yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[G1 Android Development] xP1GxB3N1Sx:
The current state..

The last few days have been difficult. What has become clear now is that the Android Open Source Project is a framework. It’s licensed in such a way so that anyone can take it, modify it to their needs, and redistribute it as they please. Android belongs to everyone. This also means that big companies likes Google, HTC, Motorola, and whomever else can add their own pieces to it and share these pieces under whatever license they choose.

I’ve made lots of changes myself to the AOSP code, and added in code from lots of others. Building a better Droid, right?

The issue that’s raised is the redistribution of Google’s proprietary applications like Maps, GTalk, Market, and YouTube. These are not part of the open source project and are only part of “Google Experience” devices. They are Google’s intellectual property and I intend to respect that. I will no longer be distributing these applications as part of CyanogenMod. But it’s OK. None of the go-fast stuff that I do involves any of this stuff anyway. We need these applications though, because we all rely so heavily on their functionality. I’d love for Google to hand over the keys to the kingdom and let us all have it for free, but that’s not going to happen. And who can blame them?

There are lots of things we can do as end-users and modders, though, without violating anyones rights. Most importantly, we are entitled to back up our software. Since I don’t work with any of these closed source applications directly, what I intend to do is simply ship the next version of CyanogenMod as a “bare bones” ROM. You’ll be able to make calls, MMS, take photos, etc. In order to get our beloved Google sync and applications back, you’ll need to make a backup first. I’m working on an application that will do this for you.

The idea is that you’ll be able to Google-ify your CyanogenMod installation, with the applications and files that shipped on YOUR device already. Or, you can just use the basic ROM if you want. It will be perfectly functional if you don’t use the Google parts. I will include an alternative app store (SlideMe, or AndAppStore, not decided yet) with the basic ROM so that you can get your applications in case you don’t have a Google Experience device.

I’ll have more updates soon as I get all the code hammered out.

Thanks for all the support thru all of this.

http://www.cyanogenmod.com/home/the-current-state
[G1 Android Development] deeb215:
The stuff Dreams are really made of....

I knew! Where there's a will there's a way! You can't keep a real boss down! Cyanogen I look forward to playing with this new stuff in the works. Rage on brother rage on, I for one honestly didn't want to leave android really, but I will continue to research back-up plans in case Google has anymore monkey wrenches laying around itching to be thrown...Good luck Cyanogen. We all owe you donations...real recognizes real! Dueces
[G1 Android Development] gtrplr71:
This is great news Thank you!
[G1 Android Development] ihpsta:
fkn awesome!
[G1 Android Development] jmon777:
this exactly what i thought and hoped would happen. everyone got in a tizy over nothing. so we have to back up before we flash which is just another way that the basic moder like myself can better understand the phone.
[G1 Android Development] wayne07:
Does this means we need to wipe every time we flash a new rom?
[G1 Android Development] sturmeh:
Everyone already has it. ;)
[G1 Android Development] peary27:
Great

This sounds good, there is more than one way to skin a cat. I think they got upset when the new market app was released before they could get it out. They had to do something, but I think it will die down.
[G1 Android Development] ei8htohms:
don't go there

Cyanogen is doing his best to respect Google's legitimate copyrights, so suggesting that XDA get involved in distributing proprietary applications without a license only serves to undermine what is going on here. Mods: please remove.
[G1 Android Development] Loccy:
I posted this in another thread but it would seem to be pertinent to here too:

The bottom line is that if ROM devs decided they were going to respect ALL legitimate copyrights, there'd be no Hero ROMs, no Windows Mobile ROMs, in fact no ROMs apart from barebones AOSP ROMs which do less than a stock ROM.

