Comments on: Will Google Android Eclipse Ubuntu Mobile?

By: Android News | News | Programmierung & Software Entwicklung Java J2ME Android

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:22:09 +0000

[...] Will Google Android Eclipse Ubuntu Mobile? [...]

By: Zartan

Zartan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:37:42 +0000

My vote goes with the “does it matter?” crowd. Thanks to the GNU GPL (v2 and v3), once one platform achieves critical mass, the others can add compatibility for the front runner’s platform to their product lines.

Bingo! Instant increased network effect (see Metcalfe’s Law) for all *nix mobile platforms. Everyone wins except the Dark Lords of Redmond, and that’s only because they refuse to abide by the rules.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:12:52 +0000

Michael: The VAR Guy admits it… perhaps it’s an over-statement to call Android “open source.”

But on the other hand, can you tell us a bit more about your interests in OpenMoko? The VAR Guy is always looking to cover emerging platforms … wondering why OpenMoko caught your attention.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:02:42 +0000

Why do people keep telling that Android is open source ? The license in no way respect the various requirement for being open source, and only part of the sdk will be published under a apache 2 license later.
I do not expect for example the video stack to be free software or even with provided source.

In the other hand, OpenMoko provides as much as possible since the beggining ( even electronic stuff, etc ), and this allowed to port qtopia on the phone, which is simply great in term of choice and openess.

By: Third Eye

Third Eye — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:13:23 +0000

What about OpenMoko…?

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:59:04 +0000

Jeff: Great points all around. I think you’re correct about Android and Ubuntu Mobile targeting slightly different markets. But I do wonder if the tech industry’s collective infatuation with Android will distract people from Ubuntu mobile and the other options you mentioned.

By: Jeff Waugh

Jeff Waugh — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:37:03 +0000

At least for the time being, they appear to be aimed at different markets. Android at phone-like devices, Ubuntu Mobile at tablet-like devices (UMPCs, MIDs, etc).

The other GNOME Mobile related projects that seem more at odds with Android include: OpenMoko (open), LiMo (proprietary) and ACCESS Linux Platform (mixed).

By: evenorbi

evenorbi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:46:20 +0000

@Jabz:
here is a little Ubuntu Mobile demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76NviXg_1g4

The other open source thing which people overlook is OpenMoko.

By: ig

ig — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:00:12 +0000

Does it matter? A device loaded with either Google Android or Ubuntu Mobile is a device that is *not* running Windows — and that is what is truly important.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:42:52 +0000

I think one of the key things that needs to happen is they need to ensure that these can be used on things OTHER than small phones, since there are other applications that people may not have thought of yet. For instance, I have Ubuntu Mobile installed on my carputer. It allows me to use everything that Ubuntu comes with in an easy to use way, with the targeted interface of Ubuntu Mobile.

How I’m using Ubuntu Mobile: http://www.virtualroadside.com/blog/index.php/2008/04/05/ubuntu-mobile-screenshot-on-my-carputer/

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:31:28 +0000

That’s the point I think. There’s such a hype around Android that one hardly hears about Ubuntu. And even if it was better, its competitor is a giant and I don’t think there’s enough room in the market for both.

By: Jabz

Jabz — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:42:34 +0000

Hey, I`m waiting for android as well and see more room for google in the mobile world than for ubtuntu. BUT: We`ve seen android, but I havn`t seen Ubuntu for mobiles yet….