Google’s announcement of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) has firmly placed a cat among the pigeons, the fatted pigeons being Microsoft WindowsMobile, Symbian, RIM, Apple and less importantly PalmOS. This brings the G Phone closer to reality if actually only as a concept realised through OHA members. I don’t see any of the pigeons wanting to belong to the OHA since they could not sacrifice their own OS investments.
I think there are two irresistable facors why this will be a success; firstly the lure of the free ‘Android’ OS so the manufacturers/operators can reduce costs bit still have a supported industrial strength OS; Secondly the Google development community, which will create the wealth of apps to drive end user adoption.
Combining sexy hardware with Android OS could quickly lead to a tidal wave of end user adoption with users being able to swap devices without losing functionality and data. Very exciting! and its happening quickly; SDK for developers this month and first compliant devices next year. Scary times for the pigeons!
