Android Ecosystem Closure Highlights Need for Linux Mobile OS Development
By
wicket
A bagel you'd recommend to a friend without hedging.
Summary
The article argues that Linux-based mobile operating systems are becoming increasingly important due to the rapid closure of the Android ecosystem. Major manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus have removed bootloader unlocking options, Google is closing development of AOSP components, implementing restrictive APIs like Play Integrity, and mandating developer verification. These changes are pushing open-source developers away from Android, with examples like SyncThing discontinuing Android development. The author contends that Android as an open platform is dying and calls for accelerated development of open alternatives.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledAndroid has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were deliberate about getting it that way, but we've seen in recent months an extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem
Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind
Google once competed with Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is dead
Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement
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