Posted on 03/18/2015 11:48:13 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Android Lollipop 5.x was released ‘for general availability’ in November 2014. Why are only 1.4% of Android devices running it?
iOS is doing OK with about 72% running iOS 8.x but there is still that pesky 25% running iOS 7.x and 3% earlier than that. This is mainly due to it running slower on older hardware that will ‘expire’ soon. Apple’s usually taciturn CEO Tim Cook called Android “a toxic hellstew of vulnerabilities and securities …”
The majority of Windows Phone users are on 8.x and with its free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile (probably 2016) and the fact that Microsoft provides updates (similar to Apple) fragmentation in this OS should be a non-issue.
The problem with fragmentation – 98.4% in Androids case - is that there are over a billion devices running at least five earlier versions that are all vulnerable to malware, data theft, and other major security vulnerabilities. Google does not update these – the manufacturer has to. Google’s recent response “We will not fix issues in Jelly Bean 4.3.1 and prior.” What that means is unless you have a recent KitKat 4.4 device or Lollipop you are screwed – the only way to get a little more secure is to buy a new device.
One major corporate user has banned Android devices on its network. “We simply cannot cope with managing the plethora of Android devices and apps on our network. We are happy to support iOS 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x – and apps from their stores but that is it!” This company uses a Symantec mobile management suite to control personally owned devices as well as access to company data and email.
The comment on iTunes and Windows Store is interesting – both test all apps before listing and changes are monitored and retested. Google Play has found and removed malware from apps on its store but the issue is that there are thousands of alternative Android app stores that do not take the responsibility.
This article is not about scaremongering – the vast majority of reported vulnerabilities in Android thankfully do not seem to take hold. But the fact is that Android is the only mobile OS that has an active Botnet with millions of users unaware they are infected.
What can you do?
The average consumer with an Android device must run an antivirus/malware product – there are several in the Google Play store – AVG, AVAST, Norton to name a few. If they connect to corporate email only the chance of infection of the corporate network is low. The issue however escalates when they use remote access programs to gain access to server data or use terminal emulation.
Google could use the carrot and stick approach with device makers – either they update the OS or they don’t get it! But as Android is merely a thinly disguised vector for delivering advertising revenue to Google it probably won’t do that either.
In the interim Google is trying to take parts of Android out and spin them into API’s and apps it can update and control. And it is not the major manufacturers who are at fault – you can be reasonably sure Samsung, LG, Sony and HTC will provide some updates.
Personally I think Android is a fine OS – its update mechanisms suck because of the customisations done by manufacturers and others who would rather sell new products than waste time – sell and forget.
The answer for enterprise (business at least) seems to be to support iOS and Windows Phone 8.1 – Windows 10 will be no issue.
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I guess I’m one of the few people on the planet that has still been making do with dumb phones. I’ve always been able to pickup something that suits my needs on sale at the Dollar Store for $5!
Having said that, I was just looking at a Tracfone when I was out this morning (an LG Optimus Fuel) that was on sale for $19.95. It utilizes Android 4.4, which I gather is rather safe for the time being.
Do you think getting one of those would be a good way for me to get my feet wet in the smart phone world without making a huge financial commitment?
My Galaxy S5 on Verizon just got updated to Lollipop the day before yesterday.
It was a two part update.
So far, so good.
my galaxy S5 is updating right now
I still use the non smart phone LG 306G. Simple texts are .30 of a minute. That’s how I use mine, mostly texting.
I understand tracfone charges full minute for comparable texts in their android smart phones.
I have been happy with their service. My phone runs on AT&T 3G network. TH LG306G was $9.95 on Amazon.
I’ve used Tracfone for several years and it’s great if you are a fairly low volume user of minutes. Got an Optimus Fuel last September and paid $58.00 for it. Tracfone has been dropping its price since they introduced several other smart phones with larger screens.
If you can work with the small Optimus Fuel screen, you would get a great phone for $19.95 and if you later upgraded you would have spent very little to get started with smart phones.
After a couple months, I got the Tracfone Alcatel One Touch Pop Icon because of the 5” screen. Actually, I like many things about the Optimus Fuel better, and still use it with WiFi as a portable radio and mini-tablet at times.
Check Amazon for deals on the Alcatel phone: $129.99 for the phone and a year’s service and 1200 minutes.
AFAIK, all the Tracfone androids are on the Verizon system, so if your area has good Verizon coverage service should be excellent.
Interesting. I have a Note (GT-N5110), and it doesn’t show anything being available. I’m on 4.4.2 right now.
Right now I'm still using a Tracfone LG flip phone. My buddies look at it and ask me if I'm going to donate it to the Smithsonian, lol. But since I mainly text and make a few calls, it's been all I need. Still, everybody says if I go to a smartphone I'll be hooked and wonder how I lived without it, so that's why I'm thinking about taking the plunge.
BFL
Yes. Stick to the GooglePlay store for your Apps, though. They do try to keep it clean. If you must go off the reservation, do your homework and check with other Android users about which stores are safest.
I have an original GalaxyS phone, the Samsung Captivate. 5-6 years old. Still works just fine, and with a root/custom ROM, I can run much more recent versions of Android than what ATT is willing to put out. Plus, custom ROMs usually have little to no adware, bloatware, and all the extra crap the providers like to add on.
And the best part of Android is that it’s open-source. Unlike the two this article cheers for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/
it updated this morning, and later it updated to lollipop, and updated the app, i hope i got enough memory for all this stuff
One of the nice things about iOS devices is that you can always see the full desktop versions of the Internet. . . you are not locked into the Mobile versions of the webpages.
I use Dolophin browser on my Motorola phone and always get the desktop version. I can toggle back to mobile but never do.
My iPhone has gone through several soppier, and I expect to install several more.
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