Last year was an interesting year in terms of software updates. Not because major versions of Android are hitting devices much quicker than they have been since say, Android 4.4 KitKat, but because Google’s hand was forced into taking mobile security a little more seriously. While Google takes security in Chrome extremely seriously, and put up good money to ensure its security, they were often found to be lagging behind where Android was concerned. Apps, like the aforementioned Chrome browser, can be updated independently, but when something like Stagefright appears, Google has no choice but to update Android itself. That gave birth to monthly security updates, and a requirement fro manufacturers – such as Samsung, LG and Motorola – to list the month and year of its security update. Now, Samsung is outlining the devices that will be getting the January 2016 security updates, but you’re unlikely to see them any time soon.
The Samsung devices listed to get such an important and integral update are only flagship devices from the past couple years and they include: the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Active, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Tab S2. Despite the fact that these list reads like a lot of devices, that’s just really a snippet of the devices that Samsung release each year. It doesn’t include any of the cheaper Galaxy Tabs that are found all over the world, sold cheaply on carriers and stores across the globe, nor does it include any of the Galaxy A devices that were just launched at the end of last year. Regardless, these updates are subject to carrier approval just as any other update from Samsung is, so it’s unlikely the majority of users will see an update until February.
Those interested in these security updates can take a look at the source link to see the bugs and vulnerabilities fixed in these updates. While things aren’t great right now, it is good to see Samsung following Google’s lead here, but if they really want to keep their devices and their users secure they need to expand the list of devices slated to get such updates and also speed up the roll out of them.