Whenever a new version of the popular Android operating system is released, rumors seem to swirl around it right up until Google officially unveils the new software which, in this case, is expected to be happening near the end of this work week when Google I/O begins on May 28th. While there isn’t much official detail about the new version of Android, currently being referred to as Android M, it’s thought to have a focus on Android for Work, Google’s own version of what Samsung does with KNOX and their push towards an enterprise existence for use of their devices by businesses.
When it comes to new versions of Android though, new functions and designs sometimes are the least of our worries. What might be on most people’s minds is whether or not their devices will be getting the latest update to the software. If you use a Nexus device, the usual consensus is that you will end up getting the software update at some point and probably before most other devices at least until the 18-month mark, which was Google’s cutoff date for software support. With Android M things might be changing just a little a bit according to the most recent rumor, which states Google will be implementing a new guarantee for updates to Nexus devices.
The rumor states that with Android M Google will be introducing their new policy regarding software updates for Nexus devices going forward, which will see devices receive guaranteed updates for a two-year period, while being guaranteed patches for security updates for a three-year period from OS release date or a period of 18 months from when customers purchase the device. What this means is that if customers purchase a Nexus device near the end of its shelf life in the Play Store and the 18 months stretches past the original 3 year mark for security patches, those customers will still receive security updates until they reach the period of 18 months from when they bought the device. More details on the updates policy could be revealed this Thursday during the Keynote when Google is expected to talk about Android M. This new guarantee on updates and security patches also makes sense if Android M is to have a focus on Android for Work, as the newer software and up to date security will be be important for businesses using the device platform, provided those businesses are using Nexus devices, of course.