[bpfrh]

I mean it kinda is already with android being made by google.

The hard problem is not even necessarily building android, the hard problem is afaik the custom firmwares needing a very specific kernel version to work with and having security issues of their own.

If you then want to decouple software completly form any hardware chip it get's complicated fast, are usb ICs software?

Do all ic manufactures now need to hire external companies for their firmware?

[spaqin]

The hard problem only comes because manufacturers break GPL licenses and do not disclose source code. And the whole secure bootloader thing on top, trying as hard as they can to keep you in their ecosystem.

[Y_Y]

Do your USB controllers ever need updates? Consumer PCs rarely end up having new firmware flashed to components, but applications and drivers are still frequently updated without much fuss.