Mobile enthusiasts wondering why Google Support pages no longer feature CDMA devices including the Galaxy Nexus S may want to hop over to the Google Groups forum. The company explains in a post here that the technical problems mainly associated with .apk files in CDMA phones, hamper mobile connectivity.
Contrary to popular assumption, Engadget reports that the recent Google Wallet update has nothing to do with Google deciding to drop off support for its CDMA devices. If the company is to be believed, carriers prefer having the basic telephony functionality for CDMA devices in binary .apk files. For these files to perform correctly, they need to be signed to a ‘platform key’.
With individuals who develop custom builds from the AOSP source code not using the similar signing key, functionality of these files may be affected. It could hence lead to problems like users not being able to make calls or access mobile data.
Google shares, “We will still make available as many as possible of the closed-source binaries for these devices, and Nexus devices will continue to have unlockable bootloaders. And, of course, GSM/HSPA+ devices are still supported, as are any other devices we’re able to support. We’ve simply updated the documentation to be clearer about the current extent of CDMA support.â€
With no advance warning, obviously users of Android CDMA devices like the Galaxy Nexus S are seen complaining. And it’s only natural to wonder for them to wonder what and how this sudden non-support from the company will impact their time spent with the concerned phones.
With the future of updates for Google’s CDMA devices looking bleak for now, users may just have to hold on for some more time before they make a decision. Why? Well, Google says they’re going to keep users updated on the improvements they have in store for devices like the Galaxy Nexus S.
