Al Sutton wrote: > This would be a great idea if Google made the hardware available to > everyone, but for developers who are part of the 95% of the worlds > population who don't live in the US they have a choice; > > a) Release and rely on user feedback to help development. > > b) Hold back until they can get a device and risk losing out to > developers in Googles preferred markets that are able to release code > soon after the G1 is available.
I agree that, ideally, there'd be a way to purchase unlocked hardware through a developer program. Problem is, I suspect this is a prime loophole for device speculators who resell hardware on eBay. Besides, the contracts between HTC and T-Mobile might not have allowed it, regardless of what Google or any other OHA member might have wanted or not wanted. > So, although an release of emulator tested code may not be ideal, for > many it's going to be the only option if they want to get things > rolling, and who knows, developers may end up with users who do have > G1s' who are want to help test and app and give feedback as opposed to > having to wait until Google decide to launch the phone in the developers > market. That's one attitude. Another is "you only have one chance to make a first impression". Bear in mind that first-mover advantage is an advantage, not a guarantee of success or, conversely, indicator of failure if you're not first. I get the impression that plenty of iPhone apps that weren't available on Day One have still gotten popular. Furthermore, if first-mover advantage were permanent, we should all still be using WordStar as our word processor. The fact that we aren't demonstrates that first-mover advantage is not a permanent winning state. I'm not questioning that, for some developers and some apps, launching based on emulator-only testing is the right strategy. I do dispute the notion that it is the only strategy. And now, I sit back and wait for somebody to reply, "I *do* still use WordStar, you insensitive clod!"... ;-) -- Mark Murphy (a Commons Guy) http://commonsware.com Android Training on the Ranch! -- Mar 16-20, 2009 http://www.bignerdranch.com/schedule.shtml --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
