Google will never fix Android

[MrCrispy]

And by fix I mean fix the problem of US carriers.

Android AOSP will never have CDMA support.
Google will never enforce mandatory updates direct from Google.
Google will never enforce devices being supported for at least 2 years.
Google will never enforce oem's updating their skins in a timely manner.

They simply don't care what the experience is, and have said they don't really care what the skin is as long as it runs some version Android underneath (old or not). They just care about ads from using Google services.

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

 

[German Muscle]

And by fix I mean fix the problem of US carriers.

Android AOSP will never have CDMA support.
Google will never enforce mandatory updates direct from Google.
Google will never enforce devices being supported for at least 2 years.
Google will never enforce oem's updating their skins in a timely manner.

They simply don't care what the experience is, and have said they don't really care what the skin is as long as it runs some version Android underneath (old or not). They just care about ads from using Google services.

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

This looks like Verizon is the target. Google will never enforce those things because Verizon will just tell them they wont carry the phones.

 

[Trimlock]

Im not sure the intentions of this post. Android for one is fine the way it is and is far from broke. To all your points, yes they never cared to enforce and never will on strict standards.

Valid complaints in all.

This looks like Verizon is the target. Google will never enforce those things because Verizon will just tell them they wont carry the phones.

Verizon NEEDS those phones. The margins on flagships w/ contracts arent very lucrative. Google could force the hand but they like the way their system works right now,which promotes heavey selling of cheap phones.

 

[Lunas]

Asop will never support CDMA... Looks at verizon droid incredible running 4.2.2 asop looks at verizon galaxy s3 xda page counts the asop distros... I run a tw ROM dandroid because tw is faster than every asop ROM I have tried.

Google will never fix your issues with android because the 3rd party devs already have fixed it. Also Google edition of the galaxy s4 and the nexus line.

 

[Dreamerbydesign]

And by fix I mean fix the problem of US carriers.

Android AOSP will never have CDMA support.
Google will never enforce mandatory updates direct from Google.
Google will never enforce devices being supported for at least 2 years.
Google will never enforce oem's updating their skins in a timely manner.

They simply don't care what the experience is, and have said they don't really care what the skin is as long as it runs some version Android underneath (old or not). They just care about ads from using Google services.

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

Demands are on thing. Half of your rant is benign. 3/4 of people have no idea what CDMA even is. There WERE a few CDMA pure google phones, carriers just choose not to abide the rules set in place for these types of devices. That is their choice to make.

Skins? Not an issue. I've been on Android since 2.1 and had most major release devices. Root it and change it if you are unhappy with it, or do not purchase it at all.

Just my .02

 

[German Muscle]

Verizon NEEDS those phones. The margins on flagships w/ contracts arent very lucrative. Google could force the hand but they like the way their system works right now,which promotes heavey selling of cheap phones.

They already said they wont carry any new phones that dont have 4G LTE. This is considered niche in verizons customer base.

 

[Trimlock]

They already said they wont carry any new phones that dont have 4G LTE. This is considered niche in verizons customer base.

Well LTE doesnt denote a flagship anymore.

 

[Lunas]

And by fix I mean fix the problem of US carriers.

Android AOSP will never have CDMA support.
Google will never enforce mandatory updates direct from Google.
Google will never enforce devices being supported for at least 2 years.
Google will never enforce oem's updating their skins in a timely manner.

They simply don't care what the experience is, and have said they don't really care what the skin is as long as it runs some version Android underneath (old or not). They just care about ads from using Google services.

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

Not Google's problem
Not Google's problem
Not Google's problem
Not Google's problem

Apple and Microsoft ARE CLOSED SYSTEMS
Android is an OPEN SYSTEM kinda like linux

Well LTE doesnt denote a flagship anymore.

I think verizon and sprint should have dropped cdma long ago and lte was the perfect chance to get a cross compatible replacement going. I think the shit head cell providers should have to lease the towers from the govt that covers the govt's taxes makes the network uniform.

 

[silk186]

I put the OMEGA rom on my S2 and I'm completely satisfied.

