Google has stopped publishing device-specific code and binary drivers for Pixel smartphones in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository with the release of Android 16. This means that the AOSP build for Pixel devices is no longer possible without reverse engineering. As a result, developers of custom ROMs such as CalyxOS and GrapheneOS will face significant challenges. Additionally, the Linux kernel is now published without commit history.
The move has sparked concerns among the Android community, with some questioning the future of AOSP. However, Google's Vice President of Android, Seng Chau, has denied rumors of AOSP's closure, stating that the focus is shifting towards the virtual device Cuttlefish for testing and universal images GSI (Generic System Image).
In April, GrapheneOS had warned about Google's plans to reduce the openness of AOSP. Now, Pixel devices are becoming a 'semi-closed' platform. This development has significant implications for the Android ecosystem and the future of custom ROMs.