Google has released their side of the story.
Here is the key bit:
"These apps are Google's way of benefiting from Android in the same way that any other developer can, but the apps are not part of the Android platform itself. We make some of these apps available to users of any Android-powered device via Android Market, and others are pre-installed on some phones through business deals. Either way, these apps aren't open source, and that's why they aren't included in the Android source code repository. Unauthorized distribution of this software harms us just like it would any other business, even if it's done with the best of intentions."
Legally, they are in the right. However, I think they need to be a bit more creative than this. As a licensed G1 owner, I have a phone which includes these applications. I want to continue to use these applications with the Cyanogen ROM. At the same time, Google doesn't want Cyanogen to redistrbute the apps, presumably so that non Google Experience phone owners cannot get these applications. Fine. But then, use a technical solution. Have Cyanogen do a check to verify that the device is a Google approved device and then let the ROM update go through. OR allow me to backup and restore my Google apps from an SD card. Or find another way to allow LICENSED owners like myself use my Google apps on my Android phone.
This is not a problem that needs to be solved with lawyers and threatening e-mails. It needs to be solved so that all parties are happy. Google should be able to ensure the apps are used on its phones, Cyanogen should be able to make Android mods that don't deprive us of our software, and we users should be able to enjoy the best Android builds available.
The ball is still in Google's court. I don't think this is over. Not by a long shot.
5 comments:
I don't understand why Google doesn't put the "offending" apps on the market. This is ridiculous. Maps is already there. GMail, come-on. Put that anorexic app on the Market. Google Talk? Skip that one if need be. Voice? It's on the market. What else is there? Lesser known apps that we can do without.
Google needs to step up to the plate in this. Many of us purchased "Google Experience" phone. We now will have an option of using stock roms with the goods, or customized roms that are crippled. All of this because Google decides to be another stubborn big-biz company that all of sudden concerns itself more with the accounting department than the customer service department. This kind of an attitude just when Bing becomes such a hit?
I don't think that Google will win any J.D. Power Associates awards (if they have such a thing for short-sided and greedy search engine companies).
We all should have known that Android was too good to be true.
good post, brent
@Brent - Excellent post. Google should make the closed source apps available on the market.
This is the sole reason that Apple's iPhone just works so well - there is only ONE variation of it. Don't be confusing with 'Google experience' 'non-Google experience' phones -- make it an ANDROID EXPERIENCE phone, with it standardised across the board.
The only reason I installed Cyanogen's build was because my telco company (Optus in Australia) is useless at supporting the device and only pushed Cupcake out around 2 months ago.
This is frustrating. Over to an iPhone me thinks.
Just wanted to say that Cyanogen's ROM only works on the G1 & myTouch...which are both licensed Google Experience phones. It really blows my mind.
They've effectively killed their innovation for Android. Google has seriously let a lot of people down this week. So much for "Do No Evil."
I am ibn Diallema
Google Allowed Push EMail, Contact Sync and Calendar Sync to Apple iPhone and Windows Mobile via Microsoft Active Sync Transport Protocol.
And now I am in Google Dry Desert Dyeing without Google Sync and Market.???
Post a Comment