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I tried to predict how Fuchsia + Flutter play into Google's overarching strategic vision in another comment here on HN, and got voted down into oblivion. My bes
by oflannabhra 9y ago
I tried to predict how Fuchsia + Flutter play into Google's overarching strategic vision in another comment here on HN, and got voted down into oblivion. My best guess is:
1) Pixels move to Fuchsia, native apps are in Dart/Flutter, compatibility layer for Android. Fuchsia becomes a distinguishing feature of Googles hardware, and allows Google to differentiate vs Android competitors.
2) Google continues to support Android, but only as it affects their business interests (as a funnel for search).
3) Google migrates some service level functionality away from Android and Pixels become a first-class citizen in Google's ecosystem.
In my mind, Fuchsia is a direct result of Google's newfound interest in hardware (as a business). I imagine the following:
- Google sees voice (and maybe AR) as the next frontier, which is actually an existential threat for them--they are harder to monetize via ads.
- Google decides to start making hardware (for profit), to monetize their services (a la Apple). That is, their Voice Assistant is now differentiated from Android, and to use that service, you have to buy their hardware. Now, they don't need to make money on ads for voice searches.
- Google will continue to roll out more ML-driven services that are exclusive to their hardware, and eventually, exclusive to Fuchsia. This will allow them to both a) further differentiate their hardware from other Android manufacturers, b) better monetize their services (effectively through HW purchases), and c) steal market share of the most valuable customers from Apple.
- Jasper_ 9y agoYour problem is thinking they have a cohesive roadmap for Fuschia. Google has shown time and time again they can't seem to make two teams talk to each other or think about integrating things at all, and they have no high-level long-term vision or product strategy. Fuschia won't replace Android or Chrome OS. It will just be the third OS product they make.
- oflannabhra 9y agoThat's fair, I might just be grasping at straws. I for sure don't have the contacts or insight that Yegge has. I agree with your point that Google's history has been to take a multifurcated (and sometimes conflicted) approach.
- ocdtrekkie 9y agoI find the idea of Google going solely first party with Fuchsia super interesting/compelling as a narrative. Although I assume such would hasten other OEMs departure from Android nonetheless. It wouldn't take long until a given desired feature came first to Fuchsia, with Android "later".