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Google's certainly at some fault here, e.g. by choosing to long-term fork Linux instead of trying to upstream their patches. But my understanding is that they

by avar 11y ago

Google's certainly at some fault here, e.g. by choosing to long-term fork Linux instead of trying to upstream their patches. But my understanding is that they couldn't "just" do something like what Windows does, they don't get to boss the OEMs around in that capacity, some of the big ones effectively have their own Android forks (Samsung) or have already forked (Amazon), and if Google starts bossing them around they're just as likely to fully fork it as be brought into the fold.

ocdtrekkie 11y ago
I would point out that OEMs are unable to even release an Android device without Google's permission if they want any of their devices to have access to the Play Store. Google has an extensive compatibility suite that devices must pass to even qualify to request permission to release, and Google regularly changes the requirements to enforce what they feel is a good platform. They also mandate over 20 preinstalled applications, define default search settings, and the placement of app icons on the home screen. They ABSOLUTELY do get to boss OEMs around in that capacity.
- avar 11y ago
  Amazon doesn't do this, and ship their own store. What do you think would happen if Samsung forked Android and didn't ship the Play Store? Now app developers would just upload their apps to both stores and Google's power over Android as a whole would be entirely eroded. So no, they definitely don't get to boss the OEMs around. Unlike Microsoft with Windows they don't get to just say "you can't ship Windows^HAndroid anymore". They do have a bit of hold over the OEMs in the form of it being a PITA to fork, access to Google's own apps etc. So I'm not saying they have no leverage, but it's a lot less than what Microsoft has, and definitely not enough to say "my way or the highway".
  - ocdtrekkie 11y ago
    This is why Google cut a deal with Samsung to bring them more in line. (Terms are secret, as usual.) Samsung seemed like it was likely to fork before, and it's probably the only manufacturer large enough to draw app developers with it. So Google did some under the table things. Possibly actually a patent lawsuit threat, given that the deal they announced included a patent sharing arrangement.

by avar 11y ago

ocdtrekkie 11y ago

I would point out that OEMs are unable to even release an Android device without Google's permission if they want any of their devices to have access to the Play Store. Google has an extensive compatibility suite that devices must pass to even qualify to request permission to release, and Google regularly changes the requirements to enforce what they feel is a good platform. They also mandate over 20 preinstalled applications, define default search settings, and the placement of app icons on the home screen. They ABSOLUTELY do get to boss OEMs around in that capacity.

avar 11y ago
Amazon doesn't do this, and ship their own store. What do you think would happen if Samsung forked Android and didn't ship the Play Store? Now app developers would just upload their apps to both stores and Google's power over Android as a whole would be entirely eroded. So no, they definitely don't get to boss the OEMs around. Unlike Microsoft with Windows they don't get to just say "you can't ship Windows^HAndroid anymore". They do have a bit of hold over the OEMs in the form of it being a PITA to fork, access to Google's own apps etc. So I'm not saying they have no leverage, but it's a lot less than what Microsoft has, and definitely not enough to say "my way or the highway".
- ocdtrekkie 11y ago
  This is why Google cut a deal with Samsung to bring them more in line. (Terms are secret, as usual.) Samsung seemed like it was likely to fork before, and it's probably the only manufacturer large enough to draw app developers with it. So Google did some under the table things. Possibly actually a patent lawsuit threat, given that the deal they announced included a patent sharing arrangement.