[kartickv]

So why can't Google create a new version of the dex format, update Android Studio to generate it, and update the store to accept and distribute it to new devices? Seems easy enough for Google to be able to do.

[pjmlp]

Because of their clever idea of not forcing OEMs to update devices, almost no one will get that.

[lmm]

The best time to ship support for an updated format was five years ago. The second-best time is today.

[kartickv]

New phones will get it. Surely you're not arguing that Google shouldn't make any improvements to core Android because of the update situation?

[pjmlp]

No, I am arguing that Google doesn't have the guts to improve the situation.

Most people around the world are on pre-paid, not contracts, and they only update their devices when the current one dies.

Even now, the majority of the devices being sold on the 300 € border are Android 5 or 6, with no planned upgrade to 7.