Actually no, under the GPL they don't have to put the source code on the web. They just have to make it accessible when you request it. If no one requests it then they really don't have to put anything on the web. From a community karma perspective it is good to put up the source when new binaries go out.
Slightly wrong, when distributing the binaries you either have to:
(a) distribute the source code immediately,
along with the binary
(b) provide a written offer in which you promise
to distribute the source-code to anyone
who asks in a timely manner
(b) is important because if you fail to provide that written offer as soon as you start distributing the binary, then you're not complying with the GPL.
I'm not in the know if Apple provided such offer, HTC on the other hand ...
And I'm pretty sure somebody requested it by now -- it's not like they are the only contributers to WebKit that would want to merge Apple's changes in master.
In the case of a lawsuit you also have to explain what took you so long to release the source-code -- timely manner is very relative, and in software when things move so fast a couple of months is not soon enough.
I do feel that Apple is somewhat morally justified and should be granted benefit of the doubt, in this particular case, since they invested in WebKit so much. But WebKit got so valuable precisely because it is open-source such that it can be a defacto standard for mobiles. Apple is also not the sole contributer, and they benefited from the work of others, so I don't see why they aren't playing nice.
Also, lots of double standards floating around -- I'm seeing some people that cried wolf on Google's actions regarding postponing the release of Android 3.0, although they are complying with the licenses involved and although they had perfectly understandable business reasons for doing so -- those people are actually trying to justify Apple's actions right now.
I don't know why we treat these stories like some kind of sport, in which everyone cheers for their favorite, but we do, although there isn't anything to gain unless you're a shareholder.
The WebKit, WebCore and JavaScriptCore software is open source software [...] You may obtain a complete machine-readable copy of the source code for the LGPL-licensed portions under the terms of LGPL, without charge except for the cost of media, shipping, and handling, upon written request to Apple.
