“The openness rhetoric and the Google aura has attracted thousands of developers on the platform, at a time when the money equation is sub-par; consider that – compared to the Apple devices – Android handsets are around 9x less in volume and paid-for apps are available in 6x fewer countries,” Constantinou writes. “What’s even more fascinating is how closed Android is, despite Google’s do-no-evil mantra and the permissive Apache 2 license which Android SDK is under. Paraphrasing a famous line from Henry Ford’s book on the Model-T, anyone can have Android in their own colour as long as it’s black. Android is the best example of how a company can use open source to build up interest and community participation, while running a very tight commercial model.”
Google uses 8 control points to manage the make-up of Android handsets:
1. Private branches
2. Closed review process
3. Speed of evolution
4. Incomplete software
5. Gated developer community
6. Anti-fragmentation agreement
7. Private roadmap
8. Android trademark
Constantinou writes, “The Open Handset Alliance is another myth; since Google managed to attract sufficient industry interest in 2008, the OHA is simply a set of signatures with membership serving only as a VIP Club badge… With Android, Google aims to deliver a consistent platform to its own revenue-generating services. For now, this is the ad business. But in the future, Google is aiming at voice (reaching the billions who don’t have a data connection) and Checkout (i.e. becoming the Visa of mobile). Yet whatever the endgame, it’s worth realising that Android is no more open – and no less closed – than Windows Mobile, Apple OSX or PalmOS; it’s the smartest implementation of open source aimed at driving commercial agendas. Android is much less about the do-no-evil rhetoric that the PR spinners in Mountain View would like us to think.”
Much more in the full article, including the 8 point above explained, here.
Ever tried to upgrade you 1.6 to 2.0? or 2.1…………
@absentminded
No you can’t upgrade a G1 to use 2.0. The reason is, it’s not powerful enough. That’s why I am upgrading to an HTC Desire when my contract ends in 2 weeks.
And by the way, if you are going to use that argument, OS 4 isn’t going to run on iPhone 2G models. Exactly the same thing. And this is a quote from the apple website.
iPhone OS 4 Compatibility
iPhone OS 4 will work with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and the second- and third-generation iPod touch this summer, and with iPad in the fall. Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 3GS and the third-generation iPod touch (32GB and 64GB models from late 2009).
Isn’t that interesting? Hmmm, this is starting to look like fragmentation, LOL. Fragmentation is unavoidable if you update your OS frequently enough. I have an idea. Lets stick with the same OS for years, without any innovation at all! That should get around the fragmentation issues. Good luck with changing your wallpaper though
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@kev
Change my wallpaper? ooo you got us on that! it’s soooooo important….. HAHAHAHAHA
Have fun with that POS desire.. Make sure you have a charger in your house, in your car, at your friends house………
>> No you can’t upgrade a G1 to use 2.0.
Actually it can be updated to 2.1 (you can even add the Sense UI to it if you want), Google is your friend in more than providing you with a great phone.
Apple fans “Fragmentation” arguments are getting dull, Google’s already addressing it (look it up yourself) and everyone with Android will be able to party – unlike your fruity company, Google doesn’t plan to leave those with existing hardware out in the cold (ie: unlike Apple with the iPhone 1, iPhone 3g, PowerPC).
Anyway, I’ll let you guys get back to defending your crappy phone with terms like “User Experience and Game changing”..
.. enjoy your spam with iAds by the way, I love how Jobs talks about a “billion ad opportunities a day” – you guys do realize he’s talking about making money by spamming you on your phones don’t you?!?
No let me guess, you’re not just wallets to Apple – they really care about you and your user experience… suckers!
The quality of this discussion has deteriorated to the point where I have no choice but to paraphrase Sassy from Homeward Bound.
“It’s like I said all along, Kev: iPhone’s rule and Androids drool. It’s true! IPhones are smarter than Androids, and more attractive… and we don’t drink from the toilet!”
@iPhoneEnvy
I was referring to you customizing your phone. Of course you don’t think that’s important. Although I am sure you’ll be “whooping” when Steve Jobs announces the iPhone can now do this at a press conference.
