Google Tightens Grip: Android Development Moves Behind Closed Doors

Starting next week, Google will develop the Android OS entirely within its internal branches, marking a significant shift from its previous practice of public development through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). According to Google, all development work on Android will now occur behind closed doors. This change aims to streamline the development process and prevent conflicts when merging branches, but it does not mean that Android is becoming a closed-source platform. The open-source aspect will still be released publicly with new AOSP branches as full versions or maintenance releases are completed. While users and app developers are unlikely to notice any changes, the impact may be more significant for those who rely on public AOSP updates for early insights into future features.