Google Might Shame OEMs For Pushing Out Late Android Updates

If there is a complaint that many Android users have, it would be how long it takes for updates to make its way to them. Chances are unless you are a Nexus handset owner, major updates to Android will probably take months before it makes its way to you, which obviously doesn’t do the platform any favors.

However Google could be putting the pressure on OEMs by shaming them if they are late. How will this work? According to a report from Bloomberg, it seems that Google has been tracking how long it takes for companies to push out Android updates to its users, and from that data they have drawn up a list that will rank smartphone makers by how up-to-date their handsets are based on security patches and operating system versions.

As it stands, that list is still private and Google has reportedly shown it to their Android partners and are discussing whether or not they should make it public. By making it public, it would be a passive-aggressive response from Google that could shame manufacturers into releasing updates earlier in order to avoid being seen as a laggard.

The public list could also allow consumers to decide what brand to go for if they want more timely updates. This actually sounds like a great idea because even though Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released last year, only 7.5% of Android devices are reported to be running the operating system, versus Apple’s iOS 9 in which 84% of iOS devices have the update installed, but what do you guys think? Is this list a good idea?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones, Rumors
Tags: Android, Google