Re: Smart-phone Operating Systems and how they affect the availability of third party applications, thus making devices less useful for consumers.
 

On the flipside, you are also taking a risk when installing applications from unknown/untested repositories.

Re: Smart-phone Operating Systems and how they affect the availability of third party applications, thus making devices less useful for consumers.
 

yeah, just like i do when i install an application on my Windows / Linux / Macintosh PC.

which is the point that i make in my article:
"From the moment a device is able to run third party software installed on it by the user, it stops being an mp3 player or a cell-phone and starts being a computer."

I think that's a good thing!

EDIT: if i trust tucows.com or download.cnet.com or adobe.com etc, i will install apps from there, otherwise i'll read a bit on the internet before installing an app.
in that manner, if i'll trust your-maemo.com i'll be happy to install apps from there too.
meaning, ovi store doesn't have any special status.

Re: Smart-phone Operating Systems and how they affect the availability of third party applications, thus making devices less useful for consumers.
 

@ OranAgra

Good article !

Depending on what you want in your pocket . . .

Personally, I want a pocket computer with(out) phone.
So I agree with your analysis.

Consider the customer who just wants a smartphone (in the slightly older sense of the word).
With integrated PIM + search, small data base and somewhat more,
but no spreadsheet or office suite.

Then today's CPU power might well be better used to run some mature virtual mahine(s),
making application development easier for amateurs.
( Cp. the 70-es with "home computers" running native BASIC.)

Of course, this can be done on top of a Linux machine, as you mention,
but something like a mature Android-like packaging with just one (and open!) system
will probably look more attractive to prospective amateur app. writers.

??

Or, will Qt (whatever that is) plus something more (and standardised) on top
be the solution ?

My point is that ONE standardised "easy" system is preferable for amateurs sharing code.

Re: Smart-phone Operating Systems and how they affect the availability of third party applications, thus making devices less useful for consumers.
 

thanks for reading.

if he just wants a smart-phone + PIM then maybe he needs a feature-phone (not a computer), and he doesn't need third-party apps.

third-party apps is what iphone and adroid are all about: the app store and all (that's how they're advertised too).

That customer is better of with a smaller battery (lighter) that lasts longer (inefficient application framework eats battery).

easy development (java / python) is a good thing for a framework to give, that it shouldn't be the only thing it gives, that limits the potential of the platform...
...damn. i'm not gonna repeat the whole thing...