> I do kind of agree with Gruber, it kind of feels like the passion for Android has burned out at Google
This is just speculation... but maybe it's because they are getting ready to finally kill Android and switch to Fuchsia.
Android has been getting better over the last 4-5 years and the KitKat days are very far away, but it wouldn't surprise me if Google was ready to start fresh with everything they've learned.
Not just that. This is the calm before the storm. Huawei has employed an army of reportedly 80.000 developers after Trump cut them off play services. A big part of that army is working on their networking gear but I expect a new OS to drop soonish even though we haven't heard much about it. It just makes sense for them to reduce dependency. The mobile duopoly is on its last legs and they might as well start competing with themselves.
Also I'm sure Google want stricter control on customisation which would be a good thing (easier updates). It'll be hard to take that back from Android vendors but I bet Fuchsia won't have it.
This is just speculation... but maybe it's because they are getting ready to finally kill Android and switch to Fuchsia.
Android has been getting better over the last 4-5 years and the KitKat days are very far away, but it wouldn't surprise me if Google was ready to start fresh with everything they've learned.