Google Tightening Control Over Android as Fragmentation Increases

[wovel]

This is a smart move. It had to happen sooner or later.



John Gruber would eat Steve Job's ***** if he could. His opinion is extremely biased.

Yet what he said is 100% accurate..Weird how that can happen sometimes.

Except... he's right. This was a bait-and-switch from Google. I don't think it was a bad move for the future of the platform, but it does render a lot of their PR commentary through history as bogus. As for Gruber, you clearly don't like him, but while he is certainly a fan of Apple he is usually correct.

Despite what the fandroids think, the Android Ecosystem is in a world of hurt. Fragmentation is a much bigger problem then even Jobs said and they have almost no market at all for paid applications today. They will continue to dominate the worthless bottom of the market and nothing else if they do not do something to reign in these manufacturers.

 

[mdelvecchio]

John Gruber would eat Steve Job's ***** if he could. His opinion is extremely biased.

not really. he hails them when they do good, he faults them when they dont. google it.

and this -- is the definition of hypocrisy. will Rubin tweet that his first-ever-tweet is now broken and untrue?

 

[NAG]

Emphasis on the important bit for those who didn't bother to actually read the article. If you want to wait a bit, you can get the code and do whatever you want. Well that's my reading of it anyway, but please, don't let get in the way of giving the new enemy number one a good kicking.

If early access to the code is so unimportant then why the big fuss over cutting corners with Honeycomb to get it on the Xoom? Why not delay the Xoom or put Gingerbread on it and update it later?

Pretending that getting a jump on the market by weeks isn't enough to make or break you in the Android market isn't going to work. Having early access only doesn't matter if the features in the update are irrelevant (which they are for the feature phone makers who pretty much ignore any software updates anyway) or they're the life blood of the device (usually the flagship device of the month).

 

[Žalgiris]

Android > iOS.

I was blind, but now i see. Oh wait ...

 

[mdelvecchio]

The question is what will Google do when they do publish the source code? All of these people pointing and laughing didn't read the article.

no, the question is: "Is this evil?" when google starts rejecting Facebook Android phones, or android versions using Bing and not Google...

thats the question.

 

[layte]

Except Google have made it very clear with Honeycomb that they're not willing to release the source code for the foreseeable future so 'a bit' could be a lot longer than you'd think. More to the point that does manufacturers very little good. If, f'instance, Google decide to only release a version of Android as open source when they release the next version any manufacturer wanting to use it is going to have to grab the open version, make whatever tweaks they want, get it on a device, get it built in bulk and launch it into the relevant sales channel(s). By the time they do that Google is likely to have released another version of Android and they'll be hopelessly out of date.

Make no mistake about this, Google tightening up on the Android T&C's like this makes it almost impossible for anyone outside of Google's control to launch a device that really competes with the manufacturers who are on the inside track, at least from an OS point of view.

I was just pointing out that the code is still open, even if some have to wait longer than has been the case. I'm not saying everything is golden and Google are a paragon of virtue, this is certainly a bit of a sly move on their part.

I cannot help shake the feeling that some of the vitriol from certain people is the fear that a more coherent and unified Android ecosystem is an even bigger threat to the iOS platform.

 

[Deflorator]

What?

What the heck is this? The "Steve was right" month?
Pathetic Dell and HP, desperate Microsoft, Samsung aka Mr. "Smoothbastic", Google inhibiting fragmentation, the very one, which does NOT exist, really...
who is next? Oh, i have got it - Adobe. So come on, resistance is futile.

 

[Popeye206]

Good. I hope they take one of the last strengths of the iPad ecosystem away from it.

Ya got to love this guy.... Mr Gloom and doom!

Glad to see the hot selling iPad 2 only has "one" advantage against the non-selling Android tablets.

 

[Benjamins]

I was just pointing out that the code is still open, even if some have to wait longer than has been the case. I'm not saying everything is golden and Google are a paragon of virtue, this is certainly a bit of a sly move on their part.

I cannot help shake the feeling that some of the vitriol from certain people is the fear that a more coherent and unified Android ecosystem is an even bigger threat to the iOS platform.

not really. It's just reaction to extreme hypocrisy.

Maybe Google needs to back off from using the word "open" like they own it.

 

[Gatesbasher]

Oh, Lordy! The Fandroids were always delusional, but reading some of these comments—this seems to have pushed them over the line into some sort of clinical psychosis.

 

[NAG]

I was just pointing out that the code is still open, even if some have to wait longer than has been the case. I'm not saying everything is golden and Google are a paragon of virtue, this is certainly a bit of a sly move on their part.

You're moving the goal posts. That always has been the wonderful thing about the words "open" and "free" with respect to software. They never really meant much but had such loaded connotations. You can change the definition mid-argument as easily as you change what hat you're wearing.

I cannot help shake the feeling that some of the vitriol from certain people is the fear that a more coherent and unified Android ecosystem is an even bigger threat to the iOS platform.

You know, projecting isn't healthy at all.

 

[barkomatic]

Keep in mind that Google tightening up Android and forcing handset makers to adhere to certain guidelines is primarily a problem for the *handset makers* and carriers--but not consumers.

I couldn't care less what problems Verizon and Motorola have if the end result is a beautiful and functional device. If not, I'll buy something else.

 

[NAG]

What the heck is this? The "Steve was right" month?
Pathetic Dell and HP, desperate Microsoft, Samsung aka Mr. "Smoothbastic", Google inhibiting fragmentation, the very one, which does NOT exist, really...
who is next? Oh, i have got it - Adobe. So come on, resistance is futile.

