The Digital Home Video: Is Google's Android platform just vaporware?

In this episode, I explore the possibility of Android never being released and Google eating its investment. Will it happen? It's entirely possible.

I also misspoke: I'm looking for a 15 second intro, not a 15 minute intro! Sorry about that!

And as always, drop me a line or follow me on Twitter!

[vincenzof]

I wouldn't call it vaporware, but it's a few short steps from being there. I'm tired of the hype machine already. Show me a device. If it's better than my iPhone, I'll switch. If not, then so be it, but enough talk already. Let's see at least one piece of hardware that isn't the HTC Dream we saw over the weekend which looks like a third-rate Sidekick.

[cporpheus]

I think that it would be better for Google to release a stable version of Android in 2009 than to release a crappy version in 2008. I agree that Google must embrace and help in any way they can to developers and carriers, but if they can overcome this, they'll be successful.

Why is Apple spared this treatment? Wasn't the iPhone announced in January of 2007, then released late June? And that was one OS on one phone. No cry of vaporware?
Google's engineering an OS that is going to be used by many phones on many carriers on many wireless standards. Give them time at least the time the public gave the iPhone to solve development and partnership problems and make it great. The potential of Android deserves our support, not criticism.

[vincenzof]

The potential of Android deserves our support, not criticism.

It doesn't deserve criticism? The project is, right now, exactly where it was the day it was launched. There are no devices running it, there's been delay after delay in it coming out, and developers are practically revolting over Google's crappy treatment of them, and you think this deserves support?

Sorry. The iPhone was announced in January and released in June. Android was announced officially in November of last year. It's now August, and we aren't expected to see a device until some time next year. I don't know how you can compare the two.

[jvcalero]

@Don
Funny that there are already announcements of pre-orders the same day you release this so-called vaporware phone from Google. http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=1356 . I don't know if this will be on-time (what is?) but at least it's getting there. Also, HTC has denied the delay http://androidcommunity.com/analyst-htc-delay-rumors-debunked-q4-launch-still-on-track-20080808/ . Last time I checked the 2nd half of the year hasn?t finished yet...or am I still living in 2009?

BTW, are you related to Ed Helms (Andy Bernard from The Office)?

@vincenzof
The iPhone may have been announced in Jan and released in June but how long has it been under wraps? Also, like what cporpheus said, Android will have to be flexible enough to be used on MANY different platforms, not just 1 like the iPhone. It will also have to be complex enough to be used on MANY different cell networks, not just 1 like the iPhone. To add, Google is also making the SDK available now, which took the iPhone about a year to make once released. If you take a step back and see how much more complex the Android environment is compared to the iPhone, lets not talk about vaporware or saying that "the project is, right now, exactly where it was the day it was launched." Obviously it's not "exactly" in the same place since it does have a released SDK, possibly thousands of apps (albeit not polished...but a lot of potential).

Obviously Android will need some time to have more eye candy; they just don?t have the very talented designers like Apple. I would also venture to guess, like Don suggests, that it will take some time for Android to penetrate the mobile market because most people don?t know anything about this project unlike the iPhone and the amount of marketing it had and even the known Apple brand. But I would venture to guess that when the openness and awesomeness (my guess) of the apps, it will attract more folks. Having no restrictions in the SDK should hopefully bring back all the disgruntled developers.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will the Android. Also, remember how open Android will be. Apple locks down a lot of features. You can do pretty much whatever you want with Android, unlike the iPhone.

It would be easier to build Android if you only:
- had 1 carrier
- had 1 handset
- didn't release the SDK for a year & locked it down

[jvcalero]

*2008..oops :)

[jvcalero]

Lets fast forward to Sept 23. Is it still vaporware? Will be be able to do so much more than your beloved iPhone? Is it locked down? Do you still say, so confidently, that it won't show itself this year? I think you have a little pie on your face.

Oh yeah, you asked for it: "You're a cynic"

*cough* Why iPhone developers should defect to Android *cough*

[cmho333]

I think that your video review is a complete FAIL. Haha.... sure, I am going to take you (who don't even know what date it is) seriously. "Who cares?"?!?!

I happen to have the G1 phone, and I love it.