[bitmapbrother]

>Qualcomm is only able to obstruct in this way because Linux doesn’t keep the kernel driver ABI stable for any fixed period of time.

The Linux kernel used by Android is based on the LTS version that now has 6 years of support [1]. So by the time an OEM releases a new device the support window will be about 4 years. Google has also been working to stabilize the Android kernel HAL so that OS updates don't require a brand new kernel [2]. Because of these developments Android devices can now offer 4 years of support [3].

>Windows Phone 10 was actually in a position to support phones for years and even got Qualcomm onboard. It’s a shame the platform was never competitive, and they’d burned all their goodwill on the 7 and 8 fiascos.

This is pure speculation and I highly doubt Qualcomm would have invested the time and money, to support a platform that had no chance of success, beyond their obligated 2 years of support at the time.

[1] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/09/android-users-rejoic...

[2] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-outlines-plan...

[3] https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/12/treble-plu...