XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone, comp.sys.mac.system

While the topic of how modern operating systems update is beyond the comprehension of the ikooks, there _may_ be adults on these newsgroups.

In keeping with the topic that this is indeed an _adult_ communication... (bearing in mind the child-like iKooks only know what Apple feeds them)

*Almost all of Android is updated forever* (i.e., there is no EOL date!)

As with all _modern_ operating systems, Android is composed of multiple
layers which is quite unlike the primitive monolithic iOS which can't update even a single line of Safari or webkit or _any_ related Apple code without Apple having to release to billions of hapless users an entire new iOS
release.

By way of stark contrast, all modern operating systems, and particularly Android, are updated independently, using a variety of layers, such as:
a. *Android version*
b. *Security version*
c. *Google Play {System,Services,Store} versions*
Note there are over two dozen core modules updated in just (c) above.
As far as anyone knows, these are updated forever (there is no EOL).

On the Android newsgroup for the past month, a few of us have been testing
how long "forever" happens to be, where some people with the Pixel 3's are apparently still getting updates despite any previously published EOL dates.
*How long does GOOGLE say they'll update the two dozen core modules in project mainline?*
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/_ZUiLVtLbsg/m/q7-iaUiwBgAJ>

Backing up those tests, Google released updates to essentially _all Android phones_ this week, which a few of us tested to be the case.
*Big March Android System Update Through Google Play & Google Play Services*
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/fIAd_j1gC0w/m/oV1wA2V8BAAJ>

What was updated this week for all Android phones was a combination of the above Google based layers that are updated over the Internet independently.

But other layers are also updated completely independently & often forever.
1. User apps are often updated forever (and very many are open source);
2. Key apps like Chrome are updated forever (some of those are open source);
3. Firmware (such as the Qualcomm modem firmware) are updated over the net;
4. Security updates (these are rolled out monthly)
5. Android versions (these are what changes Android 11, say, to Android 12);
6. Core modules (updated either over GPS on the net or OTA by partners);
[In addition, all core modules are donated to AOSP to maintain forever.]

In the "core modules" area alone, Google updated almost all phones today.
*Big March Android System Update Through Google Play & Google Play Services*
<https://www.droid-life.com/2022/03/01/google-system-update-march-improvements/>
"This isn't just a Google Pixel update that comes out each month
and is instead a platform-level set of updates for all or most
Android phones. Google has issued this type of stuff for some time."

*The March 2022 Google System Update is chock-full of changes*
<https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/the-march-2022-google-system-update-is-chock-full-of-changes>
"Google has released the March 2022 System Updates.
These updates are available for all Android devices, not just Pixels"

*Android March 2022 update unveiled*
<https://www.tomsguide.com/news/android-march-2022-update-unveiled-all-the-new-features-for-your-phone>
"The Google System Update for March 2022 includes a host of tweaks
and new features coming to most Android phones."

*What is Google Play System Update?*
<https://www.insidetechno.com/get-latest-google-play-system-update/>
"From now on, an update will be shared with the public every month
on new features and fixes to issues. Google has a new support page
that keeps detailed records of all system updates made to Google Play.
The first roundup was posted in December 2021."

This is the page which explains what's in these Android-forever updates.
*What's new in Google System Updates*
<https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/11412553>
--
Posted to iKooks' newsgroups because, like Russians, iKooks only hear the propaganda that Apple (rather cleverly) feeds them about update methods.

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