Android

Will Google’s Latest Attempt at Fixing Android Updates Work?

Google wants phones to last longer, so the GRF program made it simpler for SoC vendors like Qualcomm to support their platforms. Here's how.

Mishaal Rahman
March 4, 2024

April 3, 2026

On this week's episode, David and Mishaal discuss the Google Requirements Freeze program with Rashed Abdel-Tawab from CIS Mobile. The GRF program could prove to be a double-edge blade for the Android ecosystem, and its implications for OS update support are significant.

About the Podcast

Android Bytes (powered by Esper)

A weekly show that dives deep into the Android OS

Android Bytes (powered by Esper) is the podcast that dives deep into the engineering and business decisions behind the world’s most popular OS. 

Android powers over 3 billion devices worldwide and is the platform of choice for over a thousand companies. You’ll find Android on smartphones, tablets, watches, TV, cars, kiosks, and so much more. How does Google architect Android to run on so many form factors, and how do companies fork AOSP to make it run on even more devices? These are the kinds of questions the Android Bytes podcast considers each week.

Join cohosts Mishaal Rahman and David Ruddock, two journalists with extensive knowledge covering the Android OS platform and ecosystem, as they speak to system architects, kernel engineers, app developers, and other distinguished experts in the Android space.

Get in touch with us at Esper if you’re looking to use Android device management for GMS or non-GMS devices — we have the experience you need.

Our music is “19” by HOME and is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

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Mishaal Rahman

Mishaal Rahman is a Technical Editor at Esper. He has been an Android user for over a decade and has been at the forefront of Android news coverage for half a decade. His in-depth breakdowns of new Android versions have been referenced across the Internet.

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7 min read