5 ms·

A phone is a general purpose computer, and most people pay more than $300 for their laptop or desktop anyways.

pjmlp 8y ago
A phone is a special purpose computer. For it to be general, I should be allowed to do everything I can do with a PC, without any kind of constraints or workarounds. Exactly because most people pay more than $300 for an unconstrained device, there is little value to pay more than that for a constrained device.
- wilsonnb 8y ago
  Are you talking about a "dumb" phone? That I would agree is a special purpose computer. A smartphone is definitely a general purpose computer, though. The definition of a general purpose computer isn't "a computer that can do anything a typical PC can". A proper definition would be something like "Any computer-based device that accepts different applications". It's a differentiator between things like microwaves, which are technically computers, and smartphones/laptops/PCs/tablets.
  - pjmlp 8y ago
    So how do I run Android Studio on my general purpose phone, without workarounds like connecting to a VM in the cloud, while looking at an usable screen? Mobile OSes are special purpose, constrained to their phone + apps, developed by on external devices.
    - wilsonnb 8y ago
      You don't run Android Studio on your phone. Being able to run Android Studio isn't the definition of a general purpose computer. Being able to develop software for a device on that device also isn't the definition of a general purpose computer. A general purpose computer is one that can be easily made to run different programs. Again, it's a differentiation between devices like microwaves and ovens that are technically computers, but aren't used like computers by the general public.
      - pjmlp 8y ago
        So my car, TV and fridge use general purpose conputers from your point of view, thanks Android Car, Android TV and Android Things. I guess I will prepare that accounting document with a Bluetooth keyboard paired with my fridge.
scarface74 8y ago
Most people don't pay more than $300 for their phone. The average selling price for Android phones worldwide is around $230. In the US it may be higher because all of the major carriers offer payment plans.

A phone is a special purpose computer. For it to be general, I should be allowed to do everything I can do with a PC, without any kind of constraints or workarounds. Exactly because most people pay more than $300 for an unconstrained device, there is little value to pay more than that for a constrained device.

wilsonnb 8y ago
Are you talking about a "dumb" phone? That I would agree is a special purpose computer. A smartphone is definitely a general purpose computer, though. The definition of a general purpose computer isn't "a computer that can do anything a typical PC can". A proper definition would be something like "Any computer-based device that accepts different applications". It's a differentiator between things like microwaves, which are technically computers, and smartphones/laptops/PCs/tablets.
- pjmlp 8y ago
  So how do I run Android Studio on my general purpose phone, without workarounds like connecting to a VM in the cloud, while looking at an usable screen? Mobile OSes are special purpose, constrained to their phone + apps, developed by on external devices.
  - wilsonnb 8y ago
    You don't run Android Studio on your phone. Being able to run Android Studio isn't the definition of a general purpose computer. Being able to develop software for a device on that device also isn't the definition of a general purpose computer. A general purpose computer is one that can be easily made to run different programs. Again, it's a differentiation between devices like microwaves and ovens that are technically computers, but aren't used like computers by the general public.
    - pjmlp 8y ago
      So my car, TV and fridge use general purpose conputers from your point of view, thanks Android Car, Android TV and Android Things. I guess I will prepare that accounting document with a Bluetooth keyboard paired with my fridge.

scarface74 8y ago

Most people don't pay more than $300 for their phone. The average selling price for Android phones worldwide is around $230. In the US it may be higher because all of the major carriers offer payment plans.