The little Update problem

Posted by deva_p on June 23, 2012 11:16 am 13

Since a last few days I've seen lots of debate, trolling, rants about devices getting or not getting an update.
The situation for everyone is same in this case, nobody is getting an update.

Case study : iOS.

The case.

iOS 6 is soon to be released version of the OS, which makes one of the best mobile Os's even better.

via i.telegraph.co.uk

The catch.

Every device won't get every feature of iOS6, some due to hardware constraints, some due to apple.
Engadget has put up a handy table about the features which apple devcies will get.

via i.imgur.com

Escape hatch.

At least every device gets the latest, best, most secure version of iOS.

Case study : Android

The case.

Android 4.0 aka Ice cream Sandwich is the latest, fastest and most beautiful looking version of android.
With Google IO around the corner Android 4.1 aka Jellybean is rumored to be coming soon, bringing much more to the worlds most flexible mobile OS.

via www.ifrick.ch

The catch.

Due to custom software, interfaces manufactures find it difficult to update their devices.
With no minimum requirements, hardware manufactures pump out low end phones with old hardware which is unable to support the latest OS efficiently.
Even if it does support the OS, the profit margins are so low that the manufactures aren't interested in updating the software.

Though the source code was released in November, a little above 7.1% of the total devices have the latest version.

via i.imgur.com

Escape hatch.

Rooting. Almost every android device can be modified to have root access, ensuring the ability to add custom ROMs,
or custom versions of android which often have innovative features.
These ROMs ensure that every phone is able to get the latest of what the android platform has to offer.

via www.theandroidsoul.com

Case study : Windows Phone

The case.

Windows Phone 8 brings many (much required) improvements to Windows Phone.
It is one of the most innovative and beautiful looking OS out there.
The metro UI is one of the most beautiful interfaces coupled with segoe.

The catch.

No current devices will be able to run windows phone 8. Even the Lumia 900,
which was released in April.

Escape hatch.

Instead of Windows 8, current devices will get Windows phone 7.8. Which will contain
the new start screen and some other undisclosed new software and improvements.

via www.blogcdn.com

The truth is that the current hardware is evolving very rapidly. Phones with faster processors and more RAM than this PC form which I'm typing are already in the market or are on the way (Core2Duo 2.0 GHz 3 GB RAM for those curious souls).

With newer hardware, comes better more powerful software. This software, being unable to run on older devices makes them obsolete. The profit margins in this sector are low as it requires significant resources and investments. Cheaper phones ($300 and below) have razor thin profit margins. Manufacturers cannot afford to update these phones.

In some countries such as US and Canada, due to the customization done by carriers, each update needs to be modified for every carrier. This while delaying the update, costs these companies.

Nobody really cares about the customer once the phone is sold. Wonder why apple is still supporting 3gs and iPad 2 after newer products were introduced? Apple is still selling those.

Manufactures want you to be happy with the devices you bought, the way it was when you bought it. rather than updating your phone, they prefer to sell you a new phone.

Edit: Change the title to represent the post properly.