Google (GOOG) Limiting Access to Next Android Version

When the next version of Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) hits the market, the company says in the beginning it will temporarily limit access to it, going against the grain of their previously stated open-source philosophy.

A Google representative said the software, which is dubbed Honeycomb and built specifically for tablets, won't be openly shared because it isn't yet ready to be altered and customized for a variety of devices.

The decision to delay the public release of Honeycomb will not affect device-making partners such as Samsung Electronics Co., Dell Inc., HTC Corp. and Acer Inc., which are expected to soon start releasing new tablets built with the software. Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. already launched the Xoom tablet last month.

"Google is trying to limit any damage potential by granting access to those companies that work well with Google in order to preserve the experience," Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said.

She said Google appears to be taking steps to protect its brand from low-cost hardware makers that might try to push aggressively into the tablet market by cutting corners and lowering prices.

Google closed Thursday at $586.89, gaining $4.73, or 0.81 percent.




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