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I’m going to reply to a few sibling comments at once: Yes, they could upstream drivers, but they won’t. It’s not in their best interest. I’m taking about what
by kogir 6y ago
I’m going to reply to a few sibling comments at once:
Yes, they could upstream drivers, but they won’t. It’s not in their best interest. I’m taking about what could be done in spite of this.
Given that they won’t upstream drivers, if the blobs they release keep working for the reasonable life of your device, your phone can get other software updates, including major OS updates. I don’t expect or need the camera or radio driver to change across various android versions. The hardware is the same!
And if you want a newer phone, you’re free to buy one! It’s just sad that you can’t safely use older devices just because the blobs break compatibility with OS security and feature updates. This need not be the case.
- PurpleFoxy 6y agoYou can use older devices safely. Switch to iOS. My iPad Air 2 from 2014 still receives every update. It’s clear that android vendors have no interest in long term support and apple does. So I send my money to the company that works the way I want.
- wyldfire 6y agoQualcomm upstreams tons of support for their SoCs.
- kevincox 6y ago> I don’t expect or need the camera or radio driver to change across various android versions. The hardware is the same! You probably don't. But a serious security vulnerability could be discovered that lets apps get root. So yes, it likely is fine, but I want a promise from my manufacturer that I will be able to keep using my phone for 5-10 years. I want to take the guaranteed lifetime into account when I am buying a phone. Ideally it would be legally binding such that I can get a refund if they don't uphold it.