There are some interesting Chinese Android Devices coming out. I am interested in a SmartQ but they do not provide their source code. Not that I don't trust China Inc, but is there any way to check if /protect against the device is stealing, for examples, my Google Account Information?
Related
Not to sure if anyone has heard of Hexxeh before but here is a short wiki descript regarding Chromium OS builds: "By May 2010, compiled versions of the work-in-progress source code had been downloaded from the Internet more than a million times. The most popular version was created by Liam McLoughlin, a 17-year-old college student in Manchester, England, posting under the name "Hexxeh". McLoughlin's builds boot from a USB memory stick and included features that Google engineers had not yet implemented, such as support for the Java programming language"
Anyhow several Google videos show that he has successfully managed to boot one of his Chromium OS builds called "Flow" on a tablet. And was wondering if anyone has thought about doing this.
His main website: http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/
I've used Flow on a laptop. Not very useful on a tablet - it's basically just a back end for a web browser, with no (well, minimal) apps. Useful for giving to the kids to play web games without breaking your system. However, using the Android OS built for tablets you get access to all the apps.
Looks like someone is working on it!
http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/chrome-os-tablet-from-acer-outed-by-bug-reports-20110428/
Hi all.
I have problems contacting google to get some info on Google Play service and obtaining license to use on specific device with firmware entirely build by me which is based on ICS 4.0.3 sources provided to me by chipset manufacturer..
I'll c/p last mail I sent to android-partnership [at] google.com for you guys to get the point:
****
Hello,
If somebody told me that I will have to write same e-mail three times to Google withouth getting any response I would not belive him, but things happen...
Again:
I'm CEO of Croatian company. We have OEM hardware producer in China who produces for us Android ICS and GB based media players. Because theese media players are based on Amlogic chipset (AML8726-M3 platform which runs ICS and AML8726-M platform which runs GB 2.3.4) and on Amlogic ICS which is not prepared for targeted region (Central Europe), we obtained partnership with Amlogic to get access to their sources to be able to customize it and prepare it to be used in our region.
Based on that, we are building our own firmwares for these devices. According to our hardware manufacturer's firmware versions, they do have access to Google Play service. Because of different fingerprints and keys used for our firmware build, same device with our firmware is not recognized by Google Play service and actually we are not licensed to use it.
My question to you (for 3rd time) is what we have to do to get Google Play working on our firmware builds. Your FAQ seems to be confusing... By that I reffer to theese Q and A's:
What kinds of devices can be Android compatible?
The Android software can be ported to a lot of different kinds of devices, including some on which third-party apps won't run properly. The Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) spells out the specific device configurations that will be considered compatible.
For example, though the Android source code could be ported to run on a phone that doesn't have a camera, the CDD requires that in order to be compatible, all phones must have a camera. This allows developers to rely on a consistent set of capabilities when writing their apps.
The CDD will evolve over time to reflect market realities. For instance, the 1.6 CDD only allows cell phones, but the 2.1 CDD allows devices to omit telephony hardware, allowing for non-phone devices such as tablet-style music players to be compatible. As we make these changes, we will also augment Google Play to allow developers to retain control over where their apps are available. To continue the telephony example, an app that manages SMS text messages would not be useful on a media player, so Google Play allows the developer to restrict that app exclusively to phone devices.
If my device is compatible, does it automatically have access to Google Play and branding?
Google Play is a service operated by Google. Achieving compatibility is a prerequisite for obtaining access to the Google Play software and branding. Device manufacturers should contact Google to obtain access to Google Play.
And this one, which tells me to contact you which I am doing for 3rd time in last few days:
If I am not a manufacturer, how can I get Google Play?
Google Play is only licensed to handset manufacturers shipping devices. For questions about specific cases, contact [email protected].
Will you please be so kind and answer to my questions?
Best Regards,
Stanislav Vlasic
****
That was 3rd mail sent to them. I also tried to contact them to compatibility [at] android.com, but no response at all.
So, my question.... Does anybody know who to contact to get ANY kind of answer?
Regards,
Stane
My company is working on an in car device that is operating by Android Jelly Bean. I know android is open source but is there any reason fro me to believe I need Google's permission to install on such device the Google Play market?
Appreciate your responses.
