iPhone Vs. Neo 1973

[Terrence Barr - Evangelist, Java Mobile & Embedded]

Michael,

I fully agree. If anything, iPhone shows the mobile market where
things are heading in terms of features and usability. This is a
good thing and lays the ground for new ideas and competition.

The important point for OpenMoko is that software usability and
integration are absolutely key. Honestly, whether the device supports
some spiffy hardware feature initially is secondary. A robust, usable,
flexible, and open software stack is much more important for long-
term success. That's the hard part but that is precisely where
OpenMoko can shine.

-- Terrence

michael at michaelshiloh.com wrote:
> While it's interesting to compare the iPhone and the Neo 1973, I would 
> caution
> people against spending too much time and energy trying to "convert" buyers
> of one to the other, or trying to "prove" that one is better than the 
> other.
> 
> They are different products aimed at different markets. Each has its own
> strengths and weaknesses, and probably neither is 100% perfect in any 
> market.
> 
> It's like trying to convince people to switch to Linux. If I were to 
> replace
> the iMac in our living room with Linux, I would probably turn my family
> against Linux because of the little differences and inconsistencies. But,
> when a friend complained about fighting Windows viruses all the time, I
> quietly handed him an Ubuntu live CD (I always carry 2 or 3 with me), 
> and now
> he's converted. When it's the wrong move, it upsets people, but when 
> it's the
> right move, you don't have to push at all.
> 
> I think it's interesting to know the differences, but I would never enter a
> debate with anyone as to which is better. There will be some uses for which
> one or the other is clearly more appropriate, but for most people it 
> will be a
> highly subjective choice. It's almost like a religious debate, and I think
> just as pointless.
> 
> A better use of our energy, I think, is to continue our excellent
> brainstorming about the software development environment, applications, and
> hardware. I think that some of Sean's comments in the networkworld article
> came right from discussions we've had on this list, and I think we 
> should be
> proud of that.
> 
> I think too our honest discussion of any weaknesses in the platform 
> helps FIC
> decide what to do in future models. An overly-zealous "ours is better" 
> point
> of view will make it harder to be honest about weaknesses. Likewise the
> software, especially since we can change it.
> 
> I remain more excited about this project than any I've worked on in 
> years. I
> can't wait to see what creative uses we'll come up with in the next year or
> so. We've had so many good ideas even before seeing the platform - 
> imagine how
> many more we'll have with the source of our inspiration in hand.
> 
> The fun is just begining.
> 
> Michael
> 
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