Google releases a new version of Android at least once a year, but the overwhelming majority of users won’t see that update for many months–if they see the updates at all. Google’s own Pixel and Nexus phones get the software quickly, but everyone else has to wait for multiple parties to do their part. Google is taking a big step toward rectifying Android’s update woes with Project Treble. This is Google’s attempt to modularize Android in order to make updates faster and maintain compatibility longer.
There is currently no semblance of modularity in Android when it comes to device updates. Google releases new open source code, which is passed along to chip makers. Its up to them to create new drivers and make changes to the code, which is then passed along to device makers like Samsung and LG. They make changes to the OS for their phones or tablets, then push the update out. Although, in the US most updates have to go through carrier approval before they are deployed.
Project Treble seeks to change the way that first step goes by introducing a new Vendor Interface that will contain all the low-level code for chipsets, modems, and other hardware components. So, when an OEM like Samsung wants to update a phone, it doesn’t need to wait on hardware vendors to optimize the new Android code. They can simply make their changes, and plug the new version in on top of the standard vendor implementation. Cutting this step should speed updates up substantially.
Google will work with hardware vendors like Qualcomm to make sure the Vendor Implementation is forward-compatible with Android — new versions of Android won’t break the underlying hardware code. That’s important to speed up the update process, but it can also mean older devices will remain supported longer. For one, it takes less effort for the OEM to update, but chipset manufacturers won’t have to keep providing updated drivers for old hardware. Currently, updates for a device end whenever a vendor decides to stop providing new drivers. That shouldn’t happen with Project Treble.
Project Treble will be part of Android O, but you’re going to have to put up with one more update annoyance before things start getting better. Only phones that ship with Android O will have Project Treble, so not even phones that are updated to O will support it. Google does note that “all” phones that ship with O or later will have Treble, though. There may also be more modular features added later that further speed updates and make Android more flexible. Maybe Google can take another swing at Project Ara now?
There is currently no semblance of modularity in Android when it comes to device updates. Google releases new open source code, which is passed along to chip makers. Its up to them to create new drivers and make changes to the code, which is then passed along to device makers like Samsung and LG. They make changes to the OS for their phones or tablets, then push the update out. Although, in the US most updates have to go through carrier approval before they are deployed.
Project Treble seeks to change the way that first step goes by introducing a new Vendor Interface that will contain all the low-level code for chipsets, modems, and other hardware components. So, when an OEM like Samsung wants to update a phone, it doesn’t need to wait on hardware vendors to optimize the new Android code. They can simply make their changes, and plug the new version in on top of the standard vendor implementation. Cutting this step should speed updates up substantially.
Google will work with hardware vendors like Qualcomm to make sure the Vendor Implementation is forward-compatible with Android — new versions of Android won’t break the underlying hardware code. That’s important to speed up the update process, but it can also mean older devices will remain supported longer. For one, it takes less effort for the OEM to update, but chipset manufacturers won’t have to keep providing updated drivers for old hardware. Currently, updates for a device end whenever a vendor decides to stop providing new drivers. That shouldn’t happen with Project Treble.
Project Treble will be part of Android O, but you’re going to have to put up with one more update annoyance before things start getting better. Only phones that ship with Android O will have Project Treble, so not even phones that are updated to O will support it. Google does note that “all” phones that ship with O or later will have Treble, though. There may also be more modular features added later that further speed updates and make Android more flexible. Maybe Google can take another swing at Project Ara now?
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram