Remembering / studying the differences between the main components of the OS from Google – Android and Android ™ …
Original material
Did you know that Android P can use a trackball for navigation? Trackball! The piece of iron that outlived its legacy with the Nexus One and HTC Hero because everyone hated it.
But it really is. Android P can also use joystick, keyboard, gyroscope, gestures, and back button. And also maybe anything a developer can think of that is capable of connecting to the user input APIs that are part of Android P. But none of that means your next phone will have a trackball or physical keyboard or that there will be no back button in the navigation keys. It only means a possibility.
This can be seen on beta builds Android P, which we can already familiarize ourselves with on several devices. The 'back' button on the home screen is hidden most of the time, and new native gestures have taken over the navigation role. There are other changes as well, such as the weird quick settings and the colorful mess in the interface. But this is not Android. At least not the one Android that you will see when you buy a new smartphone from Samsung, LG or Asus.
This topic comes up every time Google smartphones receive a new version of software, while everyone else is waiting for an update. The bottom line is always the same: Pixel (and Nexus) devices look the way Google wants them to look, and all other smartphones look the way their manufacturer wants. The point is that you can't see Android, because this is just software that supports everything that you look at on your smartphone.
This is confusing. And when bloggers writing about technology (including myself) speak out about updating the software for the Pixel, they do not help resolve this controversial point. It is too difficult to disassemble everything in great detail every time, and even if we are good at it, we tend to distance ourselves from too strong moments. Further – more, when we parse Android 'bit by bit', then we make it even worse. I will try to try, because I feel the courage and desire to describe difficult moments. If I don't come back, tell my wife that I love her.
Difficult moments
The term 'Android' refers to several different concepts. Regardless of the manufacturer, we call the OS on our phones. An operating system can look, work, and even feel differently depending on the specific device and will still carry that name. We all know what we mean by 'Android'.
This operating system on your phone uses two different pieces of software that we call Android to create the final version. It includes Android as open source software for general use, and Samsung builds its OS on this. This 'chunk' Android is freely distributed and easily customizable, so you can use gesture navigation like in OnePlus or joystick like in the new Mirage Solo VR headset from Lenovo. even a trackball if you want to bring the old Nexus One to life.
Samsung can also change colors, layout, battery statistics screen, quick settings, launcher, app menus, and just about anything else according to its own understanding of how it should look and feel. This is all the greatness Android, and that's why there are so many versions.
Android ™
Samsung also uses Android ™. Have you noticed the brand designation? Google owns Android ™ when it comes to software, but it licenses it to other companies if they are willing to follow a set of rules when using it. Therefore, in addition to its own browser, Samsung has to be included in the list of Chrome applications, this is one of the conditions.
There is no app catalog without Google licensing. In 2018, no one wants to buy Android – a smartphone without Google Play.
Android ™ is what every company wants to use, in this case the login and password are linked to the Google account. Without this version Android there will be no integration with Gmail and Google Photos or access to Google Play. When it comes to using Android by third parties, Google takes OS ownership very seriously.
Using the example LG G4, we saw how the navigation bar can be anything and still remain within the framework Android.
The most important rule that companies like Samsung must follow in order to use Android ™ is that changes made by the company to the open source code Android should not interfere with the correct and stable operation of applications in the Play Store. This means that Samsung has no right to terminate the application if it uses the joystick to navigate. And with Android P, the same Samsung cannot restrict the application's access to native gestures. But Samsung may not use the joystick on Bluetooth to navigate on the phone, or the same gestures, if so desired by the company. You just need not to disrupt the system.
Google wants Samsung to use the licensed version Android because Samsung sells a ton of smartphones. Google just needs a guarantee of adherence to a number of rules.
All of this applies to any smartphone manufacturer that uses Google services developed for Android. All Pixel devices follow the same rules, but they have the same level of personalization as Samsung. And so it happens. Google wants the Pixel to carry its vision Android – devices, similar to Samsung's Galaxy line. Pixel is not an absolute example that all companies should follow. And this is good. This allows us to choose devices that connect us to what we like and what we use. But the models can be completely different, just like us.
When Android P 'comes' to smartphones of companies that prefer to modify open source elements, they will support new gestures. But third-party companies do not have to include them in their software without their own will, and until the developers are sure that using them will make the next smartphone better.
By Jerry Hildenbrand
Applied stuff, but it's always helpful to brush up on such things, especially in the context of a new release Android. Interestingly, the debate between fans of one or another modification of the OS from Google still does not stop, discussions flare up on the network every now and then, the purpose of which is to determine the 'best'. What can I say, all opinions have a right to exist, the ecosystem is very diverse and I agree with the author that this is one of the advantages Android.
Would you like to bring the trackball back to Android – devices? ?