The Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 9.7 are predecessors of the current Galaxy Tab A 10.1, which has a standout S Pen feature. (Photo : Youtube / Android Authority)
In their updated Android Compatibility Definition Document, Google is discouraging further use of non-standard third-party quick charging technologies for USB Type-C devices. It is even suggesting, in near future, these charging technologies might be totally banned from Android platform.
With this revelation, it is clear those consumers using Android devices will soon going to face complications arising from fast charging technologies they are using right now, pointed ZDNet.
With this new update, Google is only trying to address a very specific situation which is the fast charging over USB Type-C. The text of the section 7.7.1 of the document reads like "Type-C devices are 'STRONGLY RECOMMENDED' to not support proprietary charging methods that modify Vbus voltage beyond default levels, or alter sink/source roles as such may result in interoperability issues with the chargers or devices that support the standard USB Power Delivery methods."
Although Google has not specified any names but this statement strongly points towards Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology which is making its round far longer than the USB-standard. There are some other popular technologies including MediaTek's Pump Express and OnePlus's DASH Charge.
Charging with USB Type-C is both messy and hazardous. USB Type-C has its very own fast charging standard named Power Delivery but the implementation of these technologies are incompatible in most cases and this can give absolutely precarious results.
With Google's recent update on Android Compatibility Definition Document, OEMs and chip makers like Qualcomm and MediaTek are surely going to suffer as Google has set its foot down to push USB Type-C Power Delivery ahead of the rest. Google has not said anything against the Quick Charge for older USB types, Slash Gear reported.
The new Compatibility Definition Document for Android v 7.0 also features some minor yet interesting modifications. Most intriguing is the concept of Android Extensions. It seems to be developed to allow back-porting of newer features to older versions of Android.
Even after such revelation from Google, Android's open source nature still holds hope for modification and disregard of such recommendations and requirements.
Check this interesting video on USB charger:
