I have an ASUS Zenfone M1 with Android 8.1.0.
Frequently I get a "Couldn't Update" message visible in Manage Apps &
Device -> Updates Available.
Is it a sign that my cell phone's OS is too old for some app updates?

--
tb

tb <nospam@example.invalid> wrote:

> I have an ASUS Zenfone M1 with Android 8.1.0.
> Frequently I get a "Couldn't Update" message visible in Manage Apps &
> Device -> Updates Available.
> Is it a sign that my cell phone's OS is too old for some app updates?

I've had apps that worked, and then they updated while requiring a later
Android version than I have (Android 8.0.0). I will never get an OS
update: LG, my phone maker, discontinued the phone back in 2019, and
then they left the smartphone market in 2021. For example, I had a
Great Clips apps to help schedule check-in for a haircut. Suddenly it
starting puking out a message about the OS version not supported. I saw
no changes in their app that would require a later version of Android.
When I notified them, they said they supported Android 9, and up,
despite their app page at the Google Play Store said 8.0, and up. Soon
afterward they updated their app page to say Android 9, and up. Their
app's check on OS version self-crippled their app, so now I have to use
a web browser to use their check-in web site.

I've had other apps that stopped working when they decided to require a
later OS version. Same thing happened way back on an old phone running
Kitkat (Android 4.4): some car monitoring apps using Bluetooth to an
OBD2 dongle plugged into the car stopped working, but those same apps
worked when I later bought an Android 8.0 phone.

Eventually old phones running old OS versions get left behind as apps
require later OS versions, even if nothing was really changed in the
apps that the user can view. Anything beyond the current and just-prior
major version of Android is considered legacy hence unsupported.
Android 8.0 (Oreo) was released back in August 21, 2017: 7 years ago.
Requiring a new OS version can render apps unusable despite the phone is
perfectly functioning hardware. If you can't get an automatic OS
upgrade, and if you don't want to root your phone to let you install a
new OS version, you're stuck having to buy a new phone.

Besides my old phone using an old and unsupported Android 8.0, it also
doesn't support 5G, and sometimes I definitely wish the phone was faster
for Internet speed. I get envious of my friends who can do Web stuff a
*lot* faster than I. Wait, wait, I'm still getting it, wait, I'll catch
up in a moment, or two, for dozen. Just wish the toy mobile computers
weren't so farking expensive.

On 8/27/24 3:23 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
> tb <nospam@example.invalid> wrote:
>
>> I have an ASUS Zenfone M1 with Android 8.1.0.
>> Frequently I get a "Couldn't Update" message visible in Manage Apps &
>> Device -> Updates Available.
>> Is it a sign that my cell phone's OS is too old for some app updates?
>
> I've had apps that worked, and then they updated while requiring a later
> Android version than I have (Android 8.0.0). I will never get an OS
> update: LG, my phone maker, discontinued the phone back in 2019, and
> then they left the smartphone market in 2021. For example, I had a
> Great Clips apps to help schedule check-in for a haircut. Suddenly it
> starting puking out a message about the OS version not supported. I saw
> no changes in their app that would require a later version of Android.
> When I notified them, they said they supported Android 9, and up,
> despite their app page at the Google Play Store said 8.0, and up. Soon
> afterward they updated their app page to say Android 9, and up. Their
> app's check on OS version self-crippled their app, so now I have to use
> a web browser to use their check-in web site.
>
> I've had other apps that stopped working when they decided to require a
> later OS version. Same thing happened way back on an old phone running
> Kitkat (Android 4.4): some car monitoring apps using Bluetooth to an
> OBD2 dongle plugged into the car stopped working, but those same apps
> worked when I later bought an Android 8.0 phone.
>
> Eventually old phones running old OS versions get left behind as apps
> require later OS versions, even if nothing was really changed in the
> apps that the user can view. Anything beyond the current and just-prior
> major version of Android is considered legacy hence unsupported.
> Android 8.0 (Oreo) was released back in August 21, 2017: 7 years ago.
> Requiring a new OS version can render apps unusable despite the phone is
> perfectly functioning hardware. If you can't get an automatic OS
> upgrade, and if you don't want to root your phone to let you install a
> new OS version, you're stuck having to buy a new phone.
>
> Besides my old phone using an old and unsupported Android 8.0, it also
> doesn't support 5G, and sometimes I definitely wish the phone was faster
> for Internet speed. I get envious of my friends who can do Web stuff a
> *lot* faster than I. Wait, wait, I'm still getting it, wait, I'll catch
> up in a moment, or two, for dozen. Just wish the toy mobile computers
> weren't so farking expensive.

My Pixel2 (born in 2017) runs Android 11 and they're under $100 now. It
cost me $60 to have the battery replaced 1.5 years ago. I'd like it to
have a telephoto lens, but that's my only gripe. If I REALLY wanted
that I could probably buy an acceptable clip-on (the cheap ones are
worthless) for it. So far I haven't had any too-old problems with apps,
but I seem to remember seeing something that I vaguely wanted that
demanded Android 12.

