http://www.zdnet.com/is-aliyun-os-really-linux-android-a-rip-off-of-both-7000004318/

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/technology/google-alibaba-acer-android-aliyun-china-292615.html

Yep confirmed reason. Anti-fragmentation clause of Android kicked in.

If acer was doing a tizen or firefox on go or other Linux OS’s on phone everything would have been fine.

Other OEMs release non-Android smart phones with no problem at all. ie. Phoney “7″.

So, where is this Google-bullying we read about? Google knows non-Android/Linux phones won’t sell well and is unconcerned about that. All the rest is wild speculation. Remember, these are Chinese business-men who have caution in their blood.

So in this case you party have to make up your mind if what google did is right or wrong.

If you want google to block Android fragmentation what google just did is right.

If you want as many forks as people like then what Google did now is wrong.

So yes its bad. Its also grey so google gets to skip around breaking their do not be evil operation clause.

All related patents over Android are under OIN(Open Invention Network) that Google and Acer are both members. Patent pool protection here. Joining OIN is free other than agreeing not to use your patents abusively.

–Actually it means that Google is threating Acer to cut off Acer’s revenues from the Google Play store, prohibit to use the “Android” trademark and sue them to death for allegedly violated patents.–

Aliyun-OS is a binary compatible android clone.

The patents bit is not valid at all.

http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1397129

Pays to read. All the maker loses is Google Play and early access. Everyone is allowed to release Android devices.

“Android” trademark. Is allowed to be used for items built from direct source code downloaded from android source repository. Adding drivers does not count.

Also you need to read your links. iLia Amazon’s Kindle Fire is a non approved Google device yet it can still say Android. Yes Amazon they can use the Android trademark with it.

All Google takes away is Google play and access to development versions of android and google advertising for devices.

Ok all that is damaging but acer could go on releasing Android devices short all the trimmings.

Yes I do think Google point of view here is a little over the top. Losing Google advertising is very damaging. Aliyun OS can use the word Android in fact.

iLia what I expect from people from TM repository cannot do fact checking. Yes what google is doing is bad. But its not as bad as you are making out.

If Microsoft did something like this, our dear mr.Pogson would call it the “bane of humankind”, “unlawful monopoly”, “patent troll”, “enslaver of OEM’s”.

So, what threat could Google make?

“Our partner was notified by Google that if the product runs Aliyun OS, Google will terminate its Android-related cooperation and other technology licensing with our partner” Alibaba said

But Google gives favored device-makers early access to Android, and some Android devices launch with Google branding. Manufacturers must also obtain a license from Google to install the Google Play store

Actually it means that Google is threating Acer to cut off Acer’s revenues from the Google Play store, prohibit to use the “Android” trademark and sue them to death for allegedly violated patents.

Google is using it’s dominant market position to suppress competition and save it’s revenues. Just like Microsoft did 10-15 years ago.

And I wonder how much such threats went unpublished? How much OEM’s were forced by Google to not release non-Android smartphones and tablet with MS OS’s and other mobile OSs?

It is time to say: Google — don’t be evil!

http://www.cyanogenmod.com/

These are non-issues except in China where Baidu is king. 90% of apps downloaded to smart phones are $0. There should be no particular axe for Google to grind.

But the great moral is: Android is not as free as you want it to be. And, Google are not the white angel you wish them to be.