Unix and Linux → HP CEO: Android will be Closed-Source in the Future

And I believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. (I'm not so sure about Santa Claus, though.)

Translation.

"That product we just shuttered and ceased manufacture of and the software side we shook up and morphed into some rainbow goats is way better than that one hit wonder Android thingy."

Did she *say* closed source, or "Android could end up being a closed system."

Meaning, like Apple, Google will make both the hardware and software, and therefore other OEMs might not choose Android?

I still think it's a somewhat dumb idea, but it might be slightly less dumb than the misquote (if it is one) in the title.

I agree. Android gains a lot by being open source. I can't imagine what it would gain by closing future releases. Making it a closed system, only shipped with the Android label attached to it only on Moto devices, is more of a possibility, but still not very likely.
Android existence in the ecosystem is similar to Chrome's. The open source piece of it helps Google achieve their goals.

Well most of us using Android are not in fact using open source software. If we asked for the source of the modifications that where made to the version running on our phones, we'd be simply laughed at. Not much different than Apple Darwin.

Not me. I run Cyanogenmod. The ability to run it is a prerequisite for any phone or tablet I purchase (I don't yet have a tablet for this very reason.)

Amen!

+2

If you're looking to go the cheap route, consider a Nook Color. It is well-supported by CyanogenMod, runs about $130 on refurb if you can find a good deal, and is plenty fast with a slight overclock (read: still stable). We have one that lives on our living room table, and I think it's the best 150 bucks I've ever spent.

I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Another more expensive tablet that run various non-Cyanogen mods is the Asus Transformer, I've only rooted mine and not investigated alternative ROMs for it, although there are quite a few.

As far as I can see Android already is closed source. All Generic Androids are stuck at 2.3 Gingerbread (even many low cost phones) when Android is moving to 4.0 ICS

Pretty much Google locked it up at 3.0 only allowing licensed versions.

I doubt though they will go to Apple extremes and make it closed hardware/system too... that would be suicide.

Contractually that would be difficult too in the immediate future, as I imagine most of the licensed manufactures have more than 1 yr contracts.

Android 3.0 is a black-mark in the Android history IMO. Not just because it is closed source, but also because it is a rushed release to get in the tablet market.

Personally on my Transformer I find 3.2 extremely stable (far more than any 2x device I used), and appreciate they are taking their time on 4.0 release to be sure it works right too.
The intended to release the new Transformer Prime with it but held off and put it out with 3.2 and it will be and upgrade probably next month for all Transformers.

Here's the link to all the samsung source code »opensource.samsung.com.

*Sigh* Soapbox coming in 3, 2, 1...

Another clueless CEO? Really, HP, really? OK Miss Whitman, here's the deal...

By promising "that HP will remain patient" completely ignores how customers may not remain patient with HP. In an age where people will give up on a website that doesn't load after 5-10s, you need to reevaluate your priorities. Customers have no problem jumping ship when you're that content with being that docile. HP is a great brand, but it's not that strong to persist constant customer marketplace ignorance brightly rendered from the top of the pyramid.

Worrying so much about open vs. closed source isn't the primary concern in this case. If a product is *good*, people will pay for it...and could care less if it's open or not (look at Apple). Make it well known that HP stands strong behind webOS. Your company did purchase it, correct? Well, then produce (better) products based on it and let customer know you're support said products.

Look, webOS is great UI, arguably the best on the market, but so was BeOS on the desktop. Who or what is that? Exactly my point. There were a lot of people, both customers and developers alike, highly interested when HP bought Palm. However, HP has only managed to drop the ball on this one, spent a lot of money in the process, and is still losing market share. At this pace, webOS will just become a nostalgic OS reference by the end of the year.

Until they get a CEO in there that seems to know what they're doing, I cannot take this company seriously. It's sad because HP makes great workstations, servers, laptops, and printers. Of course there are great competitors in the market as well, but HP has a strong brand. Without appropriately focused leadership, they'll just become a flag whaling in the wind.

The "E" in CEO stands for "execute" Miss Whitman, so do it!

I thought the same sort of "consider the source" thought even before reading bbrkdub 's post. Consider how she lit $160M on fire and toasted, well, nothing.
»articles.nydailynews.com ··· nor-race

not to get off topic but boy I must of been under a rock.. I did not know she was CEO of HP now :-/

Yeah, they gutted the sacrificial lamb (Leo) they put on the alter to purge the evil spirits left by Mark "Burn the furniture to make the bottom line look good" Hurd.