HTC, maker of the earliest Android handsets as well some of the best-liked current ones, has finally released the source code for its Android phones. It's available here.  There had previously been a number of heated conversations in the developer community about why HTC took so long to post the code. The GPL specifically states that source code must be made immediately available, but HTC stalled. In my eyes, this is just another example of possible negative ramifications for Android if it becomes overly forked and fragmented.

HTC has announced its fourth mobile phone based on the open source Android operating system, dubbed the HTC Tattoo. You can take a visual tour of it here. The Tattoo runs the HTC Sense user interface on top of Android, and the name Tattoo comes from its design customizability.

Tattoo users can choose from a variety of phone colors, and even design unique covers. There are also "inking" options for illustrations on the phone's case. Meanwhile, the HTC Sense user interface allows users to create their own home pages, combining links to frequently used sites and services, photos, and more. It's particularly loaded with social networking conveniences.

As JKOnTheRun reports, Android engineers have tweeted that T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream) phones may not be able to handle any OS updates going forward. It seems that the early G1 model has limited system memory and the current version 1.5 (aka Cupcake) update totally filled it up. There are also reports coming out of Asia (HTC is a Taiwan company) that the HTC Magic, dubbed the MyTouch 3G, will be receiving the innovative “Sense” UI update only in Europe, but that T-Mobile models in the U.S. won’t get it. Check out more here.