An Official Alpha Release WITH Kernel Source? Who Does This Sort of Thing? - All Heil Sony.

[NoasArcAngel]

i mean, seriously ? wtf.... its really "baap ka maal" stuff that sony is doing. kudos to Sony and my next phone is a ****ing xperia

An Official Alpha Release WITH Kernel Source? Who Does This Sort of Thing? – xda-developers

Here at XDA, we take the responsibility of carriers and OEMs to provide timely updates to their devices (and to honor their GPL requirements) seriously. There are those who do a good job (Samsung is one of them), those who don’t always do a good job (HTC, Motorola, LG), and those who do a terrible job (Huawei, ZTE, Rockchip to name a few). But there is one who right now is doing a terrific job, and that is Sony Mobile.

Back at the end of 2012, we selected Sony Mobile as our OEM of the Year for many reasons. One of those had to do with their public support of the developer community. Another was the release of beta OS builds for impending updates, shared on XDA by Sony staff in order to seed the ROM development pipeline. In addition, they were very active in supporting AOSP for the Sony Xperia S in the Google AOSP device tree, released the AOSP binaries, and eventually branched out to open their own Github for future AOSP development.

On Friday, Sony continued their string of community contributions by releasing an ALPHA build of Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) for the Sony Xperia T. This build is most definitely an alpha, meaning that many of the core components do not work, so it is not meant to be flashed or even mucked around with by the end user. It is meant solely for custom ROM developers to take and use and help make it better in preparation for Sony’s upcoming official build of Jelly Bean for the Xperia T. In order to flash this you will need to use their EMMA tool and your device must have its bootloader unlocked, or else the device will boot to a black screen and you will need to return to stock via Sony’s Update Tool. More information can be found at their Developer World blog. Again, this is not for the end user.

Sony evidently wasn’t content just to be the only OEM to provide OFFICIAL alpha builds for their devices. They ALSO released the kernel source for the alpha build. No other company in our memory has ever done this. Sure, one could argue that it is their obligation to release the kernel source under GPL requirements because they distributed the alpha build. But let’s keep in mind that we’re talking about an ALPHA build—something that is essentially in the infant-stages of its evolution, and not a production build or a finished product.

Let’s also keep in mind that instead of letting it leak like other manufacturers do, and thus not need to adhere to the GPL because they can claim ignorance and that they themselves aren’t the one distributing, they are embracing the fact that the GPL is not harmful. They are stating their case that this is how OEMs should work with the community. They are saying that this sort of thing encourages trust and a sense of togetherness between the community and the OEM, which in turn trickles down to the consumer’s good will towards the OEM. It’s a veritable marketplace “circle of life.” (You’re welcome for having planted the Lion King firmly in your subconscious for the next few hours.)

Other OEMs, like Samsung, frequently release incomplete kernel source that will not build (GPL violation); or fail to release the kernel source for a production build that they later retract even though it was distributed and is live in the wild on consumer’s devices (GPL violation). Or in the case of HTC, just plain ignore the GPL and wait for petitions to be filed or lawyers to be engaged before releasing the kernel source for a software version that is now out of date (GPL violation).

Let this be a lesson to the OEMs out there: When you choose to embrace the very ecosystem that has driven your profits high, and endeavor to work with that ecosystem in a mutual give-and-take, you will see positive results and karma that far exceeds your expectations. Or you can choose to neglect the very base that at one time made you the top smartphone manufacturer in the world and ultimately see your profits and market share slide into the abyss where there is little to no hope of return. Your choice. Choose wisely.

[Nerevarine]

this is the main reason why Micromax sucks

[anirbandd]

how could you bring in micromax??

extremely good move by sony, but as mentioned its not meant for end users directly. however, with more devs getting access to the source code, the end user will be the one benefitted eventually.

[Rishi.]

Mmx.. This company doesn't even deserves to be named in the thread.

//

Sony and Samsung . (Bravo.!)

[noob]

Bravo Sony ....need a Sony nexus

[Ayuclack]

One of the main points I got the Xperia S and next phone will be Xperia Z

[pratyush997]

Bravo Sony ....need a Sony nexus

Sony Nexus Z

[Nerevarine]

^ Sony Xperia N ?

[randomuser111]

Sorry to disappoint guys, but Sony will not make a Nexus phone. Unless Google relaxes the restrictions for customization.

[amjath]

Huawei moved to 3rd spot in shipment Sony wants to catch up Good move

[randomuser111]

^

Not Really. Sony is still 3rd. IDC figures for Sony is only estimate. Official numbers from Sony will be out on Feb 7th (expected to be around 11 million+ ). It was the same last quarter when IDC ignored Sony completely and claimed ZTE was the No.3 smartphone vendor in Q3. But after Sony official numbers were out they had to update the chart.

[theserpent]

Actually Sony has gone up last year due to xperia U,P,S & sola.
And now the Ultimate Sony z

[Ayuclack]

Sony is the Manufacture of the year 2012 at XDA !!

[amjath]

^

Not Really. Sony is still 3rd. IDC figures for Sony is only estimate. Official numbers from Sony will be out on Feb 7th (expected to be around 11 million+ ). It was the same last quarter when IDC ignored Sony completely and claimed ZTE was the No.3 smartphone vendor in Q3. But after Sony official numbers were out they had to update the chart.

I see i meant this one
Huawei shocks smartphone market with 3rd place finish in 2012: IDC - SlashGear

we ll see Sony's numbers then