Google to announce new update guarantee for Nexus devices alongside Android M?

Besides previewing the next Android M, Google is said to be introducing a new initiative which will set a framework for system updates and security patches for Nexus devices.

According to Android Police, reliable sources claim that Google will announce a new update guarantee for Nexus devices where these devices will receive major system updates for two years and security patches for three years from the OS release date. In addition, security updates are alternatively guaranteed for at least 18 months (one and a half years) from the date of purchase in the Google Play Store.

The new update guarantee will apply to new and existing Nexus devices, which means that some devices may not get any system update. For example, the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012) and Nexus 10 are likely not updated to Android M, but may get security updates till the end of the year.

To-date, Google does not have a framework in place for software updates on its Nexus class devices. Non-Nexus devices suffer a worse fate as Android vendors typically deliver the software updates several months later. HTC U.S tried to address the problem for its flagship devices last year with the Advantage program, but did not deliver on its promise due to the lengthy testing and approval processes.

If Google does introduce this initiative for its Nexus devices, it would bring the Android ecosystem closer to addressing the fragmentation issue. More than 7 months after the launch of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the operating system only resides in 9% of all Android devices. In comparison, Apple's iOS 8 runs on 82% of iOS devices as of 11 May. 

Source: Android Police

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