Fragmentation woes: Google now wants to design Android phone chipsets for better control

Main Image
  • Like
  • Comment
  • Share

When smartphones were new, Android gained traction because it was an Open Source project which was ready to adopt by anyone who wanted to challenge Apple with a low cost alternative. You could just lift Android AOSP, customize it and run it on any hardware to reap results. The very same freedom which made it spread like wildfire and gain huge chunk of market share, is now its greatest hurdle in delivering high end smartphone experience.

Fragmentation is in Android DNA

The very fact that you are allowed to download and modify Android however you please and sell it on any product means fragmentation. That is to say, there will be different permutations and combinations of Android hardware and software which would be very hard to control and even harder to update to a same version.

If Google rolls out a new version update, it might not bode well with a particular set of hardware and might break things. OEMs have to extensively test update for each device separately and with shorter launch cycles and diminishing price margins, this is not in their best interest. So whatever features Google rolls out takes at least one year to reach all categories of consumers.

November-distribution-numbers1

For instance, Android Lollipop adoption is now at 25 percent and Marshmallow adoption is less than even 1 percent even after several weeks of official debut. This poses a problem for developers who have to work hard to make their apps compatible with several generations of software.

Google is trying to resolve this

While there is no immediate cure for Android fragmentation, Google has been trying to steadily take more control of the ecosystem. For example, all manufacturers are required to comply with Android compatibility guidelines if they need Google Play Services and Google Apps on their phone (which are pretty much indispensable).

Google-Apps

Android OEMs are naturally not happy with passing over all control to Google and this surfaces in attempts to duplicate Google Apps on respective smartphones, which are often condemned as ‘bloatware’.

Also, Google tries to push most changes in the new Android versions to Google Playservices and to Google Playstore. For example, changes made to home-screen and app drawer in Android Marshmallow can be experienced by anyone who is using Google Now launcher, irrespective of the Android version. This way, it can ensure its Android vission quickly trickles down to its fragmented userbase.

Google wants to take more control over hardware

As technology evolves, it will be even more important to closely synchronize hardware and software. Applications like device encryption and Virtual Reality are some prime examples of the same.

According to a report from The Informer, Google is inclined to design Android chipsets in partnership with chipset makers which will help it realize its Android vision. Google can better equip chipsets for upcoming Android features which the company plans on integrating in the next few years.

apple-a8-640x360
Apple has been doing the same since the very beginning and full hardware and software control is its primary strength.

This won’t be easy to swallow for Android OEMs and Chipmakers

Android OEM who are still struggling to make elaborate profits and popular Chip makers won’t be very happy with Google strengthening its grip on Android. However, the new Google designed chips aren’t expected to ship anytime soon, and they are more likely to show-up in Nexus devices first.

Besides we don’t think chipmakers will be willing to surrender either. In light of budding relationship between Google and Huawei, the latter might come onboard.

Deepak SinghDeepak Singh
Deepak has more than 8 years of experience in covering technology for several eminent publications in India. He currently leads an enthusiastic team of young writers at Smartprix and tries to uphold the highest quality standards.

Related Articles

ImageUS Department Of Justice Vs. Apple: Here’s A Breakdown Of The Landmark Antitrust Lawsuit Against The iPhone Maker

TLDR: On Thursday, the US Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Cupertino-based tech giant Apple. The 88-page lawsuit, backed by 16 states, argues that the company has violated anticompetitive laws to keep buyers within the company’s ecosystem of devices. The lawsuit builds on years of scrutiny of the company’s devices and services, …

ImageLeaked Android certificates left millions of smartphones vulnerable to malware

Looks like millions of Android smartphones were literally inches away from mass malware attacks. Devices from LG, Samsung and MediaTek chipsets were subjected to a major Android vulnerability. Once exploited, it would have given cyberattackers complete authority over your device. In fact, the privileges that this vulnerability introduces to the injected malware may be more …

ImageGoogle Camera Port from Pixel 6 Series Now Available for Download on Android Smartphones

Recently, Google unveiled its Pixel 6 Series featuring the company’s Tensor chipset and improved specs. Like its predecessors, the Pixel 6 Series also comes with improvements in the camera department. The good news is that like the previous camera, the latest Google Camera 8.3 port can now be installed on your smartphone. One needs an …

ImageGoogle Pixel 8a Retail Box Images Leak The Phone’s Black Color

The Google Pixel 8a is expected to arrive later this year, yet the first pictures of its retail box have surfaced online. According to a report by Android Police, the leaked images come from a Vietnam-based Facebook group. The images reveal some details about the upcoming smartphone. Leaked Images Showcase Pixel 8a’s Design First, the …

ImageGoogle Chrome’s new update makes search predictions better and more accessible

Google Chrome is easily one of the most popular browsers in the world across several devices including mobile phones, tablets, and computers. Google Chrome’s latest update enhances search predictions, making browsing faster and more intuitive. These improvements, including personalized suggestions and better image recommendations, aim to provide a more tailored and faster browsing experience.  The …

Discuss

Be the first to leave a comment.