RSSCoalition seeks to replace all of Google's closed source Android components
By Tim Conneally | Published September 29, 2009, 10:56 AM
Last week, Google issued a cease and desist order to Android modder Cyanogen, whose popular Android ROM modification was downloaded more than 30,000 times, but included versions of closed source Google applications instead of purely the open source components.
In a blog explanation, Google said, "Unauthorized distribution of this software harms us just like it would any other business, even if it's done with the best of intentions."
The modding community was outraged, and many claimed it to be the end for Android as an open source project. Some called for boycotts, some proclaimed that it was time to start developing for the iPhone, some just generally overreacted. Cyanogen's ROM crossed the open source line by including Google's closed source packages like Gmail, Google Maps, and even the as-of-yet unreleased new Android Market.
Now, a coalition has formed called the Open Android Alliance which seeks to prevent this sort of clash from ever happening again by creating an Android environment that is 100% free and open source under the GPL3 code license.
"We don't have anything against the existing closed applications, however, we believe in open platforms and want all users to be able to modify their systems as they see fit. Above all, remember, we are not 'Anti-Google.' We are 'Pro-Android.' Please act accordingly when posting on this project," the project's summary says.
Attempting to replace Google's services in Android is going to prove a colossal task, as it includes replacing the majority of the Android experience as users currently know it. This involves bringing in a new e-mail client, IM client, navigation/Google Maps client, calendar, YouTube application, Android Market, sync manager, setup wizard, and much more.
Anything Google will do aside of gmail and search engine will be utter crap for the next 10 years. Within 5 years Windows Mobile will eat alive both the Google lame attempt and Apple's fashion statement gayness. Both of them have no f'kn clue how to get the loyalty of the most important customer: the DEVELOPER.
Microsoft, on the other hand, will keep beating both Apple and Google in their own turfs ('turves' for the homogrammasexuals) and make them scream like lil girls... ;)
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|ROFL laughing. You really do not know much about the industry, do you?
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|This sounds like it could be a big problem for Android, rather than something good.
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|The coalition will be building apps *for* android. These apps could be better or worse, but I highly doubt *more* apps will hurt.
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|I know what you mean, but I think this would lead to more confusion around Android, and more confusion would just hurt Android. Most people dont even know what Android is yet.
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|What a bunch of babies. Although if they wanna make open source replacements, more power to them. Google created android as open source to be used however you want, including putting closed source apps on it.When other people do that, its all fine and good, but when google does it people are "outraged".
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|It's not that they did it, it's the "why?".
The apps come with the device. Google does not charge for them. They were unchanged in any way. No money changed hands, no money was lost by anyone. It harmed Google in no way, shape, or form....so why send the C&D?
The only result from this is the impression that Google has become just as draconian as Apple. The impression may be *wrong*, but in the marketplace, perception is reality. Google should know that.
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|How is Apple "draconian"?
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|Oh SNAP! Someone didn't just ask how Apple is "draconian"... You're joking, right??
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|Good.
Cyanogen has decided to keep making his mod and is working on a back utility to back up and restore the "Google Experience" applications so that he can still offer the mod, just in bare-bones format; so that's a good start. Might have been a good idea from the beginning.
As stated on Ars, what was once Google's alternative to Apple's walled garden has become a walled garden of it's own...just with a lower wall.
I am looking forward to the Sholes(shules, depending on source) Android phone for Verizon. I hope that they get the 3rd party development well underway by the time that one comes out.
This should have been the 3rd party devs goal from the beginning...
FWIW: Google developers have expressed their own outrage at the C&D and have been incredibly helpful and supportive on the OAA forums. It almost appears as though the Legal Dept. cast the stone without running it by anyone else in the company prior. I would not be the least bit surprised to see the license for those Google apps go through an update soon making such distribution legit.
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