David Weinberger's Blog

There's a really interesting (free) article by Amol Sharma in the Wall Street Journal about Google's expected cellphone software, and whether Google will be able to do the necessary deals with the mobile carriers. In addition to providing core Google apps (search, maps, YouTube, etc.), the rumor is that the Google mobile operating system will be open to developers who want to use the phone's services, such as GPS data.

The article includes this from Microsoft:

Microsoft executives question what impact Google will have. "The idea that there are all these things software developers can't do — it's just not true," said John O'Rourke, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Mobile unit said. "It's hard to imagine what huge breakthroughs [Google] is going to have."

If it's true that the Microsoft Mobile OS gives access to the same services as the Google one will, there's still the question of how hard it is for developers to build, distribute and deploy what they create. Microsoft has a certification program, which prevents the worst sorts of abuses. It's unclear whether the Google OS will be open to anyone who wants to create a widget, an app, or some sophisticated spyware. So, if there are truly no functional differences between the Microsoft and Google systems, it will come down, yet again, to policy. Do we need to have the current carrier lockdown in order to achieve adequate security?

I don't know much about this (as this post undoubtedly makes clear). Sure, I would like to see cellphones opened to developers outside of the reach of the carriers. The mobile platform is the future. But, since I don't know the security implications, even I don't believe my own opinion. [Tags: google mobile_cellphones microsoft ]

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