On 6 February 2011 11:07, Fabrizio Giudici <[email protected]>wrote:
> 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? > > You're right about things being limited by the Market's fantasy, given that it's full of patent trolls and DRM-loving media companies. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" 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/javaposse?hl=en.
