Interesting. That could be the way to beat the iPhone. Instead of attacking head on, go a level down and spread sideways. Apple doesn't like their software to run on devices they don't make. But they can't make every cool device. So even if Apple managed to crush Android on phones, they couldn't crush Android. And as long as Android lived, it would always be poised to creep back onto phones. Or whatever replaces them.
Right now I am using the new IO Developer Conference HTC. Gotta say it is pretty slick. Being a game developer, i can't wait to develop a game for it. Does it compare with the iphone, with apple's brand cachet, accelerometer, and nonstop media attention? No. Still, it's better than my now broken Blackberry, and has the feel of a PSP. Maybe Android has a chance.<p>I for one, was really hoping that <i>Microsoft</i> came with a handheld competition for the iPod Touch. From what i can see, the Zune HD isn't it. The extent that it lends itself to game development seems to be incredibly lackluster and half-hearted, and i think this is for two reaons: 1) Microsoft doesn't want to officially dilute the xbox brand with a Zune PSP clone because they don't have a mobile game strategy yet (it's Microsoft, it takes time!), and 2) they're still hoping that they can claim some market share in the MP3 market, which seems a horrible plan, but then so did the xbox...