Google Open Social and the Mobile Space

With our exciting next breakfast on Jan 17th "Wireless, Wimax, Mobile and Beyond: A Look at the Future Communications" featuring leading technology innovators (www. nymieg.org) I thought this article from Wireless Factors would be of interest.

-Bill

With all the recent talk about Google’s Open Social, one must consider where it comes into play with the mobile space - your cellphone, or “smart-phone.” Let’s back up for a minute.

Open Social, for those who don’t already know, is a system which enables users of various social networks to share the applications (APIs) available on one network with another network, thereby increasing the reach of programmers and enhancing the social networking experience across the board.

Google is leading the movement toward “open systems” which can use cellphones’ capabilities such as making calls, sending text messages and using the camera, with “ANDROID.”

Open Social was designed to enhance the experience of the social web by allowing users to interact with friends and colleagues across many different networks. That is key. Many networks, one application.

Now with ANDROID, the reach is even further. Potentially, someone with a camera-phone could upload videos to YouTube or Google from a cell! The ability to check email or bank statements or get directions will become commonplace with the adoption of ANDROID.

Another key benefit of the movement toward the open mobile web is that each application is considered to be equal. It doesn’t matter whether your cell has the ability to view photos or check the weather. Under the ANDROID Platform, each API will have the same functionality or importance.

Breaking down application boundaries

Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications. For example, a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual’s mobile phone — such as the user’s contacts, calendar, or geographic location — to provide a more relevant user experience. With ANDROID, a developer could build an application that enables users to view the location of their friends and be alerted when they are in the vicinity giving them a chance to connect.

Other uses of ANDROID could potentially be having a family calendar which would help families (men) remember things like birthdays, anniversaries and school events.

As we start this new year it appears there is a race for “open” systems. Will these open systems transform our markets, our relationships, our businesses? Will the mobile web follow the form of the wired web?

What say You?