Google: updates for Verizon and unlocked Pixels to be released together

Fariha Khan
October 13, 2016
558

It has been hardly a few days we heard the news that Verizon would be managing system updates for Pixel devices that it sells. As it appeared, we could guess that update for Verizon would delay those updates. However, things have changed. Now Verizon has verified that the updates will not be delayed.

Contradictory statements from Google and Verizon

What Verizon said contradicts to the statement from Google that we got last week.

“First and foremost, all operating system and security updates to the Pixel devices will happen in partnership with Google. In other words, when Google releases an update, Verizon phones will receive the same update at the same time (much like iOS updates). Verizon will not stand in the way of any major updates and users will get all updates at the same time as Google.

(Verizon)

Google will be pushing the update

According to Google, Verizon would manage system updates, but Verizon is saying that its devices will get the update similar to how iOS devices do. It means that Google will be pushing the updates (according to Verizon).

Confusion, confusion

All this seems to be a big misunderstanding, but that appears doubtful as we got the first statement from Google just a week ago. Now, the company has collaborated with what Ars heard from Verizon, saying OS updates and monthly security patches will be updated on all Pixel devices concurrently.

Verizon Pixels to have 3 Verizon apps

Additionally, Verizon also said that update for Verizon Pixels would come installed with 3 Verizon apps but the carrier has verified that those will not be system apps. It is unlocked for use on other carriers as well, but the bootloader is still locked.