Google intends to overhaul its approach to developing new iterations of the Android operating system. From the outset, substantial portions of the software have been created in public-facing channels, but this will change. This doesn’t imply that Android is abandoning its open-source origins, but the process will lack transparency.
Android Authority has received confirmation from Google that all future Android development will occur within Google’s internal branch. This marks a departure from Google’s previous approach to Android, which involved frequent updates to the public AOSP branch. AOSP is accessible to all, but the internal branches are exclusive to Google and those with a Google Mobile Services (GMS) license, such as Samsung, Motorola, and others.
The company states that this change is being made to simplify matters, following a recent adjustment to trunk-based development. Due to Google’s involvement with both public and private Android branches, these two become unsynchronized regarding features and API support. This makes it necessary for Google to painstakingly merge the branches with each release. Google asserts that concentrating on the internal branch can simplify releases and ease life for all.
Google states that it will keep publishing the source code in AOSP as usual when new Android versions are completed. It is said that this will enable developers to concentrate on app support without having to monitor pending changes to the platform in AOSP. Meanwhile, licensed OEMs can concentrate on the dynamic internal division, as the devices they work on may take a year or longer to launch.
The shift toward private development isn’t unexpected—Android seems less open now than it was in its early days. As an illustration, Google has been transferring Android functionalities from AOSP to closed-source packages for several years. This allows Google to gain more control over the platform and facilitates updating core components without necessitating a complete OS update.
Even if there are some adverse effects, the typical user of an Android phone is likely unaware of the structural change. It is said that Google will provide more information about the transition to private development later this week, and the alteration could take effect as early as next week.
