Comments on: Google Android Optional APIs http://www.dotdust.com/google-android-optional-apis-297.htm Digital ramblings Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:50:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Shane Isbell http://www.dotdust.com/google-android-optional-apis-297.htm#comment-423 Shane Isbell Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:17:17 +0000 http://www.dotdust.com/google-android-optional-apis-297.htm#comment-423 I think that you have struck at the Achilles heel of Android. Developers will only have access to these optional APIs if they certify their apps with the carriers. In other words, the apps must be approved and signed by the carrier. This is not so very different than the current Java ME situation. Without the optional APIs, Android is only marginally better than a CDC/Foundation Profile enabled device. And marginal is not good enough when Android has no market share and no device. I think that you have struck at the Achilles heel of Android. Developers will only have access to these optional APIs if they certify their apps with the carriers. In other words, the apps must be approved and signed by the carrier. This is not so very different than the current Java ME situation.

Without the optional APIs, Android is only marginally better than a CDC/Foundation Profile enabled device. And marginal is not good enough when Android has no market share and no device.

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