 

[King of Heroes]

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

Apple and Microsoft can enforce that consistent experience by keeping an iron grip on both the hardware and software and keeps them both tightly integrated. Google CAN'T do this without fundamentally changing how Android is used and distributed. There is a reason why you see an ocean of cheap, Chinese Android phones and not WP8 and iOS. Android's current model allows for that, and the more people who use the Android the better, while the other two don't.

Android AOSP will never have CDMA support.

Sure, this sucks for Verizon and Sprint (not that that stops phones with stock Android from working with them), but given that literally the rest of the planet uses GSM, it makes sense not to bake that in by default.

Google will never enforce mandatory updates direct from Google.
Google will never enforce devices being supported for at least 2 years.
Google will never enforce oem's updating their skins in a timely manner.

Already addressed above. It would take alot more than Google just making some sternly worded demands. If these things are that crucial to you, you should consider confining your choices to Google's Nexus line and possibly Motorola (this is shaping up to be the case, at least).

If its any consolation: http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/1...cdma-from-phones-in-2014-in-favor-of-pure-lte

 

[Ocellaris]

I think this post was spurred on by the fact that hundreds of millions of iOS devices get a free upgrade to iOS7 today. Including phones over three years old.

Some Android phones are lucky to get two total updates over the life of the phone.

 

[Mchart]

I think this post was spurred on by the fact that hundreds of millions of iOS devices get a free upgrade to iOS7 today. Including phones over three years old.

Some Android phones are lucky to get two total updates over the life of the phone.

But that's just the trade off of the different systems. On one side of the scale you've got iOS / Apple with only one new device a year and an OS that is fairly locked down. It's easy to push out updates.

On the other end of the scale you've got a bazillion different versions of hardware running a bazillion different flavours of Android. Good luck expecting any real updates in the future.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Never is also a very strong term.

I highly doubt the Galaxy Nexus won't get the next update in 2014 for instance. Google didn't do well with the Nexus One and S but I suspect that the remainder Nexus phones will get 3 years.

 

[Ryokurin]

Before someone points out its the carriers's fault - Google is big enough to demand these. And Apple and Microsoft are able to do this to ensure their users have a consistent experience.

If ISIS and Wallet is any example, Google isn't big enough to demand anything. Microsoft isn't a good example either. GDR3 is almost out and AT&T is just now getting around to rolling 2 out. Microsoft looks consistent because Nokia was 80% of the Windows Phone market.

Apple was only originally able to do it because AT&T needed a hit at that moment and they were able to keep the momentum going to get other providers to agree. Unless the world changes overnight and Google/Motorola is 90% of the market instead of Samsung it won't happen because Samsung would rather you buy a new phone instead.

 

[MrCrispy]

The issue is not whether Google is powerful enough or not. It's that they have no desire to even try these things. They've said many times they want Android to have timely updates, way back before ICS they saaid they'd fix the problem of users not getting updates etc - its all hollow talk.

Closed/open is not relevant at all. At this point Android is a huge presence and no carrier can afford not to carry it. And Android licenses aren't free like AOSP. Google can very easily mandate certain things that must work in Android and say that phones must get updates which can't be blocked.

The problem is even deeper since Google doesn't even test any other phone besides Nexus. Each new Android version is built only for Nexus phones, testing on other devices is left up to oem's. This is why it can take them so long.

In contrast, Microsoft hardware labs make sure they have WP runnign smoothly on all supported platforms, not just their in house brand.

Android has no hardware reference drivers or HAL equivalent to Windows. As a result, minor updates to the OS can break depending on drivers. This is why custom roms and kernels often are unstable.

Part of it is an engineering problem and part of it is political. Google fails on both counts. I write this as a heavy Android user who's sick and tired of the endless wait for updates, trying custom roms, and seeing friends suffer with stock skins.

 

[pcjunkie]

I think this post was spurred on by the fact that hundreds of millions of iOS devices get a free upgrade to iOS7 today. Including phones over three years old.

Some Android phones are lucky to get two total updates over the life of the phone.

My Motorola Milestone only got one...

 

[German Muscle]

Well LTE doesnt denote a flagship anymore.

LTE wasnt on a flagship phone(Nexus 4) as a result of that it wasnt on Verizons service. If Google said you cant intervene with the software updates and stuff then VZW would just say "No thanks, you keep your phone."

 

[MrCrispy]

If Google said you cant intervene with the software updates and stuff then VZW would just say "No thanks, you keep your phone."

