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This isn't entirely Google's fault. A lot of smartphones use Qualcomm's baseband chips which require kernel drivers. But Qualcomm refuses to port their driver o
by foepys 10y ago
This isn't entirely Google's fault. A lot of smartphones use Qualcomm's baseband chips which require kernel drivers. But Qualcomm refuses to port their driver over to newer kernel and so every device is stuck with a specific kernel version for its lifetime. So you might have Android 7.1 but the kernel is still 3.10 even though the actual kernel in Android 7.1 should be 4.4. This is often (not always) because Qualcomm's driver is only compatible with 3.10 and Qualcomm wants to be paid a lot of money to change this.
- regularfry 10y agoLive by the sword, die by the sword. (Users shouldn't have to care that Google made a design decision which puts control over their platform in the hands of a third party like this, in other words)
- bryanlarsen 10y agoQualcomm used illegal monopolistic practices to establish their dominant position. They're being fined and sued for billions for it but in the meantime the damage is done, we are all suffering.
- sgift 10y ago> Qualcomm used illegal monopolistic practices to establish their dominant position Allegedly. Or did I miss a ruling?
- bryanlarsen 10y agoFinal rulings have come down in China and South Korea. Other jurisdictions with active investigations include Europe, Taiwan and the US.
- regularfry 10y agoIs there a reason Apple aren't vulnerable?
- bostand 10y agoThere is zero coordination between Google, Linux devs and Qualcomm (and Samsung et al). Why are you then surprised that this happens???
- vanous 10y agoI have had Nougat on my Nexus 5 for several months. It's smooth, good battery life, but it's an unofficial ROM. To update, you need to reflash. Why is it not from Google? It's clearly possible to do...
- hd4 10y agoDo we have a choice right now? Not asking that rhetorically, is there actually a manufacturer left who makes decent Android phones that don't use a Qualcomm chipset, because I agree this bullshit needs to end.