Google and Qualcomm offering up to eight years of updates on newer Android devices

Something to look forward to: Modern mobile platforms are more robust than ever, but Android support remains a sore spot and a potential ticking time bomb depending on the model and make of your device. Now Google and Qualcomm, two major forces in the mobile ecosystem, seem willing to change the status quo, though a few caveats remain. Qualcomm and Google have announced a partnership to significantly improve official Android support, offering "up to" eight years of software and security updates for eligible devices. Needless to say, this extended support timeline does not apply to older smartphones. Manufacturers could still opt out, forcing customers to buy the latest devices to access the newest Android releases. Qualcomm says that consumers now rely on their smartphones for virtually everything in their daily lives and, as a result, want to get the most out of their devices for longer periods. The new eight-year support plan will cover phones built on the Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile ... Read full article.