Aaron
I don't think anyone has an answer to your question. You can try to read the open source details and license information on Google's open source.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
You don't need permission to use it, just that it should comply with Google's CTS guidelines. Those are a series of hardware and software checks to determine that the device is suitable to run the Google Apps (which are closed source). I don't think there should be any problem if you use any of the Google Apps from the respective Gapps package (http://goo.im/gapps).
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Google Play is NOT open source so it cannot legally be distributed with a device without Google's approval. Its not heavily enforced as I see many generic Android tablets and TV sticks shipping with Google Play, many of which probably haven't been approved.
From Android FAQ: http://source.android.com/faqs.html
If my device is compatible, does it automatically have access to Google Play and branding?
Google Play is a service operated by Google. Achieving compatibility is a prerequisite for obtaining access to the Google Play software and branding. Device manufacturers should contact Google to obtain access to Google Play.
If I am not a manufacturer, how can I get Google Play?
Google Play is only licensed to handset manufacturers shipping devices. For questions about specific cases, contact [email protected].
How can I get access to the Google apps for Android, such as Maps?
The Google apps for Android, such as YouTube, Google Maps and Navigation, Gmail, and so on are Google properties that are not part of Android, and are licensed separately. Contact [email protected] for inquiries related to those apps.
Is compatibility mandatory?
No. The Android Compatibility Program is optional. Since the Android source code is open, anyone can use it to build any kind of device. However, if a manufacturer wishes to use the Android name with their product, or wants access to Google Play, they must first demonstrate that the device is compatible.
How much does compatibility certification cost?
There is no cost to obtain Android compatibility for a device. The Compatibility Test Suite is open-source and available to anyone to use to test a device.
How long does compatibility take?
The process is automated. The Compatibility Test Suite generates a report that can be provided to Google to verify compatibility. Eventually we intend to provide self-service tools to upload these reports to a public database.
Who determines what will be part of the compatibility definition?
Since Google is responsible for the overall direction of Android as a platform and product, Google maintains the Compatibility Definition Document for each release. We draft the CDD for a new Android version in consultation with a number of OEMs, who provide input on its contents.
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Hi there folks,
I wondered if somebody could perhaps help me clarify something.
I am buying devices from China that are coming as Android handsets with Google Play installed and full use of the app store.
(They don't come with Google's other apps installed like Maps, Gmail etc)
I have done some searching online and cannot find the correct answer to my query in regards to Googles policy on the certification an Android build should have. Here is what i've been given from the manufacturers:
Level 1, free use of the Android operating system, but not embedded GMS on Android OS;
Level 2, embedded part of the GMS service on Android OS, but the phone can not be marked with Google trademarks;
Level 3, embedded all GMS services on Android OS, you can use Google trademarks. If in case the built-in Google GMS services in android phone, Brand holder should apply GMS from google.
From my understanding and reading online, Level 1 is a Developer Certificate and 2 and 3 would be a GMS signed certificate.
Can anybody help clarify what the letter of the law (or at least Google's policy) is on this please as I'm struggling to find solid information online.
Any information and links would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ben
GMS Certification
This seems a mysterious issue. I too seek GMS certification. I would welcome any assistance on even how to contact Google on this issue.
Hi,
Yo can find the proper partner when you search in Google for GMS licensed partner.
Hi,
already finished production of MTK8127 pcb in China. and we are still customize our ROM by their engineer.
But I also made map apk for my device and I also need to add my 7inch MTK8127 tablet onto google device list.
Do you know anyone how to add my device onto google device list?
I sent msg to google. but their reply is not what I wanted:crying:
If Google didn't give you the answer you wanted there is nothing you can do.
There are many things you have to do to be added to Google devices. No way around it.
zelendel said:
If Google didn't give you the answer you wanted there is nothing you can do.
There are many things you have to do to be added to Google devices. No way around it.
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Hello
Thank you for your reply.
After this post I found out only few allowed factory & some new API level tablet can be applied GMS license.
I asked pcba factory to update their installed Google version. they said I have to place order 20k PCBA.
It's very hard for us to keep update Google version..
I found Dragon touch, iRULU tablet in amazon.com.
I think they also didn't apply GMS license.(maybe their device hasn't installed "com.google.android.gms.apk")
Even they applied GMS license for their device, only few device is applied.
This is mostly due to these devices being out of china. Google and China don't have the best history