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January 10, 2008
Android support
Android support: Interesting story from Linux Devices: "Several actual hardware devices have been hacked to run Google's Java-based Android software stack, according to blogs and forum posts around the Internet." Brings up the point that there's no certification of implementations... one "Android" may not have the same capabilities as another. This problem is intrinsic to the spec-first approach, and causes it to (realistically) advance slower than capabilities-based approaches. It's like an application advertising "HTML support"... this could mean so many things, that you have to really inspect what the phrase "HTML support" means, for each particular implementation. In comparison, if a device advertises "Windows Mobile 6", then you have a known and predictable implementation to build atop. Complex specs with a number of different incomplete implementations are almost an employment-act for specialists in the specification, leading to partisanship and FUD, but if you're interested in actually getting projects finished, then working to a known implementation is far more economical.
Posted by JohnDowdell at January 10, 2008 08:09 AM
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Speaking of which is Adobe interested in having the Flash runtime running on this device? (considering how much horse power these devices have it could probably even be Flash 9, not just crappy Flash Lite)
[jd sez: From what I understand, "Android" is mostly a specification for certain types of Linux, etc. Adobe Flash Lite probably already runs atop the various eventual implementations of an Android specification, and many of the manufacturers Google cited in the press release already license and use Adobe Flash Lite on their phones. (ie, we don't have to be in their spec to run atop such devices.)]
Posted by: German Bauer at January 10, 2008 11:19 AM
jd: what does it take license and use either the Flash or Flash lite runtimes? What are the conditions that come with it? (e.g. does a manufacturer have to also take the Fashcast content distribution system) or is it restriction free? What is the cost involved?
Posted by: German Bauer at January 10, 2008 03:41 PM
Costs nothing to use the Adobe Flash runtimes. The Flash Lite runtime is licensed by manufacturers who want to include it in their device's base capabilities. I have no idea on total costs and options there -- suspect it depends on the hardware deal -- but I know plenty embed Flash Lite who don't use server-push via Flash Cast.
Posted by: John Dowdell at January 10, 2008 04:04 PM