Google Shifts All The Android Developments to Its Private Branch
Google says it will be developing Android behind closed doors now to streamline the development process. However, it has confirmed that it continues to public source code for new releases. Change aims to streamline development, but transparency could take a hit.
Android has been an open source for a long time, at least partly. Developers and tech enthusiasts could access the progress of Android version developments through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which will take a hit in the upcoming versions. Google has confirmed that starting next week; all Android development will shift entirely to its private internal branch. Google insists that though it seems to be a major revamp, the speed of Android updates remains the same. The move is aimed at simplifying development, reducing the messy work of merging different code branches. AOSP will still exist, but it will only receive updates when Google officially releases a new Android version or maintenance update.
If you’re a regular Android user, it's probably nothing.
Also Read: Panoramas to Explore in the Seven Sister States of India
Your updates will arrive as usual, your apps will continue working, and your phone won’t suddenly turn into a brick. But for those who love breakdown every bit of Android’s development, it’s the end of an era. AOSP often provides us sneaky glimpses into upcoming features, device names, and software tweaks. With Android’s development now moving behind Google’s closed doors; those early leaks will be a history.
For phone makers like Samsung and Motorola, the change won’t be too disruptive as they are Google Mobile Services (GMS) licensees with access to Google’s internal branch. The real impact will be on independent developers and those who rely on AOSP for insights into upcoming Android changes.