LG may double down on Optimus G, literally

Company might be releasing an Optimus G and an Optimus G Nexus—maybe.

Florence Ion – Oct 5, 2012 5:00 pm | 61

A few days ago, AT&T announced that the LG Optimus G was going to be sold exclusively on its network, but failed to mention in the press release or anywhere else when exactly it was slated to launch. Now, rumors are surfacing that LG will actually be joining Google at an event sometime in November to officially announced the LG Optimus G Nexus—most likely a different phone than the one announced a few days ago.

This would mean that the Optimus G Nexus is Google’s flagship phone for Android 4.2. All Nexus devices have historically come with the latest iteration of Google’s mobile operating system. After all, the whole point of Google’s Nexus program is to announce the next Android operating system and offer a “pure Android” experience, where the devices come free of any third-party or carrier-enforced applications.

However viable the rumor of the event is, it’s still a question as to what impact two Optimus G phones would have on the Android ecosystem. For starters, previous manufacturers of Google-branded phones, including Samsung and HTC, have dedicated handsets for their Nexus releases which aren’t available in non-Nexus branding. With two Optimus Gs to choose from, users could decide between stock Android and AT&T’s version, setting a precedent which could either further confuse customers or offer a helpful choice to owners who are being stung by today’s fragmented update landscape.

Currently, if a user wants to update their device to the latest version of Android, they must check in first with their carrier and then with the manufacturer. Sometimes, carriers leave their users in the dust when it comes to updates; other times, it’s the manufacturers who can’t agree on updates. It can be frustrating for Android users, who shouldn’t have to root their phones simply to keep their software up to date.

If it sells well, the LG Optimus G Nexus might demonstrate to OEMs that Android customers value the Nexus program’s upgradeability and are willing to pay for it. Unfortunately, handset manufacturers may not actually be interested in any sort of universal software update mandate. As evidenced by the total failure of the Android Update Alliance, a program which was supposed to ensure that participating manufacturers’ Android devices receive updates for at least 18 months after their launch, there just doesn’t seem to be much interest in manufacturers spending time on older handsets. By making old phones useful for longer, users have less of an incentive to purchase newer models.

From what’s been reported by the source, Android 4.2 is a relatively small update which should improve power management and offer a new version of the Google Play store, as well as some new features connected with the Nexus program. Whatever the truth, the fact of the matter is that Google and its partners should overhaul the update program and give its users more options for stock Android phones.