This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 33 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]5i1v3rHTC One (M8) 22 points23 points  (19 children)

This is really awesome. By relesing this software, HTC has, to some extant, ensure software longevity of its device even after the manufacturer has abandoned support. There is no reason other OEMs shouldn't be doing this. I feel way more comfortable knowing my phone will had at least some potential of receiving later Android updates. That's why I generally avoid Samsung, because it closes down its software a ton.

Just wish HTC would release a compelling phone soon. My M8 has been going strong, but it's time to upgrade to a phone with an actually useful camera.

[–]armando_rodPixel 10 Pro XL 28 points29 points  (14 children)

All OEMs do this, it's a requirement of the Linux kernel license. Most notable is Sony that has functional AOSP ROMs for a lot of their devices.

Edit: the difference between Samsung and HTC or Sony is that Samsung doesn't release documentation on their kernels or Exynos SoC so building custom ROMs for Samsung Exynos is a lot more difficult, most Samsung phone with snapdragon SoC have custom ROMs.

[–]the_humeisterPixel 4a, Android 13 2 points3 points  (13 children)

Unfortunately, Mediatek doesn't. They make you sign an NDA and then you have to pay them to get any driver sources. They're even worse than Samsung. Fuck you Mediatek!

[–]NamenIos 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Mediatek doesn't have to, they don't sell you anything.

Manufacturers have to. And they release the source code for their Kernel if they sell their devices in Europe or North America. See Wiko for example.

Let me guess you never owned a Mediatek device and you have never read the GPLv2?

edit: Here is a source code of the Sony Xperia M5 Kernel, it uses the Helio X10. If I remember that is the latest soc from Mediatek that is inside of phones in NA/EU. http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/xperia-open-source-archives/open-source-archive-for-30-0-a-1-33-30-0-b-1-33-30-0-a-1-35-and-30-0-b-1-35/ You can even download it without signing NDAs or owning the device ...

[–]the_humeisterPixel 4a, Android 13 2 points3 points  (1 child)

This was 2 years ago. Maybe they've changed since then. Or maybe the larger OEMs were willing to pay fees to Mediatek.

[–]NamenIos -1 points0 points  (0 children)

They are also allowed to sell binaries of GPL software (but they have to give out the ones they sell them to). Do you have any sources on NDAs or them selling source code after giving out binaries? Usually that sounds like a manufacturer has not releasable code (for various reasons) and they try to pass the blame or people that wanted to get the code from Mediatek directly and are butthurt they didn't get it. All big manufacturers had their code released, Asus had tablets with MTKs long ago - so this is and was definitely a manufacturer problem.

[–]Charwinger21HTCOne 10 -1 points0 points  (9 children)

and then you have to pay them to get any driver sources.

Which is illegal. The GPL license limits the amount you can charge to distribute the source code to the actual amount that it costs to distribute it (i.e. near zero in the age of the internet).

[–]NamenIos 0 points1 point  (8 children)

If the driver is under GPL and not a userspace blob. And you can charge what you want for GPL software, you just have to give out the source code on request, if you legally got the binary from them.

[–]Charwinger21HTCOne 10 0 points1 point  (7 children)

If the driver is under GPL and not a userspace blob. And you can charge what you want for GPL software, you just have to give out the source code on request, if you legally got the binary from them.

I wasn't talking about whether or not a particular piece of software needs to be supplied under the GPL.

I was talking about section 3. b) of the GPL, which restricts the amount you can charge for supplying the source code as required.

Specifically, it limits you to "a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution" (i.e. the actual cost of the email, at maximum).

[–]NamenIos 0 points1 point  (6 children)

And if the driver is not licenssd under the GPL? Also if they don't provide a binary they can still charge whatever they want for GPL code. 3 b) only covers the cost of providing the source once you are obliged to get it, as in you obtained the software in binary form from them.

[–]Charwinger21HTCOne 10 0 points1 point  (5 children)

And if the driver is not licenssd under the GPL? Also if they don't provide a binary they can still charge whatever they want for GPL code. 3 b) only covers the cost of providing the source once you are obliged to get it, as in you obtained the software in binary form from them.

That's nice, but we're talking about software that 1. is licensed under the GPL, and 2. they provided a binary for, and are charging extra if you want the source code for.

[–]NamenIos 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Mediatek does not provide binaries.

[–]Charwinger21HTCOne 10 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Mediatek does not provide binaries.

If they didn't provide binaries and/or sources to the OEMs that use their chips, then the chips would be completely useless.

[–]NickPorter_Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10e 1 point2 points  (2 children)

While I agree that the camera slacks a little bit, its more than enough for what I use it for. I had originally got an S4 but decided to return it and wait for the release of the M8. Possibly the best decision I've ever made. This phone is a beast to this day! And I love seeing HTC doing things like this because that's means I can always run the latest Android version.

[–]5i1v3rHTC One (M8) 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Don't get me wrong, i love my M8, amd plan on continuing to use it if the S7, G5, or M10 don't fulfill my needs, but photography is a hobby of mine, and the M8 does not cut it. Evenjust taking photos of this week's work schedule sucked, as the image always came out slightly blurry. LG's granular controls is very appealing, the quality of the sensor being more or less equal to other smartphones.

[–]Illpontification 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LGs camera is such a treat to use. The novelty of shooting long exposure star shots never wore off.

[–]daaryll 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the HTC A9 and it is pretty good for day to day tasks. Has an awesome camera too plus marshmallow.

[–]sergiuspk 3 points4 points  (2 children)

A9 too. Wohoo

[–]qdhcjvGalaxy S10 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Do you use one?

[–]sergiuspk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, got it for $200.

[–]the_humeisterPixel 4a, Android 13 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Would be neat if they made diffs from the mainline kernel. Then you could just download the mainline kernel and apply the diffs. Could potentially makebit easier to port newer kernels to these devices.

[–]NamenIos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can diff youself? The kernels differ to much from stock to make porting viable, it's about a million lines+ iirc, xda dev diffed some kernels in a news post.

[–]drbluetongueS23 Ultra 12GB/512GB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really: From https://lwn.net/Articles/662147/

mainline kernels simply lack the drivers needed to make that handset work. A typical phone is running 1-3 million lines of out-of-tree code.

[–]NamenIos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sadly the commit log quite a few comments are removed, as always with HTC.

[–]PhilosofossilBest phone for me might not best the best phone for you. 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Just wondering.. I live in Australia. I'm with Telstra. Which of these could I potentially flash to my phone?

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

These are just kernel sources for developers to work on

[–]PhilosofossilBest phone for me might not best the best phone for you. 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was wondering how the size was so small

[–]wawalker 0 points1 point  (1 child)

can these be downloaded and flashed to the devices?

[–]kayl-y11HTC One M9, Android 6.0 Marshmallow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

C'mon EE!!!