No KitKat (Android 4.4) for Galaxy Nexus
|
| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| cmost Oct 31, 2013 8:03 PM EDT |
While I have always respected Google, the news today that Samsung Galaxy Nexus users will not be getting Android 4.4 is bullsh*t! (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/10/31/galaxy-nexus-android...) Even after touting how Android 4.4 will run on older devices with as little as 512 MB RAM on the one hand, it then turned around and said GNex devices wouldn't be getting the update because "they're too old." Really?!? That's patently ridiculous! My Galaxy Nexus has very respectable specs compared to other Android devices, including 1 GB RAM, even two years after its release. I think this is Google's way of forcing Galaxy Nexus users to upgrade to its latest and greatest Nexus 5. With this behavior as an example, why should carriers support older phones in spite of them having capable hardware? Google should realize that this will just further fragmentation. I happen to like my Galaxy Nexus which is still in perfect condition. I guess for the first time ever, I'll explore rooting the device and installing an unofficial 4.4 ROM which I'm sure XDA will deliver shortly. Poor show Google...very poor show! |
| penguinist Oct 31, 2013 11:35 PM EDT |
If it's any consolation, Android 4.4 (and 4.3) is running selinux in enforcing mode, so even root does not have enough priv for you to take control of your device. I'm holding at Android 4.2 so that I can maintain control. Don't feel bad about not being able to upgrade. You might not want to. |
| TxtEdMacs Nov 05, 2013 10:11 AM EDT |
[serious] I had a conversation with a Google Nexus 4 owner, who is not an unthinking fan* of Google. This individual does not see the lack of upgrade of the Galaxy Nexus as a nefarious scheme by Google. For example, Google only promised a two year upgrade for Nexus 4, meaning it ends with 4.4. He compared this with his experience with an Android phone purchased from Verizon, which came with an older version of Android when he received it and later the company version was so broken he had to back down to the original. That is, over two years without a single upgrade. The most salient point, which I do not fully understand**, is the original manufacturer of the Galaxy Nexus is defunct. Therefore, parts are no longer available. * He cited advantages of the Samsung over that of the Google Nexus, e.g. larger, replaceable battery, screen, larger external storage, etc. However, the most telling was his experience of bricking his Nexus when he tried to selectively delete the data partition on his memory storage, because it was internal it wiped the entire card. This could not have happened on the Samsung external storage card. However, on the Google Nexus it was internal and the safety did not work. He recovered, albeit by a laborious process, an operational phone. Using his laptop connection he loaded a new OS image and restored his data from the backup. ** I am unfamiliar with the methods to test mobile devices for compatibility, hence, I would have assumed just testing the entire device would have sufficed. Thus, buying a few older, working models should have worked. However, if like computer OEMs parts differed by batch due to availability and / or price one could not be certain the entire range was covered by testing a batch of old phone sets. [/serious] YBT |
| notbob Nov 05, 2013 11:09 AM EDT |
> While I have always respected Google..... I think I see the problem. ;) |
| jdixon Nov 05, 2013 6:56 PM EDT |
> I think I see the problem. ;) Eh? I always respect folks who can make enormous sums of money. It's a useful talent, and one I wish I had a bit more of. :) Now, admire or even like? Not necessarily. But definitely respect. |
| notbob Nov 05, 2013 7:18 PM EDT |
> I always respect folks who can make enormous sums of money. You respect crapple, M$, and Monsanto? Goldman-Sachs? Who's else? The pharmaceutical company that marketed thalidomide? The Nazis for generating enough $$$$ to wage WW2? Dude ....yer not invited to my next birthday! ;) |
| jdixon Nov 05, 2013 9:54 PM EDT |
> Sou respect crapple, M$, and Monsanto? Goldman-Sachs? Yes. 'For their ability to make money. I also respect Mike Tyson for his ability to clean my clock in the ring were I so foolish as to go there. As I noted, that doesn't mean I either like or admire them. To be fair, the definition I was taught appears to have fallen out of favor. The dictionary now lists it as the second definition: To show regard or consideration for. The primary definition is now: To hold in esteem or honor. In my experience, those used to be reversed. |
| notbob Nov 06, 2013 11:52 AM EDT |
> I also respect Mike Tyson for his ability to clean my clock. Too many people confuse respect with fear. Nor do I show regard for or hold in esteem the examples I've given or Mike Tyson. A dirtbag is a dirtbag, no matter how much money. But, that's jes my opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours. |
