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:2006-01-04
Member since:2005-07-06
Oh gotcha... I see what you mean, my comparison to BB (Controlled device, Controlled OS) isn't a great example.
I'd actually expect Android to function very similary to how Eclipse works. When you consider all the commercial products built ontop of Eclipse *theoretically* you are suppose to keep API compatability and drop in new replacements of the platform under your product, but that never happens, not with something *that* big. There are always API breaks, even in the patch releases, so big ISVs tend to normalize on a single version, ship their product on that version and then refresh it about a year later.
Look at WebSphere/IBM, I think they are on a 2-year refresh cycle with WebSphere IDE.
It's the unfortunate side effect of having a big open community like that with tons of contributors with no choke-point to guarantee compatibility... nor could they do that either I don't think, unless they've written impressive tools to audit code checked in?
Not sure.
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.
Member since:2005-07-06
Kokopelli,
I imagine upgrading will be just like iPhone. If T-Mobile chooses to vet a new OS upgrade for the G1, you can optionally apply it or just stay put.
Iliyan wasn't specific about the deployment/upgrade path that T-Mo will take, that's up to T-Mo to decide, so if I sounded firm on how they were going to roll that out, I apologize, I really don't know. I just know they will have the option to if they want it.
That being said, I know what you mean. I kept Firmware 1.1.3 on my iPhone all the way until 2.1 came out (skipping the rest of 1.x and 2.0.x releases) just cause I didn't need to ugprade it. I liked having the choice.
Member since:
2005-07-06
kragil,
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.
For example, the free/smaller non-smart-phones from Samsung and Moto that may be running Android in a year, I might not expect them to have OS upgrades available (similar to how things work now with those phones... you get what you get when you buy the phone).