This is a subject I've discussed a lot, and thought about even more. This stems really from another post I made.
There has been a flurry of discussion lately about bootloader signing and encryption. There was a rumor about the Droid X/2 bootloader as well as news about the latest HTC devices like the Thunderbolt and Incredible S having signed bootloaders. The Thunderbolt was unlocked in 72 hours. Yay [strike]hackers[/strike] alternative developers. But we don't know if the Incredible S and presumable DInc 2 are locked the same way yet.
With all this news the forums have been buzzing, as to be expected. There are angry people, confused people, apathetic people and those who feel lost inside. Some of us keep asking ourselves, "What the hell are the manufacturers doing this for? Is the future of Android as locked down as iOS?!?"
I don't think there's anything wrong with us being concerned and discussing the topic. They are, after all, the devices we use day in and day out. So if we could, let's take a step back, breathe and use our curious, powerful minds to think for a minute.
The point has been made that those of us who want devices that are more free and more open than a nudist hippie farm, but we make up a very small number of the consumer base. This is true. Let's put this idea into something more concrete and tangible, like donuts.
In my area there are a few bakeries and donut shops. They're all open during the hours that you would expect them to be. Everybody could go for a donut on a lazy Saturday morning. But because anytime is a good time for a glazed Devil's Food Cake donut and a cup of coffee, what about those that are looking for a treat at 3 AM? Well thankfully, one of those bakeries has a 24 hour drive-thru. And it's right up the street. Booyah.
The 3 AM donut rush is hardly a rush, it's not even a crowd. If all the donut shops had a 24 hour drive through, and the 3 AM crowd dispersed evenly, they couldn't afford to keep open that late. Not enough customers to justify the expenses associated with staying open 'round the clock.
The same goes for the "super user" smart phone market. If Sammy, LG, Moto and HTC we're all fighting for the title of best unlocked phone, they may not sell enough devices to justify the extra efforts and customer service involved. Now, one or two of them fighting for that piece of the pie may be able to make enough to justify it. It's pretty apparent that Moto has turned their nose up at that piece of pie, and perhaps HTC is following suit. Does that leave us up Bootloader Creek without a paddle? Not exactly.
One of the most crucial lessons of business I've learned is that if there is a market for something, someone will make it. There's a dollar to be had, someone will go after it. If you don't take it, someone else will. I think that there will always be a device or two that's not locked down tighter than Alcatraz on high alert. We may even see manufacturers "take turns" making them, look at the Nexus line. But more importantly, though we represent a small market, we do have some influence on the larger market.
I'm known as the "Android Guy" at work. I know the news the day before it hits, I know all the cool apps and tweaks. If someone has a question about a new phone or Android tablet, they talk to me. I'm sure many of you all are the same way. That's our ticket. If people come to us for recommendations, advice and suggestions about Android products and software, it would behoove the manufacturers to offer something to us. We have influence over the dollars that others spend. If we all use brand Z because it's hacker friendly, we'll probably recommend it. It would probably have good specs and pre-loaded software, so even to the average user, it would be a good device. That influence is our ticket, it's our way of having just a little bit of leverage over the manufacturers.
So what do we do? Where do we go from here?
First, don't panic. Hysteria is what creates rumors, junk news and bad info. Vote with your dollar. Pick the device that fits your needs best. Manufacturers are all over sales trends like flies on horse doody. Most importantly, support our beloved OS. Bringing more Android customers is good for us. If we make the Android pie bigger, that will bring more manufacturers and more devs; better devices and better software and more fighting over the market share. Competition is good for the consumer. Use your knowledge to help new users and guide them into the world of Android, and our good deeds and helpful actions just may be naturally rewarded.
There has been a flurry of discussion lately about bootloader signing and encryption. There was a rumor about the Droid X/2 bootloader as well as news about the latest HTC devices like the Thunderbolt and Incredible S having signed bootloaders. The Thunderbolt was unlocked in 72 hours. Yay [strike]hackers[/strike] alternative developers. But we don't know if the Incredible S and presumable DInc 2 are locked the same way yet.
With all this news the forums have been buzzing, as to be expected. There are angry people, confused people, apathetic people and those who feel lost inside. Some of us keep asking ourselves, "What the hell are the manufacturers doing this for? Is the future of Android as locked down as iOS?!?"
I don't think there's anything wrong with us being concerned and discussing the topic. They are, after all, the devices we use day in and day out. So if we could, let's take a step back, breathe and use our curious, powerful minds to think for a minute.
The point has been made that those of us who want devices that are more free and more open than a nudist hippie farm, but we make up a very small number of the consumer base. This is true. Let's put this idea into something more concrete and tangible, like donuts.
In my area there are a few bakeries and donut shops. They're all open during the hours that you would expect them to be. Everybody could go for a donut on a lazy Saturday morning. But because anytime is a good time for a glazed Devil's Food Cake donut and a cup of coffee, what about those that are looking for a treat at 3 AM? Well thankfully, one of those bakeries has a 24 hour drive-thru. And it's right up the street. Booyah.
The 3 AM donut rush is hardly a rush, it's not even a crowd. If all the donut shops had a 24 hour drive through, and the 3 AM crowd dispersed evenly, they couldn't afford to keep open that late. Not enough customers to justify the expenses associated with staying open 'round the clock.
The same goes for the "super user" smart phone market. If Sammy, LG, Moto and HTC we're all fighting for the title of best unlocked phone, they may not sell enough devices to justify the extra efforts and customer service involved. Now, one or two of them fighting for that piece of the pie may be able to make enough to justify it. It's pretty apparent that Moto has turned their nose up at that piece of pie, and perhaps HTC is following suit. Does that leave us up Bootloader Creek without a paddle? Not exactly.
One of the most crucial lessons of business I've learned is that if there is a market for something, someone will make it. There's a dollar to be had, someone will go after it. If you don't take it, someone else will. I think that there will always be a device or two that's not locked down tighter than Alcatraz on high alert. We may even see manufacturers "take turns" making them, look at the Nexus line. But more importantly, though we represent a small market, we do have some influence on the larger market.
I'm known as the "Android Guy" at work. I know the news the day before it hits, I know all the cool apps and tweaks. If someone has a question about a new phone or Android tablet, they talk to me. I'm sure many of you all are the same way. That's our ticket. If people come to us for recommendations, advice and suggestions about Android products and software, it would behoove the manufacturers to offer something to us. We have influence over the dollars that others spend. If we all use brand Z because it's hacker friendly, we'll probably recommend it. It would probably have good specs and pre-loaded software, so even to the average user, it would be a good device. That influence is our ticket, it's our way of having just a little bit of leverage over the manufacturers.
So what do we do? Where do we go from here?
First, don't panic. Hysteria is what creates rumors, junk news and bad info. Vote with your dollar. Pick the device that fits your needs best. Manufacturers are all over sales trends like flies on horse doody. Most importantly, support our beloved OS. Bringing more Android customers is good for us. If we make the Android pie bigger, that will bring more manufacturers and more devs; better devices and better software and more fighting over the market share. Competition is good for the consumer. Use your knowledge to help new users and guide them into the world of Android, and our good deeds and helpful actions just may be naturally rewarded.
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