If Google said 'you're not getting any Android phone unless you agree to our terms' then guess what, Verizon agrees. Same for any oem. They all make too much money from Android.

US carriers aren't special. They are just used to being treated like that.

 

[Grazehell]

In contrast, Microsoft hardware labs make sure they have WP runnign smoothly on all supported platforms, not just their in house brand.

Android it basically free(a few dollars for Google service barely counts). Windows phone OS is not, so Microsoft could afford to test all 5 pieces of hardware it runs on...Lawlz

Android has no hardware reference drivers or HAL equivalent to Windows. As a result, minor updates to the OS can break depending on drivers. This is why custom roms and kernels often are unstable.

Microsoft might be able to do this for Windows Phone because they can control the hardware it get placed on. Writing an abstraction layer that is highly optimized for hundreds of different process is impossible.
Don't even mention Windows because I doubt the level of optimization needed there is not anything special when you have endless CPU horsepower to play with and a form factor that can fit a huge battery

I write this as a heavy Android user who's sick and tired of the endless wait for updates, trying custom roms, and seeing friends suffer with stock skins.

This is so sad I cried a little!

 

[MrCrispy]

Android it basically free(a few dollars for Google service barely counts). Windows phone OS is not, so Microsoft could afford to test all 5 pieces of hardware it runs on...Lawlz

Microsoft might be able to do this for Windows Phone because they can control the hardware it get placed on. Writing an abstraction layer that is highly optimized for hundreds of different process is impossible.

Writing a HAL is of course not impossible, its basic engineering and any decent OS has it. Windows runs on exponentially more hardware combinations than Android ever will which is why they have standardized drives and a HAL. Microsoft also tests all kinds of pc parts to certify hardware. You are clueless if you think its '5 kinds'. Google only tests new Android builds on Nexus.

It's easy to blame oems but they have to do the hard work of porting Android over to their chipsets. Or teams like CM have to do the hard work. With Windows/Linux etc, you just need to update a driver and since it follows standards, the rest of the process is easy.

 

[Grazehell]

Writing a HAL is of course not impossible, its basic engineering and any decent OS has it. Windows runs on exponentially more hardware combinations than Android ever will which is why they have standardized drives and a HAL. Microsoft also tests all kinds of pc parts to certify hardware. You are clueless if you think its '5 kinds'. Google only tests new Android builds on Nexus.

Ahahaha, thats a good one!
Do you even know what you are talking about now?
I am talking about Windows Phone(8). Which runs one like what, one specific Qualcomm CPU series

 

[German Muscle]

If Google said 'you're not getting any Android phone unless you agree to our terms' then guess what, Verizon agrees. Same for any oem. They all make too much money from Android.

US carriers aren't special. They are just used to being treated like that.

Google would never do that. Because of Verizon its boosted how quick android took market share. Thats a large volume of phones that dont get sold. It would require it to be done to every carrier as well. Android is open software and it wont happen.

Trust me i was furious when everyone had jellybean except VZW on the GNex. I ended up rooting because of it. VZW always puts bloatware on every phone to.

 

[King of Heroes]

If Google said 'you're not getting any Android phone unless you agree to our terms' then guess what, Verizon agrees. Same for any oem. They all make too much money from Android.

No, they make money from cheap, subsidized phones. It doesn't matter what OS is on them. Now, it just so happens that Android's use terms makes it easy to provide lots of cheap, subsidized phones. But if Google all of a sudden put on its asshat and starting strong arming OEMs (like you want them to do), they would more like than likely start pushing alternatives like Windows Phone 8 odevices (and given the massive success of the Nokia Lumia 520 and its variants, we know Microsoft is capable of successfully producing lots of budget phones that people will buy). Given that the vast majority of American buyers get their phones subsidized, Google NEEDS to keep the OEMs happy so they'll keep offering phones with their ecosystem. Otherwise, they'd be willfully opening the door to a rival system to swoop in and push them out.

 

[MrCrispy]

Ahahaha, thats a good one!
Do you even know what you are talking about now?
I am talking about Windows Phone(8). Which runs one like what, one specific Qualcomm CPU series

I never mentioned WP8. I'm talking about Windows. Which has tons of dedicated labs, just look at the WHQL process.

