Google’s new contract with OEMs makes two years of Android updates compulsory
“The new policy will come into effect in Europe on January 31st, 2019″
Google has issued a new contract to all OEMs across Europe mandating two years of compulsory security updates for all Android devices. As per the contract accessed by The Verge, Android OME’s will have to update their devices at least once every 90 days, till a total of two years after launch or risk facing penalties. This move seems to be inspired by the recent $5 billion fine, which Google received for violating European antitrust laws. Also, even though it officially applies to just European Economic Area (EEA) as of now, it’s highly likely that something similar will be introduced for rest of the word soon.
These new mandates will come into effect on January 31st, 2019 and in case of non-compliance, the contract details that manufacturers could face delays or even refusal of necessary Google certification for their new Android-based devices. Which basically means that refuting the contract will lead to the complete annihilation of the said OEM. And rightly so as this policy is aimed at such manufacturers who abandon their devices as soon as it gets a little old or drops in popularity, and in turn make their users suffer who stop getting updates.
However, there are certain parameters for getting in compliance with the Google contract. The most important one being that an OME must sell more than 100,000 units to come under its purview. For big manufactures these are small numbers and from what I can imagine they might be selling more than this in a week. But the ones that’ll benefit from this rule are small and budding OME’s who’ll still have the freedom of experimentation.
from 91mobiles.com https://ift.tt/2CGWshk
>
No comments