Operating System & Software Development

[wimbet]

It is great news to hear T-Mobile say they will provide "future software updates", but it does not change the fact that the G1's internal storage space is full.  There is no way to change that fact except to flash a new SPL, which I don't see T-Mobile ever doing.

I expect updates will be bug fixes and security patches.

[Nicole]

Amen Dominic!

[McG1]

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Dominic wrote:

Great news G1 owners! I just received the following official statement from T-Mobile corporate:

We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1.  Reports to the contrary are inaccurate. 

There you have it. Please continue to enjoy your T-Mobile G1

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Thanks, Dominic. It's somewhat comforting news, but I'm still on edge as to what you and Android and Me say. I don't know what to believe anymore.

[jretsky]

So, Are the updates that T-Mobile/Google are saying will be forth coming the same (Similar) updates that are being tossed around such as Donut and Eclair, or are these updates as mentioned before basic Bug Fixes and Security Patches?

[andrew53517]

Great news! hopefully it's true and they continue to distribute the new updates! that'll be nice fa shoo! we'll see what happens though. if not then i guess we'll do it another way like you can with everything else lol.

[wimbet]

For those of you with questions, I hope this clears things up a little.

http://bit.ly/gL0n3

[andrew53517]

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9ene wrote:

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andrew53517 wrote:

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Breakthecycle2 wrote:
Guys if you  have root it will not effect you. For those that dont, this is also not a major issue. All you need to do is one of two things. Root or wait for the update to be distributed and then wait for someone to post the link to manually update your phone. No a big deal.

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right, i know the root part. but how would we manually update the phone with out root? i didnt think that was possible? plus we wouldnt have enough internal memory to do it anyways...

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Just as how many of us got the cupcake update. Those who could not wait for the OTA update, simply downloaded the patch and manually installed it.

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Yeah but you have to be rooted to do it manually like that right?

[andrew53517]

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wimbet wrote:

For those of you with questions, I hope this clears things up a little.

http://bit.ly/gL0n3

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Good article.. huh, makes sense i guess.. =/

[Crashdamage]

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wimbet wrote:

For those of you with questions, I hope this clears things up a little.

http://bit.ly/gL0n3

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Excellent link!  This clearly explains the problem.  Still..

Look at it this way...the MyTouch has just hit the stores and it's really the same as a G1 - same processor, screen, RAM, etc. The only real differences are the G1's keyboard and additional ROM of the MyTouch. So seems to me that since the hardware capabilities are virtually the same it would possible to keep 'officially' updating the G1 for a long as the MyTouch gets updates, probably at least another year, maybe 2, possibly even longer.

The only catch is the G1's more limited ROM as so well illustrated in the above link. If added features in the OS increase the file size significantly the G1 could miss out on 'official' updates earlier than the MyTouch. Even so, it may be possible to put out a somewhat 'stripped down' OS update for the G1 including some, but maybe not all new features in order to keep filesize down and the G1 viable longer.

FWIW I've been told twice now by T-Mo CS reps that T-Mo's plan is to keep updating the G1 as long as they can in order to keep G1 owners from feeling like they have an obsolete device and therefore happy and willing to re-up on their contract. The G1 is still being advertised and sold and they won't want to tick-off all the new G1owners by stopping updates right after they bought an expensive new phone and 2-year contract obligation. So the statement from Dominic is no surprise, it's what I expected.  I'd guess the G1 will be well supported for at least 6-12 months after the last are sold.

After all, T-Mo dosen't make any money selling phones - they have to subsidize those - the real money is in contracts, especially those re-ups without a new phone, where they can charge the same money for service but without subsidizing new hardware eating part of the profit. IOW, it's not in T-Mo's interest to sell you a new phone, but for you to keep and be satisfied with the one you have. So I expect the G1 to live a looooong life. 

Also, there's no Android + hard keyboard alternative yet for the G1, at least not 'til the Motorola Morrison or something is released.  All the new high-end Android phones are touch-screen-only.  For some users that's unacceptable and T-Mo won't want to lose those customers.

[Crashdamage]

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andrew53517 wrote:

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Yeah but you have to be rooted to do it (Cupcake update) manually like that right?

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No, root is not required and it's very easy to do.

[andrew53517]

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Crashdamage wrote:

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andrew53517 wrote:

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Yeah but you have to be rooted to do it (Cupcake update) manually like that right?

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No, root is not required and it's very easy to do.

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oh wow, that made my day! thanks! so i can download the whole file to the phone (aka donut) and then have it? thats sweet! thanks! ill come back to you when the time comes if they dont release it! thanks! it would prolly be loaded into the sd card i take it?

[Crashdamage]

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andrew53517 wrote:

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Crashdamage wrote:

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andrew53517 wrote:

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Yeah but you have to be rooted to do it (Cupcake update) manually like that right?

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No, root is not required and it's very easy to do.

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oh wow, that made my day! thanks! so i can download the whole file to the phone (aka donut) and then have it? thats sweet! thanks! ill come back to you when the time comes if they dont release it! thanks! it would prolly be loaded into the sd card i take it?

