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>This does not mean that Google is making Android a closed-source platform, but rather that the open-source aspect will only be released when a new branch is re

>This does not mean that Google is making Android a closed-source platform, but rather that the open-source aspect will only be released when a new branch is released to AOSP with those changes, including when new full versions or maintenance releases are finished. I'll believe it when I see it. These days, words are basically meaningless from these large tech companies. Actions are what matter. at the very least, I'm not convinced this internal branch and AOSP will be close to feature parity if they do throw some stuff out.

merb 2y ago
The good thing is that at least the kernel and the VM/runtime need to be open source
- microtonal 2y ago
  the VM/runtime need to be open source Isn't ART Apache 2-licensed? They don't have to provide the source. I don't see why they would completely close it though. It would lead to forks, plus they have a lot of control through Google Play Services etc. already.
  - fweimer 2y ago
    Parts are GPLv2 with Classpath exception: https://cs.android.com/android/platform/superproject/main/+/main:libcore/ojluni/src/main/java/java/lang/invoke/MethodHandle.java https://cs.android.com/android/platform/superproject/main/+/...
    - merb 2y ago
      yeah it’s mostly the runtime which is basically openjdk bits.
- schmorptron 2y ago
  Until they swap out linux for fuschia!
  - red-iron-pine 2y ago
    ....any day now...
rchaud 2y ago
No OEM is interested in AOSP builds, because no one is going to buy an Android phone without Google Play Services, which is required for many popular apps to work (banking, games). There were some Chinese OEMs that ran an Android build and have unofficial ways to get Play Store working (Boox eReaders for example), but those are increasingly rare now, as years of sanctions has led to Huawei de-Googling itself fast, with others following.
- rozab 2y ago
  Kindle Fire? Your smart TV? Your car infotainment? Android is everywhere even without Google
  - rchaud 2y ago
    Android TV is not AOSP, it is an Android variant actively developed by Google and requires Google Play Services. Kindle Fire is based on AOSP, that was my mistake. I will say Amazon is a rare OEM in this regard; they're tablet-only, and happy with AOSP because they have their own app store that don't need Play Services integration.
    - EgregiousCube 2y ago
      They are shutting their app store down, at least for non-first-party devices: https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-android-app-store-shut-down/ https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-android-app-store-shut-...
    - cyberax 2y ago
      Your point is actually a good one because Amazon has abandoned its app store infrastructure. And it likely will just integrate Play Services in future.
    - mfuzzey 2y ago
      In the tablet / phone world where end users expect to install applications from the playstore yes but there are many other device types that do use AOSP. For instance some parking meters / train ticketing machines / payment terminals run Android. source: I work for company that makes some of them though we are moving away from Android to more classical embedded Linux. Google play services doesn't matter in these contexts.

merb 2y ago

The good thing is that at least the kernel and the VM/runtime need to be open source

microtonal 2y ago
the VM/runtime need to be open source Isn't ART Apache 2-licensed? They don't have to provide the source. I don't see why they would completely close it though. It would lead to forks, plus they have a lot of control through Google Play Services etc. already.
- fweimer 2y ago
  Parts are GPLv2 with Classpath exception: https://cs.android.com/android/platform/superproject/main/+/main:libcore/ojluni/src/main/java/java/lang/invoke/MethodHandle.java https://cs.android.com/android/platform/superproject/main/+/...
  - merb 2y ago
    yeah it’s mostly the runtime which is basically openjdk bits.
schmorptron 2y ago
Until they swap out linux for fuschia!
- red-iron-pine 2y ago
  ....any day now...

rchaud 2y ago

No OEM is interested in AOSP builds, because no one is going to buy an Android phone without Google Play Services, which is required for many popular apps to work (banking, games). There were some Chinese OEMs that ran an Android build and have unofficial ways to get Play Store working (Boox eReaders for example), but those are increasingly rare now, as years of sanctions has led to Huawei de-Googling itself fast, with others following.

rozab 2y ago
Kindle Fire? Your smart TV? Your car infotainment? Android is everywhere even without Google
- rchaud 2y ago
  Android TV is not AOSP, it is an Android variant actively developed by Google and requires Google Play Services. Kindle Fire is based on AOSP, that was my mistake. I will say Amazon is a rare OEM in this regard; they're tablet-only, and happy with AOSP because they have their own app store that don't need Play Services integration.
  - EgregiousCube 2y ago
    They are shutting their app store down, at least for non-first-party devices: https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-android-app-store-shut-down/ https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-android-app-store-shut-...
  - cyberax 2y ago
    Your point is actually a good one because Amazon has abandoned its app store infrastructure. And it likely will just integrate Play Services in future.
  - mfuzzey 2y ago
    In the tablet / phone world where end users expect to install applications from the playstore yes but there are many other device types that do use AOSP. For instance some parking meters / train ticketing machines / payment terminals run Android. source: I work for company that makes some of them though we are moving away from Android to more classical embedded Linux. Google play services doesn't matter in these contexts.