Android's identity crisis (WP article)

[Mopetar]

. . . it has evolved exactly as intended.

As who intended?

I don't think Google sat down five years ago and planned a future where companies like Amazon would use their work and completely cut them out of the revenue stream.

When Google purchased Android, their main concern was Microsoft's Windows Mobile. Google did not want to take chances and wind up locked out of the mobile market if Microsoft pushed their own search solutions by default. The easiest way to gain traction with their platform was to give it away for free, giving Android a serious edge of Windows Mobile which manufacturers had to license from Microsoft.

Android has been hugely successful for Google, but it's gone beyond what they probably envisioned. In another ten years, it might even be silly to primarily associate Android with Google.

 

[MrChad]

As who intended?

I don't think Google sat down five years ago and planned a future where companies like Amazon would use their work and completely cut them out of the revenue stream.

When Google purchased Android, their main concern was Microsoft's Windows Mobile. Google did not want to take chances and wind up locked out of the mobile market if Microsoft pushed their own search solutions by default. The easiest way to gain traction with their platform was to give it away for free, giving Android a serious edge of Windows Mobile which manufacturers had to license from Microsoft.

Android has been hugely successful for Google, but it's gone beyond what they probably envisioned. In another ten years, it might even be silly to primarily associate Android with Google.

Amazon / Kindle Fire probably isn't what they intended, but there are few companies with the resources that Amazon has to pull off what they did. The majority of Android OEMs want to maintain access to Google's library of apps and services, as these are huge selling points for the device.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm in the camp that is seeing it as more of a strength. I like all the choices in launchers and such, and I like not having to jump through too many hoops to get that. Fragmentation can be frustrating, but it can also be good as it offers options and lots of price levels to get in to. Then you have the perks of new readers and tablets running Android because it's open and free, which means most of your devices will be running a familiar OS if you choose.

 

[senseamp]

If I could get paid for beating a dead horse, I'd be writing these types of articles too