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software updates?
- Thread starter jshaw42
- Start date
Dngrsone
Android Expert
The problem lies in the hardware of the device in question.
Unlike (most) desktop computers and laptops, there is not a standardized interface between the operating system (assuming Android in this case) and the hardware of the phone or tablet.
This means that someone (usually the manufacturer of the device) has to go into the code of the Android software and program in the specifics of the device the software is supposed to operate.
For example, my phone my use a specific microprocessor which is addressed via a certain list of names, but your tablet may use a different processor with different names. If you tried to install the Android OS that was built for my device on yours, nothing would work because Android is using the wrong names.
Does this help?
Unlike (most) desktop computers and laptops, there is not a standardized interface between the operating system (assuming Android in this case) and the hardware of the phone or tablet.
This means that someone (usually the manufacturer of the device) has to go into the code of the Android software and program in the specifics of the device the software is supposed to operate.
For example, my phone my use a specific microprocessor which is addressed via a certain list of names, but your tablet may use a different processor with different names. If you tried to install the Android OS that was built for my device on yours, nothing would work because Android is using the wrong names.
Does this help?
This does help. Many thanks. But, that would mean (to me at least) that every time a new software update is released, one would need to purchase a new device to use it. It seems a bit unfair to the consumer. And, even though I am a big fan of android, I may revert to windows just for that reason.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
It largely depends on the maker of the phone and (especially) your provider.
Some devices get pretty good support and upgrades, while others are almost obsolete out of the box.
Some providers like to hobble the devices on their network and so don't do upgrades nearly as fast, if at all.
You have to keep in mind that the rate of innovation in portable devices is high and so some of the features in the newer versions of Android just will not work on older devices-- they are either too slow or don't have the hardware to utilize the new stuff.
Your best bet would be to research the phone/tablet you want and see if there are any announcements indicating future upgrades in software.
Also, troll a few forums and see what problems people are experiencing.
Some devices get pretty good support and upgrades, while others are almost obsolete out of the box.
Some providers like to hobble the devices on their network and so don't do upgrades nearly as fast, if at all.
You have to keep in mind that the rate of innovation in portable devices is high and so some of the features in the newer versions of Android just will not work on older devices-- they are either too slow or don't have the hardware to utilize the new stuff.
Your best bet would be to research the phone/tablet you want and see if there are any announcements indicating future upgrades in software.
Also, troll a few forums and see what problems people are experiencing.
Thanks for the help and advice. I now use a Galaxy s4 i9505 on U. S. Cellular. The update to 4.3 was later than others, but earlier than I expected. It appears the 4.4 update will happen. We just have no idea when.
I am completely satisfied with my phone. My only complaint about android and devices is that I would like my phone and tablet to be on the same version.
I am completely satisfied with my phone. My only complaint about android and devices is that I would like my phone and tablet to be on the same version.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
Good luck on that.
I have a Galaxy S2 'E4GT', and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and a Galaxy Tab 2 10.0 and all three have different versions of Android.
And, just because, the Tab 2 7.0 doesn't implement some of the more desired features I wanted out of it's iteration of Android 4.2.2.
I may just root that one and install a third-party ROM like Cyanogen.
My carrier refuses to implement an upgrade on the Tab 2 10.0, and I don't want to root it and install something else for fear I will lose my connectivity.
I have a Galaxy S2 'E4GT', and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and a Galaxy Tab 2 10.0 and all three have different versions of Android.
And, just because, the Tab 2 7.0 doesn't implement some of the more desired features I wanted out of it's iteration of Android 4.2.2.
I may just root that one and install a third-party ROM like Cyanogen.
My carrier refuses to implement an upgrade on the Tab 2 10.0, and I don't want to root it and install something else for fear I will lose my connectivity.
The major manufacturers tend to support devices for around two years after release. Some are better than others at releasing minor updates e.g x.x.y => x.x.z; some were poor in the past and have improved. The only devices to remain constantly to the fore are the Nexus range, with updates to their 'vanilla' version of Android pushed directly from Google themselves.
Dngrsone
Android Expert
I think you are looking at things a little sideways here.
Sure, you can expect to upgrade your Windows machine... for a price.
If your hardware can support it.
If you actually own the device (and are not more-or-less leasing it from your provider under contract).
