4 ms·

Less than 5% of phones currently run Android 6.x. I don't really think that's a fair "requirement" to give to people, given that many people are otherwise preve

Less than 5% of phones currently run Android 6.x. I don't really think that's a fair "requirement" to give to people, given that many people are otherwise prevented from getting a Marshmallow update not because of the age or model of their phones, but because the carrier has prevented it.

pki 11y ago
then we get into the whole "at what point do we stop supporting windows xp for real this time guys" argument though..
- AdmiralAsshat 11y ago
  There's a big difference between a 10 year-old OS and a two-year old phone, though. Especially if the unlocked model of the phone has received a Marshmallow update, but your carrier decides they don't feel like going through the cert process for that when they could easily twist your arm to getting a nice, new $750 phone instead.
- JohnTHaller 11y ago
  For Google Chrome the answer is: April 19
- fixermark 11y ago
  That decision is generally made by the app vendor. Apps in the Play Store declare a minimum OS version they compile / run against.
radley 11y ago
If someone was truly that concerned, they'd make the choice to buy a Nexus device for that protection rather than embrace a 3rd party device with manufacturer and carrier crud.
- dredmorbius 11y ago
  The user in question: 1. Purchased the device at a major electronics reseller during a period of specific contingency whilst travelling. 2. Prefers strongly to avoid mail-order purchasing for numerous reasons, including the possibility of in-transit interceptions and undocumented third-party enhancements. 3. Couldn't find a Nexus device at said major retailer. 4. Isn't aware of Nexus devices which offer expandable storage. Device in question has 128 GB of MicroSD storage. Max possible Nexus is ~16-32 GB last I checked, with no expansion possible. I've explored other options, including a CyanogenMod reflash, though that's less than straighforward. So, unfortunately, the world involves numerous compromises. I treat the device as hostile though of some utility. I've pressed several other app vendors on permissions, and am batting somewhat above 0.500 for having those reversed. I've also vented considerable spleen at Google over how it manages Android. Given my previous record with recommendations, I expect to be fully vindicated in about 3-4 years.
  - arjie 11y ago
    The Nexus 6P comes in a 128 GB variant and it's available at a couple of Best Buy locations in the Bay. It also has the latest Android version.
    - dredmorbius 11y ago
      What's the 10" tablet Nexus equivalent? (Another gripe, this one about electronics generally: sorting out manufacturer's offerings is all but impossible ... so I don't bother. Apple actually does far better than most through simplicity, though I have other objections...)
mikeash 11y ago
It has nothing to do with fairness. The Android permission model prior to 6.0 was terrible. If you care about this stuff, then you'll want to use 6.0 or newer (or a non-Android phone with similar capabilities). It may not be fair that the phone you bought recently can't upgrade to 6.0 because Android OEMs are terrible, but the facts remain.
- fixermark 11y ago
  Besides, if you really care about this stuff, you bite the bullet, root your phone, and install an alternate OS that allows for permission faking and more graunular control. As much as people on HN seem to hate to admit it, the average consumer does not care sufficiently (or have enough to hide) for the ability to do fine-grained permission control to be valuable to them, so it's a niche feature. Most apps from big vendors can be trusted; the maximum-harm case isn't the common case. On the plus side, in a couple years (when the average Android comes with M pre-installed), users will have the ability to do fine-grained control whether or not they care. That's an improvement.

pki 11y ago

then we get into the whole "at what point do we stop supporting windows xp for real this time guys" argument though..

AdmiralAsshat 11y ago
There's a big difference between a 10 year-old OS and a two-year old phone, though. Especially if the unlocked model of the phone has received a Marshmallow update, but your carrier decides they don't feel like going through the cert process for that when they could easily twist your arm to getting a nice, new $750 phone instead.
JohnTHaller 11y ago
For Google Chrome the answer is: April 19
fixermark 11y ago
That decision is generally made by the app vendor. Apps in the Play Store declare a minimum OS version they compile / run against.

radley 11y ago

If someone was truly that concerned, they'd make the choice to buy a Nexus device for that protection rather than embrace a 3rd party device with manufacturer and carrier crud.

dredmorbius 11y ago
The user in question: 1. Purchased the device at a major electronics reseller during a period of specific contingency whilst travelling. 2. Prefers strongly to avoid mail-order purchasing for numerous reasons, including the possibility of in-transit interceptions and undocumented third-party enhancements. 3. Couldn't find a Nexus device at said major retailer. 4. Isn't aware of Nexus devices which offer expandable storage. Device in question has 128 GB of MicroSD storage. Max possible Nexus is ~16-32 GB last I checked, with no expansion possible. I've explored other options, including a CyanogenMod reflash, though that's less than straighforward. So, unfortunately, the world involves numerous compromises. I treat the device as hostile though of some utility. I've pressed several other app vendors on permissions, and am batting somewhat above 0.500 for having those reversed. I've also vented considerable spleen at Google over how it manages Android. Given my previous record with recommendations, I expect to be fully vindicated in about 3-4 years.
- arjie 11y ago
  The Nexus 6P comes in a 128 GB variant and it's available at a couple of Best Buy locations in the Bay. It also has the latest Android version.
  - dredmorbius 11y ago
    What's the 10" tablet Nexus equivalent? (Another gripe, this one about electronics generally: sorting out manufacturer's offerings is all but impossible ... so I don't bother. Apple actually does far better than most through simplicity, though I have other objections...)

mikeash 11y ago

It has nothing to do with fairness. The Android permission model prior to 6.0 was terrible. If you care about this stuff, then you'll want to use 6.0 or newer (or a non-Android phone with similar capabilities). It may not be fair that the phone you bought recently can't upgrade to 6.0 because Android OEMs are terrible, but the facts remain.

fixermark 11y ago
Besides, if you really care about this stuff, you bite the bullet, root your phone, and install an alternate OS that allows for permission faking and more graunular control. As much as people on HN seem to hate to admit it, the average consumer does not care sufficiently (or have enough to hide) for the ability to do fine-grained permission control to be valuable to them, so it's a niche feature. Most apps from big vendors can be trusted; the maximum-harm case isn't the common case. On the plus side, in a couple years (when the average Android comes with M pre-installed), users will have the ability to do fine-grained control whether or not they care. That's an improvement.