Thoughts on the Nexus 6 and Android Silver

[Tom Westrick]

Earlier this year, Android Police shared a rumor that the Nexus program would be going away, replaced by a new program named “Android Silver.” Key components of the rumored program included:

-Vanilla Software-no OEM skins or additions
-Phones sold in all carrier stores. This would also include carrier employees assisting customers with setting up the device and migrating content from their previous device
-Premium Hardware

While the program was never confirmed (and was allegedly cancelled), I believe the Nexus 6 fills the role of the Android Silver program. This is the first time a Nexus phone will be sold on all 4 major US carriers. Those of us that follow tech blogs are up to date on the latest and greatest devices, and can make a good comparison between devices to find one that will fit out needs. The other 98% of users don’t. They have two-year contracts (or shorter upgrade plans), and get whatever latest device their carrier has whenever they upgrade. They don’t read Android Central of shop on Google Play for their phones. This will be a good move not only for Nexus phones, but also the platform as a whole as users are given more choice between the different variations of Android.

There’s also a potential negative. The Verizon and Sprint versions of the Galaxy Nexus typically lagged behind on updates. The Nexus 7 LTE (which can be activated on Verizon’s network, despite problems early on) has been behind as well. Time will tell if this is the case with the Nexus 6. Unlike the iPhone, Android marketshare is split between multiple devices, so no OEM has enough clout to pressure carriers to push the update. Motorola has had success in getting its updates through quickly, so maybe some knowledge of the process has been moved to Google that will speed things up.

Android Silver may have died before it was even born, but the most important piece: a device running Vanilla Android sold by all major US carriers is now realized in the Nexus 6. Here’s hoping it will be a good experience for customers, the carriers, and the platform.

 

[radgatt]

I hope it is a good experience for everyone involved. I get the feeling that since there isn't any carrier specific models that there will not be any issues with the update process. Everyone will get the update when it's ready. The AT&T model is the same as the Verizon model. The Sprint model is the same as the T-Mobile and US Cellular models. The Americas model is XT1103 and the Global model is XT1100. That may be the only difference between updates is the two model numbers. Other than that, no carrier can prevent an update from going through since they don't have a specific model number for their version of the device, unlike the Moto X that had a model number for each carrier.

 

[Kevin Harvell]

With the pricing of the Nexus 6, it sure seems that Android Silver is dead in name only.

Cannot wait to get my hands on one and test battery life. A Motorola device with a 3220 mAh battery paired with Android L? Come to papa.

 

[Ry]

Rumors are rumors. lol Android Silver.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

 

[GTvert90]

With the wide release of the N6 for the first time it makes me wonder if the carriers pushed back against android silver and agreed to sell one phone, the N6

 

[el3ctronics]

Why would the carriers want to prevent Android Silver? They would still be subsidized devices and would make them the same amount of money as any other phone.

 

[GTvert90]

Why would the carriers want to prevent Android Silver? They would still be subsidized devices and would make them the same amount of money as any other phone.

Takes up space in their stores, competes against the other exclusives, the extra training required, giving Google more control

 

[GTvert90]

Not to mention it would compete against apple and we all know how the carriers love to push I products

 

[swebb]

Takes up space in their stores, competes against the other exclusives, the extra training required, giving Google more control

I've been in many phone stores and space is never an issue. I'm sure they can find room for 4 more phones to display. However, the competitive aspect can't be ignored. Selling full price hardware is tough when the same phone can be had on contract for around 20% of the price. Many places simply would not carry Silver devices. I see Silver (if it really comes) as more of an Amazon/Play Store product with limited brick and mortar presence.

 

[infinity12402]

I've been in many phone stores and space is never an issue. I'm sure they can find room for 4 more phones to display. However, the competitive aspect can't be ignored. Selling full price hardware is tough when the same phone can be had on contract for around 20% of the price. Many places simply would not carry Silver devices. I see Silver (if it really comes) as more of an Amazon/Play Store product with limited brick and mortar presence.

I'm pretty sure the plan is to have them subsidized at the carrier. Why would they sell them only full price?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[swebb]

You're probably right. I envisioned the Silver program as unadulterated Android in a "universal" unlocked device. Thinking this through, I doubt if a carrier B&M would sell anything unlocked. Perhaps Best Buy. Regardless, I still see this as a niche product with limited appeal to the masses.