5 ms·

I get the feeling Google is using the same strategy Microsoft used against Apple in the late 1980's. They seem to want to create a market of shovelware in an e

by dstein 16y ago

I get the feeling Google is using the same strategy Microsoft used against Apple in the late 1980's. They seem to want to create a market of shovelware in an effort to simply damage Apple's marketshare rather than creating truly unique products.

tensor 16y ago
In the 1980's, Apple's technology was pretty bad. It's arguable if Microsofts was much better, but they hardly created any shovelware. Note also, that Apple's 1980s strategy of locking down devices, software, and hardware was a leading cause of their failure, even aside from their poor operating system offering. They almost went out of business, until the return of Jobs and the Next assets. The same strategy may fail them again. I certainly would never have even looked at a mac laptop if it were as locked down as iOS is. Although people often argue that mobile products are different, I disagree. They are simply small form factor computers and you need look no farther than Android to see that an operating system as flexible as a desktop OS works just fine in this area.
- jawee 16y ago
  It is a stretch to say that Android is as flexible as a desktop OS.
  - tensor 16y ago
    I don't mean in terms of usability. Clearly a small screen and touch input changes things. By flexible, I meant that you can install what you want and from whatever source you want. You can modify the system files (with a little bit of work) and replace core components easily. In this sense, it is every bit as open as desktop operating systems traditionally are.
    - jawee 16y ago
      It is a pain, whether the restrictions are carrier-induced or not, to do this. I had a truly open and flexible desktop-like operating system when I was running Maemo OS2008.. I could install and compile my own software, it was common to have desktop software ported to the device, there was tons of interest in hacking on different supports (I had Wiimotes on a NES emulator, a regular sized USB port, etc.). I have an Android-powered device.. and it is definitely not at that level, despite having a custom rom and the whole nine yards.

by dstein 16y ago

tensor 16y ago

In the 1980's, Apple's technology was pretty bad. It's arguable if Microsofts was much better, but they hardly created any shovelware. Note also, that Apple's 1980s strategy of locking down devices, software, and hardware was a leading cause of their failure, even aside from their poor operating system offering. They almost went out of business, until the return of Jobs and the Next assets. The same strategy may fail them again. I certainly would never have even looked at a mac laptop if it were as locked down as iOS is. Although people often argue that mobile products are different, I disagree. They are simply small form factor computers and you need look no farther than Android to see that an operating system as flexible as a desktop OS works just fine in this area.

jawee 16y ago
It is a stretch to say that Android is as flexible as a desktop OS.
- tensor 16y ago
  I don't mean in terms of usability. Clearly a small screen and touch input changes things. By flexible, I meant that you can install what you want and from whatever source you want. You can modify the system files (with a little bit of work) and replace core components easily. In this sense, it is every bit as open as desktop operating systems traditionally are.
  - jawee 16y ago
    It is a pain, whether the restrictions are carrier-induced or not, to do this. I had a truly open and flexible desktop-like operating system when I was running Maemo OS2008.. I could install and compile my own software, it was common to have desktop software ported to the device, there was tons of interest in hacking on different supports (I had Wiimotes on a NES emulator, a regular sized USB port, etc.). I have an Android-powered device.. and it is definitely not at that level, despite having a custom rom and the whole nine yards.