I have always been fascinated by android and I have this thing going round in my head> why are there so many versions of android and why can't we update to higher version using hotfixes or updates?
Please dont tell me because its embedded xD
caponer said:
I have always been fascinated by android and I have this thing going round in my head> why are there so many versions of android and why can't we update to higher version using hotfixes or updates?
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Because (apart from nexus devices) it is down to the manufacture to support there devices for as long as they see fit.
With new versions of android come the need for new drivers and kernel changes, which 'android' as a base does not supply this is down to the device manufacturers. That coupled with the fact that most slap there own skin on android (which makes releasing updates alot slower) and that manufacturers want you to buy a new phone ever couple of years most devices are only ever supported for between 1 and 2 years.
Plus some devices simply are not up to running the newest versions of android
I see
They haven't brought nexus here so far. So frustrating
Related
O.k...so now that we have nand, does that mean we can now get updates from android? before,we couldn't because it would reboot the phone back into windows. but now, the Magldr basically makes our HD2 a 'native' android phone since it boots directly into android. just curious..
I don't think so, since the only phones that will get updates directly from Google are the Nexus one and Nexus S.
While the rest of the Smartphones available on the market such as HTC Evo, Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola Droid, etc... will get their updates from their manufactures which will pass them through carries that subsidize those phones.
Android on HD2 will keep getting it's updates through the working of our awesome Developers , and tbh with you I like it this way since we don't have to keep waiting 6+ months for the official updates from those lazy Manufactures/Carriers.
Besides which, do you really want an Android ROM that has incompatible drivers for most of your phone functions? Its taken a while, and a lot of work on behalf of the chefs, to refine the builds and ROMs to make them compatible with the HD2, camera app on all desire hd builds for example took a long while . And we STILL don't have a fully working build for Gingerbread...
Time will deliver it with the sweat of the chefs...
Ok, I have looked this up as many ways as I possibly could and to no avail.
I am pretty sure the info I am looking for is out there, I am just having the worst time accessing it.
What I would like to know is why certain devices run on certain OS's.
is it just one factor or multiple factors? I suspect the latter[?]
and if so, what factors primarily play a role in deciding what OS goes on what device?
I know what I am asking really serves no purpose to most, but I am one of those who likes to know as much as possible.
much thanks in advance and please do forgive me for the huge lapse
The 1st factor is the device manufacturer. A clear example: SE says that Xperia X8 doesn't support versions above 2.1, so it didn't release actualizations. But now, we have even ICS on X8
The 2nd factor is the availability of drivers for the desired Android version (the drivers can come from a oficial ROM, or from the chipset manufacturer), and/or the coders interested in the device.
For many devices (specially low-end devices) this is the most important factor.
RoberGalarga said:
The 1st factor is the device manufacturer. A clear example: SE says that Xperia X8 doesn't support versions above 2.1, so it didn't release actualizations. But now, we have even ICS on X8
The 2nd factor is the availability of drivers for the desired Android version (the drivers can come from a oficial ROM, or from the chipset manufacturer), and/or the coders interested in the device.
For many devices (specially low-end devices) this is the most important factor.
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hmm, well that is very informative and I thank you
RoberGalarga said:
The 1st factor is the device manufacturer. A clear example: SE says that Xperia X8 doesn't support versions above 2.1, so it didn't release actualizations. But now, we have even ICS on X8
The 2nd factor is the availability of drivers for the desired Android version (the drivers can come from a oficial ROM, or from the chipset manufacturer), and/or the coders interested in the device.
For many devices (specially low-end devices) this is the most important factor.
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While this is true another factor is the popularity of the device. Why would anyone waste time on developing for a device that no one is interested in? It also depends on the value of the device. Its normal that the high-end ones will receive updates before the mid-range devices. But as the guy above said for xperia the same is with my LG. We also made a half functional ICS and the only big problem is the screen which works only 50%
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Hello folks, i'm new to this forum and new to the world of smartphones. own a windows phone but have an inquiry about android which i'm sure my genious brothers here will have an answer to. if i buy an android device that has android 2.3 gingerbread and is not upgradeable to version 4.0 ICS, will the apps work fine on the phone. i have the habit of using my phones for atleast 2 years. so if i'm using an android 2.3 version phone for the next 2 years, will the apps work on my phone? like they wont ask for update of the operating system of the phone?
like in Iphone you need to have the last ios to install and use instagram. is the same case with android too?
huzefaonline said:
Hello folks, i'm new to this forum and new to the world of smartphones. own a windows phone but have an inquiry about android which i'm sure my genious brothers here will have an answer to. if i buy an android device that has android 2.3 gingerbread and is not upgradeable to version 4.0 ICS, will the apps work fine on the phone. i have the habit of using my phones for atleast 2 years. so if i'm using an android 2.3 version phone for the next 2 years, will the apps work on my phone? like they wont ask for update of the operating system of the phone?
like in Iphone you need to have the last ios to install and use instagram. is the same case with android too?
