this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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7 years later, Valve's Proton has been an incredible game-changer for Linux (www.gamingonlinux.com)
submitted 4 months ago by Davriellelouna@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] QuestionMark@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Linux has an entirely different story.

The Linux Kernel Organization is managed by The Linux Foundation, which provides full technical, financial and staffing support for running and maintaining the kernel.org infrastructure.

Funding for the Linux Foundation comes primarily from its Platinum Members, who pay US$500,000 per year according to Schedule A in LF's bylaws, adding up to US$7.5 million. The Gold Members contribute a combined total of US$1.2 million and Silver members contribute between US$5,000 and US$20,000 based on the amount of employees, summing up to at least US$6,240,000.

You can also donate to them.

But what about Android? Android is definitely not paid.

Android is based on the Linux kernel, which uses the GPL license.

If you release the modified version to the public in some way, the GPL requires you to make the modified source code available to the program's users, under the GPL.

Therefore, Google cannot close Android's source code, and force manufacturers to pay for it.

When you buy an Android phone, however, there are some closed-sourced components installed on them: Google Play Services, YouTube, ..., which Google can profit from.

In its earnings reports, the company combines revenue from multiple sources, under the sub-heading “Google Services”. This includes income from Android, Chrome, Maps, and hardware (like Pixel and Nest smart home devices). In the first quarter of 2022, this “services” division brought in $6.8 billion in revenue for the company. ... Oracle’s attorneys estimated that Android had generated a total of $31 billion in revenue and $22 billion in profit.

So Google does profit from Android. It's free, but Google definitely generates enough to develop Android.

Apple's situation is different from Google's. It is the sole maker of devices that run macOS, and macOS is close-sourced. It can add a price to each macOS device sold for macOS development. It would be illogical for Apple not to do this, and use the profit brought by the sale of other devices. Therefore, there's a high probability you're also paying for macOS when buying a Mac device.