Android in the long run: question to Lucas Jordan & Pieter Greyling

[Carlo Lopez]

Hi again,

now I ask you something more related to the market than the development, taking into account the long experience that you have with software products.

Do you think Android can increase the use of linux in desktop? (in the long run at least)

Do you think releasing a desktop edition of the Android OS would be a good strategy to increase market share?

thanks in advance

[Pieter Greyling]

Carlo Lopez wrote:
Do you think Android can increase the use of linux in desktop? (in the long run at least)
Do you think releasing a desktop edition of the Android OS would be a good strategy to increase market share?

Hello Carlo,

In general I would say that any software technology-based consumer product that is successful in terms of market penetration carries benefit for the platform that it is built with. So, should Android devices gain a big chunk of the market as well as a positive customer perception and awareness over an extended period of time, this would be good for Linux on the desktop.

Another perspective is that tablets are stretching the definition and reach of the term "desktop". They are also eating into the market that has traditionally been the home of the desktop computer. Consider, for instance, that Android (Linux core)-based tablets are set to encroach on areas of user space typically occupied by Windows XP-based netbooks today. This is another avenue through which Android, and thus Linux indirectly, could see increased use and gain market share in general as well as on the desktop.

Regards,
Pieter