Perhaps a bit of a dumb question, but is it possible to download this new Android OS for any smartphone?
No, it depends if the manufacturer of your device will offer an update for it (which is often not the case if it's not a newer model). You can also look on https://download.lineageos.org/ if your device is supported by LineageOS. They will certainly switch to Oreo before long.
OK, so it's not like with PC's, where you can download Windows updates no matter which device it's running on, so it's all about the manufacturer.
Yes it is an insideous marketing ploy that if you want a security update you have to buy a new phone. I was talking to an Android developer the other day he told me 25% of the downloads of his apps are still using Android 4 and are therefore wide open to all kinds of security exploits, not least, all the weak TLS ciphers that facilitate mitm attacks.
OK I see, makes sense. Weird that this hasn't been regulated yet. I mean, shouldn't the developer of Android push security updates that will work on all devices?
So far this hasn't been possible becuase of the big midifications done by other smartphone manufacturters. However, Oreo tries to improve that situation with Treble. More info here.
Didn't know that manufacturers could alter Android to the point that updates from Google won't work, makes no sense. I will soon update Android on a Samsung smartphone, let's see what happens. http://www.youmobile.org/blogs/entr...-are-going-to-get-the-official-Nougat-update/
The Android One system pledges security updates delivered via Google. https://www.android.com/one/. Android One edition of Moto X4 leaks.
Yes, but not for "any" smartphones, only if they are supported. I believe that LineageOS has the biggest list of supported devices. LOS 15 (=Oreo) isn't available yet, though, they are still working on it.
Linux LTS kernels will from now on maintained for 6 years (instead of 2 years). This is good news (not only) for Android users.
