Android and Openness

David Schatsky | November 05, 2007, 12:44 PM

The dialectic of open vs. closed systems is the one of the most important influencers on the evolution of the technology industry.

Some recent examples of this tension in our industry:
- the release of DRM-free music
- syndicating your content
- publishing your APIs (as Microsoft was forced to do) and file formats
- open wireless networks, a key point of debate surrounding the upcoming auction of 700 MHz wireless spectrum, and an oft-cited inhibitor of the growth of mobile media and advertising.
- open source (both native open source initiatives and proprietary developments that have been "open sourced" by their original corporate developers)

Often, incumbents oppose openness, as it threatens to disrupt a cosy ecosystem whose benefits accrue mostly to them, while new entrants embrace it, as it promises to give them a leg up.

Google is an example of a behemoth who is also a relatively new entrant, in mobile and in social networking (Orkut aside). This explains both the company's embrace of the openneess strategy of Android and OpenSocial and its likely ability to to have a major impact in both of these areas.

Read Michael's take on Android for more info. And clients, you are welcome to sign up for our JupiterTel on Wednesday morning to delve into the meaning of this announcement for your company.