The Android Silver name first came up earlier in the month. At the time the Silver program was thought to be a way for Google to better work with the carriers, and also to establish a bit more control over Android. There was talk of displaying these handsets in special sections of carrier stores, and having them be sold by specially trained employees.
Well, flash forward to the present day and there is now a confirming report about Android Silver coming from The Information. Details here suggest Google will be dropping the Nexus line in favor of Android Silver. While some are fans of the Nexus and Google Play edition (GPe) lines for the clean Android experience — it seems some of this will be carried over from Nexus to Silver.
The report mentioned how the Silver program will put limits on things such as the amount of non-Google apps that can be pre-installed. It even looks like Google will make it so users can choose to uninstall those pre-installed apps. The key seems to be in working with the carriers and manufacturers though, and The Information said they will “effectively be paid to produce and sell high-end devices that closely adhere to Google specifications.”
Bottom line here, it looks like Android Silver will be the way Google tries to take back some of the control. There is still quite a bit we need to see, but so far it does sound like it could help Android. Having said that, and liking the idea thus far, we do have to wonder if this will kill the Nexus line, or simply push it further over to being a reference line for developers.
VIA: TechCrunch
SOURCE: The Information
I would love the option to go back to stock on just any Android phone.