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Re: Why I believe the Android version doesn't matter as much as some people (aka iKooks) think it does

Cross-posted to 3 groups.

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On Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:52:28 -0500, legg wrote:

>>Thank God Android updates asynchronously.
> 
> Well there are differences, even with the same version, that are
> proprietary and even hardware-specific.

I don't disagree that, with any operating system there are dozens of
versions of core components of that operating system as shown here.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/4ymqRF7n/updateallapps11.jpg>

What I'm saying very clearly, is that the iKooks can't seem to comprehend
that all other operating systems (except iOS!) update using a modern laminar
update mechanism, with each layer being updated on its own needed schedule.

Of all current common consumer operating systems, only iOS is mired in the
Paleolithic stone age which requires an all-or-nothing primitive update.

No other common operating system other than iOS uses such a primitive
monolithic clusterfuck update mechanism, which is _why_ the iKooks are
always so _desperate_ to obtain the latest release (since that latest
release is the _only_ safe release of iOS on the planet at that time).

By way of stark contrast, Android uses the same modern tiered update
mechanism that all other common consumer operating systems use than iOS.

That's why it's not important which exact subversion of Android you have.

Since Android implemented a modern advanced updated mechanism only recently
(as of Android 10+), you'll note in that screenshot a dozen key versions.
 One UI version
 Android version
 Google Play system update
 Baseband version
 Kernel version
 Build number
 SE for Android status
 Knox version
 Service provider software version
 Carrier configuration version
 Security software version
 Android security patch level

Notice these in particular are updated on completely _different_ schedules!
 *Android version* = Android 11 
 *Google Play system update* = June 1, 2021 
 *Android security patch level* = November 1, 2021

Those three items alone, I claim comprise probably _most_ of Android, where
it's important to understand that there are over two dozen core Android
modules updated in the one item of "Google Play system update" alone. 

These two dozen core Android modules (Project Mainline) are updated either
OTN or OTA via APK/APEX files directly from Google or from the Android
Partner.

Likewise the "Security software versions" are updated on a completely
different schedule than from the Android version update, which itself is
updated on a completely different schedule than Android core modules are.
 *You can learn what's new in each Google Play system update for Android*
 <https://9to5google.com/2022/01/10/whats-new-android-google-play-system-updates/>
  "One of Google's biggest efforts for Android in recent years is to make
  updating parts of the operating system easier, cutting out the middlemen
  wherever possible to deliver updates directly to customers. 
  Originally referred to as Project Mainline, the system is now called 
  "Google Play system updates" or sometimes "Google System updates."

  These updates are downloaded and installed automatically by the 
  Play Store, with the installation finalizing whenever you decide to 
  reboot your phone. Generally speaking, the system is designed to 
  go unnoticed, a goal that Google has achieved with relative success.

  Google has begun peeling back the curtain on these new Android updates, 
  with a new support page that spells out what's new in patches related 
  to Google Play. This includes the formal Google System updates, 
  in addition to changes to the Play Store and Play Services."
  <https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/11412553>

Notice the core modules are a huge portion of the Android operating system.
 <https://duckduckgo.com/?q=project+mainline+treble+core+modules>

So are the frequent "Android Security Updates" which update separately.

The security update mechanism is completely different than what iOS uses.
 Google pixel = <https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel>
 Samsung = <https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb>
 Huawei = <https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/bulletin/>
 Motorola = <https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/software-security-page/g_id/6806>
 Nokia = <https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_int/security-updates>
 Oppo = <https://security.oppo.com/en/mend>
 LG = <https://lgsecurity.lge.com/bulletins>
 
Also quite unlike the primitive monolithic iOS update mechanism, note that
_all_ the updates (just as with the core modules) are donated to the AOSP
within _two_ days of the security release (or Android core module release).
 "Android platform fixes are merged into AOSP 24–48 hours
  after the security bulletin is released"
 <https://source.android.com/security/bulletin>

I realize this is too much detail for the iKooks but the point is they are
_desperate_ to get the latest iOS release (where Apple adds, on average,
from 1 to 2 zero-day bug each and ever month!) because the only way the poor
unsuspecting hapless Apple users _can_ get an update is through an entire
iOS release.

Meanwhile, iKooks harp on the fact that a major Android release only occurs
on a schedule of roughly about once a year - where there's almost nothing in
that release that matters (since most of the functionality is available
outside the release, such as with Android 12's "privacy dashboard").
 *How to add Android 12 Privacy Dashboard in older Android 7+*
 <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/aMYPFXDZjAs>

In summary, the Android version number itself is almost meaningless but the
iKooks harp on it because they're embarrassed by their utterly primitive iOS
clusterfuck which they _hate_ can't fix even a single line of code without
having to create an entirely new iOS release version that then has to be
updated by _billions_ of users (all completely unnecessarily so).
-- 
The iKooks hate that iOS uses a primitive monolithic update mechanism.

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Re: Why I believe the Android version doesn't matter as much as some people (aka iKooks) think it does Andy Burnelli <spam@nospam.com> - 2022-01-30 17:38 +0000

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