Android is free.<br><br>You only have to pay them if you want to put their apps on it (Gmail client, Calendar, Google Sky ...), otherwise, it is just open source.<br><br>There are many rooted images out there, most of them legal (no Google unlicensed components in them).<br>
<br>You can even have a device that is only Google-less Android, and then let the<br>user install most of the above from the Market.<br><br>As for Sony, one may be in the making.<br><br><a href="http://www.androidguys.com/2010/06/09/sony-ipad-androidpowered-tablet/">http://www.androidguys.com/2010/06/09/sony-ipad-androidpowered-tablet/</a><br>
<a href="http://hothardware.com/News/Sony-And-Google-Team-Up-For-More-Android-Products-Could-A-Tablet-Be-On-Deck/">http://hothardware.com/News/Sony-And-Google-Team-Up-For-More-Android-Products-Could-A-Tablet-Be-On-Deck/</a><br>
<br>Please demo it to the LUG when you get it :-)<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Insurance Squared Inc. <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gcooke@insurancesquared.com">gcooke@insurancesquared.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#ffffff">
Android's got a connection to Google I think, which makes me all
twitchy. I've got googlephobia. But if Sony brings out a table, I'm
in for one for sure. <br><div><div></div><div class="h5">
<br>
On 05/10/10 08:25 PM, Khalid Baheyeldin wrote:
</div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div></div><div class="h5">On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Insurance Squared Inc. <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gcooke@insurancesquared.com" target="_blank">gcooke@insurancesquared.com</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; 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>
<br>
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/" target="_blank">http://androlib.com/</a> or this one <a href="http://www.cyrket.com/" target="_blank">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/" target="_blank">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>
-- <br>
Khalid M. Baheyeldin<br>
<a href="http://2bits.com" target="_blank">2bits.com</a>, Inc.<br>
<a href="http://2bits.com" target="_blank">http://2bits.com</a><br>
Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.<br>
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. -- Edsger W.Dijkstra<br>
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. -- Leonardo da Vinci<br>
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</blockquote>
<br>
<pre cols="72">--
Glenn Cooke
Insurance Squared Inc.
(866) 779-1499
<a href="http://www.insurancesquared.com" target="_blank">www.insurancesquared.com</a>
Insurance Agent Discussion Forum:
<a href="http://www.americaninsurancebroker.com" target="_blank">www.americaninsurancebroker.com</a>
</pre>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Khalid M. Baheyeldin<br><a href="http://2bits.com">2bits.com</a>, Inc.<br><a href="http://2bits.com">http://2bits.com</a><br>Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.<br>
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. -- Edsger W.Dijkstra<br>Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. -- Leonardo da Vinci<br>