You know that monthly Android security update program that Samsung just announced? Now Google’s got one, too.
Starting this week, Google will begin pushing security-focused OTA updates to its Nexus devices. The first update is now being pushed to the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10, and Nexus Player, and it includes fixes for bugs Google alerted its partners to in July, including the Stagefright exploit. Google says that bug fixes will be published to the Android Open Source Project at the same time that they’re released to devices.
Looking ahead, Google notes that Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years after their release, and they’ll get security patches for three years after release or 18 months after Play Store sales end, whichever is longer.
One issue often cited with Android is its security, and while that flaw may not be totally based in reality, it’s still a perception that a lot of consumers have. It’s good to see companies like Samsung and Google stepping up and promising monthly security fixes, and hopefully more manufacturers do the same. And with today’s announcement, it looks like the list of reasons in favor of getting a Nexus device as your next phone or tablet just got a bit longer.