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Acer was planning on launching a low-end phone in China running Aliyun OS, a Linux based operating system that’s only relevant to us because it wasn’t Android. The phone was meant to be cheap and affordable and was targeted for China. But that phone is no more. Why? Because Google killed it. What?
It’s an extremely weird situation. According to Reuters, Acer had teamed with Alibaba, an e-commerce firm in China, to make a phone that used the Aliyun OS. They were set to announce it to a bunch of foreign journalists but once people started showing up for the event, they were barred from the venue because the launch of the phone had been abruptly shut down. Why the cancellation? Alibaba said:
“Our partner received notification from Google that if the new product launch with Aliyun went ahead, Google would terminate Android product cooperation and related technical authorization with Acer.”
Wait… what? Yes. Google supposedly threatened Acer that if they released a phone on another OS, that they would pretty much not be allowed to make Android phones again. That’s not exactly “don’t be evil”. What about Google’s other Android partners who make Windows Phones? Will Google strong arm them as well? This situation being in China doesn’t affect us immediately but it does set an alarming and troubling precedent. Google is becoming the bully it pretended it would never be. [Reuters, WP Central]
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What’s Google’s word on this?
Knocks on Darrell’s Door
Sorry I’ve only just seen this, so I’m a bit late. It’s pretty much as Alex says, android is free and open source so anyone can take it an do what they want with it. However members of the OHA have all signed to say the there version of Android will be compatible with a set standard. Aliyuns fork of Android does not meet this standard. Google are simply saying acer cannot release a non compatible version of Android and be in the oha. To say this is evil is bullshit. Look at Amazon, they have forked android, and are not in the oha, and Google says nothing bad about them despite them being more successful at android tablets (at least in the US) than any oha member. This is a total non story dressed up for Page hits and agenda pushing.
“Compatibility is at the heart of the Android ecosystem and ensures a consistent experience for developers, manufacturers and consumers. Non-compatible versions of Android, like Aliyun, weaken the ecosystem. All members of the Open Handset Alliance have committed to building one Android platform and to not ship non-compatible Android devices. This does not however, keep OHA members from participating in competing ecosystems.”
http://officialandroid.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-benefits-importance-of-compatibility.html
Basically, Acer were breaking the terms of the OHA agreement.
Incidentally, it took me all of a few minutes to look up the actual facts on this story. It’s -specifically- because Aliyun is an incompatible fork of Android and all that Google has said is that by not following the terms of the Open Handset Alliance that Acer -willingly- agreed to, Acer would lose the support of being part of that alliance by releasing the phone.
It’s got absolutely nothing to do with a company releasing a phone that isn’t Android, and doesn’t even have anything to do with someone forking an incompatible version of it either, really. The main issue is that Acer aren’t keeping to their part of the OHA agreement by releasing the phone – so it’s either don’t release the phone and remain in the OHA with all the benefits that come from that, or release the phone and relinquish the benefits from being part of the OHA.
Where’s the evil bullying in this scenario?
So this is only valid if Aliyun OS is a fork of Android? It is pretty hard to find info about it online but there is a quote from the guys who make it..
“Aliyun OS is not part of the Android ecosystem” -Alibaba
It’s a fork of Android, but it’s not part of the ecosystem because the changes made make it incompatible with core Android features (ie: it doesn’t fit the spec for core Android any more). This means they don’t have access to the Play Store or Google apps.
It’s exactly the same as Amazon’s fork of Android for the Kindle Fire – except that unlike Amazon, Acer is part of a group that is meant to be committed to keeping Android open and compatible.
All Google is saying here, is that if Acer wants to remain part of that group, they can’t release a product that breaks that code. They’re free to do so if they wish, but that would mean the loss of the benefits of the OHA.
Consider it as if someone said they would look after all the DIY in your house and keep all your appliances up to date if you agreed to not try messing around with that stuff yourself – as doing so would cause complications with their own service. You’d be completely free to decide to knock through the wall in your living room and replace your cooker with a fancy new Range, but you’d have to sacrifice the benefits of having those other services provided to you. It’s 100% up to you, personally, to decide which route to take. Hardly an unfair compromise, is it?
