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My Google Pixel 1 isn’t running this patch level, because Google dropped support for it entirely. Which just sucks, because there’s no reason not to support it

My Google Pixel 1 isn’t running this patch level, because Google dropped support for it entirely. Which just sucks, because there’s no reason not to support it anymore, it’s just planned obsolescence.

Paianni 7y ago
The Pixel 1's kernel and drivers are no longer maintained upstream.
- dmitrygr 7y ago
  which is irrelevant for this userspace-only fix
- samoa42 7y ago
  are you saying google cannot afford to maintain it/them?
  - Paianni 7y ago
    Basically they could maintain the Android environment but it wouldn't mean much because the system's still not safe, and won't be unless the device gets a new kernel + rebuilt drivers.
    - pjmlp 7y ago
      Which they could easily do with support contract requirements. I assume Google can afford a couple of lawyers.
- fulafel 7y ago
  Do you mean there's a Linux tree upstream of Google but downstream from Linus who have stopped work outside of Google control?
  - Paianni 7y ago
    It's all dependant on Linus' version being maintained.
  - DCKing 7y ago
    Yes, sort of. Google depends on Qualcomm to make updated drivers, as Qualcomm owns the intellectual property. All Pixel phones are based on a Qualcomm platform. Qualcomm stops supporting their processors after a few years, usually three. They can make more money by selling new chips. Although I say this cynically, Qualcomm is actually the best third party vendor in this regard.
    - pjmlp 7y ago
      There is this little legal thing called support contracts that Google could easily make use of for their devices, if they actually cared.
      - DCKing 7y ago
        Since Google supports Pixel devices longer than the three years Qualcomm gives or used to give, they're probably already doing that. Not saying they care enough, but they care more than any vendor besides Apple.
        fulafel 7y ago
        Do they? I thought they do max(3 years from launch, 18 months after sales ends in Google store), which usually amounts to 3 years. Edit: J"ust like their predecessors, they'll get Android security updates for three years, until October 2022." says Android Police. Considering most people don't buy it at launch, this amounts to 2-ish years of support on average.
    - fulafel 7y ago
      They must have the source code for any chipset vendor kernel drivers due to the GPL so they could keep producing security patches, or require them contractually. Some other Linux vendors keep supporting old ketnel versions for 10+ years after all.
brnt 7y ago
I happily run two Pixel 1's on LineageOS, which recently released Android 10 for these devices. Thats the mainthing select phones by: how is their LineageOS support?

Paianni 7y ago

The Pixel 1's kernel and drivers are no longer maintained upstream.

dmitrygr 7y ago
which is irrelevant for this userspace-only fix
samoa42 7y ago
are you saying google cannot afford to maintain it/them?
- Paianni 7y ago
  Basically they could maintain the Android environment but it wouldn't mean much because the system's still not safe, and won't be unless the device gets a new kernel + rebuilt drivers.
  - pjmlp 7y ago
    Which they could easily do with support contract requirements. I assume Google can afford a couple of lawyers.
fulafel 7y ago
Do you mean there's a Linux tree upstream of Google but downstream from Linus who have stopped work outside of Google control?
- Paianni 7y ago
  It's all dependant on Linus' version being maintained.
- DCKing 7y ago
  Yes, sort of. Google depends on Qualcomm to make updated drivers, as Qualcomm owns the intellectual property. All Pixel phones are based on a Qualcomm platform. Qualcomm stops supporting their processors after a few years, usually three. They can make more money by selling new chips. Although I say this cynically, Qualcomm is actually the best third party vendor in this regard.
  - pjmlp 7y ago
    There is this little legal thing called support contracts that Google could easily make use of for their devices, if they actually cared.
    - DCKing 7y ago
      Since Google supports Pixel devices longer than the three years Qualcomm gives or used to give, they're probably already doing that. Not saying they care enough, but they care more than any vendor besides Apple.
      - fulafel 7y ago
        Do they? I thought they do max(3 years from launch, 18 months after sales ends in Google store), which usually amounts to 3 years. Edit: J"ust like their predecessors, they'll get Android security updates for three years, until October 2022." says Android Police. Considering most people don't buy it at launch, this amounts to 2-ish years of support on average.
  - fulafel 7y ago
    They must have the source code for any chipset vendor kernel drivers due to the GPL so they could keep producing security patches, or require them contractually. Some other Linux vendors keep supporting old ketnel versions for 10+ years after all.

brnt 7y ago

I happily run two Pixel 1's on LineageOS, which recently released Android 10 for these devices. Thats the mainthing select phones by: how is their LineageOS support?