November 5th Google announced Android its new open OS for mobile devices. Most people were disappointed the announcement wasn’t the anticipated Gphone. What those people don’t realize is that this is so much bigger than any hardware announcement. This is about people being able to use their handheld computers they way the want or need them to work. A major power shift from the Wireless companies to the developers and end users.
Imagine if your home internet provider dictated what computer you could buy and what you are allowed to do with that computer. All while locking you in to their service via a 3 year contract. Sounds like a good deal? That’s exactly how current Canadian Wireless providers operate.
The first step in changing this is in handset software. Because the software is locked down by the providers it slows innovation and competition. If the same model existed in home computing you may be still running some variant of Windows 3.1. The next step would be getting the Wireless providers to offer the same plans month to month as they do on a contract. That would happen because the Wireless providers would want to lure all these people with their own handsets to their service. Right now they have a customer base because most consumers won’t pay regular price for a handset.
The new OS would spur innovation and attract more people to buying handsets straight from HTC, Nokia etc. The larger the market for data and voice services of people not enslaved to their wireless providers the attractive the month to month plans will be. Essentially changing the role of the current wireless provider to that of a ISP.
There are some concerns about different hardware on these networks affecting wireless service stability. That’s why it’s important for Wireless providers to be involved now. Get in on the action. This is the kind of thing that will change an industry. When Google comes knocking, you don’t want to be left behind.
Android Software Developer kit is released November 12th.
