Late last week Google made a move that seems to fly in the face of the open source nature of the AndroidOS. It’s almost like they knew I’d been writing about open source phones.
AndroidandMe.com reports, the big G sent a cease and desist letter to Cyanogen (aka Steve Kondik), one of the Android community’s top developers.
I don’t use an Android phone so I’m not totally up to speed on that particular homebrew community, but from all indications Cyanogen’s ROM is one of the best upgrades you can make to your Android handset. It would seem that at issue is the inclusion of some apps that are not technically part of the open source code.
Google has already responded and they did not back down from their position. They did try to politely explain where the line in the sand is drawn, but considering Cyanogen isn’t busting any of these apps open (they are just being included for convenience) and the relative weakness of Google’s argument (not legally of course, legally they are solid like a bunker) I’m just not sure I understand what the benefit here is. While doing a pretty good job of explaining the situation the response doesn’t actually explain what Google is so concerned about. With over 30,000 downloads of this modified ROM it should be pretty clear that there is a real demand for what is being offered and the Google’s ‘Dont be evil’ mantra seems directly at odds with shutting down this particular development effort.
Through Twitter, Cyanogen has said that he still plans to release a stripped down version and even says he thinks he’s found a solution that wont violate any licenses (whatever that might be). Mr. Kondik also indicates that the discussions with Google are ongoing so the Android community can hold out hope that there will still be plenty of Cyanogen’s homebrew goodness in the future.
I’m intrigued by Google’s move and how this will all play out. Is this a shift in Google’s open source philosophy (probably not), a blip on the technology road map (maybe) or something in between (likely). I don’t usually follow the Android world very closely, but I will keep an on eye this.
PS. How would Palm handle this?
Follow @StartupArmy for articles on technology, startups, social media and more!Jeff Shariat is SVP of Operations for Startup Army, a Venice, CA based startup accelerator. For more information visit www.startuparmy.com.
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Twitter Comment
Google sends cease & desist over an Open Source OS, by a top Android developer no less. [link to post]
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