Google limits CDMA handset support

The Register reports.

Last Friday, Google posted a message on Google Groups to say that, in the future, the Chocolate Factory wouldn't provide full support for CDMA devices, such as those supported by Verizon - and, presumably, China Telecom and other CDMA system users. It also amended the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Web site.

It looks like the GSM Nexus S and WiFi-only Motorola Xoom will still be supported, and there are some references to the Galaxy Nexus CDMA/LTE, though these are marked as "archived, for reference only", Techeye.net says.

The implication of this, according to one Android developer, is that Google cannot be bothered providing the official updates for CDMA, which is expected from "developer" hardware.

The users of Android CDMA handsets are concerned all over the world. In fact, the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Nexus also comes under the devices, which will not be supported, EFY Times notes.

Some of the experts said this move from the Android maker is a result of its ongoing spat with Verizon over the issue of the Google Wallet payment system. However, Google said there was no need to panic as the mainstream devices would still be supported, just not custom builds.

In a new post by Android engineer Dan Morrill, the company clarified: “Just to be clear, this change is only related to AOSP support for these devices - that is, personal custom builds. These are obviously still officially supported Nexus devices for everyday use, they will receive official software updates, and so on. Similarly, these are still fully-supported development devices for app developers.”