Google proposes the concept of "upstream first" to eliminate the pain points of Android fragmentation

One of the things that has always been criticized about the Android operating system is that all downstream patches are controlled by mobile operators and kernel trees controlled by various vendors/devices. To further reduce fragmentation, more and more code has been upstreamed in recent years, and Google is working hard to make the kernels of all new products based on the Android Generic Kernel Image (GKI).

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Looking ahead, Google is now talking about an "upstream first" approach to pushing new kernel features. At the Linux Plumbers Conference (LPC2021) held today, Google's Todd Kjos gave a presentation around the GKI plan.

In Android 12 and the Linux 5.10-based GKI image, Google has further reduced fragmentation to the point of "almost eliminating it." In Android 12's GKI, most vendor/OEM kernel features are now either upstreamed to the Linux kernel, isolated into vendor modules/hooks, or merged into the Android Common Kernel.

Google has made good progress with GKI, while also ensuring that vendors adapt to new methods to reduce kernel clutter. But what is probably most exciting is their outlook for further reducing technical debt in 2023-2024. They will pursue an "upstream development model for new features", ensuring that new code first enters the Linux kernel mainline, rather than directly finding a home in the Android source tree.

Google also promised to "work hard to upstream all out-of-tree patches in the Android Common Kernels."