And I'm sorry, that's just ignorant. Just because you don't agree with a sentiment doesn't entitle you to demand the mods remove it. If the mods want to remove it they will (and in my view that would indicate which "side" they were choosing.) Personally, I don't know what it's like elsewhere around the world, but here in the UK one is at least allowed to speak freely, if not necessarily act freely.
[G1 Android Development] heave:
kudos to cyanogen!
[G1 Android Development] beartard:
I think common U.S. practice is: if you speak freely, you get called names by people until you either cry or shoot them, thus proving to everyone that your original point is invalid. ;)

But XDA has always had a policy of "if it doesn't get the site admins in trouble, it's probably ok." If memory serves, the site is in the Netherlands, and is subject to EU laws as to copyright, etc. I think that's important to remember when it comes to such things, since the EU laws as to intellectual property are in flux and not quite the same as those in the US or UK.

But the official policy is available in one of the toplevel forums here:
[G1 Android Development] donepate:
Everyone has an opinion, and they have, or should have, the right to decide for themselves what is correct. I am on the side of Cyanogen. I do not think what he did caused any harm or loss of revenue to anyone. We can not always have our way though, and I think that's the case here. I don't know him, but I do think he's smart enough to keep doing what he is EXTREMELY good at without putting himself in a bad position. It's just a stumbling block to get past. We are puting a lot of effort into pointing fingers and throwing around ideas, but if we placed this much energy into finding a fuctional solution, we might get past it a whole buch faster. A good army fights the war, not the battle.
[G1 Android Development] Loccy:
But every single ROM on here is warez to some extent or another! Certainly (just for example, I'm not picking on anyone specific here) Drizzy doesn't own the IPR for the contents of his Hero ROMs. I'm pretty sure the WinMo ROMs aren't being posted by Microsoft. If the policy is that "warez is in no way accepted and will be removed upon discovery", they're not doing much of a job, are they - every other post is "warez", if you take a strict interpretation.

I suppose I'm saying that "warez is in the eye of the beholder". I fully endorse the attitude "if it doesn't get the site admins in trouble, it's probably ok" - but I can't help thinking that relaxed attitude has been firmed up of late for whatever reason, given the QuickOffice oddness. I'm pretty sure no-one who own the IPR for QuickOffice was ever in touch (although do correct me if I'm wrong), so why the odd fixation recently?

Bottom line: stick to the attitudes and approaches that have made this site what it is, please don't start getting over zealous when there's no reason to.
[G1 Android Development] xsnipuhx:
Honestly did this need another topic though? I mean I'm all for good news like this, but add it on to one of the many topics that are out there. -.- (ready for flaming)
[G1 Android Development] ei8htohms:
easy now

First off, I'm not demanding anything. I politely requested that the mods remove a suggestion that clearly seeks to circumvent the policies of XDA: We won't distribute warez. The poster knew the suggestion was specifically aimed at getting around the XDA policy, otherwise there would be no reason for a P2P distribution alternative in the first place.

A key component of intellectual property and copyright laws (at least in the US) is that the holder of the copyright must act to defend the copyright to some reasonable extent (no, I'm not a lawyer and I don't know what this entails exactly). Now that Google has acted to defend their copyrights in these instances, the line is clear. Google apps are paid apps (licensed to the handset manufacturers or service providers) and are not free to distribute without a license. Consequently, there shouldn't be much further debate about the fact that these are warez and are not to be distributed on or through XDA.

I'm not trying to attack anyone (the original poster, ROM devs or certainly yourself), but I am interested in XDA maintaining the high ground here and continuing to operate in a respectful and respectable manner.
[G1 Android Development] te5ter:
Perhaps we should stay on topic?
[G1 Android Development] Loccy:
Fair point. Maybe we should take the "warez is in the eye of the beholder" debate to this thread. I do actually think it's a fascinating debate, personally. Oh, incidentally, just re-read my earlier post, and want to apologise to ei8htohms - I didn't mean to come off quite so brusque.
[G1 Android Development] blueheeler:
First, I'm very happy that there seems to be a workaround that Cyanogen feels comfortable in using.

