Android Dominates Despite Being “Least Open” Open Source Project
When choosing a mobile operating system, those who pick Android often choose it for the fact that it’s an open source project. Which is why I was surprised to see the recent report from VisionMobile, suggesting that based on its research stacking open source projects against each other, Android is the least open project of them all. VisionMobile ranked projects like Mozilla, Linux and Eclipse against Android in four main categories: access, development, derivatives and community. Android scored lowest in three of the four categories, ending up dead last in all but development. Here’s a breakdown of the findings:
- Android came in last in access because its source code is created behind closed doors. That is, public developers don’t get a hold of the code until Google decides it’s absolutely ready to be released to the public. This can sometimes take up to nine months – contrary to the ideology that open source project code should be freely updated and available to all developers, all at the same time.
- Android also ranked the lowest in the derivatives category because Google limits the manufacturers who can have Android Market on their devices. They must meet certain requirements and be certified to be able to advertise that the Market is available. On the contrary, other open source projects allow you to distribute code freely and use the product trademark without adhering to any requirements.
- VisionMobile dubbed Android least open in the community category because of a lack of a tiered system for rights – that is, one’s status doesn’t dictate access.
The report essentially sums up Android’s lack of transparency in the governance program – VisionMobile ranked Android at 23% open compared to a whopping 84% for Eclipse. No other project ranked less than 58%. But the real question is, does that rating really matter for the success of Android?
I’d say the answer is no. Android’s popularity completely contradicts its dismal ranking in the study. There are more than 300,000 apps available for Android as of October 2011 and more than 88% of those apps are created using open source software (per a study conducted by OpenLogic last year – check out the webinar here). In addition, Android recently surpassed iOS in the market – a recent study by Nielson found that in the three months leading up to August 2011, 56% of those who purchased smartphones chose Android. Clearly, developers and the general public alike aren’t fazed by whatever VisionMobile deemed disappointing.
What do you think of Android’s recent open source ranking? Will it change your opinion of the operating system?
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