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A Google Play Edition of the Xperia Z Ultra is nice and all, but what about stock Android for folks that already own a Sony handset? Sony has done a pretty good job with their AOSP for Xperia program, providing builds of unadulterated Android for a variety of devices. The latest is the Sony Xperia L.
The Xperia L isn’t quite the device that a member of the Z series is. The handset sports a 4.3-inch display a 1GHz dual-core CPU. But owners can now install a fresh build of Android 4.4 to add a bit of life to the little guy. There is a catch, though.
Sony is providing all the necessary source code, but in order to install owners will need to unlock the Xperia L’s boot loader (voiding the warranty in the process) and then compile a build from scratch. No simple ROM flash here.
The real kicker is that the build, while functional, lacks some basic features like GPS and Bluetooth. Hence, this is not what we would call a daily driver. It also misses out on Google Play and Google’s suite of mobile apps. If this still sounds like the stock Android experience you desire, hit up the source link below.
[via Sony]
With all these limitations, I don’t see why anyone would bother. Especially if they’re still within the warranty period.
The people who convert their phones’ OS’s are those who root and develop. So Sony is giving them a challenge, something to do.
I’m sure developers can get this up and working correctly… I think.
Yep, devs can start from this, get the GPS and Blutooth working, and have a fully functional ROM. Adding the Play Store/Gapps is trivial.
AOSP by the OHA is the one and only true Android. “Google Android” is there own release of it with their *licensed* apps (e.g. Red Hat Linux).
There’s nothing preventing you from trying to contact Google privately for a license to their Play Services :)
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/4/
Half-baked in my opinion.