Comments on: Google carves an Android path through open-source world

Google is committed to many open-source tenets with its Android mobile phone software--but it's willing to step on a few open-source toes, too.

[rtuinenburg]

Google is wrong in this case concerning the GPL license. I can see their point about GPL not working on an application level. Android would not be an attractive platform if companies cannot compete based on features. Hardware manufactures are always going to follow the money, and if Android does not create a competitive environment to make money, then Android will not be a choice platform for these companies.

BUT

I believe cell phone hardware will become unambiguous one day (very soon), because all you really need is a small device with a touch screen, and some basic common chips (GPS, 3G capabilities). With the touch screens ability to change on the fly, the GPL license becomes a gateway to the open source community being able to foster great innovation on an application level.

I say, "Google release this unambiguous device so the open source community can create kick ass applications and share them with the world to enjoy"

[rtuinenburg]

Google is wrong in this case concerning the GPL license. I can see their point about GPL not working on an application level. Android would not be an attractive platform if companies cannot compete based on features. Hardware manufactures are always going to follow the money, and if Android does not create a competitive environment to make money, then Android will not be a choice platform for these companies.

BUT

I believe cell phone hardware will become unambiguous one day (very soon), because all you really need is a small device with a touch screen, and some basic common chips (GPS, 3G capabilities, etc). With the touch screens ability to change on the fly, the GPL license becomes a gateway to the open source community being able to foster great innovation on an application level.

I say, "Google release this unambiguous device so the open source community can create kick ass applications and share them with the world to enjoy"

[aqvarivs]

You can't have it both ways. Allow for independent addition/enhancement ownership and also have that effort returned to the general user core. I'd say Google is doing the right thing for the industry. Perhaps not the right thing to expand GPL community egotism but a good balance of both worlds that will encourage the total usability. One big issue I have with GPL is the lack of concise amalgamation concerning the end product for the end user. Each release requires consummate skill/understanding on the part of the end user and most corporate or personal users don't have the time or inclination to be that involved. In general people are looking for solutions not needy software core relationships. I think Google understands this. Microsoft software is plug and play. This software will be plug-tweak and play. Nicely done.

[The_Decider]

You total misunderstanding of OSS and its usability is laughable. Especially given the fact that Linux works straight out of the box in most cases, unlike Vista and even XP. End-users don't need to be involved at all, why would you think that?

Look at Office 2007, there is a steep learning curve for very little functionality, even for people knowledgeable of 2003. Open Office 2.4 added more than a few features, no new learning curve, OO 3.0 is shaping up in the same way.

[Mr. Dee]

Sounds like too much complexity, I would stick with Apple's iPhone OS for the iPhone and or Windows Mobile. Those projects seem more structured and guaranteed, in fact they have shipping products that are proven which is a plus for any developer. Android is looking more like vaporware and Google's dream of becoming the Microsoft of the future of trying to be all things without concentrating on something they are really good at already (Search). Microsoft took baby steps before they reached where they are, it has taken them 30 years, Google wants to do that in just 15! Ridiculous! Mark my words, Android will be a failure initially and perhaps a lesson to the Company to play it safe, I see Android itself being given away to the Open Source Community, not maintained and eventually killed.

[Stomfi]

Microsoft took a planned path. Development of its current offering was already completed by the likes of SGI with their Indy workstation in the 80s. Microsoft got the leg up by being IBM's OS supplier for the IBM PC intelligent terminal for the IBM mainframe also at the same time.
It was IBM marketing that put a PC in every home. Microsoft has made lots of money from the gullible public by selling incremental pieces of an 80's workstation. That's why it's taken 30 years. More money for Microsoft.

Now its definitely end of life for a product that was just another step on the way to a useful computer system in the 80's, and everyone in the industry with any technical know how, except Microsoft fans and shareholders, no this is true. So they obviously don't want Microsoft to control and hold up development in other parts of the computing network like they have with their anolomous desktop product.

Everyone competing with Microsoft dominance will support Android, just like they do with Linux. Some companies like SUN and Novell live by doing deals with Microsoft, so expect them to complain, but the rest are sick of the intelligent terminal approach behind the Windows platform, and want to see rapid forward movement in the industry.

[HealthyElijah]

You better have a big spoon to eat those words!!! Gulp

[t8]

Mr. Dee, remember your words in 3 years.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

Android is looking more like vaporware...
Mr. Dee 2008

[t8]

Mr. Dee, remember your words in 3 years.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

Android is looking more like vaporware...
Mr. Dee 2008

[HealthyElijah]

Microsoft is going DOWN!!!

[ptzkiler]

No I never think Microsoft never going down.Because the caught the market..Hey fnd look if we count there are many users here use windows xp or vista operating system so how do we expel microsoft going down????