HTC posts kernel source for Tattoo, Sprint Hero

The terms of the GPL require that developers of Android handsets out the source code for their phones' platform kernels, something HTC, Samsung, and others have generally been good about (emphasis on "generally") -- and now HTC's gone ahead and pushed a couple more notables into the public domain. The Tattoo and the Sprint-branded version of the Hero are the latest to get their innermost software workings exposed; the Tattoo should be an interesting choice here because it's one of the lowest-end Android sets released to date, and the Sprint Hero's been taking some heat for a while now for its lack of code exposure. We're happy to see HTC stay in compliance, yes -- but really, we're even happier to know that it's now in the hands of people who intend to tear it apart and do cool stuff with it.

[Accidental Posted Jan 22nd 2010 3:04PM]

Didn't know the GPL requires phone manufactures using Android to release the kernel source code. Pretty cool!

What does this open up? Does it allow app developers to better understand the inner workings of the kernel/OS?

[wirelessness Posted Jan 22nd 2010 3:17PM]

It will allow custom ROM developers to build ROM's based on 2.1.

[AndroidOne Posted Jan 22nd 2010 4:58PM]

Hopefully now that AOSP 2.1 is available and HTC Kernel for CDMA Hero is available, that means a nice Android 2.1 OS for Sprint HTC Hero soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If I was knowledgeable enough, I'd do it myself, but I think by the time I learn how to compile my own ROM, someone else will do it in their sleep.

[Yibrushn Posted Jan 22nd 2010 6:14PM]

I'm hoping this might help port it to the touch pro :D

[wirelessness Posted Jan 22nd 2010 6:38PM]

I certain developer over at xda has already compiled the new kernel and is beta testing 2.1 as we speak. Very soon a for the masses version(s) will be showing up.