However, I see it as a band-aid to a much larger problem. Yes, it addresses those few apps that Google specifically mentioned. But there seems to be potential future conflicts that could adversely affect this whole Android community.

What about all the other apps in there? The Camera/Camcorder/Gallery app for instance. The UI? Other HTC bits? And the biggie, the Search component? Does Google also lay claim to unified search, the widget, the particular framework involved in that?

I don't know the answer to that, I'm just asking. So much is left unanswered, I just feel this is only the beginning. For now, I guess it may be enough. But it still leaves so much up in the air.

Now the 2nd major issue: Cyanogen should be commended for taking the high road here and doing his best to adhere to Google's current request. I think we all know that there was never ever any question that no one saw this coming. It came from left field and shocked everyone beyond belief.

But will other rom devs be as diligent as Cyanogen? Will theme developers adhere to this? And with all of these added steps required to get a functioning "Google Experience", consider the flood of newbie questions this forum is about to endure. We all thought "brick" and "hardspl" questions were tedious at best ... prepare yourselves for the onslought of mass confusion. That fun has just begun.

I still believe the burden lies with Google to make this right. I'm not saying they should make their apps open source by any means. I'm just saying that there must be a way for Google to allow the inclusion of their apps (perhaps a different license or maybe some encryption trick that protects the apps from modification <I don't know, I'm not that smart>). Google needs to step up to the plate in this. They also need to save-face and stifle this PR nightmare. Android does not need this, Google does not need this, HTC does not need this, carriers do not need this, Cyanogen does not need this, and users do not need this. Growth of the entire Android project is simply too important. I see this as speed bump. They just made the bump too big and it needs to be shaved down some so everyone can get it over without damaging anything else.
[G1 Android Development] Fr0sTy333:
this is great news indeed. can't wait to see what is to come!
[G1 Android Development] schwiz:
what does AOSP stand for?
[G1 Android Development] blueheeler:
Android Open Source Project
[G1 Android Development] JimmyJayCEO:
Well this is good news that there was a "semi-solution" thought up that would still allow us to run cyanogen ROM. However, bare bones? All the fun stuff that was cyanogen I hope is still somehow able to be implemented. It really would suck to have to forego all the goodies that the ROM had. He basically took a P.O.S. G1 and made it the best handheld phone on the market. There hopefully will be another solution as well in the ucoming days. Cyanogen hasn't cost google or anyone else any revenue, but completely the opposite. He is making these phone attractive, competitive and with the added features he throws in marketable. Well keep on Cyanogen and you have the support of the community.
[G1 Android Development] vemod:
thanks cyanogen

thats even better not to have google spy apps in the phone.

i never used google sync at all i have other providers for email etc.. and it bothered me much that it wants always to sync something with google. though i disabled all syncs but still there always might be some hidden code that would run and do nasty spying due to closed source gapp.

anyway, thanks again cyanogen for cool roms and looking forward for further versions (bow)
[G1 Android Development] osho741:
if you read his statement, he stated the only thing the c&d effected was the goggle closed sourced apps. he didnt really do anything to them besides redistribute them. All the goodness you speak about will still be in the rom because those were changes made to the ASOP rom. So the compcache, and the experimental FBS will still be in the rom. so no worries, he just has to create an app that makes backup copies of the google software your phone already came with, which is within everyone's right to do.
[G1 Android Development] newspeak:
Well this is good news...my whole problem with this was not that google had issues with their IP being distributed...it was that there might be so much that is closed source that a work around couldn't be found...I say as long as they don't come back later with another C&D then I don't see anything wrong with the current state of things

what happens tho when eclair comes out and all of these g1's no longer justifiably have a license to the os

i guess it will be left to us to obtain the base rom through other means

as long as this stabilizes as the new order of things (and i have 1.5 years left on my contract to see) then i can still see myself buying android handsets for many years to come
[G1 Android Development] osho741:
enclair would still be part of the andriod open source project. so we could still see those bits on our phones from devs if we have space for it. However google's applications like market, gtalk etc.... may be more up to date than what our phones currently have. So we just would not have the most up to date google applications as we are not licensed to have the newer stuff. least that is how i understand it.
[G1 Android Development] PeDe7:
great news

