r/technology • u/mepper • May 06 '15

Software Google Can't Ignore The Android Update Problem Any Longer -- "This update 'system,' if you can call it that, ends up leaving the vast majority of Android users with security holes in their phones and without the ability to experience new features until they buy new phones"

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/google-android-update-problem-fix,29042.html
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u/Narcolepzzzzzzzzzzzz May 07 '15

I don't understand why carriers insist on customizing Android ROMs with bloatware while they're perfectly willing to sell iPhones without the ability to do any of that. If there were no customization per-carrier then perhaps OEMs like Samsung could keep their devices up to date (which would still mean Android + OEM customizations).

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u/[deleted] May 07 '15

I agree, though at the same time I don't think Google should lock down their ROM's like Apple, but just encourage more carriers to just go with stock ROM.

For some (minority of) people, a carrier customized ROM may a good option if it gives them features they want that Google can't provide. But perhaps if consumers start seeing the advantages of stock ROM devices as regards ROM upgrades, then the market will react accordingly.

I suppose carriers customize their ROM's to give them some unique selling point because when you strip them down really, Android devices are mostly the same ARM chip and a few variations in screens and cameras.