Developer Complaints Urged Release of iOS 4.3 WebKit Source Code
By 
Monday saw the release of Apple’s iOS 4.3 WebKit source code following a 2 month delay that had developers complaining openly. Developers weren’t the only ones with criticism for Apple, GPL Violations made public the fact that there had been no new release since iOS 4.3 was brought out in March. Three iterations of iOS have followed that release and no subsequent source code was made available in the repository.
WebKit is the rendering and JavaScript engine that powers the receiving of web pages and images in modern browsers. The reason Apple is obligated to release their binary and source code is that WebKit takes advantage of code licensed by the Lesser GNU Public License (LGPL).
Many have speculated the reasons for the delay, including reports that it may be due to the new and faster Nitro JavaScript engine for MobileSafari. Others have suggested that Apple prefers their platform locked down and was therefore stalling on release until enough developers noticed and complained. Whatever the reason, Apple has been in violation of both the spirit and legality of the LGPL. Under this license, the releases of software and source code should be simultaneous.
Most outrage stems from the apparent disregard for compliance with the absence of a reasonable explanation and because Apple does not appear apologetic over their procrastination. Apple has not indicated if this type of delay is their intention for releases going forward but it seems likely given that it took them a reported 6 months to release source code following iOS 4.1.
The delay has been compared to Google’s reluctance to release the source code to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) citing that it wasn’t ready. This delay is entertaining for many because Apple fans responded to that news with mockery despite this 60-day lag for their own source code release.
[via AppleInsider]
