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0 pointsklondike_8y ago0 comments

Carriers generally have deals with other companies for preinstalled apps which may or may not still be active by the time it comes around for an update. Also they have to test the devices, but considering the sheer number of Android devices they probably prioritize new high end devices first.

This problem is made worse on Verizon and Sprint which use CDMA 3G networks, as opposed to the worldwide GSM standard.

Also this could be a result of marketing as well. You can get the latest Android on a new device, or you can wait an indeterminate amount of time (a few months to never) to get a free update on your old device.

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josteink8y ago

> Also they have to test the devices

Why? The whole point of GSM is that carrier and phone can (and should) be entirely disconnected, decoupled and only connected through the means of whatever SIM the user puts in his phone.

The notion that a carrier needs to be involved in the making of a phone makes about as much sense as if my ISP needed to test and "approve" what Ethernet hardware I use at home.

It's frankly none of their business.

> This problem is made worse on Verizon and Sprint which use CDMA

So don't use them, just like you wouldn't use an ISP which doesn't speak IP.

int_19h8y ago

Pretty much any argument for network/device tie-in is fallacious on its face for the simple reason that there are many countries out there which don't have that arrangement. And yet the phones there work fine, and so do the networks.

mmcnl8y ago

It is none of their business, but they desperately want a piece of the pie so they brand their phones (and probably sell them at a small discount - this is the value proposition here). Branding also results in shifting responsibilities from OEM manufacturer to carrier with regard to testing and stuff.

Also, plenty ISPs actually do sell branded wireless routers with branded firmware, so it's not uncommon practice in other neighboring industries.

fabrice_d8y ago

This is about cost: updates sometimes fail (incredible, I know), and carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order. This kind of support is quite costly so carriers don't push too hard for updates to happen.

ethbro8y ago

Every fifth security vulnerability in Android should cause the radio to spam reconnect attempts or similarly onorous behavior.

I imagine carrier responses would look a lot different then.

josteink8y ago

> carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order

That only applies to phone bought from carriers.

Most people buy them in electronic shops where they buy tvs and laptops and stuff (since that allows you to get the best deal any carrier can offer, and not just be restricted to one).

csydas8y ago

This is half true and I think it falls neatly along generational lines, with exceptions for "really good deals". Most iPhone owners became first time AT&T customers when the iPhone came out. When Android hit the market, people went to their carrier because before this more or less was how you had to do it.

More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.

1 more reply

kevin_thibedeau8y ago

They want you renting a new phone from them every year. Dragging their feet on updates shifts sales to their newer lineup.

josteink8y ago

But if a carrier has the nerve to actually block updates to my phone and I find out, I'll switch my phone to another carrier the next day.

What's in it for them?

1 more reply

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josteink8y ago

> Also they have to test the devices

Why? The whole point of GSM is that carrier and phone can (and should) be entirely disconnected, decoupled and only connected through the means of whatever SIM the user puts in his phone.

The notion that a carrier needs to be involved in the making of a phone makes about as much sense as if my ISP needed to test and "approve" what Ethernet hardware I use at home.

It's frankly none of their business.

> This problem is made worse on Verizon and Sprint which use CDMA

So don't use them, just like you wouldn't use an ISP which doesn't speak IP.

int_19h8y ago

mmcnl8y ago

Also, plenty ISPs actually do sell branded wireless routers with branded firmware, so it's not uncommon practice in other neighboring industries.

fabrice_d8y ago

ethbro8y ago

Every fifth security vulnerability in Android should cause the radio to spam reconnect attempts or similarly onorous behavior.

I imagine carrier responses would look a lot different then.

josteink8y ago

> carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order

That only applies to phone bought from carriers.

Most people buy them in electronic shops where they buy tvs and laptops and stuff (since that allows you to get the best deal any carrier can offer, and not just be restricted to one).

csydas8y ago

More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.

1 more reply

kevin_thibedeau8y ago

They want you renting a new phone from them every year. Dragging their feet on updates shifts sales to their newer lineup.

josteink8y ago

But if a carrier has the nerve to actually block updates to my phone and I find out, I'll switch my phone to another carrier the next day.

What's in it for them?

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse