Google Android Will Help Popularize Linux to the Masses
UPDATE: Mozilla will be launching it’s popular open-source browser, Firefox for mobiles! See http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20681/
There’s no doubt about it: Linux is still not mainstream, despite the many improvements by thousands of open-source contributors across the world. Luckily for us Linux users, this is all going to change with the launch of Google Android!
Here’s the top 5 reasons why:
1) Android looks damn nice compared to other Linux distributions. It’ll appeal to the masses who value asthetics above anything else.
Linux = Command Prompt?
Video of the Google Android UI in action:
2) It won’t break, and no configuration is needed. Cell phone manufacturers will ensure their phones will work with the platform by making the necessary installations and configurations, so consumers don’t have to.
3) It’ll drive down the price of a smartphone, pocket-pc or whatever a cellphone is called these days. Simple - no more licensing fees for crappy operating systems (can you say Windows Mobile?).
4) There are more people carrying cell phones than Internet users. Linux is having a difficult time converting Window users, who most likely have used the OS on their desktops/laptops their entire lives. However, this is not so for cell phones. Many of us are used to different OS on the phone (RIM, Symbian, Windows Mobile etc) so we’re more likely to try out a new OS, which is great considering there are so many cell phone users out there!
There are more cell phone users than Internet users
5) Android Apps are easily accessible without strict rules of which apps are featured on the Android App Market. Everyone is going to go crazy and start pulling their hair out when they discover that there are a plethora of different applications (that are super cheap or FREE) for their phone. They no longer have to stick to the software that comes on their phone. iPhone already offers this kind of an experience, but not all apps are available. For example, you won’t find a single podcaster app for the iPhone since apps like these are rejected and banned for duplicating the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes. Not so for the Android! So there will bound to be some awesome apps for your phone!
Apple App Store Dictorship
Bonus: 6) It’s from Google, so everyone will use it.
Let the spot-light shine on Linux!
Peter Kao
