Google puts Honeycomb AOSP release on hold

[Zero]

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...324_269784.htm

In the great mobile-device wars, Google (GOOG) has portrayed itself as the open-source crusader doing battle against the leaders in proprietary software—Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Research In Motion (RIM:CN).

Unlike its rivals, Google makes the underlying code for its popular Android operating system publicly available, and anyone can access it and tailor it for use in mobile phones, tablets, television set-top boxes, even automobiles.

So what happens when Google decides to keep the latest version of its operating system to itself? Android fans are about to find out.

Google says it will delay the distribution of its newest Android source code, dubbed Honeycomb, at least for the foreseeable future. The search giant says the software, which is tailored specifically for tablet computers that compete against Apple's iPad, is not yet ready to be altered by outside programmers and customized for other devices, such as phones.

Slight bummer to those of us looking forward to working with HC AOSP. I can kind of understand their stance though, since HC is their point offensive on the developing tablet market.

I wonder how MS will react given that this pushed HC into a less open-source sphere (litigations!!!111one)

[Debello]

So much for open source, but isn't with holding the source code against Linux terms of usage.

[shrike126]

Originally Posted by Debello

So much for open source, but isn't with holding the source code against Linux terms of usage.

It is. From what I've read so far they haven't said they WON'T release it, but rather that they were withholding release for now due to a concern that OEMs would start tossing Honeycomb onto handsets despite it not being intended for handsets. I can't help but agree their concern is valid, so I can appreciate their stance on wanting to wait a bit before releasing the code base for Honeycomb.

[Zero]

They've never cared before where their os ends up. That's kinda the whole point of open source, no?

[shrike126]

Originally Posted by Zero

They've never cared before where their os ends up. That's kinda the whole point of open source, no?

Well before it was their OS appearing on phones, other phones, or more phones. They've never had multiple OS versions out there for OEMs to use. In this case I can appreciate their approach, especially from a carrier standpoint.

[Zero]

I'm confused by that statement. Android has been available in different versions and across many devices (tablets, appliances, more) practically since release.