mack - 10:26 pm on Sep 29, 2009 (gmt 0)

I think the hardware drivers issue can be addressed. If we look for example at the Linux OS, there have been loads of ports onto different hardware devices. Everything from a pc to a playstation. There are people out there who write drivers for pretty much anything without using the original code or driver software.

A couple of years ago I got a new Win mobile handset. I experimented by installing a linux version onto my old phone. The old phone was originally also running win mobile, but the linux flash essentially worked. People do port software to work on non standard hardware.

I think the question here is who owns the hardware? I know who owns the IP rights on it, but can it be used as I see fit. Can I use it as a doorstop and can I choose what software I want to take advantage of the hardware?

This could be very bad for Google. It does give the impression that they are using the developers to get what they want, yet stop any progress that doesn't steer Android in the direction Google wants it to go in.

At this point there is very little to prevent a breakaway group forming their own branch of Android and removing all Google fearures from it. Is this what Google wants?

Mack.