Saturday, September 27th, 2014 (15:30) | Daniel Verlaan
The fragmentation of Android
The fragmentation of Android and its different versions is one of the biggest problems of the operating system. Also a problem Google, manufacturers, telecom providers, and especially the users may be critical. Android is very open and thus versatile, but it also brings the pitfall of fragmentation along with it.
In recent years, the fragmentation was huge, with nearly half ran on a two year old Android version. Since the launch of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the first major turnaround for Android – design and many features were taken on the shovel – goes slowly better. End of 2014 is fragmentation a lot less present. Thus runs about three-quarters of Android Jelly Bean or higher, and the rollout of KitKat updates to older devices starting to get momentum
Despite this progress, fragmentation remains a major problem in Android. App developers can not take advantage of the latest features, because only a small portion of Android users running on the latest Android version, and users often get the wrong Android experience; unwitting consumers buy a cheap Android smartphone with an outdated Android version that is no longer updated.
This fragmentation is due to the complicated process of updating Google’s Android that different stages to go through before the new firmware gets on your smartphone or tablet.
From Google to the manufacturer
Google is developing the new Android version based on the Android Open Source Project, the open source version of Android. Also develops the tech giant closed apps and APIs, such as Gmail and Google Maps, where manufacturers must make if they follow the guidelines of Google. Use Almost all major manufacturers, Samsung, HTC Huawei to have agreements with Google on their Android products. Google determines the basis of Android and insists on his Google Apps have a prominent role, and manufacturers may their own apps and outer adjustments to differentiate from the competition.
→ their apparatus Please read our extensive article about how Google Android more takes and what it means for you
If Google’s new Android version has been developed, the source code is sent to manufacturers. This used to happen only after the announcement of the new Android version, now sends Google regularly for early versions to manufacturers so they can begin. Already Manufacturers who receive the source code of the new Android version, telephone and chip manufacturers.
The chip manufacturers determine first whether the new Android version is supported. This chip manufacturers such as Qualcomm, Nvidia, MediaTek and Samsung are the first group that determines whether a new Android version lands on your device. The chip manufacturers have to look at chip or the new Android version is suitable to run on the hardware. Therefore, some chips support the Android version, and some do not.
The chip manufacturers then notify the phone manufacturers which chips the new Android version are supported, and send the necessary new code, where manufacturers can make to run. The next Android version on the chip using
Skins and choices
It takes about one month before the chip manufacturers the Android version of their chips have been updated. Phone manufacturers have already been working on customizing Android at that time. Because most phone manufacturers use a skin to differentiate from the competition. Their smartphones The skin should be focused on Android, which in addition to new functionality often introduces a different design. Here the skins of phone manufacturers also need to be adjusted.
a manufacturer software – which mostly consists of the skin, apps and services – all updated to the new Android version, will look at which devices receive the firmware update. Which is a combination of the choice of the manufacturer, and the chips that support the new version Android. There is thus in any case part of the smartphones and tablets that run off on a chip that is no longer supported. By the chip manufacturer
The phone manufacturer has the ability to turn. Stop the update process for devices Because almost any device consists of different hardware, it is the phone manufacturer is not possible to blindly turn. The new Android version on all devices Each device requires specific adjustments to the hardware, and it also brings a long and intensive testing phase with it. This process takes about two months for a ‘normal’ update.
A manufacturer who releases a lot of devices, such as Samsung, has therefore to be performed during an update process, for example Google, which is really just a lot more work Nexus devices from a firmware update provides. To save cost and time manufacturers would sometimes choose to stop the update. Support for an extension It is also true that the update support is mostly stop put, after two years, so that consumers are more inclined to buy a new appliance.
Testing, telecom providers and certification
If the chip and phone manufacturers have made their choices, the time period of testing. All updates are thoroughly tested for bugs: of installing, restoring apps and data to daily use of functions. Many employees use constantly use the devices to retrieve. All minor flaws like If there are major problems during testing, there may still be decided to put. Stop the update support for an extension Testing the Android update is the last step before other parties begin to bend. Every updates
The parties also have to deal with the updates, telecom providers, telecom watchdogs and Google. The latter approves the update properly. There are plenty of Google apps on the phone? Is Google Now integrated into the system? Is not deviate too much from the Android design? These are areas where Google to check the updates. The same control run telecom watchdogs that monitor the updates on potential consumer detriment. View These parties such as whether the roaming option is not enabled by default.
The telecom providers to test the updates. All networks are still supported? Is the call quality sufficient? Thus, funds in Europe different rules and standards than in Asia or the United States. And with the advent of more mobile networks, these tests are more extensive and take them longer. In addition, there are special branded handsets, which are specific to a telcomprovider. The updates for these devices are provided by the phone manufacturer, and the telecom provider, the software can customize it by adding. Example own apps and functions
As telecom providers, telecom watchdogs and Google looked at the updates is also firmware certified and ready to roll. This is normally done by the phone manufacturer. So Samsung is rolling updates per country for all unlocked Samsung devices. This may well take some time, because the Netherlands is not always turn first country. Google is rolling out updates for the Nexus phones and telecom providers for branded devices.
Often consumers with branded device screwed, because it is not so important for telecom providers to roll out updates: they especially like appliances and sell subscriptions. Customers are then angry with the phone manufacturer, which, however, can do because the telecom provider, the update still needs to adapt and deploy. Nothing again
Will the rollout of Android updates ever accelerating?
That is hard to say. The update process remains much the same, because it’s all steps to be taken. Manufacturers can make it easier for themselves to spend less. Aircraft from Although the Samsung just one strategy is to smartphones and tablets to bring out as much as possible and thus appeal to a wide audience you can also see companies that are less smartphones are going to release. Take Motorola or HTC, who just want to deposit. Smartphones on a small range In addition, Motorola is known for its rapid deployment of Android updates, as they only kept a few gears and use a virtually customized Android version.
Google and chip manufacturers also have the responsibility to Android on so many to run. possible hardware properly KitKat is a step in the right direction, because the software also works on older and less powerful hardware properly. See this chip manufacturers as well, making KitKat on more hardware configurations can run than previous Android updates. Powerful hardware and the cheaper, the better devices are to update.
What can you do about it?
It is important for consumers to think about purchasing a device. Like getting quick updates important? Choose a Nexus, Motorola or high-end device. These smartphones are often the quickest to provide an update. Budget Appliances normally get virtually no Android updates.
Another way still to run on the latest Android version, even if the phone is no longer updated by the manufacturer is to unlock the device and rooting. You then have the option to install, such as CyanogenMod. Their own software on the device However, this requires the necessary technical knowledge and many find it too much work. If you find it fun or interesting, it is certainly advisable to look at what the potential of unlocking and rooting you all can bring if the manufacturer has already given up. Based on your device
→ Read all about Android Root and opportunities in our comprehensive article
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