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So I can create an open platform and control how it is used? That doesn't make sense.

DannyBee 8y ago
Err, no, they controlled only the people who chose to use their apps or play store. That's still open, you can do whatever you want, it's just if you want their stuff, you play by their rules.
- LolNoGenerics 8y ago
  That has nothing to do with open software.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- shanghaiaway 8y ago
  So it's not open.
  - stickfigure 8y ago
    It's not that complicated. The Google apps and the app store are not open. Everything else is.
    - genericid 8y ago
      Google has abandoned most AOSP apps. It has moved large parts of the API into Play Services. Android is not open, what is open is merely an incompatible fragment of an OS.
    - pas 8y ago
      Google Apps Agreement prohibits you from enjoying the openness of that everything else. And now the EU Commission thinks that this is an unfair (due to market share) agreement, because it prevents competition. (Which is trivially does, since no OEM can start making and marketing and selling a competitor.)
- njoro 8y ago
  I think you are twisting the definitions pretty hard. Android isn't open for anyone who also wants access to the dominant app store. If you want that and sign that agreement you can no longer effectively enjoy the right you have under e.g. the GPL and distribute devices with modified versions of the code. As I understand this is legal under the GPL, but certainly very shady towards the developers who made the code available with the intention for it be used openly, rather than being leveraged by Google for their anti-competitive means. Also those practices is preventing other developers, who has as much right to the code under the license, from using those manufacturers. This is a clear attempt of trying to use their dominant position to control the market and shut out the competition from those manufacturers, not just controlling the manufacturers themselves which would be bad enough in the first place. And that is exactly why they are being and should be fined.
- genericid 8y ago
  Windows is also open. You can do whatever you want, it's just if you want their stuff (except .NET and Powershell), you play by their rules.

Err, no, they controlled only the people who chose to use their apps or play store. That's still open, you can do whatever you want, it's just if you want their stuff, you play by their rules.

LolNoGenerics 8y ago
That has nothing to do with open software.
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
shanghaiaway 8y ago
So it's not open.
- stickfigure 8y ago
  It's not that complicated. The Google apps and the app store are not open. Everything else is.
  - genericid 8y ago
    Google has abandoned most AOSP apps. It has moved large parts of the API into Play Services. Android is not open, what is open is merely an incompatible fragment of an OS.
  - pas 8y ago
    Google Apps Agreement prohibits you from enjoying the openness of that everything else. And now the EU Commission thinks that this is an unfair (due to market share) agreement, because it prevents competition. (Which is trivially does, since no OEM can start making and marketing and selling a competitor.)
njoro 8y ago
I think you are twisting the definitions pretty hard. Android isn't open for anyone who also wants access to the dominant app store. If you want that and sign that agreement you can no longer effectively enjoy the right you have under e.g. the GPL and distribute devices with modified versions of the code. As I understand this is legal under the GPL, but certainly very shady towards the developers who made the code available with the intention for it be used openly, rather than being leveraged by Google for their anti-competitive means. Also those practices is preventing other developers, who has as much right to the code under the license, from using those manufacturers. This is a clear attempt of trying to use their dominant position to control the market and shut out the competition from those manufacturers, not just controlling the manufacturers themselves which would be bad enough in the first place. And that is exactly why they are being and should be fined.
genericid 8y ago
Windows is also open. You can do whatever you want, it's just if you want their stuff (except .NET and Powershell), you play by their rules.