My web programmer asked my opinion about Google Android, and his questions inspired this post. I asked some friends in the wireless industry what they thought about Android and the role it will play in the future of our industry, but they hadn't even heard of it!
The cellphone is a mini-computer that runs on software called an operating system (like Windows Vista is to the PC). With the exceptions of Windows Mobile, Palm, or BlackBerry devices, phones run on operating systems designed by the carrier. The positive is that the software is secure. When was the last time you heard about someone's non-PDA cell phone getting hacked? The negative is that any programs that work on your phone have to be designed specifically for that phone's operating system. How many designers are going to spend time writing useful programs that have a shelf-life as short as your cell phone?
The solution, and the going trend of the Internet, is open-source.
"Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in." -from http://www.opensource.org/
In other words, open source allows a programmer to write one program that works on lots of phones, both current and future models. (Some programs are dependant on optional hardware like a camera or memory card slot). The benefit to customers is that they are able to transfer their favorite applications, pictures and media from their old phone to a new phone, including their operating system. Imagine being able to change the look of your phone's menu as easily as you customize your MySpace profile.
In theory, a universal platform for programmers to design with is a great concept. But what happens when three companies compete for that spot as the universal platform?
According to Yahoo, their Yahoo GO is not in competition with Google Android or Linux LiMo.
David Ko, managing director and VP of Yahoo! Connected Life, told CyberMedia News: "We are not creating just another operating system but something on top of it all. If Android is successful, we would use that too. The idea is to be agnostic to any constraint, be it OS, device or operator." -from "Yahoo not Incubating Android's Counterpart" by Patrima Harigunani
So look at Android and LiMo as the "big picture" and Yahoo Go as the "bigger big picture"?
Open source has it's obvious benefits, but technology made it very far without it. Bill Gates kept a tight hold on the code that made his company billions.
The idea of my cell phone running 10 different programs from 10 different programmers makes me wonder who the heck I call for support when something goes wrong? Remember the early days of calling your PC warranty line and having the technician say "It's not the hardware, it's a software issue. I can't help you with that, call your software support." Here we go again.
If Android is such a big deal, how come you haven't heard of it? It will be a few years before the Android, LiMo, or Go find themselves on your phone. Lots of questions remain to be answered like "Will these open source phones be able to work between carriers?" and "What is the security risks?" "How much will these phones cost?"
It is too early in the development of these open-source platforms and decisions are still being made. In general, new technology is expensive because it isn't mass produced yet so don't expect to find an early Android phone cheap.
Open source will play a major role in the wireless industry, and in the years to come we will see how.
For right now, the Google Android should have no influence on your choice of phone or carrier. Your phone will be a dinosaur by the time Android finds its way to the masses.
Use the following resources to learn more:
http://code.google.com/android/
http://mobile.yahoo.com/go
http://www.limofoundation.org/
Watch this video demo of the Google Android in action:
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