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Google has tried to hold up the release of Verizon (VZ) Android devices that make use of Microsoft's (MSFT) rival Bing Google has been demanding that Android l

Google has tried to hold up the release of Verizon (VZ) Android devices that make use of Microsoft's (MSFT) rival Bing Google has been demanding that Android licensees give Google the final say on how they can tweak the Android code. Google's Rubin says that such clauses have always been part of the Android license This is very serious. Consumers won't care (just like they don't care about Apple being closed). It's our job to care and take notice. If anything, it may open our eyes, that Google may be a corporation like all others and will aggressively use its leverage to hurt competitors and partners.

yanw 16y ago
They are confusing things here, they can add whatever search engine they like but it won't get the 'With Google' approval sticker unless it uses Google Apps and services. They are confusing the non-fragmentation approval sticker with total prevention, which is quite frankly dishonest on the part of businessweek.
- blub 16y ago
  Is this just a sticker though or is it an all-or-nothing including things like Android Market + all Google services? The Google services are tightly integrated with the OS, kind of like IE was back in the day with Windows.
  - yanw 16y ago
    Market, Maps, Gmail. And it's nothing like Windows (I'm sick of this analogy) Android is open source, you can and many do, sell non-approved phones, they can use the Amazon store (another app store is the biggest testimony for openness). Android is also the only platform to have multiple browser options (Firefox 4 was recently released for it).
    - blub 16y ago
      > Market, Maps, Gmail. I think the comparison IE-Windows vs. Google services-Android when it comes to coupling is relevant. Google is using services to force manufacturers down certain paths. An Android phone without Market, Maps and Gmail isn't much of an Android phone: * No maps => apps can't use any mapping capabilities. * No Gmail => can you still send e-mail from the SDK? I've heard that pretty much all other e-mail provider integration sucks. * No market => Your phone customers can't buy any apps out of the box. Today there may be alternatives such as Amazon's app store, but back then you either did what Google said or no Android for you! (I think you couldn't even use the Android name in fact)
      - yanw 16y ago
        It's open source software given for free so any slight bit of control Google tries to exercise doesn't really tip the scale to the other side, specially when alternatives exist. Also I recommend the K-9 mail client, it's very good: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fsck.k9 https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fsck.k9
        blub 16y ago
        Ok, so let's say that you make phones. 1. MS comes and says we'll give you 3Om$ if you use Bing as a search engine. 2. You say "Cool!" 3. Google comes and says, if you use Bing, you can't use Gmail, the Android Market or Gmaps any more. You also can't call it Android any more. You call this "slight bit of control", I call it extorsion. P.S: Why do you keep mentioning that Android is open-source? This is completely irrelevant to the discussion.
        yanw 16y ago
        That's not true, the Verizon Android phone that uses Microsoft's search engine has the market and gmail installed, it just doesn't have the sticker. And the fact that it's open source is very relevant here as it implies minimum restrictions.
        blub 16y ago
danssig 16y ago
>If anything, it may open our eyes, that Google may be a corporation like all others and will aggressively use its leverage to hurt competitors and partners. I hate the fact that some people don't get this, but anything that makes more people aware is a good thing.

yanw 16y ago

They are confusing things here, they can add whatever search engine they like but it won't get the 'With Google' approval sticker unless it uses Google Apps and services. They are confusing the non-fragmentation approval sticker with total prevention, which is quite frankly dishonest on the part of businessweek.

blub 16y ago
Is this just a sticker though or is it an all-or-nothing including things like Android Market + all Google services? The Google services are tightly integrated with the OS, kind of like IE was back in the day with Windows.
- yanw 16y ago
  Market, Maps, Gmail. And it's nothing like Windows (I'm sick of this analogy) Android is open source, you can and many do, sell non-approved phones, they can use the Amazon store (another app store is the biggest testimony for openness). Android is also the only platform to have multiple browser options (Firefox 4 was recently released for it).
  - blub 16y ago
    > Market, Maps, Gmail. I think the comparison IE-Windows vs. Google services-Android when it comes to coupling is relevant. Google is using services to force manufacturers down certain paths. An Android phone without Market, Maps and Gmail isn't much of an Android phone: * No maps => apps can't use any mapping capabilities. * No Gmail => can you still send e-mail from the SDK? I've heard that pretty much all other e-mail provider integration sucks. * No market => Your phone customers can't buy any apps out of the box. Today there may be alternatives such as Amazon's app store, but back then you either did what Google said or no Android for you! (I think you couldn't even use the Android name in fact)
    - yanw 16y ago
      It's open source software given for free so any slight bit of control Google tries to exercise doesn't really tip the scale to the other side, specially when alternatives exist. Also I recommend the K-9 mail client, it's very good: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fsck.k9 https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fsck.k9
      - blub 16y ago
        Ok, so let's say that you make phones. 1. MS comes and says we'll give you 3Om$ if you use Bing as a search engine. 2. You say "Cool!" 3. Google comes and says, if you use Bing, you can't use Gmail, the Android Market or Gmaps any more. You also can't call it Android any more. You call this "slight bit of control", I call it extorsion. P.S: Why do you keep mentioning that Android is open-source? This is completely irrelevant to the discussion.
        yanw 16y ago
        That's not true, the Verizon Android phone that uses Microsoft's search engine has the market and gmail installed, it just doesn't have the sticker. And the fact that it's open source is very relevant here as it implies minimum restrictions.
        blub 16y ago

danssig 16y ago

>If anything, it may open our eyes, that Google may be a corporation like all others and will aggressively use its leverage to hurt competitors and partners. I hate the fact that some people don't get this, but anything that makes more people aware is a good thing.