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Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

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Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#71

Post by JustSomeNobody »

Aaargh20318 wrote: post #7
inetknght wrote: post #2

Update adoption is getting slower because people (or perhaps just me) are frustrated with updates removing/changing functionality, making the device slower, or causing additional bugs beyond whatever was "fixed". That's on top of the fact that my carrier refuses to stay on top of updates for my device anyway.

> the fact that my carrier refuses to stay on top of updates for my device anyway. I don't get why the carrier has to be involved at all. It has nothing to do with them at all so why do they even get a say in when a phone gets an update ?

Dumb pipes. They fear becoming a dumb pipe. They will get their hands into anything and everything simply to make sure they're not just a dumb pipe.

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#72

Post by chenning »

I haven't read the entire article, but the title and first few paragraphs and images/tables are unfair and misleading. This looks like a stereotypical jab at Android that you would expect from a company like Apple Inc. If you want to compare Apples to Apples (no pun intended) you should compare how fast updates roll out to the first party devices iPhone and Pixel. I've used the first two generations of Pixel now and I've never had an issue receiving updates. Google obviously has less control over what Samsung, LG, Huawei, do and that's not even taking into consideration carriers.

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#73

Post by vorpalhex »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #56

Security updates are becoming more dire, but feature updates between versions has been dwindling since the early days. I've had an Android phone continuously since 2011, and while I could detail a laundry list of stuff we got from Gingerbread -> Ice Cream Sandwich or KitKat -> Lollipop, I can't think of many "game changers" from Marshmallow on that made each new update a "must have". Just trying to think of the ones…

In many ways that's a good indication that the software is maturing. Every phone update shouldn't come with a bunch of dread around new user flows.

Though they did generally manage to entirely screw up do-not-disturb and notification settings in a gross attempt at simplification...

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#74

Post by hopler »

maaaats wrote: post #29
cheeze wrote: post #5

The shining example of Google vs apple for me is the package manager. Since Android D, updating my apps has caused the phone to slow to a crawl. Fps drops heavily, apps are laggy, etc. There is no option to only download updates when charging. Google has done nothing about this for years now. I still use Android because I need the control. But parts of the platform are just inexcusable (imo) in 2019. Dont get me wron…

My apps only update when I connect the charger during the evening. At least I have been under that impression. (Except for Facebook that updates itself outside the play store and then brags about it with an annoying notification..) Is it something that varies between models/makers?

They still crash the foreground app you actively using while it updates

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#75

Post by JustSomeNobody »

rcarmo wrote: post #48
grumpy-cowboy wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They will not be able to force their crap in my future Librem 5 phone.

I appreciate the independent thinking behind this comment, but seriously, what completely broke the carrier model was the iPhone. When we started discussing customisation with Apple, all they ever allowed us to do was add a default bookmark to Safari. Period. Finito. Looking back, that was the sanest thing any handset manufacturer ever did for the entire industry.

That and that carrier logo in the status bar, yes? I mean why else would AT&T get to display fake 5G up there now?

Edit: Name, not logo

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#76

Post by hopler »

wlesieutre wrote: post #19
lvh wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What control does Android give you that you want? (I’m legitimately asking: is there an immediate pragmatic reason, or is it a principled stance against walled gardens?)

The replaceable launcher is a big one. Tasker was another (though I heard Google Play was cracking down on non-accessibility uses of accessibility features for security reasons?) I switched back to iOS when the SE came out, but I still miss Nova Launcher. Especially being able to put two actions on each dock icon, one for tap and one for swipe up. So if you have something like friends split over two main chat platfor…

Alt launchers are cool but Android doesn't give them full support for widgets.

Accessibility still matters even if you aren't blind, and apps for blind users can still be malicious.

Android has been steadily removing user control features to be more locked down like iOS but without privacy controls.

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#77

Post by j45 »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #56

Security updates are becoming more dire, but feature updates between versions has been dwindling since the early days. I've had an Android phone continuously since 2011, and while I could detail a laundry list of stuff we got from Gingerbread -> Ice Cream Sandwich or KitKat -> Lollipop, I can't think of many "game changers" from Marshmallow on that made each new update a "must have". Just trying to think of the ones…

The inability for Android manufacturers to deliver an honest, timely and up to date practice of current security updates (instead of 6 month old fixes) pushed me to a pixel when I was happy with my galaxy note and g6.

The heartbleed bug remaining unpatched for so long really did it for me.

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#78

Post by slezyr »

zaarn wrote: post #62
waynenilsen wrote: post #11

The biggest problem is that android is not focusing on the low end where most of their users are. They need to make the UX on these older and slower devices _better_ with every update, not worse

On the low end there is Android One, which does take out all the bloatware that slows down most of the low end. It's pretty good in my opinion.

May be you meant Android Go? Android One is full of google's own bloatware.

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#79

Post by hopler »

cheeze wrote: post #30
lvh wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What control does Android give you that you want? (I’m legitimately asking: is there an immediate pragmatic reason, or is it a principled stance against walled gardens?)

I'm at a buddies house and need to transfer a file. I can boot up a simple HTTP server with /Download mounted. I can connect to my ps4 controller through Bluetooth Tasker I can inject a payload into my switch over usb-c I can literally run Linux (and do all the time) using a 20 dollar hdmi adapter

Which Linux programs do you use that benefit from being on your phone when you have a monitor but no computer?

Re: Android updates are getting slower and slower, despite Google's best efforts

#80

Post by surbekznrlsnt »

Google should have two streams for their updates; security only and everything else. Vendors would have no problem with conflicts in UI or apps if the updates were security only and they could be pushed immediately.

I'm also angry at Google for removing functionality. I won't upgrade to Pie because then my call recording app won't work and I make a lot of customer service calls. I could root my phone but this introduces other issues. Google has made people reluctant to update.

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