Android Silver still possible, or new Google Play edition devices instead

posted by Michael H. / Oct 01, 2014, 8:38 PM

Android Silver still possible, or new Google Play edition devices instead

For a while now, we've been hearing about the fabled Android Silver program, which had planned to bring the stock Android experience to carrier stores, complete with support from Google. Unfortunately, the latest word is that Android Silver won't be happening for various reasons. But, there are still devices that were built with that program in mind, so what is happening with those smartphones?

According to TKTechNews, there are devices in production from both Motorola and HTC that were planned to be part of the first wave of Android Silver devices, and obviously those smartphones aren't just going to be put on a shelf somewhere. Interestingly, TK's sources are saying that Android Silver may not be completely dead, and Google is still trying to get the program off the ground. But, in the worst-case scenario where Android Silver won't be happening, the devices already in production will end up being new additions to the Google Play edition lineup.

No word on how long Google will keep trying to push through Android Silver, but the program hasn't sounded like it was doing too well, especially with the departure of Google's former Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora, who had been spearheading the deals to make Android Silver work. It's unclear if Arora left and then Silver started stalling or the other way around, but we'll have to wait and see how committed Google is to the plan.

source: TKTechNews

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9 Comments

1. JMartin22

Posts: 2334; Member since: Apr 30, 2013

Silver is good in concept. I am not sure how they would go about the execution, they would need to go through various regional telecommunication bodies, government or state agencies for approval and distribution of the handsets. I think it's possible with time. But if it did come to pass, think of all the fully functioning smartphones that would go into the hands of hundreds of millions of people in third world countries that have no Internet access whatsoever. Freedom of speech and accessibility is our greatest asset in this new age of technology.

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 8:41 PM 0

7. Twisted247

Posts: 282; Member since: Oct 12, 2012

Your thinking of "Android One" that is the Low budget 3rd world country devices.. Android Silver on the other hand is/was supposed to be the Google play edition devices new direction.. Top shelf specs from various manufacture's (Samsung, HTC,LG, etc) flagship phones with vanilla stock android at its latest levels.

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 10:58 PM 0

9. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

That's why Silver was in trouble, because the guy who was supposed to make the deals for approval and distribution of Android Silver devices left Google.

posted on Oct 02, 2014, 3:59 AM 0

2. onthecouchagain

Posts: 49; Member since: Nov 28, 2011

Sony Google Play Edition devices... please!! Imagine the Xperia Z3 Compact running stock with direct updates from Google? : drool :

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 9:16 PM 2

3. jdot104

Posts: 95; Member since: Jun 17, 2011

That's all I ever wanted! Sony needs to come through.

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 9:17 PM 0

6. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I'd pass since it wouldn't have the various modes that's found in Timescape UI.

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 10:19 PM 0

4. imkyle

Posts: 1112; Member since: Nov 18, 2010

GPE's are a good idea, but $600-$700 for a GPA Samsung or a Sony is a little much when you can get the Nexus phone for half the price.

posted on Oct 01, 2014, 9:18 PM 1

5. 0xFFFF

Posts: 3806; Member since: Apr 16, 2014

Manufacturers should offer a choice of ROMs directly and GPE should go away. Android Silver should also go away. Instead, Google should make it simple for people to switch ROMs in Android and build that into the software/hardware spec for Android.