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Security updates are becoming more dire, but feature updates between versions has been dwindling since the early days. I've had an Android phone continuously si

Security updates are becoming more dire, but feature updates between versions has been dwindling since the early days. I've had an Android phone continuously since 2011, and while I could detail a laundry list of stuff we got from Gingerbread -> Ice Cream Sandwich or KitKat -> Lollipop, I can't think of many "game changers" from Marshmallow on that made each new update a "must have". Just trying to think of the ones I actually noticed or used: Nougat: Slightly better battery with doze mode; Built-in Night Light so I no longer need cf.lumen or Twilight Oreo: A better AutoFill API for my password manager Pie: Adaptive battery? I lost the ability to record calls when my phone got the Pie update, so I wouldn't really consider that a feature. So basically, other than having to use a third-party screen temperature app and needing to manually copy-paste passwords, there wasn't much meaningful difference in the experience between my Nexus 7 running Marshmallow and my S8+ phone with the Pie update.

vorpalhex 8y ago
In many ways that's a good indication that the software is maturing. Every phone update shouldn't come with a bunch of dread around new user flows. Though they did generally manage to entirely screw up do-not-disturb and notification settings in a gross attempt at simplification...
j45 8y ago
The inability for Android manufacturers to deliver an honest, timely and up to date practice of current security updates (instead of 6 month old fixes) pushed me to a pixel when I was happy with my galaxy note and g6. The heartbleed bug remaining unpatched for so long really did it for me.
__MatrixMan__ 8y ago
> there wasn't much meaningful difference in the experience between my Nexus 7 running Marshmallow and my S8+ phone with the Pie update. Reading this on a Nexus 5, running marshmallow. I stopped upgrading when I stopped seeing a reason to, now I just get the old models on the cheap and only occasionally wonder if I'm missing out. In those moments I'll remember your comment, stop wondering, and continue treating my phone like the sub-$200 commodity that it is. Thanks.
- everybodyknows 8y ago
  Reading this on a Nexus 5X running Oreo 8.1.0. Formerly happy owner. Now, after accidental pocket-tap on "Update All", seeing glacial performance in core apps e.g. Gmail, Maps. No "revert" option in GUI of course. Maybe possible with ADB ... Where you write "stopped upgrading", do you mean hardware only -- allowing Google system plus apps to push all software updates? How do you assure yourself that your Nexus 5 has gotten adequate security fixes?
  - ndiscussion 8y ago
    Not the parent, but you don't. I run a Galaxy S9 but as far as I'm concerned, the phone will be a paperweight in 1 or 2 more years. iPhones have better longevity, hence their higher resale value.
listic 8y ago
> I lost the ability to record calls Is this applicable to all Pie phones or just your particular one? I wonder why did they do it.
- AdmiralAsshat 8y ago
  https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/google-removes-call-recording-from-android-9-pie-for-non-rooted-recorder-apps-4970561.html https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/google-removes-...
  - listic 8y ago
    What an outrage!

vorpalhex 8y ago

In many ways that's a good indication that the software is maturing. Every phone update shouldn't come with a bunch of dread around new user flows. Though they did generally manage to entirely screw up do-not-disturb and notification settings in a gross attempt at simplification...

j45 8y ago

The inability for Android manufacturers to deliver an honest, timely and up to date practice of current security updates (instead of 6 month old fixes) pushed me to a pixel when I was happy with my galaxy note and g6. The heartbleed bug remaining unpatched for so long really did it for me.

__MatrixMan__ 8y ago

> there wasn't much meaningful difference in the experience between my Nexus 7 running Marshmallow and my S8+ phone with the Pie update. Reading this on a Nexus 5, running marshmallow. I stopped upgrading when I stopped seeing a reason to, now I just get the old models on the cheap and only occasionally wonder if I'm missing out. In those moments I'll remember your comment, stop wondering, and continue treating my phone like the sub-$200 commodity that it is. Thanks.

everybodyknows 8y ago
Reading this on a Nexus 5X running Oreo 8.1.0. Formerly happy owner. Now, after accidental pocket-tap on "Update All", seeing glacial performance in core apps e.g. Gmail, Maps. No "revert" option in GUI of course. Maybe possible with ADB ... Where you write "stopped upgrading", do you mean hardware only -- allowing Google system plus apps to push all software updates? How do you assure yourself that your Nexus 5 has gotten adequate security fixes?
- ndiscussion 8y ago
  Not the parent, but you don't. I run a Galaxy S9 but as far as I'm concerned, the phone will be a paperweight in 1 or 2 more years. iPhones have better longevity, hence their higher resale value.

listic 8y ago

> I lost the ability to record calls Is this applicable to all Pie phones or just your particular one? I wonder why did they do it.

AdmiralAsshat 8y ago
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/google-removes-call-recording-from-android-9-pie-for-non-rooted-recorder-apps-4970561.html https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/google-removes-...
- listic 8y ago
  What an outrage!