Posted on 10/07/2010 8:35:43 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Yesterday, some T-Mobile stores began selling its newest mobile device, the G2, an Android-based smart phone originally slated for an October 6 release while AT&T is slated to release it later in the year. This device truly is representative of the next generation of mobile devices. The hardware capabilities surpass the abilities of most available netbook computers, including the ability to play High Definition video seamlessly. Unfortunately, the G2 also comes with built-in hardware that restricts what software a device owner might wish to install.
Specifically, one of the microchips embedded into the G2 prevents device owners from making permanent changes that allow custom modifications to the the Android operating system. This is the same Android that purposefully opened up its source code under the Apache License, allowing anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the operating system code even if they choose not to contribute back to the development community. Even among other Android computing devices and phones, the G2 is touted as an open platform. Unfortunately, the hardware in this device completely undermines this license by allowing mobile network providers to override end-user changes to the source code. Wireless network operators have deployed a hardware rootkit that restricts modifications to a device owned by the user. This would be akin to a computer sold with Microsoft Windows containing chip that prevented users from installing Linux or another operating system of their choice.
Of course, the G2 is not really a phone. It is a mobile computer with an interface that connects to a mobile network. The majority of time many people spend using their G2 mobile computer is taking notes in meetings, reading and responding to email, editing documents, browsing web pages, getting news from their RSS feed readers, listening to audio files, watching YouTube videos, and interacting with online social networks. Occasionally, we may take a photo or maybe even a video, and sometimes users may respond to text messages or make a phone call. These are the same activities most people do with their home and office desktop and laptop computers.
Plugging a USB wireless modem into a laptop for T-Mobile’s broadband services does not mean that T-Mobile can say that Ubuntu Linux is not an approved operating system, or that Skype is not an allowed voice service. Yet when unsuspecting members of the public buy Google’s Android G2 at a T-Mobile store, they aren’t getting a customizable mobile computer or phone but are instead getting a device where the hardware itself dramatically limits users' right to make changes to their computers and install the operating system of their choice.
Clearly, this is a major new initiative to control users rights to run their computers as they see fit. Instead, the new Google Android hardware rootkit acts just like a virus -- overriding user’s preferences to change settings and software to conform to the desires of a third party. And just like a virus, this kind of behavior should be just as illegal. Users of the new Google Android G2 should be warned that their device has a rootkit that will overwrite their software modifications. We are seeking further clarification as to the legality of this malicious software.
Those have tiny 4.3 inch screens.
The Dell Streak I am posting on has a 5 inch screen.
It rocks.
Could be interesting to see the double-standard rolled out. But I have something similar built into me - keeps me from trusting google with too much info...
The price is a killer for me. And I won't get roped into a service contract. I only need wifi. (Archos is also going to make a 7" and 10" version)
However if I was to go back in time to my 1970’s High school days and only had three items to take back with me - making me the coolest kid on campus, they would be:
• An IPOD loaded with the best of the 1970s and yet to be heard 1980’s music
• DVD Player with all 5 Star Wars Movies
• My Laptop
I do have the Streak loaded with movies. the Princess Bride is pretty good in 5 inch viewing.
If I were going back to the 1970’s, I’d bring my flying car. Weren’t we supposed to have flying cars by now?
I was having this discussion with my wife a few weeks ago. If I stepped from 1980 into the present, I would find everything just about like I left it. The only changes are computers, phones and media storage. Everything else works about the same.
I’m still bummed about the flying cars, that was one of the things I was actually looking forward to.
trusting google... I trust Google about as much as I trust Obama and Co.
Nobody is forcing us to buy that computer. So don't.
Nobody is forcing us to buy that computer. So don't.
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