But even for WP7/8 there's a standard reference platform for which drivers are certified. Android has no such thing. It's not just one SoC either.

 

[MrCrispy]

No, they make money from cheap, subsidized phones. It doesn't matter what OS is on them. Now, it just so happens that Android's use terms makes it easy to provide lots of cheap, subsidized phones. But if Google all of a sudden put on its asshat and starting strong arming OEMs (like you want them to do), they would more like than likely start pushing alternatives like Windows Phone 8 odevices (and given the massive success of the Nokia Lumia 520 and its variants, we know Microsoft is capable of successfully producing lots of budget phones that people will buy). Given that the vast majority of American buyers get their phones subsidized, Google NEEDS to keep the OEMs happy so they'll keep offering phones with their ecosystem. Otherwise, they'd be willfully opening the door to a rival system to swoop in and push them out.

Verizon makes just as much money from high end Android smartphones. Google can very easily build the ability in Android to let it be updated OTA. That's not strong arming anyone, its giving users choice.

And this isn't limited to US. The same problem exists outside where people pay full price for phones. The fact is Google has shown no desire to treat Android as a product which gets regular updates. If they make it easier for oem's to apply new updates, then oem's will use it.

 

[Grazehell]

I think everyone agrees the Android situation has it issues. These same issues are what allowed it to move forward at such a fast pace. Stop whining about.
Buy a Nexus device, if you dont like it go use a Windows Phone or iOS device. You have options, isn't it beautiful?

 

[T4rd]

The funny thing about iOS updates too, is that even though you get the newest version of iOS on your old iPhone/iPad, you're not going to have the same added features that the current iOS flagships have with iOS 7. And it's not because the hardware doesn't support it either (for all of the features anyways, it is for some). So they have their own "fragmentation" issues too.

Plus, there has already been a thread about this recently. It shows why Android updates are becoming less important as Google updates most of its core services/apps through the Play Store instead of through OS updates. Android revisions are becoming more about lower level OS improvements now instead of adding functionality.

My Motorola Milestone only got one...

Not sure about the Milestone, but the OG Droid (the US/Verizon version of the Milestone) got 2 somewhat major OS updates from 2.0 to 2.2.x with a lot of minor updates in between. I would be surprised if the Milestone didn't get the same updates since it was the exact same phone without the CDMA radios.

 

[Unknown-One]

There is a reason why you see an ocean of cheap, Chinese Android phones and not WP8 and iOS

Well, not iOS, but there are uber-cheap Windows Phone 8 handsets.

The Lumia 520 can be had for $99, and that's buying the phone outright... no contract, no hidden fees, this is a brand new phone that literally costs $99.

That's right down there with the cheapest brand-new Android handsets, though I dare say the Lumia 520 offers better performance than any Android handset in that price bracket.

 

[MrCrispy]

There's no doubt WP8 is much better suited for most non tech people who just want a basic smartphone which will last long and be stable. Because the platform isn't popular, both Microsoft and Nokia lose money on it just to sell phones, which is good for consumers.

 

[Lunas]

to me all of your arguments sound like your an apple user perhaps you should just get a 5s or 5.

To sum up
You think windows phones are smartphones with training wheels or are for begginers

you think android is a broken mess of late updates and carrier shit smeared on phones with more diversity than a box of crayons while google only tests out the primary colors.

you have remained quiet on your secret love of apple and everything it makes... As it churns out an update every 6 months but only the past 2-3 models of iphone the 2nd-4th gen pad and smaller pad get all the updates. In reality they were all designed to be thrown out and replaced with marginal upgraded models every 6-12 months...

 

[King of Heroes]

Verizon makes just as much money from high end Android smartphones.

No, they don't. Otherwise they'd have no reason to sell dirt cheap budget phones right alongside them.

Google can very easily build the ability in Android to let it be updated OTA. That's not strong arming anyone, its giving users choice.

Umm, Android can already be updated over the OTA. Its had that ability for quite a while (if not since the beginning, I think?).

And this isn't limited to US. The same problem exists outside where people pay full price for phones. The fact is Google has shown no desire to treat Android as a product which gets regular updates. If they make it easier for oem's to apply new updates, then oem's will use it.

