this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2024
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21184378

The longevity of Android updates has always been a problem, but one that’s been getting better with time. Google has, behind the scenes, introduced some big changes for Android manufacturers that will make it easier for more Android phones to offer support for up to 7 years, just like Pixel.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago

It's not that they can't, it's that they won't.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 6 days ago (3 children)

This again?????

DECOUPLE THE OPERATING SYSTEM FROM THE HARDWARE THE WAY PCS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO THEY CAN BE UPGRADED IN PERPETUITY UNTIL THE HARDWARE ISN'T POWERFUL ENOUGH ANYMORE.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

Everything mobile manufacturers have done since smartphones finally became popular in 2007 seemed like temporary solutions due to moving so fast. It's clear now that it was all an attempt to paradigm-shift compute into leased property.

It really needs to end, along with the terrible disposable hardware designs. Even if we were not in a climate crisis, it is about as bad as the US was in the 1950s throwing trash everywhere.

On some level, especially now, want to find an alarm clock or an mp3 player or even a camera? It's getting harder and harder. Old phones with their battery removed or replaced are perfect for those roles.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Google’s getting credits for Android being a platform without walls since 2008, but it was almost never possible to jump the fences for the layperson.

When I look back at the last 15 years, I feel nothing but we got conned by the biggest Advertising company disguised as a tech company, to trust they will hold their users in front of their profits, or keep any of their promises.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 6 days ago (1 children)

The problem is (and has always been) SoC kernel support.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Yes, which is intentionally being stonewalled by manufacturers who enjoy being able to force their old models into obsolescence at their whim. There are only a handful of market players with essentially a stranglehold on the market, and they could EASILY coordinate on a set of standards that SoC developers need to conform to to be considered for product launches if we didn't live in a corporate driven techno-dystopia.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Qualcomm product toolchains have been a right mess. Oddly less malicious and more, "we move too fast and branch too many platforms," historically making long-term maintenance a nightmare.

Good to see them improving that, finally.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

There is always a catch lol

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

They probably make relatively more from services / data than the hardware now.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Might also be a reaction to the younger crowd getting dumb phones instead of the next smart phone. Or at least some of them. Met a couple and its wild. Cant imagine without a smart phone, but its apparently a thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I wonder what percentage of buyers are jumping ship outside the android space as users become less enthusiastic about purchasing a phone every two years or so. It may be irksome seeing their device getting fewer updates when the an iPhone from 2017(maybe 18?) still got a major iOS update this past year.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

That's a very good point. Only the pixel line realistically gets updated years after buying the phone. Wish the fair phone was available for a decent price.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

You and me both brother. I’ve been purchasing slightly older devices second hand lately. While I can’t maintain these devices myself, I can save a phone from entering the landfill while saving a chunk of cash.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 6 days ago

Given that phones are hardly changing from year to year, that's probably a lot easier for them to do now.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Swappable batteries too plz.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Yeah I loved the old days when my phone would get bricked from being in my pocket during a light rain

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini has a IP67 rating and a removable battery.

It's possible to produce water resistant phones with removable Batterien, but manufacturers would rather sell new phones instead of batteries.

https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_mini-6252.php

[–] [email protected] 25 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Those will be required in the EU by 2027

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Holy shit really?!? That’s the main reason most people think their phone is “going bad!” That will be wonderful for sustainability.