Google will develop Android OS entirely behind closed doors starting next week

Contributing to AOSP is already difficult. Now patches wrt stable branch will lead to more conflicts as stable gets older.

Why are parts of Android developed in private? It typically takes more than a year to bring a device to market. And, of course, device manufacturers want to ship the latest software they can. Meanwhile, developers don't want to constantly track new versions of the platform when writing apps. Both groups experience a tension between shipping products and not wanting to fall behind.

total bs (at https://source.android.com/docs/setup/about/faqs#why-are-parts-of-android-developed-in-private).

Fucking RIP. Europe, throw us another sicc ass curve ball.

So Google tightening the look but don't touch approach? Not a surprise at all. Google already implement this approach with Push notifications (FCM/GCM) and Hardware Attestation that makes custom android OS/ROM harder to recommend for most people that need for example app that needs good Location service and Phone Payment like Google Wallet.

Just to be clear: Android is NOT becoming closed source! Google remains committed to releasing Android source code (during monthly/quarterly releases, etc.) , BUT you won't be able to scour the AOSP Gerrit for source code changes like you could before.

https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1904905109022048280

If only there was an open source alternative to Android that you could install on any phone.

When Linux phones?

(Actually usable ones)

probably making pixel phones less able to switch to another OS, much like with IOS.