Google hits back at Android open source claims

Google has hit back at mounting claims that it is taking too strong a lead on the direction of the Android mobile platform and interfering with the open nature of the ecosystem.

Recent reports had suggested that Google was placing increasingly heavy restrictions on device manufacturers hoping to release Android handsets, while others suggested that the firm was working with ARM to create a standardised Android chip.

Open source proponents were also disappointed to see Google repeatedly delaying the release of the Android 3.0 Honeycomb source code, despite the software appearing on Motorola's Xoom tablet.

However, in a blog post, vice president of engineering, Andy Rubin, dismissed all of these rumours.

"As always, device makers are free to modify Android to customise any range of features for Android devices," he wrote.

"Our approach remains unchanged: there are no lock-downs or restrictions against customising UIs. There are not, and never have been, any efforts to standardise the platform on any single chipset architecture."

Rubin added that Google will publish the Android 3.0 code as soon as it is completed.

"We continue to be an open source platform and will continue releasing source code when it is ready," he said.

However, Rubin failed to explain why Honeycomb had been allowed to power Motorola's Xoom tablet if the source code was not ready. The Xoom has been available to buy in the US since 24 February and will launch in the UK in April.