The future is here??

[Arelunde]

Here's a thought-provoking article that, although based on the Android system, has meaning for all smartphones. It doesn't take a genius to see the smartphone playing field is gutted with choice - with fewer differences among the contenders. This article is an indictment of the cell carriers who are trying desperately to keep control of an increasingly un-controllable market...


http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/1/3056660/mobile-hardware-software-editorial

 

[nuckinfutz]

Android is just another manifestation of the "Myth of Openness"

A decade ago writers were talking about how the "Open" Linux was going to take over and surpass Macintosh and Windows. Perhaps in overall numbers they have but in consumer impact the more closed systems of Windows and Macintosh have been the breadwinners.

Now we have basically Linux for Mobiles promulgating the same myth. Google had the whole "Open" thing going when they were starting out and now they capitulating and kind of reneging on the deal. Carriers of course providing pressure but Google appears to be more more a proponent of open computing than Apple is.

The future is not "Open" as far as consumers are concerned. They don't care. They want a good latitude of freedom that "Open" fantasizes about but they also want the security that a Walled Garden delivers. The successful companies are the ones that delicately balance these two forces.

Thusfar Apple's done a better job than most. We'll see how Android handles the same challenge.

 

[G51989]

Android is just another manifestation of the "Myth of Openness"

A decade ago writers were talking about how the "Open" Linux was going to take over and surpass Macintosh and Windows. Perhaps in overall numbers they have but in consumer impact the more closed systems of Windows and Macintosh have been the breadwinners.

Now we have basically Linux for Mobiles promulgating the same myth. Google had the whole "Open" thing going when they were starting out and now they capitulating and kind of reneging on the deal. Carriers of course providing pressure but Google appears to be more more a proponent of open computing than Apple is.

The future is not "Open" as far as consumers are concerned. They don't care. They want a good latitude of freedom that "Open" fantasizes about but they also want the security that a Walled Garden delivers. The successful companies are the ones that delicately balance these two forces.

Thusfar Apple's done a better job than most. We'll see how Android handles the same challenge.

I can agree with a large amount of this.

But think this, with Apple and iOS, you have ONE choice. You do not have choice between phones, as far as the consumer is thinking about. With Android, you can get a low end phone, mid range range phone, high end phone. Tons of different form factors, keyboards, no keyboards, ect ect.

I do think that " android " offers a much better variety of choice as far as handsets than Apple does. Don't get me wrong. The iPhone is an awesome phone, but its just one model. And not everyone wants it, otherwise Android handsets would not have surpassed the iPhone.

I just feel that Apples system is to closed off.

 

[hakuryuu]

I can agree with a large amount of this.

But think this, with Apple and iOS, you have ONE choice. You do not have choice between phones, as far as the consumer is thinking about. With Android, you can get a low end phone, mid range range phone, high end phone. Tons of different form factors, keyboards, no keyboards, ect ect.

I do think that " android " offers a much better variety of choice as far as handsets than Apple does. Don't get me wrong. The iPhone is an awesome phone, but its just one model. And not everyone wants it, otherwise Android handsets would not have surpassed the iPhone.

I just feel that Apples system is to closed off.

Apple will likely continue to offer a low (3GS on AT&T), mid (4 on AT&T and Verizon), and high end phone (4S). When the 5 comes out it'll be the 4, 4S, 5.

And as far as being closed off.. what exactly are they stopping you or anyone from doing? I've never understood the issue people have with iOS and this love affair with "open". Open doesn't make something better by default. It has its place but my walled garden works well.

 

[benzslrpee]

doesn't he address his own complaint in his article? manufacturers have a tight lock on software to maintain that final barrier to commoditization. he even added a nice Sony and Panasonic example...