Full source code to Android OS released

The source code to the Android operating system has now been released to the public. We can now truly call Android as the first truly open mobile platform.

The Open Handset Alliance headed by Google has made available the source code to the operating system which has been used in the first ever Android mobile phone — the T-Mobile G1.

The source code contains the full stack: an operating system, middleware and key mobile applications. Android together with the previously released Android SDK provides an application developer and even an interested handset manufacturer with the appropriate software to create a truly open mobile phone.

What makes the release of the source code really exciting is that it allows any individual to modify an Android-based mobile phone (currently only the T-Mobile G1 but I doubt that it’s going to stay that way).

This is definitely a hacker’s dream come true

I’d be interested to see how people will start improving on the current source code base. I could already think of at least two things that would really be very useful.

You can download the source code at source.android.com