5 ms·

This is about cost: updates sometimes fail (incredible, I know), and carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order. This kind

This is about cost: updates sometimes fail (incredible, I know), and carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order. This kind of support is quite costly so carriers don't push too hard for updates to happen.

ethbro 9y ago
Every fifth security vulnerability in Android should cause the radio to spam reconnect attempts or similarly onorous behavior. I imagine carrier responses would look a lot different then.
kevin_thibedeau 9y ago
They want you renting a new phone from them every year. Dragging their feet on updates shifts sales to their newer lineup.
- josteink 9y ago
  But if a carrier has the nerve to actually block updates to my phone and I find out, I'll switch my phone to another carrier the next day. What's in it for them?
  - snoyberg 9y ago
    Most people don't think about such things when buying (renting) a new phone. If you do consider it, you're an exception to the rule.
    - josteink 9y ago
      What do you mean rent? I buy my phone. It's mine. I can put it on any network I like.
      - Karunamon 9y ago
        You certainly can't put whatever software on it that you like. They go well out of their way to ensure that.
josteink 9y ago
> carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order That only applies to phone bought from carriers. Most people buy them in electronic shops where they buy tvs and laptops and stuff (since that allows you to get the best deal any carrier can offer, and not just be restricted to one).
- csydas 9y ago
  This is half true and I think it falls neatly along generational lines, with exceptions for "really good deals". Most iPhone owners became first time AT&T customers when the iPhone came out. When Android hit the market, people went to their carrier because before this more or less was how you had to do it. More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.
  - josteink 9y ago
    > More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them. Interestingly enough I see that as the wrong way around. Going to a carrier specific-store is also guaranteed to offered me inferior choice both in phones and subscriptions. What's in it for me as a customer? My electronic store is giving me the phone and carrier which provides me with the best deal. I have no reason to give a carrier, a transparent transport network, any sort of loyalty. I don't have a "my carrier" which I care about. I do however have a "my phone", and I care about that deeply.

ethbro 9y ago

Every fifth security vulnerability in Android should cause the radio to spam reconnect attempts or similarly onorous behavior. I imagine carrier responses would look a lot different then.

kevin_thibedeau 9y ago

They want you renting a new phone from them every year. Dragging their feet on updates shifts sales to their newer lineup.

josteink 9y ago
But if a carrier has the nerve to actually block updates to my phone and I find out, I'll switch my phone to another carrier the next day. What's in it for them?
- snoyberg 9y ago
  Most people don't think about such things when buying (renting) a new phone. If you do consider it, you're an exception to the rule.
  - josteink 9y ago
    What do you mean rent? I buy my phone. It's mine. I can put it on any network I like.
    - Karunamon 9y ago
      You certainly can't put whatever software on it that you like. They go well out of their way to ensure that.

josteink 9y ago

> carriers are the first place people go to get their phones back in working order That only applies to phone bought from carriers. Most people buy them in electronic shops where they buy tvs and laptops and stuff (since that allows you to get the best deal any carrier can offer, and not just be restricted to one).

csydas 9y ago
This is half true and I think it falls neatly along generational lines, with exceptions for "really good deals". Most iPhone owners became first time AT&T customers when the iPhone came out. When Android hit the market, people went to their carrier because before this more or less was how you had to do it. More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.
- josteink 9y ago
  > More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them. Interestingly enough I see that as the wrong way around. Going to a carrier specific-store is also guaranteed to offered me inferior choice both in phones and subscriptions. What's in it for me as a customer? My electronic store is giving me the phone and carrier which provides me with the best deal. I have no reason to give a carrier, a transparent transport network, any sort of loyalty. I don't have a "my carrier" which I care about. I do however have a "my phone", and I care about that deeply.