@sailorj: I think the big issue isn't the common Unixy underpinnings. It's gonna be the higher level APIs for things like UI elements and the built-in animation effects that OS X has. Those things may end up in OHA OS but they most likely will not be the same.

As for Motorola, one thing in their favor is they already have several phones which run Linux. So changing over to this one shouldn't be a huge issue for them.

pantsonfireliarliar

Wow. This is coming from the president of Symbian...the company that has created the slowest, most glitchy, pull-your-hair-out OS for a phone that I've ever seen. I used to have a Nokia N80 (Euro, factory unlocked) that was absurd. You'd press a contact's name and it would take 1.....2.....3.....4....5....seconds for the person's info to display. That, and the most convoluted, needlessly complex user interface I've ever used on any mobile device or computer.

johnnyrandom

@0xdeadbeef: Nokia for all we know might think googles idea is great.. They might have been left out of the party for other reasons/commitments.

Nokia has no problem outsourcing for the software on their devices. I really dont think it would be anything big for them to turn to googles offering, just like it would not be that big a deal for them to turn to microsoft.

Symbian would loose out a lot though.

prodigal_son

Symbian is crap anyway.

mandarin

Hi @ Richardbronosky

According to the following gizmodo post, Android is built on Linux.
[gizmodo.com]

So, maybe Gizmodo got it wrong, or something funny is going on with he licensing.

pipper

@RichardBronosky: The base of the system is Linux, the same way OS X uses the Darwin fork of BSD. Presumably it is the application stack on top of that which comprises "Android" and is Apache v2.

0xdeadbeef

@RichardBronosky:
correction: The Apache License allows its code to be modified and distributed in a proprietary manner _without_ contributing the source back to the community.

RichardBronosky

Can I be the first to reference the Android's Dungeon?

Worst. Linux platform. Ever.

ideaman2020

@RichardBronosky:
then, IF this was linux... ^^^ is what i'd say!

nutbastard

Linux is linux. If it runs on one linux, it'll run on any other. OOooOOooh! CLI is ScArY! woooOoOoOoo!

The biggest differences in the linux distros are:

method of distribution
availability of tech support
window manager
package management
desktop environment
bundled apps
kernel version
and novelty: re: puppy and DSL

nutbastard

THIS IS NOT LINUX!!

Why does everyone keep reporting on this? It is offered under an Apache License. Therefore, it cannot have a single line of GPL code. The GPL requires that any code that is distributed be made open source. The Apache License allows its code to be modified and distributed in a proprietary manner with contributing the source back to the community.

The Apache License is why this will take off!

RichardBronosky

When people think of open source they automatically think of Linux, I am sure that Google will make sure that any third party apps will go through some sort of testing to mark it as gPhone worthy. and lol at ScoobyDoo

PaleRider

@SAILORJ: Apple is all about product lock-in, so no, they won't license their OS to any other device. Further, they could easily recompile iTunes, which they give away free, for Linux. They do not because they think Linux users will naturally migrate to OSX. (not)

shawn_dude

Translation: Stockholders, please don't short our stock.

shawn_dude

If it is just Linux, how hard would it be to port applets made for an iPhone (when the SDK comes out) to Andriod or vice versa? After all, the iPhone has Unix underpinnings. I think that Apple should consider licensing its mobile OS to 3rd party handset manufacturers.

It's ironic that Motorola that makes a cool looking phone can't figure out how to improve on the user interface, and now is trying to get other people to design the software for their hardware.

When it comes to phones, sometimes you get what you pay for.

sailorj

Riiight... Let's see him find a Symbian developer who actually likes Symbian. This isn't Linux fragmentation, this is Linux consolidation. Android is what we've all been waiting for. Mark my words, when Nokia concedes and adopts Google's platform it will be like the Berlin Wall coming down.

0xdeadbeef

"no such thing as free software" as in TANSTAAFL? or as in REALITY: software that is available at no cost to the end user? Sounds like someone has some sand in his vagina.

nutbastard

Well... rethinking... since WM6 sucks so much, Andriod may appeal to consumers and handset manufacturer as a cheaper and more stable replacement of Microsoft.

Man, I hate my Dell Axim back in 2004.

pipper

He has a point. Until I see Andriod in person, I will consider just another distribution of Linux embedded OS.

Not every projects google started had become defacto of industry.

pipper

I'm sure he also thinks Google is "just another search engine".

Every single one of these companies openly saying they are not worried, soiled themselves when they heard the plans Google has.

scoobydoo

@pantsonfireliarliar:

Motorola has several linux-based phones and is also aiming to have 60% of their phones running linux by the end of 2008.

[www.digitimes.com]

Funny thing is, Motorola already has its own linux distro called MOTOMAGX.

lmjabreu

Correction: *unlike Apple.

niravabhavsar

I'd wait for it to release before making any comparisons to WM, Symbian, RIM or iPhone. Oh, by the way I have used all of them and I think iPhone is the most easy to use. But, I am a skeptic just because google is involved. They are not good at designing "cool" looking products like Apple.

niravabhavsar