G+_Tom Gehrke Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 "Open" Android Article This was a very interesting read and definitely gives us something to think about. I'd have to go back and watch the Tech News Today episode, but I think it supports Jason Howell's assertion that an HTC built Amazon phone might get HTC into hot water with the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). Ya'know... *shuffle shuffle* Here... That's where Jason starts talking. Tom Merritt countered with the thought that HTC should be OK since this would be an Amazon (not HTC) branded device. If I read the article correctly, it seems to say that HTC really would be in hot water. From the article... "This makes life extremely difficult for the only company brazen enough to sell an Android fork in the west: Amazon. Since the Kindle OS counts as an incompatible version of Android, no major OEM is allowed to produce the Kindle Fire for Amazon. So when Amazon goes shopping for a manufacturer for its next tablet, it has to immediately cross Acer, Asus, Dell, Foxconn, Fujitsu, HTC, Huawei, Kyocera, Lenovo, LG, Motorola, NEC, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, and ZTE off the list. Currently, Amazon contracts Kindle manufacturing out to Quanta Computer, a company primarily known for making laptops. Amazon probably doesn't have many other choices." Now the point that Tom makes regarding whether or not an Amazon phone would run afoul of the OHA since they aren't including any of the Google apps might still be valid. It's all mud to me, but the author of the Ars Technica article, Ron Amadeo, might be persuaded to say more on an upcoming episode of AAA. Maybe? ;) At any rate, check out the full article. I found it extremely interesting and I suspect the AAA community might as well. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I think it should be okay. There was a recent incident (I don't remember who) where an OHA member could not include Google's services. I would search for it, but I'm too lazy tonight. Maybe the notifications tomorrow will motivate me. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ron Amadeo Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Tom Gehrke Yep, I'm on AAA this week. I asked to be on knowing this article was coming. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Tom Gehrke Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Joseph Cappellino "Laziness is next to godliness." At least that's how I say it. Not sure it's ever really caught on in my circles. Ron Amadeo I thought Jason had mentioned you being the upcoming guest. I'm looking forward to watching the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Tom Gehrke - lol Anyway, here's the article [1]. It turns out it was Acer, and they were going to get kicked out of the OHA if they continued. So, I assume the same would happen to HTC if they are to release a device with FireOS on it. [1] - http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/13/understanding-the-difference-between-aosp-and-the-open-handset-alliance-opinion/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Howell (raygun01) Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Joseph Cappellino That's precisely the example I used during the discussion on TNT last week about HTC/Amazon. Yes, Ron Amadeo is on the show tomorrow and between this and the Steve Cheney article ("Why Android First is a Myth) along with the Facebook ads report from last week), there should be some lively discussion on tomorrow's show! Stirring the pot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts