Internet & Technology

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The big buzz in the Internet industry over the past couple of years has been "The Cloud".  We've written a number of articles on it.  Hugging a cloud is about as hard as getting a feel for what is going on in technology in general.

Pseudo experts abound who are writing for big news sources like the New York Times.  Since most don't work actively writing computer programs, it is hard to take what they say as gospel.  They talk to people who are marketing to them after all.  The computer industry lobby with publications is as effective as political lobbyists.

Recently Scientific American had an article about the success of Google's Android operating system. It was written by a pro, David Pogue, who writes for the NY Times and is soon to have a show on 'making things' on PBS. 

Android is a big deal for Google as it is their attempt to dominate the industry all the way.  That is, they want it running on your phone, pad, TV, laptop, desktop, tower and their server farms.

They give it away free!  Yes, free... That means that the X00M pad from Motorola or the Samsun Galaxy series don't pay anything to Google for Android.  That is powerful stuff,  isn't it?  Google's long term goal is to have Android permeate the industry.  Microsoft has a similar philosophy, but not as aggressive.  Apple is completely different.

In Industry jargon, Apple is closed and Google is open.  Apple has not given any company the right to manufacture any of their equipment. 

They also manage their outside developers.  There is a human review of every application that is done by third parties that is part of the Apple App library.  Developers are not  happy with that and many prefer the open aspects of Google's Android Software Development Kit (SDK).  Who will win this battle?  Will it be Apple, Microsoft or Google?  How about RIM? 

As we've said before, the winner will have to have:

• The most powerful search engine.

• Huge Server Farms.

• The best marketing model.

• The most application software

• Have the best SDK and appeal to the most developers.

Pogue in Scientific American makes the point that nobody goes into a store asking the clerk for the most open system.  But is  that the argument?  We think not.  The winning system will zero in on seamless applications that run from your phone to powerful applications that run on 'The Cloud'.  These applications will be kept up to date for you automatically.  Your data will be stored and backed up and you will pay a fee for this by the  year.

Something that people don't realize is that 'The Cloud' will appeal to business.  Today they have a tough time keeping all their computers up to date and ready.  With 'The Cloud', this will be easier.  Today business runs on the PC.  It's a race to 'The Cloud'.  It's not a sprint, but a marathon.  Business will not switch to 'The Cloud' quickly, however.  The first intense users will be the home user..

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Friday, March 11, 2011