what does Google OS/Android mean to WM

[PiTT]

This thread is going to inevitably happen, so I might as well start it. I want forum users thoughts and feedback to this announcement.

I for one think that it is definitely going to affect the relationship between HTC and Microsoft.

As for the OS itself, I'm really not sure what to think yet. How will 3rd party applications work? Will they work across all platforms made by the carriers/manufacturers?

[Surur]

I'll set my thoughts out in points:

1) Its obvious competition - and most people who buy one wont buy the other.

2) It appears consumer targeted, which does provide some protection for WM.

3) It will put even more pressure on WM to improve both its interface and web browser, but we dont expect anything big from MS for at least 18 months, so its going to look like WM will fall behind. The only way MS can counter this is several AKU releases with updated components.

4) HTC's attention will be split, and their best devices may come out on Android. Like the Eten x800, the best WM devices may no longer come from HTC.

5) Similarly, the startups that used to go automatically to WM due to the ease of integration and maturity of the offering may go for Android instead. This will reduce the amount of novelty and innovation in the market (think TV tuners, etc).

6) Its going to look a lot nicer, because the interface was designed with graphics accelerators in mind, and with the iPhone already leading the way.

In general, its bad news, and like the iPhone will suck away developers and mind share from WM, despite WM being more mature and capable.

Surur

[HTC_S60_Fan]

I think it will make WM realize that they need to blow everyone away with WM7...b/c if not, there will be two OS's overtaking it..and it will lose a ton of marketshare...

[richy240]

Yeah, it's time M$ made some innovative changes, instead of feeding us WM2003 over and over again with minimal changes.

[maevro]

All I know is that phone is pretty sweet looking, even if it doesn't exist yet.

[pjammin10]

In general, its bad news, and like the iPhone will suck away developers and mind share from WM, despite WM being more mature and capable.
Surur

Bad for MS, good for consumers. Or at least consumers that are open minded about change.

IMHO it's going to revolutionize the cell phone industry. It's going to capitalize on the data market and force carriers to not be such tight asses about the software on their respective handsets. I'd be surprised to see AT&T and Verizon to go into this without some sort of stipulation stifling the openness of the platform. It's in their nature work like old, stubborn men. Little do they realize that this increased data consumption will actually drive media/data services that they've been struggling to sell on the "Joe/Jane" consumer level for so long.

[PiTT]

Bad for MS, good for consumers. Or at least consumers that are open minded about change.

IMHO it's going to revolutionize the cell phone industry. It's going to capitalize on the data market and force carriers to not be such tight asses about the software on their respective handsets. I'd be surprised to see AT&T and Verizon to go into this without some sort of stipulation stifling the openness of the platform. It's in their nature work like old, stubborn men. Little do they realize that this increased data consumption will actually drive media/data services that they've been struggling to sell on the "Joe/Jane" consumer level for so long.

actually, it's up to the manufacturer or carrier to close their respective platforms. expect AT&T and Verizon to get in the mix, there is no need to rush into it.

by the way, does anyone realize this: you think spam/advertising on your PC is bad? you have another thing coming next year when you are using your cell phone.

[pjammin10]

actually, it's up to the manufacturer or carrier to close their respective platforms.

So how does that explain Bluetooth being disabled on Verizon Moto Razrs and Verizon charging ~$50 to enable it (when it's freely available with every other carrier)? Or the fact the LG phones on Verizon have a closed music system where the only songs you can listen to are ones that you have downloaded from their music store. Verizon had no say in that?

[neo001]

Yeah, it's time M$ made some innovative changes, instead of feeding us WM2003 over and over again with minimal changes.

Hey dude . . . what have I been saying the last 4 or so months ?? by the way I sold my Touch , so I am totally WM free this days

[kaiso]

by the way I sold my Touch , so I am totally WM free this days

What????? Heresy OK Neo, is the iPhone that great in your opinion?

[PiTT]

So how does that explain Bluetooth being disabled on Verizon Moto Razrs and Verizon charging ~$50 to enable it (when it's freely available with every other carrier)? Or the fact the LG phones on Verizon have a closed music system where the only songs you can listen to are ones that you have downloaded from their music store. Verizon had no say in that?

i was referring to the Android OS

[canadian studen]

I can't answer for Neo, but i can say that him and i are very advid WM users, but i have been using my iPhone straight, and i have yet too get bored of it. It just works, and it works well. With my touch i can not wait too get the Rogers version with the increased ROM/RAM. That's my biggest complaint about the touch.


One thing I can say is that with this new OS it will bring innovation too the market, MS has stuck with the same old thing for too long now. It's time for a consumer based OS. MS is still my fave OS, but a change has too be made if they want too be on top IMO.

[richy240]

Hey dude . . . what have I been saying the last 4 or so months ?? by the way I sold my Touch , so I am totally WM free this days

Yeah, I know.

I actually sold my iPhone the other day, and bought a Tilt to replace my Treo. Now, as you can see in my signature, I'm trying to sell the Treo. It had a nice run, but it's time for me to move on to something with better specs. Hopefully the new Treo (whenever that come out, PALM!) will have Wifi and GPS. That is, if Palm ever gets around to releasing it.

[neo001]

What????? Heresy OK Neo, is the iPhone that great in your opinion?

better than a windows mobile phone ?? nope , not in a million years . . . but it is more fun I tell you that , and you can feel that they went into some trouble to develop this they did not test it with us , like WM developers , I just need something new , I have been waiting for it since my old Ipaq hehe so yes I am bored and tired . . . wm tired

I can't answer for Neo, but i can say that him and i are very advid WM users, but i have been using my iPhone straight, and i have yet too get bored of it. It just works, and it works well. With my touch i can not wait too get the Rogers version with the increased ROM/RAM. That's my biggest complaint about the touch.


One thing I can say is that with this new OS it will bring innovation too the market, MS has stuck with the same old thing for too long now. It's time for a consumer based OS. MS is still my fave OS, but a change has too be made if they want too be on top IMO.

You are just not gonna get bored with it , but you have to give a lot to keep entertain right ?? so I guess at the end it really comes down on what you really need , like for me it works perfect , all I do this days is e-mail , calls (lots and lots of calls) listen to some CCR and some country tunes , and of course watch Seinfeld while on the crapper oh and I have been using the maps application a lot !! it is great

Yeah, I know.

I actually sold my iPhone the other day, and bought a Tilt to replace my Treo. Now, as you can see in my signature, I'm trying to sell the Treo. It had a nice run, but it's time for me to move on to something with better specs. Hopefully the new Treo (whenever that come out, PALM!) will have Wifi and GPS. That is, if Palm ever gets around to releasing it.

Congrats on the new device , and I will buy you a beer . . . heck 20 beers if we lived closer for letting go that piece of crap . . . I mean that Treo , do let me know how it goes with that Tilt of yours ok ?? cheers !!

[JNGold]

better than a windows mobile phone ?? nope , not in a million years . . . but it is more fun I tell you that , and you can feel that they went into some trouble to develop this they did not test it with us , like WM developers , I just need something new , I have been waiting for it since my old Ipaq hehe so yes I am bored and tired . . . wm tired

Oh man, you hit the nail on the head. I am waiting for iPhone II with 3g and 3rd party apps and then I'm going to pull the trigger.

I remember the days bashing the Palm OS for looking old and hackneyed (it still does!) Now the shoe is on the other foot and the WM OS with it's desktop metaphor, crappy browsing experience, and perpetual WM2003 re-treading is now the one looking old.