Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Summary: It is far too common for a major Android update to get pushed out to device owners, only to cause significant problems. Google needs to get a handle on the Android update process.
It seems like every day brings news that some Android device gets a major update. That's a good thing, as a common complaint about Android is the fragmentation that exists from devices not getting updates. Unfortunately, even getting an Android update is often not a bed of roses, as owners quickly find out the problems are just beginning.
Android smartphones and tablets are complex devices, and the platform is also complex. That's the price of a rounded OS, mobile or otherwise. Android must be more complex than other platforms, as it has become commonplace to hear of one device or another developing major problems after receiving an Android system update. It's as if there is no process in place to make sure updates are good before pushing them out to the masses.
Big updates of any system can create problems, that is not the issue. The issue is how often we hear of an update making it to the public, and having major device failures as a result. A recent example is the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the ASUS Transformer Prime. Owners are now reporting that since updating the tablet it has a habit of locking up. Not just a little glitch, the devices are locking up totally.
ASUS has acknowledged the problem, and that a fix for the problems caused by the update will be out in February. Until then owners just have to put up with the freezes, and keep rebooting the devices. ASUS has some smart folks dealing with this stuff, yet even this problem made it past the QA process.
Since this is not an isolated case, it clearly demonstrates a problem with Android updates in general. Either the OS is too complex to get it right the first time, or worse there is nobody at Google with oversight of the update process. It shouldn't be the norm that Android updates that cause major operational problems routinely get pushed out to the masses. Google needs to be helping OEMs to prevent this from happening over and over. This has to change.
Related posts:
- Cutting through the FUD about Windows Phone updates
- Microsoft is in the driver’s seat for Windows Phone updates
- AT&T’s business model: why your mobile bill keeps going up
- The Flawed Android Update Process; Too Many Cooks
- Will the new Android consortium fix the update fiasco?
Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.
Talkback
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Android OEMs are marketing phones based on specs. A lot of un-educated (in tech) are falling for it.
In fact a lot of first gereration dual core android phones do not use the second core... One could image who are the real losers here.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
This is why OEMs love android. They can sell you crap and not worry about updates. It is always easiest to release and forget. Maintenance is expensive.
Microsoft had to deal with this when they tried to push the first Windows Phone update. Now process is smooth but in was not easy.
OEM just do not care about software.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Not really .... Android works like GNOME
Google keeps incrementing numbers (ie: faking newer versions) while there are thousands of know and reported bugs that have gone unfixed since the first version was officially released.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
How is this noteworthy?
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
I have
And every update has issues.
iOS 5 was the worst.
And on my iphone4 still waiting for the battery fix....
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Its news worthy in the same way the issues upgrading windows phone 7 to mango were newsworthy
It actually highlights the fact that ASUS didn't test well enough rather than anything about Android
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Are you admitting that Linux is no better than Windows? After all, we constantly hear that updating Linux is safe because updates never break anything. This is in contrast to Windows where it seems Linux users are the only ones that consistently break their Windows installs with every single update.
Yet here you are admitting that Linux updates are just as bad as Windows updates. Your honestly on this matter is refreshing.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Thankfully that method of updating mobile Windows was abandonded for a better process. Perhaps it's time Android made a similar change.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
Your're talking about Linux right?
Have you ever seen Ubuntuforums after a new release? The level of breakage is horrific.
Of course you did
it is only logical that you would try to excuse this failure of open sorce software by claiming you had the same issues with Windows based software.
:|
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
I feel your pain, but at least it isn't a problem with Linux. When I changed to Ubuntu from Mepis, audio didn't work at all. BIG improvement. ;)
Amazing
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
15000000 Asus Android tablets sold in the last quarter? Or is your post completely off topic?
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue
He's just trolling.
Actually that 15 has 3 extra zeros.
RE: Common scenario: Android device gets updated, problems ensue