So apparently the issue Google had with Cyanogen's mods was that everyone had assumed that Google's Gmail, Gtalk, etc apps were part of Android. However, Google now states that those apps are NOT to be assumed to be included as Android, only the Android platform itself is open-source. As such, developers are now moving towards alternative apps for what had previously been assumed to be inclusive.
The Android engineers at Google are now making available previously unreleased components — makefiles and configuration files — that will give independent developers the ability to create Android releases in the same manner that Google does, but without using Google’s proprietary apps. These engineers are working with volunteers from the community and have already begun working on alternatives to the proprietary Google applications. Meanwhile, other developers have formed a new group, the Open Android Alliance and they, too, are working on building alternatives to Google’s applications.
That means Cyanogen has NOT left the building.
In summary, Google initiated the Android project, but due to the open-source heroes, Android may soon move ahead without Google. Again, whether this is actually better remains to be seen - will a Google-less Android still continue to improve and grow at the rate it has?
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