Staging Driver Changes For Linux 3.19: Android Binder Code Leaves Staging

The latest Linux 3.19 kernel changes to talk about is the staging pull request that was sent in a short time ago by Greg Kroah-Hartman.

Highlights of the 3.19 staging pull request include:

- Around 70k lines of kernel code were removed, in large part due to stripping out the "horrid" BCM driver. The staging BCM driver isn't to be confused with any Broadcom hardware driver but rather was the Beceem WiMAX driver. Per Intel's Jeff Kirsher who removed the Beceem WiMax (BCM) driver, "The Beceem WiMAX driver was barely function in its current state and was non-functional on 64 bit systems. Based on repeated statements from Greg KH that he wanted the driver removed, I am removing the driver."

- Lots of clean-ups, fixes, and improvements all over.

- The Android binder code has graduated out of the kernel staging area. Greg explained about this code, "This is code that has been stable for a few years now and is working as-is in the tens of millions of devices with no issues. Yes, the code is horrid, and the userspace api leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not going to change due to legacy issues that we have no control over. Because so many devices and companies rely on this, and the code is stable, might as well promote it out of staging."

- Various LLVMLinux contributed updates for making staging code more friendly with the Clang compiler as an alternative to GCC.

- A lot of Unisys driver fixes.

- A lot of Comedi driver fixes.

- Many updates to the rtl8723au driver.

- Many other fixes and updates to the many components making up the kernel's staging area.