Update (10/27 18:30): Got a response from Steve: Umm.. No conspiracy. I just am missing an entry in my build.prop file. I’m releasing an update right now that fixes it.
Before everyone yells “Conspiracy!” we have messages into both parties to find out exactly what’s going on but so far we have not received an official comment from either party.
The story so far: Yesterday afternoon Google released Google Voice 0.2.5 on the Android Market. Numerous people have reported that this version does not work under CyanogenROM 4.2.1 but works perfectly under standard Android 1.6.
As most of you know it was a little more than a month ago that Google lawyers sent Steve Kondik (aka Cyanogen) a cease-and-desist letter on the basis that he was distributing Google’s copyrighted materials (the Google apps). Steve was able to figure out a work-around with the help of Google and release a new version that backs up the applications in question, installs the ROM then copies the applications back over, or at least that’s the overly simplified version.
What has the intertubes buzzing today is whether this is a bug in the CyanogenROM and/or if Google intentionally built an app that won’t work on CyanogenROM.
Google has certainly pulled the big-brother act more than a couple of times recently (the above cease-and-desist, being very secretive with developers about Android 2.0, undermining bloggers with Sidewiki, and all sorts of craziness over Google Books) and a lot of people are speculating that this is the next violation of their “Don’t be evil” policy.
What do you think? Is it a bug or is it intentional?
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Eric Weiss
Eric is a graphic designer and Red Sox fan based in Austin, TX. He is also the founder of the Austin Android Users Group and blogs at his website, txhoudini.com.
5 Comments
18:34:31 booting 4.2.2
18:36:35 fix for google voice
18:37:02 i just left something out of build.prop
4.2.2 is now out, complete with fix.
Ah damnit! I just downloaded 4.2.1 over 3g to keep me busy on my last hour here at work… I’ll wait till tonight then. Oh well.
4.2.2 is even more speedier than 4.0.4 was when I first put that on. Hat’s off to Mr. Steve.
No conspiracy, just bad timing IMO.
You must understand that it is in Googles interest to get as many people in as many google services as possible. That is what Android is about, getting information from users. Google doesn’t sell Android, Android sells itself back to Google. Therefore, they feel no competition. Everyone just has to abide by these simple rules of conduct and then all is well.