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> Yup, and to that point, the fix is really stupid simple, push the drivers into the linux kernel mainline and give google (or whoever) a kernel build profile f

by ebg13 6y ago

> Yup, and to that point, the fix is really stupid simple, push the drivers into the linux kernel mainline and give google (or whoever) a kernel build profile for your device. "If only the bad people would just stop being bad!" This mantra continually assumes goodwill from people who continue to show that they have none. At some point one needs to stop gaslighting themselves and their users and make the system more robust to bad actors. Manufacturers don't want to mainline their drivers? Fine. You can work on getting drivers mainlined while also stabilizing the interface so that it doesn't injure a billion customers when they don't.

cogman10 6y ago
Yeah, there definitely needs to be some sort of enforcement that keeps bad actors from misbehaving. Google seems like the natural point for that. Maybe a law is needed? Too bad most law makers are completely tech illiterate. But I agree, it won't change without some central force to kibosh it.
JetSpiegel 6y ago
Google earns more money with the current scheme, so they have no incentive to improve this. Android One is a joke, it should be the baseline for Android, not a "special" version. They could force the OEM to play ball, like they require Google Play Services to be pre-installed.
- kelnos 6y ago
  > They could force the OEM to play ball, like they require Google Play Services to be pre-installed. I think Google really has to walk a fine line here. Android OEMs are already not thrilled with their lack of freedom when it comes to changing the experience on their phones. The more restrictions Google adds on, the closer some of them (especially Samsung) will be to cutting ties with the Android name and forking.
  - GeekyBear 6y ago
    Google had absolutely no problem with forcing the hands of device makers when it came to their ability to build devices running a fork of Android. They are not powerless. They simply made the decision to treat carriers and device makers as the customers they cared about and not the people using the devices.
  - JetSpiegel 6y ago
    And lose access to the Play Store? Ain't gonna happen! Not even Microsoft was able to break the duopoly. Huawei only stopped shipping the Store because they were legally obligated.

by ebg13 6y ago

cogman10 6y ago

Yeah, there definitely needs to be some sort of enforcement that keeps bad actors from misbehaving. Google seems like the natural point for that. Maybe a law is needed? Too bad most law makers are completely tech illiterate. But I agree, it won't change without some central force to kibosh it.

JetSpiegel 6y ago

Google earns more money with the current scheme, so they have no incentive to improve this. Android One is a joke, it should be the baseline for Android, not a "special" version. They could force the OEM to play ball, like they require Google Play Services to be pre-installed.

kelnos 6y ago
> They could force the OEM to play ball, like they require Google Play Services to be pre-installed. I think Google really has to walk a fine line here. Android OEMs are already not thrilled with their lack of freedom when it comes to changing the experience on their phones. The more restrictions Google adds on, the closer some of them (especially Samsung) will be to cutting ties with the Android name and forking.
- GeekyBear 6y ago
  Google had absolutely no problem with forcing the hands of device makers when it came to their ability to build devices running a fork of Android. They are not powerless. They simply made the decision to treat carriers and device makers as the customers they cared about and not the people using the devices.
- JetSpiegel 6y ago
  And lose access to the Play Store? Ain't gonna happen! Not even Microsoft was able to break the duopoly. Huawei only stopped shipping the Store because they were legally obligated.