These phones et al are more like Apple machines than Microsoft's-- the company tells you can can have an upgrade, if and when they feel like you deserve it.
You don't deserve it.
Actually, updates to the Windows OS have always been free. Ugrades, I agree, are for a fee.
Had the sam PC through three upgrades.
I would venture a guess that most PC users own their equipment.
I understand and agree. The fact that the companies push updates at different times is, to me at least, bordering on unfair practices.
Who says? The companies?
Dngrsone
Android Expert
The difference between Android 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 would be an update. Going to 4.2.x would be an upgrade. Updates in Android are rare.
I would counter that most computer users are parked in front of corporate machines, owned by their employers.
Fairness has nothing to do with it; it is all about the bottom-line.
Having a Windows phone is no guarantee you'll get new versions. Anyone who had Win Phone 7 or 7.5. If they want Win Phone 8, they have to buy new phones. And that's not companies or carriers, that's Microsoft. Windows on a phone is completely different to how it's done on a PC. One you thing you just can't buy Win Phone, not without it coming on a device.
Major manufacturers like Samsung should support their devices for around two years with updates. After that it's considered end of life and they would like you to buy a new phone. By which time most people's contracts are up for renewal, so likely to get a good deal on a new phone anyway. On the other hand if you got a cheapo something or other that came from EBay, don't expect any updates at all.
funkylogik
share the love peeps ;)
Ah at first i thought you were talking about app updates OP.
I get what you mean that it would be nice if "android" devices were updated promptly and indefinately but as far as the manufacturer is concerned (i think), youre buying the device as it is with the firmware it has. They choose to push updates to the device so that new buyers will buy it while its still being sold but theyre under no obligation to do that.
Google will provide them with the code but its up to the manufacturer to decide if its worth putting resources into making it run on their product and adding all their features/customisations.
As Slug says, the best way to stay up to date is to buy a nexus device.
Either that or use 3rd party firmware (custom roms).
There are 4.4.2 roms available for the s4 (but without all the Samsung additions) :thumbup:
I get what you mean that it would be nice if "android" devices were updated promptly and indefinately but as far as the manufacturer is concerned (i think), youre buying the device as it is with the firmware it has. They choose to push updates to the device so that new buyers will buy it while its still being sold but theyre under no obligation to do that.
Google will provide them with the code but its up to the manufacturer to decide if its worth putting resources into making it run on their product and adding all their features/customisations.
As Slug says, the best way to stay up to date is to buy a nexus device.
Either that or use 3rd party firmware (custom roms).
There are 4.4.2 roms available for the s4 (but without all the Samsung additions) :thumbup:
funkylogik
share the love peeps ;)
Jshaw42 i saw this and thought of you https://plus.google.com/108780595862919267771/posts/ciGFKP4GXB6
Read it though to see what s4 version its for (because i havent)
EDIT its for the international s4. Aparently its nice
Read it though to see what s4 version its for (because i havent)
EDIT its for the international s4. Aparently its nice
chanchan05
The Doctor
Here's a link with an infographic from HTC regarding how updates come from Google to you:
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/811592-very-interesting-posts-htc-how-upgrades-happen.html
Same should apply to all brands. In your case, the bottle-neck is your carrier. In the US almost all updates go through the carrier first. In other countries, the carriers don't bother with the manufacturer and let them push updates as they want.
@jshaw
Android 4.1 -> 4.3 Jellybean update. Similar to say, Windows 8 to 8.1
Android 4.3 -> 4.4 Kitkat UPGRADE. Similar to Windows 7 to Windows 8 (NOT FREE).
You had the same PC through 3 upgrades. Which means you have supported hardware. My current laptop is not advised to be upgraded to Windows 8, because the hardware drivers for Windows 8 weren't released on some components (yes I'm looking at you AMD/ATI). In your case you have a Galaxy S4 which has a Qualcomm CPU. What if, Qualcomm decided it does not want to release Kitkat drivers for it's current batch of CPU's, and tell you to shut up and buy new phones with our newer chips? Google, Samsung, and US Cellular would have no capability of making an upgrade for your phone. So in a sense, it's similar to a PC.
