Report: Google to Delay Open-Source Release of Honeycomb

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) said Friday that it will delay access to the source code for its new version of Android software, according to reports.

The decision to limit access to the new operating system’s source code is a departure from Google’s typical way of operating.  A representative from the tech behemoth told the Wall Street Journal that the decision was based on the fact that Honeycomb, as the new software has been named, is not yet prepared for customization to a number of different devices, as it was constructed specifically for use on tablets.

The delay in the release of Honeycomb to open source should not have an impact on the Google's partners making the devices, such as Samsung, Dell, HTC Corp. and Acer, which will begin releasing their new tablets which run on Honeycomb, the Journal reported.

Shares of Google fell $7.15, or 1.22%, to close at $579.74 on Friday.  The stock was up slightly in after-hours trading.