Google denied certification to older versions of Android

Android fragmentation resolution screens and hardware stuffing is now almost no discussion - Google did everything to developers it easier to create applications for a variety of "iron" . 

But for the difference in the versions of the Android operating system is still berate . Previously, Google did not consider it a serious problem , lack of others, but now actively undertook for forcing manufacturers to update the system software .

As already shown by the experience , you can not just force all companies to update smartphones and tablets to the new OS for a month ( two, three and so on ) after its announcement. Currently the appearance of fresh firmware - a complex multistep process that depends not only on the device manufacturer . Because Google started out small - have decided to tighten the conditions for obtaining a package branded applications and services (Google Mobile Services, GMS) for new smartphones and tablets.

Android Police journalists from sources in software companies devices found out that Google asked manufacturers framework within which version of Android is considered relevant. Application for certification of passage for GMS new device with an outdated system software will be immediately rejected.

Now the version of the operating system will be considered fresh for 9 months after the release of the next . For example , the term relevance of Android 4.3 will end in July 2014 , since Android 4.4 was announced October 31, 2013 . For other previously released versions of the mobile operating system from Google , the following framework: April 24, 2014 in Android 4.2 , and February 1, 2014 for all others.

I want to emphasize that all of the above concerns is the new devices . The existing certification will undergo additional GMS ( if such a need ) until such time as the manufacturer will not give up their support or do not recognize the Google Android version quite outdated .

Innovation hardly touches the A- brands, they often run smartphones and tablets with the latest version of Android. However, B- brands and some chip makers must review their activities . For example , MediaTek release updates drivers with high latency , making chips for phones with MTK rare to find actual version of Android. If MediaTek plans to further capture the market pace , they will have to do denser part of the program .

Let's hope that this is only the first step towards strengthening Google control over updating the system software on smartphones partners. In the future I would like to see strict limits on terms of support and speed release updates. But today, it is simply impossible - many manufacturers , for whatever reasons, will not be able to comply with them for the entire fleet of devices.