A Memorable Fancy » mobile http://www.erikmarshall.net Erik Marshall's Blog Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:32:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 mocoNewsnet: Android’s Scare With Malware Makes Apple’s Tough Love Policy On iPhone More Reasonable | mocoNews.net http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/android%e2%80%99s-scare-with-malware-makes-apple%e2%80%99s-tough-love-policy-on-iphone-more-reasonable-moconewsnet/ http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/android%e2%80%99s-scare-with-malware-makes-apple%e2%80%99s-tough-love-policy-on-iphone-more-reasonable-moconewsnet/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:27:34 +0000 erik http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/?p=328 This recent article in mocoNewsnet points to some of the problems and tensions surrounding mobile computing, which are also metaphors for other forms of governance in a networked world. The article basically rehashes some of the gripes developers have had with Apple’s approach to the iPhone App Store — basically, that they are too tight-fisted, . . . → Read More: mocoNewsnet: Android’s Scare With Malware Makes Apple’s Tough Love Policy On iPhone More Reasonable | mocoNews.net]]> This recent article in mocoNewsnet points to some of the problems and tensions surrounding mobile computing, which are also metaphors for other forms of governance in a networked world. The article basically rehashes some of the gripes developers have had with Apple’s approach to the iPhone App Store — basically, that they are too tight-fisted, and developers never know if their apps will pass the test — and sets against Android’s model, which is much more open. The comparison doesn’t work as stated, as the examples given are of Apple’s content censorship (no boobs or booty) on the one hand, and the potential for malware in Android. The relatively open structure of Android does seem to open the door for potential malware, but Apple’s content restrictions do not guard against that sort of thing — it is just plain censorship. The tight controls on other aspects of applications, like access to the GPS or the home screeen probably do guard against malware, but at what cost? I imagine the number and diversity of apps for Android will explode while the iPhone, which has a headstart, will stagnate, being limited to clones of apps that already exist.

This dichotomy between open and closed systems is not new. Proprietary software vs the free/open source software movement has been a long-fought battle over intellectual property rights, profit margins, quality control and safety. The entertainment industry has been sturggling with issued of “piracy” as well as competition from more open, grassroots models. Ultimately, I think Apple will have to loosen its restrictions and Android will have to find a way to guard against malware without going the Apple route.


]]> http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/android%e2%80%99s-scare-with-malware-makes-apple%e2%80%99s-tough-love-policy-on-iphone-more-reasonable-moconewsnet/feed/ 0 Ubiquitous networking http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/ubiquitous-networking/ http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/ubiquitous-networking/#comments Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:45:54 +0000 erik http://www.erikmarshall.net/blog/?p=240 I haven’t been posting here of late mostly because I’ve been in a general funk, but I’ve been twittering like crazy, and carrying on a bit in social networking sites, especially facebook, but also myspace, which has got me thinking about networks and networking and communication and mobility. Here’s why twitter and not blogging: Twitter . . . → Read More: Ubiquitous networking]]> I haven’t been posting here of late mostly because I’ve been in a general funk, but I’ve been twittering like crazy, and carrying on a bit in social networking sites, especially facebook, but also myspace, which has got me thinking about networks and networking and communication and mobility. Here’s why twitter and not blogging: Twitter works because it is everywhere. I can post from my phone, IM, the web, almost anywhere, and I can receive tweets on my phone. The customizability of the app allows me to catch tweets via txt for select users, which I use for people who are local and other interesting people, provided their volume isn’t too high. This is also why I think Facebook works better than Myspace. When someone sends me a message, I get the entire message in email or via txt (again, depending on the person), instead of just a message that says I have a message, as Myspace does. I also get status updates for select people via txt (well, only for one person right now, but, again, it’s customizable). It is the movement from web browser to phone or im or whatever else you want that makes these applications so much more flexible and useful. I still use my web browser for lots of stuff, but it’s nice to be liberated from it for those things that actually help me connect with people.

On another note, I have worried in the past how blogging would affect my other writing. Blogging for me is shorter and more top-of-mind than academic or other writing, and twitter takes that to another level, with its built-in 120 character limit. I do think twitter has eaten into my blogging, but I’m still writing otherwise, just not as visibly.

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