Google takes hard hands on smartphone manufacturers to quickly distribute Android updates

ByTechStage

Android next OS "Android NThe preview version of "has already been released, and it is expected to be officially released within 2016. However, even if the latest version of Android is released, it is Google's Nexus series that can be updated immediately, and other smartphones need to wait for updates from each manufacturer. While it is necessary to upgrade to the latest version to use the latest application and to keep the security strong, Google pressures against the latest version of smartphone manufacturers that are likely to respond to updates It seems that they urge urgent response.

Google Steps Up Pressure Partners Tardy in Updating Android - Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-25/google-steps-up-pressure-on-partners-tardy-in-updating-android

Google once again tries to put pressure on OEMs and carriers to update Android phones
http://www.neowin.net/news/google-once-again-tries-to-put-pressure-on-oems-and-carriers-to-update-android-phones

The latest version of Android's official version is "October 2015 released"Android 6.0 MarshmallowHowever, as of May 2, 2016, more than seven months have elapsed since releaseUsage rate is only 7.5%There is nothing. Android 4.4 KitKat has the highest utilization rate, despite its release in 2013, still has usage rate of 32.5%.


On the other hand, the usage rate of the latest iOS version "iOS 9" released by Apple in September 2015 is84% as of May 9, 2016. Given this, you can see how low the number "7.5%" of Android 6.0 Marshmallow is low.


Since Apple has developed both hardware and software on its own, it is easy to adapt the latest OS to the existing iPhone, so it can be downloaded as soon as the latest OS is announced. Meanwhile, although Google is developing Android, the hardware itself is developed by companies such as Samsung, Sony, HTC, and even if Google distributes the latest version OS to each company, the latest Android It takes time to adapt to the hardware, after which it will be able to be distributed to users after testing with the carrier of the mobile phone. The test by this carrier is the same even for Apple.

If distribution of the latest version is delayed, the security of the terminal will be problematic. In 2015Stagefright vulnerabilityAfter the discovery, Google now distributes security patches every month, but security patches are distributed to the Nexus series immediately, but other smartphones are developing security patches to smartphones by other manufacturers It is necessary to distribute it after adaptation, as the distribution situation of patches differs at each manufacturerVulnerabilities remain on many Android smartphonesIt has been with. Also, some carriers do not prioritize security, there are times when patches are not distributed to users sometimes.

There are cases where users who feel anger at such a situation naturally sued LG and Samsung against the lawsuit in the Netherlands as consumer groups abandoned updates to many devices. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission of the United States will inform carrier and manufacturers of mobile phones, and Apple and Google "how can we quickly distribute updates"Listening comprehensionI also did something.

According to Bloomberg, Google said that it is taking more compulsory measures than ever to break down these situations. It is said that the list was created by ranking whether the terminal received the latest security patch or whether the OS is the latest version by each manufacturer, shared with each manufacturer, and consultation was made with the manufacturer on the release of the list . If this list is released, it will be made public as to which manufacturers are actively working on the update, which will be a big hurdle for manufacturers who do not negotiate updates.

ByRob Bulmahn

In addition to taking hard measures, we are taking steps to shorten the update process even at our company. For example, "Allo"We plan to release the latest application such as" Standalone "as the latest application, and by providing the application as a standalone, Google will be able to distribute application updates without going through the career testing. Also,Instant AppsWe plan to support the latest features such as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean released in 2012 and beyond.

Google has released the preview version of "Android N" in March 2016. This is faster to release than usual, and the manufacturer can adjust the terminal faster. When the official version of Android N is released, there is a possibility that other OSs that are not Nexus series will be able to use the latest OS at an early stage.