Google shifting to “upstream first” Linux kernel approach for Android features
I am afraid it does not matter any more, at least not for practical software freedom.<p>Most Android devices these days have bootloaders that cannot be unlocked, preventing device owners from installing custom kernel images onto their devices. And even if you have a phone where that isn't true, Google's SafetyNet will prevent you from using many crucial applications, like your bank's Android app, on that handset.<p>It's an awful situation for people who would rather install software provided by a third party onto their hardware (due to not trusting the device manufacturer enough to only include software in their best interest, which is a very reasonable stance in my book), but I don't think there's a way out any more.