(Image Source: TechSpot )

BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Tech giant Google flexed a little muscle recently. Sources report the company had a hand in cancelling the China launch of Acer’s A800 smartphone. Reports show Google had some “compatibility” issues with the operating system on the unreleased phone.

The A800 was set to launch Thursday in the Chinese market. The Wall Street Journal reports Google objected to the new device because Aliyun — the operating system, developed by Alibaba Group — was a “non-compatible" version of Android. In short, Alibaba allegedly created Aliyun by taking Google's Android software and making changes to it.

Alibaba shot back and alleged Google threatened to revoke Acer’s license to use Android if it went forward with the launch of the Aliyun operated phone.

So, why would Acer, a member of the pro-Android Open Handset Alliance, choose to launch a phone using a competitive OS? Two words: Big aspirations.

Several sources report that Alibaba Group’s chief strategy officer Zeng Ming said the company wants Aliyun to become the “Android of China.” Tricky, tricky.

Andy Rubin, head of the Android department at Google, took to his Google+ page in response to Ming, saying: “We were surprised to read [Ming’s] quote... when in fact the Aliyun OS incorporates the Android runtime and was apparently derived from Android. Based on our analysis of [Aliyun], the platform tries to, but does not succeed in being compatible.” Point: Rubin.

But talks of the “exclusive Android club” and compatibility issues bring into question just how free club members are to explore other options for products.

Alibaba released a statement saying: "Aliyun OS is not part of the Android ecosystem so of course Aliyun OS is not and does not have to be compatible with Android. It is ironic that a company that talks freely about openness is espousing a closed ecosystem."

A writer for Gizmodo also adds his two cents: “What about Google's other Android partners who make Windows Phones? Will Google strong arm them as well? This situation being in China doesn't affect us immediately but it does set an alarming and troubling precedent. Google is becoming the bully it pretended it would never be.”

Representatives for Acer have yet to comment in detail on the dispute.