As the first Android phone hits shelves in the US, Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) have announced the availability of the platform source code.

As Android is developed under an open source licence, it can be downloaded and modified by anyone for free. The idea being that such a licence will enable people to create a mobile device without restrictions, build applications that run on Android-powered devices, and contribute to the core platform.

“Having an open source mobile platform will dramatically reduce the time and resources required to bring mobile devices to market. Handset manufactures can access a complete, full featured mobile stack without any barriers and get a head-start on creating as contemporary a device that they want to build. Developers for the first time can contribute code, with a full set of APIs that allows the platform to host applications written by third-party developers and carriers can offer faster, cheaper and more innovative devices and services, “said Google’s senior director of mobile platforms Andy Rubin.

Earlier this week, industry analyst Ovum said that with an open source development methodology capable of reducing operational costs, harnessing innovation and shortening time to market for new devices and services, independent software vendors (ISVs) will find it increasingly difficult to keep pace.

Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum, said that software vendors need to be familiar with open source environments to be able to respond to demands to integrate customers’ solutions into those environments. In addition, OEMs and operators will start to expect similar levels of transparency and collaboration on key areas of interest for them. “As a result, ISVs will need to evolve their business practices to meet these new expectations, in some cases embracing an open source business model,” he said.

The Android code can be found under the Android Open Source Project at source.android.com.