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Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

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Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#111

Post by Supermighty »

bad_user wrote: post #93
greyish_water wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Besides, open-source does not mean open-development. Google has done a lot to confuse this by referring to everything as just "open". They were still calling Android open even when it didn't meet Andy Rubin's own tweeted 'definition of open'.

"open" is an overloaded term that doesn't mean anything nowadays. "open source" on the other hand has a clear definition and Android definitely fits that definition. Even yesterday, when Android 3/4 was not available as open-source, Android 2.2 and 2.3 which are the most deployed versions were definitely available as open-source. And this is relevant, because that's the power of open-source. If you're unhappy with ho…

The GPL v.2 was written in a time when it was rare that patents were wielded as weapons.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#112

Post by ConstantineXVI »

wmf wrote: post #79
hetman wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Phone makers were afraid of copyleft for various reasons, mostly irrational. Also, copyleft probably wouldn't help Google's goal of getting as many Android devices in the market as possible.

A viral license actually could have been a much more effective carrot/stick tool for Google vs. their current situation (early source access, carrier contracts, etc.). Play ball with us (Market, etc.), and we'll give you a full closed-source license. Otherwise, we expect to see full source of your modifications made available per the GPL.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#113

Post by ConstantineXVI »

kennystone wrote: post #31
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.

Right, no coincidence a year's backlog of updates comes out on the same day Amazon ships their tablet. Good luck to Amazon with merge.

It won't be any more difficult for Amazon than it will be for any other OEM; phones are merging in from 2.3 as well. And that's making the assumption Amazon actually cares about being in sync with AOSP.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#114

Post by ConstantineXVI »

thristian wrote: post #85

So, the Android website is packed full of information about how to clone the Android repository and build it from scratch, but I just want to browse it online. Is there some official "gitweb" site or something that I can poke at?

Used to be; they haven't got their gitweb back online yet though. They're still in the middle of moving all their infrastructure internally after the kernel.org breach.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#115

Post by snotrockets »

fpgeek wrote: post #46
roflharrison wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting point, especially considering Google specifically said the source would not be available until the Galaxy Nexus was out. >year's backlog This is inaccurate, they have been releasing patches and updates for other versions of the platform over the last year. They did skip Honeycomb, which fits your Amazon theory, mind you, from the reviews I have read the Fire would not benefit greatly from ICS as they Fran…

The Galaxy Nexus is hitting stores in the UK on the 17th so the release is only a few days early. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that they got done a little early and decided to "push the button" anyway.

Just received an email from clove.co.uk stating that the UK release (at least for the SIM unlocked version) was pushed back to the 23rd.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#116

Post by fluidcruft »

Supermighty wrote: post #111
bad_user wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"open" is an overloaded term that doesn't mean anything nowadays. "open source" on the other hand has a clear definition and Android definitely fits that definition. Even yesterday, when Android 3/4 was not available as open-source, Android 2.2 and 2.3 which are the most deployed versions were definitely available as open-source. And this is relevant, because that's the power of open-source. If you're unhappy with ho…

The GPL v.2 was written in a time when it was rare that patents were wielded as weapons.

Yeah, it's too bad that people won't just migrate to GPLv3. The GPLv3 codified the FSF's working practice of allowing continued use if the offender comes into compliance. Following the letter of the GPLv2 is much more severe. Fortunately, I don't think anyone's ever really insisted on enforcing GPLv2's termination clauses and Linus and most other major GPLv2 projects seem inclined to follow the FSF's model. I don't think FSF will cause trouble--but lawyer-led asshole behavior seems to be on the rise.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#118

Post by eslaught »

asmosoinio wrote: post #86
thristian wrote: post #85

So, the Android website is packed full of information about how to clone the Android repository and build it from scratch, but I just want to browse it online. Is there some official "gitweb" site or something that I can poke at?

Android sources get mirrored to https://github.com/android/ , which allows browsing of the code. The latest release is probably not be there yet, though. For example, source of the MMS conversation list: https://github.com/android/platform_packages_apps_mms/blob/m... -- update: Another great place to browse the source, with working links to other classes, multiple versions etc, is grepcode: http://grepcode.com/file/r…

github.com/android seems be a mirror of kernel.org, which isn't where Android is hosted any more...

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#119

Post by esrauch »

drivebyacct2 wrote: post #94
enjo wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It had everything to do with fragmentation. Honeycomb (by Googles admission) was a stop-gap to get something out for tablets. They chose not to release the source as they wanted to limit the number of devices shipping with honeycomb in favor of a more compatible (and developer friendly) version in ICS.

How is that related to fragmentation?

If you are writing an app for phones you don't have to target honeycomb at all, that is reduced fragmentation.

Re: Google releases full Android 4.0.1 source code, includes Honeycomb too

#120

Post by stouset »

bad_user wrote: post #95
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…

It wouldn't be all that surprising if it would go closed source As with anything in life, there are forces that prevent them from doing that. Also, the whole point of open-source is the right to "fork" which trumps all other freedoms you might have. Xorg came into existence because of disagreements with the XFree86 license, while XFree86 died ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X.Org_Server#History Specially when any co…

> Also, the whole point of open-source is the right to "fork" which trumps all other freedoms you might have.

No. That is the whole point of free software. The point of open source is just that the source code is made freely available.

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