So the browser is the OS argument going to start again
How thin is thin, isn't a webbrowser interactive wise about as thin as we would like already?
That then would get down to the browser actualy being the OS, which would kinda make the whole mess Microsoft has had with internet explorer seem a bit silly and also perhaps set a more pesemistic approach legaly. Could you bring out a device that was just a firefox browser and not have microsoft ask why they cant run there browser on it. That could be funny.
Responsive, robust, reliable....just works is what a consumer wants and thats down to multiple levels nomater the device. Sure there is the hardware and then the software on the device itself and then there is the carrier/connectivity and then the services upon that. Each adding to the degree of potential fail/poor experience from a end consumer.
It then gets down to what is the most promenant services used and compatability with those. What with the likes of companies changing there interfaces/API's so others doing compatible interactive software with those services always end up playing catchup with regular periods of incompatability fail as you can fairly release a new software application and make the API fully available on day one knowing you have your software working to that API, others you can respond, we have a new API its there so please adapt, sorry it wasn't earlier we were still developing it. Were does that start to become anti-competative. Or does it ever. So in the end you find yourself buying X suppliers services and only reccomended (AKA partners or whatever is the latest buzzword for legal partnership thats like conspiracy but isn't, another fine line) and fully approved supplies compatabile products for peace of mind.
So in that respect I think the RIM offering will offer some very intersting competition due to there chosen OS having a rather good pedigree as well as some nice respectible robust hardware and more so combined with the fact they do have experience of interacting with 3rd party services and more so probably the best experience of the mobile telecoms market, knowing what does and what dosn't work and happily write there own network protocols to get the job done efficeiently and effectivly. Google on the other hand have the services and also has the ability to adapt at a constant evolving pace, never passing go, but not going to jail either. But things change and so do the rules. So what will be the difference in the end between Chrome and Android when you start looking at drivers/support and the endless grief when the two area's are mearly a marketing term and operator compile options away from being the same thing. Yeah can see Chrome and andriod combineing and end up being monika's akin to Windows 7 basic and WIndows 7 ultimate, Full version, light version.
It still realy ends up to what browser and in that respect you have to realy love those people at Opera. Now if RIM broght Opera, that could prove realy interesting but in a sad way as another monalith would of been born.
WEB 2.5g here we come, bumpy bumpy.