Android KitKat was announced just over six months ago along with the Google Nexus 5. Owners of other Android devices almost immediately started wondering if and when they would see the update on their own devices. For their part, some manufacturers were quick to announce their plans while others have taken longer to do so or have yet to do so. ComputerWorld has been tracking how well manufacturers do with Android updates for their flagship devices that fall within the traditional 18-month support window for some time now. With Android KitKat now half a year old, it was time for another KitKat upgrade report card.
We’re now six full months past the launch of KitKat, so it’s time to revisit the subject and see how things have evolved. The past may not always dictate the future, but looking at a company’s current performance can certainly give you a general idea of how it tends to approach upgrades and what kind of customer commitment it has.
So grab some red ink and let’s do this: Time to see who’s making the grade and who’s coming up short.
Earning the best mark is none other than Motorola. Still owned by Google, maybe this should not be a surprise as Motorola had its Moto X, Moto G and 2013 Verizon DROID smartphones updated within about a month. Motorola also updated a number of older devices and earned additional points for the way it has kept customers informed about updates. As ComputerWorld points out, let’s hope that this does not change when new owner Lenovo takes over later this year.
In secong place comes Google. Despite “a respectably fast rollout,” the fact that some non-Nexus devices got the update before is the reason it finds itself in second place.
Samsung holds down third place but there is a considerable gap in terms of mark between it and the first two places. It got a C+ whereas Google got an A- and Motorola an A+. While Samsung has been rolling out updates to a wide range of devices, it is neither speedy or particularly clear about its plans:
Samsung’s not going to set any records for promptness, and it’s anything but communicative — but if you don’t mind the waiting and the uncertainty, it tends to do a decent job at getting its devices upgraded. Eventually.
HTC and LG held down third and fourth places. Sony, ASUS and Acer fared worse. While there were different reasons for these scores, communication appears to be a common thread running through them. As consumers get savvier about their smartphones and Android, clear upgrade plans and timely delivery are becoming a key selling point. Manufacturers who recognize this will have a leg up on their competition.
Do you agree with the marks handed out by ComputerWorld? If not, which should be higher or lower? Let us know below.
Source : ComputerWorld