Perhaps, fragmentation can be adverted with a trick which most users may hate at the first sight, but accept it at a second look: paying for Android updates. Spending a few bucks to get that pricey but now almost useless smartphone out of Google’s sandbox may worth the trouble, because carriers and even the search engine giant itself refuses to develop such updates, as a marketing strategy. But let’s emphasize on that.
Android updates: a way of making money, without making the work
At this moment, OEMs and cellphone carriers are actually making profit for NOT developing Android updates. The situation is quite simple, really. Once a shiny new phone is released, the marketing campaign puts access on the Android version, as well. After two, or even one year, this device becomes too old in OEM’s eyes and it refuses to make a newer Android version compatible for the gadget, out of two simple reasons: Moreover, carriers are even branding the promise of an OS update as a marketing scheme, with just launched devices being advertised as updatable to the latest Android version. Google on the other hand has seen the opportunity and launched the Nexus line, a collection of tablets and smartphones alike which introduces each time a major Android update. Besides being launched with premier firmware versions, each device produced in partnership with Google is guaranteed to get plenty Android updates, and in very short time. Actually, this was one of the main reasons I have a Nexus S, and I cannot be the only one.
Paying for updates might be the solution
Although it’s not a fortunate case, paying for Android updates might be a viable solution, for both customer and vendor alike. With users willing to invest into a software more powerful for their smartphones, one which should add interesting features, developers and carriers will be motivated to invest the time of preparing these packages. Of course, it all comes down to the price and one the shoulders of the first one to break the ice, but it would be worth it. There are some possibilities that come in mind:
Pay per update – a possibility would be to charge users for a fixed fee on every major update, something like $5 for version. This way, those who agree with the paying tactic will get their much-needed features and those who rather keep their device outdated would have the possibility. Paid in advance – another tactic can be implemented by carriers when the device is sold. Marketed as a fixed term plan, the phone should be guaranteed updates for, let’s say, 18 months, at the price of $20. This feature could also be extended at client’s request and should be seen as a bonus option, on signing. Those who are not interested can refuse and this way the world could mind its own business again.
Paying for updates has other advantages, besides getting the freshest version on older devices. Because the software will be developed by official sources, owners won’t have to rely on user-customized version and custom ROMs, a word which seems to be highly feared by those not so tech-savvy. This way, the updating process could stay simple and relevant always, with over-the-air procedures terminated in just a few taps conquering the market. Paying, for the sake of security. Of course, many will disagree with this tactic. In an ideal word, Android updates should be as free as air, but unfortunately capitalism is not such a place. Profits must be made and sometimes they are made on dirty paths, but a compromise from both sides can resolve Android’s fragmentation issue.