Adobe showing how the iPad is only for consumption and not worth their time.

 

[eNcrypTioN]

I always knew this would happen.

 

[Popeye206]

Oh, Lordy! The Fandroids were always delusional, but reading some of these comments—this seems to have pushed them over the line into some sort of clinical psychosis.

It's because they're learning that offering a commercial product like a college science project is good for developers, but stinks for consumers and the real world. Basically... Google is learning this too.

I've always believed that if Google doesn't start imposing some limits and "walls" the Android OS will get out of control and you'll have 20 versions of it out there all running in their own direction.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Ditto. Gruber is as much a blow hard as anyone can possibly be. He's such an arrogant, self-absorbing prick of a human being, without an un-biased bone in his body. He is the epitome of Apple fanboy.

orly? what about when he criticizes apple? what is he then?

sounds like you have something personal against him. (either that, or youre a tool for getting so worked up over somebody you dont even know)

 

[dba7dba]

Keep in mind that Google tightening up Android and forcing handset makers to adhere to certain guidelines is primarily a problem for the *handset makers* and carriers--but not consumers.

I couldn't care less what problems Verizon and Motorola have if the end result is a beautiful and functional device. If not, I'll buy something else.

At a glance your statement sounds fine. But that logic can be used for following logics:

1. I don't care what US does to rest of world as long as I as an american can live nice, prosperous life.

but i digress...

 

[chrono1081]

Let the Apple fanboys begin patting each other on the back, and taking something and running wild with it.

By the end of this thread, it'll be impossible to decipher what the original story was about.

Why does everyone start with the "Apple Fanboy!" BS? Its not necessary. You realize this is MacRumors right where if you say something nice about Apple you're a fanboy but you can insult Apple all day and be labeled as giving a fair opinion.

 

[mdelvecchio]

The source hasn't been released. It's the source code that people are talking about. The source code that Google has always released up till now.

thats the point -- he was clarifiying that despite the OS being out, the source hasnt been released. thats the point being made.

 

[Popeye206]

Adobe showing how the iPad is only for consumption and not worth their time.

Yeah... that's why they are "wasting their time" building a prototype.

Adobe see's 15 million seats and growing fast.

 

[Details Matter]

Let the Apple fanboys begin patting each other on the back, and taking something and running wild with it.

By the end of this thread, it'll be impossible to decipher what the original story was about.

Ironic. You took the thread off-topic to complain about people taking the thread off-topic. Thanks for the giggle.

 

[Malligator]

And the Apple haters do yet another 180...

1. Macs

1995 to 2007: Don't use a Mac. Noone uses Macs.
2007 to Present: Don't use a Mac. Everyone uses a Mac.

2. Apps

1995 to 2/22/2011: Don't use Apple. There is no software and they can't do anything.
2/22 to Present: Apps? Who needs Apps as long as you have a robust UI?

3. Open

2007 to Today: Apple is a walled garden that only stupid lemmings use.
Today going forward: Controlling the OS is necessary and good for the consumer.

 

[marksman]

This is the right move for Google as Android has become a cluster...

That being said it does go directly against how they have built android up, and how they have pitched it to businesses and consumers alike. This is a very significant change.

I think this actually opens the window for Microsoft and their mobile OS now. It is not free, but now it becomes a legitimate option compared to Android for all handset makers outside of Apple and perhaps HP if they ever make handsets.

It is funny one of the first things some people here would say when Android was brought up is "It is open!". You can hem and haw all you want, but for all intents and purposes it is no longer open. Google signing off on all changes and them having no timetable for releasing Honeycomb source code is not open in any way shape or form.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Oh, Lordy! The Fandroids were always delusional, but reading some of these comments—this seems to have pushed them over the line into some sort of clinical psychosis.

Can't we just all get along?

The pissing contest continues taking on comical character.

As an iphone user I have a great device that does what I want it to do. The least of that is actually making phone calls.
It's beautifully integrated with all my Apple stuff.

The Android users have their iphone and ios copy phones. (Hello Mr. Schmidt, nice stealing)
If the Androids and Windoof phones do what their consumers need them to do be happy.

Why would I even care if open or closed. I have no personal advantages if Mr. Rubin has to eat his words or they make changes. Technology is ever evolving.
As a famous politician once said: What do I care about what I said yesterday?

May the better product win, copy and all. If the iphone starts to suck and there are better alternatives for me, I'll switch and so will plenty of others.
Same the other way around.

 

[growlf]

Incentive for handset makers?

I cannot help shake the feeling that some of the vitriol from certain people is the fear that a more coherent and unified Android ecosystem is an even bigger threat to the iOS platform.

First, I have a Dell Streak. Wanted to see what the fuss was about. Took a year for the official Froyo release to appear. Yeah, fragmentation exists.

(I appreciate Android on the Streak, but GOOD GOD does it feel like a laggy piece of software compared to my iPhone and iPad. It has widgets and tons of convenient apps for pirating software or games (no... I own ALL those ROMS)... but I digress.)

So, Android unifies. Google forces handset/tablet manufacturers to adopt a stock OS interface. How will they differentiate themselves? What incentive, beyond a free OS, will there be to creating "phone B" that looks just like "phone A". This is where Google will shoot itself in the foot. The less the carriers and handset manufacturers can customize, the less incentive they have to launch on Android. Heck, just emulate Android if you want the apps, right RIM?

Weren't there waves a few weeks about about Motorola wanting its own OS? I'd want to control my own destiny. This is creating a "walled garden" (Andy as caretaker) for the device manufacturers/carriers, and they're the ones that Google needs to be pushing the platform.