great news but im curious to know how are we gona receive future updates i.e. donut and eclair? These are updates for mainly the stock apps so if the only way to keep stock apps is to make backups of them before using ROMs, how can we have updates for the market, maps, gtalk etc.?
[G1 Android Development] osho741:
You won't be able to get the updated apps from here on out. That is what I'm saying. Only way we will get the updated close sourced apps like gtalk and market is if google decides to release them as part of the AOSP. Which I don't think will ever happen. So basically from here on out the google apps you have will be the only ones you will have until you get an updated phone or you find the apps another way outside of this forum
[G1 Android Development] IOmega666:
well i dont care of google apps xD so great if cyanogen can back to this .
[G1 Android Development] blueheeler:
And you have to remember that your existing Google apps likely will not work in future updates such as Eclair. They might not even work in incremental updates. Or might not work if Google makes changes to their services.

So many questions at this point.

URGH
[G1 Android Development] lucky 69:
i was wondering about this to.but if they come out with an update could you juat unroot ,get update, then re root then if you have the app to back up your google stuff then you would have a updated version .i know it would be a pain but might work? also if when dounut comes out can you just update and reformat card if you want to try it out? i know you will loose root
[G1 Android Development] oMszKikiIzWavyo:
Just A Question

Damn, now that CM is gone, I guess we will not be able to Audio Hack his new CM 4.1.11.1 Rom, but if any of you did, did it break the system like CM said it would? And if it didn't can you tell me how you people did this?

This is Just A Question
[G1 Android Development] Qverse:
A "semi-solution" is always better than NO solution.

Cyanogen ! That is Brilliant.. !

CyanogenMod as a “bare bones” ROM and something to Google-ify your ROM…..

Freaking Great !!! Total respects…Google’s proprietary applications..(well for now)..

Can't wait for app or code..

And for you whiners …stop crying…so what if You won't be able to get the updated apps from here on out.

Use your search, reading and coding skills, is that not how you found it . A "semi-solution" is always better than NO solution.

I Thank you ,Cyanogen
[G1 Android Development] cyberchuck9000:
This should work in theory. When combined with another backup app for your data and other apps, it should make upgrading not much more painful than it currently is.

1. Roll back to stock

2. Download latest Google updates

3. Run Google app backup

4. Flash CyanogenMod

5. Restore updated Google Apps

In theory, of course. It shouldn't be an issue legally either since owners of Google Experience phones are entitled to those updated apps. We just can't do cool stuff like have the updated Market before everyone else anymore.
[G1 Android Development] lucky 69:
cant wait to see what Cyanogen and others comes up with !
[G1 Android Development] uansari1:
So we'll have to unroot each time, then reroot and reflash our radio, recovery, and SPLs each time?
[G1 Android Development] osho741:
I dont think anyone is whineing, i think people are just trying to understand how the c&d effects updates of thier current google apps.
[G1 Android Development] uberingram:
It's also quite possible that we'll see updated Google apps appear in the Market. They did it with Maps.
[G1 Android Development] Gilliland12:
Only if there is a newer version of a Google App that we want/need (i.e. the new Market from Donut).
[G1 Android Development] TheGreenJester:
We should be able to receive updates of anything AOSP. It looks like the legal way of obtaining updates to the google apps from here on out is to unroot and allow an OTA update. Then do a backup of the new files which will be reapplied later during/after flashing. The need to do this shouldn't be frequent, just when there is a new branch pushed (Eclair, Flan, etc.) or a major bugfix/update to a google app that isn't available in the market. You should only have to unroot to get an OTA, not to apply a cyanogen update.

