Android Updates Remain A Sad State Of Affairs

(10:11 pm PDT, Nov 1st 2012)

Android Updates Remain A Sad State Of Affairs

The latest Android Distribution numbers are out and not much has changed. Timely updates, or updates at all for that matter, continue to be a thorn in Android’s side. No matter who we point fingers at, the fact remains, not enough devices are running the most current version of Android. In fact, more than 50% of Android devices accessing the Google Play store are still running Gingerbread — an almost 2-year old version of Android.

At the same time, I guess we should be happy to know that Android devices have a long shelf life — I mean, seriously, Cupcake is still kickin’ it! Still, Ice Cream Sandwich is already over a year old and yet only present on 25.8% of device. That’s just ridiculous.

What about Android’s latest and greatest OS Jelly Bean? Well, in the almost 4 months it’s been around, it’s managed to populate 2.7% of all Android devices accessing the Play store. Yea, I’d say that’s a sad state of affairs for sure.

I fear this situation isn’t going to get any better in the future. Google has essentially left users to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, the only way to ensure you’re up-to-date with Android is to either buy Nexus or root. And now, users looking to go the Nexus route are being forced to sacrifice features such as storage, LTE, and carrier choice, simply to get the latest version of Android. Not cool.

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Comment »

  • http://twitter.com/iceelot iceelot

    This is why I hate Android. Why do I have to go thru hell just to update OS. This is one area Google has not done well.

  • TheAlteredState

    If only Google could figure out how to manage the Android updates and the Manufacturer updates seperately. That way the Android updates can come at a timely manner, and the manufacturers can update their GUI’s etc as needed.
    Of course, that won’t help all the current devices since that’d first need to get that updated Android release to the device in the first place :P

    • Brian Klippel

      They have, that’s what 4.2 (or is it 5.0?) is supposed to solve. They are introducing native skin/theme support. Now, whether manufactures use it, or go rogue, remains to be seen.

  • rich_bown

    “Google has essentially left users to fend for themselves” that’s harsh, android is available for the manufacturers (who admittedly often have to wait for carrier approval) and users to use. Personally, I think this issue lies at the manufacturers door (especially Motorola!) who don’t see the point of upgrading hardware that customers have already bought, and instead see new versions of android as a ‘feature’ they can help push a new device out with. I’m sick of hearing the excuse “it has been determined that for the best user experience device XXX will remain on 2.3″ when by their own admission (HTC!!) the device is capable of handling the new version, but it’s sense, or touchwiz or motoblur that is the real issue! This is why I moved to a galaxy nexus, and am still very happy with it. It came with ICS and was rapidly upgraded to JellyBean with 4.2 supposed to drop in a couple of weeks.

    I also think your average users couldn’t care less which version they use, so if you do, grab a nexus.

  • http://twitter.com/TXCraig Craig Steiger

    I would not count too much on the Nexus helping- I waited almost 2 weeks for my Nexus 7 to receive the last Jelly Bean update after its release. You can’t blame that on the cell phone company as there is not not one on the WiFi Nexus 7….

  • Eric Beukers

    Me wants instant Stock Android OTA !!!!!

    • Nevi_me

      You go get a Nexus device then

  • Juan Manuel Jimenez

    I wouldn’t mind to upgrade my OS from 2.3 to Jelly Bean, but is there any way to do it to my Galaxy S? Otherwise I will need to wait until the end of my contract to get the latest device…

    • Jamie Frost

      I did it on mine and it involves rooting the phone — but you still have a 2-3 year old processor, it’s not going to see a huge performance improvement because improved software or not, its still an old phone.

About the author

Vincent MessinaVincent Messina has been writing and evangelizing about Android for the past three years. When he's not playing the part of "Loki" to his 5 and 4-year-old, he can be found here, covering all things Android. He adamantly believes Android has the greatest community around and can be harassed at any of the following locations: Google+, Twitter.

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