Google 'extra-protective' of Honeycomb

Though it prides itself on Android being an 'open' mobile operating system, Google says it's being extra-protective of the tablet version of its OS before releasing it to the world, writes Cnet.

Google says it will not release the source code Android 3.0, known as Honeycomb, just yet. The company says it's not yet ready to be customised in the same manner as previous versions of the OS, as Honeycomb was developed specifically for tablets.

Current hardware partners will not be affected by the decision; Motorola just released the first Honeycomb tablet, the Xoom, and Samsung, Dell, HTC, and Acer are expected to follow suit.

As noted by The Wall Street Journal, this move runs counter to the open source philosophy on which the Internet giant has based its popular mobile operating system.

"Google is trying to limit any damage potential by granting access to those companies that work well with Google in order to preserve the experience," says Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

She says Google appears to be taking steps to protect its brand from low-cost hardware makers that might try to push aggressively into the tablet market by cutting corners and lowering prices.

The Register reports that a Google spokesperson said: “Honeycomb was designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes and improves on Android favourites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customisation."

“While we're excited to offer these new features to Android tablets, we have more work to do before we can deliver them to other device types including phones. Until then, we've decided not to release Honeycomb to open source."