Life is too short not to exact a bitter and bloody revenge
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Microsoft claims that Google's Android is not free
THE SPECTRE of Google's Android has apparently got Microsoft spooked into making wild cost claims to tempt OEMs into buying Windows Phone 7 licences.
As just about every smartphone manufacturer and aspiring Ipad wannabe is loading the Linux based operating system on their devices, Business Insider is reporting that someone close to the Vole's mobile strategy went off trying to dispel the 'myth' that Android is free. It makes for somewhat shocking if not entertaining reading.
One must remember that Microsoft will be charging OEMs $15 to load its upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system onto each and every device, something that it has to justify. Android is not only free, but allows anyone to modify the source code without fear that Google will come breaking down the door.
Apparently it's the modification that costs money, according to Microsoft, with the claim that by not using the "stock build" of Android, OEMs are bearing the costs. Given that most manufacturers are tailoring the operating system to incorporate unique selling points, therefore enabling them to generate cash, a business type might even put the cost down as research and development. But what the heck anyway, who needs source code when you have Microsoft's one size fits all model?
Then follows the rather curious claim that OEMs have to pay for the basic features in Android. The claim goes, "For example, software to edit [Microsoft] Office documents, audio/video codecs, or improved location services (for this, Motorola licenses from Skyhook, just as Apple once did)."
So let's see here, Microsoft's own licensing shenanigans are being used as evidence to bolster claims that its operating system is cheaper for OEMs. It almost reminds us of an ex-Microsoft employee who suddenly decided to sue just about every company that's successfully using the Internet, except for his past employer of course, by claiming that they have infringed his extremely broad, but shallow, patents.
There are more giggles to be had in claims of Windows Phone 7 having superior testing environments for developers and that the operating system provides a "great user experience" for Zune, Xbox Live and even Visual Studio development. Perhaps this forward-thinking Vole hasn't heard of Eclipse or the multitude of other integrated development environments that vast armies of open source coders use to create some of the most useful code out there today.
In amongst all of the hyperbole, one home truth does ring true. Just like we predicted back in March, Microsoft is blaming Android fragmentation for slow software update cycles. Apparently OEMs give up on updating less popular devices due to the costs of updating software. But apparently Windows Phone 7 won't have this issue, though that's perhaps because not that many devices will run it in the first place.
Apparently Microsoft's licensing agreement is something that OEMs should look upon as some sort of security blanket rather than as a great way for the Vole to extract cash from them. Apparently, "Microsoft indemnifies OEMs who license Windows Phone 7 against [intellectual property] issues with the product." It all depends on whether any licensing cost agreement imposed under the threat of litigation might cost less than what Microsoft is charging to load what is most likely to become the fourth or maybe fifth most popular smartphone operating system on the market.
It is true that OEMs have to spend some money to get Android to do exactly what they want. However, it is also clear that handset manufacturers and mobile operators really do like being able to customise and brand handsets for their own benefit.
Microsoft's Phone 7 is getting ready to launch, and a number of handset designs and specifications are already leaking out. Though all the demonstrations show that Windows Phone 7 is looking a lot better than the Vole's previous efforts with Windows Mobile, few would give Microsoft a chance against Apple's Iphone or high-end mobile devices running Android.
With so many Android devices on the market and the number of applications available on the Android Market growing so rapidly, it's not surprising that desperate claims are being made. The problem is, it is Google, not Microsoft, that might get away with charging $15 for its mobile operating system, given its commanding lead in the market.
We tried to get Google to comment on these claims but failed to get an answer out of it by press time. µ
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Microsoft software engineers should produce a good OS and give a real challenge to Android and Apple and likes of WebOS, Symbian , Meego & Bada. Love to see some cool new features which raise the bar for everyone. Microsoft had all the time in the world but did not do anything until Apple Iphone raised the bar. PS3 and Wii raised the challenge for xbox. Competition is good for us consumers
Microsoft software engineers should produce a good OS and give a real challenge to Android and Apple and likes of WebOS, Symbian , Meego & Bada. Love to see some cool new features which raise the bar for everyone. Microsoft had all the time in the world but did not do anything until Apple Iphone raised the bar. PS3 and Wii raised the challenge for xbox. Competition is good for us consumers
Microsoft software engineers should produce a good OS and give a real challenge to Android and Apple and likes of WebOS, Symbian , Meego & Bada. Love to see some cool new features which raise the bar for everyone. Microsoft had all the time in the world but did not do anything until Apple Iphone raised the bar. PS3 and Wii raised the challenge for xbox. Competition is good for us consumers
Microsoft software engineers should produce a good OS and give a real challenge to Android and Apple and likes of WebOS, Symbian , Meego & Bada. Love to see some cool new features which raise the bar for everyone. Microsoft had all the time in the world but did not do anything until Apple Iphone raised the bar. PS3 and Wii raised the challenge for xbox. Competition is good for us consumers
... Windows Phone 7 will be dead on arrival, just like the M$ Kin phone. Mark my words. It will die slower though since I expect it will sell more than the kin. M$'s "wait and copy" model isn't working anymore because of market momentum present by the time they decide to act. Things will get worse for M$ if they dont become upfront innovators.
