Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich is one of the best things since sliced bread Gingerbread. Unfortunately it seems not everyone is going to get it. It has been officially announced that the barely 2-year old Nexus One won’t be getting it. There was also a rumor (since quashed but only after a few long days) that the barely a year old LG Optimus 2X won’t have it. Someone even made a chart of the sad history of Android updates. It’s a dismal picture for Android.
For the iPhone data, it’s pretty accurate. The by then 3-year old original iPhone (released Jun 2007) was not supported by iOS 4 (released Jun 2010). The 3-year old iPhone 3G (released Jul 2008) is not supported by iOS 5 (released Oct 2011). Basically, iPhones have a supported life of 3 years.
I’m not very sure about the Android data but there is supporting evidence out there. fresh-off-the-factory Ericssons were on Android 2.1 Eclair for the longest time, most Android phones are still on Android 2.2 Frozen Yogurt (including above mentioned LG Optimus 2X) over a year after Android 2.3 Gingerbread was released (May 2010). And now news that Android 4 Ice Cream sandwich won’t be supported in some devices.
For major version changes it is understandable. Normally hardware and software are optimally (or should be) integrated to provide the phone functions available. Assuming the functions are working, there’s really no need to upgrade because you’ll likely end up with a slower phone and the hardware is probably not there. For example, in the case of iOS, some features were not available, by necessity (e.g. GPS) and/or design (e.g. Siri). Only the geeks (me included) always have to upgrade to the latest and the greatest.
Minor version changes, especially those for critical bug fixes and security updates, are a different issue. Everybody should have it. And, assuming the data is accurate, it’s still a dismal picture for Android.
Of course, Android ubergeeks could always roll their own OS upgrades and lesser ones could use available third-party ones such as the CyanogenMod. But there’s a question on the accountability of this third-party. Answer: They have none. You don’t pay for it after all. Do it at your own risk. That’s assuming you can do it at all.
But at the end, it’s not Google’s or Android’s fault. Unless you fault them for their strategy at achieving immediate widespread use of Android. There could have been a better way but what’s done’s done. So really it’s the phone manufacturers’ fault. So whether you’re a geek who wants the latest and the greatest or a regular phone user who’s concerned about security, be aware that with Android, the manufacturer is a critical decision point. Choose well and choose wisely.