I think the real reason we're unlikely to see this on existing phones is because it creates an incentive to buy a newer phone if they don't...and of course it would take time and money to apply it to older handsets, so why invest that money into a move that would discourage upgrades?
That "idea" is the reason why NO other company will be as successful as Apple.
Up until it became some sort of issue(hardware requirement/performance requirement) they continued to update their older iPhones for years and didn't abandon anyone.
Why is it that the only American company that makes it's own hardware doesn't have the capitalistic mindset like the rest do? and it's the ONLY truely successful company with a huge HUGE brand loyalty and almost a cult following?
None of the other companies get it. And until they do, they'll be second best/second rate.
I'm not a Apple fanboy, I dont own any Apple products, but I can see through the blinders. Apple is successful because they are geniuses at creating brand loyalty.
Anyways.. I wish Motorola would get this idea. They could be more successful at this than Apple if only they would create loyalty and a sense that someone's hard earned money stretched until it was so thin that you could see through it.
Most companies want a immediate return on investment. Apple wants long term profits, which is why they are #winning the brand loyalty game.