Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
Summary: Android is what it is today because of Linux and because of Google's open source following -- developers, organizations, customers and vendors. Delay the open source release? No. Justice delayed is justice denied.
It was very disturbing to learn that Google will not open source Android 3.0 in timely fashion.
Shortly after the release of the Honeycomb 3.0 SDK in February, I was told by a source in the know that tablet source code would be available to developers. But I assumed that this would be done when the code was firmed up -- not when Google felt like doing it.
"The version of Android (3.0-Honeycomb) showed today is optimized for tablet form factors. It's not yet been open sourced. All of the UI changes are the future of Android," the source told me, and then answered by obvious follow up question. "As with all releases on Android, we make it available by open sourcing it - but we haven't announced a timeline."
Google is releasing the source code to OEMs and "select" developers -- but so does Microsoft. That doesn't make it open source.
Google is hinting that its a minor delay, and as noted by my colleague, that its decision is in the best interests of its user base.
"While Google claims that they don’t want people experimenting with the OS on smartphones for which it wasn’t designed, " the story maintains.
I find that rationale a bit ironic, considering that it is Google that has caused much of the market confusion by developing multiple open source operating systems and then spewing forks of each for different purposes.
Ok. Chrome OS is for notebooks. Android is for smartphones and Android 3.0 is for tablets. Clear.
If it's clear to me, then it is clear to developers.
Google ought to be able to trust its developers enough to use the proper code base for the proper purpose. Google, after all, has experimented with the core Android code for which it wasn't initially designed. (Why shouldn't developers if they wish?)
Google's commitment to open source has been questioned in the past, in spite of its mega contributions to Mozilla, standards work and decision to use Linux. Yet it always seems to weather the controversies.
But this? This decision to delay is simply unacceptable.
Android is what it is today because of Linux and because of Google's open source following -- developers, organizations, customers and vendors. Delay the open source release? No. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Developers need the full Android 3.0 code to create the best Android tablet apps possible. Windows developers know full well that Microsoft's access to internal APIs not available in the SDK gave the company an edge in the apps business.
That may not be Google's true motive in this case, but the company needs to be reminded that it does not control Linux or the GPL.
Transparency is paramount in the open source community. The tablet market is going to be huge. It's not fair to lead the entire open source developer community along, enjoy massive success and then pull the plug on its open source commitment as the market wave is poised to peak.
I would strongly urge Google to reconsider this decision -- or face a serious revolt by the open source community.
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Talkback
It's fine. It's not like we're talking about MS here
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
LOL @ folks believing in "do no evil"
I think you just made a friend of DonnieBoy
;)
I believe this is a legal issue.
I welcome the move, remember all Microsoft wants to do is destroy the competition, by delaying the release of the source code, this means that android can still compete for decades to come.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
Besides, at CES, Duarte said that Honeycomb would be available for smartphones as well. He explained how "fragments" in Honeycomb are used to customized the OS depending on the device. So, Honeycomb, will be available for phones, but it won't look the same as on a tablet, but it will still be Honeycomb.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
You are looking a gift horse in the mouth.
"Android code for which it wasn?t initially designed. (Why shouldn?t developers if they wish?)" Because "developers" aren't of the same caliber as the google engineers. It's why they get paid WAY MORE!
Will Farrell makes a good point (hi Will, I love you in Talladega Nights). Just kidding I know your not the real Farrell. Just like I am not the real Bilbo Baggins (he is real though).
Right Google's developers are what matters
Development is difficult work, that's why you have to pay people to do the heavy lifting.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
Actually its the other way around. Tablets are being forked off from phones, and the new Android for phones with Honeycomb app support is due out in the next few weeks. That being said, I've already seen Android 3.0 ports for smartphones in development on XDA. They're not at all stable, but it was only a matter of days from 3.0s release to alpha roms being tested.
The champion of Open Source is now the abuser
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
"Bad as MS"
Funny how you offer no evidence to backup your claims and speak rhetoric.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Google
Note that it says:
"Much of the criticism of Google pertains to issues that have not yet been addressed by cyber law."
Ie. Much of the criticism of Google should be directed at Congress and the courts.
Just look at some of the criticisms, they are a complete joke (Doodles).
Microsoft's site however:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Microsoft#Labor_practices
Way worse. Also that page links to entire other wiki articles about criticism of specific products.
Now, onto Android which has only one criticism if you could call it that. Oracle is suing over copywrite since they now own Java. Imagine that, embrace, extend, extinguish.
Get some perspective people!
Selective postings, so what.
I can link to the "good" things that a drug lord does for his community, while linking to the fact that Steve Jobs (or whoever) doesn't contrubite to charities.
Would that make Steve Jobs "alot more evil"?
No cause Steve is loved and Gates and Ballmer are not!
Java is legally open sourced.
Sun released Java as GPL2.0 in 2007. Java has been open source since 2007 and Oracle is going to loose that court action.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
It's also possible that the source code just isn't up to whatever standards they have for releasing it. Perhaps the code is badly documented, or maybe it hasn't been vetted for copyright/patent infringements.
I don't know... I'm more concerned with getting more tablet friendly apps in the Android market place.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
From some reviews I've read about Android 3.0... I'd say you might be right.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable
Not only that, but I guarantee you half the people pissin and moanin' here are not even developers who have a vested stake in Open Source. Even if they were, seriously? You're gonna get that nerd on us that your understanding of "open source" should remain free and unhindered just cause of the name?
Sorry but you are sorely mistaken if you think that most Dev's who are worth their salt care if Google intends to change the licensing of their #1 project right now. Now the manufacturers I could see getting a little miffed, but ultimately they will turn to others (WP7, Web OS) if they don't feel like they have enough control over Android.
I think you'll find the opposite though, it's actually the uncontrolled environment that made their offerings not stand out from one another in the first place.
RE: Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 code is unacceptable