Android build process is broken in android studio 3.4.1

[generalpiston]

Description

ERROR: Manifest merger failed : Attribute application@appComponentFactory value=(android.support.v4.app.CoreComponentFactory) from [com.android.support:support-compat:28.0.0] AndroidManifest.xml:22:18-91
	is also present at [androidx.core:core:1.0.0] AndroidManifest.xml:22:18-86 value=(androidx.core.app.CoreComponentFactory).
	Suggestion: add 'tools:replace="android:appComponentFactory"' to <application> element at manifestMerger9060190841717192007.xml:7:5-9:19 to override.

A proper solution should work with:

1. npm build:android:release
2. Running an android emulator

Platform

Mac OS X 10.14.5

Reproduce (Optional)

1. Download Android Studio 3.4.1
2. npm i --cache /tmp/cache
3. Open mobidex/android in android studio
4. File > Sync Project with Gradle Files

[generalpiston]

The solution might be: facebook/react-native#25292 (comment)

[generalpiston]

It turns out google play services were at the root cause. There are two dependencies using them:

1. react-native-google-analytics-bridge
2. react-native-device-info

Version 17 of google play services with Android Studio 3.4.1 build #AI-183.6156.11.34.5522156 requires androidx. react-native supports androidx starting with 0.60. Mobidex dependencies will take some time to catch up. Mobidex will need to be upgraded to work with androidx and react-native 0.60.

The temporary fix is to set googlePlayServicesVersion to 16.0.0 in mobidex/android/build.gradle.