ChromeOS is owned by the public, Gmail is not, Gmail is a ChromeOS app. Android AOSP != Gmail. It doesn't make any sense for apps that have deep ties into serv

ChromeOS is owned by the public, Gmail is not, Gmail is a ChromeOS app. Android AOSP != Gmail. It doesn't make any sense for apps that have deep ties into server-side Google infrastructure to be part of the OS, they are apps. Do you consider Chromium browser open source even if the majority of the apps you use on the Web everyday aren't? Android being open source has obviously benefited the public. Just ask Cyanogen.