I always assumed it existed as a “just in case”: if some component of Android looked like it was infringing on patents, they had a head start on a replacement w

I always assumed it existed as a “just in case”: if some component of Android looked like it was infringing on patents, they had a head start on a replacement which was implemented in house and ABI compatible with their app ecosystem. Not to mention greenfield OS development can be catnip to engineers - it probably serves as a good retention tool.