Comments for Phone Modders, Take Note: HTC Releases Hero Source Code

Phone Modders, Take Note: HTC Releases Hero Source Code

2009-10-23T02:07:07Z

Following weeks of requests from open-source developers, HTC has released the Hero Android source code on their developer site.

In response to the mobile devs, HTC has previously stated it was waiting for its own developers to provide the source before releasing it publicly. As late as last week, HTC representatives had emailed developers saying, "At the moment we do not know when the kernel source for the Hero will be released," and "We are still pushing our developers to provide us with the source code and for the links to be added." Since the Android kernel is licensed under the GPL, this delay was creating both dissatisfaction and controversy in the community.

]]> However, just as a few developers were beginning to talk about enforcement actions, the company posted the code, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Or something along those lines. GPL non-compliance and hints of internal process and delivery issues don't mode well for the mobile manufacturer. After unfavorable coverage of the company's "foot-dragging" on Slashdot and long threads of modev complaints, we do hope that HTC's future Android projects will be more swiftly opened.

The Hero, as a device, is significant in itself, hence the enhanced perception of cruelty in HTC's not releasing its source code sooner. It's created huge waves in geek circles, beating out the iPhone for Gadget of the Year at the prestigious T3 awards and generating enough gadget-geek slavering to power a small city.

So, will the gadget geeks and modevs have to push for open sourcing every time a cool, Android-powered device is released? Where was the major malfunction that led to these delays? Were the HTC engineers thrown under the bus to allow leadership to save face, or do the HTC powers that be simply need to get their engineering team under control? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Comment from Todd on 2009-10-22

2009-10-23T02:43:17Z

"...So, will the gadget geeks and modevs have to push for open sourcing every time a cool, Android-powered device is released?"

Need to make a distinction between device specific variants of Android and the carrier ( T-Mobile, Verizon, etc. ) radio stacks for Android.

Device specific builds of Android get released Open Source all the time, or signing up for the manufactures developer program ( usually free ) gets you the build image - but missing the radio stack ( wifi only ).

The telco bit, the radio stack the connects Android to the cell tower, oh hells no, that never get released officially.

Comment from akku on 2009-10-23

2009-10-23T11:04:39Z

Who validates what these developers do in adding extensions, etc? Is it not possible that an extension could be added so that inappropriate information would be sent over it (name, contact list, maybe even if a purchase is made over a phone - credit card data, etc.) ? I'm just wondering........Considering an HTC Hero myself.

Comment from Ludovico Fischer on 2009-10-23

2009-10-23T17:07:42Z

The android application model is rather sandboxed: all applications have to be signed to allow distribution and you have to jump through considerable hoops to get authorization to use other pass' data; in addition, as far as I know, most Android apps run inside the Dalvik Java VM and do not touch the kernel directly.

I believe most security exploits rely on bugs and architectural mistakes, rather than the availability of the source code (witness older Windows versions).