OpenDESIGN born with a single aim: reverse engineer manufacturer-specific features
While the open-source nature of Android makes custom ROM development and usage a feature of the platform, one issue that developers behind these ROMs have is the difficulty to replicate the manufacturer specific elements of devices (such as the S Pen for Galaxy Note).
These elements are typically not available under the license that covers the Android Open Source Project, which typically means that users would have to trade off features if they wanted to use a custom ROM. A great example is the issue faced by developers looking to fix the camera in their ICS firmwares.
In true spirit of the Android community, we find the creation of OpenDESIGN. Their goal is best described by the message on their website:
Your phone is outdated.
But soon, you will be able to update it. For free. OpenDESIGN is a community-effort to bring software features from the latest high-end phones to the masses. As long as your phone can run CyanogenMod 9, you’re good to go.
I really hope this team can sort out this issue that really exploded in the aftermath of Ice Cream Sandwich’s launch. My Galaxy Tab 10.1 currently sits with a non-functioning camera, while my myTouch 4G’s camera has a few issues of it’s own. I’ll probably be providing some development assistance (if they would take it) next month once I graduate. You can always support in other ways, too, by either donating or (more importantly at this stage) just spreading the awareness.
[OpenDESIGN via TalkAndroid]