14 DAY TRIAL // Even though the Android Silver was just a project that hasn’t been officially confirmed by Google, many fans of the mobile platform hoped it would see the light of day at some point.
Unfortunately, Recode reports that Google was forced to drop the entire project or put it on hold indefinitely, as most handset makers did not want to give up putting their own UIs and apps inside Android.
For those out of the loop, Android Silver was supposed to replace the Nexus and Google Play Edition lineups at some point. The project’s aim was to offer a less-customizable Android version, where handset makers would not be able to include their branding.
The Android stock version that would be released following the finalization of the Android Silver project would considerably lower the operating system’s fragmentation and would allow developer to create apps for a single version of Android.
Through Android Silver program, devices powered by this version of the mobile platform would receive updates to newer versions of Android much faster and without handset makers having to tweak these them to include some of their bloatware.
Sadly, it turns out handset manufacturers were not very fond of the idea of not being able to differentiate their smartphones from others when it comes to software. They really wanted TouchWiz, Sense and LG UIs to be part of their products’ software, so Google was reportedly forced to shelve the project for the time being.
Obviously, we will never know for sure what really happened with Android Silver until Google comes forward with an official statement, but the good news is the search giant is aware of the fragmentation issue.
However, if the reports are true, it looks like handset makers have just prevented Google from lowering the Android fragmentation and eventually removing it altogether in a few years.
Google confirms the Nexus family will continue for years to come
Google has yet to comment on the problem, but the company’s VP of engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer confirmed that the Nexus family of devices will be kept alive and will continue to produce new smartphones and tablets in the years to come.
Even if the Android Silver eventually turns out successful in the coming years, Google may want to keep the Nexus lineup alive as well, as the company believes in the idea of developing a new version of the operating system in parallel with a new piece of hardware.
Beginning this year, Google has added a really powerful smartphone to its Nexus family, which never happened in the past when Nexus phones were one step behind competition when it comes to hardware.
Let’s hope Google will find a way to put a “universal” version of Android on as many devices as possible, so updates will be received faster and without any third-party’s approval.