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What is Android Open-Source Project (AOSP)?

Android Open-Source Project (AOSP): Here, we are going to learn about the Android Open-Source Project, its history, etc.
Submitted by Anushree Goswami, on January 08, 2021

AOSP: Android Open-Source Project

AOSP is an abbreviation of the "Android Open-Source Project". It is an open-source initiative of the Android mobile operating system directed by Google. Google designed and created the Android, until the most recent modifications and updates are prepared to be launched, at which spot the source code is provided to the Android Open-Source Project.

• The AOSP code can be established devoid of any changes on selective devices, primarily the Google Nexus and Google Pixel series of devices.
• The source code sequentially is modified by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to function on their hardware.
• Android's source code does not comprise the device drivers, frequently proprietary, that are required for specific hardware components.
• As an outcome, the majority of Android devices, comprising Google's own, distribute with an arrangement of free and open-source and proprietary software, with the software needed for accessing Google services dropping into the second group.

Open-Source Community

• Google launched Android's source code through an open-source initiative Android Open Source Project under an open-source license, and its open temperament has given support to a huge community of developers and enthusiasts to make use of the open-source code as a basis for community-driven projects, which bring updates to long-time used devices, put in latest features for highly professional users or get Android to devices at the beginning delivered with further operating systems.
• These community-developed launches frequently take in latest and original features and updates to devices quicker than throughout the official manufacturer/carrier channels, with an analogous level of quality; make available unrelenting support for long-time used devices that no longer accept administrative official updates; or bring Android to devices that were authoritatively launched managing other operating systems, such as the HP TouchPad.
• Community launches frequently appear pre-rooted and include alterations not made available by the original seller, such as the capacity to overclock or over/undervolt the device's processor.
• CyanogenMod was the most extensively used community firmware, at the present halted and succeeded by LineageOS.
• As of August 2019, there are a small number of prominent and noteworthy custom Android distributions (ROMs) of the latest Android version 9.0 Pie, which was launched widely in August 2018.
• Traditionally, device manufacturers and mobile carriers have usually been uncooperative and obstructive of third-party firmware development.
• Manufacturers put across apprehension regarding reprehensible functioning of devices managing unauthorized software and the support costs effecting from this.

Reference: AOSP

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