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\f0\fs24 \cf2 \cb3 (Image Source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.techspot.com/news/50151-google-pressures-acer-to-cancel-smartphone-running-android-rival.html"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 TechSpot}})\ \
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\b \cf2 BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT \b0 \
\ Tech giant Google flexed a little muscle recently.
Sources report the company had a hand in cancelling the China launch of Acer\'92s A800 smartphone.
Reports show Google had some \'93compatibility\'94 issues with the operating system on the unreleased
phone.\ \
The A800 was set to launch Thursday in the Chinese market. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444709004577652362341112898.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 The Wall Street Journal}} reports
Google objected to the new device because Aliyun \'97 the operating system, developed
by Alibaba Group \'97 was a \'93non-compatible" version of Android. In short, Alibaba allegedly
created Aliyun by taking Google's Android software and making changes to it.\
\ Alibaba shot back and alleged Google threatened
to revoke Acer\'92s license to use Android if it went forward with the launch of the
Aliyun operated phone.\ \
So, why would Acer, a member of the pro-Android Open Handset Alliance, choose to launch a
phone using a competitive OS? Two words: Big aspirations.\
\ Several {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.zdnet.com/cn/alibabas-aliyun-os-hopes-to-be-android-of-china-7000003937/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 sources}} report that Alibaba Group\'92s chief strategy officer Zeng Ming
said the company wants Aliyun to become the \'93Android of China.\'94 Tricky, tricky.\
\ Andy Rubin, head of the Android department
at Google, took to his {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "https://plus.google.com/112599748506977857728/posts/H7eC4uaJ12Q"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Google+}} page in response to Ming, saying: \'93We were surprised to
read [Ming\'92s] quote... when in fact the Aliyun OS incorporates the Android runtime
and was apparently derived from Android. Based on our analysis of [Aliyun], the platform
tries to, but does not succeed in being compatible.\'94 Point: Rubin.\
\ But talks of the \'93exclusive Android club\'94
and compatibility issues bring into question just how free club members are to explore
other options for products.\ \
\pard\pardeftab720\ql\qnatural {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/15/google-wants-better-compatibility-for-android/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Alibaba released a statement\ulnone }}saying:
\b "Aliyun OS is not part of the Android ecosystem so of course Aliyun OS is not and does not
have to be compatible with Android. It is ironic that a company that talks freely about
openness is espousing a closed ecosystem." \b0 \
\ A writer for {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://gizmodo.com/5943489/did-google-really-stop-acer-from-making-a-non+android-phone"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 Gizmodo}} also adds his two
cents: \b \'93What about Google's other Android partners
who make Windows Phones? Will Google strong arm them as well? This situation being in
China doesn't affect us \i immediately
\i0 but it does set an alarming and troubling precedent. Google is becoming the bully it
pretended it would never be.\'94 \b0 \
\ Representatives for Acer have yet to comment
in detail on the dispute.\'a0}