And if the battery does run down quicker than an iPhone (which I am not sure about either) maybe its because its got 2.5 times better resolution screen. I’ll take that (plus a spare battery in case of emergency) Ever heard of a spare battery?
@kev
Why are you trolling an APPLE website trying to convince people that android is better. (which it isn’t)
When you get bored here:
1) Go to Republican website and scream Republicans suck!
2) Go to Microsoft website and scream Ballmer sucks!
3) Go to Escort website and scream Hookers suck! (oh wait)
I just read that Microsoft 2010 is getting ready to ship. Shouldn’t you be defragging your Dell to prepare for this historic event?
I really think that everyone here is getting off topic. Why do we say that everything we don’t use sucks? I’m not an Apple guy, but only because I am a geek that loves to tinker with his tech.
My computer is overclocked, my laptop is overclocked and so naturally, I want a phone that I can mess with and overclock as well. If I could do that with an iPhone, then I would look at it as an option, but as I sit today, I have a Droid (stock 550mhz) overclocked to 1.25ghz running a Cyanogen ROM. Could I do that with an Apple?
I’M NOT SAYING THAT MAKES APPLE SUCK. I am not no or will I ever be a troll. I’m just saying that everyone needs to take a step back and realize that the iPhone and Droid may not suck, but they do suck for certain people, only because they don’t meet their specific needs.
Hope this brings some civility to this forum.
I think a lot of you are missing a key point here and it goes back to the basic principles of each corporation… Apple is and has always been (at least under Jobs) that believes in delivering a user experience, the best user experience… The only way they can control this is by controlling every aspect (to a certain degree) thus mac OS’s only run on mac (unless you have a hackintosh) and iphone os only operates on iphones/ipods/ipads… The delivery of the users experience is what has made the iphone/pod/pad so successful not the company mantra or its philosophy its the product… Other products tend to try to be everything to everyone flood the market with our OS an become the market leader regardless of the experience… This marketing approach seems to be the norm so it would stand that Android would be on so many models of phones but user experience for the most part can vary from phone to phone model… Now I know the argument of different generation of product and features that wont work on them with new OS releases… but that is a given on any product so its a moot point… The bottom line here seems to be if you don’t like a product then it is no good for anyone instead of looking at what is good in any of the products… I love my iPod touch but does it do everything I wish it could no but is does enough for me to keep me using it and make me want to look into the iPad when the new OS upgrade comes out… So what I guess I am saying is if you are a blind follower or hater of a product it show ignorance on your part,,,,
@Switcheroo
“It’s like I said all along, Kev: iPhone’s rule and Androids drool. It’s true! IPhones are smarter than Androids, and more attractive… and we don’t drink from the toilet!”
LMFAO coming from a person with a phone that can’t change wallpapers yet until the 4.0 OS update LMFAO!!!!
Says a person that can’t multitask unless you get the newer hardware
Says a person that comes form an Icon based OS
OOHHHH APPLE IS SO SMART!!! LMFAO!!!
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
what a joke this artical is. thanks for the laugh though.
as for apps for Android that couldn’t run on the iPhone’s current OS, there are plenty.
I doubt many apps will get the privilege to run in the background with OS 4.0 either, but it remains to be seen.
I’ve had the iPhone 3GS 32GB, for a while. I now have the HTC Desire, and I’m looking forward to the slew of other Android phones coming out in the next 6 – 12th months.
With Android finally getting some decent hardware to run on, it’s a great option for many people. The iPhone will still suit others better … but get a life. There is finally competition for the iPhone.
What’s your problem? Does that undermine your smugness somehow?
Apple-haters crack me up till no end lol.
They are so offended by Apple’s great products that they feel the need to post on some backwater mac orientated site, LOL.
Does all this make any difference… about anything?
When it comes down to it, aren’t they all really just phones?
Is it really necessary to turn something so absurdly trivial into another technology religious war?
Maybe it all says something about human nature.
And it make me despair because what it says isn’t good.
Although this made me laugh. MDN word: does.
Is anyone really surprised that Google found this page, and that there are 2-3 people in this world they could find to tout their lame product?