The Galaxy Nexus, the device that started the “Ice Cream Sandwich-age” of Android, will unfortunately not be receiving the Android 4.4 update. This actually comes as a bit of a surprise, as Google has stated (and will continue to state) that one of Android 4.4's main goals is to put an end to Android fragmentation, bringing support to lower end devices.
Yes, Android has had an 18 month rule— if a device is over 18 months old, it will stop receiving support.
However, the Galaxy Nexus definitely has the RAM necessary to run the new OS version. (Google has stated that 4.4 will run smoothly on devices with 500mb of RAM, which is half the amount the Galaxy Nexus offers.)
But it seems as though the Android team is going to stick to the 18-month rule— perhaps they believe that it's a slippery slope if they start making exceptions to the rule…
Either way, it should be noted that Apple has supported some iPhones three years past their release date bringing iOS 7 to a multitude of old iPhones.
Source: Engadget
So, Google thinks 6 months software support form end of sales is appropriate?
That’s good customer service and good software support?
I’ve supported Android since day 1. . . and I’ve supported Google for much longer. Now, I put them in the same class as every other money hungry Corp that really doesn’t give one iota about their customers. . . .
Hey, Google, why don’t you get a clue! Stop your stupid six month iterations of Android and move to a yearly cycle. Then if you update your Nexus devices 2 times people will get a longer period of software support with less updating on your part. . . f’ idiot!
Nonetheless, I see no reason now to purchase or recommend the Nexus line. . . none at all!
This sucks…… this means that even with Verizon crappy support for the Galaxy Nexus, there is nothing coming at all… at least we could have held out a little hope.
For those of you that think that rooting is the answer, it is not with me. My company does not allow rooting on any device that accesses our network, so rooting to install 4.4 is not available to me. I access my company email from my phone, which I need to do with my position.
This along with Google’s announcement that the Nexus 5 will NOT be available for Verizon users, I will not get 4.4 on any device. If I didn’t have unlimited data with Verizon, I would have switched carriers a long time ago. Unfortunately, no other carrier has the 4g data coverage that I have with Verizon, so switching carriers is also a problem.
Way to go Google… thanks for nothing.
Blame yourself for not being your company’s CEO and re-allowing rooting on company devices.
Security reasons…If I was the CEO of that company I would still disallow rooting. Same like google wallet, you can’t use it with root so you’re money is protected. Also, do you think it’s easy to become the CEO?
Fffffffffffff uuuuuuuuuuuuu! There’s no excuse for this. Google is evil now. Oh, BTW is that NSA backdoor still in place?
why should they waste time with ancient phones?
if you are so desperate to get 4.4, just go to xda in a couple of months, there will be a rom for your phone.
I don’t think a phone qualifies as “ancient” until it’s at least 2 years old. Obviously not many Nexus devices are bought with carrier subsidies but in most cases people are stuck with their phones for 2 years.
Google should give update even for Nexus1 if KitKat needs only 512MB if they love their nexus users.
I’m sure it will happen on XDA, I don’t doubt that someone will at least try to shoehorn 4.4 onto a G1.
Sound bad, but for the people that actually care, they will be rooted. So I’m sure the rooting community will have 4.4 for you soon.
Or just buy a nexus 5.
Or buy there next phone iphone
If apple had a clue and actually offered some choice, like 5″ or larger screen sizes. . . they would probably double sales, but they would rather insist everyone fit one size. . . stupid idiots! Instead I can have a craptastic plastic oh so colorful device. . . yeah, that’s great!
It just means many people will wait to buy their phone just after a new OS version is released because if the phone has already been out for a while that support window will be even shorter.
sigh…