Thank you Alex, you did a wonderful job of explaining this. Just one question remains. Casey Chan used to work for Android Central, so he knows all of this. Why then did he write this piece of garbage?
There are competing opinions on if it is really a fork of Android. This article explains it pretty well. I’m just saying that it’s not as clear cut as you make it out to be.. Either that, or someone is lying..
http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/14/alibaba-vp-in-response-to-google-smackdown-will-someone-please-ask-google-to-define-android/
There certainly remain some questions to be cleared up Alibaba claims Aliyun OS is not a fork of Android (although they do so in a very odd way since the “Android ecosystem” is not the same as Android), Google claims it is (and presumably has something to back this up). Frankly Acer might actually be better off leaving the OHA and selling Aliyun phones, since they don’t do to well with Android (anyone here seen an acer Android in the wild?)
Obviously Alibaba are the ones making all the noise at the moment, Google are responding, but certainly not screaming from the rooftops about this (because it’s a non-issue). If Alibaba think they have a case they will no doubt want to sue Google since they will have lost money on the non-release of this phone.
I’ve seen 2 Acer Androids in the wild – the problem at least in the UK is Acer have very little inroads with Networks.
That and their phones are nothing special. But yes, the lack of a relationship with the networks, since they are new to the phone game, hurts them big time. Out of interest where did you see those acers.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/09/15/aliyun-app-store-confirmed-to-be-distributing-pirated-android-apps-many-from-another-pirate-site/
I’d say this is enough to back up Google’s insistence that Aliyun is based on Android.
Aside from the pirated and unlicensed Google apps bit, though, Google likely wouldn’t be that bothered with Aliyun’s existence. For a start, this kind of stuff should basically be -expected- when dealing with China. The real concern for them is that Acer is part of a group designed to prevent this happening on a larger scale. Acer’s position is incompatible with releasing a phone using this OS.
You have to wonder how desperate Acer are to sell phones, all the stuff that’s coming out about Aliyun just makes them appear extremely dodgy. I assume you’ve see Andy Rubins latest statement on G+
“Hey John Spelich — We agree that the Aliyun OS is not part of the Android ecosystem and you’re under no requirement to be compatible.
However, the fact is, Aliyun uses the Android runtime, framework and tools. And your app store contains Android apps (including pirated Google apps). So there’s really no disputing that Aliyun is based on the Android platform and takes advantage of all the hard work that’s gone into that platform by the OHA.
So if you want to benefit from the Android ecosystem, then make the choice to be compatible. Its easy, free, and we’ll even help you out. But if you don’t want to be compatible, then don’t expect help from OHA members that are all working to support and build a unified Android ecosystem.
Nice Avatar btw
Very excellent picture.
I prefer his Mr Burns/Steve Jobs one. http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/11/mr-jobs-mr-burns.jpg
Heh, this ‘article’ is so full of made up bile its almost farcical. Do some research before posting.
If true, it’s like the whole Netscape vs IE threats MS made to PC manufacturers back in the 90s all over again. However as Aliyun can run Android apps, it’s understandable that Google is getting pissed off.
yeah If you look into it thats not what google said at all, gizmodo is talking bs whats new….
Uh oh, Andriod reality distortion field took a hit
Well that’s one back for your team.
It’s pretty poor journalism when the actual story is in the comments section. More research, less tabloid sensationalism, please.
yet another BS article from gizmodo, your really turning into the Hello Magazine of tech -.-
Coming next week, Darrell Jones relaxes in his beautiful beachside home, cooking tips from The Doctor, winemaking with Spatchmo and the latest instalment of Southern’s burger reviews.
Don’t forget Taf’s weekly Apple product review (hint, it’s 5 star every time)
Bahaha well played sir!
For anyone with technical bg, Google’s decision would make sense. I’m with them.