A lot of geeks would say that Google is open, that it even contributes to “open source” and that it’s mobile platform Android is “open source”. In reality that is a load of crap. The only parts of Android that are open are the parts that Google releases. The API is released in stages and most of the main functionality is still unreleased. This is not different from Microsoft’s proprietary software. Let’s take a look at the G1 phone which is supposed to be such a great thing, well in reality it’s a big disappointment. Android doesn’t do shit. It barely works any bluetooth. It’s “open” platform has a closed API “widget”, the clock, running on the desktop. There’s no tethering API. Overall, Windows Mobile is more functional and “open”.
Another example of this supposed openness is Google’s Big Table technology… it’s a one way bucket, put your data in, but you can’t get it out, that makes it no different from crappy proprietary hosting providers which host apps online such as Salesforce.com.
Google’s only saving grace is it’s search engine and Adsense, without it, it’s going to die, and as everything on the Internet, it won’t be the top search engine forever. Google has already started shutting down subsidiary branches such as it’s radio advertising venture which it acquired and has made no profit at all.
Google needs to step it up and really deliver on the promise of “openness” if it wants to survive.
BTW, did I mention Android is a big disappointment so far? That’s right fanbois…
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