The VAR Guy

It’s time for The VAR Guy to eat a little crow. A few weeks ago, our resident blogger predicted that Google Android — the new mobile operating environment — would arrive late to market with reduced features. He was wrong on both accounts. The first Android device, called G1, ships soon. And early reviews are positive.

Initially, The VAR Guy was upbeat about Google Android. But the more he hears about the mobile open source environment, the more he worries that Google is starting to resemble Microsoft. Here’s why.

The VAR Guy is pretty bullish on Ubuntu Linux, the operating system that is quickly leaping from PCs onto servers and mobile Internet devices. But he’s also starting to wonder if Google Android — rather than Ubuntu — will be the open source platform of choice for mobile Internet devices (MIDs).

Apple and Microsoft. Sometimes, they actually do get along. The iPhone will soon support Microsoft Exchange (as The VAR Guy suspected), along with a lengthly list of other enterprise features. Here’s the scoop.