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Root Android (Nexus) 3.3-3.4 Official Kernel

I'll ask a kernel Dev. Update when u get an answer.
So I got this response and I am paraphrasing:

The kernel source for a device must be fully open. For example, the GNex uses a TI OMAP 4460 and Texas Instruments stop developing for mobile. Also, the code is not 100% open source, so the kernels can only get backported code from updates to the Linux kernel as it pertains to Android. I would imagine the same is true for the N7, which sits at 3.1.x. However, many kernel Devs, like Imoseyon, of LeanKernel fame, backports Linux kernel updates into his kernel to give us the best experience possible.

It should be noted that rumor has it that Linux 3.8 is being worked on by Google and, Android's Linux Kernel and the Standard Linux Kernel should be merging soon. This could mean great things for us Android and Nexus users.

Gave it my best,

jmar
 
So I got this response and I am paraphrasing:

The kernel source for a device must be fully open. For example, the GNex uses a TI OMAP 4460 and Texas Instruments stop developing for mobile. Also, the code is not 100% open source, so the kernels can only get backported code from updates to the Linux kernel as it pertains to Android. I would imagine the same is true for the N7, which sits at 3.1.x. However, many kernel Devs, like Imoseyon, of LeanKernel fame, backports Linux kernel updates into his kernel to give us the best experience possible.

It should be noted that rumor has it that Linux 3.8 is being worked on by Google and, Android's Linux Kernel and the Standard Linux Kernel should be merging soon. This could mean great things for us Android and Nexus users.

Gave it my best,

jmar

Yes, the article link I posted was actually about the 3.8 Kernel testing.
I know there are closed source blobs in the kernel for every device. This shouldn't really prevent the Nexus 7 from being on 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4, unless something in those new Kernel would break compatability or something.

Every kernel for every phone has closed source blobs in them, including the Nexus 4, so I guess Google (and maybe Nvidia and ASUS) just haven't got the newer kernel's ready for the Nexus 7 yet.

I forget which GPU chip the Nexus 4 has but I haven't seen any open source GPU (by the actual maker of the GPU chip) drivers.

I'm not an expert by any means as I'm sure you can tell, but just some thoughts on all the research I've done over the last year. Please, feel free to correct me or post your thoughts. (anyone)

And thanks for replying and updating!
 
Yes, the article link I posted was actually about the 3.8 Kernel testing.
I know there are closed source blobs in the kernel for every device. This shouldn't really prevent the Nexus 7 from being on 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4, unless something in those new Kernel would break compatability or something.

Every kernel for every phone has closed source blobs in them, including the Nexus 4, so I guess Google (and maybe Nvidia and ASUS) just haven't got the newer kernel's ready for the Nexus 7 yet.

I forget which GPU chip the Nexus 4 has but I haven't seen any open source GPU (by the actual maker of the GPU chip) drivers.

I'm not an expert by any means as I'm sure you can tell, but just some thoughts on all the research I've done over the last year. Please, feel free to correct me or post your thoughts. (anyone)

And thanks for replying and updating!
Naw,

I think you hit it on the nail. Those proprietary blobs are what keep the kernels stagnant. Nvidia may update the kernel or release the source to allow for an updated kernel. Your guess is as good as mine.

Wish I knew more...

jmar
 
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