While it affords more space than the likes of iOS, there's been an increasing level of debate of late regarding just how 'open' a platform Android really is.
Google once pitched its OS as a playground where OEMs could twist and tweak with the software, offering consumers differentiation and pushing the platform in multiple new directions.
Now, if BusinessWeek is to be believed, it's attempting to reign in its partners, presenting Android as a more unified experience to consumers.
Why? Fragmentation.
Heavy hand
The site reports that "several people familiar with the matter" have claimed that Google has been insisting that Android licensees abide by "non-fragmentation clauses" to enable the firm to have a final say over any adjustments they may have made to the OS.
Not only does that include additional services and interfaces the OEM might have employed, but also the very companies they may have partnered with.
As such, the site alleges Verizon devices that make use of Microsoft's Bing search engine have been "held up", as well as an Android phone rumoured to be in development at Facebook.
Keeping competitors in check
Such a clamp down would likely cause major waves, arguably moving Google into territory where it was not only protecting its platform from fragmentation, but also hindering attempts by its competitors to gain a share of the Android ecosystem.
It comes at a time when Microsoft has already hit Google with an anti-trust probe in Europe, citing what it believes is a "pattern of actions" that impede its rivals to its search business.
Google itself denies there's been any change in its tact, with VP of engineering Andy Rubin reportedly claiming that non-fragmentation clauses have been a part of Android since the beginning.
However, delays to the release of Android code into the public domain – Honeycomb's source code set to be restricted to approved partners – suggests there's been an undeniable shift in Google's approach of late, with Android's move to the top table resulting in the doors to its once open kingdom being pulled to a touch.
[source: BusinessWeek]
Google once pitched its OS as a playground where OEMs could twist and tweak with the software, offering consumers differentiation and pushing the platform in multiple new directions.
Now, if BusinessWeek is to be believed, it's attempting to reign in its partners, presenting Android as a more unified experience to consumers.
Why? Fragmentation.
Heavy hand
The site reports that "several people familiar with the matter" have claimed that Google has been insisting that Android licensees abide by "non-fragmentation clauses" to enable the firm to have a final say over any adjustments they may have made to the OS.
Not only does that include additional services and interfaces the OEM might have employed, but also the very companies they may have partnered with.
As such, the site alleges Verizon devices that make use of Microsoft's Bing search engine have been "held up", as well as an Android phone rumoured to be in development at Facebook.
Keeping competitors in check
Such a clamp down would likely cause major waves, arguably moving Google into territory where it was not only protecting its platform from fragmentation, but also hindering attempts by its competitors to gain a share of the Android ecosystem.
It comes at a time when Microsoft has already hit Google with an anti-trust probe in Europe, citing what it believes is a "pattern of actions" that impede its rivals to its search business.
Google itself denies there's been any change in its tact, with VP of engineering Andy Rubin reportedly claiming that non-fragmentation clauses have been a part of Android since the beginning.
However, delays to the release of Android code into the public domain – Honeycomb's source code set to be restricted to approved partners – suggests there's been an undeniable shift in Google's approach of late, with Android's move to the top table resulting in the doors to its once open kingdom being pulled to a touch.
[source: BusinessWeek]
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