05-27-2020, 07:12 AM | #1 |
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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? |
05-27-2020, 08:56 AM | #2 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
I haven't read all the nonsense, but I want to refute these false rumors. Likebook has installed the Play Store, but not enabled because the Google Apps consume a lot of electricity, which is stupid with an eInk device. You just have to tick the box, then the Play Store can be used. However, it makes sense to disable it again - see above. But this is only possible if the installed apps do not require purchase verification from the store. With Boox you have to register the device, with Boyue-Likebook Android is registered. |
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05-27-2020, 04:11 PM | #3 | |
cosiñeiro
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The same happens outside the e-ink world, when some cheap companies don't certify their devices (because money) and use ids from others to being able to ship Google Play. But you're not here to learn, so blablabla. |
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05-27-2020, 04:24 PM | #4 |
cosiñeiro
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To OP: having an old version of android is generally a good for a e-ink device. Newer versions add things that aren't needed and restrict some others that are cool to have (like full filesystem permissions).
An eink device with android 4.4 - 6.0 is still good nowadays. All ebook reading apps that I'm aware work fine in these versions. Other tools, like dictionaries, rss readers, file managers... work too. I would like to see a barebones AOSP e-ink device, without Google Play Services and no google apps, based on Freescale SoC and heavily optimized for battery - specially suspend behaviour. A big plus would be return back to USB mass storage instead of MTP. I would buy a device like that without doubt, download some apks from Fdroid and get ready to read. |
05-28-2020, 12:28 AM | #5 | |
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And all of this is possible without changing the system. |
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05-28-2020, 12:47 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
Because, if Google knew about it, it would be very easy for them to turn it off. That's the way it is, someone has a nebulous presumption, expresses it on social media and then it is sold as the truth. The fact is, if it were as you said, it would be very short and all Likebook owners would quickly lose their Play Protect protection. But such rumors are too stupid to spread their statements - truth - logical correctness to check. They stupidly parrot what they have learned from any dubious sources. Last edited by ottischwenk; 05-28-2020 at 02:53 AM. |
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05-28-2020, 07:24 AM | #7 | |
cosiñeiro
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Quote:
https://www.android.com/certified/partners/ |
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05-28-2020, 09:06 AM | #8 | |
Connoisseur
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Quote:
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05-28-2020, 09:08 AM | #9 | ||
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Quote:
Do you really think, these samples are all? And this page is correct? There I can read Hisense, Huawei aso, but not Alcatel, Boyue and a lot of others Quote:
Last edited by ottischwenk; 05-28-2020 at 09:32 AM. |
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05-28-2020, 09:35 AM | #10 |
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This I donot know, but with Boox you have to register each device with Google, and this isnt possible in China.
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05-28-2020, 09:45 AM | #11 | ||
cosiñeiro
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The full list of certified devices is in https://storage.googleapis.com/play_...d_devices.html It takes time to load. It's better to download it with Code:
wget https://storage.googleapis.com/play_public/supported_devices.html Quote:
Code:
cat supported_devices.html |*grep alcatel <td>alcatel_5098O</td> <td>alcatel 1T7 4G</td> <td>alcatel 1T7 4G</td> <td>alcatel 1T7 4G</td> <td>alcatel 1T7 4G</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 1X</td> <td>alcatel 3T8</td> <td>alcatel PIXI 4 (5.5)</td> <td>alcatel PIXI 4 (5.5)</td> <td>alcatel PIXI 4 (5.5)</td> <td>alcatel U5</td> <td>alcatel U5</td> <td>alcatel U5</td> <td>alcatel U5</td> <td>alcatel U5</td> |
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05-28-2020, 11:19 AM | #12 |
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"BlaBlaBlabla.
I haven't read all the nonsense, but I want to refute these false rumors." - ottischwenk No false rumours being reported. Due to the lack of any useful info on the forum I looked to a source that seemed authoritative, tried to make some deductions then asked if my conclusions were correct. The lack of information does Boyue no favours. Most of us want to buy an e-reader and just get on with using it. Slogging it out long term with the device then finding little help from the manufacturer or on a dedicated forum is not great. Here's another thought to conjure with but please first engage the imagination and control the blood pressure. At last the anticipated Android update arrives (maybe even this year) and our favoured apps throw up a load of issues. I'd be really upset if Librera was adversely affected. Anyway thanks for the replies which I will mull over. |
05-28-2020, 11:32 AM | #13 | ||
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I asked Boyue:
Quote:
Quote:
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05-28-2020, 03:12 PM | #14 |
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I don't think Onyx update Android on their devices. Play store was not active on Poke Pro (Android 6). It can be activated with an option on the Nova 1. Don't know if that's related. But IME don't expect a device to be upgraded to a later version of Android, at least with Onyx. But there are so many apps compatible, and you can get some as apks and not go through play store.
On a side note, I don't know why some people need the latest Android like 9. What is it that Android 6 will not support? Just curious. |
05-29-2020, 12:32 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
It's just a feeling, but I have Boox Poke2 (Android 9) and Poke Pro (Android 6). The Poke2 has a stronger processor and half the battery - but both last for the app. same amount of time. |
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