Open Source for mobile

One of the biggest obstacles to achieving universal ICT access is the digital divide, both between and within countries.

There is a gap between the information haves and have-nots, or knows and know-nots. For example, at one stage there were more Internet hosts in Manhattan than the whole of Africa. Rather than shrinking, this gap is continually growing.

Part of the digital divide in South Africa involves gender and those most likely to benefit from ICTs are rich, educated young men in urban areas. Illiteracy is another part of the digital divide and it is higher amongst females than males as most females are confined to rural areas, participating in subsistence agriculture.

Despite the cheaper availability of mobile phones worldwide, the cost of being a mobile media citizen remains prohibitive to many.

Google’s Android

Seeing as Google is taking over the world, one huge leap at a time – they’ve decided to enter the mobile market (no surprises there).  What’s interesting is that they decided to go the open source route.

The software is based on their Linux kernel and GNU software. According to GPD Group unit sales for Android smartphones ranked first among all smartphone operating system handsets sold in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2010, at 33%. Blackberry came in second at 28%.

Windows phone

The current version is called "Windows Mobile 6.5". It is based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel and features a set of basic applications developed using the Microsoft Windows API. It is designed to be similar to the desktop versions of their software - feature-wise and aesthetically.

Head to head

While largely untested, Google's products offer more flexibility than Microsoft due to their open-source nature. Google's basic products are also free, unlike Microsoft's, and have the backing of the world's biggest Internet firm.

Lessening the divide

With so many people owning a mobile phone, access to internet and information becomes easier.  The most important part of Android is its association with Google, which has a long history of innovation and dominance over the internet.  Within months of its launch, Google brought groundbreaking innovations in the field of mobile computing with its Google Maps and its integration over the internet.

Is the Google Android the answer to the digital divide?

Visit www.android.com to give your input to Android’s open source.