Android creator Andy Rubin has switched his Twitter account back on to hit back at a Steve Jobs tirade over whether the Google smart phone OS is as 'open' as is made out.
In a tweet from his account, which TechCrunch said was genuine, Rubin wrote: "the definition of open: "mkdir android ; cd android ; repo init -u git://android.git.kernel.org/platform/manifest.git ; repo sync ; make."
For those not well versed in geek speak, the snippet of Android code makes reference to the open system accessible to any coders who want to develop for Android.
It is a coded reply to a Steve Jobs rant at Apple's fourth quarter earnings call, where he claimed this developmental openness was creating fragmentation, and that Android handset-makers fiddled with the software to suit themselves.
He aimed fire at HTC and Motorola, which have created their own user interfaces in HTC Sense and Motoblur to separate from the core Android experience. Jobs added that an increasing number of hardware and software combinations were confusing developers.
"Many Android apps work only on selected Android handsets running selected Android versions. And this is for handsets that have been shipped less than 12 months ago," the big Apple boss added. "Compare this with iPhone, where there are two versions of the software, the current and the most recent predecessor to test against."
Jobs argued that developers could be more innovative if they had a single platform to target rather than lots of variants, and that the open versus closed argument was just a smokescreen that clouded over this issue.
But Rubin would only have to tweet about the sheer number of Android phones being shipped to show the benefits of Google's approach. Latest numbers for Android show that companies working on the platform are reaping the benefits of software that is adaptable, and which they can mould to their needs.
The fight does seem a little like handbags at ten paces, as both approaches are worthy and successful in their own right. But although Apple is making huge profits, Android is eating into its smart phone market share. It's little wonder Jobsy felt the earnings call was the right time and place to give Google a bit of what for.
With recent changes to its App Store, Apple has also changed its approach to become more open with developers, so it has obviously been taking some lessons from Google. We're not going to side with either party here as we love both iOS and Android, but we're sure you have an opinion on the matter. Let us know what you think.
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Anonymous 19 October, 2010 15:12
More attempts @ FUD from Jobs.
A 3rd party UI should make absolutely no difference to a developer. The UIs aren't rewrites of Android code. For the most part, they're just reskinnings with a few extra hooks so that the respective 3rd party UI developers can add some extra integration into their own 3rd party apps that come with the device. An app developed for a standard Android phone should work on any Android phone regardless of UI.
Of course, an app developed especially for a specific 3rd party UI is a different matter but I don't see many of those around unless they've been developed by the UI developers themselves.
Anonymous 29 January, 2011 00:33
It is a simple choice between freedom and control.
Apple dictate how to use the equipment YOU buy and even force you to register even b4 u can use it! iTunes rammed down your throat, no modding and don't you dare change your wallpaper! Ridiculous!
Linux is about freedom of choice, your choice, unlike Microsoft, Linux lets you be yourself without limitations (Linux for human beings).. How did Apple lose their way?
We seem to so easily give up our freedoms, so many things are censored and Apple are adding to this culture of control..
I was bought a Macbook Pro, the limitations were awful, so off it came and was replaced with Ubuntu... Now I can use Linux as it is meant to be used.
My modded iphone, can do everything and more that the newest iphone OS can do... So why do I have to mod my iphone 3GS just to change the wallpaper?
However I dropped that and have returned to the world of HTC, who do a really great job with the Android platform on their HTC Desire HD.
The bottom line is, if you want to think for yourself choose the freedom of Android... If you want to be told what to do and the way to do it choose Apple...
.....but don't be fooled by the glossy Apple hype!