Google clarifies Cyanogen Android issue

The search giant has halted distribution of the Cyanogen custom Android build with proprietary apps like Gmail and Google Maps, says InformationWeek.

While the Android mobile operating system is open source, some of its most appealing features like tight Gmail integration and Google Maps are not

The search giant faced some criticism when it ordered developer Steve Kondik to stop distributing a custom build of Android because it utilised closed-source applications like Gmail and Google.

Paris-based OW2 Consortium will merge with California-based Open Solutions Alliance, reports ZDNet UK

OW2 members include Alcatel Lucent, France Telecom, Red Hat and Thales and Open Solutions Alliance represents organisations including Unisys and Ingres.

The two organisations will provide a "global platform for supporting research, development, distribution, and adoption of open source software," according to a statement.

Former Microsoft open source chief, Sam Ramji, has joined cloud computing start-up Sonoa Systems, according to PC World.

Ramji is taking over product strategy and business development at the Santa Clara, California-based company.

In his last job at Microsoft, Ramji was responsible for fostering more interoperability and collaboration with the open-source community as head of its platform strategy group.