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To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

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Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#21

Post by william42 »

Steko wrote: post #19
martythemaniak wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Open has a lot to do with it - Android is a great OS by itself but because it's free, it has hurt RIM, MS and Apple's profits quite a bit. Hence why they've banded up and decided to throw everything they have at it.

I think you meant Nokia not Apple. Apple's profits have been world beating and they sold pretty much every iPad and iPhone 4 they could make for the last year. Which is not to say Android isn't a threat to Apple, clearly it's the largest threat, but just that it hasn't seriously affected Apple's profits.

Well, the question is if Apple would be making even more if they didn't have to compete with Android.

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#22

Post by Steko »

william42 wrote: post #21
Steko wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you meant Nokia not Apple. Apple's profits have been world beating and they sold pretty much every iPad and iPhone 4 they could make for the last year. Which is not to say Android isn't a threat to Apple, clearly it's the largest threat, but just that it hasn't seriously affected Apple's profits.

Well, the question is if Apple would be making even more if they didn't have to compete with Android.

Since they have been mostly supply constrained I would say not a whole lot more. It's a valid question though, they might be able to extract a larger subsidy from carriers.

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#23

Post by Steko »

orangecat wrote: post #15
roc wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really think they'd throw anything less at it, if it were closed source?

I expect Apple would much prefer iOS to have a duopoly with WP7 than with Android. Open platforms lead to messy disruptive innovations that can quickly dislodge established players.

That would have been 6 more years of commercial work for John Hodgman and Justin Long.

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#24

Post by praptak »

andybak wrote: post #7
tdfx wrote: post #3

I'd like to see them take that $4bn they would've spent on Nortel patents and use it for a patent reform campaign. I'm sure that kind of money could buy a lot of votes in DC.

The fact that your last sentence is uncontroversial is really depressing. Everyone accepts that 'lobbying' is a polite word for 'bribery' and should be unacceptable in a modern democracy. We should all be on the damn streets about this.

This thought, expanded (Lawrence Lessig on the subject:) http://www.thenation.com/article/how-get-our-democracy-back?...

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#25

Post by kubrickslair »

Steko wrote: post #19
martythemaniak wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Open has a lot to do with it - Android is a great OS by itself but because it's free, it has hurt RIM, MS and Apple's profits quite a bit. Hence why they've banded up and decided to throw everything they have at it.

I think you meant Nokia not Apple. Apple's profits have been world beating and they sold pretty much every iPad and iPhone 4 they could make for the last year. Which is not to say Android isn't a threat to Apple, clearly it's the largest threat, but just that it hasn't seriously affected Apple's profits.

Android is only a threat to Apple's profits, but not its market. There are things that vertical integration provides which are unique and of value to a decent sized population. For instance, it is hard for Motorola to replace a handset which is past its warranty to build brand loyalty. Or hardware only manufacturers cannot provide free or cheap training sessions which may be seem inscrutable to us, but are meaningful to a lot of people.

Apple's and Google's models are pretty orthogonal, and there is space for both. Sure they both compete aggressively, but it's everybody else whose models are in a mess.

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#26

Post by nodata »

GrooveStomp wrote: post #9
andybak wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that your last sentence is uncontroversial is really depressing. Everyone accepts that 'lobbying' is a polite word for 'bribery' and should be unacceptable in a modern democracy. We should all be on the damn streets about this.

I completely agree with you. My sister in law was talking about working for a high-profile lobbying group because "That's how real political change happens." I pretty much felt sick to my stomach right then and there. Unfortunately, most of us (myself included) realize that's just the way things are now. I'm not defending this position - just commenting on it.

That's just the way things are and nobody cares, or at least: no-one visible cares.

The only people who appear to be speaking out on issues like this are Anonymous. What does that say?

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#27

Post by sixtofour »

martythemaniak wrote: post #13
roc wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has nothing to do with the Open Source part and everything to do with the "triumph" part. Android devices are selling very well. Its competitors couldn't care less how it's built or by whom. Their response is the same regardless: they use every tool in the shed to not only make themselves better, but to act as a drag on their competitors.

Open has a lot to do with it - Android is a great OS by itself but because it's free, it has hurt RIM, MS and Apple's profits quite a bit. Hence why they've banded up and decided to throw everything they have at it.

If you believe the idea being thrown around that Microsoft makes more on Android patent shakedowns (licenses) than it does from its own mobile OS, then no, Android has actually helped Microsoft.

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#28

Post by [deleted] »

orangecat wrote: post #15
roc wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really think they'd throw anything less at it, if it were closed source?

I expect Apple would much prefer iOS to have a duopoly with WP7 than with Android. Open platforms lead to messy disruptive innovations that can quickly dislodge established players.

[deleted]

Re: To defend Android, Google must attack software patents

#29

Post by [deleted] »

Steko wrote: post #23
orangecat wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I expect Apple would much prefer iOS to have a duopoly with WP7 than with Android. Open platforms lead to messy disruptive innovations that can quickly dislodge established players.

That would have been 6 more years of commercial work for John Hodgman and Justin Long.

[deleted]
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