6 ms·

To expand on my point from last time: Android source code is licensed under the GPL and Apache licenses and therefore the source code is open for developers.

by pkaler 16y ago

To expand on my point from last time: Android source code is licensed under the GPL and Apache licenses and therefore the source code is open for developers. The Android project isn't really developed in the open therefore the process is closed for most developers. Most Android hardware is carrier locked, has proprietary firmware, or has proprietary services loaded on top and therefore is closed for users.

kenjackson 16y ago
"Most Android hardware is carrier locked, has proprietary firmware, or has proprietary services loaded on top and therefore is closed for users." Does Android mandate this or can you go and create a phone that has none of the carrier restrictions you noted? I think you can.
- m0nastic 16y ago
  all Android phones have three sets of restrictions: 1.) Restrictions imposed by Google, which you are free to ignore if you stick to just the released source code of Android (like the Market or their proprietary apps) 2.) Restrictions imposed by the Manufacturer (which you could ignore by making your own phone) 3.) Restrictions imposed by the Carrier (which you can presumably ignore if you make an unlocked GSM phone). Working outside of all three of those restrictions would basically put you in the same category as OpenMoko (which while an enterprising idea was pretty much guaranteed to not go anywhere). So I'd agree, "you" can go create a phone without any of the carrier restrictions, provided you are a handset manufacturer. I'm not a handset manufacturer, so I can't.
  - slantyyz 16y ago
    But what of those "Chinese Android" phones I hear about? That they're based on Android but aren't officially Android?
    - m0nastic 16y ago
      As far as I know, any phone that runs Android is "Officially Android", of which there are a number of Chinese handset manufacturers making handsets. Many of them don't have access to the Market, or run Google's applications, but I don't think that makes them "not officially Android".
  - eli 16y ago
    Huh? If you want a phone without carrier restrictions, you just need to buy it somewhere else. It's not cheap, but it's very easy. See, for example, http://www.htcphonestore.com/ http://www.htcphonestore.com/
    - m0nastic 16y ago
      I was actually referring to making a phone, not buying one; but I thanks for the link. It could come in handy if I need a phone for development.
- skybrian 16y ago
  You can buy a developer phone. However, I'm not sure you can get one for any carrier.

by pkaler 16y ago

kenjackson 16y ago

"Most Android hardware is carrier locked, has proprietary firmware, or has proprietary services loaded on top and therefore is closed for users." Does Android mandate this or can you go and create a phone that has none of the carrier restrictions you noted? I think you can.

m0nastic 16y ago
all Android phones have three sets of restrictions: 1.) Restrictions imposed by Google, which you are free to ignore if you stick to just the released source code of Android (like the Market or their proprietary apps) 2.) Restrictions imposed by the Manufacturer (which you could ignore by making your own phone) 3.) Restrictions imposed by the Carrier (which you can presumably ignore if you make an unlocked GSM phone). Working outside of all three of those restrictions would basically put you in the same category as OpenMoko (which while an enterprising idea was pretty much guaranteed to not go anywhere). So I'd agree, "you" can go create a phone without any of the carrier restrictions, provided you are a handset manufacturer. I'm not a handset manufacturer, so I can't.
- slantyyz 16y ago
  But what of those "Chinese Android" phones I hear about? That they're based on Android but aren't officially Android?
  - m0nastic 16y ago
    As far as I know, any phone that runs Android is "Officially Android", of which there are a number of Chinese handset manufacturers making handsets. Many of them don't have access to the Market, or run Google's applications, but I don't think that makes them "not officially Android".
- eli 16y ago
  Huh? If you want a phone without carrier restrictions, you just need to buy it somewhere else. It's not cheap, but it's very easy. See, for example, http://www.htcphonestore.com/ http://www.htcphonestore.com/
  - m0nastic 16y ago
    I was actually referring to making a phone, not buying one; but I thanks for the link. It could come in handy if I need a phone for development.
skybrian 16y ago
You can buy a developer phone. However, I'm not sure you can get one for any carrier.