State of the Ecosystem

The majority of the audience was not happy about the current state, shown by choosing a red paper, instead of a green one.

The sessions did not come to any conclusion but several topics where discussed. For some topics facts where missing, hence, take the statements below with precaution.

• Security: Security updates are not delivered to "out-dated" devices. A big thread is building up!

• Bugs: Fragmentation of Android versions is an issue because compatibility library is buggy, Google should improve QA

• EU commission formal investigations: The commission is investigating and found three issues/objections.

  • Apps Bundling: Google Play Store app can only be installed together with a set of 10(?) other Google apps. The Play Store

    has to be placed on the home screen of the phone.

    • Friedger explained some issues written down he found.

    • Google says some bundled apps are not very successful, there are successful competitors.

  • Anti-Fragmentation: Device makers must not use uncompatible forks of Android.

    • As developers we want a strong regulation that devices are compatible.

    • A device can be called an Android device if it passes the Compatibility Test Stuite. This is open source and can be enhanced/extended.

    • Developers can put pressure on device makers by verifying compatibility by using the safety net API.

  • Revenue Sharing: Device makers can get revenu shares when using Google search as default search engine. Other search engines have less chances to be used.