On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Insurance Squared Inc. <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gcooke@insurancesquared.com">gcooke@insurancesquared.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
I mentioned before on the list that I'd like to see a linux version of the ipad/slate/sony tablet/whatever. I think one of you folks should find a hardware manufacturer to build one that's full of open components, create an online marketplace like apple has (to sell apps, or just make them available for a small download fee) then go on the dragon's den to get some cash to build it all.<br>
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I'd do it, but I'm too busy. You should do it because I want an OSS tablet computer. that's a good reason right?<br></blockquote></div><br clear="all">Already happened, or on its way. <br><br>The operating system is called Android (yes, Linux based).<br>
<br>The store is called Android Market. You can browse it using a more friendly interface than Google's at this site <a href="http://androlib.com/">http://androlib.com/</a> or this one <a href="http://www.cyrket.com/">http://www.cyrket.com/</a><br>
Skype just added their app to the Market today. There are many thousands<br>of apps in there.<br><br>There are even other independent markets, e.g. <a href="http://slideme.org/">http://slideme.org/</a><br><br>The hardware is on its way, from Samsung (Galaxy Tab), Dell (Streak), <br>
and others.<br><br>What Apple has going for it, from a business point of view, is that they<br>control the entire stack (hardware, operating system, and store), and <br>they control the quality of apps more than others. They also have less<br>
variants of hardware/operating systems, where as the Android devices<br>are made by many vendors, and each has their own features, quirks,<br>extensions to the O.S., ..etc.<br><br>I use an Android phone, and love the ecosystem.<br>
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