Google has confirmed it isn't discontinuing AOSP, but it's making a change that makes it harder for devs to build Android for Pixel phones.

TL;DR

  • Google has made it harder to build custom Android ROMs for Pixel phones by omitting their device trees and driver binaries from the latest AOSP release.

  • The company says this is because it’s shifting its AOSP reference target from Pixel hardware to a virtual device called “Cuttlefish” to be more neutral.

  • While Google insists AOSP isn’t going away, developers must now reverse-engineer changes, making the process for supporting Pixel devices more difficult.

  • Quik@infosec.pubEnglish
    0·
    4 days ago

    Now more than ever we need more work on PostmarketOS, Mobian, Gnome Mobile etc…

    Bummer that it’s still so hard to find a somewhat modern, affordable phone that is Linux compatible

    • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      4 days ago

      I know someone at a company that built and sold a Linux phone 19 years ago.

      You’re not upset you can’t find a Linux phone: you’re upset you can’t find one anymore.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      0·
      4 days ago

      Yeah, I’d totally buy a phone running one of those provided it does all the phone things properly: SMS/MMS, reliable calls, all day battery, etc. I don’t need fancy apps, I just need a working phone.

      If I can get that, I could probably donate some time porting apps.

      • Quik@infosec.pubEnglish
        0·
        3 days ago

        It’s so crazy (technically understandable, but still crazy) to me that reliably receiving calls is still such a major issue

      • timbuck2themoon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        4 days ago

        I really want to give furios phone a shot. It’s apparently close to supporting my carrier.

        That and a sailfish phone. The community one though didn’t support my carrier (think it’s mainly EU specced only.)

        What I find missing most of the time though is any esim support. Makes me wonder if the hardware one that you can program an esim on works.