Interesting article on Android phones

[LordKastle]

Takeshi...what monopoly? One that the likes of the cellular industry has never seen before. Lets look at what we have in front of us...

Windows Mobile - Pure mobile OS..pushed by Microsoft to manufacturers. Microsoft has no produced a sole device as theirs like Apple has done.

Apple iPhone - Apple's one device [Yes there is 2 versions, one is old and one is new]. Apple created the OS on their own and produced their own hardware.They had no intention of licensing out or pushing their OS out to other phones.

Google - Creators of Android OS and pushed to be the mobile OS of choice of manufacturers currently. BUT now Google wants to enter in the industry by promoting a device in their name to eliminate carriers control over phones. They want the best of both worlds [Both to push the Android OS on other manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc AND to include a device to betray these same manufacturers.] Verizon rejected them and likely ended their bid to do this in the 3G era.

If anybody says that Google's goal was to sell an unlocked phone to 1 1/2 carriers, that is simply wrong. They wanted it to be CARRIER-FREE...not limited to T-Mobile and HOPEFULLY AT&T if they can work out the EDGE/3G data bugs.

I hope this makes it easier for you. Verizon's decision demonstrated courage and I am sure the manufacturers were very happy. Be careful Google..right as Android is on its way up, you may backstab the same companies pushing the OS for you. And I can think of at least a couple other OS's waiting for the opportunity you currently have....one with an endless amount of money to spend, upgrade and push.

[darreno1]

Apple iPhone - Apple's one device [Yes there is 2 versions, one is old and one is new]. Apple created the OS on their own and produced their own hardware.They had no intention of licensing out or pushing their OS out to other phones.

Actually Foxconn manufactures the iPhone. The iPhone is actually a blend of parts from Taiwan, China and who knows where else. Foxconn is also the company that manufactures the Palm Pre and many other phones.

[LordKastle]

Maybe you are missing the point? When I say produce their own hardware I mean they come out with their own phone. They have their own device to coincide with the OS. They are not like Windows Mobile/Microsoft, as the latter has not produced a cellular device.

Google wants to take a page out of Apple's book and Microsoft's and play both sides of the ball.

Apple may come out with their own phone and OS but they are not giving other manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Motorola, and others the opportunity to use that OS on their phones.

Foxconn is paid to produce the Apple iPhone but they are not independently contracting agreements with carriers to sell the device. It is ALL Apple. HTC was paid to produce the Google Phone...same idea.

This is different than these manufacturers producing a product line for carriers for their own benefit. There is a HUGE difference.

[darreno1]

^^I get your point, but many people have the misconception that Apple actually makes the hardware which is incorrect.