Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each inside and outside of the confines of Mountain View.
Apple not too long ago settled a category motion swimsuit in British Columbia, Canada, for slowing down older iPhone fashions with software program updates, a case that wasn’t all that completely different from the same lawsuit that was settled within the U.S. final summer season. Nonetheless, it bought me fascinated by how Google revealed that it will supply seven years of software program updates for the Pixel 8, and now I’m wondering if Google might ultimately go down the identical street as Apple.
With out admitting something nefarious, Apple claimed this was being carried out with units starting from the iPhone 6 as much as the iPhone XS Max. By slowing down sure fashions, Apple maintains that the objective is to make sure that your system “operates as designed and inside elements are protected.” In fact, Apple bought its fingers caught within the cookie jar, however I am unable to assist however really feel that historical past will repeat itself, simply on the Pixel aspect of issues.
A number of of us have already written about what we take into consideration Google’s promised plans in the case of Pixel software program updates. Whereas I am nonetheless a fan of the transfer and suppose Google ought to’ve led the preliminary cost, I am unable to shake the concept that it does not actually matter in the long term, and this is why.
First, how many individuals really hold the identical cellphone for seven years? A report by Statista printed in August 2023 revealed that the “common lifespan (substitute cycle size)” of smartphone possession is rather less than three years. And that is only for the buyer aspect of issues, as the typical drops even decrease for the enterprise market.
Perhaps Google was doing the suitable factor all together with its three years of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches. Maybe Google folded to the optics of Samsung and Apple providing longer software program help for its units. Then once more, perhaps not, and Google was simply ready to get its Tensor SoC in a “good place,” which appears to be the case with the Tensor G3.
From the surface trying in, seeing an organization like Fairphone supply eight years of software program help, paired with a five-year guarantee, does not look nice for Google, comparatively. The instant counter to that is that Fairphone does not promote practically as many telephones because the Pixel, not to mention Samsung or Apple.
Fairphone stands out from the pack, in additional methods than simply making their telephones simple to restore.
This affords Fairphone a couple of luxuries by way of flexibility that even an enormous company like Google does not have in direction of a very area of interest viewers. Fairphone additionally serves a distinct subset of customers; those that need a cellphone that they’ll restore and do not have to fret about too many further complications.
The second level that I needed to the touch on is Android itself. Have we reached a state of software program stagnation? The entire “cool” and “new” options proven off at I/O for the previous few years have largely been boring, aside from the extra technical customers. The exception to this comes within the type of the varied AI choices which might be being added.
Circle to Search is extremely helpful once I keep in mind it is there. To not point out the varied digicam options which might be making us query whether or not an image you are taking together with your cellphone is definitely actual or not. Samsung even went the additional mile with its implementation of AI on the Galaxy S24 with issues like Reside Translate, Chat Help, and extra.
However, exterior of the Generative AI wallpapers paired with on-device theming, not a lot else has modified by way of what you are able to do on Android. Properly, in addition to Google slowly locking down AOSP and making a walled backyard of its personal.
I’ve to marvel what Android will appear to be seven years from now. Google is already locking options to sure units, which is sensible when evaluating the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8. Nonetheless, it turns into a frustration when evaluating the Pixel Fold and Pixel 8 Professional.
I haven’t got the technical acumen wanted to elucidate why these choices have been made. And it is not like Google is simply popping out and correctly telling everybody why. The entire charade makes me really feel as if that is simply the “new norm,” and letting individuals complain with out really giving a crap.
Perhaps that is the purpose of all of it. Essentially talking, there actually is not a lot that must be modified in Android. It is not good by any means, however the platform has form of peaked already. If you happen to do not consider me, simply attempt to discover the variations between Android 13 and Android 14. You will not discover many.
Earlier than you run to the feedback to inform me all about how none of this really issues, that is the purpose. If it does not matter, why make an announcement? I imply, are you able to think about what would occur if the Galaxy S8 was operating One UI 6 with Android 14? It appears very probably that Android on the Pixel 8 in 2030 will in all probability run like a steaming pile of TouchWiz.
Nothing Google has carried out has instructed in any other case, in addition to saying “Hey, have a look at us! We’re promising lengthy software program help,” with out actually telling us what which means.
To not point out, there is a good probability that one of the best telephones of 2024, probably will not have the ability to stand up to the pains of each day life for eight years. If you happen to want proof of that, simply try what occurred to Namerah’s Pixel 6, or Nick’s Pixel 7 Professional.
OnePlus appears to be the one firm not prepared to observe Google, Samsung, and Apple.
Kinder Liu, OnePlus president and COO, was not too long ago requested about why the OnePlus 12 was “solely” getting 5 years of updates, as a substitute of following in Google’s and Samsung’s footsteps.
Arguably, this single quote sums all the pieces up and places a little bit bow on my ideas:
“Think about your cellphone is a sandwich. Some producers are actually saying that the filling of their sandwich — their cellphone’s software program — will nonetheless be good to eat in seven years’ time. However what they are not telling you is that the bread within the sandwich — the consumer expertise — may be moldy after 4 years. Instantly a seven-year software program replace coverage does not matter, as a result of the remainder of your expertise with the cellphone is horrible.”
OnePlus is hardly the mannequin citizen in the case of software program updates. However, I love the thought and unwillingness to “observe the pattern” when it is apparent that it will not finish nicely for anybody.
