Google Android: Because Some Developers Are More Equal Than Others

Posted by: dgoldring on Jul 16 2008 - 31 views

Lately, we have heard a lot of grumbling from third party developers that Google’s so called open-source platform, Android, was not moving fast enough with their updated SDK’s.  In fact, some developers have even been rumored to be fleeing the platform, choosing to stick with the tried and true Windows Mobile and iPhone.  But after so much Android love over the last couple of months, I still thought this sudden change in attitude must have been caused by something larger than simple a late SDK or two.  Turns out, I was right.  And here is Mobilitysite’s Zealot to tell you exactly what he unearthed.

It seems that a Google employee accidentally sent word of a new SDK release to a public mailing list for Android developers. However, the message that the SDK was available at a private download site, was only intended for the winners of a development contest and not for all developers. Now Google had promised that ALL developers would get the same chance to create applications for their revolutionary OPEN SOURCE mobile phone OS. Apparently that was not the case at all. When the outrage followed, the poor, Send button challenged Google employee (assuming he still IS a Google employee) apologized, and while doing so admitted he had sent the message to the wrong list. It had been meant to go to the secret, private list for privileged developers…not to the unwashed mob of little people. These contest winners who were on the special mailing list then publicly stated that yes, they had had access to all the SDKs that the developer forums were abuzz with demands for, but they had stayed mum due to having signed a non-disclosure agreement to hide updates from other developers. Google had also stayed silent, when it wasn’t telling the forums that there were no SDKs, this wasn’t the Android they were looking for, and to move along, move along.

So much for open-source.  Apparently some developers are more equal than others.  And now, it looks as though developers may be fleeing the platform once and for all.  Looks like the promised Android is quickly turning into nothing more than a rusty bucket on top of an old broom in a dark closet.  Of course, the good news for the rest of us, is that a boatload of developers must have just freed their schedules to focus on Windows Mobile and iPhones.  Here’s to waiting for a host of applications which I think we can safely categorize as, “Things Google Will Be Missing…”  More to come, I am sure…

[via MobilitySite and JKOntheRun] [image via Happy Computers]

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