Theres still the issue of those updates conflicting with whatever customizations (software AND hardware) the OEMs have added to the build (TouchWiz for Samsung, Sense for HTC, Motorola's X8 stuff). So no, no matter how easy the update process is they can't just drop it onto the phone without some sort of evaluation. And as long as the update process is dependent on OEMs to any degree, they won't get pushed out quickly, if at all.

 

[Skripka]

Theres still the issue of those updates conflicting with whatever customizations (software AND hardware) the OEMs have added to the build (TouchWiz for Samsung, Sense for HTC, Motorola's X8 stuff). So no, no matter how easy the update process is they can't just drop it onto the phone without some sort of evaluation. And as long as the update process is dependent on OEMs to any degree, they won't get pushed out quickly, if at all.

I cannot speak for Sense and HTC, but I suspect the same thing occurs....

For Samsung and TouchWiz...the delay of getting updates to handsets is PURELY Samsung's fault. Every time there is an updated firmware revision (major or minor) Samsung COMPLETELY rewrites TouchWiz from top to bottom. For absolutely no reason. Names are changed, references are changed, how things work are changed will nilly. For no real apparent reason at all.

If Samsung didn't completely stop and reinvent the wheel every update, they could have updates out 3X as fast.

 

[MrCrispy]

to me all of your arguments sound like your an apple user perhaps you should just get a 5s or 5.

To sum up
You think windows phones are smartphones with training wheels or are for begginers

you think android is a broken mess of late updates and carrier shit smeared on phones with more diversity than a box of crayons while google only tests out the primary colors.

you have remained quiet on your secret love of apple and everything it makes... As it churns out an update every 6 months but only the past 2-3 models of iphone the 2nd-4th gen pad and smaller pad get all the updates. In reality they were all designed to be thrown out and replaced with marginal upgraded models every 6-12 months...

When did I say I love Apple In fact I have a GS3 running AOSP right now and have been an Android user for 3 generations. That doesn't mean I can't criticize Google's approach or the flaws I see in the platform.

You sound bitter and are resorting to personal insults instead of addressing the points I made.

 

[Lunas]

The problem with how Google is doing things is there are today hands in the pot Google made the base and demoed it on a set piece of hardware then said do what you will
here is the source we will update and work on the next version now and patch any critical flaws that is in the base.

Then phone manufactures get it and choose the hardware they want plug drivers into the base so it should work and then they make it look like they want sense, touch wiz, Moto blur, etc

Then the carrier get it and the carriers put all sorts of stuff in and turn off features
And since they want to keep those features off in favor of forcing us to use them through the carriers service so they can charge us more.

Facts of life only thing we can do as customers send in complaints buy unlocked Google versions or dev versions or turn to 3rd party and do it ourselves.

And I'm sorry I put personal insults in and yes I am a little bitter I have been waiting for months to get to 4.2.2 on my gs3 I almost want to go asop but I like tw dialer better.

 

[Trimlock]

The funny thing about iOS updates too, is that even though you get the newest version of iOS on your old iPhone/iPad, you're not going to have the same added features that the current iOS flagships have with iOS 7. And it's not because the hardware doesn't support it either (for all of the features anyways, it is for some). So they have their own "fragmentation" issues too.

Plus, there has already been a thread about this recently. It shows why Android updates are becoming less important as Google updates most of its core services/apps through the Play Store instead of through OS updates. Android revisions are becoming more about lower level OS improvements now instead of adding functionality.

Too true about iOS. My wife just got in on her 4 and was partially shocked when she found out she wasn't getting everything. Actually she wanted to change it back because of the color scheme.

The app updates through Google Play store is a very big plus for Android users. It gives individual updates as needed and can even add a service. The big problem here is its going to be hard to get the word out to everyone about a new update or new features.

Verizon makes just as much money from high end Android smartphones. Google can very easily build the ability in Android to let it be updated OTA. That's not strong arming anyone, its giving users choice.

And this isn't limited to US. The same problem exists outside where people pay full price for phones. The fact is Google has shown no desire to treat Android as a product which gets regular updates. If they make it easier for oem's to apply new updates, then oem's will use it.

Verizon makes a majority of their money selling contracts with subsidized phones of $0 to $99, those are the extreme low end to medium range smart phones. Their margins are much lower with high end devices that go on contract for $200-$300.

