As the world waits for the first Android phone to appear in the wild (from T-Mobile), questions are being raised again about whether Google’s Android ambitions will stop at cell phones. In a speculative, but well-thought-out piece, VentureBeat’s Eric Eldon reports:
Industry sources tell us that although Android will indeed start as a mobile OS, Google intends to expand it to be a sort of universal operating system that will span set-top boxes for televisions, mp3 players and other communication and media devices and services.
If what Eldon is hearing is true, that means that Android could one day spread beyond mobile phones and set-top boxes to a multiplicity of devices. After all, if we are moving towards an Internet of things, those things will need an operating system. In this case, however, the operating system will reside partially in the cloud, and applications written on Google’s App Engine, for instance, will work across devices and the Web.
That is easier said than done, and Android will have a hard enough time simply establishing itself on mobile phones. But the more devices Android apps can work across, the more appealing it will be to developers and startups.
And for at least one other device, it does make sense. In fact, I’ve been hearing similar rumors in regards to a Google set-top-box project that I first caught wind of last year. As far as I know, that project is still alive and is very Android-like in its aspirations. As I wrote in my post in November, 2007:
If creating applications for set-top boxes was more like creating applications for the Web, we’d be able to do a lot more things with our TVs—especially if those set-top boxes were also connected to the Web. Want instant messaging and caller ID on your TV? No problem. Want customized information widgets for the TV that scroll breaking news, weather, sports scores or stock quotes from sources you choose in your own ticker at the bottom of the screen? No problem. Want to turn that annoying ticker off? No problem. Want to control the camera angles on that basketball game? No problem. Want to add the live video stream from your friend’s cell phone who is at the game? No problem. Want to create your own video mashup of fight scenes from various movies that you can edit right on your TV and share with others on their TVs? No problem.
What other devices could Android conquer?
See all
Post
First of all what are you doing at home on a Saturday night Eric.
Good idea: Internet of Things or Internet of Everything?
In Indonesia: Ok banget deh, menginternetkan apapun!
Best regards,
http://mardoto.wordpress.com
I think we’re pretty early in the game to be talking about the future reach of Android. Google hasn’t even shown that they can make Android a success on mobile phones yet.
When the name is linked with google there are quite many chances of the product to become a hit.
I totally agree with you, Mike. They haven’t launch it yet, and we are pretending as if Google will always create such a success on everything they step in. That’s scary actually…
…the party doesn’t really start until after 10pm anyway.
Extremely excited to see what Android offers esp considering how the iPhone has changed the landscape.
>What other devices could Android conquer?
According to your last android post they won’t even get anywhere on mobile phones so isn’t this question a bit, I mean massively, premature?
Mobile phones, MP3 players, set top boxes . . .
when does personal computer OS enter into this discussion?
Hm…well if we merge Android and the power of Google with the ideas behind Adaptive Paths Aurora it could become… Skynet. : P
App Engine?? what has that gotta to do with devices??? what r u smoking?? I want that…
Android is the bootstrap for the downfall of windows.
I’m confused. Now they’re telling us that Android is actually another Embedded Linux distro ?
When i first heard of Android , i knew its more them mobile OS.
2 scenarios in my mind :
1- Web Based OS (True one that can be accessed remotely in a way similar to how Citrix works).
2- Internet PC based on Android and cheap hardware , and maybe with a tablet style like how Mike recommended building one in post last month.
What ever their plan is , its for sure not only about competing with IPhone and Symbian .. watch out MS$
One thing to check: What level of resources is Google devoting to graphics R&D?
This sounds similar to Apple’s use of Darwin and other core foundations as an OS and APIs for all their devices (Minus the classic iPod.)
sounds like embedded windows…
Androids plan is to first take over all earthly embedded devices, then
inter-planetary devices, culminating in a grand finale of
inter-galactic embeddation — fanboys give it a rest.
Android needs to worry about launching before it makes plans of world domination. If it continues to alienate developers by keeping everyone in the dark and only making the latest SDKs available only to a select few, it will not be the big success Google wants it to be. They need to give us the latest tools to make apps and grow the platform. Why develop on Android, when you can develop for the iPhone and make money??
I’m trying to keep up with the latest news on Android and help further it along on my site, http://www.myhtcphone.com It already has a ported version of Android for Sprint’s HTC Touch, ported by dzo over at xda-developers, with an easy installer. Check it out at:
http://www.myhtcphone.com
Sounds like a good idea to me. If Google feels like it can improve upon what is already out there (as I’m sure they could), why not let them get a foothold in a few new markets. Chances are they won’t dominate them, but, as they say, a jack of all trades is the master of none…except search.
Look around your kitchen and laundry - every major appliance could benefit from better interface and two-way connectivity. Already seeing some of this, eg. Miele has a wifi-based “phone a technician” service for their fridges.
I’m not getting too excited about Android just yet. There have been so many rumors for so long and I’m afraid that in the end, it will be a letdown. Time will tell, though.
http://kreuzer33.wordpress.com.....-t-mobile/
Two quickie links relative to this topic that anticipate logical device scenarios that could make sense for Android:
Apple, TV and the Smart Connected Living Room (on Apple’s mystery ‘transition’ product)
http://thenetworkgarden.com/we.....nd-th.html
Wall Widgets: Fixed Wireless at Home (on non-mobile wireless internet device scenarios)
http://thenetworkgarden.com/we.....ts-fi.html
Cheers,
Mark
I do not know about you guys … but I am a great admirer of my android refrigerator.
I love the automatic calorie reader, the virtual “food I can not afford” holograms, and the phenomenal recommendation engine : “People that eat tomatoes also like to eat Geoduck Clams, Kvass and Head Cheese (which immediately links you to wikifood for explanation – Sweden- lunch meat made from boiled animal heads. Many European nations make this. It’s basically a jellied meat product made by boiling a whole head, and other scraps of meat, then chilling it into a loaf to be sliced- Yummy).
I also like the “Don’t even think about eating this !” warning that comes out automatically for anything that is on my warning list.
And off course … music …having TuneWiki picking up the relevant song with the lyrics is so inspiring on how I select food…though I seem to find it odd that “The fool on the hill” is being played too often…
True, I am a little disappointed of those “Add 3”” Google ads whenever I am trying to fetch a Banana …. How do they know ?
I’d love to buy into the hype, but internet appliances like Chumby are already doing quite well without Android.
“…What other devices could Android conquer?”
Anything and everything that currently runs on Windows CE ( industrial machinery, robots, scientific instruments, etc. ). Worldwide Microsoft makes billions from charging every little tiny box used in industry licensing fees - Android is Open Source.
Why is everybody hiding the fact that Android is based on Linux? Is there any reason for that?
1. Car Navigation Devices: Current Pain = me having to look up a location, email the address to me phone, get in the car, enter the address in the navigator and then go. Solution = look up once, save to my places. Get in car, click on my places and select destination and go.
2. House Energy Monitor: Current Pain = I could be spending twice as much energy as I need to, I have absolutely no idea. I could be strangling polar bears with my bare hands - I just don’t know! Solution: Google smart grid conserves energy which means the grid can now power my car. My home optimizes the energy it draws and it knows by communicating with my Android phone, when I am home and what settings I like and when.