It's a two-part special on Android Bytes as we chat with two execs from OSOM Privacy, an Android startup founded from the remains of Andy Rubin's Essential. In this episode, we talk about the company's first product, the Solana Saga, and what it's like building an Android experience from scratch.

With us are OSOM CEO Jason Keats and CPO Gary Anderson. You can learn more about the Saga here.

• 02:22 - After Essential shut down, why start another smartphone company?
• 06:38 - Why do so many smartphones use the same build materials?
• 09:05 - What's the Solana Saga all about?
• 15:06 - Does the Solana Saga ship with GMS? What is the software experience like?
• 18:02 - How exactly does a company bring Android with GMS onto a new device? What are the steps involved?
• 21:26 - What is a MADA? Why do companies have to sign it?
• 22:17 - Why can't a company launch a GMS product with any version of Android and security patch level? Is this requirement burdensome?
• 27:12 - How does one validate that their Android build will pass Google certification? What is xTS and how long does it take to run it?
• 31:23 - What is a 3PL? What happens when a build passes certification?
• 33:21 - How did Essential manage to ship day 1 Android updates?
• 34:50 - How do carriers play a role in Android updates?

Android Bytes is hosted by Mishaal Rahman, Senior Technical Editor, and David Ruddock, Editor in Chief, of Esper.

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