Sony Ericsson has elaborated its procedure to create Android software update and explain why owners of its devices have to hold back while the company works on the highly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update.
The first phase involves the integration of Ice Cream Sandwich and Sony Ericsson source codes and fixing of problems as early as possible before the merger takes place.
Unfortunately, Google created Android 4.0 ICS with optimization for components from Texas Instruments, so Sony Ericsson has to first use counterparts for the Xperia lineup’s Qualcomm 8255 chipset.
Now, the process is not as easy as using the same Android software update for all Xperia devices just because each contain the same chipset.
Chipsets are only the first thing to worry about in creating code from scratch, as hardware peripherals such as Bluetooth, cameras, GPS, sensors, Wi-Fi, etc. differ from one device to another, which is also true for other phone makers.
For everything to play out properly, Sony Ericsson must include support for those components using their respective drivers in the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL).
The changes insert into the newly coded software for testing, and after a successful run, the phone maker still has to apply and receive official certification that the result meets certain standards.
Sony Ericsson divulged that it often applies for global certification on its devices but on certain conditions, also applies individually for specific markets in various countries.
Certifications depend on where a particular product is set to deploy, wherein a global release requires certification for up to 80 countries.
Sony Ericsson says that passing and acquiring certifications is the most time-consuming stage of the entire process.Although in-house facilities can conduct tests for a phone maker, other procedures and tests require the help of third parties.
To add more delay, several mobile operators add their own software modifications before an update is ready for download.
Finally, phone makers or the mobile operators can then push out the update to Android handset owners.
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