Why was the 2.1 kernel released?

[dougeetx]

It doesn't make sense. Why would they release the kernel for 2.1 when Froyo 2.2 is coming out...supposedly? Can someone explain this to me?

 

[v3ritas06]

I believe the kernel is open source, so HTC had to release it, even if 2.2 is right around the corner.

 

[Bigtuna00]

It doesn't make sense. Why would they release the kernel for 2.1 when Froyo 2.2 is coming out...supposedly? Can someone explain this to me?

I believe the kernel is open source, so HTC had to release it, even if 2.2 is right around the corner.

Correct. When you redistribute Open Source code (Android is based on Linux, all Linux distributions are based on an Open Source code base) you *must* release your version of the source.

This is a legal requirement.

Another way to say it: they have to release every version, not just 2.1.

 

[dwhitman]

I believe the kernel is open source, so HTC had to release it, even if 2.2 is right around the corner.

This.

Because they're using Linux, the GPL requires them to post the source for any software they release. After they do the Froyo update, they'll be obligated to post that source too, but since they haven't released it yet, they have no need to post 2.2 source at this time.