Keep Android Open
In August 2025, Google announced that starting next year, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google.
This registration will involve:
- Paying a fee to Google
- Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
- Providing government identification
- Uploading evidence of an app’s private signing key
- Listing all current and future application identifiers
Sign the open letter. And get active to help oppose the enactment of the policy in other ways listed on the website. Are there any more ways to oppose this?
Okay… Why?
I never liked the idea of that “obligatory Java”. I would prefer something more like a common OS for running common programs written in whatever language the programmer wants.
But honestly what do you think would happen if android dies? There won’t just immediately be a different system ready to step in and take its place.
Linux has been around for 30 years already. There isn’t any technical reason why it isn’t more widespread. Reasons are artificial: only blobs instead of drivers for any phone-related modules.
I agree. And Linux is great. We all know Android is a bastardized version of Linux… But…
Android isn’t just the technology and operating system. It’s am entire ecosystem of manufacturers, developers, applications, drivers, etc. The ecosystem will be difficult to replace even if the OS isn’t
It shouldn’t be replaced. It should be thrown away. Smartphones should be just handheld computers for running an arbitrary OS to run user programs. Nobody needs, wants or asked for the “ecosystem”.
I hear you. But what are non-technical users supposed to do? Compile their own apps? Flash firmware and SSH in to install the right radios and drivers?
People treat their phones like appliances. They go to app stores to get apps which developers ensure work for specific SDKs on phones carefully tuned to work well with the carier’s networks.
There are definitely users who will do everything from scratch. But like Linux for PCs, success of alternative OSs on phones will be dependent on there existing a good out of the box experience with the ability to integrate with hardware and third party software and/or quality open alternatives.
Most Linux users don’t compile anything and live happily.