Google’s Android Silver programme was originally reported as an effort to bring the stock Android experience to high end smartphones. It was intended to be more inclusive of OEMs and allow the company to properly deliver what they think people should be getting out of the operating system. However, it appears that the programme has now been indefinitely shelved.
Reports indicate that this has happened due to the departure of Google Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora, who had been the main force behind pushing the project to the forefront. It all appears to have fizzled out since his departure in July. There doesn’t seem to have been a point to having another avenue for the stock Android experience as there already is the Nexus brand, the Google Play Edition on high end smartphones, and Android One. Adding a completely new programme would have muddied the already intimidatingly diverse options for the operating system.
The idea that Google wants a more consistent Android experience across the board is still floating around, but it would appear that this is not going to be happening any time soon. At least not if most of the OEMs still want control over their own environment and use the minor changes and tweaks to the operating system as selling points for their own devices.
On the bright side, it looks like the Nexus line will be hanging around for a bit longer.
[Source: Ars Technica]
