Google Fights Back Against Android Fragmentation 373
bonch writes "Google is tightening its control over Android in an attempt to standardize the platform. Licensees must agree to a 'non-fragmentation clause' that gives Google final approval over operating system changes, allegedly sparking complaints to the Justice Department. This follows Google's recent decision to withhold the source to Honeycomb from non-privileged partners, a move that has drawn criticism from openness advocates. Google says that Honeycomb will be open sourced when it's ready for other devices."
The Case for Google's Control: Atrix (Score:5, Informative)
Motorola's "enhancements" to Android make the Atrix nearly unusable. My wife moved from the iPhone to the Atrix, and it is only because Android does allow customization that I was able to download enough skins and fixes to make the phone usable.
AT&T wants to push their useless buggy navigation to the Atrix, despite the fact that Google's navigation works just fine.
All in all, the fresh and clean Android I have on my Nexus One is almost completely corrupted by Motorola and AT&T on the Atrix, and this isn't done because it is in the interest of the customer. This a push of crapware onto the customer serving interests at Motorola and AT&T
Re:The Case for Google's Control: Atrix (Score:4, Informative)
That would be a good point if I could take my phone and modify it. Motorola also has a pretty firm stance on locking down the system so I can't get at it.
Re:The ultimate irony (Score:4, Informative)
Its a straw man because you're full of shit.
Android 3.0 is not closed source. Android 3.0+, just as with all previous versions of Android, is part of a closed development process. Those are two entirely different things. Google has made it clear once they finish with their targeted 3.x features, it will be released from their closed development model.
Closed development is in no way the same as closed source. To suggest they are one in the same is to validate one as either an idiot or a troll; whereby they are not mutually exclusive possibilities.
So yes, absolutely, your statement is a straw-man because your statement means ALL versions of Android are closed source and factually we know your assertion to be full of shit.