Why are mobile OS'es still tied to vendors? [closed]

Question

Modern mobile phones have come far since their beginnings over 30 years ago. Especially smartphones, which are essentially miniature PC's, capable of all the same things, if at a bit slower pace. So if cellphones have followed in the footsteps of PCs, why hasn't their software? Why can't I take my mobile phone and install the latest edition of Android on it, like I install the latest edition of Windows or Ubuntu on my PC? Is this solely a marketing decision (market segregation, forcing to buy a new phone if you want a different OS, etc.), or is there some fundamental problem preventing the good old OS+driver model?

Answer 1

Probably because there was no need for it. A cellphone is like a toaster. Nearly nobody want’s to change the firmware of a toaster (except for Cylons). Most people simply want to use it.

Interchangeable firmwares mean additional work for the vendor which can’t be justified if nobody will use this feature.

Answer 2

You can do that, by rooting your phone. In fact, it is possible to put Android onto iPhone (and theoretically possible to do the opposite). It's not more widespread because the phone and software are tied together very tightly, that's why you never have to worry about drivers. For you to change the operating system and perform other tasks that require similar levels of access and modification, it requires manufacturers to update all those specific details, hence it is rare. In the past there have been phones (such as the Omnia) where the manufacturer provides these updates for owners.