| jdixon Nov 06, 2013 3:43 PM EDT |
> Too many people confuse respect with fear. I don't fear Mike Tyson. But I do respect the fighting ability he exhibited in his prime. You can respect one or more aspects of a person without admiring any of his/her other aspects. If that weren't the case, it would make it very hard to listen to music or watch a movie. And it's no more silly to show regard for a person's fighting ability that it is to show regard for gravity. I don't make a habit of stepping off high cliffs either. |
| tmx Nov 10, 2013 3:51 PM EDT |
I'm a little late here, but I think its actually easier for Google to release KitKat for that Galaxy Nexus even with TI discontinued manufacturing the OMAP for it, than to release for the currently supported Nexus 4 (which I have). TI OMAP is used in lots of opensource projects, like OpenPandora, they are easier chip to work with than Qualcomm who tends to be very protective of their hardware drivers (they temporarily pulled the Nexus 7 2013 factory image when it was released). I think there is only a tiny concern of any legal issue in this, I honestly think its just Google being lazy and wanting people to buy their newer devices. Anyway, it's extremely easy to update the Galaxy Nexus to KitKat. Seriously, some guy in his basement could cook one up from AOSP and gets it working, I'm sure Google can. There has already been a petition on that at change.org, but I doubt Google care. And about the guy who got the Galaxy Nexus Verizon version, his fault. Verizon crippled the phone, removed key features and added their own bloatwares, they didn't release Jelly Bean for it until 6 months after the official release. Now they're breaking FCC agreement by refusing to activate Nexus 7 LTE and releasing their own tablet. And with the new Nexus 5 it's perfectly compatible with Sprint and Verizon (lacking older Verizon LTE band, but support their newer band 4), but Verizon isn't going to allow it to activate. Also while we're on this topic, I want to remind that most major carrier locked phones in USA still contains CarrierIQ (not just Android). More reason to buy Nexus. |
| TxtEdMacs Nov 10, 2013 5:06 PM EDT |
[serious] When am I not? Anyway, once factual correction to your excellent post: The experience with Verizon did not entail a Nexus phone, I cannot remember if it was a HTC or a LG unit. My source stays well away from Verizon and is open to the other three in the U.S. using a purchased SIM and a monthly subscription to access their network(s). To my knowledge he has used T-Mobile and AT&T* and would switch in an instant were he to relocate and find the one he is currently using inferior. [/serious] YBT * In name only, to me it remains Cingular(ly) terrible. |
| TxtEdMacs Nov 11, 2013 9:48 AM EDT |
[very serious] My apologies to all for posting statements that proved to be at least partially invalid explanations. In my defense, I was intaking history of a segment of smart phone history at a rate that exceeded my capacity to understand. Moreover, with insufficient, real interest to question I failed to probe. Had I learned that TI contributed the key component I would have been warned that the characterization of the manufacturer being defunct was a mis characterization in the extreme. I have neither owned a "smart" phone nor have I lusted for one. I am only glad I posted in a tentative tone and inquired if the information I had was valid. However, my propensity for humor may have blurred my intent. In any case, my error. [/serious] [edit] I scanned the specs on the Galaxy Nexus, which showed it was compatible with Android 4.3. If true some of the initial posts seem to be in error, which strongly implied the limit was 4.2.x. |
| microMXL Nov 15, 2013 3:41 PM EDT |
meh, just flash cyanogenmod11 |
| cmost Nov 15, 2013 8:25 PM EDT |
@ TexEdMacs "[edit] I scanned the specs on the Galaxy Nexus, which showed it was compatible with Android 4.3. If true some of the initial posts seem to be in error, which strongly implied the limit was 4.2.x." Um if you owned a Galaxy Nexus then you would know that it was updated to Android 4.3 shortly after Google released it. The point of this post was to lament the fact that Google has decided to abandon the Galaxy Nexus with regards to further updates (e.g., no Android 4.4 'KitKat') with the excuse that it was "too old." At the same time, Google is touting the fact that Android 4.4 was designed for lower spec handsets with the Galaxy Nexus still having very respectable hardware specifications, even two years after its initial release and compared to current handsets, making it more than capable of running the latest Android OS. |
Posting in this forum is limited to members of the group: [ForumMods, SITEADMINS, MEMBERS.]
Becoming a member of LXer is easy and free. Join Us!