But, in reality, the latest versions still constitute a minority and there are still phones being sold running Android 2.x.
While you can run SOME apps on older versions of Android. there are not - and will never be - bug fixes or security fixes for the older versions and that's a serious problem that Google wants you to ignore.
But, in reality, the latest versions still constitute a minority and there are still phones being sold running Android 2.x.
While you can run SOME apps on older versions of Android. there are not - and will never be - bug fixes or security fixes for the older versions and that's a serious problem that Google wants you to ignore.
Agreed, but those are a whole other set of issues some of which Google has no control over. If manufacturers are putting Android 2.x.x then any issues with the device is one that they bought onto themselves.
Agreed, but those are a whole other set of issues some of which Google has no control over. If manufacturers are putting Android 2.x.x then any issues with the device is one that they bought onto themselves.
No one cares who you want to blame.
The fact is that the majority of Android phones will never have security upgrades available.
The fact is that the majority of Android phones will never have security upgrades available.
Not entirely accurate JR,
It looks like Google is also decoupling some of the security enhancements from the OS too. A few months back Android 4.2 introduced a new service called Verify Apps, a client-side security feature that scans apps for malware as they're being installed, even side-loaded ones not coming directly from Google Play.
It's now no longer a part of the OS and instead baked into Google Play Services. By doing that every official Android device running 2.3 or higher which covers 95% of active users, now has Verify Apps helping protect them from most of the identified malware that might be targeting Android devices thru installed apps. Google's not leaving it up to just the OEM's and carriers to get new security features out, a refreshing change.
Split Android into the following and it's not so impressive: Jelly Bean 33%, Ice Cream Sandwich 25.6% and Gingerbread is at 36.5%. Android 2.2 Froyo still has a sliver of the platform. iOS on the other hand has 93% of the users on iOS 6.
The fact is that the majority of Android phones will never have security upgrades available.
The security updates are there. It's up to the manufacturers to update the phone. Anyone concerned with getting updates in a timely fashion has a Nexus device.
The security updates are there. It's up to the manufacturers to update the phone. Anyone concerned with getting updates in a timely fashion has a Nexus device.
Since it bears repeating Google has also taken things into their own hands and reportedly made 95% of all active Google Android devices more secure. Read up on Verify Apps, an Android 4.2 feature that's now been made a part of Google Play Services instead. The tiny chance that any Android device was going to be infected by a malicious likely took a nosedive, even those that throw caution to the wind and install any old app from anywhere as long as it's free.:\ http://blogs.computerworld.com/android/22552/google-android-security
It looks like Google is also decoupling some of the security enhancements from the OS too. A few months back Android 4.2 introduced a new service called Verify Apps, a client-side security feature that scans apps for malware as they're being installed, even side-loaded ones not coming directly from Google Play.
It's now no longer a part of the OS and instead baked into Google Play Services. By doing that every official Android device running 2.3 or higher which covers 95% of active users, now has Verify Apps helping protect them from most of the identified malware that might be targeting Android devices thru installed apps. Google's not leaving it up to just the OEM's and carriers to get new security features out, a refreshing change.
So your solution is that if you have an insecure OS, you add layers of applications on top of it? Sorry, but that doesn't fix security problems.
Which is better an OS that is secure (and can easily be updated when new security patches are needed) or an OS that is insecure and has an app placed on top of it - and the OS can not be updated?
Obviously, the former. Adding layers of apps to try to catch security problems is not a real solution. Not to mention what it does to system responsiveness, of course.
The security updates are there. It's up to the manufacturers to update the phone. Anyone concerned with getting updates in a timely fashion has a Nexus device.
Again, no one cares who you want to blame. The fact is that the overwhelming majority of Android users will never be able to get security updates for their phones.
