Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

Post by roflharrison » Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 3:53 AM UTC

ubernostrum wrote: post #53

pingswept wrote: post #6

In the past, I've spent a fair bit of time criticizing Google for calling Android "open source", but not releasing the source. Now that it appears that they are actually doing it, let me be the first to say that this is great. Well done, Google.

So... call me crazy, but I think it's wrong to praise a project which claims to be open-source for, um, actually releasing source. And honestly, the fact that we've come to this indicates just how completely Google has failed at being an open-source citizen.

Post by generalk » Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 3:57 AM UTC

vladd wrote: post #13

pingswept wrote: post #6

In the past, I've spent a fair bit of time criticizing Google for calling Android "open source", but not releasing the source. Now that it appears that they are actually doing it, let me be the first to say that this is great. Well done, Google.

What people criticized about them was the delay of an open source release to sustain their business strategy (commoditize their products' complements via open source but keep a integrated experience by proprietary early-access agreements - see also http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/StrategyLetterV.html ). This release doesn't change Google's strategy nor the fact that they will continue to release Android's sour…

  > This release doesn't change Google's strategy nor the 
  > fact that they will continue to release Android's source 
  > code in the future with a significant delay compared to 
  > early-access partners.

Post by hetman » Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 4:39 AM UTC

zobzu wrote: post #45

roflharrison wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some people criticized AOSP because they believe the delayed release is unfair (a reasonable criticism). Other people (sheep) criticized them because they actually believed Google was never going to release more source or because needed an arguing point against the OS.

Actually until Google releases the source you can never be sure if they're going to release it. They release this time.. you and I can only hope that they keep doing it in the future. It wouldn't be all that surprising if it would go closed source (except for key partners) at some point (and except for the GPL content). Specially when any company could just rip the source, make it nicer looking and release their own…

Post by hetman » Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 4:45 AM UTC

burgerbrain wrote: post #70

adgar wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stated reason wasn't that the code was ugly, it's that it didn't translate to phones at all; Honeycomb was only ever really good for tablets. There was concern that manufacturers/homebrewers would put it on phones and that doing so would make android look like shit.

By that logic they should have never released the source code for any of Android, since Android is shit on desktop PCs.

Post by wmf » Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 5:01 AM UTC

hetman wrote: post #75

zobzu wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually until Google releases the source you can never be sure if they're going to release it. They release this time.. you and I can only hope that they keep doing it in the future. It wouldn't be all that surprising if it would go closed source (except for key partners) at some point (and except for the GPL content). Specially when any company could just rip the source, make it nicer looking and release their own…

I'd like to understand why Google didn't use a copyleft licence.