And though were beyond the dark early years where a year of updates was your best-case scenario, the most we can expect these days is a three-year promise– and, when it comes to OS updates and not just security updates, thats a new thing for some business. Pixels ought to be leading the charge when it comes to software, and in the wake of the Pixel 2s early death, its time for Google to step up and do much better.
Samsung just recently committed to a full three years of OS updates for its flagships, stepping up from 2 plus a year of security patches. We can still do better..
I admit, I held hope that Google may surprise us with the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. They were only guaranteed updates till this month, but Google was able to bring the initial 2016 Pixels Android 10 last year even though they werent assured to get it. Covertly, I desired that to be a trial run for the Pixel 2, dreaming that Google may amaze us with an additional year of updates.
Rising prices and much better phones, so why cant we keep them longer?
Apple is king in the United States market, with almost half people in its pocket according to deliveries over the last couple quarters. Its the biggest mobile phone vendor in the US, and every Android device will be compared to an Apple item. Apple doesnt clearly promise a window of gadget upgrade assistance, but it does not require to. History speaks for itself, and basically every iPhone since the 3GS has seen 4-5 years of updates. In truth, that expected durability was practically enough for us to call the iPhone SE a better phone than the Pixel 4a– and even with the 4as minimized rate, the SE is unarguably a better long-term value on that basis alone.
My preferred comparison to make here is another Google product classification: Chromebooks. The arrangement there is really similar to Android: Google makes the software application, 3rd parties handle the hardware. They even run Android apps now. And Chromebooks like the Pixelbook Go released last year will still get six more years of updates, and other Chromebooks do even better. Naturally, Google has far more centralized control over the Chrome OS platform and administers updates straight, giving it a strong edge in software longevity, but its a parallel we cant overlook.
And, obviously, since Apple does it.
They were only guaranteed updates till this month, however Google was able to bring the original 2016 Pixels Android 10 last year even though they werent assured to get it. Covertly, I wanted that to be a trial run for the Pixel 2, dreaming that Google might surprise us with an extra year of updates. And though were beyond the dark early years where a year of updates was your best-case situation, the most we can prepare for these days is a three-year pledge– and, when it comes to OS updates and not simply security updates, thats a new thing for some companies. Of course, when it comes to updates on a lot of phones, its just out of Googles hands. Its time for Google to step up, do much better, and encourage other producers to do the very same by example, devoting to upgrade Pixel phones for longer than just three years– starting with the Pixel 2, if it can be done.
One essential argument for more updates is worth. You can pick up a $350 Pixel 4a or a $1,300 Galaxy Note20 Ultra, but theyre both just assured updates for three years.
While its great Google is looking forward, the business should consider looking back at the effect its existing hardware makes on the environment, too. Pixel phones do not exactly age gracefully in the used market, so by the time they stop getting updates, they arent worth really much. Google could try to alleviate that through trade-ins, at the same time encouraging brand name commitment with a minor aid at the time of purchase like Samsung does for its phones, however it does not.
Its obvious that Google has difficulty offering Pixels, though its budget plan offerings do much better. If it wishes to seriously complete in the US market, its items will need to compare positively to Apples on paper. Were keeping our phones longer and longer, so the period of software updates seriously matters.
Google assisted develop the existing three-year standard back in 2015 in the wake of Stagefright, and whether the business likes it or not, Pixels set precedent in the world of Android. The phones might not offer well, but theyre innovators whose modifications eventually enter into future licensing requirements. Its time for Google to step up, do much better, and encourage other makers to do the exact same by example, committing to update Pixel phones for longer than simply 3 years– beginning with the Pixel 2, if it can be done.
… all Android phones are equally disadvantaged.
I securely believe that if Google was really devoted in the ways it declares to be, it would set an example to keep more of its own phones running for longer.
Pixels set precedent on the planet of Android.
Rate makes no distinction here: In best-case software application support, all Android phones are similarly disadvantaged. The most “premium” experience still only promises it will remain appropriate and secure for 3 years. Although you can purchase ultra-expensive gadgets that ensure unbelievable speed, fantastic electronic cameras, and futuristic materials from the bleeding edge of consumer-oriented science, when the clock strikes midnight a simple 3 years later, its as much a pumpkin as any spending plan phone.
Increasing prices also invite comparison with other item categories. At the brand-new and sadly regular thousand-dollar rate point, phones cost as much as laptop computers. Some would even argue they duplicate much of the same performance, and efforts like DeX aim for phones to eventually change computers for some people. They do not complete there when it comes to updates either. Both Windows and macOS-powered laptops get updates quite much up until their hardware cant take it any longer. My now-ancient 2014 Macbook Pro still gets patches and OS updates straight from Apple, and Windows laptop computers last even longer– though undoubtedly, manufacturers frequently provide up elements of first-party hardware assistance like touchpad chauffeurs after 3-5 years.
Googles much-hyped recycled fabric on the brand-new Nest Audio (left) and Nest Mini (ideal).
Apple beats Google and all Android phones when it pertains to updates..
Googles guarantees of sustainability ring hollow when it wont dedicate to longer updates that would make a larger effect.
Beyond the subject of cost and contrasts with other items, theres another key argument to be made: Sustainability. Google has been flexing over backward to highlight the efforts its made to minimize the impact its companies have on the environment, decreasing its carbon footprint, using renewable resource sources, and switching to recycled products in its newest hardware– The Pixel 5 has a “100% recycled aluminum enclosure,” and both its first-party cases and clever speakers utilize recycled plastic material.
I feel like weve added a lot of beneficial indicate an otherwise mined-out topic, however there is one last always-applicable reason for Google to consider updating Pixels for longer than three years: Apple does it.
Meet Google, the sustainability hypocrite.
Playing devils advocate, Google has actually managed to decouple some aspects of updates from the system itself. Lots of functions are managed and released through Play Services rather than core system updates, and Project Mainline has modularized some aspects of security updates so they can roll out via the Play Store.
I think its fair to state many of us in the Android tech bubble consider Pixels to be the Android-as-Android flagship: an example of the really finest the software can do, though the prices arent constantly good, the hardware sometimes falls flat, and functions come short of Samsungs sometimes-better but often-messy kitchen sink method. Google is at the same time the Android developer, gatekeeper, and (unfortunately) role model– though every time Ive spoken to representatives from the business about the subject, theyre determined they treat Pixels no differently from any other OEM.
Of course, when it comes to updates on most phones, its just out of Googles hands. There is one item line Google is completely in control of, and theres nothing stopping the company from pressing the software assistance envelope on its own Pixel phones.
The Pixel 2 and 2 XL might be three-year-old phones, however they still have lots of life left in them. The Snapdragon 835 is no slouch even today, and some folks still have plenty of battery capacity left. (Battery replacements are also a thing, so thats no excuse either.) In other words, the hardware is still perfectly excellent and capable of bring on for another couple of years, Google merely deserted it. Yes, it fulfilled its assured schedule, and yes, its running a business. However frankly, Googles pledges of sustainability ring hollow when it wont commit to longer updates that would make a larger influence on the environment than the recycled plastic cloth it parades as “development.”.
Google does use a complimentary recycling program, but thats leaping the sustainability gun. Theyre in a particular order for a factor, and recycling is meant to be the last-ditch effort on the course to sustainability– unfortunately, its all Google deals.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet will get updates for the next eight years at just $280.