Since it bears repeating Google has also taken things into their own hands and reportedly made 95% of all active Google Android devices more secure. Read up on Verify Apps, an Android 4.2 feature that's now been made a part of Google Play Services instead. The tiny chance that any Android device was going to be infected by a malicious likely took a nosedive, even those that throw caution to the wind and install any old app from anywhere as long as it's free.:\ http://blogs.computerworld.com/android/22552/google-android-security
Silly.
So Windows was more secure than Mac OS - because it had lots of antivirus software? Surely even you realize how ridiculous your argument is. Adding a layer of software on top of the system does NOT fix security problems.
Jragosta, you claimed most Android users would never see security upgrades. 95% of them just have so you were wrong simply and plainly. Google Play Services is baked potato into Google Android just as Apple Maps are baked into iOS. It's not another software layer or some 3rd party antivirus being added as you should easily recognize. Google Play Services was already there.
Comments
Yes, that's what Google wants people to believe.
But, in reality, the latest versions still constitute a minority and there are still phones being sold running Android 2.x.
While you can run SOME apps on older versions of Android. there are not - and will never be - bug fixes or security fixes for the older versions and that's a serious problem that Google wants you to ignore.
Agreed, but those are a whole other set of issues some of which Google has no control over. If manufacturers are putting Android 2.x.x then any issues with the device is one that they bought onto themselves.
No, it doesn't. It holds roughly 10%. The newspapers told me so, because Android is shipping more. The newspapers can't possibly be lying.
Your inability to understand the newspapers simply illustrates why you don't mind using spyware android !
No one cares who you want to blame.
The fact is that the majority of Android phones will never have security upgrades available.
Not entirely accurate JR,
It looks like Google is also decoupling some of the security enhancements from the OS too. A few months back Android 4.2 introduced a new service called Verify Apps, a client-side security feature that scans apps for malware as they're being installed, even side-loaded ones not coming directly from Google Play.
It's now no longer a part of the OS and instead baked into Google Play Services. By doing that every official Android device running 2.3 or higher which covers 95% of active users, now has Verify Apps helping protect them from most of the identified malware that might be targeting Android devices thru installed apps. Google's not leaving it up to just the OEM's and carriers to get new security features out, a refreshing change.
I think even Marvin will give Google props for thinking outside the box on this one.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/android/22552/google-android-security
Split Android into the following and it's not so impressive: Jelly Bean 33%, Ice Cream Sandwich 25.6% and Gingerbread is at 36.5%. Android 2.2 Froyo still has a sliver of the platform. iOS on the other hand has 93% of the users on iOS 6.
Froyo
Gingerbread
H....
Ice Cream Sandwich
Jelly Bean
KitKat
Where's the H!?? Or what is it?
Honeycomb
oops. sorry im stupid.
The security updates are there. It's up to the manufacturers to update the phone. Anyone concerned with getting updates in a timely fashion has a Nexus device.
http://www.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-x-receiving-security-update
Since it bears repeating Google has also taken things into their own hands and reportedly made 95% of all active Google Android devices more secure. Read up on Verify Apps, an Android 4.2 feature that's now been made a part of Google Play Services instead. The tiny chance that any Android device was going to be infected by a malicious likely took a nosedive, even those that throw caution to the wind and install any old app from anywhere as long as it's free.:\
http://blogs.computerworld.com/android/22552/google-android-security
So your solution is that if you have an insecure OS, you add layers of applications on top of it? Sorry, but that doesn't fix security problems.
Which is better an OS that is secure (and can easily be updated when new security patches are needed) or an OS that is insecure and has an app placed on top of it - and the OS can not be updated?
Obviously, the former. Adding layers of apps to try to catch security problems is not a real solution. Not to mention what it does to system responsiveness, of course.
Again, no one cares who you want to blame. The fact is that the overwhelming majority of Android users will never be able to get security updates for their phones.
Silly.
So Windows was more secure than Mac OS - because it had lots of antivirus software? Surely even you realize how ridiculous your argument is. Adding a layer of software on top of the system does NOT fix security problems.