Android Business Model getting clearer - The 3 options

Google is finally giving more clarity on the business models for device vendors and the service providers. The NY Times article mention three options -

1. The obligation-free option: Fre Android, load onto their devices and provide access to as many or as few apps as they want. No preload popular Google applications, like Gmail or Google calendar.

2. The small strings option: Same as Option 1, except that manufacturers sign a distribution agreement to include on the phone Google applications. Of the 18 to 20 phones coming out this year, Mr. Rubin said, 12 to 14 subscribe to this option.

3. The bigger strings option or the no-censorship version: These phones Google calls “The Google Experience”. They are physically distinguishable by the “Google” logo on the phone. They include a range of Google applications that the carrier and handset maker agree not to remove from the phone. The carrier and handset maker also agree not to censor access to the Android market. Meaning: if some developer comes up with an application that some people find distasteful, or that gets bad press, it must nevertheless remain available to consumers. Of the phones coming out this year, 5 to 6 belong to this category, Mr. Rubin said.

More details at :- http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/google-expect-18-android-phones-by-years-end/

Android the gen4 Mobile OS

Android is an amazing operating system that will fundamentally transform the edge/client nodes. Android OS is the latest in the evolution of Mobile OS operating systems - the gen4 of the Mobile OS. The first few generations were OS built on RTOS that slapped some basic functionality on top of base functionality – “Provide reliable voice call”. The gen3 is where we started having a modular approach to design allowing HLOS (High Level OS) to start appearing. iPhone is where we finally have the age of HLOS with great applications and certainly innovative U/I . iPhone have transformed the mobile application landscape dramatically. Android though lacking on that front is a great lego block operating system that provides not just “Design Time Modularity” but also “Run Time Modularity”. By default, every application runs in its own Linux process. Android starts the process when any of the application's code needs to be executed, and shuts down the process when it's no longer needed and system resources are required by other applications. Built around OSGi the core part of the specifications is a framework that defines an application life cycle management model, a service registry, an execution environment and modules giving Android the perfect DNA to be one with the best OS for “Distributed Edge Nodes”..Smartphones are just the beginning…Android could be the OS for everything connected...



* Content does not reflect the opinions of my employer, my former employer or anyone else but me!

Intel and Novell to colloborate on Moblin

Intel and Novell signed an agreement outlining their plan for collaboration. Novell also announced it will create a Moblin-based product for netbooks that it will take to market to a wide range of OEMs and ODMs. Additionally, Novell will establish Novell® Open Labs in Taiwan to foster the adoption of Moblin and will work with the Taiwan Moblin Enabling Center (MEC), a joint effort of Intel and the Taiwan Institute for Information Industry, to validate designs for Moblin compliance.

“Novell has taken a significant leadership role in the Moblin community since joining the effort late last year, and today’s announcement will extend Novell’s level of involvement,” said Doug Fisher, vice president of Intel’s Software and Services Group and general manager of the System Software Division. “The combination of Intel Atom processor-based platforms and Moblin-based Novell software will provide even more opportunities for OEMs, ODMs and the broader Moblin community to deliver excellent mobile Internet solutions.”

Novell’s contributions to the Moblin ecosystem include leading the open source development of key operating system features such as window, e-mail and media management.

“We are extending our involvement with Moblin because we believe that it provides a richer mobile Internet experience,” said Ron Hovsepian, Novell president and CEO. “The emergence of such mobile computing platforms as netbooks presents a significant growth opportunity. We believe that Moblin-based Novell software on Intel-based platforms will offer OEMs and ODMs exceptional solutions for delivering a full Internet experience on such devices.”

More details at - http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Intel-Novell-Extend-bw-15164933.html