According to unnamed sources who spoke to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is investing in Cynogen, a startup that plans to build a version of Android that is outside Google’s control. “We’re going to take Android away from Google,” said Cynogen CEO Kirt McMaster.
Android is technically an open source project, but Google keeps it under tight reins and requires manufacturers who sell Android devices to feature Google services prominently. Cynogen says it has 9,000 open source developers, in addition to its 80-person staff, who are committed to forking Android.
