Software/Firmware Support for Android TV devices - Longevity comparison table?

by CriminalMasterDrakeh

Hi there,

has anyone seen a comparison table that shows how long certain brands offer software/firmware updates for their devices? Like a comparison between Amazon, Google and Nvidia?

Appreciate any hints.

Regards, CMD

latinriky78

I don't know Amazon but it's easy to compare Nvidia vs the rest of devices/televisions:

OEMs with the best firmware updates (fixing bugs or applying security patches regardless the current Android version) from best to worst:

  1. Nvidia: The only device being upgraded to every major Android version since it was released back in 2015, it has received several enhancements, bug fixes and security patches throughout.
  2. Google: Although the Chromecast with Google TV was released last year with Android 10, it has received several updates to fix bugs and add enhancements.
  3. Tivo: Although it was released last year with Android 9, It has receiver some updates improving it.
  4. Dynalink: Although it was released last year with Android 10, It has received some updates improving it.
  5. Sony and other TV brands: Some have received major firmware updates, others only security patches; some updates were stable while in others something broke, there's plenty of posts in this sub asking for help after an update to those TVs was applied.
  6. Xiaomi: It is, after the Nvidia Shield, the device that has received several firmware updates, including two major Android versions (8 and 9) but they usually fix one thing and break another, that's why it's ranked as the worst.

OEMs that upgraded their devices with the most recent major Android version regardless if it has bugs or not recent security patches (excluding new devices and the ADT-3 developer device):

  1. Formuler: It was upgraded recently from Android 9 to 10 and the update has proven to be stable enough.
  2. Videostrong: All Mecool devices were upgraded last year from Android 9 to 10, except the Mecool KM8, which was upgraded from Android 8 to 9. They are not free of bugs of course and the OEM still needs to get its act together in this regard.

This list will be updated or corrected accordingly.

[deleted]

Nvidia *I think are still issuing updates to the 2015 shield.

Not worth including google as they only released their own device last year.

titooo7

No android device ever had more support than Nvidia Shield (not even Nexus tablets or Google Pixel). Nvidia Shield 2015 has 6 years of support already and it doesn't seem it's going to stop yet.

There was a table somewhere but unfortunately I can't find it now.

triplebeamz

I believe part of certification requirements indicate something like manufacturers must do three major OS updates.. ie 9 to 10