alexalex Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 The whimsical notion that Android is an open platform is a tattered fabrication that has been stretched beyond the average open source software enthusiast's capacity to suspend disbelief. http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2011/03/android-openness-withering-as-google-withhold-honeycomb-code.ars In reality, Android has become an insular platform developed almost entirely behind closed doors in an environment that is hostile to external contributors and is mired in a culture of secrecy that serves a small handful of prominent commercial hardware vendors and mobile carriers. The vast majority of Android smartphones are encumbered by lockdown mechanisms that block installation of third-party firmware. Some mobile carriers even block installation of external software entirely, in stark contradiction of Google's early promises. The availability of Android source code after each release was really the last remnant of openness in Android?and now it's gone. The whimsical notion that Android is an open platform is a tattered fabrication that has been stretched beyond the average open source software enthusiast's capacity to suspend disbelief. Sadly, there is little about this move that is surprising. Google has long exhibited a pattern of behavior in its Android dealings that reflects a disregard for openness and the third-party development community. It started even before the first Android release, when Google silently stopped making SDK updates available to the public for months and used nondisclosure agreements to gag the privileged few who were given access.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Why is it Google or Androids fault that carriers are greedy and lock down the firmware so its difficult to flash anything but the official roms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleNeutrino Veteran Posted April 1, 2011 Veteran Share Posted April 1, 2011 They never said that they were not going to release the source code they said they were not going to release it YET Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Delta Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Why the hell is it so hard for people to understand the simple premise that the code will be put into AOSP WHEN IT IS READY morphen 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeEsquire Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 As an end-user, I don't care if software is open-source or closed-source. I care that it is polished and high quality. If making it more closed creates a better end-product, I am 100% behind Google. Sir Topham Hatt 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvllsvm Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 As an end-user, I don't care if software is open-source or closed-source. I care that it is polished and high quality. If making it more closed creates a better end-product, I am 100% behind Google. It's open source builds like CyanogenMod that have given Android a polished and higher-quality appeal to me. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to get flac support and 2.3 on my Droid, amongst other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amon91 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 The choice is between having Google controlling it or your greedy carrier. I still think Android should be more open than other platforms, and 'hackable', but there's a line to be drawn in order to maintain a level of quality. And as some have pointed out, most people don't care about how customizable the OS is, they care about whether it works. Also, if Google managed to stop other from locking the OS down, this could end up being a win for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Android IS open its the carriers and phone manufacturers that lock it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amon91 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Android IS open its the carriers and phone manufacturers that lock it off. Exactly, now Google could stop carriers and makers from changing it too much, but not implement any software solution to actually lock it down and definitely not go after any individuals who do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakem1 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Android IS open its the carriers and phone manufacturers that lock it off. Sure, it's open if you don't want access to the latest versions and don't want any of the Google apps that make the OS. Take a look at the sorry state of devices that use the "open" version of Android and you'll see a lot of second-rate phones and tablets running outdated versions of the OS that nobody wants. Also, Google's efforts to reduce fragmentation are going to lead to the OS being less open, not more. Those of you blaming the carriers and OEMs on locking Android down are wilfully ignoring Google's own efforts. Exactly, now Google could stop carriers and makers from changing it too much, but not implement any software solution to actually lock it down and definitely not go after any individuals who do it. In other words, you want Google to make Android less open, not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidSolstice Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) This "Android isn't open-source anymore" drama is just nothing more than FUD that's been blown out of proportion. Google is withholding the source code for Honeycomb for a bit until Honeycomb makes a solid and crap-free entrance into the market. Google owes you nothing, please don't pretend otherwise. We should be grateful that they gave us Android in the first place, not whine about this now. Edited April 1, 2011 by LiquidSolstice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreuger Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Edit nvm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharpGreen Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 This "Android isn't open-source anymore" drama is just nothing more than FUD that's been blown out of proportion. Google is withholding the source code for Gingerbread for a bit until Gingerbread makes a solid and crap-free entrance into the market. Google owes you nothing, please don't pretend otherwise. We should be grateful that they gave us Android in the first place, not whine about this now. I think you mean Honeycomb. Gingerbread code has been available for quite some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Maybe if people read this, they will STFU. Seriously. If IC includes HC and GB, then I dont care if Google releases the HC source code at all. Ice Cream = Google TV + Honeycomb + Gingerbread http://phandroid.com/2011/03/31/ice-cream-google-tv-honeycomb-gingerbread/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidSolstice Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I think you mean Honeycomb. Gingerbread code has been available for quite some time. Whoops. Right you are, bit of a brain fart on my behalf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom7000 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Still April 1st? :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaAddict Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Sure, it's open if you don't want access to the latest versions and don't want any of the Google apps that make the OS. Take a look at the sorry state of devices that use the "open" version of Android and you'll see a lot of second-rate phones and tablets running outdated versions of the OS that nobody wants. Also, Google's efforts to reduce fragmentation are going to lead to the OS being less open, not more. Those of you blaming the carriers and OEMs on locking Android down are wilfully ignoring Google's own efforts. In other words, you want Google to make Android less open, not more. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Which is would you rather have: faster updates and same version of android across majority of the devices within the first month of release or more openness things stay the same? Most of you don't understand that Google already gave more leeway than either Apple or MS when it comes to the mobile OS customization. The result has been large fragmentation of the OS and delayed release of updates due to OEMs taking too long to customize it and carriers withholding updates. Google is churning out a new update almost every 4-5 months, and in most cases by the carriers and OEMs push their update, the next version is about to get released. Frustrating at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Google should let it roam or lock it down. This kinda-sorta thing is just weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidSolstice Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Which is would you rather have: faster updates and same version of android across majority of the devices within the first month of release or more openness things stay the same? Most of you don't understand that Google already gave more leeway than either Apple or MS when it comes to the mobile OS customization. The result has been large fragmentation of the OS and delayed release of updates due to OEMs taking too long to customize it and carriers withholding updates. Google is churning out a new update almost every 4-5 months, and in most cases by the carriers and OEMs push their update, the next version is about to get released. Frustrating at best. Well that's just the dichotomy, isn't it? The battle between closed, consistent user experience (Apple) and open-source free reign with possible fragmentation and carrier control (Android)? I have an Android phone, but I wish Google was a bit more tight-handed on the experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaAddict Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Well that's just the dichotomy, isn't it? The battle between closed, consistent user experience (Apple) and open-source free reign with possible fragmentation and carrier control (Android)? I have an Android phone, but I wish Google was a bit more tight-handed on the experience. I read something yesterday (BusinessWeek) that Google is soon going to require approval for all customizations in order to stay on terms with their non-fragmentation agreements. It is a delicate balance, but necessary step if Google wants to improve quality and user experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidSolstice Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I read something yesterday (BusinessWeek) that Google is soon going to require approval for all customizations in order to stay on terms with their non-fragmentation agreements. It is a delicate balance, but necessary step if Google wants to improve quality and user experience. I read something along the same lines, and I absolutely agree. The recent malware issue seems to have finally brought into light the weaknesses of the Android Market, and I'm glad they've also realized that carrier lockdown/customization is the Achilles heel of Android. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexalex Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 Sorry, but you are all hypocretes. Google pushed Android as an Open Source OS against Apple (and WP7). Most if not all you bought Android smartphones just because of that reason, easy rooting, loading ROMs..Now, this "Open Source" has backfired in Google's and your faces. Locked down by carriers or OEMs is just a small side effect. locking down and "cease and deceas" to developers, outdated SDK... are the more major effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Sorry, but you are all hypocretes. Google pushed Android as an Open Source OS against Apple (and WP7). Most if not all you bought Android smartphones just because of that reason, easy rooting, loading ROMs..Now, this "Open Source" has backfired in Google's and your faces. Locked down by carriers or OEMs is just a small side effect. locking down and "cease and deceas" to developers, outdated SDK... are the more major effects. Wow, thanks for calling everyone a name and its spelled hypocrites. if you are going to insult people, make sure you spell the insult correctly. Google never stated that the source of HC will NEVER be released. They are just not doing so at this time. This isnt a big issue at all and Fragmentation is just something for non android users to bitch about. Most android users dont have a problem with it not to mention that most users are now on 2.1 or 2.2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 huh? Why are we hypocrites for buying a nice phone with a decent OS? Is it our fault for buying the phones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shockz Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Google owes you nothing, please don't pretend otherwise. We should be grateful that they gave us Android in the first place, not whine about this now. You sound like a google mouthpiece. They owe their users and carriers a simplictic way to upgrade without the fragementation. People with capable hardware should NOT be stuck on 1.6-2.2 still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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