Google/Android the new Apple/iOs? :-)

[undesign]

Interesting article -

http://techland.time.com/2011/03/31/google-cracks-down-tightens-up-android/

There's also a philosophical issue at work. Google likes to say that Android is open, referring to the fact that the company makes Android's source code publicly available. The more restrictions Google places on Android, the more closed the software becomes. In a sense, it's an admission that Apple isn't wrong about everything.

 

[NetDude]

It has to be done. It makes absolute sense... to me, at least.

 

[DJNgoma]

April Fools?

 

[Elimentals]

April Fools?

Nope, and remember that even with Android being Open Source it falls under the same license as Apache and not GPLv3 So they have all the right to do this.

I see this as a good move. It doesn't mean that Android is now closed source its just that there is better controls into what goes into the Official OS. Things that this can open for us is less issues with software development, and yes Android is starting to get to that fragmented hurdle. I would actually love it if they add that crap like Sense or Motorola theme is an application that can be removed by end users if they want.

 

[undesign]

April Fools?

Maybe. I'm sure the sanctimonious pontificating bitches a.k.a. fandroids will let us know in due course.

 

[Maddmatt]

Manufacturers can still take it and do what they like, if they don't mind losing the Market and other Google services. So it's still open.
It needs some control to stop certain manufacturers screwing it up too much.

 

[iDenTiTy]

What about apps?
Surely then, apps that need to control certain core OS functions will then also be censored?

 

[Elimentals]

Android has been following the same release cycle, closed off and distributed to Open Handset Alliance, shortly* after they release it to the public in the form of the Apache license. I don't see anything changeling in this regard. As for API's with OS access that is an API and got nothing to do with the source code. You can access core functions right now with Honeycomb using the SDK and API's yet the code has not been open sourced for the public.

What is going to happen is
1 That the manufacturers like Archos is going to wait a while before they get there devices on the new Android versions out, so in essence going to be behind the pack. Nothing is going to stop HTC or Motorola to leave the OHA and join the Archos crowd and keep all there customization. Its just if you want to be in with the boy's you going to have to play on the same field.
2 Less Android Fragmentation as the Top players in the OHA OS's going to be very similar with less customization for each brand.
3 Easier for people to upgrade there phones so we going to have more phones in the same camp. I mean come on 2.3 has been out for almost a year and you mostly still get 2.2 phones because manufacturers like HTC Motorola and Samsung have so many customizations on their phones that it takes forever to update to new version of the OS.

Google is not unreasonable with there demands. In fact the manufacturers are to blame for this, come on Verizon replacing Google with Bing search was a bad idea, esp if Google pays you money to use Android.

*This time period might also go the Honeycomb route making the people that is not in the OHA fall behind even more.