problem is that you can fork android or make a new linux based os but with manufacturers continuing to lock down bootloaders, good luck getting it on there without making a deal with a phone manufacturer.
Yeah, the hardware realm is the real difficult piece, and even if one can manufacture a device with off-the-shelf parts and manage to find chips with enough support for bands/modes for usability on carriers, getting carrier certification is a PITA.
problem is that you can fork android or make a new linux based os but with manufacturers continuing to lock down bootloaders, good luck getting it on there without making a deal with a phone manufacturer.
Yeah, the hardware realm is the real difficult piece, and even if one can manufacture a device with off-the-shelf parts and manage to find chips with enough support for bands/modes for usability on carriers, getting carrier certification is a PITA.