Google has revealed that it can even update old smartphones to Android

My main complaint with Google has always been negligence in supporting Android – smartphones. Despite the fact that the company, with all its desire, could not adapt its OS to all shells on its own, it could, firstly, extend the timeline for updating its own devices, setting an example for others, and, secondly, establish a rule obliging manufacturers to support branded smartphones for 3-4 years. However, neither one nor the other Google has not yet done. It's good at least sometimes she remembers that old devices are also worthy of updates.

Google has revealed that it can even update old smartphones to Android

Google may update old Android – smartphones, and this is news

Nearby Sharing technology, designed for wireless data transfer between devices under control Android, will be available not only to users Android 10 and Android 11, but also to earlier versions. The oldest version to get the update is Android 6.0, released in 2015. That is, it turns out that Google can really afford to support – albeit very indirectly – smartphones five years ago. She even has a special tool for this. It's called Google Play Services.

Updating old Android

Google has revealed that it can even update old smartphones to Android

Nearby Sharing will be available even on smartphones 5 years ago

I think you already understood that the update from Nearby Sharing will be released as part of Google Play services, because system updates are not required for such old devices. However, this is not a big tragedy, given that the functionality of compatible devices will still expand. And how the update got to them, their owners, most likely, will not care. Let at least Google apply changes on its servers without releasing fresh assemblies – the main thing is that the cherished innovation still appears in the firmware.

The practice of distributing updates via Google Play could become fundamental for Android, bringing it to a qualitatively new level of development. Despite the fact that now such updates do not change the software composition of the operating system in any way, do not improve it and do not fix existing bugs and vulnerabilities, this could be fixed. After all, firstly, some functions can still be distributed through Google Play services. And secondly, Google itself – at least in the past – was going to organize the release of security updates through Google Play.

How to renew smartphone support

Google has revealed that it can even update old smartphones to Android

Google has tools to fully support smartphones for 5 years, but it is in no hurry to use them

If you combine both practices, you can achieve outstanding results by updating the software composition of the OS and expanding the capabilities of compatible devices – albeit partially. In this case, it would be possible to extend support for smartphones from two or three years to four or five. Moreover, Google could do this alone, without enlisting the help of third-party vendors, who could be entrusted with the responsibility of adapting only the largest updates released once a year.

I understand perfectly why this has not been done so far. First of all, of course, because of the complexity of the implementation. In this case, Google would have to shovel a fair amount of code Android. The second reason is the anti-lobby of manufacturers. Obviously, for most of them it is more profitable for their smartphones to become obsolete faster and consumers buy new ones more often. This is partly a real problem. But you need to take into account that with the extension of support, they will become corny slower in price, which means that users will simply buy models already on sale for a longer time.

Rate article
Everything for Android and not only | Tips, instructions, root, news and app reviews.
Add a comment