The planned obsolescence conversation seems to revolve around Apple (the only self-interested greedy company on the planet according to the detractors) but they hold the record for software updates on smartphones - 10 years for the iPhone 5s. Here we are, in 2023, and Google is coming around to seven years of support. Apple has done at least seven since 2013.
In any case I applaud this move and at least five years should be mandated by law. I wonder how many "random manufacturer drops a cheap Android on the market and walks away on software and support" Android devices there are sitting in landfills across the globe. Of course there are plenty of Apple devices as well but it's not due to lack of support.
iOS system apps release with the OS on an annual cycle, but in Android system apps are upgraded independently. Meaning, even without Android OS upgrades the device would get new system apps.
It is almost as people in these Apple vs Android arguments have no idea how Android actually work...
I’m talking about the operating system version targeted for applications, functionality, etc.
Take one look at an Android fragmentation chart compared to iPhone and I think you’ll see what I’m saying.
That said, I do know this and your reply is based on either a misunderstanding of my point or optimism/enthusiasm for some kind of argument you seem to think we’re having.
I’m not talking about the built in calculator app, browser, etc.
I’m talking about the operating system version used and targeted for by applications.
Compare an Android fragmentation chart to an iPhone/iOS fragmentation chart.
It’s painfully obvious device support, updates, etc are still a mess in the Android ecosystem.
Talk to any team deploying Android applications and the first pain point you will hear is how ridiculous the fragmentation is compared to iOS.
It’s gotten better but it’s still a mess. Announcements like this are heading more in the right direction but I think it’s painfully clear that Apple got at least this one thing right from the start in their overall approach.
You are making incorrect assumptions in a discussion and don't like to be corrected.
For the record, Android can also update system libraries via the store. The two platforms handle security updates very differently. If you want to get into a debate and criticise the one you are not using, at least try to learn how it works.
This is such a disingenuous comment. Claiming that it got 10 years of updates because it received a recent security update is not telling the complete story. It's a phone stuck on iOS 12 and Apple chose to release a recent security fix.
The Pixel 8 is going to receive 7 years of OS Updates, 84 months of monthly security updates and quarterly feature drops. This blows the iPhone away.
Now, starting in 2023.
For many it absolutely is. It's vi vs emacs on steroids - a bunch of very technical people debating intricacies the general population is either unaware of or doesn't care about.
> You are making incorrect assumptions in a discussion and don't like to be corrected.
Naturally I don't think I am and I get corrected all of the time. It happens. Overall I think what happens in these kinds of discussions is the general tendency for HN users to live in very small technical bubbles, often very far removed from the general population. Generally this is a very good thing and it's one of the reasons we like and appreciate HN.
However, we're a tiny portion of the population. My viewpoint here is an attempt to put on my "Joe average walking down the street" hat. I understand what you are saying, I do understand how it works, but for the vast majority of the market these distinctions don't really matter. There is data all over the place that shows huge portions of the iOS user base running the latest iOS release within days of release. This is a result of the iron-fisted domination and control Apple exerts over its users. Sure, we don't appreciate that but clearly a substantial portion of the market does - and the actual data backs it up.
As I noted, all one needs to do is look at a fragmentation chart representing real world Android vs iOS users/devices to see how this manifests in the real world for the overwhelming majority of the user base of these devices.
At every organization I've been in that develops mobile applications when you talk to the Android team vs the iOS team the Android team is constantly grumbling and running into problems supporting the bewildering array of Android devices, screen sizes, releases, etc. Sure this applies to iOS devices as well but it's a night and day difference. It's actually one of the many reasons iOS tends to be the "lead" platform for new applications - they're early and they just don't want to deal with it yet. You can target and test on a handful of devices and releases and push an iOS app with some confidence it's going to "just work" on the large majority of devices with access to the App Store.
I’m very happy that Google wants to compete. Hopefully they will manage to follow through.