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Google will be phasing out old versions of android, and developers may make the switch to newer android systems as well. Currently, about 60-80% or more of the apps currently can support Gingerbread, since Gingerbread devices make up 50% of android devices in the world. (More info here.) I figure, your phone could probably be supported for another year.
If you are clinging on to a phone for 2 years, get a good one! Most ICS Android devices are not too expensive. If your phone is a popularly branded one (Samsung, HTC, Motorola), and if you are willing to take risks, you might be able to upgrade the firmware in your machine, unofficially though.
Now let me type this out for you....
Every time Google releases a new os they release the platform sdk along with the actual source code.... Next developers download these and start building their apps.... Assume that you are a developer and you set the build sdk to a higher android version say ICS then if your phone is on gb you can't run it so it is at the helms of the developers to decide to support an older platform or not.... And forward compability is possible in android reverse compability may or may not work.... Any doubts post it below I would be happy to respond sir...
sent from cyanmobile powered Beni
thanks for the prompt response guys and clearing my confusion i'm currently using htc hd 7 windows phone 7.5 but the battery really sucks so was thinking of changing the phone and buying an android one but the phones i was checking are out of my range. can you please suggest some good cheap android ics phones?
huzefaonline said:
thanks for the prompt response guys and clearing my confusion i'm currently using htc hd 7 windows phone 7.5 but the battery really sucks so was thinking of changing the phone and buying an android one but the phones i was checking are out of my range. can you please suggest some good cheap android ics phones?
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What's the budget? There are a bunch of xperias with ics (some even upgradable to jb).
There are plenty cheap stock ICS phones, built by LG and Samsung, such as the Galaxy Ace. Look around for the best value for money.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
xudsa II USERT said:
There are plenty cheap stock ICS phones, built by LG and Samsung, such as the Galaxy Ace. Look around for the best value for money.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
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lulz. bad advice. the galaxy ace came default with froyo, upgradeable to gingerbread, but if anyone buys it now it'll came default with gingerbread.
but definitely not came default with ics and not upgradeable to it either, officially.
i own one previously.
imho ace is not what op is looking for. by todays standard, amv6 phone is a big no-no.
Verizon Z2 getting system update.
It's a fifty-something megabyte security update. :crying::crying:
Lol, I thought the same thing, good to have e the security update tho! ..... In February ?
What's bad about receiving a security update?
Well, a few things are disappointing about receiving a December security update in February.
December patch does not include protection for the Spectre vulverability.
Android Oreo has been available to OEMs for 6 months now and the Z2 Play - Motorola's second in line phone - is still waiting to receive an update.
... My watch just got updated to Oreo today. Did you hear that Lenovo? My watch! :silly:
Caldair said:
Well, a few things are disappointing about receiving a December security update in February.
December patch does not include protection for the Spectre vulverability.
Android Oreo has been available to OEMs for 6 months now and the Z2 Play - Motorola's second in line phone - is still waiting to receive an update.
... My watch just got updated to Oreo today. Did you hear that Lenovo? My watch! :silly:
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Your watch runs Android Wear, not Android. There is a huge difference in the code required to be modified, doubly so because Android Wear watches are all essentially running one of two processors, have the same RAM and ROM, and have similar screens.
Phones have more options, between screen types and resolutions, RAM and ROM sizes (and types and manufacturers), CPUs and modems, and there is significant difference in software.
The fact it's February and December is just being released (even my unlocked Z2 play just received December security patch) is disappointing, but Oreo is being actively worked on and a speak test was already released. Six months isn't terrible for a major OS update, though in reality it's closer to a year and change (very early code is sent to manufacturers with P being out last September).
If producing cell phones were easy you'd be doing it yourself and the hundreds of crowd sourced companies would have been able to do it.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Caldair said:
December patch does not include protection for the Spectre vulverability.
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The arm A53 of the snapdragon 626 used into the moto z2 play is not affected by either of the two bugs and the related patches are useless!
