There have been cries of outrage regarding AT&T changing the default search function on their new Android phone. However, I’d like to point out that Google distributes Android as an open source platform that can be modified. Having said this, AT&T has not done anything technically wrong. They have however, done something entirely underhanded.
Google is first and foremost a search company. Android, although supremely awesome is another conduit for advertisements for Google. It could be argued that AT&T may be indirectly taking small chunks out of Google’s revenue. It would make sense for Google to step in and take care of this particular issue. Yes, Android is open source. That doesn’t mean however that Google can’t protect it’s own interests.
A clear example of this would the notorious issue with the Cyanogen cease and desist letter. Google, in this case, defended it’s proprietary applications. It could therefore be argued that Google search is a proprietary service native to Android that should not be tampered with or bypassed. Having said all of this AT&T is poised to deliver an incomplete android experience. Should Google step in? Absolutely!
A good response from Google would be to deny AT&T access to Android Market, not just paid apps but the Market app itself.
How well will AT&T’s android phone sell if you can’t even buy the majority of the applications available for it?
A good response from Google would be to deny AT&T access to Android Market, not just paid apps but the Market app itself.
How well will AT&T’s android phone sell if you can’t even buy the majority of the applications available for it?
Conspiracy Theory….
Apple pressured them into it due to their fear/hatred of Android. A quid-pro-quo for getting the iPad.
That is exactly what I have been thinking.
Conspiracy Theory….
Apple pressured them into it due to their fear/hatred of Android. A quid-pro-quo for getting the iPad.
That is exactly what I have been thinking.
Not to worry peeps……the community will come up with a fix sooner then you think. Its an android not an iphone.
Not to worry peeps……the community will come up with a fix sooner then you think. Its an android not an iphone.
Is anyone SERIOUSLY shocked by this?? We didn’t think that Yahoo and ATT would sit back and let Google rule the world… That being said, Yahoo is dumb!
Why do you say Yahoo! is dumb?
Is anyone SERIOUSLY shocked by this?? We didn’t think that Yahoo and ATT would sit back and let Google rule the world… That being said, Yahoo is dumb!
Why do you say Yahoo! is dumb?
Nah google shouldn’t step in, if att wants to waste their time and resources with this let them.
Nah google shouldn’t step in, if att wants to waste their time and resources with this let them.
The problem with Cyanogen was that he was distributing Google apps without the license. Att is doing nothing of the sort therefor your point is incredibly stupid and misinformed.
thank you im glad somebody saw that. att is doing the opposite of what cyanogen was doing (no hating, i love my cyanogen roms) but he was distributing private apps without their concent what att wants to do here is to specifically remove one (or more) from their standard android build.. there is absolutely nothing google can legally do about that… other than stop working on android.. but that is crap.. google rocks, yahoo sucks, att is shooting them selves in the foot if they do that.
The problem with Cyanogen was that he was distributing Google apps without the license. Att is doing nothing of the sort therefor your point is incredibly stupid and misinformed.
thank you im glad somebody saw that. att is doing the opposite of what cyanogen was doing (no hating, i love my cyanogen roms) but he was distributing private apps without their concent what att wants to do here is to specifically remove one (or more) from their standard android build.. there is absolutely nothing google can legally do about that… other than stop working on android.. but that is crap.. google rocks, yahoo sucks, att is shooting them selves in the foot if they do that.
?????
Where do you draw these conclusions from? Wouldn’t it be more “open source” for google to not step in?
If I had to guess, I would think google will most likely make most of the missing google functions available via the market.
Sure I think at&t/moto are silly for making yahoo the default, but it isn’t anything unexpected imho. I’m sure that in the future we’ll be seeing people attempt to remove everything google from android.
?????
Where do you draw these conclusions from? Wouldn’t it be more “open source” for google to not step in?
If I had to guess, I would think google will most likely make most of the missing google functions available via the market.
Sure I think at&t/moto are silly for making yahoo the default, but it isn’t anything unexpected imho. I’m sure that in the future we’ll be seeing people attempt to remove everything google from android.
The Cyanogen C&D was nothing more than Google covering their butt. They didn’t care about the distribution of their apps, but they were smart enough to realize other companies (manufacturers and carriers that PAY for those apps) would definitely care.
I think AT&T removing Google from their android devices is not surprising considering how much they bend over for Apple, who infamously hates Google, at least as of late.
Google could easily get back at AT&T by blocking search results to their sites like they do with many torrent sites, but I see Google as preferring to take the high road and wait and see how it plays out.
Let’s not forget that Android wasn’t invented by Google, even if it was adopted by them. Of course perhaps the biggest selling point of the Android OS is its close integration with Google applications, so AT&T blocking out Google from the OS would be a huge mistake on their part.
The Cyanogen C&D was nothing more than Google covering their butt. They didn’t care about the distribution of their apps, but they were smart enough to realize other companies (manufacturers and carriers that PAY for those apps) would definitely care.
I think AT&T removing Google from their android devices is not surprising considering how much they bend over for Apple, who infamously hates Google, at least as of late.
Google could easily get back at AT&T by blocking search results to their sites like they do with many torrent sites, but I see Google as preferring to take the high road and wait and see how it plays out.
