Android Is Still Open, Google’s Rubin Insists

Much hustle has been made about Google's past delay in cathartic its latest Android code to developers, as fit as reports that it has been exerting more curb over device makers. However, the mobile platform is just as open as information technology used to atomic number 4.

Then argues Google V.P. of engineering Andy Rubin, WHO posted an insistent rebuttal along Midweek to any claims suggesting otherwise.

"Newly, there's been very much of misinformation in the wardrobe about Android and Google's role in supporting the ecosystem," Rubin began. "I'm penning in the spirit of transparentness and in an attempt to set the record straight."

'Our Draw near Remains Unchanged'

The Humanoid platform has taken the world by storm since the launch of the first Android twist in October 2008, and research loyal Gartner right away predicts that well-nig fractional of all the world's smartphones testament run the operating system by the end of next year. The iPhone, meanwhile, is increasingly popular among teenagers, according to the fashionable Piper Jaffray data.

Despite Android's unprecedented outgrowth, however, "we've remained affianced to fostering the development of an open platform for the mobile industry and on the far side," Rubin maintained.

Whereas numerous reports last week focused on "anti-atomization clauses" restricting licensees' ability to custom-make Android's code, device makers remain "slaveless to modify Android to customize any range of features for Mechanical man devices," Rubin pointed out.

Focusing primarily on "basic compatibility requirements," in fact, the company's anti-fragmentation program has been in situ since the launch of Android 1.0 then is cipher new, He aforesaid.

"Our approach cadaver unchanged: in that respect are no curl-downs surgery restrictions against customizing UIs," Rubin asserted. "There are non, and ne'er have been, any efforts to standardize the platform on any single chipset architecture."

'We'll Publish the Code'

Instead, Android remains an undefendable germ platform, Rubin asserted, and its source codification will continue to be released–including that of tablet-friendly Honeycomb.

"As I spell this the Android team is still hornlike at work to bring all the new Honeycomb features to phones," he explained. "Arsenic presently equally this work is completed, we'll publish the cipher."

No change in strategy is behind the delay, he insisted; rather, "we remain unwaveringly committed to providing Android as an raw source platform across umpteen device types."

Not a Question of Absolutes

Acknowledged the fully unsympathetic nature of Apple's competing iOS platform, Mechanical man's relative openness has always been one of its greatest assets and distinguishing features. The platform has never been as undecided as Linux is, to be sure, but IT has enabled far more customization, instauratio and consumer choice than a completely proprietary strategy ever could.

Is Google untimely to control which manufacturers chafe see its write in code when, or to keep IT largely under wraps until it's finished? I don't think sol. Those are the company's decisions to make, but they don't mean the weapons platform is about to be locked down.

This ISN't a macrocosm of absolutes. Google's platform is still infinitely many open than its principal competitor, with all the advantages such openness entails. I'm betting that will continue to give Mechanical man the winning edge.

Follow Katherine Noyes connected Twitter: @Noyesk .

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/490236/android_is_still_open_googles_rubin_insists.html

Posted by: huertareplads.blogspot.com

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