Quote:
Originally Posted by Lo Zeno
I'm not saying that that's unique or a bad thing, just that the iOS isn't the most open because there are others more open than that.
For example you can develop apps for the new BlackBerry SDK and for Android using anything: MAC, Windows, Linux... your computer just needs to be able to run any (any, not just a specific one) Java IDE.
And I think that developing apps for Symbian, too, doesn't limit you to one OS.
Edit: And just to clarify, I don't think that Android is the most open either. Despite allowing some more tinkering more easily, it has a few limits too.
E.g: you can freely upload your app to your device, without paying any fee or creating any accoutn on Android Market, but you can develop using ONLY Java or C++ (and only stripped down versions of the two languages), while for example if I want to develop any application for Windows Mobile I can use almost any programming language that I know, and I do not have to stick to one graphical presentation tool only.
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I think people misunderstand what the meaning of open systems and closed systems are. Its about how well a system interacts with other systems, or how interchangeable/inoperable a system is with other systems. It's about what kind of control is imposed on the user/developer. it's about standards that are not controlled by one governing body, but open for all to contribute.
I wouldn't consider the Android system closed because you can only develop in C++ or Java. I also think that is an incorrect statement.
Android uses Linux and an Open Java engine. While Google might not officially support other languages from C++ or Java, if you can find a cross compiler, in the language you want to support the Android platform you are targeting you can use that language. Just because Google does not provide this feature doesn't make it closed. And if no cross compiler exist, you can always develop one. The GNU compiler very customizable (only feasible if your a hardware vendor)
The same goes for Java. Even though Java VM only comes canned with Java support there is now support for other languages to compile in Java such as Python.
A closed system would only let you use their proprietary language (lets make up a name and call it Objective C)
Now let's look from the vendor perspective and not just the developer. How many different form factors exist for the Android platform.
There are eInk devices, all sorts of phones, with different hardware and functionality, tables, TV. Now let's look at it's competitors. iPhone OS, there is one tablet, and one phone(with version 1, 2, 3 & 4).
Windows 7 has not seen light of day. But windows CE has many usages, PDA, phones, medical devices, eInk, etc...
Linux all of the above and many more.
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