That "F" (as in freedom) is certainly eroding. Perhaps not by its source availability directly (although without any drivers, what is the use?), but very much by a company trying to lock you out of all the goodies that once came with it.
Even if Google would stop open sourcing AOSP, I think it would be much easier to fork AOSP than to start a new Linux-based FOSS mobile operating system from scratch
Obviously even maintaining AOSP yourself requires a huge effort and a lot of people would need to donate development time/money.
Android is a proprietary operating system developed by Google. Try running your "free" modified AOSP in the real world, on a real device, like a real person would and see how far you get before being blocked and restricted due to hardware attestation.
I think that they are pointing at that using Android in daily life in a meaningful way requires installing Google Play Services because many apps require it.
That "F" (as in freedom) is certainly eroding. Perhaps not by its source availability directly (although without any drivers, what is the use?), but very much by a company trying to lock you out of all the goodies that once came with it.
Even if Google would stop open sourcing AOSP, I think it would be much easier to fork AOSP than to start a new Linux-based FOSS mobile operating system from scratch
Obviously even maintaining AOSP yourself requires a huge effort and a lot of people would need to donate development time/money.
Android is not FOSS in any sense of the word and doesn't produce any user benefits that FOSS is meant to produce.
Most of AOSP is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license and GPLv2 for the Linux kernel. These are FOSS licenses recognized by the FSF.
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#apache2
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLv2
Android is a proprietary operating system developed by Google. Try running your "free" modified AOSP in the real world, on a real device, like a real person would and see how far you get before being blocked and restricted due to hardware attestation.
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AOSP is only a subset of what makes Android, an actual mobile phone OS.
I think that they are pointing at that using Android in daily life in a meaningful way requires installing Google Play Services because many apps require it.
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