Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 21st Oct 2008 16:26 UTC, submitted by rkalla
It's official, Google has Open Sourced Android. The initial release of the source code is available via Google's Git repository with bugs, FAQs, documentation, etc. handled via Android's Google Code project page. Android's licensing structure and project organization seems to be trying to create something akin to the Eclipse Foundation, mixing individual and commercial interests into a development pot for the collective benefit of the platform on a whole.
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Member since:
2005-07-06
I actually spoke to one of the leads on the Android team (Iliyan) about this, and it essentially boils down to T-Mobile vetting a new cut of the operating system, and once OK'ed, they can push that out to the devices just like a BlackBerry firmware upgrade or the like. So it's going to be very feasible for OS upgrades to hit the G1 and other Android devices, it just depends on the carrier.
This is actually not good news IMHO. I appreciate the carriers wanting to ensure the stability of the devices they offer but would prefer to be able to make up my own mind on upgrading. Using Windows mobile as a reference point for how often carriers willingly update the OS on smartphones I do not see releases coming all too often.
I would like to be able to update my phone to the latest and (potentially unstable) greatest at my discretion. The appeal of Android for me is the potential for an active and growing development platform. If I get a G1 and am stuck with the initial release of Android for the next 18-24 months I would be somewhat let down. The browser especially could use improvement.