We will just have to wait and see what Cyanogen's been cooking up.
[G1 Android Development] cityeyes:
For how horrible the last day or two has been for cyanogen, this is really, really incredible news. Whereas yesterday I was doubtful that I'd ever see 4.2, now I'm looking forward to releases into the far future.

You're awesome man.

As for getting updated google apps, I'm sue with how genius the scene is someone will distribute them in some way or another. It might not be completely and absolutely legal, but as long as it's not centralized (i.e. one person or group), Google can't and won't do anything.

Worst case scenario you update to the official version really quickly, back up the apps, and restore back to cyanogen to apply them. It shouldn't be too difficult if we know exactly what package does what.
[G1 Android Development] Chahk:
After the **** they put Cyanogen though in the last few days, I'm not so sure I want to "google-ify" my phone again. This whole ordeal left me with a bitter taste in the mouth. If google doesn't want me to touch their apps, that's fine - I won't touch them with a 10-foot iPole.
[G1 Android Development] deadite66:
from cyanogens latest statement.

doesn't this mean cyanogenmod is a cupcake only rom?, the backup isn't going to magically turn into donut apps.
[G1 Android Development] :
I hope this gets huge. like the ubuntu of mobile devices. and instead of using someone else's app store it would be cool if someone developed a new packaging system that was graphical and command line with dep handling like apt maybe.
[G1 Android Development] IOmega666:
that would be pretty sick, apt in android ? that'd be really COOL ! some repos. and that stuff .
[G1 Android Development] Chahk:
Not unless your ROM is already donut.
[G1 Android Development] Zoide_:
When are the official Donut ROMs expected?
[G1 Android Development] DavidChill:
LOL, you could have let the guy who's doing this actually post his own post :P

But yes, he's sticking with us to the end, we all owe him so much.
[G1 Android Development] ytj87:
You are unbelievable. I've been saying, as in my sig, that only what the devs say about our future direction is what counts. What you've said is mighty big comfort.
[G1 Android Development] deadite66:
hence a problem, i think cyan' is going about this the wrong way.

the better ideas i've seen here is to download the adp image from htc then combine it with cyanogenmod.

this backup/restore idea has google app update problems.
[G1 Android Development] skyjumper:
googlifier app

Why not create an app that pulls the google bits from an official rom like the ones at http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/adp.html#s3?

Cyanogen could still distribute his barebones rom, and any possible license violations (like using an official rom that's not for your device) would be the user's fault and thus no concern to Google or Cyanogen.
[G1 Android Development] kid_a24:
another problem that will come up is when you unroot your phone to obtain the new updates, such as donut, and then root your phone again, you will have to root the old, longer way as the 1-click rooting method will no longer work since it relies on that exploit, which is already patched and applied to new OS updates.

be prepared for a flood of newbie questions just for that! not to mention the google-apps backing up process as well. unless some other dev finds another exploit, or another way, to root much faster and easier. i rooted my phone with the 1click process because it was so easy and quick.

but i'm still very glad that one of the main devs, and the biggest and most popular, is working on a workaround. i can't wait to see what he'll have next :).
[G1 Android Development] Charrion:
It's also possible that these events may diminish the Market's dominance as the place to get your Android apps. Many devs may start to move to whichever of the market alternatives Cyanogen chooses to include in his rom. SlideMe.org for example works quite well, their market app is self-updating, and a number of apps that are on Android Market are already also on SAM. Another very important plus, IMO, is that SlideMe doesn't have the silly limitation on what countries can and cannot access paid apps.

I bought Bloo there long before I discovered MarketEnabler and for the same price as it appears on Android Market.

There are indeed far reaching implications to this whole episode and some of them may indeed come back to bite Google in the ass.
[G1 Android Development] BrooklynAvi:
WOW! Rick-rolled in a QR Code. That's soooo wrong. LMAO. :)
[G1 Android Development] atomsk813:
Knock knock, open up the door, IT'S REAL!