GPhone OS First Look
November 13, 2007 by Jayvee Fernandez
Filed under Computers
It’s out, people: Google gives us a first look at Android, the much-awaited open-source Gphone OS. Google’s minimalist design ethic works beautifully on multiple mobile mobile interfaces. Lest anyone think that minimalist design can’t kick graphical ass, the Android OpenGL API lets advanced prototypes play Quake. Yes, you read that right: top-of-the-line Gphones will play Quake.
The SDK is out, and Google’s putting up $10 million in prizes for apps. Yes, you read that right: they’re giving away $10 million to open-source developers.
Just like with Firefox, Google’s bankrolling the spread of open-source software that works well with Web apps — because Google is confident in its prowess with Web apps. Google’s app strategy sounds a lot like a Xanatos Roulette: position yourself to benefit the most from a free-for-all, then instigate a free-for-all.
