Qualcomm, Google partner to extend Android OS support, simplify upgrades

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has announced a collaboration with Google to enhance and extend Android OS support. This would enable more devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms to run the latest Android OS.

The enhancements are meant to enable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to upgrade their Snapdragon-based devices to the latest Android OS without the necessity to modify Qualcomm’s chipset-specific software. This is also to use a common Android software branch to upgrade devices based on a wide array of Snapdragon mobile platforms across Qualcomm Technologies’ portfolio.  The enhancements are also intended to simplify upgrading Snapdragon-based devices to the latest Android OS version.

“Google continues to work closely with our technology partners to increase the freshness of the Android ecosystem. Through this collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, we expect that Android users will have the latest OS upgrades and greater security on their devices,” Vice President of Android Engineering of Google, David Burke stated.

With the partnership with Google, Qualcomm will now support four Android OS versions and four years of security updates across Snapdragon platforms using the Project Treble enhancements, to start with the new Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform. These initiatives are also intended to enable faster Android OS upgrades with fewer resources and a predictable software lifecycle for Snapdragon-based devices. Furthermore, these are expected to bring in more consumers with Snapdragon-based devices running the latest Android OS version.

“We are excited to work with Google to extend our support for Android OS and security updates on future Snapdragon mobile platforms utilizing the Project Treble enhancements,” Vice President Product Management of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Kedar Kondap mentioned. “Through this collaboration, we expect accelerated Android OS upgrade on Snapdragon-based devices while providing a superior user experience for end-users,” Kondap added.

However, Google also recognizes that by working closely with Qualcomm, they would deliver Android’s best to its users faster and with enhanced security for an extended period of time.

Sources: Qualcomm, Google