Couldn't Update Message

[tb]

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?

[VanguardLH]

Post by tb
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.

[The Real Bev]

Post by VanguardLH

Post by tb
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.

[micky]

In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev
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.

Post by The Real Bev
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.
--

[The Real Bev]

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev
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

Post by micky

Post by The Real Bev
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.

[micky]

In comp.mobile.android, on Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:15:25 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev
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.

Post by The Real Bev

Post by micky

Post by The Real Bev
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.

[The Real Bev]

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:15:25 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev

Post by micky
In comp.mobile.android, on Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:13:52 -0700, The Real Bev

Post by The Real Bev
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.

Post by micky

Post by The Real Bev

Post by micky

Post by The Real Bev
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

[Joerg Walther]

Post by The Real Bev
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-

[micky]

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:30:48 +0200, Joerg

Post by Joerg Walther

Post by The Real Bev
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.

Post by Joerg Walther
-jw-