Google: Honeycomb will not be opened up to developers… yet

By Molly McHugh March 25, 2011

Google is failing to make good on that whole “we’re open” thing. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google has decided to hold off on releasing Honeycomb code for developers because it isn’t “yet ready to be altered.” Google is usually generous with its Android source code, opening it up to developers and manufacturers early on, but things are apparently different when it comes to its tablet-optimized OS.

In an e-mail statement, Google claims that “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. We’re committed to providing Android as an open platform across many device types and will public the source as soon as it’s ready.”

Fortunately, the decision to keep the code to itself a little while longer won’t affect the production and release of current manufacturing partners’ products. App builders as well can rest easy, as they don’t require Honeycomb’s code for their purposes.

There was some concern that this moved implied Google was attempting to keep a uniform Honeycomb branding throughout, and maybe head off some of that fragmentation name-calling. This would mean that Google would prevent tablet manufacturers from laying their own customs UIs on top of Honeycomb, which plenty currently do. Androinica got in touch with a Google rep who completely dismissed the idea, saying, “That rumor is inaccurate, there are no restrictions on custom UIs for Honeycomb whatsoever.” So at least for the moment, tablet-makers are free to layer away. But UI aside, Google isn’t giving any indication of when it plans to offer up Honeycomb’s code.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Mobile

The Google Pixel Tablet is a bad idea that might just work

Someone holding a Google Pixel Tablet.

Google is bringing a strange new addition to its Pixel line of products next year: an Android tablet. Though the company has been building up to a Pixel Watch for years with back-to-back acquisitions, the Pixel Tablet seemingly came out of nowhere when it was initially teased at Google I/O in May. And during Google's hardware event for the Pixel 7, we got an even better glimpse at it.

Although the Android tablet niche is one that's struggled for a while, Google is taking an interesting approach with the Pixel Tablet. In addition to functioning as a "normal" tablet, Google is also positioning the Pixel Tablet as a dashboard for its ecosystem of smart home appliances. Google’s recent history with large-screen devices is nothing short of a mess, leading me to believe the Pixel Tablet is destined for failure. But it's also a bad idea that just might work.
A quick primer on Google Pixel tablets and computers

Mobile

Does the Google Pixel Watch have fall detection? Not yet, but it’s coming soon

Lifestyle image of a woman wearing a Google Pixel Watch.

Looking for a great Android smartwatch? The Google Pixel Watch is Google's response to the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch. With this new kid on the block, Google has inaugurated its own multi-device hardware-software ecosystem with many of the same critical health and safety features.

The Pixel Watch offers Google's software suite, which users can access via LTE or smartphone connection, and incorporates health resources from Fitbit's fitness line. The new watch, which runs Wear OS 3.5, is designed for optimal integration with the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphones, which debuted alongside it.

Mobile

Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: which is the Wear OS champ?

Google Pixel Watch with two different strap styles.

Google has unveiled its highly-anticipated Pixel Watch, ushering in a new era for Wear OS devices and the company’s expanding Pixel ecosystem. It’s a fitting companion to the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, which were also announced during this week’s Made by Google event, alongside a new Pixel Tablet.

While it’s encouraging to see more Wear OS smartwatches appearing, the real question is whether Google’s first smartwatch brings enough to the table to topple Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, a device that’s effectively become the gold standard of Wear OS devices. Read on as we compare their specs and features to answer that question.
Specs