> Maintaining existing software for customers costs handset manufacturers $$$, and disincentives consumers purchasing new phones (their cash cow). Maybe Google

> Maintaining existing software for customers costs handset manufacturers $$$, and disincentives consumers purchasing new phones (their cash cow). Maybe Google should split play store/app ad income with manufacturers, adding some incentives (50/50 profit split for phones on latest Android, 20/80 for one trailing major version - and then nothing. Or something along those lines). That might have the added benefit (for Google) that manufacturers would have a stake in a healthy play ecosystem. It's the ability to impose a private tax on ads and software that's supposed to be the monetizing strategy for walled gardens, isn't it? If hw is commoditized - manufacturers need another leg to stand on.