Thoughts on Google/Motorola

Even though this blog is mainly about Desktop Linux, its impossible to ignore the impact of the ongoing migration of information users to mobile devices-- or the potential impact on the entire computing world of Google going into the hardware business.  Also, there is possible model for Google/Motorola going forward from the history of desktop computing that bears consideration.

It is, of course, impossible for an outside party to guess the direction Google intends to take with their new division--but anyone with any familiarity with the history of desktop computing can see an obvious parallel--and potentially beneficial business model--by looking at the relationship between Microsoft and Compaq over most of the 80s and 90s.

A little history...

pretty much where it all started--Apple II

A recap would probably be of use to those of you joining this game in progress.  In the early 80's, Microsoft's fortunes were essentially made by IBM's decision to develop a personal computing platform to compete with the Apple II--but not develop their own operating system.

That opportunity went to a small startup called Microsoft.  Whether or not the MS-DOS operating system was developed or merely stolen  is at this point a matter of little more than academic interest.  Of considerably greater import:  IBM's decision to make their licensing agreement with Microsoft non-exclusive.

As a consequence of this decision, Microsoft was as free to distribute their desktop operating system to hardware vendors then as Google is free to distribute Android to Mobile Phone manufacturers now (although the software itself was hardly free). 

the great-granddaddy...

This encouraged another small start-up venture to create a product that has essentially changed the world.  The Compaq Portable was the first so-called "PC Clone", although it hardly looked much like an IBM PC.  Designed as the first mobile computing device, this suitcase-sized device was basically the great-granddaddy of that smartphone in your pocket.

There were soon many other PC Compatibles on the market, with Compaq itself rapidly following up with it's DeskPro non-portable product.  Soon enough, microprocessor-based computers also diversified into laptops and servers as well.

...and why it matters--the Compaq/Microsoft Model

Where this serves as a model for the future development of Android-powered devices is this:  until their acquisition by Hewlett-Packard in 2002, Compaq continued to produce the "best in class" of DOS/Windows powered desktop computing devices, collaborating closely w/Microsoft in the process.  Dell may have managed to out-compete Compaq in sales volume and price, but there was never any real doubt among knowledgeable users as to which company produced the better computers.

...of this--in more ways than one

OK, back to the current millennium.  Albeit as an owned subsidiary, Motorola can be Android's "Compaq"--one of many companies that produce hardware running the same operating system, but the one routinely acknowledged as the standard setter.  As an Android user, this is the model I would personally like to see.

In order for this to occur, Google has to be serious about maintaining a firewall between their hardware and software divisions.  If mobile device manufacturers come to believe that Motorola has an unfair advantage with Android, they will start looking for another OS solution--possibly the now open-sourced Web OS.  Fear of such anti-competitive behavior has much to do with China's stipulation in agreeing to the merger that Android must remain an open platform for a minimum of five years.

An example that Google should not follow is the fairly porous "firewall" that continues to  exist between Microsoft's Windows and Office divisions, which only exists because (a) Microsoft's de facto monopoly status in the corporate/enterprise software market lets them get away with it, and (b) you can pretty much do anything you want with closed-source commercial software.

this sucks...stop doing it

Motorola as a best of breed Android device manufacturer can also serve as the remedy to the single biggest problem Android faces as an OS platform.  While the problem of "fragmentation" is greatly overstated by Apple fan-boys (who, let's face it, like being told what to do w/their hardware), it's still an issue, and an inevitable one given Android's openness.  In order to differentiate themselves in the market, Android device manufacturers "improve" the Android experience w/irremovable desktop shells and social media widgets.  Motorola has itself been one of the worst offenders.  Motorola Android devices should run Android...period.

almost as bad as Win8, IMHO

How this plays out is going to matter to Desktop Linux users in any case--let's not forget that Android is just a specialized shell on top of Linux.  The vast number of Linux boxes quietly and reliably chugging away in server rooms around the planet ensure that the innovations and improvements will continue to occur at the kernel level, but do nothing to improve the Desktop Linux experience.  Android (and iPhone) mobile devices have already had an enormous impact on the development of Desktop Linux.  Whether you love it or loathe (count me among the latter), it's hard to imagine Ubuntu's Unity even existing, absent the influence of handheld devices on user interfaces over the last few years.

Google has just been handed an enormous opportunity to make good on the years of goodwill and somewhat naive trust they've received from the Open Source software community.  There is at least one time-tested and well-documented way they can do this right.  We are all about to find out how "non-evil"--and smart-- Google really is.