixed internal storage in phones is planned obsolescence no matter how much you defend it - Not unless they are user upgradeable like hard drives in Windows laptops and desktops. Micro sd storage should be mandatory as their absence greatly contributes to planned obsolescence when internal memory is full. It doesn't matter how much internal memory you have with you: if you can't do anything to expand it other tgan replacing the phone, that's planned obsolescence. If you bought a 64GB internal storage phone because you thought that's all you will ever need, but a year or two later, found out it is not enough for your changing needs, then no expansion option is planned obsolescence . And yes, even if you have a 512GB internal storage phone because that's what you thought you'll ever need in the next two years, but soon found out you need more due to changing needs, then no expansion option = planned obsolescence all the same.

        Nokiax, 25 Oct 2018Xiaomi Budget series has worst android upade policy Coz th... moreNewer android version wouldn't matter much for the average user running stock MIUI because almost all new software features get backported.

          Nice Move Google

            Xiaomi Budget series has worst android upade policy
            Coz they launch budget device on already outdated os after they give only one android update..
            So your device always on outdated OS.

            Example redmi4x launched with 6.0 that time 8.0 in the market..
            After one magor update redmi4x on 7.1 same time
            9..0 already out..

              Adul Al Salami Kebab, 25 Oct 2018This may kill some smaller brands. O3OSmall brands wouldn't necessarily sell more than 100 000 of each model type and if they do they probably don't have too many different models - so upkeeping them with updates shouldn't be a problem. If hiring a few extra software engineers is too though for them, then a change in their business model is advisable.

              I think the truth is that most of the hardware manufacturers are just that, dealers of hardware and the sooner it's "out of date" the sooner they can push a new device. Hence current lag fest of SW updates.

                xXENDER FREAKXx, 25 Oct 2018I guess Security Patch update too? Though not some big soft... moreIt's an excellent skin. I swapped the OxygenOS ROM I had to a modded UX9.5 That allows me to tweak Bixby button. It's now a multifunction button. when shooting (a picture ofcourse) It's a shutter button, when in youtube. it allows me to autopause when I need it. (I hate the fact I need to tap on the screen while watching videos) and in music mode. the most fun ever. Like apple's earpods; Single press- Pause/play, Double-next. Triple: shuffle
                and on and on and on~ ^^
                A few things I'd change though is the game launcher features. just a general controller for games is not enough. I want black shark level of costumisability!

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                  • Elgea
                  • 3PF
                  • 25 Oct 2018

                  I wonder, how Google will control this process for all "no name" China phones .

                    • R
                    • RS
                    • EP%
                    • 25 Oct 2018

                    Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018It's a good start but certainly, it is NOT enough. Ther... moreAgree with all points here. 5 years is the minimum. Good point about batteries too. They are the first to go and fresh batteries give a new lease of life to your old phone. If you have 128gb built in, Micro SD isn't essential, though good to have. OEMs would say this makes bad business sense. But they should expand their business model where long support can be financially rewarding (subscription, user fee) and think of new ways than releasing a new phone with 0.1 inch screen size difference every week.

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                      • Adul Al Salami Kebab
                      • nrX
                      • 25 Oct 2018

                      This may kill some smaller brands. O3O

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • XNk
                        • 25 Oct 2018

                        xXENDER FREAKXx, 25 Oct 2018Looking at u SAMSUNG, hopefully you'll bring faster updates... moreThey are doing ok with security updates. Every 3 months for non-flagship models. Can't hurry them for OS version update because of their heavy skin.

                          Anonymous, 25 Oct 2018Samsung cough should update all 2017 models no need ... all samsung user are smart , they can update on their own ...

                            I like this regulation. It will though have pros and cons on it.

                            On one side the consumer will be more secure to security threats/attacks but will definitely jack up the prices of companies (see: midrange pullers) to include resource cost which will get included in the final pricing of the models.

                            But better safe than sorry.

                              Kiyasuriin, 25 Oct 2018I dunno about the others. but I am getting the new version ... moreI guess Security Patch update too? Though not some big software update, it sometimes does improve a little bit on performance and battery life. Of course, you'll have to bear with it if the Security Patch update have some issues on the performance and battery life. Saying of waiting for ANDROID PIE, what is you impression on SAMSUNG's UX of it? It feels a bit weird for a SAMSUNG, but it definitely looks cleaner

                                Looking at u SAMSUNG, hopefully you'll bring faster updates thanks to Project Treble

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • vMf
                                  • 25 Oct 2018

                                  Samsung cough should update all 2017 models

                                    Note7 owner, 25 Oct 2018Android fans are always waiting for the next update, is som... moreI dunno about the others. but I am getting the new version because it has features I anticipated for. As for the others.... who am I to know?

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • pdv
                                      • 25 Oct 2018

                                      the older android gets the worse the experiance gets as well. What happened to the user being responsible for their actions?

                                        Android fans are always waiting for the next update, is something wrong with your phones that you're so anxious to get an update?

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