Samsung might copy Google's trick: seven years of updates for the Galaxy S24.

Quoting the tl;dr in the linked article:

  • Samsung could be stepping up its game by offering seven years of major Android updates for the Galaxy S24 series, and the generous update policy might extend to other Galaxy flagships.

  • The Galaxy S24 series might also introduce charges for AI features like Live Translate and Pixel-like photo editing tools after 2025.

  • There’s speculation that users may need to sign in to their Samsung accounts for certain AI functionalities.

  • Dyskolos@lemmy.zipEnglish
    54·
    10 months ago

    That is not the only big thing of pixels. To me it’s the openness. These are, ironically, the best and easiest phones to leave google. Or at least root them without the evergrowing hassles of each iteration of samcraps.

    Noone would ever buy a PC if they wouldn’t get admin-access and mustn’t install Linux or whatever. With phones they managed to keep us out.

    • Dudewitbow@lemmy.zipEnglish
      28·
      10 months ago

      i always found it funny that the best method of having a privacy focused phone (without having significant tradeoffs like the pinephone) is to buy the phone from the company who violates privacy the worst, and flashing over it.

      • HiramFromTheChi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        10 months ago

        True. This is why the general recommendation is typically to buy used. That way, they don’t get additional revenue from the sale of a new phone, and it also decreases e-waste.

        (Sure, the revenue may be a drop in the bucket, but it’s still something.)

    • pycorax@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      10 months ago

      Noone would ever buy a PC if they wouldn’t get admin-access and mustn’t install Linux or whatever. With phones they managed to keep us out.

      Realistically this only forms a tiny part of the population though, that’s pretty much the only reason why they’ve been able to keep people out.

      • Dyskolos@lemmy.zipEnglish
        5·
        10 months ago

        If only a tiny part of people care at all, why even make it sooooo complicated and change every damn update? Let people that WANT control, have control. The others don’t care anyway and are scared enough by a “are you REALLY REALLY REALLY sure you know what you’re doing here?”-security-question.

        I don’t pay 1000,- for a phone that isn’t mine, and I hate that this has become the default.

        • machinin@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          10 months ago

          On the one hand, I could see bad actors taking advantage of easily rooted/unlocked systems. Maleficent resellers could also take advantage.

          Definitely give me the warnings and let me know what could happen, but let me unlock it and own it completely.

          • Dyskolos@lemmy.zipEnglish
            2·
            10 months ago

            That’s how it is usually when rooted. A confirmation is shown.

            Or let it be set do decline by default and let the user explicitly change this. Problem solved. Of course malign intent wouldn’t be benefical with pre-rooted-no-confirmation-phones 😌

        • pycorax@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          I agree with you but to play devil’s advocate, even for the simple issue of app sideloading on Android, there’s no shortage of dumb users out there that willingly bypass all sorts of warnings and install apps that are very obviously malware.

          • Dyskolos@lemmy.zipEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            … And? Does a system have to be adjusted to the lowest denominator?

            If you use a thing, of which you have zero clues about, and still fuck around with it, you get what you ask for. People don’t understand the slightest thing about the internet and still use it to go to “free” streaming-sites and whatnot.

            I don’t say rooting-per-default. But an easy option to do so. And also unlocking the bootloader. It’s ok if it’s hidden. And let it come with 5 security questions á la “u rly sure?”. If someone doesn’t know what he’s doing, and still does it, and screws up, so be it. Charge the dumbnut in support.

      • Dyskolos@lemmy.zipEnglish
        21·
        10 months ago

        “you can’t uninstall a system-app” (while trying to get rid of all the bloatware like mcaffee)

        “you cannot upgrade to win8, but you can factory-reset your win7”

        “you can only factory-reset 3 times, please call -support!”

        “you don’t have access to this file”

        "defender has removed this ‘malware’ and there’s nothing you can do about it’

        “You can’t install linux on this machine, this machine came bundled with Win7Home”

        “you cannot install this program”

        “you are not allowed to enter the bios”

        “you cannot boot from this non-licensed device” (usb-stick)

        etc.

        One of these would probably do it :-)

    • jenny_ball@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      exactly. the golden age was like 2015ish. great roms, easy to root, headphone jack, flat screens.