Android users on old versions while most Apple devices have the latest iOS

Because there are hundreds of different types of android phone combinations while apple has a handful.

They cant just push Android 7 to every single phone otherwise they will crash, im sure android need "system requirements" such as amount of ROM/RAM to run correctly.

Thats why some devices are limited to 5.1.1 or even 4.4.4.
 
faniebraai said:
I'd like to think the amount of devices running the OS also has something to do with it
Click to expand...

Not so much, as proven by Apple.

When the hardware and software are controlled by one manufacturer, there is little fragmentation. Think Apple, Blackberry, Nokia.

When the software comes from one shop (Google) and is then customized by every handset manufacturer, you get massive fragmentation as they try and compete.

Been saying for years, Google will have to take back control and you can see it happening with more and more restrictions on customization.
 
jannievanzyl said:
Not so much, as proven by Apple.

When the hardware and software are controlled by one manufacturer, there is little fragmentation. Think Apple, Blackberry, Nokia.

When the software comes from one shop (Google) and is then customized by every handset manufacturer, you get massive fragmentation as they try and compete.

Been saying for years, Google will have to take back control and you can see it happening with more and more restrictions on customization.
Click to expand...

We are saying exactly the same thing then. Because Google passes OS to Samsung who passes to MNO who rolls out to phone, and because there are a million and 1 different types of devices, it takes a little longer.... everyone adds their little 2c along the way.
 
faniebraai said:
We are saying exactly the same thing then. Because Google passes OS to Samsung who passes to MNO who rolls out to phone, and because there are a million and 1 different types of devices, it takes a little longer.... everyone adds their little 2c along the way.
Click to expand...
Yup, but more a function of the number of players. Not so much devices.
 
Last edited:
jannievanzyl said:
Yup, but more a function of the number of players. Not so much devices.
Click to expand...

So question, while we have you... what is involved at Vodacom when an updated version of the OS is received from Samsung (I presume)...

Skinning? Testing? Loading of your Radio (CP)? etc.

Is there a dedicated team looking after this process?
 
@Kevin Lancaster
You could go to the source...
Google: https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html#Platform
iOS: https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/

iOS even has the pie chart you're missing:
app store.png

Google:
google_OS.png
 
system32 said:
I blame the networks and phone companies.
Many networks (MTN/Voda/CellC/Telkom) block updates.
I had a Note 3, that refused to online update.
Had to go to unofficial Sammobile to get the update.

I purchased a Samsung Tab 10.1 WiFi Oct 2016 - on Android 6
Google launched Android 7 on Aug 2016 - why a new device comes with old OS?
Still no updates to Android 7.

Samsung S8 released with Android 7.0 when 7.1.2 was available - go figure.
AFAIK, S8 is still on Android 7.0 :confused:

Let's name and shame these networks and phone companies.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well. Vodacom is very reluctant to allow OS updates or do them. I have a tablet that I know is capable for being updated but cannot get it updated without doing it myself. And then Vodacom comes back and says " we will no longer support the device if you do the update yourself".
 
M$ 8.1 Denim still rocking.

And then there is C-Shell... Gonna be insane.
 
Last edited:
faniebraai said:
So question, while we have you... what is involved at Vodacom when an updated version of the OS is received from Samsung (I presume)...

Skinning? Testing? Loading of your Radio (CP)? etc.

Is there a dedicated team looking after this process?
Click to expand...

There is, but we only look if the GSM side is working.

it's 99% the handset vendor.
 
Geoff.D said:
This has been my experience as well. Vodacom is very reluctant to allow OS updates or do them. I have a tablet that I know is capable for being updated but cannot get it updated without doing it myself. And then Vodacom comes back and says " we will no longer support the device if you do the update yourself".
Click to expand...

Are you saying there is an official update for your tablet from the South African office of that device? But Vodacom won't give it to you?

Can you post some details, please?
 
Just because the device says iOS10, doesn't mean it is the same on all devices. Fundamentally, this is also fragmentation with the different 'versions' for the different hardware.

One would think that features are stripped because the hardware in older devices can't handle the new features ... But there have actually been a number of features cut on older devices for other reasons ie stimulate sales
 
Yeah but on Android I don't have to upgrade the entire OS just to add a new phone dialer and/or baked in Youtube app. Old phones can get the same default apps that is in the latest OS by simply updating them from the Play Store.

One thing where I would say OEM's are lagging is in Sec Updates. Don't care if I am on Android 5 or 6 dot what as long as I am on the latest patch level <--- and here they can all work at it.
 
My Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro is 2 years old and still on the Android 5.x OS, but the company pushes out regular security updates and newer MIUI versions of their OS. I have gotten more OS updates in 3 months from Xiaomi than I did with my Sony, Samsung and LG devices combined in 4 years. Also the first time I did not want a new phone in 6 months, so yeah truly a awesome company this.
 
2 Apple devices in the house, stuck on old versions of iOS - useless, with many crucial apps like Swiftkey not supported for older versions of iOS.

My 3 android devices running Android 7 (LOS.)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
jannievanzyl said:
Are you saying there is an official update for your tablet from the South African office of that device? But Vodacom won't give it to you?

Can you post some details, please?
Click to expand...

I am a long standing Vodacom contract customer. I went for an upgrade deal a good few years ago which included the Samsung S3 and the SS Galaxy tab2 10.2. Model number GT-P5100.

Both devices were the worst devices I have ever had the misfortune to have. The S3 was the first device that started showing the signs of battery overheating etc that culminated in the fire disaster with the S7. Between Vodacom (during the 2-year warranty period) and later SAMSUNG direct would never admit to what was causing the sudden bursts of high temperature until finally the phone almost caught fire. At that point SS suddenly decided that the solution was a new motherboard, at which time I bailed out and fell back on my Nokia 3310.

Then the tablet . It was replaced 3 times under warranty by Vodacom. The first time was because of a failed screen. The second time was because the GPS would not work. I found out it was caused by some or other OS change done by Vodacom, as when SS tested the device, they would show that nothing was wrong with the device itself and say that "its Vodacom, Get Vodacom to upgrade the OS" at which Vodacom would respond that they do not support the next upgrade. Instead Vodacom replaced the device again, only for the problem to persist.
Again SS reacted the same way. Upgrade the OS. Vodacom would say "We do not support the next upgrade, and if you do it yourself the warranty would be null and void. The warranty period on the last device ran out. I then did the upgrade myself and ALL THE PROBLEMS WENT AWAY. Now I still have that device working on another network upgraded to the last OS that would work on it.

I now have a Vodaphone el cheapo VFD 1100 where there is a OS upgrade available but Vodacom claim they do not support the upgrade ......

So this is unfortunately a trend as far as I am concerned where Vodacom doesn't want to do upgrades and updates for whatever internal reason. In this case I am not having any issues with the low end VFD1100 so I am not pushing the issue.

PS The tab 2 is working brilliantly on another network with a pre paid Sim card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X