Linux cuts long-term kernel support from 6 years to 2 due to lack of use and maintainer burnout

Linux is cutting back LTS kernel support from 6 years to 2 years due to lack of use and maintainer burnout.

The longer period was meant to help Android and IoT devices that don't update kernels often.

Android devices can still launch with old 4+ year old kernels, making 6 years useful.

Google's GKI helps but hasn't enabled major kernel updates on existing devices yet.

Example Pixel phones have launched with 3-4 year old kernels, which will be 7+ years old when unsupported.