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.
Thread beginning with comment 334443
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
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.
Recent Original Stories
Recent Comments
Headlines
Random Comments
Random Stories
Random OS Link
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.