 

[MrCrispy]

... I have been waiting for months to get to 4.2.2 on my gs3 I almost want to go asop but I like tw dialer better.

It sounds like you are rooted? If not maybe give it a try?

I read on the XDA forums that 4.3 for the S3 should be out in Oct. And FWIW I didn't see too much new in 4.2.2 so I don't think you are missing much. There are also some roms which are based on TW but have the newer version from the S4.

 

[Aurelius]

The funny thing about iOS updates too, is that even though you get the newest version of iOS on your old iPhone/iPad, you're not going to have the same added features that the current iOS flagships have with iOS 7. And it's not because the hardware doesn't support it either (for all of the features anyways, it is for some). So they have their own "fragmentation" issues too.

Think you're purposefully downplaying Apple's advantage here.

Here's the thing: someone's three-year-old iPhone 4? It can run most apps written in 2013, with new features and interface concepts. Android 2.2 and 2.3 were the cutting edge in 2010, but there are quite a few apps that now require 4.0 or newer. That iPhone 4 is still getting bug fixes and security updates today; there's a good chance that those same 2010 Android phones never got important fixes after a year, at best.

Android these days is a great platform, but implying that iOS has a comparable fragmentation problem is a bit silly. It's equating a paper cut to a broken leg: neither is deadly, but only one is a substantial problem. Apple can say that the vast majority of its active user base is on a modern OS within a matter of a few months after release, or even weeks; at that point, the main difference is hardware. Android has both serious hardware *and* software splits. You shouldn't have to root your phone or buy early hardware upgrades just to use major new apps and software features.

 

[MrCrispy]

There's a pretty big difference.

Apple
Apple's lockout on older devices is artificial - its meant to get people to upgrade. e.g. Siri worked just fine on the iPhone 4 till Apple bought it and said you needed the 4S. But the code works on pretty much all iDevices.

Apple also updates their API's and core OS so all apps can make use of newer versions of services. App developers are quick to upgrade apps because they are guaranteed most users will upgrade, since an upgrade is available, it works and is painless.

Android
Google doesn't test or support Android on anything other than Nexus, its upto oem's to port it. This is not trivial due to the way Android is designed, many features in newer versions of Android are specifically written for Nexus hardware.

Android has massive fragmentation, due to which app developers can only target lower versions in order to ensure sales. OEM's and carriers barely support a phone for 6 months, if you're lucky you might get 1 or 2 updates during its lifetime before they completely abandon it. Google in effect supports nothing except their AOSP base and Nexus.

I can go on craigslist/ebay, buy a 2-3 old iPhone/iPad, open iTunes, and have it updated to the latest iOS in minutes.

For Android, I have to
1. root it
2. unlock it
3. hunt around on XDA
4. find a rom
5. mess around with recoveries/bootloaders etc
6. hope rom is stable, deal with crashes/reboots
repeat till a good rom is found, repeat whole process again in a few weeks as rom is updated.

So you can't compare the 2, not even remotely. People in this thread seem to think Google is free of blame since its all the carriers/oem's fault, I don't agree, they have shown no inclination they even consider this a problem, let alone a desire to fix it.

 

[Grazehell]

Android
Google doesn't test or support Android on anything other than Nexus, its upto oem's to port it. This is not trivial due to the way Android is designed, many features in newer versions of Android are specifically written for Nexus hardware.

I would like to see you support this off base statement.
The Nexus has always been based on hardware that is available and already deployed by manufacturers in one form or the other.

 

[MrCrispy]

I would like to see you support this off base statement.
The Nexus has always been based on hardware that is available and already deployed by manufacturers in one form or the other.

Google selects a vendor to build hardware for the Nexus each year. They may choose from multiple submissions. The hw vendor is free to submit any device but of course they take one of their existing designs and tweak it slightly. This then becomes the Nexus which is the reference platform for testing and debugging Android, is used for devkits etc for internal builds.

The actual components in the phone, drivers etc can be different from the phone the Nexus is derived from. Google doesn't test devices, they publish the CDD and CTS which allows any oem to test their device to ensure its compatible. This can take a long time due to changes they need to make. What I said is based on things I've heard/read from various people and what is publicly known of Android development.