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bazz2004 · 05-27-2020, 07:12 AM

Mobile phone owners generally update the OS providing the hardware isn't obsolete and the current version is 10.

Boyue are on Android 6 and have been stuck there a long time. They are not alone. It occurred to me that maybe Google who are behind the open source OS are the reason. They will not allow a current version of Android to be devalued by installation on obsolete or unsuitable devices. There are licensing requirements. I've included a chunk from their website

"How long will each Android version be supported for new devices?
Android's code is open source, so we can't prevent someone from using an old version to launch a device. Instead, Google chooses not to license the Google Play client software for use on versions that are considered obsolete. This allows anyone to continue to ship old versions of Android, but those devices won't use the Android name and exist outside of the Android apps ecosystem, just as if they weren't compatible.

Can a device have a different user interface and still be compatible?
The Android Compatibility Program determines whether a device can run third-party applications. The user interface components shipped with a device (such as home screen, dialer, and color scheme) don't generally have much effect on third-party apps. As such, device builders are free to customize the user interface. The Compatibility Definition Document restricts the degree to which OEMs may alter the system user interface for areas that impact third-party apps.

When are compatibility definitions released for new Android versions?
Our goal is to release a new version of the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) when the corresponding Android platform version has converged enough to permit it. While we can't release a final draft of a CDD for an Android software version before the first flagship device ships with that software, final CDDs are always released after the first device. However, wherever practical we release draft versions of CDDs.

How are device manufacturers' compatibility claims validated?
There is no validation process for Android device compatibility. However, if the device is to include Google Play, Google typically validates the device for compatibility before agreeing to license the Google Play client software.

What happens if a device that claims compatibility is later found to have compatibility problems?
Typically, Google's relationships with Google Play licensees allow us to ask the device manufacturer to release updated system images that fix the problems."

So for anybody who is still with me and didn't quit with a yawn I think that makes it clearer why Google Play store isn't installed on Boyue devices. You have to activate Google net framework before you can get the PlayStore app. The inference is that because Boyue are struggling to convince Google that they have a satisfactory device they cannot market e-readers with an up to date OS. Quite possibly it's a similar situation with manufacturers like Onyx.

Am I on the right lines here or have I totally misread the situation? Is the failure of these e-readers to progress through new versions of Android down to Google finding them buggy and therefore not up to the required standard?

05-27-2020, 07:12 AM	#1
bazz2004 Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 14745 Join Date: May 2020 Device: Boyue Alita	Why no Android updates? Mobile phone owners generally update the OS providing the hardware isn't obsolete and the current version is 10. Boyue are on Android 6 and have been stuck there a long time. They are not alone. It occurred to me that maybe Google who are behind the open source OS are the reason. They will not allow a current version of Android to be devalued by installation on obsolete or unsuitable devices. There are licensing requirements. I've included a chunk from their website "How long will each Android version be supported for new devices? Android's code is open source, so we can't prevent someone from using an old version to launch a device. Instead, Google chooses not to license the Google Play client software for use on versions that are considered obsolete. This allows anyone to continue to ship old versions of Android, but those devices won't use the Android name and exist outside of the Android apps ecosystem, just as if they weren't compatible. Can a device have a different user interface and still be compatible? The Android Compatibility Program determines whether a device can run third-party applications. The user interface components shipped with a device (such as home screen, dialer, and color scheme) don't generally have much effect on third-party apps. As such, device builders are free to customize the user interface. The Compatibility Definition Document restricts the degree to which OEMs may alter the system user interface for areas that impact third-party apps. When are compatibility definitions released for new Android versions? Our goal is to release a new version of the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) when the corresponding Android platform version has converged enough to permit it. While we can't release a final draft of a CDD for an Android software version before the first flagship device ships with that software, final CDDs are always released after the first device. However, wherever practical we release draft versions of CDDs. How are device manufacturers' compatibility claims validated? There is no validation process for Android device compatibility. However, if the device is to include Google Play, Google typically validates the device for compatibility before agreeing to license the Google Play client software. What happens if a device that claims compatibility is later found to have compatibility problems? Typically, Google's relationships with Google Play licensees allow us to ask the device manufacturer to release updated system images that fix the problems." So for anybody who is still with me and didn't quit with a yawn I think that makes it clearer why Google Play store isn't installed on Boyue devices. You have to activate Google net framework before you can get the PlayStore app. The inference is that because Boyue are struggling to convince Google that they have a satisfactory device they cannot market e-readers with an up to date OS. Quite possibly it's a similar situation with manufacturers like Onyx. Am I on the right lines here or have I totally misread the situation? Is the failure of these e-readers to progress through new versions of Android down to Google finding them buggy and therefore not up to the required standard?