Source: https://developer.arm.com/support/security-update: "Only affected cores are listed,*all other Arm cores are NOT affected." The arm A53 is not listed.
Inviato dal mio Moto Z2 Play utilizzando Tapatalk
_Dennis_ said:
Your watch runs Android Wear, not Android. There is a huge difference in the code required to be modified, doubly so because Android Wear watches are all essentially running one of two processors, have the same RAM and ROM, and have similar screens.
Phones have more options, between screen types and resolutions, RAM and ROM sizes (and types and manufacturers), CPUs and modems, and there is significant difference in software.
The fact it's February and December is just being released (even my unlocked Z2 play just received December security patch) is disappointing, but Oreo is being actively worked on and a speak test was already released. Six months isn't terrible for a major OS update, though in reality it's closer to a year and change (very early code is sent to manufacturers with P being out last September).
If producing cell phones were easy you'd be doing it yourself and the hundreds of crowd sourced companies would have been able to do it.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
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While some of what you say about watches is true (similar processors and other hardware) they definitely run Android at their base. The version of android that Wear devices run may be pared down, but it is still Android. Android Wear is an app, effectively a skin/launcher for Android.
Saying they don't run Android is like saying my Nexus Player doesn't run Android because the Leanback Launcher looks different from the launcher on your phone.
Caldair said:
While some of what you say about watches is true (similar processors and other hardware) they definitely run Android at their base. The version of android that Wear devices run may be pared down, but it is still Android. Android Wear is an app, effectively a skin/launcher for Android.
Saying they don't run Android is like saying my Nexus Player doesn't run Android because the Leanback Launcher looks different from the launcher on your phone.
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It would be closer to saying Android != FireOS except fireOS and Android are closer the Android and Android Wear.
A lot of code is removed in Android Wear vs Android (~950MB for pixel update, 350MB for Watch Sport).
The core is based on the same code, but it's not the same thing.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Caldair said:
Well, a few things are disappointing about receiving a December security update in February.
December patch does not include protection for the Spectre vulverability.
Android Oreo has been available to OEMs for 6 months now and the Z2 Play - Motorola's second in line phone - is still waiting to receive an update.
... My watch just got updated to Oreo today. Did you hear that Lenovo? My watch! :silly:
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So, sell it on swappa and get something that you'd be more satisfied with.
Slow updates from Motorola is no secret.
Hey XDA! I just wanted to ask if the s3 will get android P? Oreo will be ready in summer for it. Samsung release 2 major android version for their tablets.
Freedomsi said:
Hey XDA! I just wanted to ask if the s3 will get android P? Oreo will be ready in summer for it. Samsung release 2 major android version for their tablets.
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The Tab S got Lollipop and Marshmallow, the Tab Pro didn't get a single update and got stuck on Kitkat.
In short: I don't think anybody has the answer to your question.
Freedomsi said:
Hey XDA! I just wanted to ask if the s3 will get android P? Oreo will be ready in summer for it. Samsung release 2 major android version for their tablets.
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See the guides, news, and discussion sub forum. Seems it's coming.
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Well, considering that we are still waiting for Oreo, if the S3 does get Android P, it would likely only arrive around mid 2019.
Would you be happy to wait that long? I wouldn't.
Having had my S3 since June 2017, I will most likely have moved on to another tablet by that time. (due to battery and performance issues that are likely to crop up as the tablet ages)
I'm keeping an eye on the tablet market as it seems likely that we will see a high-end Chrome tablet sometime in 2018, which in my opinion would likely be a better alternative to an Android P tablet.
I dont think so...
Google is ditching support for tablets from android P and up so if we get a update most likely we will get a Chrome OS update or a very very slim chance of Tizen but most likly samsung will just leave it as it is. Sometimes i wish samsung did not use Android anymore it is causing then sooooo many problems
mika4305 said:
Google is ditching support for tablets from android P and up so if we get a update most likely we will get a Chrome OS update or a very very slim chance of Tizen but most likly samsung will just leave it as it is. Sometimes i wish samsung did not use Android anymore it is causing then sooooo many problems
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Google is ditching its tablets not support for tablets.
Incorrect info.
No reason why Samsung won't continue to produce tablets and update the software for them as long as there is profit in the market. Probably even more so now Google have dropped its own tablets
Google only provide the base source code of each OS, it's up to the OEM's to tailor it to their needs.
Also just to note, historically higher end Samsung devices get 2 major updates.
Seeing as this device was released with Nougat, it's quite likely to receive one more update to Andoid P after receiving Oreo.