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0 pointsocdtrekkie8y ago0 comments

Google doesn't want to bear the cost of testing and releasing updates for all of the hardware. Most Android manufacturers barely manage to break even (or outright lose money) trying to sell and support Android hardware. (Samsung makes money, most others don't.)

Blaming the OEMs for your security issues is free.

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thinbeige8y ago

I don't think that MS tests all hardware when updating Windows. Sometimes some hardware doesn't work after an Windows update and then you just head to the respective hardware manufacturer and try to get updated drivers. This model could work for phones too. Google updates and maybe my S8's camera is not working anymore but at least we have secure and patched phones. And the good thing is: Samsung has to quickly fix the broken camera, so you create a totally different urgency.

But Android is an odd OS, we will never see a proper update policy from them.

ocdtrekkieOP8y ago

It depends what we're talking about. Specifically with ARM processors, it isn't trivial to add drivers separate from your OS deployment. Microsoft DOES work with (and update) third party hardware directly for Windows 10 Mobile devices. And this is true for their third party phones from HP, Acer, etc. as well.

(Note, I have a Windows Mobile device from 2014, and I still receive the latest security fix on Patch Tuesday around 1 PM, every month.)

thinbeige8y ago

> ARM processors, it isn't trivial

This is what they tell us for decades. You can just disable parts of an SoC if no driver is available. This is just an architectural decision Google is not willing to address.

And ARM reference designs from a handful of manufacturers are not that different.

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thinbeige8y ago

But Android is an odd OS, we will never see a proper update policy from them.

ocdtrekkieOP8y ago

(Note, I have a Windows Mobile device from 2014, and I still receive the latest security fix on Patch Tuesday around 1 PM, every month.)

thinbeige8y ago

> ARM processors, it isn't trivial

This is what they tell us for decades. You can just disable parts of an SoC if no driver is available. This is just an architectural decision Google is not willing to address.

And ARM reference designs from a handful of manufacturers are not that different.

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j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse