Google Closes Android Code

IvanV · Mar 25, 2011, 12:12 AM

If you needed further proof that Android is not an "open platform", Google has just supplied it. On Thursday, the company said that as its select partners release the first tablets based on Android "Honeycomb" – the latest version of its mobile operating system – it will not open source the Honeycomb code.
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Source: The Register

**Mousey** · Mar 25, 2011, 12:41 AM

In other news : Android Popularity experiences landslide decline.

Judas · Mar 25, 2011, 03:38 PM

that's not good news from google.

Matth · Mar 25, 2011, 10:30 PM

Since Android is based on Linux, that sounds like a GPL violation!

Judas · Mar 25, 2011, 10:31 PM

hmmm matth has a point.... interesting

Erroneus · Mar 25, 2011, 11:09 PM

It's not. Linus Thorvald him self, has stated it's not a GPL violation.

Actually I applaud Google for doing this. Honecomb IS NOT made for smartphones, this is as clear as can be, so trying to avoid avoid Honeycomb on smartphones, is only a logical move.

And what The Reigster has left out of that article, is the fact that it will be opened again from Android 3.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), but I guess that's irrelevant, when you base your stories on scandals and FUD.

I like open systems, but the ideology that everything should be open, because that's "better", is utter bullshit. Some systems, needs to be under control and closed, not only for the benefit of the user, but also to keep products profitable.

Matth · Mar 26, 2011, 04:05 PM

Now I just had to look up that name. Where do they go next?

**Mousey** · Mar 27, 2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erroneus

It's not. Linus Thorvald him self, has stated it's not a GPL violation.

Actually I applaud Google for doing this. Honecomb IS NOT made for smartphones, this is as clear as can be, so trying to avoid avoid Honeycomb on smartphones, is only a logical move.

And what The Reigster has left out of that article, is the fact that it will be opened again from Android 3.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), but I guess that's irrelevant, when you base your stories on scandals and FUD.

I like open systems, but the ideology that everything should be open, because that's "better", is utter bullshit. Some systems, needs to be under control and closed, not only for the benefit of the user, but also to keep products profitable.

Well i suppose in a way it might not be an entirely outright GPL since it is actually Google's code and this is an entirely different generation of Android designed exclusively for tablets as you mentioned. At the end of the day as long as Google keeps it's current and any future distros of Android open source for it's smartphones (Where the majority of the market lies, as i'm sure most of us know the future of mobile computing doesn't lie entirely with tablets, Just look at the iPad, Pahaha

).

Even if Google does decide to close the source for their previous distros they wouldn't be shooting themselves in the the foot, they'd be swallowing the end of a shotgun and firing off both barells because there's some seriously hardcore open source developers out there who would most likely resort to less than savoury methods in order to kepe the Code open source in some form or another.

Mar 25, 2011, 12:12 AM	#1
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,919 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Google Closes Android Code If you needed further proof that Android is not an "open platform", Google has just supplied it. On Thursday, the company said that as its select partners release the first tablets based on Android "Honeycomb" – the latest version of its mobile operating system – it will not open source the Honeycomb code. ______________ Source: The Register __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Mar 25, 2011, 12:41 AM	#2
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,189 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: Google Closes Android Code In other news : Android Popularity experiences landslide decline. __________________

Mar 25, 2011, 10:30 PM	#4
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Re: Google Closes Android Code Since Android is based on Linux, that sounds like a GPL violation! __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Mar 25, 2011, 11:09 PM	#6
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,419 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Re: Google Closes Android Code It's not. Linus Thorvald him self, has stated it's not a GPL violation. Actually I applaud Google for doing this. Honecomb IS NOT made for smartphones, this is as clear as can be, so trying to avoid avoid Honeycomb on smartphones, is only a logical move. And what The Reigster has left out of that article, is the fact that it will be opened again from Android 3.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), but I guess that's irrelevant, when you base your stories on scandals and FUD. I like open systems, but the ideology that everything should be open, because that's "better", is utter bullshit. Some systems, needs to be under control and closed, not only for the benefit of the user, but also to keep products profitable. __________________

Mar 26, 2011, 04:05 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Re: Google Closes Android Code Now I just had to look up that name. Where do they go next? __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread