Is Android Moving to a Closed Source Model?
In an interesting analysis appeared on Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo argues that Google is progressively shifting Android towards a closed source model. Google’s strategy would aim at making Android suitable to be freely customised and used “for little hobbies”, while hampering the choices of “anyone trying to use Android without Google’s blessing”.
Mozilla Foundation Announces Firefox OS Contribution Program
In an effort to accelerate the development of Firefox OS, Mozilla announced a Contribution Program which will aim at providing dedicated developers with access to resources and reference hardware. Foxconn will manufacture the initial reference hardware, a tablet. The program will be open to developers, localizers, testers, and bug fixers.
Resources to Start Developing for Firefox OS
Firefox OS pursues “the goal of building a complete, standalone operating system for the open web” and lets users install and run applications created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is based on Linux and Mozilla’s Gecko and is a completely open stack that is 100 per cent free from proprietary technology. It allows developers to contribute to its code base or develop mobile apps.
Parse Announces Bolts, a Collection of Low-level Libraries for iOS and Android
Parse, acquired by Facebook a few months ago, has recently open-sourced a collection of low-level libraries for Android and iOS collectively called Bolts. According to Parse announcement, Bolts is the outcome of the joint Parse/Facebook effort to consolidate small, low-level utility classes that both companies had already developed on their own.
Pebble opens up the first appstore for wearable devices
Pebble, maker of the successful Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatches, opened up its appstore earlier this month. Pebble appstore aims at offering both customers and developers a centralised app distribution channel, thus becoming “the first place where Pebble users look for Pebble apps.”