Well written article. It might even get some blind people to start opening their eyes.
Did I mention that android helps create more jobs? Think about it!
Differentiation is probably a good thing. If every manufacturer's handset looks the same (like MS wants), then the only thing they can compete on is price. Ergo, they all end up like the PC manufacturers where the only ones making money are the chip makers and MS.
Given how few computers Apple sells, but how much money they make on each, following the path of Microsoft is not too good for the shareholders.
Narg writes, "Free software is very much a myth."
Erm, it's about the freedom, so nope: it's a reality.
"You pay, one way or another you pay. Often dearly when you least expect it. OEMs know that."
Ah right: you pay when someone shakes you down. That seems to be the way Microsoft and Apple want to play now that they've made their mark: patent extortion.
"MS will do just fine in the touch smartphone market. Despite what INQ thinks."
A comment about "myths" on this article and a cheerleading comment on the one about the LG Windows 7 phone (300000 SDK downloads, big whoop!). Astroturf much, "Narg"?
Not sure about Windows Phone 7. But if you can run Android over Windows 7 as the software YouWave Android does, I believe that in the future you would see mixing of OSes on different platforms. The visualization technologies are remixing various platforms with great potentials.
Free software is very much a myth. You pay, one way or another you pay. Often dearly when you least expect it. OEMs know that. MS will do just fine in the touch smartphone market. Despite what INQ thinks.
I don't see how there can be any significant difference in customization costs except for *not* paying M$. If you tell me M7 doesn't need to be customized, well, where's your product differentiation that'll draw customers in the first place? -- M$ doesn't care *which* manufacturer wins so long as total sales of M7 are high.
Perhaps more importantly, the costs that M$ alleges are mostly fixed, one-time costs, while their license fee ($15!) is per unit, so if sales take off, M$ becomes a liability.
Wow - an innuendo about a rumor that comes from an unnamed 'person'! THis must be serious.
Look, I can do it too!
Google Abandons Android Platform In Favor Of Cans And String
A person familiar with Google's mobile OS strategy tells us that Google is about to abandon its Android platform, acknowledging that it is 'no better than cans and string, really.'
We analyzed this announcement and it seems clear that Google is claiming to have [edit - make that has - stronger statement] a viable new technology that will take its already excellent Android platform to a new level.
I don't expect actual reporting from the Register anymore (where have you gone John Lettice) but this piece has gone into the realms of making shit up and into the realms of taking the shit someone ELSE made up and amplifying it and enriching it with additional additives.
It would probably be easier to just write sword and sorcery fantasy.
I think you meant to say
Wow, MS is now blatantly lying, just like crApple does.
OEMs are not listening to Microsoft nor to Google but to their customers.
Customers want Android, not Microcrap.
'Nuf sed.
All of jealous Android and Ifone users out there will have to buy new fones with Micr0$ucks LoseDoze Phone 7 Operating System (O/S) so that they will finally be able to point and click and browse the internet and cut and paste, something that is difficult if not impossible to do with their current fones.
I don't think it's custom versions of Android that are tripping Operators/Manufacturers up.
Traditionally, barring a bug fix, if you wanted the latest software version on your phone, you got a new phone. It didn't matter that your current phone was working just fine thank you.
This of course goes against the consumer mentality (encouraged in the personal computer realm) of upgrading your computer when a new operating system came out.
Smart phone == small mobile computer that also makes phone calls (except for maybe the iPhone ;)
Even Motorola, who left the US Droid largely unlocked down, has slipped back into their bad habits (see UK Milestone, US Droid 2). If Android wasn't advancing so fast, and people weren't raising such a ruckus, then they would be happy to direct you to a new phone when Android got updated.
Have 2.1, want 2.2? Just purchase this new phone, it's only $300, with a two year extension to your contract....
Wow, MS is now blatantly lying, just like our government does.
Nice article