Companies update on different times because they have to test for stability. Some phone models/hardware, they get the firmware stable and fixed at the first try. Some models they try and try until they give up. An example is Samsung giving up on the Galaxy S update to ICS a few years ago. The change from GB to ICS was quite big, that Samsung had to rewrite TouchWiz for ICS, and putting that out on an update for the Galaxy S always ended up buggy. Samsung however unofficially did say you can still get ICS for Galaxy S via unofficial updates (meaning no TouchWiz) via flashing ROMs like Cyanogenmod. Basically they found out that for the Galaxy S hardware, it was either TouchWiz and GB, or ICS without TouchWiz, otherwise it would be laggy and buggy. So they gave up and did not publish an update. HTC did a different path on their first Desire. I can't remember what Android version it was, but it was a similar situation where the phone can't handle HTC's Sense and the new Android OS at the same time. They instead released an Android OS update with Sense removed AFAIK. While others just abandoned updates (Hello Motorola). See this thread:
http://androidforums.com/device-carrier-comparisons/785104-software-updates-oem-comparison.html
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/811592-very-interesting-posts-htc-how-upgrades-happen.html
Same should apply to all brands. In your case, the bottle-neck is your carrier. In the US almost all updates go through the carrier first. In other countries, the carriers don't bother with the manufacturer and let them push updates as they want.
@jshaw
Android 4.1 -> 4.3 Jellybean update. Similar to say, Windows 8 to 8.1
Android 4.3 -> 4.4 Kitkat UPGRADE. Similar to Windows 7 to Windows 8 (NOT FREE).
You had the same PC through 3 upgrades. Which means you have supported hardware. My current laptop is not advised to be upgraded to Windows 8, because the hardware drivers for Windows 8 weren't released on some components (yes I'm looking at you AMD/ATI). In your case you have a Galaxy S4 which has a Qualcomm CPU. What if, Qualcomm decided it does not want to release Kitkat drivers for it's current batch of CPU's, and tell you to shut up and buy new phones with our newer chips? Google, Samsung, and US Cellular would have no capability of making an upgrade for your phone. So in a sense, it's similar to a PC.
Companies update on different times because they have to test for stability. Some phone models/hardware, they get the firmware stable and fixed at the first try. Some models they try and try until they give up. An example is Samsung giving up on the Galaxy S update to ICS a few years ago. The change from GB to ICS was quite big, that Samsung had to rewrite TouchWiz for ICS, and putting that out on an update for the Galaxy S always ended up buggy. Samsung however unofficially did say you can still get ICS for Galaxy S via unofficial updates (meaning no TouchWiz) via flashing ROMs like Cyanogenmod. Basically they found out that for the Galaxy S hardware, it was either TouchWiz and GB, or ICS without TouchWiz, otherwise it would be laggy and buggy. So they gave up and did not publish an update. HTC did a different path on their first Desire. I can't remember what Android version it was, but it was a similar situation where the phone can't handle HTC's Sense and the new Android OS at the same time. They instead released an Android OS update with Sense removed AFAIK. While others just abandoned updates (Hello Motorola). See this thread:
http://androidforums.com/device-carrier-comparisons/785104-software-updates-oem-comparison.html
funkylogik
share the love peeps ;)
That graphic is a really good way to understand it and excellent post chanchan mate :thumbup::thumbup:
Probably not. As a user I've not noticed huge differences between 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4. If I was running AOSP (vanilla Android) and could play with ART then KK would probably make more difference to me, but otherwise I don't find it hugely different.
It is quite simple actually.
If you are not root-ed you will upgrade to Kit Kat. The reason is that you will simply want to stop the requests that keep repeating asking for permission to do so.
The only reasons I can see for delaying ...
- You want to arrange for updates for your data and contacts before you upgrade because you plan to do a Factory Data Reset after you do the update.
- You are root-ed and your particular device looses root and there isn't a method yet to root under Kit Kat.
... Thom
If you are not root-ed you will upgrade to Kit Kat. The reason is that you will simply want to stop the requests that keep repeating asking for permission to do so.
The only reasons I can see for delaying ...
- You want to arrange for updates for your data and contacts before you upgrade because you plan to do a Factory Data Reset after you do the update.
- You are root-ed and your particular device looses root and there isn't a method yet to root under Kit Kat.
... Thom
Since my carrier is quite behind the times in many ways (so am I, quite frankly), this may all be moot for me. If the rest of the world has updated by the middle of the year, I can expect it in fall. By then the S5 will be available and I will need to make more and different decisions.
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