I don't think there should be any updates. The hardware handsets can then evolve quickly.
- Juan T. On Sep 10, 4:56 pm, Eric F <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Obviously in conjunction with the announced Android Marketplace, there > should be a uniform system to update apps through the marketplace, but > that's not what I'm asking about here. > > What I want to know is if there are plans to support updating Android > to later versions as new features and APIs are crafted. > > I think this is the single most important feature for Android. If the > first phones don't have a simple and easy way to upgrade, then it > doesn't matter how many great features are added into Android later, > you will always have these old phones with ancient features not > capable of running your program. I really hope Android will update > from the beginning. Then Apps simply have hardware requirements (needs > GPS, compass etc) and a single minimum android version requirement, > and any Android phone with the right hardware can be updated if need > be. This takes the sting off all the recent dropped feature > announcements. It becomes OK because we know they'll be available in > later versions of Android and if updating is easy enough, all the > phones will be up to date. > > I think, as a developer, what scares me the most isn't a 1.0 Android > release that is missing the Bluetooth functions that were critical to > the app I was writing, it's the fact that the Android platform may > never have 100% support for them. Launching a new mobile phone > platform is a difficult task which is why it doesn't upset or shock me > much that Android is losing many of its promised features. But it will > be a real disappointment if Android apps have to list which Android > phones they will run on because the lack of Updating. > > I think getting the entire phone right on 1.0 is impossible. > But if every Android phone released can be updated to the latest > software it will happen for sure. > > I follow the Windows Mobile team blog where the phones curiously have > a Windows Update system setting, that doesn't seem to actually get > used. They also have an explanation for why, essentially, Windows > Mobile doesn't update. The iPhone doesn't seem to be prevented from > receiving regular, easy to install system updates as the WM engineers > seem to imply is impossible. > > If Android gets pushed around by the carriers on various issues, I > think the one it should push back the most on is a system update that > comes from Android directly to ensure the base platform on all > handsets can be kept current. Of course it may prove tricky to update > the base underneath an handset provider's custom home screen etc. > Which is why I'm worried Android won't be able to update. The moment > Android says "well it's too hard, there'll be too many different > devices, we can't do an Android update. But hey! don't worry handset > providers will be able to push their own updates to the phone" is the > moment Android phones will never be up to date and bug free. > > The handset manufacturers have no incentive to release updates for > their phones. Perhaps a few flagship phones get an update here or > there, but the majority receive no updates. There's just no money in > it for them. And what do you have now in Windows Mobile? If I told you > I had a Windows Mobile phone, and an application written for "Windows > Mobile" (and I don't say what version of either, picking just one at > random). The chances the app will run on the device without issues is > very low. > > I just can't stress how important I think this is. There is only once > chance to release this on the very first phones. After they ship > without the capability to update, that's it. I really think even if a > bullish approach needs to be taken, it's the better route. Say an > Android version 1.1 comes out, handset manufacturers have 90 (or some > # agreed to by the OHA) days to take the update and include any > updates to their own software layer to make it fit with the new > android update. Then when owners of these phones update, they get the > Android update and the manufacturers update. If these days elapse and > no update is provided, or if the handset manufacturer elects to not > submit anything for their handset. The android phones can get the > update anyways even if it breaks compatibility with whatever handset > manufacturer bloatware came with the phone. > > What does everyone else think? I just am willing to accept missing > features if I know all the phones will be able to get them later on > down the road, and I don't have to tell people they have to have an > Android phone with software version 1.1.56 build 6 or better to run my > app. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
