Android owners to fear getting left in the past?

In the battle to be the smartphone in your pocket, a new twist has arisen: will the smartphone you choose stay on the cutting edge or will it be locked into one OS version? Last week at Mobile World Congress, many phones were introduced running 1.X versions of Android while the platform has introduced 2.0 and 2.1. As more and more features get added and refined, some users are wondering when they will get upgraded.

Android 2.0 brought many significant changes to the OS. One of the most ballyhooed is Google Maps Navigation, a free turn-by-turn navigation app. Other changes made the upgrade significant and put some shine back in Android. But many devices still cannot be upgraded.

HTC has said, via Twitter, that an upgrade to the Droid Eris is coming. “Droid Eris is getting an update to a newer version of Android early next year. Google Navigation support is coming your way.” Exactly what OS version the tweet refers to is a mystery. Until then, users will waiting feeling a bit helpless while other users that waited enjoy the new features.

Unique to Android?

This issue is in no way unique to Android. In fact, most mobile OS face this issue or worse. Windows Mobile users wait on manufacturers to build an upgrade for specific devices, same with RIM. However, Apple and to some extent Palm have so few models, they can roll up OS upgrades for all. Is the answer few models for easy upgrading/control of the platform or open and options but slower upgrades?

Does it matter?

Some say most users don’t know or care what OS version they are on.. I’d say that’s incorrect. Today’s Android customers are techy enough to care and if new features are dangled on other Android phones, confusion sets in on why they can’t use them as well. Should potential Android users come to terms with: “the phone you buy is the phone you get” or should upgrades to stay on the cutting edge be expected?

Have your say: do you expect your devices to stay on the latest OS version or is your expectation that manufacturers/carriers have no obligation to provide upgrades after the sale? Let us know in the comments.

Fun reading: [InfoWorld]