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RIP OG Pixel: Google ends support after just three years [Update]
Update: The Google Pixel is scheduled to have its support ended this month, but Google told The Verge the OG Pixel will actually get one last update in December, which will(sic) "encapsulates a variety of updates" from November and December. After that, it's time for retirement.
Original Story: Pour one out this morning for the OG Google Pixel 1. This month's Android security patches are out, and while you'll find bulletins covering the Pixel 2, 3, and 4, the original Google Pixel didn't make the cut. Google is ending support this month.
The Pixel 1 launched in 2016 with a promised two years of major update support and three years of security updates. It was Google's first self-branded smartphone, ending the cheap, value-oriented Nexus line and ushering in an era of expensive—probably too-expensive—Google phones. Major OS support was eventually extended to three years, which is now standard across the Pixel line, and the original device was updated to Android 10 in September.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 07 2019, @05:55PM
the programmable and RE-programmable device still works but we have to throw it away because the "insides" are secrit and thus a pain in the ass to "self-modify".
thus "zer0-day" works for the rip-off manufacturer: it is built-in knowingly during manufacture and it is hoped that no one discovers it;
not because they want a backdoor to your information but because in 3 years, the device is obsoleted and the 3 year old zer0 day is revealed ... the next day ... the zeroth day or the balance of your wallet.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by fustakrakich on Thursday November 07 2019, @05:56PM (1 child)
So should the patents and copyrights. Let's put abandoned property in the public domain.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 2) by sjames on Thursday November 07 2019, @07:50PM
Exactly this! That's how it works with all other forms of property when you abandon them. Why should imaginary property be treated as more real than real property.
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Thursday November 07 2019, @07:04PM (5 children)
My current phone (HTC OneMax) only received support for 12-18 months.
I *wish* I could have had three years of support.
And if it weren't from Spies-R-Us [google.com], I might consider purchasing a Pixel for that reason.
What's more, there are plenty of custom roms [xda-developers.com] for pixel phones.
As such, this isn't really all that big a deal.
The message being sent is: We need to maintain our revenues and increase the level of surveillance through your portable monitoring device. As such, it's time to buy a new phone.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 2) by epitaxial on Thursday November 07 2019, @08:05PM (2 children)
If you want long term OS updates then Apple is the only game. I had five years of updates on my iPhone 5C.
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Thursday November 07 2019, @08:31PM (1 child)
What I'd prefer is open source access to kernels and device drivers (such as are available for Pixel phones), allowing third-parties to create custom roms for a wider variety of phones.
As for Apple, I'd rather have my tonsils extracted through my ears than use their kit.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 08 2019, @02:47AM
Nah. binary blobs are needed to make a Pixel phone work-- ditto with the Nexus line before them.
Librem 5 (if it happens) is the closest thing with a single binary blob for memory initialization (and, of course, the mystery code running on the baseband. But, no way around that with current laws-- at least, Librem isolates the baseband from the main SoC.).
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Friday November 08 2019, @12:50AM (1 child)
https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=19/02/01/180215 [soylentnews.org]
https://www.pine64.org/pinephone/ [pine64.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Friday November 08 2019, @01:06AM
This is interesting. Thanks Takyon!
I may look into this in a year or so (production manufacturing isn't slated to begin until March, 2020 [pine64.org]) once the inevitable issues have at least been identified and a roadmap to resolve them is in place.
I'll keep an eye on this.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr