Open Source in Disarray: Android Updates in Chaos

Let me get this straight, just in case there is any confusion: Android 1.6 came out on September 15th, 2.0 on October 26th, so why is my Android powered smartphone still stuck on version 1.5 or 1.6? Google’s open source Android project arrived with the promise that it would be free and completely open to everyone. Unfortunately, one of the massive problems that Android has created is a lack of universal standards and regulations. We are in smartphone anarchy.

Google programs the main Android OS code and then seeds it to developers when it is ready. At this point, the project is out of Google’s hands and is left to the devices of manufacturers and carriers. Because there are so many manufacturers (HTC, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Sony, Acer, etc.) and carriers (Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and so forth), no one is taking responsibility for promptly updating and supporting smartphones after they have been sold. What is even worse is that newer phones that arrive come packaged with older versions of Android.

Take the HTC made Sprint Hero and the LG Eve (Canadian) as glaring examples of irresponsibility. Both phones went on sale with Android 1.5 Cupcake around October, well after the release of 1.6 Donut, yet neither one has been upgraded to 1.6 even though versions 2.0 and 2.1 are out! Sprint promises that 1.6 and even 2.1 are eventually coming this year, but LG Canada’s official word is ignorance. Too bad for LG because I was prepared to buy an Eve.

The whole Android updating quagmire got so murky in Canada that an online petition blog was created to force Rogers to update its Magic (a variant of T-Mobile myTouch 3G). Rogers finally complied and is pushing HTC to release versions 1.6 and 2.1:

“…we will be implementing an update for the 1.5 OS to both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic in the upcoming weeks. These will offer a number of benefits for these devices, including bringing the HTC Sense experience to the HTC Magic, although the OS version will remain 1.5. By mid-year, HTC will issue an upgrade to Android 2.1, including the highly acclaimed HTC Sense experience for the HTC Magic.

However, due to certain limitations on the HTC Dream, the software path for the HTC Dream will not be developed beyond the next Android 1.5 update. While we regret not being able to offer the same updates to both devices, by bringing this upgrade to the HTC Magic, we are delivering the best solution possible given the situation at hand.”

You have read correctly. The Magic will get their latest Android builds…eventually, but the first generation HTC Rogers Dream will not.

I suppose that this incredible confusion is understandable given how many parties are involved with the Android project, but I am baffled as to why carriers and manufacturers do not have more foresight and careful planning. Immediately after Google seeds a new version of Android, both carrier and manufacturer should be on it. They should not need customer pressure and media backlash just to motivate them. If they are not willing to support their $400-600 smartphones after they pocket the consumers’ cash, then they should get out of the business. I applaud Apple for doing everything itself and leaving nothing to AT&T or any other partner. A dictatorship has its advantages after all.

Google is also partially guilty. By opening up Android to the world, the company should have predicted that this mess would occur. The Nexus One is a demonstration of how smartphones and Android OS implementation should be done. For the 20,000 of you who are Nexus One owners, congratulations. You not only have the most advanced smartphone on the planet, but you will also get timely updates directly from Google (presumably).

For everyone else, you just might have to resort to hacking and root your older (or brand new) smartphone. Sure, you may get Eclair 2.1 in a few months, but by then Google will probably have something better in the offing, and you will have to battle and claw just to update yet again. It is comforting to know that at least hackers can be relied upon to support the community.