You’ve heard of the Android update initiative that failed a couple of years back, right? Well, just so we’re clear from the beginning, this is not that. According to well-placed sources, Google is planning a new set of update guarantees as the new “Android M” version of its mobile platform rolls out. This will particularly affect Google’s Nexus devices.
The rumor goes like this – Nexus devices, whether old devices or the new ones that will launch with Android M, will get major system updates for a set period of two years. After that, Google will support the devices with security patches for three years from release date of the operating system version. Security patches will alternately be guaranteed for at least 18 months from the date of purchase from the Google Store/Play Store (whichever is longer. The 3 year “release date” clause or the 18-month Play Store purchase clause). That may just have gone over your head, so allow us to make things a bit clearer.
Take the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10, for instance. They came out in November 2012, so they are way past the 2 year “major system update” support period. That means owners should expect security patch support at least until 2016. The Nexus 7 (2012 version) will be supported by security patches only until this year.
For the newer devices, the Nexus 7 (2013 version) should still get major system updates until this year, and the Nexus 5 as well. The Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 are still on sale as of time of writing, so owners of those devices can rest easy that they will at least be getting Android M and then some.
VIA: Android Police
