http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/google-cracks-down-on-android-developer/

"The Android engineers at Google are now making available previously unreleased components â" makefiles and configuration files â" that will give independent developers the ability to create Android releases in the same manner that Google does, but without using Googleâ(TM)s proprietary apps. These engineers are working with volunteers from the community and have already begun working on alternatives to the proprietary Google applications."


It doesn't sound as contentious as the OP but it definitely seems like Google is taking the right tact on this to me.

Don't underestimate the effect of the weakest dollar in decades on these manufacturers' decision to build/assemble in the US.

As usual, it's more nuanced than <froth>Unions turn everything they touch to shit </froth>