[SporkLover]

Originally Posted by jethro_static

U don't modify an SDK. It is a tool that helps U create Apps for a certain OS.

I understand that.... my only point was that when google made all of the code open source..... EXCEPT the SDK. Period. I know what a SDK is, and their purpose.

So what's the point of buying it for 400 if U don't have a device to put it on?

The Dev Phone IS a device. It's a device that allows developers to have free reign with Android.... made available by the open handset alliance.

Definitely no question on how free is Android as an OS. No question on that. But the freedom Android is talking about is not being able to completely takeover an owners phone for his way, his rule. The freedom Android is talking about is to be able to install Android OS on any device in the gadget universe. Whether it's an old device or new. As long as the the device meets the minimum requirement. But the problem is, we're not there yet. In the future, yes. But not at the moment. So as of the moment, it is clasified a theory.

Yes spot on, that is why Google pushed for open networks, and the open handset alliance.

While maybe empowering phone owners to take control of their OS on their phone may not be a goal of Android developers, manufacturers, or carriers.... it is a benefit. Pretty much all of the manufacturers take steps to prevent it. However much like the Iphone, once a developer on already manufactured and released phone (HTC G1) has root access their limit is their coding abilities and hardware capabilities. Since Android code is Open Source they can pretty much Mod, tweak, anything in the OS (again, unless there are specific proprietary code embedded in the phone OS).