HTC: Android L For One M8 & M7 Within 90 Days Of Final Code

HTC has already weighed in with a commitment to upgrade its smartphones to Android L, promising an update to the HTC One M8 and last year's One M7 within ninety days of Google handing over the final code. A clear reaction to previous issues HTC had with pushing out timely updates, the new commitment is still somewhat nebulous, since the phone manufacturer doesn't know when Google will actually give it the final Android L build.

That means the three month countdown doesn't actually begin from today, when Google is beginning the Android L Developer Preview.

After getting done with its 2014 and 2013 flagship One family handsets, HTC will turn its attentions to other devices in its range. Exactly which will be covered is unclear at this point: HTC only says it'll be others in the One family and then "select" other phones.

"HTC is excited about the new features in the Android L release and we can't wait to share them with our customers. We are committed to updating our flagship HTC One family as fast as possible as part of our HTC Advantage program. We will begin rolling out updates to the HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7) worldwide within 90 days of receiving final software from Google, followed shortly thereafter by other One family members and select devices" HTC spokesperson

HTC launched the HTC Advantage program earlier this year, building on a more timely release of OS updates with the addition of six months of screen replacement should it be damaged accidentally.

Meanwhile, Google itself struck back at Apple criticism during WWDC that Android users were suffering from out-of-date phones and insecure software. Rather than focus on core OS version, Google argued, it was more important to look at what percentage of people had the latest Google Play services.