[XA2] New vendor image Android 9 [answered]
Sony provides new software for XA2 SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_9.0_2.3.2_v8_nile, can it be used? What do you think about it?
Edit: but the question remains for the future: someone will buy a new XA2 with a factory version of v8 and will want to install SFOS, should go back to the version v17 / v16?
We would need the official developpers from Jolla to chip in, but in general, there are big differences between major versions of Android (8.1 Oreo and 9 Pie aren't exactly alike).
Sailfish OS of course as you know uses drivers and kernels normally used for Android.
The current compatibility layer (using libhybris) for XA2 relies on kernels and drivers designed for Android 8.1 Oreo. That's what Jolla officials call "baseport 8" in the blog.
To use the binaries that you propose, it would take a new different compatibility layer for XA2, one that is capable of targetting the specific of Android 9 Pie drivers and kernel. It would almost require rewriting an new compatibility layer (which is quite some work). Basically that would require writing a new "Basepost 9".
Theoretically possible, no technical limitations against it, but not going to happen soon/fast due to the ressource involved.
What is most likely to happen: the next devices that Jolla will port Sailfish X (perhaps the Sony Xperia 10? Or maybe some special device that Jolla will get contracted out to support like they did for the Gemini?) will probably be based on Android 9 pie. Jolla would need to tap its drivers in order to support it and thus will need to write a "Baseport 9" for it.
Depending on their ressoruces, Jolla might opt to then reuse the effort and backport it to older phones (mayber you'll get a new Android-9.0 libhybris layer on your XA2, just like maybe the Xperia X could get the current Baseport 8 backported to it once the XA2 is stable and Jolla has a bit more dev ressources availabl)
DrYak ( 2019-04-29 18:14:25 +0200 )editIf you want to use Android apps, use an Android phone. Anyone asking for Android support in Sailfish is basically just potentially spoiling Sailfish by pushing Jolla to divert resources from the actual OS to some stupid and misguided Android compability that nobody in their right mind could want.
Yes, I am saying anyone who wants to use Android is an idiot. I have never used an Android phone or app in my life, and am using Sailfish exactly because I never want to.
bocephus ( 2019-04-29 18:30:35 +0200 )edit@bocephus Good words! Exactly the case here! Android? NEVER!
addydon ( 2019-04-29 18:51:35 +0200 )edit@ bocephus I do not use Android and I have no intention, I was thinking about new XA2 firmware, so why do these sharp words? Each XA2 has SW Binaries issued by Sony and this concerned my question
Pliocen ( 2019-04-29 20:35:29 +0200 )editThere is not enough native rpm apps for sailfish, android support is important until there are alternatives of android apps written for sailfish.
Malakay ( 2019-04-29 21:16:36 +0200 )edit