Android: The “open source” mobile OS
Monday, August 25th, 2008 | Gadgets
As some of you may know, Google is in the middle of building a mobile operating system to be placed on phones in order to compete with Apples iPhone. This new OS is called Android. There are many skeptics out there, and I have to say I am joining the ranks.
You may ask why… Well, as a PHP developer, I’m all for open source, that of course is loosely applied the term “free” most of the time. But is Android really open source? How much of a grip will Google keep a hold of on this phone? Are wireless data transfer rates still going to be ungodly expensive (rhetorical as the answer is a resounding yes)?
Android, though a good idea, just doesn’t have enough information released on it yet. Though what we do know is that it will have an app store similar to Apples iPhone. This will control where and when you can download applications (not a very open-source view). It is also supposed to have Google ads on the phone itself to “help lower phone and plan rates.” WHO WANTS ADS ON THEIR PHONE!? (looks at the one person in the back left corner who raises his hand). Enough said.
I really do hope Googles Android succedes. I need a new phone, I need data transfer, and I am not willing to pay outrageous amounts of money for it. Let’s just hope and pray my heroes (Google) can do this right!
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