On 02/05/2011 03:36 PM, ags wrote:
From my perspective, what Pioneer is showing is just the first of such
devices, and many more specialised will follow :-)
... which is precisely what I wanted to discuss (even though Karsten's
point are interesting as well). So, in one question:
Is there any sense in creating a specialized device such as the one made
by Pioneer (which, of course, just serves as an example)?
In other words, why one shouldn't just buy a bike mount to set an
Android smartphone in front of your face?
The possible advantages of a specialized device are:
1. Lower prices. But I really don't know. Why should it cost less since
Android also defines an hardware architecture? I mean, I'd rather expect
lower costs to come from regular competition of common devices (while
specialized devices can't enjoy the same level of competition).
2. Longest battery times. Of course, one could design a specific device
with a largest battery than those used by phones. But one could also
just design an external battery - which would fit in a bycicle (not
considering options such as solar cells or dynamos).
3. Ruggedness. Well, perhaps the Pioneer device can survive to a fall
better than a smartphone. Still, the desired ruggedness could be
provided by the bycycle mount.
4. Specific hardware. The Pioneer device has got a specific item which
mounts on the pedal for monitoring the legs' job (I suppose). But given
that it's 99% a bluetooth device, it could just connect to a regular
Android devices - in other words, if you need specific hardware, it
could be just a peripheral device to a regular Android phone.
So, it seems that every possible advantage really doesn't justify the
ad-hoc hardware choice. On the other hands, there are many disadvantages:
1. Less competition. Same as point #1 above. Furthermore, focusing on
developing a software app would mean that you could enjoy competition
for software too.
2. Less benefits. Using a regular Android smartphone, the biker could
enjoy listening music and answering to phone calls (of course,it might
cost less I won't digress whether these are dangerous activities to do
while cycling); or use Google Maps, or a navigator. Indeed, this is the
most important point: I'm puzzled by the idea of an ad-hoc device which
prevents installation of further software, because the smartphone
"revolution" to me is the idea of having a small computer always with
me, where I can run everything, only limited by my (and the market's)
fantasy.
Ideas?
--
Fabrizio Giudici - Java Architect, Project Manager
Tidalwave s.a.s. - "We make Java work. Everywhere."
java.net/blog/fabriziogiudici - www.tidalwave.it/people
[email protected]
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