cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21184378
The longevity of Android updates has always been a problem, but one that’s been getting better with time. Google has, behind the scenes, introduced some big changes for Android manufacturers that will make it easier for more Android phones to offer support for up to 7 years, just like Pixel.
The problem is (and has always been) SoC kernel support.
Yes, which is intentionally being stonewalled by manufacturers who enjoy being able to force their old models into obsolescence at their whim. There are only a handful of market players with essentially a stranglehold on the market, and they could EASILY coordinate on a set of standards that SoC developers need to conform to to be considered for product launches if we didn’t live in a corporate driven techno-dystopia.
Qualcomm product toolchains have been a right mess. Oddly less malicious and more, “we move too fast and branch too many platforms,” historically making long-term maintenance a nightmare.
Good to see them improving that, finally.