GNU Turns 30 and after Apple

[saptech]

Stallman's GNU at 30: The hippie OS that foresaw the rise of Apple - and is now trying to take it on

The free software world responded to Apple - but not exactly as Stallman wanted. Google came up with Android, a Linux-powered smartphone operating system that’s now on 75 per cent of the world’s handhelds thanks mostly to Samsung.

 

[saptech]

Android is open source and Google releases the code under the Apache License.
This open-source code and permissive licensing allows the software to be freely modified and distributed by device manufacturers, wireless carriers and enthusiast developers.

Money can be made from open source, it depends on the license.

 

[saptech]

They have open-source type phones also, such as Google Nexus line. Again, I'm new at the smartphone devices so I may not know what I'm talking about.

These guys may can explain it better then me.

http://androidforums.com/nexus-4/776923-nexus-experience.html

 

[Rxpert83]

Android itself is open source. This is reflected in the nexus devices, where the code is freely available for anyone to download and modify.

Now certainly there are proprietary "blobs" that aren't open sourced, but Google can't help that. Additionally, manufacturers have their proprietary skins and features to distinguish themselves in the market. If you want open source you need to be on a nexus.

As far as open source apps, look at f-droid. Its a market of only open sourced apps.

 

[saptech]

You may be surprised at which Linux distros are completely open source.

List of Free GNU/Linux Distributions - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation

Below are the complete, ready-to-use GNU/Linux distributions we know follow the Guidelines for Free System Distributions. They have a firm policy commitment to only include and only propose free software. They reject non-free applications, non-free programming platforms, non-free drivers, or non-free firmware “blobs”. If by mistake they do include any, they remove it.

 

[Rxpert83]

A very small selection of outdated apps, I did download it a month or two ago.

My belief remains unchanged, closed source apps on both platforms and the OS is included in the cost of the device.
They are the same, Android is no better in respect to the open source ideology.

If a true linux os was on a phone, that would be my idea of a great phone.
Open Source system to compliment it's open source *nix applications.

Nexus devices are believed to be sold at cost or a slight loss. The cost of the software isn't tied into it, because Google makes money on you using the OS, not purchasing it.


There is Ubuntu touch. Granted its still early, but its coming.