Funny, the comment types here are the same as on Youtube:

  1. “I still run Android and it is totally fine, will never switch Android just got worse!”
  2. “Well, money”
  3. “Companies need to support phones longer”
  4. “I just use LineageOS on that device”
  5. Misinformation
  • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.netOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    4 months ago

    Put all hardware and device specific stuf in a seperate layer

    Could you elaborate?

    Android uses Linux, a monolithic kernel. You cant just separate drivers.

    I also heard that OEMs write horrible drivers, which wouldnt work on a microkernel without maaajor porting issues.

    • MaggiWuerze@feddit.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      4 months ago

      And there are Linux distros with rolling releases, where the drivers stay where they are and the OS around them gets updated without issue. I’m sure the smart people at the Android team could do something similar

      • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.netOP
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        4 months ago

        The drivers are in the kernel, kept updated with every release. As I said, pixels at least boot with mainline kernel support, but the Android kernel is modded.

        And then manifacturer use out of tree drivers as core part of their kernel.

        • MaggiWuerze@feddit.org
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          4 months ago

          Yes I know the manufacturers do, but there’s no reason for the drivers to be replaced when the kernel is updated, you could hold them separately or reapply them after an update

          • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.netOP
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            4 months ago

            This doesnt always work as nonstable kernels (or even porting to a newer kernel) changes in their interface.

            Like, backportig patches to a 6 year or more old kernel is crazy! My 6a runs on 5.14 and that is a currently supported phone.