Google has adopted a two pronged strategy and has a backup solution in place in case both fail.

Keeping your software updated could be crucial. Google has tried in the past to instill this sense into Android device manufacturers. Its Android Update Alliance did not fare well and was short lived.

Google However hasn’t given up hope. It has now adopted a strategy of naming and shaming vendors who are slow to update its operating system. As per an article that appeared on Bloomberg, the big G has created a list which ranks Android manufacturers based on the timeline of their updates.

Although this list is still private, the company is supposedly condering making it public so as to force the vendors, who are dragging their heels on Android updates, to better their performances.

Simultaneously, Google is also working on another front: it has asked carriers to shorten their notoriously long update testing cycles. Sprint has confirmed that it has received such as notification from Google, Verizon has yet to confirm receipt of such notification. As for security updates, Google is pressing all concerns to skip testing time altogether.

When requested to comment on this report, Google has however not offered any comment.

Whether this strategy of naming and shaming will work, is anybody’s guess, but the intent is definitely noteworthy. While the Update Alliance fizzled out due to vested commercial interests (the cost of maintaining old phones as against the desire to sell a new one), this list however has no such direct consequence.

However, in case manufacturers and service providers do not cooperate and leave consumers high and dry, as a last mile measure, Google provides regular updates, including security updates, vide its Google Play Services in its Play Stores.