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Assuming there will be an 'official' Donut update for the G1 - and there likely will, though it's not yet definite - basically, yes, you'd download it to the SD card and install it from there.  Note I said install it from the SD card, not install to the SD card, the OS installs in system ROM.  Or, just wait for the next OTA update.  As I said in my earlier post, because of ROM capacity limitations of the G1, the next 'official' G1 update could be Donut, parts of Donut or even just bugfixes.

Message Edited by Crashdamage on 08-15-2009 11:08 AM

[omega05]

look at the people that were ready to jump ship over not getting an update. smh

[Crashdamage]

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omega05 wrote:
look at the people that were ready to jump ship over not getting an update. smh

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Unreal, isn't it?  Some people, no matter what phone they have, what provider they use, will just never be satisfied.  There will always be something else they want/need - some function, some app, more RAM, more ROM , more CPU speed, smaller, lighter, cheaper, faster, better!  The phone - any phone - or service - any service - sucks 'cause something is always missing or wrong or there's a perception that somehow T-Mo (or whoever) is puttin' the screws to 'em 'cause they're not giving them exactly what they want!  But perfectionists never achieve the perfection they want, they just stay ticked off at the lack of it.  Like LouisCK said - "Everything's amazing, nobody's happy..." 

As for me, I'm still just gettin' used to the fact that with my G1 I have a mobile computer in my pocket that does my bidding with just a touch and has wireless access to almost anywhere on earth and most of the knowledge of the world.  It does many things, most very well, and I'm happy with it.  It's not perfect, but it is amazing.

[DrgnLady]

I too read with a sinking heart, the news all over the android sites about the capabilities and future of the G-1 in referance to future T-Mobile and Android updates. But was even more disturbed to read the countless posts of those who would "immidiatly jump ship, root, or othewise abandon not only T-Mobile and/or the G-1, but in some posts, even Android itself.

Less than a year ago, each and every one of us held the hopes, dreams, and very futures of T-Mobile, Android, and HTC in our hands when we first recieved and started utilizing our G-1s. There were problems, lots of them! How many apps were on the market when it first opened? Now how many of those apps acually WORKED?LOL But we didn't complain, we worked with the devs and tec reps @ T-Mobile. We all knew that we were mapping out a new territory with Android and the G-1, and it wasn't always smooth or easy, but we never gave up, and neither did they. Did you ever once feel "abandoned" by them? Did you ever feel "cheated"? I didn't, I was excited and privilaged to be able to acually provide input and KNOW without a doubt that I was not only a part of something and making a difference, but that T-Mobile, Android, and the Developers were REAL! More than just a money hungry conglomorate that wanted us to just keep opening our wallets without complaint, like SOME companies! We have never been lemmings OR cattle, and I do not believe that T-Mobile, or Android will ever forget that.

And a little note on T-Mobile itself- I could have gone with a company that had more complete coverage where I live, or I could have chosen a company that had more apps than I could use in a lifetime. I might have found a better pricing plan, or even a phone that would be the most elite with ALL the whistles and bells. But I chose to stick with T-Mobile because I really believe that customer satisfaction, not $$$ or #### is 1st priority. They have always known that retention of it's long-term users is the key to winning the race in the long haul, and even more so in today's economy. Sure I've considered leaving in the past, but think of what I would have missed if I had! T-Mobile knows that for many of us, a physical keyboard is a deal breaker, and they also know that we are smarter, and more tenatious than the "average smartphone" user, and I don't believe for one minute, that T-Mobile would risk the loss and public outcry of the very foundation of users that has stuck with them. So I for one, am just going to keep on keep'n on, and know that T-Mobile will never forget what we ALL BUILT TOGETHER!

P.S. No offence ment to rooters, more power to you, brothers, I just like the challenges of working with the limitations, for me it's like a color preferance, I like yellow, you like blue<grins> Peace!

Message Edited by DrgnLady on 08-15-2009 02:41 PM

[McG1]

I have no desire whatsoever to jump ship from T-Mobile or the Android community. Period! My heart is set in stone with the two. It's just a little discomforting to hear about this whole G1 and 'future updates' ordeal.

[safil]

i heard there are 2 more updates coming out before the end of the year. i minor one and then donut. heard that the first new device to come w/ the next biggest/significant update is the motorola  morrison, which is supposed to come w/ the donut and multitouch! if i find the link i'll post it.

here is the link on donut coming to g1 and mytouch/magic:

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/07/26/google-releases-donut-to-android-devs/

here is a link about the motorola shules that is coming w/ eclair. talks about donut coming out end of 09:

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/08/11/more-motorola-android-rumors-afoot-shules-will-run-eclair-...

[Amphatoast]

wow thanks dominic. I agree it's at t-mobile obligation to at least provide updates for 2 years since many got the 2 year contracts. I don't understand why so little space given in the first place.

[Darkcom]

I would be royally upset with T-Mobile if they did that.

I'd cancel my contract with T-Mobile and  switch to AT&T

[jimbo831]

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Amphatoast wrote:
wow thanks dominic. I agree it's at t-mobile obligation to at least provide updates for 2 years since many got the 2 year contracts. I don't understand why so little space given in the first place.

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I have to say I disagree with this.  It really isn't T-Mobile's obligation to do anything but provide you phone service for 2 years.  The updates for this phone fall on both HTC (the manufacturer) and Google (the OS provider).  T-Mobile has no control over this outside of pressuring those two to continue making updates.