Let’s not forget that Android wasn’t invented by Google, even if it was adopted by them. Of course perhaps the biggest selling point of the Android OS is its close integration with Google applications, so AT&T blocking out Google from the OS would be a huge mistake on their part.
AT&T are as pathetic as Apple. Google could simply release an app on the market setting default searches back to original. If users want to go for it they should download and install it. Now the article does not say how much of the google experience they are trying to leave out. We´ll see.
AT&T are as pathetic as Apple. Google could simply release an app on the market setting default searches back to original. If users want to go for it they should download and install it. Now the article does not say how much of the google experience they are trying to leave out. We´ll see.
That’s ok . After the phone is rooted you can change it to what ever search provider you want.
Problem with that, is that not everyone will want to root their phone!
There probably will be an app for that! (So you can have the total Google experience without rooting).
That’s ok . After the phone is rooted you can change it to what ever search provider you want.
Problem with that, is that not everyone will want to root their phone!
There probably will be an app for that! (So you can have the total Google experience without rooting).
I agree, google should wait and see. Don’t forget, free market. People are going to hate Yahoo! compared to Google especially on a phone designed for Google.
Some hacker will release an app that will fix it, Google will have nothing to do with it, and AT&T is hurting their users experience. P.S. Licensing wise, AT&T/Motorola (isn’t it a backflip?) did nothing wrong legally, but this is akin to taking your football home and not playing with the other kids cause your mad. This is not a business decision, if it is, it’s a bad one. Do they really thing users would rather have Yahoo!. Really?!? On Android?!?
Google.. Do Nothing..
I agree, google should wait and see. Don’t forget, free market. People are going to hate Yahoo! compared to Google especially on a phone designed for Google.
Some hacker will release an app that will fix it, Google will have nothing to do with it, and AT&T is hurting their users experience. P.S. Licensing wise, AT&T/Motorola (isn’t it a backflip?) did nothing wrong legally, but this is akin to taking your football home and not playing with the other kids cause your mad. This is not a business decision, if it is, it’s a bad one. Do they really thing users would rather have Yahoo!. Really?!? On Android?!?
Google.. Do Nothing..
honestly the best thing Google can do is say thanks to AT&T for proving Android is an open platform. By allowing AT&T to set Yahoo as the default search engine it says that Google’s Android OS is a much more friendly and open system then anything Apple can produce.
honestly the best thing Google can do is say thanks to AT&T for proving Android is an open platform. By allowing AT&T to set Yahoo as the default search engine it says that Google’s Android OS is a much more friendly and open system then anything Apple can produce.
I have no objections whatever to AT&T doing whatever they want with Android. It *is* Open Source. Their decision to change the search function isn’t good business IMHO, but I don’t have to care because Google is the home page on my phone’s web browser. It is voice enabled, too. Though I have to say I can’t use voice much as there is always some kind of noise around me that interferes or people just simply present whom I do not want to disturb with my own noise.
I’m not sure why anyone here is upset on Google’s behalf. As a community supporting an Open OS on a mobile device ideally we would be happy that another company was adopting the platform and taking it new places.
I have no objections whatever to AT&T doing whatever they want with Android. It *is* Open Source. Their decision to change the search function isn’t good business IMHO, but I don’t have to care because Google is the home page on my phone’s web browser. It is voice enabled, too. Though I have to say I can’t use voice much as there is always some kind of noise around me that interferes or people just simply present whom I do not want to disturb with my own noise.
I’m not sure why anyone here is upset on Google’s behalf. As a community supporting an Open OS on a mobile device ideally we would be happy that another company was adopting the platform and taking it new places.
This is tantamount to saying that all Windows machines should be running IE with a Bing as the search provider. Android is an open source platform. What makes it so rich and promising is its very openness. The best thing about Android in my opinion is the lack of heavy-handed iTactics and the ability for developers and manufacturers and carriers to put their own spin on it. There are different OEM license agreements and each of them offer varying levels of Google integration. Who gives a sh*t if AT&T doesn’t want Google on their phones? Don’t buy the phone if you don’t like it. But whatever you do, don’t tether your Android fanboy-ism to Google fanboy-ism. The two are distinct, unique, church and state. The future of the platform depends on that.
This is tantamount to saying that all Windows machines should be running IE with a Bing as the search provider. Android is an open source platform. What makes it so rich and promising is its very openness. The best thing about Android in my opinion is the lack of heavy-handed iTactics and the ability for developers and manufacturers and carriers to put their own spin on it. There are different OEM license agreements and each of them offer varying levels of Google integration. Who gives a sh*t if AT&T doesn’t want Google on their phones? Don’t buy the phone if you don’t like it. But whatever you do, don’t tether your Android fanboy-ism to Google fanboy-ism. The two are distinct, unique, church and state. The future of the platform depends on that.
Btw, google “sbc yahoo at&t” and see what find.
Btw, google “sbc yahoo at&t” and see what find.
AT&T + Yahoo have been partnered since the dial up days. No surprise here. However, give devs a month and there will be a rom out with all the Google goodies. AT&T can’t stop that
Ah, the power of open source!
AT&T + Yahoo have been partnered since the dial up days. No surprise here. However, give devs a month and there will be a rom out with all the Google goodies. AT&T can’t stop that
Ah, the power of open source!