--
Cheers, Bev
"My life outside of USENET is so full of love and kindness that I have
to come here to find the venom and bile that I crave." --R. Damiani

In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
>My Pixel2 (born in 2017) runs Android 11 and they're under $100 now. It
>cost me $60 to have the battery replaced 1.5 years ago. I'd like it to
>have a telephoto lens, but that's my only gripe. If I REALLY wanted
>that I could probably buy an acceptable clip-on (the cheap ones are

There are apps that are like telephoto lenses. One I have is called Zoom
Camera and the other is Camera Ultra Zoom. One or both includes ads but
not many. They work well.

>worthless) for it. So far I haven't had any too-old problems with apps,
>but I seem to remember seeing something that I vaguely wanted that
>demanded Android 12.
>
>--

On 8/27/24 7:47 PM, micky wrote:
> In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev
> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>My Pixel2 (born in 2017) runs Android 11 and they're under $100 now. It
>>cost me $60 to have the battery replaced 1.5 years ago. I'd like it to
>>have a telephoto lens, but that's my only gripe. If I REALLY wanted
>>that I could probably buy an acceptable clip-on (the cheap ones are
>
> There are apps that are like telephoto lenses. One I have is called Zoom
> Camera and the other is Camera Ultra Zoom. One or both includes ads but
> not many. They work well.

Do they create new pixels?y

>>worthless) for it. So far I haven't had any too-old problems with apps,
>>but I seem to remember seeing something that I vaguely wanted that
>>demanded Android 12.

--
Cheers, Bev
Politicians are stupid like cats are stupid.

In comp.mobile.android, on Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:15:25 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

>On 8/27/24 7:47 PM, micky wrote:
>> In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev
>> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>My Pixel2 (born in 2017) runs Android 11 and they're under $100 now. It
>>>cost me $60 to have the battery replaced 1.5 years ago. I'd like it to
>>>have a telephoto lens, but that's my only gripe. If I REALLY wanted
>>>that I could probably buy an acceptable clip-on (the cheap ones are
>>
>> There are apps that are like telephoto lenses. One I have is called Zoom
>> Camera and the other is Camera Ultra Zoom. One or both includes ads but
>> not many. They work well.
>
>Do they create new pixels?y

For that you may have to Pixels'R'Us.
>
>>>worthless) for it. So far I haven't had any too-old problems with apps,
>>>but I seem to remember seeing something that I vaguely wanted that
>>>demanded Android 12.

On 8/29/24 9:12 PM, micky wrote:
> In comp.mobile.android, on Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:15:25 -0700, The Real Bev
> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On 8/27/24 7:47 PM, micky wrote:
>>> In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev
>>> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>My Pixel2 (born in 2017) runs Android 11 and they're under $100 now. It
>>>>cost me $60 to have the battery replaced 1.5 years ago. I'd like it to
>>>>have a telephoto lens, but that's my only gripe. If I REALLY wanted
>>>>that I could probably buy an acceptable clip-on (the cheap ones are
>>>
>>> There are apps that are like telephoto lenses. One I have is called Zoom
>>> Camera and the other is Camera Ultra Zoom. One or both includes ads but
>>> not many. They work well.
>>
>>Do they create new pixels?y
>
> For that you may have to Pixels'R'Us.

If it doesn't generate new pixels based on what the camera saves it's
useless. I tried the Ultra Zoom Camera app (difficult to send shots to
my computer), but it gave smeary results at the same magnification as
the native app. Didn't try any others.

>>>>worthless) for it. So far I haven't had any too-old problems with apps,
>>>>but I seem to remember seeing something that I vaguely wanted that
>>>>demanded Android 12
--
Cheers, Bev
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of
entrusting a man like him with the presidency." -- Unknown

The Real Bev wrote:

>If it doesn't generate new pixels based on what the camera saves it's
>useless. I tried the Ultra Zoom Camera app (difficult to send shots to
>my computer), but it gave smeary results at the same magnification as
>the native app. Didn't try any others.

It's been a while since I read this somehwere, but it probably still
applies: It is recommended to use the camera app that came with the
device since it 'knows' the respective camera well and can thus produce
the best results. 3rd party apps will be able to take pictures but will
not be able to use all features of the camera(s).

-jw-
--
And now for something completely different...

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:30:48 +0200, Joerg
Walther <joerg.walther@magenta.de> wrote:

>The Real Bev wrote:
>
>>If it doesn't generate new pixels based on what the camera saves it's
>>useless. I tried the Ultra Zoom Camera app (difficult to send shots to
>>my computer), but it gave smeary results at the same magnification as
>>the native app. Didn't try any others.
>
>It's been a while since I read this somehwere, but it probably still
>applies: It is recommended to use the camera app that came with the
>device since it 'knows' the respective camera well and can thus produce
>the best results. 3rd party apps will be able to take pictures but will
>not be able to use all features of the camera(s).

Good to hear. In installed an app which used Accessibilty or Mobility
or something, and it lowered the number of apps on the bottom line by
one, and thus kicked my camera off the home screen, and I didn't know
its name and for months I coudln't find it. But I did and I'm back to
using it instead of one of the zoom apps.
>
>-jw-