Sony has officially released the AOSP(Android Open Source Project) version of Android 4.2 for the Xperia Z smartphone. This essentially implies that the phone's software will be open to developers and tech enthusiasts who'll be able to use it on their phone and also contribute to its development.
Sony has made available the code for the project on GitHub. It is also providing some non-open source binaries on its Developer World portal including binaries for hardware drivers for the phone's specific chipset. Sony
says that it wants to support the open Android community with the project. Additionally, it will also be able to facilitate and verify contributions to AOSP on Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro platform through the project.
It's worth mentioning that the software is not intended for everyday use, and excludes some apps and services that are part of the standard Xperia Z (
Review |
Pictures) phone software. It's more or less the stock build of the OS and while the software allows the phone to read the microSD card, hook on to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, and use the LED notification light and sensors partially, it doesn't work with the modem and camera that depend on proprietary binaries which Sony will not able to make public.
Developers can contribute to the project by checking the issue list and volunteering to help out through GitHub. Sony intends to replace proprietary binaries on the Developer World with open source binaries, and to release binaries for NFC.
Traditionally, Android Open Source Project (AOSP) provided direct support for only Nexus hardware or for select Google experience devices like Motorola Xoom, but Sony had earlier initiated a similar
project for its Xperia S smartphone.
Sony
introduced the Xperia Z at CES back in January. It comes with a 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920) display and is powered by a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor. Other highlights include a 13-megapixel rear camera, 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi, and the phone runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The Xperia Z is IP55 and IP57 certified, which means it is dust and water resistant.
The Sony Xperia Z was
launched in India in March carrying a price tag of Rs. 38,990.