Google's Android Team is responsible for developing updates to Android; these updates contain new features, bug fixes and enhancements at the core to the platform. After they have developed the update into a workable platform for their devices, some manufacturers choose to customise the Android experience with their own proprietary overlays or enhancements.If you’re familiar with HTC Sense or Samsung TouchWiz – these are examples of Manufacturer Customisation.These overlays bring added usability and features to the device as well as making some Android features more accessible for a wider variety of users. It can also introduce new features that are not present in stock Android (such as built-in iTunes synchronisation or WiFi tethering prior to the introduction of Android 2.2).While this process can take time, it is significantly less than is necessary for development back in stage two. Once this process is complete, the update is ready for the last stage of development – carrier customisation. In the final stage of the Android assembly process, manufacturers ask carriers for input on customisation.This process includes the manufacturer installing a carrier’s configuration profile into the update. As a result, end-users don’t need manually enter internet, MMS, voicemail and other network-specific settings each time they update their device.Carrier customisation also offers an opportunity to install or remove applications from the update.
While some carriers may ask for features or apps to be removed, Vodafone will never request a manufacturer take something out during carrier customisation.While these changes are made at the request of the carrier, it is the manufacturer who does the work to code them into the update. Vodafone don’t make these changes ourselves and don’t see the update until the process is complete. It’s important to note that manufacturers may also pre-install applications onto your device, including applications that we request such as the My Vodafone App.Once customisation is complete, a manufacturer finally has a ‘Release Candidate’. They believe the update is ready for release and then make the build available to carriers like Vodafone for quality assurance testing and regulatory certification.Now, we begin working closely with manufacturers to ensure the update meets Australian regulations and our own expectations of an excellent user experience for our customers – the next stage is testing. With so many stakeholders involved, sometimes the schedules on software updates can shift and change. For this reason, we’ll only let you know about an update once it’s been completed by the manufacturer and sent to Vodafone for testing.Why do we need to do test software updates?There are two primary reasons we test software updates for your tablets and smartphones:. To ensure the best possible customer experience, and;.
To ensure that we remain on-side with ACMA regulations for telecommunications devices.These regulations govern how a telecommunications device should operate under certain circumstances and are enshrined in law. Here at Vodafone we need to ensure that all devices and software updates approve comply with these regulations.What do you do during “testing”?Testing software updates to existing devices is a rigorous process.
Vodafone Smart 3 Software Update Free
When we say an update is in testing, it’s not as simple as loading the update onto a phone for a week and seeing how it feels.